Despite the rain which fell during most of Barca’s open training session in Reus this morning, 3,500 fans turned out to watch the players as they were put through their paces by Guardiola and the technical staff.

Following last week’s successful trip to Palafrugell, the squad this morning visited Reus, who are also celebrating their centenary, for an open training session at which 3,500 fans put up with the rain to cheer on their idols.

Plenty of youngsters

There were plenty of youngsters at the session, but there were also a lot of adults too, who took the opportunity to see the Barca stars close up and record the event on their cameras.

Ground full

It’s been raining in Catalonia since Monday, but the fans filled the Municipal Stadium in Reus. The covered zone of the stands was the most popular are, with the umbrellas were out in the rest of the ground.

Applause for Guardiola

The fans gave a roar of welcome to the players as they came out onto the pitch, but saved their biggest round of applause for the manager Pep Guardiola, who followed his squad out on to the turf.

Solidarity with Haiti

Although the session was a celebration of the Reus club’s centenary, there was also time for a more serious note, with both teams posing for a photo before the session in front of a banner which read: “ FC Barcelona and CF Reus Deportiu support the Haiti people”.

Interchange of gifts

Albert Perrín and Jacint Borràs representing the Board of Directors were received by the Mayor of Reus, Miquel Pérez, and representatives of CF Reus Deportivo including club President Ramon Alabart, and they interchanged gifts. Borràs also praised the work of the ex-Reus manager and ex-Barca player Calderé, as well as the ex-President of CF Reus Xavier Llesparri, who made the first contacts to organise the Barca expedition to Reus.

FC Barcelona has decided, for the moment, not to challenge the red cards incurred by defenders Gerrard Pique and Rafael Marquez in last Saturday’s league contest at the Camp Nou against Getafe. Referee Teixeira Vitienes ejected Pique in the 26th minute for a late tackle on Getafe player Rafa Lopez; Marquez was dismissed in the 90th minute for impeding Kepa Blanco as the last defender in a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Each player faces a likely one-game ban which would make both defenders unavailable for next week’s match against Atletico Madrid. Barcelona will have another opportunity to challenge the cards after the ‘Comite de Competicion’ meets to discuss the sanctions on Tuesday.

Since Pep Guardiola took charge of the team, FC Barcelona players have been ejected 11 times. Both Pique and Marquez were dismissed last season in the 1-2 victory over Racing.

Ahead of this weekend’s clash against an unpredictable Atlético Madrid side, Pep Guardiola is starting to run low on defenders. During practice today in Reus, Barcelona’s stalwart fullback Eric Abidal pulled up with a left leg injury that may cause him to miss Sunday’s encounter with the rojiblancos.

FC Barcelona official website confirmed that Abidal suffered an injury to his outer thigh. Other reports are less specific as of now. The French defender is expected to be out for atleast six weeks.

There is no good time to be injured as an athlete, but Abidal must be particularly disappointed as he has enjoyed a wonderful run of form lately. And it is certainly bad timing for the team.

Fellow defensive starters Dani Alves and Carles Puyol are also dealing with injuries, and Alves will not be available until the end of February. Central defenders Gerard Piqué and Rafa Marquez will miss the Atletico Madrid match due to suspension, after both were shown a direct red against Getafe on the weekend. And to make it all worse, DM Yaya Toure is set to miss two weeks with a leg injury picked up late in the 2-1 victory Saturday.

Without Toure and Piqué, and with Puyol’s status uncertain, Barcelona is more vulnerable to airborne crosses to the middle of the defense. The rojiblancos are dangerous when they find their attacking rhythm, but Guardiola still has plenty of defensive players who know how to win and maintain possession. The depth of the squad will be on display again this weekend, with first-team defenders Maxwell, Gabi Milito and Dymitro Chyrgrinsky healthy and with several Barca Atletic defenders ready for a call-up.

Unconfirmed reports emerging from Spain and Algeria claim that Barcelona are following Rangers central defender and Algerian international Madjid Bougherra (27).

With the Algerian putting in some fine battling performances at this years African Cup of Nation’s and, after glowing reports from Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita, Barca coach Pep Guardiola has apparently decided to make Bougherra’s name a shock addition to his summer shortlist.

It is believed that Seville have made contact with Bougherra’s agent already and it’s only this morning that rumours have surfaced that Bougherra is being watched between now and the end of the season by Pep Guardiola’s Barca scouts. Further, Guardiola had scouts present to watch Algeria in the ACON and he has asked for and watched a series of tapes of the players performances subsequently.

One area where the style of play of Bougherra apparently grabbed attention of Barcelona is his foraging runs into midfield and attack. The defender can add an extra dimension to Rangers attacking play and his breaks down the right flank have been rewarded with a few assists.

The rumours today have surfaced from people in Spain and also in Algeria over the Algerian Player of the Year yet in terms of Barcelona, no decision could be made until the presidential elections in June.

After several months of the Madrid press talking about “Villarato”, Joan Laporta has addressed the issue and given his opinion. “Everything is fine. The subject has been given too much importance. There is no need to fall into their trap. We as a team have a lot of experience and we have to rise above the controversy.”

Laporta continued, “The accusations are unnecessary and they only give football a bad name.” He says the important thing is that “we are 5 points clear of second place and therefore everyone focuses on us.” The president claimed that during his presidency he has never talked poorly of the referees. He maintains that Barca should “remain faithful to their philosphy and aim for victory with talent, identity and with maximum respect for the rival.”

He doesn’t seem to be worried about what the punishment will be for Pique’s red card against Getafe. “I’ve never doubted the Competition Committee’s impartiality and independence, and I’m sure they will make a just decision.” Talking about the upcoming match against Atletico Madrid, Laporta said “We’ll have to face Atletico without several important players but we have a good enough squad to try and win. Winning the three points will reconfirm our first place standing and will serve as an important confidence booster.”

DEATH TO THE ‘VILLARATO‘

It all is a campaign to hide Madrid’s weakness.

With Villar, Barça has won 9 Ligas and Madrid 8…where is the problem?

The last Laporta’s denunciation: “It’s a trick to destabilize us”

Cesc is already looking for a home in Barcelona.

Barça handball: Barrufet, goodbye to the great captain.

[Non Barça Related]

Madrid: Higuaín stays firm and doesn’t renew his contract.

Espanyol: Tamudo doesn’t count for anything.

VILLA WAITS FOR BARÇA

The “guaje” counts with Valencia’s  agreement that they would let him leave if he wanted.

Guardiola wanted him last year and the players would like him to be their teammate.

Iturralde will direct the Atlético – Barça under media pressure.

A bib’s Barça.*

Handball Barça: “Barru”, goodbye with tears in his eyes.

Kaká: “Barça is leader because of its own merit”

* It’s a pun. It makes refference both to the fact that Barça plays great (so you need the bib to not get your shirt dirt with your saliva) and that they ate yesterday snails (a dish which made necessary to use a bib).

British sports tabolid The Mirror claims Arsene Wenger is ready to go to war with Barcelona in the battle to hold onto Cesc Fabregas.

Barcelona are appaerently ready to launch a £40m bid for Fabregas this summer and believe they may be able to lure him away unless Arsenal win some silverware this season.

But Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has already written to Barcelona to demand the Spanish giants stop their very public campaign to try to sign Fabregas.

Gazidis wanted to know why stories keep appearing in the Spanish press and for the club’s executives to stop making statements about the Arsenal captain.

Fabregas left Barcelona at 16 to join Arsenal but the Spanish club are now prepared to pay huge money to get him back – and see this summer as their big chance.

Gazidis fired the first shots in the battle with Barcelona over Fabregas before Christmas but the club are still standing firm in their stance that he is not for sale.

But Arsenal could face a battle to keep Fabregas after dropping nine points behind in the title race, with the Champions League their last realistic hope of silverware.

Fabregas, 22, still has four years left on his contract and Arsenal are ready to offer him a new and improved £120,000-a-week deal to fend off interest from Spain.

Gunners boss Wenger insists Fabregas is happy at Arsenal, the club are under no financial pressure to sell their prize asset and his long-term plans are all built around the Spaniard.

That is what has prompted Arsenal to get tough with Barcelona as they have moved ahead of Real Madrid in the battle to sign Fabregas.

Barcelona believe they may be able to lure Fabregas back to the Nou Camp this summer because of Arsenal’s failure to win a trophy since 2005 and Wenger not having signed big-name players to strengthen the squad.

Current president Joan Laporta stands down this summer after two highly successful terms in charge and has named Alfons Godall as the man he wants to succeed him.

But Laporta’s arch enemy, Sandro Rosell, is also standing for election and both are desperate to strike an agreement with Fabregas to help them win the battle for control.

Bayern Munich winger and France international midfielder Franck Ribéry (26) has admitted to he would like to switch clubs in the summer and says his compatriot Theirry Henry would love to see him at Barcelona.

Speaking to RTL radio, the 26-year-old also admitted that he could be tempted to join up with France team-mate Thierry Henry at Barcelona.

“I get on really well with him and I know he would also like to see me there,” Ribéry said. “I know a lot of people would like to see me stay [at Bayern]. Whether I stay or go it won’t be an easy decision.”

“Bayern is still a big club. It’s one of the biggest in the world but I find that our team is not as strong as other teams, like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea”, said the France winger, who has been heavily linked with a move to Spain. “Maybe we will have trouble competing against these teams.

“I want to win trophies and to enjoy myself. I’m not 20 any more. I am closer to the end [of my career] than the beginning.”

In an interview with Fifa.com, Portuguese winger Simao Sabrosa gave his opinion on the recurring question of who is the better footballer, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.  Asked who was the better of the two, the Atletico Madrid player said “If we are talking about current form, they are both playing very well but I think that Messi has the edge at the moment.”

He was then asked. if he wasn’t better than both Messi and Ronaldo, and replied with a laugh “No, no, Messi’s still the best!”

Speaking about Portugal’s hopes for the World Cup in the summer, Simao was also quizzed as to which player he modelled himself on when he was a young boy.

“Luis Figo, no doubt about it. I used to go and watch him train from the age of 13, when I joined Sporting’s academy. I always dreamed of being like him. And l was later fortunate enough to play alongside Luis at Sporting, Barcelona and for the national team, and he was always happy to give me advice. In fact, he still does because we live in the same city now he’s retired. He continues to be an example for everyone to follow, whether they are professionals or children just starting out.”

Thierry Henry was voted third in a poll of the fifty best strikers to have played in Britain since the second world war. The poll composed by Four-Four-Two magazine had the Frenchman taking third place, beaten only by Eric Cantona and Kenny Dalglish.

The accolade was given for Titi’s performances for Arsenal, where he plied his trade from 1999 to 2007, scoring 174 goals in 254 Premier League appearances, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups in the process.

During his time with the Gunners, he was crowned the Premier Leagues Top Goalscorer four times, won the European Golden Boot twice and was voted the Players Player of the year twice, as well as the Football Writers player of the Year three times.

The five criteria the strikers were judged on were Goals, Big Game Temperament, Honours, Teamwork and Wow Factor, with Thierry ranking higher than any other contestant in this final category, scoring an amazing 19 out of a possible 20. In the other four categories he scored as such (out of ten) – Goals 9, Big Game Temperament 5, Honours 7 and Teamwork 8.

Henry was one of only six players in the list who are still playing today with Wayne Rooney (no#8), Didier Drogba (no#13),  Ruud Van Nistelrooy (no#27),  Michael Owen (no#33), Dwight Yorke (no#37) and former Liverpool great Robbie Fowler (no#41) who currently plays in Australia for North Queensland Fury.

Although based on performances in Britain other former Barca strikers included in the list were Mark Hughes (no#19), Gary Lineker (no#16), and another Champions League Winner with Barcelona, Henrik Larsson, who came in at number 10, thanks to his time at Celtic and Manchester United.

Who’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic beyond press conferences and hasty half-time interviews? Who is the man behind the sports columns praise choruses or the blurry paparazzi pictures? In a unique one-hour portrait of the TV3, Rene Nyberg has closely been following the circus Zlatan.

Part 1

Part 2

Part3

Part4

Part5

Barcelona left-back Maxwell has given an interview to Madrid daily AS, where he played down the much talked about Vilarrato.

“We avoid talking about the referees and things from the press. We are concentrating on improving ourselves. All titles are shown and what they say from the outside is negligible. The important thing is to look about us and do the simple things in the playing field.”

When asked how he enjoyed playing at right-back at the weekend, the Brazilian who has played 13 times so far this season since his move from Inter Milan in the summer, drew an interesting analogy saying “It is a new position for me and I tried to contribute as much as I could. It is like driving through England. I had to look for all movements.” He then complemented his defensive team-mates saying “the communication from the centre is perfect.”

Asked about the current injury crisis at the club he said: “Hopefully it’s nothing, we have very high morale, we’re very confident and want to come back from Madrid with the points.” Stating he saw such a win as an “important step” toward the league title.

“To continue the streak with so many casualties would be wonderful, but we must be better than them to achieve the three points… We are losing quality (to injury), but we are ready for the challenge and we want one more win. We can handle the pressure and the velocity of Atletico. They have front end and high quality, goals and speed. But we hope to help each other to generate a win.”

He ended the interview with some supportive words for his good friend Zlatan Ibrahimovic. “Ibra is fine and it is clear that an attacker always wants goals. He is aware of what is going positively and remembers what he’s experienced in the past. The goals will come.”

In an interview to be published in the journal Footballers Life, FC Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic cleared up some of the issues that have been surrounding him and his career recently.

Finding first-team chances at Barcelona limited due to the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the good form of Pedro Rodriguez, Bojan was asked if he had found it hard sitting on the bench. “At some point I felt frustrated about not playing, but I never lost the strength. Guardiola says I have to keep learning and I always try to make things difficult (for him).”

The 19 year old went on to explain how he felt he could play alongside star striker Ibrahimovic: “I play with Ibrahimovic. He’s a very different kind of player to me, but we can complement each other perfectly.” He also confirmed that the thought of leaving the Camp Nou had “never crossed my mind” stating “I am very happy at Barca and I want to spend many years here.”

Asked about the future he said “I do not speak of stagnation but of learning. I see I have to wake up in many ways and it helps me grow,” he also affirmed that he sees more success ahead for the club due to the team’s “talent and strength.”

“I hope Bayern Munich go far, as they are my club. It’d be wonderful if they could one day meet Barcelona in the final. Barca will win it this season. Barca is the best!”

Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeping legend Sepp Maier when asked about his opinion on who will win the Champions league this season.

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo rejected a lucrative move from Manchester United to Barcelona because he had already signed an agreement with Madrid.

In an interview with Eurosport-Yahoo!, Calderon said that Ronaldo agreed to join Madrid early last season - risking a 30 million euro (£26.3m) penalty had he left United for another club.

Calderon, who quit his role at the start of 2009 amid allegations of electoral vote-rigging, took credit for arranging the deal ahead of current president Florentino Perez's arrival, and claimed that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sell the player to Barcelona.

"On December 8, 2008 Cristiano came to an agreement with Manchester United about joining Real Madrid," Calderon said. "There was no negotiation about this as he had signed on it.

"The player, in order to show his good faith and desire to come to Madrid, took a financial penalty of 30 million euros (if he pulled out of the deal). But then Barcelona and Internazionale tried to sign him too.

"It was a difficult situation for Manchester United because Sir Alex Ferguson is not a friend of Real Madrid and does not see eye to eye with us: we are a rival, in winning titles and directly in European competition.

"But the player solved the problem by keeping his word to join us and rejecting Barca. This showed his determination to not go to any club other than Real Madrid. He rejected them and that is certain."

The big-money summer purchases of Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso and Karim Benzema came from a combination of cash raised by Perez and from the sales of players.

Calderon thinks the transfers of Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder to Bayern Munich and Inter were mistakes though, claiming that boss Manuel Pellegrini agrees.

"Players like Robben, Sneijder and (Klaas-Jan) Huntelaar brought important money to the club but it saddens me, and the coach, that they left," he added.

"We never agreed that Sneijder and Robben would be sold, and when you see how well Robben is playing at Bayern, it was a mistake."

The 58-year-old lawyer is, however, delighted that Gonzalo Higuain stayed at the club.

Argentine striker Higuain was only 19 when he arrived at the Bernabeu, and he struggled at first, leading to criticism of Calderon for arranging the transfer.

But with 22 Liga goals last season and 12 already this campaign, the 22-year-old has come good.

"It seems that there was a campaign to discredit everything I did," Calderon said.

"Higuain's signing was much criticised. He cost nine million euros I think and I still do not know if he is the best striker in the world - but he is one of the most effective.

"Benzema is not a bad player, he is fantastic, but the truth is that Higuain was a risk. I had a coach (Fabio Capello, now England manager) who was not convinced.

"He told me he could not see Higuain scoring 12 in this team: I told him he would score 12 in one match."

English sports tabloid Daily Star report that Premier League club Chelsea have made Barcelona’s Dani Alves (26) their main priority for this summer’s transfer window.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti wants a new attacking right-back and the Brazilian apparently fits the bill perfectly. Chelsea will also face competition from Manchester City for the full back’s signature.

Alves has been linked with Chelsea during the summer of 2007, but he chose to go to Barcelona in 2008 from Sevilla, for a reported transfer fee of €30 million.

Alves contract with Barcelona runs out in 2012 and Chelsea want to try and use that to lure him to Stamford Bridge.

Reports in Spain suggest that both clubs have been in touch with the Brazilian’s agent and they are prepared to better his £100,000-a-week wages.

Barcelona meanwhile are reportedly trying to negotiate with Alves’ agent over a contract renewal, and the player has previously expressed his desire to retire at Barca.

FC Barcelona have today denied all the rumours suggesting Barca have reached an agreement with Cesc Fabregas (22) of Arsenal. A statement on the clubs official website read:

“Given the exceptional repercussions created by the stories that have appeared in different media with respect to an agreement with Arsenal FC player Cesc Fàbregas, FCB flatly denies that there have been any negotiations or agreements with the player.

In accordance with FIFA regulations, FC Barcelona’s contract policy has always made it a priority to negotiate with the club of origin before making any particular agreement with the player.

FC Barcelona wishes to stress that it has always maintained excellent institutional relations with Arsenal FC”.

CESC 5 YEARS

Barça has already made an agreement with Fàbregas until 2015 and his fee would be almost like Xavi’s.

Abidal, another defender KO. He will miss 6-8 weeks, so the match against Atleti gets complicated without Alves, Piqué, Márquez and Touré.

Great azulgrana party in Reus. 4.300 fans faced the rain and 52.000 euros were collected.

[Non Barça-Related]

Calderón: “Villar is afraid of being beaten on the street”. “Ferguson wanted Cristiano to go to Barça,” said the ex white president.

Benzema won’t play against Xerez nor Lyon.

BARÇA 2010-2011

RIBÉRY OFFERS HIMSELF (to Barça)

He thinks that adaptating to Barça would be easier for him.

“Barça is a well-formed and a winner team; Madrid is still being formed and never play the same players.”

CESC, TIED

He will sign for 5 years

Cesc will have a crack’s fee, on Xavi’s, Iniesta’s and Alves’s level.

A one-game suspension for Piqué and Márquez. Abidal KO.

Guardiola creates excitement in Reus.

Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger says he is not paying any attention to the latest bout of speculation over Cesc Fabregas’ future.

Speaking to Arsenal’s official website Wenger said he is confident Fabregas is commited to Arsenal but admitted that anything can happen in the future.

“There is no concern at all,” said Wenger. “What is more of a concern is that we try everything to win something.

“Cesc is committed when he plays, [so] what’s the future? We don’t know what will happen in six months, in two years, in five years. Your commitment is when you sign your contract and where you play.”

Fc Barcelona defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) has suffered a tear in the femoral biceps of his left thigh and will be out of action for one week. Chygrynskiy now adds to the already long list of injuries affecting FC Barcelona’s defense.

The defender felt some discomfort in his left thigh during training yesterday. On Wednesday morning, the discomfort persisted. After conducting tests it was confirmed that there was a 1.5 cm tear in the femoral biceps of his left thigh.

Absences in defense

Chygrynskiy now adds to the long list of casualties for Sunday’s match against Atletico at the Vicente Calderon. Dani Alves, Rafa Marquez, Gerard Pique, Eric Abidal and Yaya Touré have already been ruled out of the match either through injury or suspension. The only first team defenders now available are central defenders Carles Puyol, Gabriel Milito and left back Maxwell.

Chygrynskiy was bought by the club this summer just before the end of the transfer market. Since then the Ukranian has played 12 games with the club (10 in the League, 2 in the Cup).

“They [Barcelona] are a great team, a team that knows very well how each other plays even with their eyes closed. I talk a lot to Eric [Abida] and Titi [Henry] and they tell me that a nice atmosphere prevails, that they all go in the same direction and that all that is important for adaptation is shown each week… and last season they have won a lot.”

Bayern Munich winger and France international midfielder Franck Ribery (26) during an interview with former France and Bayern Munich player Bixentu Lizarizu for the program Le Club de Liza

Barcelona’s highly-rated winger Jeffren Suarez (22) has today signed a new contract, until the end of the 2011/2012 season, a statement on the clubs official website confirmed.

The left-sided forward’s previous deal at the Camp Nou was due to expire at the end of this season but he has now been rewarded with a contract extension after performing well earlier on in 2009/2010.

Jeffren is currently injured and will also move his shirt number from 35 to 20, the shirt Dani Alves vacated when he chose to wear number 2 at the start of this season.

Barcelona have also included a €10 million buyout clause in Jeffren’s contract.

In total he has played six times for Barcelona this season and has impressed coach Pep Guardiola during the Club world cup final against Estudiantes.