Andrés Iniesta: "The Mathieu issue is part of the past"

Amdst the amazing momentum surrounding Barcelona's impressive eight-game winning streak, there was a bit of controversy surrounding some remarks made by Barça center-back Jérémy Mathieu, who revealed that there were actual issues between Lionel Messi and coach Luis Enrique. The rumors of such player-coach beef triggered #TheCrisis that made Barça the talk of the town for a week.

 But, according to one of Barça's most important leaders, that is all part of the past.

 Andrés Iniesta spoke after the win against Villarreal, and he made clear that nobody is thinking about the Mathieu issue anymore, and the focus is solely on the winning streak:

 "We are all teammates here and nobody wants to damage each other; with Mathieu is no different, and he is a great teammate. What happened is part of the past. What we have to do now is keep our momentum going.

 "Copa semifinal? Both games will be intense and equal. Once again the games will be decided on details and that's what a knockout game is all about. We hope to maintain our current level of play and advance to the final.

 "Luis Suárez? Suárez is helping us in different ways that are equally as important as scoring goals. He's been a scorer all his life and his moment to shine on that aspect will come. We hope that time comes early, maybe next game."

La Liga Team of the Week: Messi and Benzema the inspiration for Barcelona and Real Madrid

The Argentine struck a wonderful winner for Luis Enrique's side at home to Villarreal, while the Frenchman hit two and was excellent as the league leaders thrashed Real Sociedad

 There is no change at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico all won in the 21st round of fixtures.

 Madrid thrashed Real Sociedad 4-1 on Saturday to stay in pole position, before Barca - having played one game less - closed the gap to a point once again by beating Villarreal 3-2 in an exciting encounter at Camp Nou on Sunday, while Atletico stay third after overcoming Eibar 3-1 in the Basque Country.

 There were also wins for Deportivo La Coruna, Celta Vigo, Granada, Athletic Bilbao, Almeria, Sevilla and Malaga in the latest round of matches and here, Goal picks the standout performers from the latest action in La Liga.

Ter Stegen: Real Madrid will slip up

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has little doubt Real Madrid will slip up at some stage this season to let the Catalans back in the Liga title race.

 Luis Enrique's men are currently trailing Madrid by one point, while the league leaders also have a game in hand.

 Nevertheless, the Germany international remains optimistic about his side's chances of winning the title this campaign, especially given their defensive improvements since last season.

 "In the league we hope Madrid stumble, which they surely will do. To stay in the title race we have to keep winning our games," Ter Stegen told the official Barcelona website.

 "We have to stay focused. We've also shown that we can be tough on defence if necessary.

" The former Borussia Monchengladbach man then went on to discuss Barcelona's chances in the Copa del Rey and Champions League and is confident they have a chance of a treble under Luis Enrique.

 "In the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, luck certainly is a factor; we have to make our own luck.

 "I think if we keep playing well defensively, we have a shot at succeeding in all three competitions."

Barcelona star Jordi Alba admits that he loves to see Real Madrid lose and defend's teammate Neymar after recent criticism

Barcelona's full back Jordi Alba has revealed that he loves to see rivals Real Madrid slip-up but has defended teammate Neymar, following the recent criticism over his disrespectful style of play.

Luis Enrique's side currently trail the European Champions by a point but are currently on a four-game winning streak and beginning to find their form.

The Spanish international is staying focused on Barcelona but knows that catching Carlo Ancelotti's men is a tough ask.

As a Barcelona man, I always want Real Madrid to lose,' Alba was quoted as saying by Marca.

 'But I prefer to focus on Barcelona, which is what matters the most. We need to win all of our games if we want to try and catch up, which is almost impossible.

' Alba has stuck up for teammate Neymar, who came under fire recently, for being to provocative in his style of play.

 'Neymar is a very humble down to earth guy, who enjoys playing football and likes to play that way. Anyone that knows him understands this,' said the full-back.

'He doesn't play that way intending to disrespect anybody. He doesn't kick or insult people.'

Barcelona president charged with tax fraud

A Spanish judge has charged the president of FC Barcelona, Josep Maria Bartomeu, with tax fraud linked to the signing of Brazilian star Neymar.

Judge Pablo Ruz at the National Court in Madrid on Tuesday ordered Bartomeu in a written ruling to appear before him on February 13 as a suspect over alleged tax evasion worth 2.85 million euros (NZD$4.48 million).

"It must be investigated whether the sum of 2,845,700 euros was defrauded from the public treasury by FC Barcelona and its current leaders, with Josep Maria Bartomeu as president," the judge wrote.

The summons followed a call by public prosecutors on Monday (local time)n for Bartomeu and the club as a whole to be tried on the tax fraud allegations relating to the 2013 signing.

FC Barcelona reacted to that request with "surprise, indignation and total disagreement", in a statement on Tuesday (local time) ahead of the judge's summons.

The judge will now question Bartomeu and later decide whether he should stand trial.

The prosecutor alleges that the club and its former president Sandro Rosell paid more for Neymar than the 57 million euros that they declared to he Spanish taxman.

 They believe the figure was 82.7 million euros divided into separate contracts that secured the signing.

"All of the actions involved in the player's transfer process were conducted with no intent whatsoever to breach the law in any way," the club said.

According to the Spanish tax authorities, Barcelona owe 12 million euros in tax on the Neymar deal, which would see the overall cost of the operation rise to 94.8 million euros.

Rosell resigned as president over the affair just over a year ago when a complaint brought by one of the club's members for misappropriation of funds was taken to court.

 In his testimony before a judge on the case in July 2014, Rosell insisted that Neymar cost the club 57 million euros, 17 of which went to his former club Santos and 40 million paid to N&N, a company owned by the player's father.

 However, following Rosell's resignation, Barcelona also confirmed a number of extra agreements including a 10 million euro signing bonus for the player and scouting and collaborative agreements between the two clubs taking the total to 86.2 million euros.

In February of last year, the club announced that they had made a voluntary payment of 13.5 million euros to the Spanish tax authorities regarding the transfer

Eden Hazard believes he can be as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

EDEN HAZARD believes he can reach the levels of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - but needs to score more goals to do so.

 The Chelsea ace has been in superb form this season, scoring 12 goals in all competition.

Hazard reckons he can continue to improve and reach the same level as the world's elite players.

 He said: "Last season was very good but this season for me has been on a different level because I’ve been more consistent.

 "I’ve played almost every game, almost every minute of every game, with the same intensity. I’ve created lots of chances and scored goals.

"If I want to reach the next level I have to score more, I know that, but I’ve taken pleasure on the pitch this season and I’m happy with the level I’ve reached.

" Hazard, who has started every league game this season, is happy with his role in the Jose Mourinho's side.

 He continued: "My role is always the same. When I get the ball I have to create something

 "It’s easier when you keep the ball and when you play against a team that defends a lot, especially at home. But it’s also difficult because you have to find space.

 "When we counter-attack it’s a little bit different because I have to defend more but then as soon as I get the ball I immediately attack.

 "You have a bit more space and a bit more freedom going forward."

Neymar to be Enjoyed, not Criticised, Says Barcelona Boss

Neymar scored twice as Barcelona won 3-2 midweek at the Vicente Calderon to progress into the semi-finals 4-2 on aggregate. However, Neymar was targeted by Atletico Madrid players in an ill-tempered affair as the hosts finished the game with just nine men.

                                        

Madrid: Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has leapt to the defence of Brazilian star Neymar after claims from Atletico Madrid players he was showboating as the Catalans knocked the Spanish champions out of the Copa del Rey in midweek. 

Neymar scored twice as Barca won 3-2 on the night at the Vicente Calderon to progress into the semi-finals 4-2 on aggregate. 

However, Neymar was targeted by Atletico players in an ill-tempered affair as the hosts finished the game with just nine men.

Enrique admitted after the match that he had substituted Neymar in the second-half to protect him from further rough treatment.

 And he believes players of Neymar's ability should be afforded more protection rather than being questioned for showing their full repertoire of skills.

 "Brazilians see football as a way of enjoying themselves whilst competing," Enrique said on Saturday.

 "Spain is a strange country where people are more offended by a nutmeg than destroying someone with five fouls.

 "If you take football, samba or other things away then he is no longer Brazilian. They have another way of understanding the game. He should continue to enjoy it and so should we.

 

Neymar's run of seven goals in his last six games has played a major role in Barca's upturn in form since losing their opening game of 2015 away at Real Sociedad. 

However, they face another of the form teams on Sunday night when Villarreal hope to extend their 18-game unbeaten league run at the Camp Nou. The sides will meet three times in just over a month as they also clash in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, and Enrique insisted his side have to disrupt Villarreal's passing game. 

"Both of us are in good form. At home we are very strong and the support of the fans is important, but I have no doubt they will present difficulties. 

"We need to press well. In the first game there we struggled and won late on. We need to be very effective in our pressing."