Clos Gomez and  Mateu Lahoz have been named as referees for the two legs of the Spanish Supercopa, pitting FC Barcelona against arch-rivals Real Madrid. The first match, set to kickoff on August 23, will be played at the Camp Nou with the return leg a week later in the Spanish capitol. The appointments have raised eyebrows in Spain because of the controversial recent history between both referees and the teams in question. While Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has publicly applauded both men, former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola called out Clos Gomez for being a “liar” over allegations in the official match report filed in the aftermath of Barcelona’s Liga match against Almeria during the 2009-10 season. Let’s hope that the first trophy of the Vilanova era comes without refereeing controversy!

Image: Manel Montilla [MD]

The players of the first team held their second training session of the day this afternoon, with the same intensity and good atmosphere that has marked each session since the preseason began. Gathering in the center of the pitch, the session started with smiles and congratulations for David Villa, who received his medical clearance, and Javier Mascherano, who renewed his contract with the Club through 2016.

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Fantastic football illustrator, and friend of totalBarça, Dan Leydon has put together a comic book about FC Barcelona superstar Andrés Iniesta.  Check it out after the jump.

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Team doctor Ricard Pruna and surgeon Ramon Cugat today spoke in a press conference discussing the medical situations of FC Barcelona players David Villa, Andreu Fontàs, Thiago Alcántara, and Isaac Cuenca.  Let’s start with El Guaje, who was given the green light medically today.  Well, kind of.  Villa has been described as medically clear to train normally with his teammates, but they stress he is some distance from the physical fitness required to compete on the pitch at the highest level.

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The Beijing Olympic Center witnessed today the opening of the new FCB Escola campus today. The motive behind this campus is to instill FC Barcelona’s training methodology into young Chinese footballers who wish to get acquainted with the Barça philosophy.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7jJaPvNrQ8

Video Credit: 181Roland

Around noon today, Javier Mascherano signed the renewal of his contract with FC Barcelona through the 30th of June of 2016, which also includes an increased buyout clause of 100 million euros. The signing took place in the offices of the Club and besides the player and his agent, also present were president Sandro Rosell, vice-president of sport Josep Maria Bartomeu, and sporting director for football Andoni Zubizarreta.

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FC Barcelona’s preseason continues. After the seven Spanish internationals were incorporated into the group on Monday, this morning Tito Vilanova continued to work with almost his entire squad available, with only Jordi Alba and Martín Montoya missing as they take part in the Olympic Games. In total, 19 players from the first team and two reserve players (Oier and Sergi Roberto) took part in this morning’s training session. Among the 21 footballers were David Villa and Andreu Fontàs, who continue training with the group although they have not yet received their medical clearances.

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And so it begins. Clos Gómez and Mateu Lahoz* for the Super Copa

“In other words, those of Mourinho will have to do really poorly … for the Super Copa not to stay in the Bernabéu.”

*Spanish press considers these referees to be pro-Mourinho
Cartoon by Caye

FC Barcelona issued an official statement yesterday to accept the proposal put forth by the Catalan Football Federation to play the Catalan Super Cup on September 26, 2012.

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IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO SIGN NEYMAR NOW

Santos’ president said OK to Rosell so they will negotiate Neymar’s signing after the Olympic Games

The blaugrana club do not seem to be interested at the moment in taking advantage of that pact

Agger, raising interest. England and Denmark already talk about Liverpool’s central defender as a blaugrana player

Puyol got medical clearance and will travel to Paris

The Euro champions trained yesterday

NEYMAR WANTS TO COME

The crack considers that, after the Olympic Games are over, his learning stage in Brazil will end

He is at Barça’s disposal and will collaborate to speed his signing up

Agger and Song, considered

Puyol has medical clearance

Welcome, champions. Only the Olympic players are not training with the rest of the team by now

According to British newspaper Mirror.co.uk, FC Barcelona as well as arch-rivals Real Madrid are competing with Manchester City for the acquisition of Danish national team captain and Liverfool FC central defender Daniel Agger (27).

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Barça’s first team has returned to training this Monday afternoon with the addition of seven players who won the European Championship with Spain who rejoin the group after their holidays. Valdés, Piqué, Cesc, Xavi, Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Pedro worked with the rest of the team in their first session under new head coach Tito Vilanova. The players underwent various medical tests this morning, along with Carles Puyol, who received his medical clearance afterwards.

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The Catalan Football Federation (Federació Catalana de Futbol) has proposed a new date for the final of the Catalunya Super Cup and Copa Catalunya. The proposed date is Wednesday, September 26. The Federation’s president, Andreu Subies, explained at midday this Monday that the four Clubs involved will have 48 hours to decide if they accept to play or not on this date. Barça would face Espanyol in the Super Cup, while Nàstic de Tarragona and Manlleu would compete for the Copa Catalunya title.

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On Tuesday morning, defender Marc Muniesa (20) will have an operation to treat the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. The surgery will be performed by doctors Ramon Cugat and Ricard Pruna. Afterwards, around 16:00, the two doctors will hold a press conference in the Ricard Maxenchs Press Room.

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Today marks the end of the summer holidays for Valdés, Piqué, Cesc, Pedro, Sergio Busquets, Iniesta, and Xavi. This Monday morning, the Champions of the Eurocup with the Spain national team in Poland and Ukraine have had their first medical examinations of the season at the Ciutat Esportiva. These are the same tests that the rest of the available players had two weeks ago. The only exception then was Carles Puyol, who began training last week but passed his medical tests today along with the seven European Champions.

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The D10S* of football once again has a goal fest

Leo: “It was just a simple friendly … But because the rival was named ‘Casablanca’* I was fairly motivated.”

*”Diós” = “god” in English

* “Casablanca” = white house

Cartoon by Caye

MESSI IMPRESSES

He arrived more rested than ever and ambitious as always

“We don’t feel different for being coached by Tito instead of Guardiola”, he enthusiastically said

NEYMAR RAISES EXCITATION

He made yet another great performance against Belarus (3-1) and the fans dream of him becoming blaugrana after the Olympic games

Olympic fail. Spain was defeated by Honduras (0-1). They were eliminated due to their lack of goals…and bad decisions by the referees

O REI NEYMAR (THE KING NEYMAR)

The crack tracked by Barça shined with a goal and two magnificent assists

Brazil 3 – 1 Belarus

Messi: “I can, at last, make a good preseason”

La Rojita failed! Spain 0 – 1 Honduras

The Spanish Olympic team was eliminated from the competition on Sunday, losing 0-1 to Honduras. After beginning the tournament with a loss to Japan by the same scoreline, the Spaniards have yet to gain a point or score a goal. And despite the final group match still to play, the Spaniards have been mathematically eliminated from the Games, and will return home after Wednesday’s meaningless encounter with Morocco. Continue reading »

Spain vs. Honduras, 2012 Olympic Games, Group D, Game 2
Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 19:45 local time/20:45 Barcelona time (Convert to your local time)
St James’ Park, Newcastle, England (Capacity: 52,387)
Barça players to watch: Martín Montoya, Jordi Alba, and Cristian Tello

After a disappointing loss in the opening match to Japan (0-1), Spain will look for a win today to keep the team’s hopes of a spot in the quarter-finals alive.

FC Barcelona Chat: http://apps.facebook.com/fcbarcelonachat/ (direct chat through Facebook)

Click here to chat!

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And so Messi begins in Tangier. In the much anticipated preseason in Morocco, FC Barcelona gave a masterclass in teamwork and defensive pressure. Lionel Messi’s debut game this season really brought fans to their feet with his hattrick and two key passes. Messi has developed a good understanding with Alexis Sanchez, who scored two goals and made two assists himself. The match in Grand Stade ended with an entire outfield of Barcelona B players from the 70th minute mark.

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HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE SUPER CUP OF CATALUNYA

“During an afternoon, Rosell and Condall play a game of foosball, and the one who wins, takes the Super Cup of Catalunya … that way they can avoid wasting time and looking ridiculous every year with this sorry competition.”

Cartoon by Caye

INSATIABLE MESSI

Raja 0-8 Barça

Leo scored three  goals, gave passes and confirmed in his debut that he starts with desire

Spain-Honduras – Muniain will be the revulsive.  Luis Milla will introduce changes in the starting lineup in search of the first vital victory

Bartomeu: “We would all like it if Neymar came after the Games.”

Agger  - the central defender from Liverpool could be an option

HAT TRICK BY MESSI

Raja C. 0-8 Barça

Spectacular return by Leo, who also hit the bar

Alexis (2), Alves, Sergi Gomez and Deulofeu completed the goal fest

Spain-Honduras – the Rojita plays a life or death match

To prepare ourselves for the expected come back of David Villa – which might happen against Manchester United in August – here it is, the third and last part of A Liga Confidencial, a show presented by ESPN Brazil in 2010.

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Watch the goals from FC Barcelona’s spectacular performance against Raja Club Athletic in the 0-8 victory after the jump!]

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