PHOTOS: Barca Couldn't Stop The Determined Bilbao Side

Athletic Bilbao shocked Barcelona fans and the entire world in their first leg thrashing of Barcelona 4 - 0 at the San Mames Stadium and on Monday night held the Catalans to a draw in Camp nou.

The star studded Barcelona side couldn't overturn the result but rather suffered a red card at the 57minute when Pique was booked for confronting the linesman.

The Super Cup trophy brings to an end Athletic Bilbao's 31yrs old trophy drought.

 

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Lionel Messi Considered Arsenal Switch

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi reportedly sounded out Arsenal last season regarding a switch to the Emirates Stadium.

In May of this year, the 27-year-old committed his future to his Catalan employers by signing a new contract, which is believed to contain a release clause in the region of £200m.

However, prior to having agreed to those fresh terms, the Argentine international, who had grown frustrated with life at the Camp Nou, asked former Gunners midfielder and his then Barcelona teammate Cesc Fabregas to talk to his agent Darren Dein regarding the logistics of a move to the North Londoners, according to Spanish outlet Vozpopuli.

The report added that at the same time, Fabregas was also discussing terms with Arsenal, but the midfielder eventually signed for London rivals Chelsea.

It is believed that even if Messi had decided to leave Barca, Arsenal would have struggled to raise the necessary transfer funds to secure the deal.

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Luis Suarez To Complete Barcelona Move This Week?

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez could reportedly seal a move to Barcelona before the end of the week.

Suarez is keen on a transfer to Camp Nou, and after talks between the two clubs were said to be productive, a transfer could be completed over the weekend.

According to Sky Sports News, Liverpool are holding out for a fee of £80m, which is the player's release clause, but Barcelona have indicated that they want to try to get a deal done with a bid in the region of £60m.

It had been reported that Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez could make the move in the opposition direction, but while Liverpool remain keen on the Chile international, it is believed that he will not be part of any deal for Suarez.

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UCL RESULT: Koke Strike Knocks Out Barcelona

An early goal from Koke was enough for Atletico Madrid to book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, beating Barcelona 2-1 on aggregate.

The home side looked strong from the start, and managed to edge ahead after just six minutes when Koke slotted the ball home from an Adrian header forwards.

David Villa came close to adding a second just a couple of minutes later when Jose Pinto was slow to clear from in front of his own goal, but the Barcelona keeper just managed to clear the danger in time.

Villa looked sharp throughout the opening period, rattling the goal posts three times inside the first 20 minutes.

Andres Iniesta created a couple of half chances for the visitors, while Lionel Messi headed wide from a Dani Alves cross, but the La Liga champions could not get back on level terms before the break.

Thibaut Courtois had to be sharp at the start of the second half as Xavi set up Neymar for the shot, but the on-loan keeper was able to deny the Brazilian.

Xavi continued to provide a threat for Barcelona, but headed just wide from close range on the hour mark.

Atletico believed that they should have had a penalty inside the final 20 minutes, but Howard Webb waved away away Villa's appeals after he appeared to be brought down by Javier Mascherano.

Both sides pressed hard in the final 10 minutes as the hosts tried to put the win beyond doubt, while Barcelona tried to force extra time.

The visitors won a corner in the final minutes, but Jordi Alba lost out to Juanfran, who cleared the danger for Atletico.

Pedro tried to cross the ball back in for Barcelona, but it was comfortably claimed by Courtois, before Pinto had to make a stop at the other ends moments later, denying Cristian Rodriguez and sealing the Madrid side's place in the last four.


Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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UEFA Champions League Draw #QuarterFinals

BARCELONA VS ATLETICO MADRID
The first tie out is FC Barcelona versus Club Atlético de Madrid – the two teams have never before met in European competition.

REAL MADRID VS BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Real Madrid CF and Borussia Dortmund met in last season's UEFA Champions League semi-finals, with the Bundesliga side prevailing 4-3 on aggregate.

PARIS SAINT GERMAIN VS CHELSEA
Chelsea FC are unbeaten in their two previous meetings with Paris Saint-Germain, both in the 2004/05 group stage, José Mourinho's first season at Stamford Bridge. The London club won 3-0 in Paris before a 0-0 home draw.

MANCHESTER UNITED VS BAYERN MUNICH
Manchester United FC have met FC Bayern München nine times in total, all in the UEFA Champions League. The English champions have won only one of their four home games against their German counterparts, however, and even that was not enough, a 3-2 victory in the 2009/10 quarter-finals leading to defeat on away goals.

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SPORTS: AC Milan 1 - 1 FC Barcelona

Robinho celebrates goal

Messi cancels out Robinho strike!
Lionel Messi scored on his starting return to Barcelona's line-up as they drew 1-1 with AC Milan at the San Siro.

Messi has been sidelined by injury - which forced him to miss Argentina's World Cup qualifiers last week - but was needed to claim a point after a defensive howler gifted Milan the lead.

Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique were at fault to allow Robinho to combine with Kaka before puttnig his side ahead.

Messi replied on 23 minutes after he was afforded too much space, but depsite the visitors dominating therefafter they were unable to find a winner.

Milan were gifted their 10th-minute lead following a defensive mix-up between Mascherano and Pique.

They failed to deal with a long punt forward before Mascherano's attempted clearance cannoned back off his team-mate and to the advancing Robinho.

The Brazilian played a one-two with the overlapping Kaka, whose return pass left him with the time to pick his spot.

After failing to score in the league for the first time in two years during the weekend's 0-0 draw at Osasuna, the onus was on Barcelona to pick up their tempo.

They did so by controlling possession, but Milan retained their own threat through Robinho and Kaka while Kevin Constant's forward runs from the back provided an outlet.

Constant's eagerness to get forward was punished, however, on 23 minutes as Barca won the ball back high up the pitch and Messi was left in acres of space down the right flank.

Andres Iniesta slid a pass across to the Argentinian and while Constant desperately tried to get back, Messi had already cut inside Philippe Mexes and got off his shot before the pressure arrived.

With their lead lost Milan went close through Mexes, heading a Robinho corner wide, but Sanchez wasted the best chance before the break when he prodded Iniesta's lofted pass straight at Marco Amelia.

Amelia had to be alert after the break to deny Iniesta as Barcelona made a quick start after the break. The goalkeeper also had to get down to deny Xavi while Messi hit a volley over.

Milan had seen little of the ball in the second period when Robinho missed a glorious chance to put them 2-1 up.

Sulley Muntari burst down the left and delivered a low cross that Robinho failed to get a touch on with the goal gaping.

Barcelona were the more likely scorers though - Riccardo Montolivo thwarting them on several occassions as he became overworked in midfield - with Adriano sliced wide after running onto a Messi pass.

A winning goal never arrived though to keep Barcelona top of Group H by two points from Milan.

Espnfc.com

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