Barcelona want Liverpool's Benitez

Barca making eyes at Rafa as Rijkaard is eased to the door?

Reports are surfacing in the media of Barcelona wanting Rafa Benitez to replace Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona. Apparently the board is split, some wanting Jose Mourinho, while an increasing number would like Liverpool's Rafa Benitez.

It all seems a bit fanciful, and is tabloid column filler, on the back of the takeover uncertainty at Liverpool. If Rafa is to leave Liverpool in the summer, it seems more likely he will be pushed, and given his mixed record, its unlikely someone like Barcelona will be in for him.

Like Liverpool and Mourinho, his future is far from clear, but the destination of Barcelona to us seems unlikley. Watch out for it on the Liverpool Echo or Post website - if it's on there then the story has legs!

Uefa Champions League: Barcelona 1-0 Celtic

Celtic dreams just that as Barcelona progress

Comfortably outclassed, Celtic eventually ended this game with some credit due to spirited defending, and a gritty show of resilience. The margin of defeat was kept to a single goal by some stioc defending and exceptional goalkeeping from Artur Boruc, who recovered from his all to obvious nervous start.

Barcelona's manager Frank Rijkaard, had decided to leave out some of the players who started the first match and this suggested he presumed victory. This could have been interpreted as an insult to Celtic, however it would take just two minutes to vindicate his decision and effectively kill the tie.

Seemingly intent on erasing Saturday's 4-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid, Barcelona started at a whirlwind tempo and it was clear Celtic would again would struggle to cope with the swift movement, and passing of Barcelona. Deco and Ronaldinho both went close with great efforts, but Barcelona just couldn't get the goals they threatened.

After the scary opening for Celtic, in which they survived at keeping the score to 1-0, the game played out in a similar though less intense manner, with Celtic spending their time keeping Barcelona at bay and eventually achieving for them a creditable showing against one of Europes top sides.

Barcelona not giving up catching Madrid

Barcelona boss Rijkaard not giving up catching Real Madrid in the race for the Spanish League

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has commented on his sides fight for the title in Spain, insisting he is not worried about Real Madrid, and does not pay them any special attention. Instead he insists his focus is on what Barcelona do.

He said: "Real Madrid is the first on the table because it has so far performed better, they're the team that leads the Liga and that is not easy, because the goal of all teams is to beat them. But we're not giving up anything. I'm not watching what Real Madrid do in their games. We only worry about ourselves. The other stuff is for the press to write about."

Barcelona seem to slipping into gear at just the right time, as we enter the business end of the season. They looked sensational in Glasgow against Celtic, despite conceding two goals.

Footy focus can see signs of it not being all over for Barcelona in the race for the Spanish title. Real Madrid are showing signs of stuttering, while Barcelona are looking better by the week.

Barcelona: Mourhino next manager?

Speculation mounts that Jose Mourinho is to take over at Barcelona in the summer

According to the Mail on Sunday, Mourinho is the overwhelming favourite of the Barcelona board to succeed Frank Rijkaard, should they dispense with the dutchman during the summer.

The Mail on Sunday is also reporting that Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, will follow Mourinho to Barcelona, should the former Chelsea manager be appointed in the summer.

If the move goes ahead, and it all depends on current boss Frank Rijkaard's performance in the Champions League and the league in the next six weeks - Lampard is almost certain to join Barcelona. Drogba could follow, though AC Milan are also chasing the Ivory Coast striker.

Barcelona is the latest in a long line of clubs linked with Jose Mourinho. Footy Focus reckons his ultimate destination is not the Nou Camp, but Anfield! Not saying how we know!

Barcelona vs Levante: Barcelona in form at just the right time

Henry confident on Barcelona prospects
Thierry Henry is confident Barcelona are finding their form at the business end of the season.He said "At last we players are all together - but we've not won anything yet," he warned.

"We're in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, looking good in the Champions League, and five points behind Real Madrid. We're in a good moment of form, and if we're here as a full group, so much the better."

Barcelona take on Levante on Sunday a few hours before Real Madrid entertain Getafe at the Bernabeu. This means that for a few short hours at least Barcelona can cut the gap at the top of the table to a mere two points.

It's all turning into a fascinating end of the season in Spain and Footy Focus has a gut feel that Barcelona might just catch Madrid and take the title. Barcelona are finding form at just the right time, while Madrid are starting to stutter a bit!

Celtic 2-3 Barcelona

The Bhoys get a UEFA Champions League lesson from Barcelona, as Messi's class tells

Barcelona are now favourites to advance to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-2 win at Celtic Park. Celtic now have to go to Barcelona in a fortnight and score twice without reply, which would seem on the evidence of this game a most unlikely feat.

Celtic had twice taken the lead through Jan Vennegoor and Barry Robson, but their efforts were cancelled out by Barcelona's Messi and Thierry Henry respectively. Overall Barcelona richly deserved their win as they displayed a footballing masterclass at times. Celtic at varying stages, could not cope with Barcelona's rapid passing and posession football and scored their first goal very much against the run of play. Indeed, after regaining the lead for the second time, Barcelona very quickly scored to get back in the game. Just when the Scottish champions looked set to hold on for a draw, Argentina star Messi grabbed a late winner for Barcelona to inflict Celtic's first Champions League home defeat since 2004.

Overall Barcelona deserved the victory, and are now firm favourites to advance to the last sixteen and indeed will be one of the favourites to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy.

Barcelona vs Celtic: Larsson can't wait

Old Bhoy Larsson can't wait for Barcelona at Celtic

Henrik Larsson has told of his delight at tonights game, and of his split loyalties in who to choose as victors in the UEFA Champions League tie.

"When they told me the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, I just couldn't believe it," he said. "For Celtic and Barcelona to meet again was such a surprise. But it will be a nice match between two great teams for whom I have a lot of affection."

Larsson was a major success at Barcelona and Celtic, being part of the Celtic team that knocked Barcelona out of the UEFA Cup in 2003, and then a year later playing for the Barcelona team that knocked Celtic out of the Champions League.

Fabregas wants Barcelona's Eto'o

Arsenal's Fabregas on planet fluff as he wishes for Barcelona's Eto'o

Barcelona will not be happy to hear Cesc Fabregas's latest words of wisdom. He has urged Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to try and land Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o.

"If I was asked which one player I would like to see at Arsenal, it would be Samuel Eto'o," Cesc told the Daily Telegraph.

"Eto'o is a phenomenal striker, he's ambitious, he runs, he works for the team, he scores well and he's a real winner. I would love to have him on my team."

Barcelona are sure to rebuff any attempt to land their crown jewel, and its doubtful if Arsenal could afford the fee and wages required.

Barcelona: Eto'o backs Rijkaard

Eto'o gives under pressure Rijkaard his backing as the Parkhead hothouse looms

Samuel Eto'o gave beleagured Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard a major boost today ahead of their UEFA Champions League game with Celtic, by giving him his unqualified backing, and dismissing the dutchman's critics. In an outburst against the media frenzy to replace Barcelona's manager, Eto'o derided those calling for his head;

"It's a total lack of respect and I find it incomprehensible that people should be questioning Frank Rijkaard, particularly at this stage of the season," argued Eto'o. "Rijkaard came to this club when they were in the middle of a long spell without trophies and Barca suddenly went on to win practically everything. Now we'll go back to winning practically everything again if people just let him and us get on with our work".

This is a major rebuff in particular to Johan Cruyff, who has been talking up the qualities of Rijkaard's supposed successor, Marco Van Basten. Rijkaard is banned from the touchline for the Champions League game against Celtic

Premier League - Drogba to Barca?

Drogba wishing for a Barcelona move

Didier Drogba has been talking up a move to Barcelona, again hinting bigtime at a move away from the Premier League and Chelsea. This time he's been waxing lyrical about Samuel Eto'o. According to The Sun's report on his interview in France Football, Drogba states "If any striker in the world were offered the chance to play next to Samuel, he'd tell you that would be inspirational". Over in the Daily Star they reckon Drogba is "pleading" and "begging" for a Nou Camp move.

Theres been so much speculation since he's announced his desire for a move, but this Barca rumour seems to have more substance than most. Looks like a summer exit from Chelsea and the Premier League for Drogba.