The following is a translation of Johan Cruyff’s weekly article in ‘El Periodico’.  The original can be found here.

Johan Cruyff’s key points.

The proximity of Madrid has been beneficial for Barca because it forces them to break records.

I will not say this league is already won because it is not. Seven points and a healthy goal average are down to Barca not giving anything away. But be warned! Let no one bury [discount] Madrid. From day one there is already a big difference between some and the others, but Mourinho’s men will try to do anything necessary to overturn the disadvantage they have in the recent 6 matches hoping [for something positive]. But they have a problem and it is called Barca.

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English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers have announced their signing of FC Barcelona B striker Rubén Rochina via their official website. The 19 year old player has signed for an undisclosed fee and now has a contract with the English club through 2015.

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The last few days have seen some interesting moves in the transfer market; some successful, some less so. So while right now most Barca fans would all agree we do not need any reinforcements at this moment in time, it does seem that many of the players on the move – or being linked with moves – have at one time or another also been potential Barca targets. With the likes of Luis Suarez, Fernando Torres and Kun Aguero all seemingly willing to listen to offers for their services, many fans are beginning to question just who will be left for us to sign come next summer.

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Catalan sports paper Sport reports that Barcelona would be interested in Cesena defender and Japanese international Yuto Nagatomo (24).

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After a day off on Sunday, Guardiola’s squad returned to training in preparation for the King’s Cup match on Wednesday, which could secure FC Barcelona a place in the final of the competition. Seventeen first team players, along with 9 from Barça B took part in the session. 

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Valdano: “You already have a 9 and now a ’7′… Do you want something else?”

Andres Iniesta is almost certain to miss the second leg of the Copa semi-finals against Almeria this Wednesday according to ‘Sport.es’.

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SEVEN POINTS AND A LOT OF HARD WORK

Osasuna 1-0 Madrid

The league has died: Viva la Copa!  Viva the Champions League!

A poor Madrid failed against the continued effort of Osasuna

Adebayor came  on in the 64th minute and did very little

Atletico in free fall – the injustice of the expulsion of Perea was decisive

Whistles for Forlan and Gil

Barça has 401 goals with Guardiola – Messi has scored 122, Pedro 42, Eto’o 36, Henry 30, Bojan 26…

THEY HAVE TO GO FOR THE CUPS

Osasuna 1-0 R. Madrid

Barça at seven points

The creation of play, in hands of Khedira and Lass, was nullified

With Adebayor they saw a way

Marca.com: 85% see the league gone

They need to concentrate on the Copa del Rey and the Champions League

SHOCK WIN AND AT 7 POINTS

Madrid sinks and the league is more blaugrana

Osasuna 1-0 Madrid

Neither Benzema nor Adebayor, Madrid could not find a goal and fell victim to their poor play

Benzema’s face reflects the impotence of the team in Pamplona and the anguish of knowing that the league is slipping away

Mourinho sees the title as lost: “Leagues escape losing points like these or those against Levante and Almeria”

Messi makes history: The ‘crack’ of great records

LEAGUE KO

Osasuna 1-0 Real Madrid

Barça is now seven points ahead of Madrid

Madrid struggled in Pamplona and left the title in Barça’s hands

Mou made mistakes in his changes, CR7 spoke of a “naval battle” and for Valdano it was “very hard”

Photo caption: CR at 7

The following article is a translation from Diari el Punt. The original can be found here.

Pedro Rodriguez (born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 1987) was an unkown football player just three years ago. The player was evolving in Barça B and was about to leave Barça in the summer of 2008, but Pep Guardiola took him in for Barça’s first squad. Back then, he was still called “Pedrito”.

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With action in the Champions League set to resume later this month, English squad Arsenal have been handed some bad news ahead of their home clash with FC Barcelona on February 16 at the Emirates. The Guardian is reporting today that French starlet Samir Nasri looks likely to miss that match, as he hobbled off the field on Sunday in the 33rd minute of their FA Cup match with Huddersfield Town.

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totalBarca brings you the winner of yesterday’s Man of the Match Poll for our readers – Pedro!

Pedro is really on fire lately. He has scored 15 goals in his last 15 appearences and at least a goal in the last 6 consecutive league games – something no Barca player has done since Ronaldo in the 1996/97 season. Enjoy the video after the jump!

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English tabloid paper The Mirror claims that Barcelona would be ready to make a bid for Tottenham winger and Welsh international Gareth Bale (21).

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After each match, Catalan sports daily Sport presents the anecdotes from in and around the game. Here is what they reported from the Hercules-Barça match. The original can be found here.

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Having won one of the toughest away games against the only side to have beaten the leaders in la Liga, FC Barcelona’s players were glad to have collected the maximum three points and maintain their lead over Real Madrid. Dani Alves was more than happy to finally be playing again after his brief injury spell. After the jump, find what some of the players had to say about the game.

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Hercules 0-3 Those that ‘sleep’ at +7 points

Song: “Sleep, Mourinho… Sleep!  That at seven points you are again!”

“It’s a great honour to have 15 consecutive wins, equalling that of Di Stefano’s Real Madrid. I’m sure some team will match or exceed it but for 50 years no one got to achieve it. That just shows how difficult it is to realise, and we are proud of this,” acknowledged Pep Guardiola after beating Hercules last night.

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Andres Iniesta is better than ever. The Barcelona player played more minutes in official competitions this season, scored seven goals in the League and is a foundation of Pep Guardiola’s ensemble of devastating midfield setup. His mental strength enabled him to overcome the injuries he suffered last season, and 2011 started off with the same finesse with which he ended the 2010.

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A WINNING MACHINE

Hercules 0-3 Barça

Guardiola’s team continues to score goals and break records

Pedro and Messi, the goal scorers.  The one from the Canary Islands opened the scoring and Leo scored a double in the last three minutes

The best Barça in the history of the league

With 15 consecutive victories, they surpass Rijkaard’s team (2005-06) and equal the Madrid of Di Stefano (1960-61)

[Non Barça Related]

Osasuna – Madrid:  Mourinho plays it under pressure

INSATIABLE

Hercules 0-3 Barça

Barça devoured records and black legends with a spectacular 15 straight

Pedro opened the scoring,  Messi scored a pair, and Madrid once again spends the night seven points out

In a tough game that saw FC Barcelona given a good fight by Hercules CF, three goals were scored. Pedro got the all-important opener in the 1st half and Messi went on to get a brace closer to the end of the 2nd.

Watch them after the jump!

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RESULT:

Hercules CF: 0

FC Barcelona: 3

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FC Barcelona B vs Celta Vigo, Matchday 22, Segunda A
Saturday, January 29 2011 @ 18:00 Barcelona time – Convert to local time
Venue: Mini Estadi, Barcelona (Capacity: 15,276)

After a tough loss last week to Rayo Vallecano (1-2), Barça B will be looking to bounce back in what will be another hard fought match, this time against Celta Vigo. Currently in 2nd place in the table, Celta are strong on the road (6 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss). However, the B team were able to win against them in their last encounter back in August (1-2), Celta’s only defeat at home so far this season. Can the reserve squad repeat the feat? Latest news and links are after the jump.

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Are Hercules CF a real contender to give Barcelona their third defeat of the season, or will Barcelona finally manage to crack them down and defeat them in their home? Find out what we think after the jump.

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“Finally the brat has stopped crying…and if he throws another fit, I’ll have to call the Super Nanny.”

(Pacifier – Adebayor)

Leo Messi has met Soufian, a child with Laurin-Sandrow syndrome that has meant the loss of both legs. But thanks to prosthetics with a Barça flavour, Soufian was able to play ball with the Argentinian.

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