Pinto set to commit to Barcelona until 2014

Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto is set to commit his future to the side in the coming weeks, the club has announced.

The 37-year-old stopper, who joined Barca in 2008, has agreed to sign a fresh deal that will keep him at Camp Nou until the summer of 2014.

A statement on Barcelona's official website read: "FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto to extend his contract until June 30, 2014. The player's contract will be signed in the coming weeks."

Pinto has made 52 appearances for the Blaugrana since joining the side from Celta Vigo, when he was signed to replace the injured Albert Jonquera.

He has represented Barca in both La Liga and the Champions League, but the majority of his performances have come in the Copa del Rey, in which he has started 34 times.


Via: Pinto set to commit to Barcelona until 2014

You have to seize your chances at Barcelona, says Tello

Cristian Tello says he hopes that his goal against Valladolid for Barcelona shows he is returning the faith the club have shown in him.

Tello scored the third and decisive goal in the Catalans' 3-1 win over Pucera seconds after coming on as a substitute in stoppage time and has recently signed a new contract to keep him with the club until 2016.

The 21-year-old forward was extremely pleased with his contribution as well as his future prospects, telling Mundo Deportivo: "I am very happy about the goal and the result.

"It rarely happens that you enter the game and score straight away. The goal returns the confidence the club has shown in me.

"I'm playing in the best team in the world and with the best strikers," he added when asked about the amount of competition he faced.

"You have to keep working and take advantage of opportunities."

The former Espanyol youth player also dedicated the result to boss Tito Vilanova, who is recovering from cancer surgery.

"It's been a very difficult week for us," Tello continued.

"But we're happy about the news we have heard in the last hours and from here we send all our strength."

Tello has scored twice in eight appearances in the league this year, with Barcelona leading La Liga on 49 points from 17 games.


Via: You have to seize your chances at Barcelona, says Tello

'Casillas is the pride of Real Madrid' - Del Bosque

Iker Casillas is the "pride of Real Madrid", according to Spain boss and former Blancos coach Vicente del Bosque.

The 143-cap international was controversially left out of Jose Mourinho's starting line-up for the trip to Malaga recently in favour of Antonio Adan.

The Spanish champions went on to lose 3-2 in Andalusia but the 61-year-old has backed his skipper to bounce back.

"Iker arrived at the age of 10," he was quoted as saying by Marca.

"His parents deserve a lot of merit, having brought him to the training centre, and I don't think the were made of money.

"Iker is the pride of Real Madrid. He is the only one to have come through the youth team, and it would be good to recognise what he was done as he's done a lot.

"He carries the values of Real Madrid."
Via: 'Casillas is the pride of Real Madrid' - Del Bosque

'We are here to help Vilanova' - Alves

Dani Alves has said that every member of the Barcelona team is there to help Tito Vilanova through his battle with cancer.

The Blaugrana boss recently suffered the relapse of the disease, which kept him from taking his place on the bench for part of last season, and subsequently underwent surgery to remove the tumour.

"We are here to help him be," the Brazilian told O Estado de Sao Paulo.

"That's why every victory is dedicated to him. Football comes second now, because he is struggling for his life."

Vilanova had led Barca to their best-ever start to a Liga season, and although they hold a 16-point lead over reigning champions Real Madrid, Alves is adamant that the title isn't decided.

"The gap is more than considerable," he continued.

"But we should remain grounded as we still have many games left and the championship is far from over. I'm not surprised by our results so far.

"We are reaping the fruits of our labour. We worked hard, and the results are following."

The former Sevilla man has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou in recent weeks, but is adamant that he has no intention of leaving.

"Those are interventions made to destabilise us. I feel good and I want to stay."

Barcelona get back to action after the winter hiatus by entertaining Espanyol on January 5.
Via: 'We are here to help Vilanova' - Alves

'He sparked delirium at La Rosaleda' - Goal.com World Player of the Week Roque Santa Cruz

With Christmas Day less than 24 hours away, what were the odds of the winner of Goal.com World Player of the Week having a name so very festive?

Roque Santa Cruz is no novelty winner, however, as he scored twice against Real Madrid to secure a home win for Malaga, leaving them in fourth heading into the winter break with Jose Mourinho's men just two points ahead of them in La Liga.

Unwanted at Manchester City by current manager Roberto Mancini, Santa Cruz has been a nomadic figure in the footballing world for the past couple of years. A transfer deadline day signing, the Paraguay forward will head into 2013 on a resounding positive note. And the icing on the cake is that his parent club were dumped out of the Champions League by Madrid, whereas the Andalusian club remain in the European trophy hunt and ended their year with a morale-boosting victory over the reigning league champions.

Goal.com Spain's Adrian Boullosa had this to say on the forward's terrific performance on Saturday night: "Santa Cruz was the main character in the hugely impressive victory over Real Madrid. The Paraguayan took less than half an hour to knock down Jose Mourinho's team - scoring two goals and sparking delirium in La Rosaleda.

"Santa Cruz is becoming an important man for Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean coach has already used him in 14 games and, although he has not always been that successful in front of goal, his double should give him the confidence to continue competing with Javier Saviola for a spot up front."


The Shortlist

Via: 'He sparked delirium at La Rosaleda' - Goal.com World Player of the Week Roque Santa Cruz

Cruyff: Gap between Barca & Madrid not good for La Liga

Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has claimed that the 16-point gap between the Blaugrana and Real Madrid in La Liga is dangerous for the division.

The Catalans have enjoyed a record-breaking start to their campaign under Tito Vilanova, while the champions have been in poor form and have lost four matches already this term.

And the Dutch icon believes that it is the Spanish public who suffer from this, as the championship looks over before Christmas.

"It's too much, it's a terrible gap," he told Le Buteur.

"The truth is that it's not good for La Liga. Perhaps Barcelona supporters are happy, but a championship is valued by the tension and excitement it creates.

"Here the suspense is over."

Barcelona get back to action after the winter break with a local derby against Espanyol on January 5.
Via: Cruyff: Gap between Barca & Madrid not good for La Liga

La Liga Team of the Week: Isco, Messi & Soldado star

Barcelona claimed victory without coach Tito Vilanova on Saturday night in Valladolid to make it 16 wins out of 17 in the Primera Division so far in 2012-13 and stay nine points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, but the Catalans are now 16 points above fierce rivals Real Madrid, who lost 3-2 at Malaga in a surprise result as Iker Casillas was left on the bench by Jose Mourinho.

Here, for the last time in 2012 as the winter break begins in Spain, Goal.com looks at the pick of the performers from the weekend action in La Liga.

In goal, Roberto Jimenez is included after he made two fantastic saves in Zaragoza's fine 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao at the weekend.

Malaga's Martin Demichelis was a key component in the Andalusians' 3-2 success over Madrid and is included alongside Real Sociedad's Alberto De La Bella, who impressed in the Basques' win over Sevilla. Nacho Martinez makes up the back line after scoring a fine goal and helping Rayo Vallecano keep a clean sheet in the emphatic 3-0 victory over Levante.

Isco opened the scoring for Malaga with a fine strike at La Rosaleda, while Joaquin became the first player this season to grab two assists in one match against Madrid. Both were key in Malaga's win on Saturday and are included along with Granada's Dani Bentez, who scored his first league goal of the season after some time in the shadows. And for Barcelona, Xavi scored one and set up another with a delicious backheel for team-mate Lionel Messi.

Messi makes the cut after starring once again, albeit scoring only one this week, while Zaragoza's Helder Postiga continued his fine form with a goal at Athletic Bilbao and Valencia's Roberto Soldado makes up the selection following a goal and an assist in the 4-2 win over Getafe.



Via: La Liga Team of the Week: Isco, Messi & Soldado star