Sanchez buoyed by Copa brace

11 January 2013 09:52

Alexis Sanchez said his double in Barcelona's 5-0 Copa del Rey win over Cordoba gave him a huge confidence boost.

The Chile international has been struggling to find his best form this season and had netted only once before Thursday's round-of-16 encounter.

Sanchez was one of Barca's star performers against Cordoba, though, and he is pleased to have found his scoring boots again.

"Goals give me confidence," told the official Barcelona website.

"I am very pleased with my goals, that we won and that we reached the quarter-finals of the cup.

"Barca play like we did against Cordoba in every game. Even if we have an advantage, we go all out."

Sanchez has now netted three goals in 21 official appearances for the Catalan club this season.

Villa earns Roura praise

11 January 2013 03:41

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura believes striker David Villa will soon be back to his best amid rumours of a potential exit from Camp Nou.

Villa helped Barca register a 5-0 victory over Cordoba on Thursday, sealing their passage into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey to set up a clash with Malaga.

And although Roura was impressed with the whole Barca side, it was Villa that caught the eye most with two stunning goals.

"If there is something worth noting about this performance it is the attitude and ambition displayed by all the players," he told Marca.

"This was a game that we may have entered with a more conservative approach given our first leg victory. However, the desire to put on a show was evident in every player.

"I take my hat off to the players. They were exceptional in the first half and played with great intensity and to a very high level. Their attitude is remarkable and this needs to be recognised."

Villa, who has struggled to produce his best form since suffering a badly broken leg at the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, had been linked with a move away from Camp Nou.

But Roura offered a ringing endorsement of the experienced striker, the strongest indication yet he will remain with the club.

"Villa's goals were great," he said.

"He is an exceptional player and he had a great match. It has showed us what we all know, that he is an important player for us.

"He's a real goal-scorer and bit by bit, he'll get back to his best level and be even more important for us."

Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta echoed Roura commitments, and drew attention to the warm reception Villa recieved from fans and his team-mates on Thursday.

"The public's reaction and that of his team-mates was excellent," he was quoted as saying by AS.

"It's not just the two goals he scored though, he's such a high-quality player."

Zubizarreta also claimed the club is making progress in contract negotiations with goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

"The conversations we've had with his agent and with him are going well. I won't talk about rumours," he said.

Copa del Rey wrap: Barca book Malaga tie

10 January 2013 23:55

Barcelona eased past Cordoba 5-0 at home to Thursday to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Already leading 2-0 on aggregate from the first leg, holders Barca had little trouble dispatching their second-tier opponents at Camp Nou.

Thiago opened the scoring 17 minutes into the match, before a David Villa brace made it 3-0 by half-time.

Alexis Sanchez then netted twice in the second half to set up a meeting with La Liga rivals Malaga in the last eight.

Also on Thursday, Atletico Madrid played out a 0-0 draw away to 10-man Getafe, who had Lopez Gomez Rafa sent off on 33 minutes.

Having won the first leg at home 3-0, the aggregate victory saw Diego Simeone's Atletico advance to the quarters, where they will meet Real Betis.

Betis saw off Las Palmas 1-0 at home thanks to Ruben's 85th-minute strike, sealing progression 2-1 on aggregate.

Second Division team Las Palmas ended the match a man down after Enrique Corrales saw red three minutes into injury time.

Vilanova to sit out Cordoba game

9 January 2013 14:38

Barcelona will have to make do without the services of Tito Vilanova for Thursday's Copa del Rey match at home against Cordoba.

The 44-year-old is set to undergo medical tests, assistant coach Jordi Roura has confirmed.

Vilanova recently returned to the Barcelona bench after undergoing surgery on a tumour in December, but his place will be taken by his number two again for this week's cup match.

"Tito will not attend Thursday's encounter at Camp Nou. He had to leave for a series of medical tests and will not be available," Roura said.

The Barcelona caretaker boss then went on to praise David Villa, saying that the experienced striker no longer needs to prove himself as he has already proven his worth over the years.

"I wouldn't say that the Copa del Rey match is a chance for Villa to prove himself. He does not need to prove himself," he said.

"We all know that he is an extraordinary player. He always works hard and is still very important for Barcelona."

Barcelona won the first leg of the round-of-16 match against Cordoba 2-0.