..::Football III::..

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Bayern are even better under Guardiola - Robben

Arjen Robben says that Bayern Munich want to continue as the most dominant team in Europe and are eager to prove that with victory over Manchester United.
Die Roten secured a 24th Bundesliga title last week and, despite only managing a 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim on Saturday at the Allianz Arena, go into their Champions League quarter-final having dropped just six points in the Bundesliga this season.

Robben insisted that any celebrations after retaining their domestic title were muted, with his side focused on securing back-to-back Champions League crowns."Guardiola has turned us into the most dominant team in Europe," the 30-year-old told journalists ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final.

"We have made another giant step as a team this season. We are more dominant than we have been. From the very first minute we put massive pressure on our opponents and are capable of keeping the ball and putting them under pressure for the full 90 minutes.

"Our playing style is even more attacking than last year. This manager is tactically so strong. He is always pointing out where we can find the space to get one-on-one situations. He teaches us to make quick sprints and runs without the ball."

Bayern secured their fifth European title after overcoming Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the final at Wembley last May and Robben feels that his side are fully capable of becoming the first team to retain the Champions League, with United just one obstacle to overcome.

"No team can have a stroll to the final," the former Chelsea attacker continued.
"We are facing Manchester United, a big name in world football, but we are razor sharp," he said. Our football is phenomenal and we want to show that more than anywhere in the Champions League.

"Playing United is the sort of thing that really gets the best out of me.

"We won the German league last week, but we were not even bothered about that. Nobody in the dressing room was talking about it. We knew ages ago we would win the title."

Bayern travel to Manchester for their quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, with the return leg in Munich on April 9.

 

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Reus: Dortmund are ready for Madrid

Marco Reus has warned Real Madrid that Borussia Dortmund are ready for their Champions League encounter at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Die Schwarzgelben warmed up for their trip to Spain with a 3-2 win over relegation-threatened Stuttgart, fighting back with a Reus hat-trick after being two goals down following early Christian Gentner and Martin Harnik strikes for the hosts.

The Germany attacker believes that his performance on Saturday shows he is himself coming back into form after injury problems earlier in March but also stressed that his side will face Madrid with confidence.

"Goals are always good for self-confidence, and we are ready for Real," the 24-year-old was quoted by Bild after the game.

"I've also been injured several times. For me it's not just about goals - it's more important that I find my rhythm. And it keeps improving."

The Borussians reasserted themselves in second place in the Bundesliga after victory over Stuttgart, with Huub Stevens' men facing a very real danger of relegation as they sit 17th in the table following the result.

BVB now turn their attention to los Blancos in the Champions League quarter-finals, a repeat of last season's semi-final, which saw the Germans resist a fightback to take a 4-3 aggregate win and proceed to the final at Wembley.

Dortmund travel to face Madrid on Wednesday with the return leg at the Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday April 8.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.03.31 Fixture

Barclays Premier League 2014.03.31 Fixture

Sunderland Vs West Ham

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La Liga 2014.03.31 Fixtures

La Liga 2014.03.31 Fixtures

Granada Vs Levante

Real Betis Vs Malaga​

 

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Serie A 2014.03.31 Fixtures

Serie A 2014.03.31 Fixtures

Udinese Vs Catania

Livorno Vs Inter​

 

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Livorno 2-2 Inter: Guarin gaffe denies Mazzarri's men much-needed win

Inter let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 at Livorno after a dreadful mistake from substitute Fredy Guarin.

Hernanes and Rodrigo Palacio had put Walter Mazzarri's men 2-0 up at the break, and despite Paulinho's rocket to make it 2-1, it seemed the Nerazzurri would hold on.

However, Guarin's poor backpass allowed Innocent Emeghara to slot past Samir Handanovic with just five minutes remaining to extend Inter's winless run in Serie A to three.

Both sides struggled to create opportunities early on, although Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic was forced to tip Emerson's cross-cum-shot free kick over the crossbar after 15 minutes.

Inter were frustrated for much of the first half despite controlling possession, but Hernanes went close to opening the scoring for the visitors when he curled narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

And the Brazilian playmaker did then break the deadlock in the 37th minute, slamming home from close range after Mauro Icardi had failed to make contact with a header back across goal from Palacio.

That goal appeared to boost Inter's confidence and only the fingertips of Livorno keeper Francesco Bardi prevented them from doubling their advantage as he turned a fierce long-range strike from Zdravko Kuzmanovic over the bar.

However, Bardi could do nothing as Mazzarri's side did extend their lead in first-half injury time, Palacio meeting Jonathan's right-wing cross with a clever half-volley into the bottom corner.

Inter carried that momentum into the second period and almost immediately added a third following the restart as Palacio forced Bardi into another fine save.

But the hosts got back into the game after 53 minutes when Paulinho rattled an effort in off the crossbar from Leandro Greco's well executed corner.

Former Siena striker Emeghara was thrown on in place of Ishak Belfodil - on loan from Inter - shortly after as Livorno pressed for a share of the spoils.

And the Switzerland international made no mistake late on as he raced on to a poor backpass from Guarin to slot past Handanovic and make it an unhappy return to his former club for Mazzarri, whose current side remain fifth after the clash.

 

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Sunderland 1-2 West Ham: Carroll on target as Hammers hold on

Andy Carroll was on the scoresheet as West Ham held off a late barrage to defeat Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light on Monday.

The England striker scored a first-half header before Mohamed Diame sealed victory with a deflected strike in the 50th minute.

A fine Adam Johnson goal stirred hope of a comeback for the home fans but Sam Allardyce's men stood firm in the face of a late surge from Gus Poyet's men, whose relegation woes deepen.

That West Ham's triumph was masterminded by manager Sam Allardyce and greatly influenced by striker Carroll, both former employees of Sunderland's arch-rivals Newcastle United, added further misery for the home side following a lacklustre performance.

The pair's efforts may mean Newcastle are the only club from the north-east of England in the Premier League next season, with Carroll's header giving West Ham the lead inside the first 10 minutes.And Diame's deflected strike just after the break ensured Sunderland remain 19th in the table, four points adrift of safety, despite Johnson's 65th-minute effort.

Sunderland have at least one game in hand on all of their relegation rivals, but with Tottenham, Everton, Manchester City and Chelsea – all in the top six – awaiting Gus Poyet's men in their next four matches, the Wearside outfit face an uphill battle to remain in the top flight.West Ham, who have now won six of their last nine Premier League fixtures, are 11 points adrift of the bottom three.

Carroll – who was booed immediately due to his St James' Park connections - gave West Ham the lead in the ninth minute with a trademark header, rising above John O'Shea to nod in Mark Noble's corner at the back post.

The sloppy manner in which Sunderland conceded will have infuriated Poyet and his mood will not have brightened when Lee Cattermole spurned two chances to quickly level proceedings from close range, first shooting at Adrian before blazing over.

Carroll headed a George McCartney cross at Vito Mannone, while at the other end, Sunderland felt aggrieved not to win a penalty after Kevin Nolan clearly knocked the ball away with an elbow.

West Ham compounded their woes five minutes after the interval when Diame shot past Mannone.Just like the opener, the goal was basic but effective, as Carroll chested a long punt down into the path of Diame, and the midfielder met the ball on the edge of the area, firing into the back of the net via Santiago Vergini's deflection.

West Ham should have wrapped up the game on the hour mark, when Stewart Downing was sent through on goal, but Mannone superbly tipped wide, and his excellence allowed Sunderland a lifeline – one taken by Johnson.The winger, who surprisingly started from the bench despite being Sunderland's top league scorer, netted his eighth Premier League goal of the campaign when he fired into the top-left corner with a fizzing 20-yard effort.

The goal buoyed Sunderland, who ramped up the pressure as Adrian produced a double save to keep out Ki Sung-Yueng and Connor Wickham, while Fabio Borini fired into the side netting.

West Ham were able to stem Sunderland's flow, though, and although the hosts rallied late, Ignacio Scocco's wasted header was the closest they got to a dramatic leveller.

 

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We are confident in Prandelli - Abete

Italian Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete has lauded the work done by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli ahead of the 2014 World Cup.Prandelli signed a two-year contract extension last week - a deal that will see him remain in charge of the Azzuri until after the 2016 UEFA European Championships.

And as preparations continue ahead of this year's showpiece in Brazil, Abete believes Prandelli - who took over after the last World Cup and led Italy to the final of Euro 2012, where they were beaten by Spain - can continue to enjoy success in the top job.

"The renewal of Cesare's contract is a signal for the future," Abete said.
"There is great confidence in his work and in his staff."We are aware of the work that he has done in recent years - second at Euro 2012, third at the (2013) Confederations Cup.

"He's also done tremendous stuff in terms of initiatives put in place and positive messages to the players and the media."Italy will play Uruguay, England and Costa Rica in Group D at the 2014 World Cup.

 

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Bayern Munich rule out Kroos sale to Manchester United this summer

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insists Toni Kroos will not be joining Manchester United this summer.

The 24-year-old has not signed an extension to his current contract, which ends in June 2015, while David Moyes was pictured alongside the player's agent during a scouting trip to Germany in January.

Earlier this month Kroos refused to rule out the possibility of a summer move to United, but Bayern have now reiterated that the midfielder will not be allowed to leave the club at the end of the season.

"Toni Kroos is sure to play in a Bayern Munich shirt next year as well," Rummenigge told reporters on Monday.

Kroos has refused to pledge his future to Bayern when asked about his contract situation and admitted “much is possible” when asked if he would consider joining a club who are not in the Champions League.

“I have noticed that a lot has been written about it. There's nothing new. No decision has been made. There's no agreement,” Kroos said earlier in March.

"That will stay that way until the summer, then a decision will be made. It's no secret the Premier League is an interesting league."

 

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Mazzarri: We thought the game was over

Inter boss Walter Mazzarri has said his side were made to pay the price for assuming the game was over following their dramatic 2-2 draw with Livorno on Monday.

Hernanes and Rodrigo Palacio had put the Nerazzurri 2-0 up at half-time, and despite Paulinho's thumping second-half finish, the San Siro side looked set to hang on for the three points.

However, Innocent Emeghara grabbed a late equaliser after capitalising on Fredy Guarin's mistake, and Mazzarri was left to rue another result which typified his side's season to date.

"Whoever saw that game will realize it is an example of this year. We try to take the good things from the level of the game," said Mazzarri.

"Psychologically we thought we had finished the race, and instead an episode has been repeated.

"After their goal we missed two or three chances and we paid for it. Guarin has to play like that, unfortunately bad days can happen. It was just a hiccough.

"We have grown this year and it serves to collect useful information for next year."

The draw leaves Inter fifth in Serie A, five points from third-place Napoli in Italy's final Champions League qualification place.

 

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Defeat to Barcelona left a bitter taste, says Motta

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta is determined to go far in this season's Champions League in order to put the "bitter taste" of last season behind them.

The French champions were knocked out at the quarter-final stage on away goals by Barcelona last year after a strike from Pedro at Camp Nou prevented les Parisiens from a famous win.

And having produced dominant displays in both the group stage and last-16 tie with Bayer Leverkusen, Motta is confident Laurent Blanc's side capable of challenging for the last four as they prepare to take on Chelsea.

"When you're eliminated, it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. I think we did a good job but in the end we were eliminated thanks to the goal from Pedro," he told BeIn Sport.

"This year we will try to do better than last time. We've changed a little bit. We've changed players, our game and our style of play. The team feels a little more confidence with how we play now.

"We're confident we're doing a good job. Things have certainly improved, we know that."

The first leg takes place at Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

 

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Costa: Atletico are at their very best

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa says his side are in their best form heading into their Champions League clash against Barcelona.

The Rojiblancos sit top of the Spanish league, one point ahead of Barca and are looking to progress into the semi-finals of Europe's most prestigious club competition, with the first leg to played at Camp Nou on Tuesday.

And Costa feels his team are in great condition as they prepare to meet Gerardo Martino's men, but has warned they must maintain their effort levels in order to triumph.

"I believe the team is at its best," he told Atletico's official website. "We are first in La Liga, we have the possiblity to achieve something big this year.

"We know a quarter-final against Barca is very difficult, but people are very excited about playing this match.

"Barcelona is a team that has demonstrated for many years that they are one of the best in the world, to beat them we have to be in top shape and play close together because they can easily create chances to score.

"We're where we are because of the team we are, because we all run. We give our best and I think in a match like this, we have to be a team, we have to stick together because by being a team our chances are great.

"Some players can make a difference in a team, we have Koke, Arda [Turan], Diego Ribas, who are very talented and can turn a game."

 

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Barcelona clash will be beautiful, says Simeone

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone refused to label his team favourites ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Simeone's men face Barca at Camp Nou in the first leg of their quarter-final tie in a meeting between two sides competing in an enthralling La Liga title race.

Atleti lead the way in Spain's top flight, but are just one point ahead of defending champions Barca - who they will play on the final day of the domestic season - with seven matches remaining.

The duo played out a goalless draw in the league back in January, and Simeone is expecting another tight contest as Atleti aim to reach the semi-finals of Europe's premier club competition since their run to the 1974 final."Barcelona are in top shape. They are used to these kind of matches," the Argentinian said.

"The match will be very difficult. The two teams meet in a great moment. I expect the best Barcelona, they will want to settle it here, in their home stadium and not wait for the return leg."If we say we are favourites, they will say that we are arrogant. If not, they will say that we are underdogs.

"What is certain is that we are going to compete and that it will be a beautiful tie."
Striker Diego Costa could well be crucial to Atleti's fortunes in the tie having scored 33 goals in all competitions for the Spanish capital club.And Simeone believes that Costa is as important for Atleti as superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are for Barcelona and Real Madrid.

He added: "Diego Costa for us, Messi for Barca and Cristiano for Madrid, each in their own way with their style, are highly momentous for the teams."

 

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Real are favourites for Dortmund clash, claims Kehl

Sebastian Kehl accepts Borussia Dortmund will be underdogs against Real Madrid, despite beating them in the Champions League last season.

Dortmund overcame Real 4-3 on aggregate to secure a place in the 2012-13 final, with a 4-1 first-leg triumph at Signal Iduna Park arguably the highlight of a marvellous European campaign for Jurgen Klopp's men before their final defeat to Bayern.

The Bundesliga giants are in contention to make another run towards the latter stages of the competition this year and will renew acquaintances with Real in the quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

The Spanish side crushed Dortmund's neighbours Schalke 9-2 on aggregate in the last-16 and Dortmund head into the game without striker Robert Lewandowski - scorer of all four goals in last term's first leg success against Real.

And Kehl knows that Real will present a different proposition this time around.
"We're in excellent condition physically, but of course we know that Real are not the same side we faced last year," Kehl told Kicker."They are the absolute favourites, together with Bayern Munich, to win the Champions League.

"But we showed last year that we can beat them and they won't have forgotten that."Dortmund can at best achieve a second-placed finish in Germany's top flight, but can reach the final of the DFB-Pokal by overcoming Wolfsburg in the last four in mid-April.

Kehl insists that meeting those targets takes precedence over Dortmund's exploits in the Champions League."Then we would have reached all of our goals [by finish second and reaching the DFB-Pokal final]," Kehl added.

"We have already gone as far as we planned in the Champions League, and all that comes next is a bonus."

 

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Menez: I have to leave PSG

Paris Saint-Germain winger Jeremy Menez expects to leave the Ligue 1 leaders after failing to agree terms for a contract extension.

Menez joined PSG from Roma in July 2011 and scored the goal that secured the league title for the capital club in last season's 1-0 win at Lyon in May 2013.
However, the France international has found opportunities limited under coach Laurent Blanc this term, making just nine starts in all competitions.

Juventus, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been linked with a move for Menez, whose contract with PSG expires in June.And the former Monaco man, who underwent back surgery before the start of the season, admitted that he is unlikely to remain at the Parc des Princes beyond this term.

"I'm at the end of my contract, and we haven't been able to reach an agreement. So, it's going to be difficult to stay," Menez told Canal+."For my good, I have to get back onto the pitch, enjoy myself and get my confidence back.

"I still have objectives to achieve. For that, I think I'm going to have to leave."My objective will be Euro 2016. It's a little complicated. I have never found myself in a situation like this. My season started badly, I had an operation. After that, there were games in which I should have played but didn't.

"That's due to things other than football, but that's part of it. You have to deal with it, and I am digging in. There are two months left. We'll see after that."

 

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Chelsea are PSG's first real test, says Cabaye

Yohan Cabaye says Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with Chelsea is the "first real test" his side have faced in the competition this season.The French giants are looking to improve on last season's performance in Europe's premier club tournament, when they crashed out at the quarter-final to Barcelona on the away goals rule.

And Cabaye feels Jose Mourinho's outfit will be the toughest the Ligue 1 champions have met in Europe this campaign."We need to work hard, stay focused and show a lot of respect to their team," the midfielder told Uefa's official website. "It’ll be the first real test for PSG this year in European competition, so we’re motivated.

"In the end, the objective is to qualify for the semi-finals. We expect two tough matches and it won’t be easy but we’re ready to put in the effort."

The 28-year-old joined the capital club in a big-money move from Newcastle in January and he reflected positively on his time in England but said he couldn't reject a move back to France.

“I really liked playing in another league and discovering another culture. Playing in the best league at the moment, it was a real discovery for me. I loved it, I enjoyed it a lot.

"When a club like PSG wants you and does everything to have you, it’s difficult not to accept it. It allows me to come and play to win titles like the French league, we're in the League Cup final and of course we’re still in the Champions League.

"For a football player, these are very important decisions to make. I didn’t hesitate in coming here."

 

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Giggs: I have no problem with Moyes

Ryan Giggs insists he has no problem with Manchester United manager David Moyes.

It is understood that people behind the scenes at Old Trafford expect the 40-year-old to be installed as boss before the end of the season, in the event of Moyes' dismissal.

At Monday's press conference Giggs was prevented from responding to a journalist who asked whether his aim is to eventually become United's manager, but the player dismissed reports which suggest there is a rift between himself and the Scot.

“The relationship is good. There's obviously no problem with the manager, I know a lot of stuff has been said but I don't know where that's come from,” he told reporters.

“As a player you want to play all the time, but I know I probably won't play every game.

“The last time I played was probably the first time in six or seven weeks but we've got a lot of players to choose from and as you see in the performance against Olympiakos I'm always ready to come in and play and that's what you've got to do, not sulk because you're not playing you've got to come in and be ready to play for the team.

“The players tomorrow if they've not been playing have got to come in and perform.”

Following Giggs’ response, Moyes interjected jokily: "I'm doing his yoga classes now, maybe that will help me.”

United host Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday evening.

The two sides head into the fixture with contrasting campaigns. While Bayern have already won the Bundesliga, United find themsevles far behind the title pace and will record their lowest-ever points total in the Premier League this term.

But Giggs has rejected the idea that the Red Devils are approaching the contest as underdogs.

“Obviously Bayern are a fantastic team. They are the holders. Pep Guardiola has took over, added a few new players and obviously they are a very strong team,” he said.

“And like you say, probably favourites in most people’s eyes.

“But we’re Manchester United, it’s at Old Trafford and we have seen so many great nights in Europe especially.

“As players, we don’t see ourselves as underdogs. We see ourselves as Manchester United playing at home in the Champions League and we can’t wait.

“These are the games you want to be involved in as a player. We’ll go out and try and win the game, it’s going to be tough but it usually is in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but we’re confident, we’re looking forward to it.”

 

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Rodgers: Liverpool rivals will be up against it at Anfield

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is confident that a visit to Anfield will be a daunting prospect for Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Chelsea.

Sunday's 4-0 thumping of Tottenham sent the Reds top of the table, two points clear of Chelsea and four ahead of City, although they have played two games more than Manuel Pellegrini's men.

Rodgers' charges have made Anfield a fortress this season, winning 14 of their 16 matches in the league so far and dropping just five points, and the Northern Irishman expects an advantage in the crucial next two games there, with both heavyweights on the way.

He told reporters: "There's no doubt that they [City and Chelsea] understand this is going to be a tough place to come.

"We love playing here. The support [against Tottenham] was incredible and that's only going to intensify as the season goes on. You can see that it works for us rather than against us.

"We respect Chelsea. They've got a world-class manager, top players, the squad has been put together over 10 years to win the Champions League and Premier League.

"Manchester City are one of the new superpowers in European football but we feel that we can win any game because we're a team.

"We may not have the best group of individuals that's up there - we've got world-class players - but we've got a lot of hunger in the team and our tactical ideas are improving all the time."

 

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De Laurentiis: Napoli want Reina to stay

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed that the club are looking to keep goalkeeper Pepe Reina beyond the end of the season.

The 31-year-old is on a season-long loan from Liverpool, who are currently top of the Premier League, and has largely been a hit during his time at the Stadio San Paolo under Rafa Benitez.

Following the Partenopei's impressive 2-0 win over Juventus on Sunday, which offered hope that the victors could yet catch Roma in second place, whom they are six points behind having played a game more, club chief De Laurentiis revealed the Spaniard could make his move to Naples permanent.

"I talked to Reina," he wrote on his Twitter account. "If they finish in second place I'll reward them all, but I also want him to stay.

"Winning against Juventus is always special, we don't hate them but we support Napoli passionately, that's all."

The goalkeeper, who has yet to confirm his intentions once the season finishes, heralded the win over the Scudetto holders in which he successively kept a clean sheet.

"What an important victory as we continue to look for the second place!" Reina tweeted.

Napoli are back in action on Sunday when they travel to Parma, who have suffered back-to-back defeats against Juve then Lazio.

 

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Barcelona confirm Valdes out for seven months

Barcelona have confirmed successful surgery on Victor Valdes' knee and that he will be out of action for an estimated seven months.

The goalkeeper went under the knife on Monday after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee early in the 3-0 win over Celta just under a week ago.

"Valdes has been operated on by doctors Ulrich Boenisch and Ricard Pruna in Augsburg for the ACL tear he suffered last week," the club said in a statement on their website.

"The knee’s internal cartilage has been sewn up and the operation was concluded successfully."

Valdes' injury, which rules him out of the World Cup in the summer, has left Gerardo Martino's men with Jose Pinto between the sticks as they enter the crucial point in 2013-14.

The Catalans sit second by a point behind Atletico Madrid in La Liga, will face Diego Simeone's men in the Champions League quarter-final stage - with the first leg at Camp Nou on Tuesday - and have a Copa del Rey final versus Real Madrid to look forward to.

Valdes' intention was to leave Spain upon the expiration of his contract on June 30, with Manchester City and Monaco mooted as potential destinations, though Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has claimed he could now stay at the club.