Barcelona start Liga defense with superb form

The Spanish champions scored seven past Levante at the Camp Nou as they kicked off their domestic season in style.

Goals from Sanchez, Messi (x2), Alves, Pedro (x2) and Xavi helped the Catalan giants hammer a weak Levante side who couldn't keep pace with their opponents and depended on an offside trap plan that obviously didn't work.

Barcelona new manager Tata Martino's mark was clearly out there on the field as the team looked much sharper in their pressing game and more effective inside the box with their direct approach, all this happened without losing the entertainment of the tiki-taka as they possessed the first half with 77%.

50 million euros for David Luiz or nothing

image source: warsidaha.com 

Chelsea has rejected an estimated 25 million euros offer from Barcelona for Brazilian defensive midfielder David Luiz, and the Blues told the Catalans to double their offer if they want to capture the deal before the transfer window closes at August 31.

Barcelona are eager to sign a top notch defender to strengthen their back-line after last year defeats to Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and others, but the price they are paying for Luiz is less than the one Chelsea paid for Benfica to capture the 26 year-old defender back in 2011 which makes no sense for the Londoners to sell him.

The alternatives for the Spanish champions are Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen and Liverpool's Daniel Agger where also it seems that both teams have no intent in selling their players.

Should Barcelona pay the €50 million Chelsea are asking for, let us know your opinion in the comments section?

Neymar scored first Barcelona goal in friendly

image source: www.dipnot.tv

Neymar scored his first goal for the Barcelona as they thrashed Thailand 7-1 in a preseason friendly match.

Messi added two goals, Pedro three and Alexis Sanchez one with Thailand's only reply coming from a penalty just before halftime.

Messi, Ronaldo and Ribèry shortlisted for UEFA award

Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) have been shortlisted for the 2012/13 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.

The winner will be voted live in Monaco during the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League group stage draw on August 29.

Messi won La Liga title last season with Barcelona scoring an astonishing 46 goals to win the Golden boot award as well. 

Real Madrid Ace, Ronaldo, didn't won any major trophy last term but was top scorer in the Champions League.

French star, Frank Ribery, led Bayern Munich for a historical treble where they were unstoppable.

Who do you think deserve the trophy more?

Audi Cup - Bayern Munich beat Manchester City to win title

Bayern Munich beat Manchester City 2-1 in an entertaining match at the Allianz Arena to win Audi Cup.

Manchester City's new signing Alvaro Negredo opened the score sheet after 61 minutes, but European champions couldn't be denied  on their own pitch as they scored 2 goals in the next 12 minutes by Muller  and super substitute Mandzukic to claim the title.

Result:
Bayern Munich 2 (Muller (pen) 65, Mandzukic 73)   Manchester City 1 (Negredo 61).