FC Barcelona News: 5 March 2018; Barcelona Extend La Liga Lead with Crucial Win, Andres Iniesta Injured

FC Barcelona - Atlético Madrid: A step closer (1-0) | FC Barcelona
After a wonderful tribute to former striker Enrique Castro ‘Quini,’ the top two teams in La Liga provided incredible entertainment in the heat of battle, and just one goal separated them at the end, a terrific free kick scored in the first half by Lionel Messi.

Ernesto Valverde: ‘I am proud of how the team competed’ | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona took a big step towards the league title after winning 1-0 against Atlético Madrid. After the game, Ernesto Valverde said he was very happy with “how the team has competed.” He also acknowledged that Diego Simeone’s team had played an “intense match,” although he believes that Barça were able to “manage [the pressure] well.”

Barça reach 100 goals for the season | FC Barcelona
Barça under Ernesto Valverde are having a fantastic season so far and his team have now reached 100 goals in official competition. The blaugranes, thanks to their 1-0 win Atlético, have now reached 100 goals in the current 2017/18 season with three months still to go and a minimum of 13 games remaining.

One game, three points and two celebrations | FC Barcelona
More than 90,000 fans were only too aware of the importance of the clash at Camp Nou between Barça and Atlético. The best crowd of the season witness two moments that could turn out to be crucial in the current league campaign.

HIGHLIGHTS: Barça v Atlético | FC Barcelona
The leaders remain strong. FC Barcelona took three important points against Atlético Madrid thanks to a wonderful free kick from Leo Messi, his 600th career goal and the team’s 100th this season in official competition. Barça had the better of the first half and in the 26th minute Leo Messi moment of magic gave them the lead, the Argentine scoring from a free kick for the third game in a row.

Lionel Messi reaches 600 career goals | FC Barcelona
The first of his 539 with Barça and 61 with Argentine came on 1 May 2005 at Camp Nou. Messi, wearing the unfamiliar number 30 shirt, received a pass from none other than Ronaldinho bearing lifting the ball over the goalkeeper in a league game against Albacete.

Andrés Iniesta with a hamstring injury | FC Barcelona
Andrés Iniesta has suffered a hamstring injury in his right leg that forced him off in the first half of Barça’s 1-0 win over Atlético at Camp Nou. The Barça midfielder first felt the problem after 20 minutes and despite continuing out on the field, he was finally replaced by André Gomes on 34 minutes.

Arthur can be Barcelona’s next Iniesta, claims Gremio director | FC Barcelona
Gremio director Carlos Amodeo has backed Arthur to be a success at Barcelona, suggesting that the Brazilian midfielder could develop into Andres Iniesta’s replacement at Camp Nou. Negotiations are well underway for the 21-year-old, and though a transfer is not expected to take place until January 2019, the Catalan side rate the youngster highly.

Report: Arthur’s agent in Barcelona | Football Espana
The agent of Gremio midfielder Arthur has arrived in Barcelona to finalise his client’s move to the club, say reports in Spain. A report from Cope journalist Helena Condis Eno states the move has accelerated recently and negotiations should be concluded soon due to the agent’s trip to the Catalan capital.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is from another planet - Atletico Madrid’s Gimenez | ESPN
Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez said Lionel Messi was “from another planet” after his brilliant free kick decided their top-of-the-table clash on Sunday. Messi’s moment of inspiration earned Barca a 1-0 victory over second-placed Atleti at the Camp Nou and put them eight points clear with 11 games left -- an advantage never overturned in the history of La Liga.

Busquets blasts ‘unfair’ league schedule | Football Espana
Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has criticised La Liga’s scheduling after his side were made to play twice in the space of four days. The Blaugrana defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 on Sunday less than 72 hours after their lengthy trip to Las Palmas, while their opponents had a day extra rest ahead of the game.

Barca ‘increasingly concerned’ at Dembele | Football Espana
Barcelona are becoming ‘increasingly concerned’ with forward Ousmane Dembele’s application off the pitch, according to a report in Spain. Cadena Ser have produced a detailed report into the Blaugrana’s dissatisfaction with the French forward, including a supposed ‘poor diet’ and ‘withdrawn lifestyle’.

FC Barcelona’s final goodbye to Enrique Castro ‘Quini’ | FC Barcelona
The Camp Nou paid tribute to one of the most important strikers in Barça’s history on an emotional day. The fans displayed a banner with the message “Quini, sempre recordat” (“Quini, always remembered”). Also, the scoreboard at the Camp Nou, played a video showing the Asturian striker’s best moments as a blaugrana. The ex-player’s family witnessed the tribute as they were in the Presidential Box.