:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36467616/452854626.0.jpg)
Xavi Hernàndez suffers calf strain in training | FC Barcelona
Xavi Hernandez suffered a slight calf strain in his left leg during traininig this morning. Club doctors will decide when he can return to traininig over the next few days. Xavi played the second half of Saturday's draw against Nice and scored the side's only goal from the penalty spot.
Song back in training | FC Barcelona
After a succesful week at St George’s Park in England, Saturday’s friendly against Nice and a rest day on Sunday, Luis Enrique had the squad back in training at the Ciutat Esportiva this morning . After having to rush home from England last week due to a family problem, Alex Song was again in training alongside 18 other first team squad players and 9 from the B team.
Marc Bartra and Sergi Roberto ready for the challenge | FC Barcelona
Bartra felt it was hugely beneficial because "you spend the whole time with your team-mates working on football … Normally we just see each other for the two hours training, but here you spend the whole time with them, playing pool or table tennis." And Sergi Roberto added that "we’ve been working on tactics, but most it has been fitness. But it’s all done with the ball, working on attacking and defensive matters."
'Total football' - Luis Enrique looking to play 3-2-3-2 for Barcelona - Goal.com
New boss Luis Enrique is well aware that Barca has been found out tactically in recent seasons and is keen to mix it up at Camp Nou in the coming campaign. That means several systems are likely to be used in 2014-15, but intriguingly, the side's principal formation could be an unprecedented 3-2-3-2.
Barça's last meeting with Napoli | FC Barcelona
Barça face Napoli this Wednesday in their third pre-season friendly. The last time the two met was also pre-season, when the Italians were the guests at the 2011 Joan Gamper Trophy. Cesc, Keita, Pedro and Messi(2) scored on that ocassion and you can watch the highlights of that game as a taster for Wednesday night's action.
Inter in for Alves? | Football Espana
Inter are in pole position to sign Barcelona right-back Dani Alves, according to reports from Catalonia. Sport say Alves, who will be told he can leave Camp Nou this summer when he returns to training on Tuesday, would prefer a move to the Premier League but the strongest interest is coming from the Nerazzurri.
Real Madrid swoop for Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas from Levante | Sky Sports
European champions Real Madrid have signed Costa Rica's World Cup hero Keylor Navas on a six-year deal. The 27-year-old goalkeeper, who leaves Levante for the Santiago Bernabeu, was a star performer as Costa Rica reached the quarter-finals in Brazil.
Real Madrid need to sign Falcao this summer – and it’s bad news for Benzema | Eurosport
Trading multimillion-pound acquisitions like two rapacious investment banks, Barcelona have made ultra-superstar signings their currency. This is not a new trend, but one which has been accelerated and intensified dramatically by Real Madrid in recent seasons, to be matched by Barcelona, the Catalan enclave careful not to be left behind by the lavish spending in the capital.
Valencia lift Emirates Cup | Football Espana
A 3-1 win over Benfica gave Valencia a pre-season trophy, winning the Emirates Cup, the tournament hosted by Arsenal. Marca reports that Derley put the Portuguese side in front but goals from Jose Gaya, Pablo Piatti and Andres Guardado turned the score around. The tournament also involved Monaco as well as the Gunners and Los Che ended top of the mini-League with nine points, one clear of the home side.
Blackpool sign left-back Joan Oriol from Spanish side Osasuna | Sky Sports
Blackpool have signed left-back Joan Oriol from Spanish side Osasuna, as manager Jose Riga looks to bolster his options ahead of the Championship kick-off on August 9. The 27-year-old has signed a one-year deal which is subject to international clearance and includes an option for a further 12 months at Bloomfield Road.
