Tito Vilanova arrives in Barcelona

First team coach has landed on Tuesday morning, at about 8:05 at El Prat airport in Barcelona, after two months in New York when dealing with his illness 

Jordi Roura and Aureli Altimira, who joined him on the flight home, will be taking this afternoon’s training session at the Ciutat Esportiva 

First team coach Tito Vilanova is back in Barcelona. After two months of treatment in New York, he arrived at Terminal 1 of El Prat Airport this morning at 8.05, having been joined on the flight by Jordi Roura i Aureli Altimira.

Home rest

The FC Barcelona manager was taken straight home to get some rest. The team will train this evening at 18.00 at the Ciutat Esportiva, but Jordi Roura and Aureli Altimira will be taking charge. The idea is for Tito Vilanova to gradually be re-introduced to his usual dynamic at the helm of the squad.

While Vilanova has been away, Jordi Roura has been looking after the first team, but has been inconstant communication with Vilanova regarding decision-making

Children from AMPANS paint their excitement at Barça visit

This is the video produced by the AMPANS Fundació following the recent visit of a group of children from a school for students with special educational needs to a first team training session. The children each created a painting inspired by Barça as a way of saying thank you and they have posted the video “pintant un emoci´” – painting an emotion -on the internet

The Fundació AMPANS works to help people with intellectual disabilities with the aim of creating opportunities to favour their autonomy and quality of life.

Spain-Finland: Surprise in Gijón (1-1)

Unexpected result in Gijón this evening as Spain were held by Finland, the last team in group. After the one-all draw, Vicente del Bosque’s men are second in the group, two points adrift of France. This Tuesday will see the two teams face off against each other at the Parc des Princes for the coveted top spot of the group.

A brick wall at El Molinón 

With Valdés in goal, Piqué pairing up with Sergio Ramos in the middle of the defence, Alba out wide, Busquetsas holding midfielder, Iniesta on the wing, Villa up top and Cesc playing the false 9 role, Spain lined up with seven FC Barcelona players from the start. Ten of Finland’s eleven players practically spent the entirety of the match in their own area, as the home team took control of the rest of the park. Despite their dominance, Spain were unable to break through the Finish defence in the first half. 

Nordic miracle 

The eighth Barça player, Pedro, to play in the match was subbed in at the break for Cazorla. Sergio Ramos gave the home team the lead with a header on 49 minutes. 15 minutes later, Villa came off for Negredo. Spain’s intensity dropped off in the final minutes of the match and, with Cesc off the pitch, Finland found the equaliser thanks to a strike from Pukka (min. 78). It was possibly the only clear chance for the visiting team.

Messi and Mascherano in Argentina win (3-0), , but Alexis’ Chile lost 1-0 to Peru

Argentina beat Venezuela with one goal and two assists from Messi, but Alexis’ Chile lost 1-0 to Peru, a result that puts their presence at Brazil 2014 in danger 

Messi: “The people’s enthusiasm for me and the national team are huge and I am very thankful”

Argentina, featuring Messi and Mascherano, have beaten Venezuela 3-0 to stay top of the Conmebol World Cup qualifying zone. The FC Barcelona striker was one of the stars of the show. He was honoured before kickoff for winning his 100th cap and was able to celebrate with one goal and two assists for Higuaín.

Both Messi and Mascherano were in the starting line up, the former wearing the captain’s armband and the latter back in his old position of midfield, partnered by Gago. Mascherano performed solidly, while Messi was highly active in attack and provided the perfect pass for Higuaín to open the scoring after 28 minutes. Shortly before the break, Cichero handballed in the area and from the penalty spot Messi converted his 32nd goal in the national jersey. Messi again supplied Real Madrid’s Higuaín with the assist in the second half that set up the definitive 3-0 result.

Messi and Mascherano pleased

Both players were obviously happy with the way things went. Messi confessed that he and Higuaín are understanding each other better with each game, while adding that “the people’s enthusiasm for me and the national team are huge and I am very thankful”.

Mascherano preferred to hold back the euphoria after such a convincing performance, saying “the best we can do is forget that we are top of the table and carry on working as we have been doing … Bolivia will be a hard match, because of the altitude and because the Bolivians will be so keen to beat us like they did the last time were in La Paz.” That game will be played on Tuesday night, where Argentina will be looking to avenge 6-1 defeat in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

Alexis and Chile lose in Peru (1-0)

A series of four straight defeats has left Chile in trouble in the South American qualifying tournament. They were looking good for a draw in Lima before Peruvian striker Jefferson Farfán found the net in the 87th minute in what had been an intense, fast and aggressive match, with both sides sloppy over the final metres. The Barça star played the full ninety minutes.

But all is not lost for Chile, who are joint sixth on 12 points along with Venezuela, who are now their most direct rivals for the fifth place in the group, which earns the right to a play-off against the fifth best Asian team. Uruguay are just one point above them on 13 points, and that’s the side Chile face next, providing them with an excellent opportunity to get back into the direct qualifying positions.

First team internationals totalled 1,306 minutes

Of the 16 first team players, 11 played the full match with their national teams 

Messi and Tello, with one and two goals, were the most prominent 

There were 16 Barça first team and 3 Barça B players in international action on Thursday and Friday, most of whom played the full ninety minutes, while Tello and Messi both got on the scoresheet. Here we look back at their performances.

First team (1,306 minutes played)

Alves. 90 minutes. The Barça full back played the whole of the friendly between Brazil and Italy in Geneva.

Montoya. 90 minutes. The Barça right back impressed in Toledo against the Norway U21 side.

Bartra. 66 minutes. The centre back played the first 66 minutes against Norway U21 before being replaced by Amat.

Thiago. 90 minutes. Thiago was the man of the match for Lopetegui’s side, along with Cristian Tello. His playmaking was the essence of the Spanish team.

Tello. 66 minutes. Scored the first two goals for Spain U21 after Norway has netted first. Was substituted late in the game by Sarabia.

Valdés. 90 minutes. Started his first ever official match for Spain against Finland, and couldn’t do anything to prevent the Finnish equaliser.

Piqué. 90 minutes. Played the whole game at centre back, where his partner was Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid.

Alba. 90 minutes. The left back ended the game against Finland injured. Before that, he had caused a constant threat with his trademark runs up the flank.

Busquets. 90 minutes. Playing as a defensive midfielder, he was one of the five FCB players to play the full match against Finland. Couldn’t do anything to prevent the visitors from equalising in Gijon.

Cesc. 75 minutes. Replaced after 75 minutes by Mata, after having made a few long range attempts.

Iniesta. 90 minutes. Not even with Iniesta in the team could Spain generate enough goalscoring chances to finish off the game against a Finnish side that spent most of the game in its own half.

Pedro. 45 minutes. Del Bosque brought Pedro on for Cazorla in the second half as he looked for more creativity up front. Spain improved after he came on, but still couldn’t take the three points they needed.

Villa. 64 minutes. Played up front in his former home, El Molinón, but couldn’t find the net and was eventually substituted by Negredo in the second half.

Mascherano. 90 minutes. Played in a more advanced role for Argentina than he usually does for his club and posted a very impressive performance indeed for his country.

Messi. 90 minutes. The four-time Ballon d’Or winner wore the captain’s armband last night and was the star of the show against a plucky Venezuela team. Scored from the penalty spot and provided assists for both of Higuaín’s goals in a 3-0 win.

Alexis. 90 minutes. The Barça striker played the full match for Chile, but his side lost in Peru, their fourth straight defeat on the World Cup qualifiers.

Barça B (204 minutes played)

Muniesa. 69 minutes. Took Planas’ left back slot in the friendly with Norway U21 and was eventually substituted by Alberto Moreno.

Deulofeu. 45 minutes. Came on after the break as a replacement for Koke. Was as menacing as ever down the right wing.

Gustavo Ledes. 90 minutes. Played the full match for Portugal U21 against Ireland, but his side lost 1-0.

Jordi Alba returns to Barcelona

The FC Barcelona full back will return to Barcelona this Sunday to undergo tests after he picked up an injury in the Spain-Finland match

Jordi Alba will return to Barcelona to undergo tests by the Club’s Medical Services after he picked up an injury to his right hamstring during the Spain-Finland match. FC Barcelona will reveal the extent of the player’s injury on Sunday.

FC Barcelona's Wembley hero, Ronald Koeman, turns 50

The Dutchman scored one of the most important goals in FC Barcelona history when his free kick sealed the European Cup title for the Blaugrana against Sampdoria in 1992

It was the 111th minute in the first half of overtime in Wembley Stadium whenRonald Koeman unleashed one of his trademark free kicks to give the Blaugrana a one-goal lead over Sampdoria. His goal, perhaps one of the most emblematic of Barça’s storied history, sealed the first ever European Cup title for FC Barcelona. 

The Dutchman, who joined Barça in 1989 and scored a total of 102 goals from 345 appearances, turned 50 years old today. He shared the dressing room with other Barça greats like Hristo Stoichkov, José Mari Bakero, Tixki Begiristain, Michael Laudrup, Josep Guardiola, and Andoni Zubizarreta, among others. In addition to the European Cup, he also won four Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, one Spanish Super Cup, and one European Super Cup with FC Barcelona.

Happy birthday, Ronald!

Highlights from the European Cup final against Sampdoria: