FC Barcelona News: 13 August 2015; UEFA Player of the Year Shortlist Released, Final Supercopa Training Complete

Messi, Suárez and Ronaldo finalists for 2014/15 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award | FC Barcelona
UEFA has formally announced the three finalists for the 2014/15 UEFA Best Player Award. FC Barcelona strikers Leo Messi and Luis Suárez, and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo are the nominees for the award. The winner will be announced on 27 August at a gala in Monaco that will also feature this year's draw for the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Final training session before Spanish Super Cup | FC Barcelona
With another title to their name and with their eyes firmly fixed on another, Luis Enrique’s side have carried out another training session as they prepare for the two-legged Spanish Super Cup final. Thursday’s session was the final one ahead of the first of the clash against Athletic Club which will be played in San Mamés on Friday 14 August at 10.00pm CET.

Messi's 10 goals in the Spanish Super Cup | FC Barcelona
Leo Messi is one of the great architects of FC Barcelona recent success. His latest contribution was scoring two brilliant free kicks in the European Super Cup final. On Friday 14 August and Monday 17 he will face Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup. As you can see in this video, the Argentine has scored 10 goals in the competition in just 6 matches.

Luis Enrique knows Barça will have to be at their best in Bilbao | FC Barcelona
The FC Barcelona coach spoke in a press conference following training on Thursday ahead of his team’s first leg Spanish Super Cup clash with Athletic Club. How the team have recovered and possible tiredness following the European Super Cup victory in Tbilisi were some of the most commented topic in the press room at the Ciutat Esportiva.

When and where to watch Athletic Club v FC Barcelona | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona face Athletic Club Bilbao in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup at the New San Mamés on Friday, 14 August at 10.00pm CET. The last time the two sides clashed was in the Copa del Rey Final on 30 May, when Barça defeated Athletic 3–1 at Camp Nou.

Tiredness not an excuse for Sergio Busquets | FC Barcelona
Sergio Busquets has revealed that the team have recovered "quite well" from their efforts in winning the European Super Cup last Tuesday and that this Friday against Athletic Club there "ought not to be any excuses." "We are playing at a tough ground, San Mamés, and we have to give our all without excuses," explained the midfielder in his press conference prior to the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup final.

FC Barcelona are six for their last six in European finals | FC Barcelona
If you were to look up 'Recent European titles' in the encyclopaedia, you might find an entry that simply reads: See FC Barcelona. That's because with Tuesday's victory over Sevilla in Tbilisi, Georgia in the 2015 UEFA Super Cup Final, the Catalans have run their impressive European finals winning streak to six.

Focus on Dani Alves during the European Super Cup | FC Barcelona
On Tuesday Dani Alves equalled Paolo Maldini's record number of victories in the European Super Cup with four wins. For the game in Tbilisi, Georgia, a camera crew followed the Brazilian and the results can be seen in the video.

Luis Enrique becomes fourth winner of European Super Cup as player and manager | FC Barcelona
Luis Enrique Martínez has become the fourth person to win the European Super Cup as both a manager and a player. He was in the Barça team that won the trophy in 1997 by beating Cup Winners’ Cup winners Borussia de Dortmund, and scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win at the Camp Nou in the first of two legs.

Luis Suárez as indispensable as ever | FC Barcelona
Luis Suárez is not losing strength. And he showed that once again in Tbilisi with a key role in FC Barcelona’s conquest of the fourth trophy of 2015. Leo Messi was named MVP and Pedro got the glory with the winning goal, but the Uruguayan also had a very important part to play.

'Deranged cannibal' Luis Suarez proving bargain of the century - even at £75 million | Eurosport
Back in April 2014, it all seemed over for Barcelona. Evicted from three competitions in a week, the hints of decline were nagging. It wasn’t just a blip, the obituaries for tika taka were extensive and heartfelt. Everywhere the Barca way appeared to being found out. Atletico had torn into them in La Liga, Madrid had eviscerated them in the Copa del Rey, they could not sustain a European run. They had even lost to Granada.

Alen Halilovic to join Hamburg on loan - Inside Spanish Football
Barcelona midfielder Alen Halilovic will join German Bundesliga side Hamburg on a season-long loan, which is expected to be announced on Thursday. Several weeks ago, new Barcelona technical secretary Roberto Fernandez confirmed that rhe young Croatian International would be loaned out before the close of the summer transfer window in order to progress in his career.

Barcelona impossible to turn down - Celta Vigo star Nolito - ESPN FC
"You can't say no to Barcelona, in the case that they pay the clause of €18m," the 28-year-old told a news conference. "Barca are one of the best teams in the world. We're not idiots." However, he said he was more than happy to stay at Celta, and was not interested in a move to any other club.

Source: Bostjan Cernensek http://ift.tt/1h5ZZb6