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Spain v Chile Starting Teams Live Coverage.

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(Sporting Alert) — Andrés Iniesta, David Villa and Iker Casillas are among the substitutes for Spain in tonight’s football friendly international clash against Chile.

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While the trio are on the bench, the likes of in-form Cesc Fábregas, Roberto Soldado and Victor Valdes were handed starting places against a strong Chile line-up.

Santi Cazorla, Pedro, Javi Garcia, Sergio Ramos and Nacho Monreal all start as well for the defending World Cup champions.

Manchester City duo Jesús Navas and Álvaro Negredo are on the bench.

Meanwhile, for Chile, Barcelona forward Alexis Sánchez and Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal are amongst the starters tonight.

Spain v Chile

Spain team: Valdes, Albiol, Monreal, Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Javi Garcia, Xavi, Fabregas, Cazorla, Soldado, Pedro
Subs: Casillas, Nacho, Mario Suarez, Koke, Iniesta, Villa, Negredo, Jordi Alba, Jesus Navas, Reina

Chile team: Bravo, Jara, Mena, Gonzalez, Isla, Vidal, Pizarro, Medel, Diaz, Vargas, Alexis
Subs: Toselli, Silva, Carmona, Gutierrez, Rabello, Fernandez, Beausejour, Fernandes, Aranguiz, Henriquez, Garces

Referee: Adrien Jaccottet (Switzerland)

Messi and Neymar Start For Barcelona v Thailand: Live!

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(Sporting Alert) — Lionel Messi and Neymar are both in the starting line up for Barcelona for today’s preseason friendly football clash with Thailand as part of their 2013 Asian Tour.

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Neymar, who has recovered from anemia, started on the bench for Barcelona in their last game against his former club Santos, starts today for Alexis Sanchez.

The Brazilian international plays alongside Messi and Pedro in the Barca’s three man attack.

Manchester United target Cesc Fabregas also starts for the La Liga side, which is reluctant to sell the Spanish international as they see him as a big part of what they want to do this season.

Alex Song and Sergi Roberto are also in the starting lineup.

Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba are all on the bench.

Barcelona team: Valdés, Alves, Piqué, Bagnack, Adriano, Song, Fàbregas, Sergi Roberto, Pedro, Messi and Neymar.
Subs: Pinto, Montoya, Xavi, Iniesta, Sanchez, Jonathan dos Santos, Mascherano, Bartra, Busquets, Jordi Alba, Tello

Thailand team: Rawangpa, Suree Sukha, Cholratit Jantakam, Artit Daosawang, Theeraton Boonmatan, Adul Lahsoh, Narubodin Weerawatnodom, Sakda Joemdee, Chatree Chimtalay, Sumanya Purisai, D.C.

Messi in Barcelona squad to face Bayern Munich in preseason game

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MUNICH (Sporting Alert) — Lionel Messi and Barcelona arrive to face reigning European champions Bayern Munich in their pre-season opener at Allianz Arena.

The game will also see former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola going up against his ex-bosses for the first time since leaving that post and the Spanish tactician will be hoping for something special on Wednesday.

Messi, in the meantime, was amongst the 12 first team players that travel for the first pre-season friendly and he will also have the likes of midfielders Javier Mascherano and Alex Song, as well as forward Alexis Sanchez alongside him.

However, new summer signing Neymar, who joined the Spanish champions from Brazil club Santos, is not in the squad, as he has been given extra time to recover from his long season, which had included the 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup.

Midfield generals Xavi and Andrés Iniesta are also missing as they too have been given extended vacation to rest up from the long summer of international football.

Neymar, Iniesta and Xavi will rejoin Barcelona for training next week.

Bayern Munich, which will also feature former Barcelona midfielder Thiago, has been very impressive so far this pre-season and will want to continue that run with a win.

The German side meets Barcelona for the first time since registering a 7-0 aggregate triumph over the Spanish side in the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

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Torres, Villa score hat-tricks: Spain beat Tahiti 10-0 – Video Highlights

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Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (Sporting Alert) – Spain made 10 changes to its starting line-up, but still managed to hammer Tahiti 10-0 in their FIFA Confederations Cup clash at Estadio do Maracana – recurring the biggest margin in a senior FIFA tournament.

Spain v  Tahiti 10-0 Video Highlights

Chelsea forward Fernando Torres scored four goals, to become only the third player to net so many in a Confederations Cup, but did miss a 77th minute penalty.

Barcelona striker David Villa scored a hat-trick, while David Silva scored a brace and Juan Mata added another in the comfortable victory for Spain, who moved top of the table standings in Group B with six points.

The World and Euro champions also have a healthy goal difference of +11.

Despite the win though, Spain still haven’t qualified for the second round and will wait to see the result of the second group game between Nigeria and Uruguay.

Spain v Tahiti Teams

Spain: Reina, Azpilicueta, Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Monreal, Cazorla, Javi Martinez, Silva, Mata, Torres, Villa
Subs: Casillas, Pique, Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, Pedro, Soldado, Busquets, Arbeloa, Jordi Alba, Jesus Navas, Valdes

Tahiti: Roche, Aitamai, Jonathan Tehau, Vallar, Ludivion, Lemaire, Vahirua, Bourebare, Caroine, Alvin Tehau, Chong Hue
Subs: Meriel, Wagemann, Faatiarau, Teaonui Tehau, Atani, Aroita, Lorenzo Tehau, Tihoni, Simon, Vero, Hnanyine, Samin

Referee: Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria)

Messi benched: Barcelona v Bayern Munich starting teams

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BARCELONA, Spain (Sporting Alert) — Lionel Messi is only on the bench tonight for Barcelona for the Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Bayern Munich at Camp Nou.

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Messi, who was tipped to start, after his impressive showing off the bench in La Liga over the weekend, is only a sub, but will certainly play a part before the game is concluded.

The Argentine international failed to spark in the first leg 4-0 defeat.

David Villa has been handed a starting place for Barcelona, in the meantime, after sitting on the bench for most of the first leg.

Villa will play alongside Cesc Fabregas and Pedro in the attack with Alexis Sanchez, who was very disappointing in the first leg joining Messi on the bench.

Alex Song also starts for Barcelona, who are without Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich made two adjustments from the side which dominated the first leg for tonight’s contest.

Leading striker Mario Mandzukic is back from suspension to lead the attack in place of Mario Gomez, who netted in the first leg, while Daniel van Buyten comes in as a replacement for Dante a the back.

Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller and impressive Javi Martinez all start as well.

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

Barcelona: Valdés, Alves, Piqué, Bartra, Adriano, Fàbregas, Xavi, Iniesta, Song, Villa, Pedro
SUBS: Pinto, Montoya, Thiago Alcántara, Dos Santos, Sánchez, Messi, Tello.

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Van Buyten, Boateng, Lahm, Ribéry, Martínez, Robben, Müller, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Mandžukić
SUBS: Starke, Dante, Rafinha, Shaqiri, Luiz Gustavo, Tymoshchuk, Gomez.

Lionel Messi on the bench: Barcelona v PSG

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BARCELONA (Sporting Alert) — Lionel Messi is only on the bench tonight for Barcelona against PSG in their Champions League quarter-finals second leg at Camp Nou.

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Both teams played to a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Paris last week and will have it all to play for tonight.

With Messi out, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas and David Villa will lead the attack, with Alexis Sanchez joining the Argentine on the bench.

Meanwhile David Beckham starts on the bench tonight for PSG, with Lucas Moura, Marco Verratti, Thiago Motta and Javier Pastore starting in the middle.

Barcelona v PSG

Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Adriano, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Fabregas, Villa

Subs: Pinto, Sanchez, Messi, Thiago, Bartra, Montoya, Song

PSG: Sirigu, Jallet, Alex, Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Lucas Moura, Verratti, Thiago Motta, Pastore, Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi

Subs: Douchez, Sakho, Gameiro, Chantome, Armand, Van Der Wiel, Beckham

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland)

Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi does it again over Ronaldo, Iniesta

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ZURICH (Sporting Alert) – New Year, same story. Lionel Messi beat Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of his rivals To Another Major Award.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi on Monday captured the Ballon d’Or award when beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta and become the first player to win the honor on four occasions.

Many had thought that either Ronaldo or Messi’s Spanish teammate Iniesta would have landed the prestigious FIFA prize in Zurich on Monday for their outstanding performances this season.

However, it was the Argentine would scoop the award and partly rewarded for superb 2012 campaign in which he netted a record 91 goals in a calendar year to break Gerd Muller’s 40-year-old mark.

The 25-year-old now moves ahead of France midfield legend Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian icon Ronaldo, who had won it three times.

“To tell you the truth this is really quite unbelievable,” Messi was quoted as saying. “The fourth award that I have had is just too great for words.

“I would like to recognise my other colleagues from Barcelona; Andres it has been great to train and play alongside you.

“I would also like to recognise all of my friends in the Argentinian national team, everyone that has worked with me, coaches and staff and my family and my friends.

“Also my wife and my son. Thank you.”

Iniesta wants Chelsea, Arsenal target David Villa to stay at Barcelona

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MADRID (Sporting Alert) Barcelona midfield maestro Andres Iniesta is hoping his fellow Spanish teammate David Villa does not leave the club in January.

Villa has dropped down the pecking order in the Barcelona strikers list since returning from surgery after breaking his leg last season, and he is now being linked with a move away from the Camp Nou.

It is believed that Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC are both tussling for the proven goalscorer, but Iniesta has admitted that he would rather see his good pal stay with the Spanish La Liga leaders.

“I don’t know if there’s a chance (he could leave), I don’t think so, although for me personally I wouldn’t like it if he did, because Villa is a vital,” Iniesta was quoted as saying.

Barcelona head coach Tito Vilanova is constantly choosing to play the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Pedro over Villa, who is Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer.

So Premier League sides Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly very interested in the former Valencia man, who, according to sources is very frustrated at not being given his fair share of chance to fight for a place.

It is also believed that while Pedro has been playing well recently, the instant return of Sanchez to the starting line-up after coming off an injury doesn’t sit well with Villa.

But while Chelsea are said to be in pole position to land the signature of Villa in the January transfer window, there are many who believe that the Spaniard would also struggle to get into the Premier League team with the likes of Juan Mata, Oscar, Eden Hazard and Victor Moses all on the list of players already in front of him.

Arsenal target David Villa on the bench again: FC Barcelona vs Valladolid

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VALLADOLID (Sporting Alert) — David Villa has started on the bench again for FC Barcelona in tonight’s Spanish La Liga clash at Real Valladolid.

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Date: Saturday, 12/22/2012 18:00
Competition: Spanish La Liga
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Barcelona will play without manager Tito Vilanova, who underwent throat surgery on Thursday.

Villa, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Swansea City in the Premier League, is believed to be growing frustrated with his situation at Camp Nou, but the Spanish leaders are desperate to hold on to the forward as they still believe he’s a vital element to the team’s plan for the long season.

Chile attacker Alexis Sanchez, who many believed would have been left out for Villa, keeps his starting place and joins Pedro and Lionel Messi in the frontline.

Thiago, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also start at Nuevo Jose Zorilla Stadium.

Andres Iniesta is on the bench with Villa, Carles Puyol, Jonathan dos Santos and Cristian Tello.

Former Manchester United forward Manucho leads the attack for Valladolid.

FC Barcelona: Valdés, Alves, Piqué, Alba, Mascherano, Xavi,, Thiago, Sergio, Alexis, Messi, Pedro.
Subs: Pinto, Puyo, Jonathan dos Santos, Montoya, Iniesta, Villa, Tello

Valladolid: Hernandez, Balenziaga, Valiente, Sereno, Rukavina, Perez, Sastre, Bueno, Oscar, Omar, Manucho
Subs: Jaime, Neira, Baraja, Guerra, Peña, Rubio, Rubén Peña

Referee: Clos Gómez

Spartak Moscow v Barcelona: Team News

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(Sporting Alert) — The last time Barcelona played away from home in the Champions League they suffered a shocking Group G defeat to Celtic, but will start favorites against Spartak Moscow on the road tonight.

Barcelona were surprised 2-1 at Celtic earlier this month despite dominating the possession for the entire game.

However, the rejuvenated squad, led by leading striker Lionel Messi, is ready to book their place in the next round with a victory over Spartak Moscow, a team they defeated 3-0 in the first game of the group at Camp Nou, in September.

Messi again is in the starting team, alongside Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and an on form Pedro.

David Villa, Carles Puyol, Jonathan dos Santos and Alex Song are amongst the subs.

Midfielder Demy de Zeeuw is only a substitute for Spartak Moscow tonight.

Watch Live Spartak Moscow v Barcelona Streaming and Mobile Coverage on UEFA.com

Spartak Moscow v Barcelona

Spartak Moscow: Dykan, Makeev, Insaurralde, Suchy, Dmitri Kombarov, Rafael Carioca, Kallstrom, Kirill Kombarov, Jurado, Ari, Emenike.
Subs: Chermyshuk, Bryzgalov, Mahmudov, Welliton, Yakovlev, De Zeeuw, Ananidze

Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Fabregas, Xavi, Busquets, Pedro, Messi, Iniesta
Subs: Pinto, Puyol, Villa, Jonathan, Montoya, Song, Deulofeu

Referee: Ivan Bebek (Croatia)