Russian forces make progress amid record-high losses across Ukraine's Donetsk region    Israel confirms it killed Hamas leader Haniyeh in Tehran    Kosovo bars Serb party from vote over anti-independence stances    Greenland again tells Trump it is not for sale    Interior Ministry makes great strides in enhancing national security landscape    MWL Chief meets Pope Francis in Vatican University of Bologna confers on Sheikh Al-Issa Honorary Fellowship in Law    Abdullah Kamel unveils plans to launch halal certificate similar to ISO Value of global halal market exceeds $2 trillion    Emir of Madinah launches first phase of Madinah Gate project worth SR600 million    Saudi Arabia starts Gulf Cup 26 campaign with a disappointing loss to Bahrain    Gulf Cup: Hervé Renard calls for Saudi players to show pride    Oman optimistic about Al-Yahyaei's return for crucial Gulf Cup clash with Qatar    Qatar coach Garcia promises surprises as they seek first Gulf Cup 26 win    Do cigarettes belong in a museum    Saudi deputy FM meets Sudan's Sovereign Council chief in Port Sudan    Kuwait, India to elevate bilateral relations to strategic partnership Sheikh Mishal awards Mubarak Al-Kabir Medal to Modi    Environment minister inaugurates Yanbu Grain Handling Terminal    Marianne Jean-Baptiste on Oscars buzz for playing 'difficult' woman    PDC collaboration with MEDLOG Saudi to introduce new cold storage facilities in King Abdullah Port Investment of SR300 million to enhance logistics capabilities in Saudi Arabia    My kids saw my pain on set, says Angelina Jolie    Legendary Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain dies at 73    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Messi urges Bracelona to make good on second chance
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 11 - 05 - 2014

MADRID — Four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has urged his Barcelona teammates not to miss out on the second chance they have been gifted to retain their La Liga title.
Barca seemed all but out of the title race after conceding a last-minute equalizer to draw 2-2 at home to relegation-threatened Getafe last weekend.
However, leader Atletico Madrid subsequently lost 2-0 away at Levante, whilst Real Madrid has drawn twice against Valencia and Valladolid in the past week to leave it in third place, four points adrift of Atletico with just two games to play.
Barcelona remains three points adrift of Diego Simeone's men itself, but will win the league if it wins its two remaining games away to Elche Sunday and then when Atletico visits the Camp Nou on the final weekend of the season.
“We are in a better position today than we were a few weeks ago,” said Messi. “We can see that we have an opportunity to win the league. We need to take advantage of this moment and not let it escape.”
Gerardo Martino's men are sure to face a tough task this weekend, though, as Elche is in need of points itself as it sits just three points above the relegation zone and has yet to be beaten at home in nine league games so far in 2014.
Barca will again be without the injured Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Neymar, although all three are hopeful of being fit for the potential title decider against Atletico next weekend.
However, should Barca fail to win this weekend, Atletico can mathematically seal its first title in 18 years with victory over Malaga at the Vicente Calderon.
Atletico has injury worries itself as top scorer Diego Costa looks set to miss out due to a hamstring injury, which could yet endanger his participation in the clash with Barcelona and in the Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 24. Diego Godin is also suspended for Los Rojiblancos, but right-back Juanfran returns from suspension having missed the defeat at Levante.
However, forward Adrian Lopez still believes home advantage should be enough to edge his side closer to the title.
“We know that we are very strong at home in front of our own fans,” he said Friday. “It is a key game. With all that we are playing for to get three points Sunday would be a huge step forward.
“We know the atmosphere will be incredible. The fans are going to be very excited having watched what has been a great season for us and it could end in a great and happy way for everyone.”
David Villa is likely to replace Costa with Raul Garcia moving forward from the midfield role he has deployed in recent weeks to make space for the return of Arda Turan.
Real Madrid needs to win away to Celta Vigo to maintain any hope of catching Atletico, but is likely to be without a host of first-team regulars, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
The current World Player of the Year limped off with a minor muscular problem less than 10 minutes into Real's 1-1 draw with Valladolid Wednesday and is unlikely to be risked with the Champions League final against Atletico just two weeks away.
Pepe and Angel di Maria also picked up injuries against Valladolid, but Gareth Bale should return after missing the trip to the Jose Zorilla with a knock.
At the bottom, Osasuna could join Real Betis in being mathematically relegated should it lose away to Espanyol and any two of Getafe, Valladolid and Almeria win when they face Sevilla, Betis and Granada respectively. — Agencies


Clic here to read the story from its source.