Barcelona displayed strength and enthusiasm against Rayo Vallecano, claims Pedro

The winger is delighted by the manner in which his side bounced back from their recent disappointments, and added the team hope to lift the Copa del Rey for Pep Guardiola

Pedro says Barcelona's 7-0 demolition of Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday is a reminder to their doubters that his club are not a spent force and will only get stronger as the season draws to a close.

The Blaugrana endured a week to forget after they were beaten by Real Madrid in the Clasico last weekend to all but hand the Liga title to the Blancos, while they were knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea at the semi-final stage.

The announcement of Pep Guardiola's departure at the end of the campaign has only increased the consensus that Barca's period of dominance may be coming to an end, but Pedro insists their seven-goal haul against Rayo was just what was needed.

"After a week, we are still a little sad about our elimination from the Champions League and the match against Real Madrid, but this victory shows that the team still exhibits strength and enthusiasm," said Pedro after the game.

"We are playing with rhythm and confidence again. I'm happy about the result."

Pedro also vowed that his team-mates will try to win the Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao on May 25 as a form of repayment for their outgoing coach, and hailed Lionel Messi for his double against the league strugglers.

"We will prepare properly for the end of the season and try to win the Copa del Rey as a parting gift for Guardiola and the fans.

"Messi has once again proved to be the best goalscorer around and he deserves this recognition."

Barcelona will continue to be competitive under Vilanova, affirms Guardiola after beating Rayo Vallecano

The 41-year-old is confident that the good times will continue to roll at Camp Nou when he passes the reins onto his assistant, while he also commented on Sunday's resounding win

Pep Guardiola has assured Barcelona fans that the club will continue to enjoy success under coach in-elect Tito Vilanova next season after their 7-0 mauling of Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

The Blaugrana boss announced his decision to step down from his role at the end of the campaign with his assistant being immediately confirmed as his successor, and after the match against Rayo Vallecano, he stated his belief that the team will only realise their vast potential under his right-hand man.

"This team is young, Tito knows the players well and I'm confident that Barcelona will continue to be competitive [under him]," he told the press.

"I'm grateful for all the praise in response to my departure, although I didn't pass away. I'll still be around."

Guardiola then reacted to the goal celebration initiated by Thiago Alcantara and Dani Alves in the aftermath of the fifth goal scored by Barca, and apologised for the incident which some Rayo fans took offence to.

"We, as a club, apologise for the celebration, as it did not reflect the attitude of Barca players. It won't happen again," he said.

However, the former Spain midfielder ended on a positive note, as he was full of praise for second-string goalkeeper Jose Pinto and winger Pedro, who made an emphatic return to form with a double against the Liga strugglers, as well as a further two assists to his name.

"If Pinto doesn't get injured, he'll play in the Copa del Rey final," he continued. "He helped us to get to the final for the third time in four years."

"I am also very happy with Pedro's performance. He is one of my favourite players as we started out together in the fourth division."

Barcelona remain seven points behind Real Madrid at the Liga summit with three matches remaining.

Afellay happy to return for Barcelona after injury layoff

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder is finally fit again after tearing his ACL in training last September and is now looking forward to proving himself to Tito Vilanova

Barcelona's Ibrahim Afellay was ecstatic after making his return to competitive action after seven months out with a knee injury in Sunday's La Liga rout of Rayo Vallecano.

Afellay was both relieved and thrilled to be back on the field, though he insisted that he never doubted he would don the Barca jersey again this term.

“You know the moment will come some day but you don’t know when," the Netherlands international is quoted as saying by his club's official website. "I’m so happy to return.

“I just want to play football. I’ve worked hard during the team’s training sessions and I’m very pleased [to be back]."

Meanwhile, Afellay expressed his disappointment at coach Pep Guardiola's decision to stand down at the end of the season, but argued that the Catalans have the ideal replacement in current assistant boss Tito Vilanova.

"It's a shame because Pep for me is one of the best coaches in the world," the 26-year-old attacker said of Guardiola.

"But Tito is about equal because they have worked together many years and I think we will continue just the same."

Afellay, who has been capped 36 times by his country, joined Barca from PSV during last year's January transfer window.

Rayo Vallecano 0-7 Barcelona: Messi and Pedro both net doubles as Catalan giants romp to resounding victory

The front three were on fire for the visitors, who rang up a century of league goals en route to a comprehensive triumph, but Real Madrid can still clinch the title midweek

Barcelona ensured that they suffered no hangover from their week from hell with a resounding 7-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas.

It has been a harrowing eight days for the Catalans, who saw their Primera Division and Champions League hopes eliminated by Real Madrid and Chelsea, not to mention the announcement of coach Pep Guardiola's departure at the end of the season.

However, they responded in some style against the outmatched side from the capital, with two goals each from Lionel Messi and Pedro alongside strikes from Seydou Keita and Thiago Alcantara and an own goal by Roberto Correa reducing the gap to Madrid at the top of the league back to seven points.

The title may still be out of reach with only three games left to play, but Barca at least delayed the celebrations of their old foes to Wednesday with a smashing victory that saw them cross the 100-goal tally in the league, while Messi's 43rd league goal drew him level with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Pichichi race.

All eyes were on Guardiola in the dugout, and the soon to be ex-Barca coach rang the changes from midweek, with six players rested from the XI that featured against Chelsea.

The Catalans were desperate to put on a show for their coach and shell-shocked fans, and stormed into the lead just after a quarter of an hour. Alexis Sanchez was the architect, with his wonderful diagonal pass freeing Pedro on the right, who squared to Messi to guide home from a few yards out.

Rayo almost responded immediately after the restart, but Jose Pinto was alert to push away Diego Costa’s header from a free-kick at the far post.

The chance passed them by, and Barca were 2-0 up after 26 minutes. Keita sent Sanchez through on goal, and the Chilean’s finish from a tight angle was diverted into the net by Correa.

The visitors were dominant, finding holes in the Rayo midfield and defensive lines at will. However, they were indebted to Pinto once more just after half an hour, the stand-in keeper tipping away Roberto Trashorras’ free kick at full stretch.

Messi’s brilliance soon put the Catalans out of sight six minutes before the interval, the Argentine waltzing past multiple challenges on the edge of the box before slipping in Keita, who made no mistake from close range.

Barely a minute into the second-half, it was 4-0. Sanchez again did the hard work, as he broke free down the left before squaring to Messi inside the area. His finish bounced back off the crossbar, but Pedro was on hand to stroke home the rebound.

It should have been a fifth within minutes after Thiago was picked out in a great position inside the area, but the young midfielder put his effort the wrong side of the post.

The match was well and truly over, but Pinto was forced into another spectacular save with 20 minutes to go, getting fingertips to a powerful drive by Alhassane Bangoura.

Thiago added a fifth with just over 10 minutes to go, with a simple header from close range following great work out wide by substitute Dani Alves.

It was 6-0 after 87 minutes, Pedro side-footing coolly into the back of the net after getting on the end of a clever lifted pass from Messi.

Messi rounded off matters in injury time with powerful finish from a quintessential Barca team move, a goal that moves him on terms with Cristiano Ronaldo in the quest for the Pichichi.

Next up for Barca is a visit from Malaga, while Rayo visit Mallorca, with both matches taking place next Wednesday. Madrid though, can clinch the title with a win away to Athletic Bilbao on the same day.

Stars from around the footballing world salute outgoing Barcelona boss Guardiola

The 41-year-old coach will be taking a break from the game at the end of the season, and pundits and players alike have been lining up to pay tribute to his achievements

After months of speculation, Pep Guardiola announced on Friday that he would indeed be stepping down from his role as Barcelona coach at the end of the season.

Since taking up the reins at Camp Nou four years ago, the Catalans have bewildered their opponents with their sublime brand of passing football, racking up 13 titles in the process.

So, what next for Guardiola? Well, it seems as if he is set to take a well-earned break from the stress and strain of coaching one of the biggest clubs in world football.

Several prominent figures from within the game have already taken to the internet to express their gratitude to the 41-year-old for cultivating one of the finest sides of all time.

"Well done to Guardiola," exclaimed former Manchester United defender Gary Neville on Twitter. "Football that I have never seen before! Magic..."

Dutch legend Ruud Gullit was next to weigh in, singing the Spaniard's praises but at the same time wondering how on earth he will top what he has achieved in Catalunya.

"We have to thank #Guardiola for the great years of football he gave us with Barcelona. I will take my hat off.

"Difficult to go somewhere else for Pep. It can only go downhill. Or he has to take #Messi with him," he continued.

However, despite his admiration for Guardiola, the former Stamford Bridge idol would not like to see the Spaniard take up residence in London.

"I like Pep as a coach but I want #RDM as coach for CHELSEA."

It wasn't long before the men who had served under Pep began to post their own online tributes to their departing boss.

"Thanks so much for everything, Pep. You've taught us the way. A huge hug," Blaugrana skipper Carles Puyol announced.

Soon after, Puyol's central defensive partner Gerard Pique left a similar message to Guardiola on his own Twitter account.

"Thanks a lot Pep for giving us so much ... Four years full of victories, happy times, and above all, lessons in football."

Thiago Alcantara, who rose through the Barcelona ranks and made his mark in first team under Guardiola, was next to express his gratitude towards his coach.

"You reached the summit of football and you'll stay there forever. We're eternally grateful. THANK YOU PEP!" the Spain international wrote.

Cesc Fabregas had always been vocal in his admiration for Guardiola, and he too heaped praise on his boyhood hero, but added that he was looking forward to working closely with new coach Tito Vilanova.

"Although we've only been together for one year, it feels as though it has been much longer. Pep, my childhood idol, and my inspiration as coach. Thanks for the time we've spent together, I'll value it forever.

"For Tito, I wish the best in this new opportunity that football has given to him. We were together when I was a kid, and he is not just a great person but also an excellent manager."

Andres Iniesta, meanwhile, logged into Facebook to comment on an old photo of a jovial Guardiola giving him some sage advice during a training session.

"Today our manager has given us the news and just I want to give thanks to him and his team for these years," the midfielder stated. "But we cannot forget that season is still in active."

Indeed, Barca's players will be hoping to give their outgoing coach the send-off he deserves by prolonging the Liga title race for as long as possible and beating Athletic Bilbao in next month's Copa del Rey final to secure Guardiola a 14th title in four wonderful seasons.

Del Bosque: I understand Guardiola's decision to leave Barcelona

The World Cup-winning coach did not wish to question his compatriot's decision, while admitting that he will evaluate Fernando Torres' place in the national team

Spain head coach Vicente Del Bosque has expressed sympathy for Pep Guardiola following his decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the season.

The 41-year-old coach announced earlier on Friday that he has decided not to prolong his stay at Camp Nou because of the tiring nature of the job, after guiding the club to 13 titles over the last four years.

"Pep has made a decision as a Barcelona man and there is nothing to do but accept what he has done," Del Bosque is quoted by EFE as saying.

"He thinks that this is the best for him and for Barca. I understand him and I wish him the best."

Guardiola's assistant, Tito Vilanova, has been confirmed as Barca's coach for 2012-13, but Del Bosque refused to comment on the appointment.

"I am no one to get involved with decisions that belong to clubs," he noted.

Del Bosque also gave his opinion about the Champions League eliminations of Real Madrid and Barcelona, admitting that they damage the Spain national team ahead of this summer's European Championship.

"I wish both clubs had progressed and played in the final," the 61-year-old said. "They deserved it.

"A return for Fernando Torres? I have time to evaluate his situation and make a decision.

"He is competing against players who have been doing very well, so we will try to be as fair as possible."

Barcelona set sights on Bielsa as exhausted Guardiola looks set to announce departure

The 41-year-old, who has led the club to 13 titles since taking charge, is seemingly going to leave in the summer and the Catalans will look to replace him with a man he idolises

Barcelona have made Marcelo Bielsa their prime candidate to succeed Pep Guardiola should the Catalan coach decide to leave the club

The former Spain international met with Blaugrana president Sandro Rosell and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta on Thursday, and informed the pair of his desire to take a sabbatical from the game after four years at the helm of the Catalan giants.

Guardiola, who has led Barca to 13 titles since taking charge in the summer of 2008, is expected to confirm his departure to his players at a team meeting on Friday morning, and it is then believed he will address the media alongside Rosell at a press conference at 11.00CET after a scheduled training session.

Should the 41-year-old officially announce his intention to leave Camp Nou, the club have set their sights on luring Athletic Bilbao boss Bielsa. The Argentine is out of contract in the summer and has the unanimous backing of the Blaugrana board, as well as that of Guardiola, who considers Bielsa the best coach in the game today. Indeed, it is thought that Guardiola may even be asked to attempt to persuade Bielsa to make the move to Catalunya.

In the event that the 56-year-old Rosario native shuns Barcelona's advances and decides to remain at San Mames, the Catalan giants will then seek to appoint someone from within Guardiola's inner circle, namely assistant Tito Vilanova, former B team boss Luis Enrique, who is currently in charge of Roma, or even ex-youth team coach Oscar Garcia.

Failing that, Barca could turn to former Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde, or a foreign alternative, such as Germany's Joachim Low. However, the club's directors do not believe it will come to that as they are confident of landing Bielsa, their prime candidate for the position.

Guardiola informs Barcelona players he will leave club at end of the season

The Spanish boss looks set to announce his departure from the Catalan club to take a sabbatical from football in a press conference scheduled for this afternoon

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has informed his squad that he is set to leave the club at the end of the season.

The Spaniard has been at the helm for four years but appears set to take a sabbatical from football after a trophy-laden spell in Catalunya.

Guardiola has won three La Liga and two Champions League titles during his time as Barcelona coach, a post which he inherited from Frank Rijkaard in 2008 after previously leading the club's 'B' team.

However, this year has been his most difficult in charge as his side look to have surrendered their league crown to bitter rivals Real Madrid, after falling seven points behind following last week's 2-1 defeat in El Clasico.

The Catalan outfit were also knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea on Tuesday following a 3-2 semi-final aggregate defeat.

Xavi ruled out for two weeks with calf injury

The veteran midfielder has torn the soleus muscle in his left leg, meaning he will sit out the Blaugrana's next three Liga outings, against Rayo Vallecano, Malaga and Espanyol

Barcelona have announced that playmaker Xavi has been ruled out of action for 14 days with a calf injury.

A statement on the Catalans' official website explained that the Spain international has been experiencing discomfort in the soleus muscle in his left leg all season long and that a scan on Thursday has now revealed "a small tear" which will sideline the player for a fortnight.

Consequently, Xavi will now miss the Blaugrana's upcoming Liga clashes with Rayo Vallecano, Malaga and Espanyol.

The loss of the influential midfielder is a major blow for Pep Guardiola's side, who fell seven points behind leaders Real Madrid after last weekend's 2-1 Clasico defeat at Camp Nou.

The injury will also be of some concern to Spain boss Vicente del Bosque, with Euro 2012 looming large on the horizon.

You can't blame the pitch, post or penalty-spot - Barcelona gifted the tie to Chelsea

Barcelona’s Champions League campaign is over, and while Chelsea get set for a trip to Munich that nobody could have envisaged two months ago, the Catalans will be left to reflect on the fact it was their own inability to change their approach at the key moments which has resulted in their exit.

Just as in 2010 against Inter at the same stage, they were left playing against 10 men for the entire second half, but once more they were incapable of seeing the job through. But this time around, there was a real lack of will to take the Blues defence on, and a second-half penalty miss from Lionel Messi proved to be the moment on which the tie swung.

After Messi had twice got into good positions in the first half and failed to beat Petr Cech on either occasion, there still seemed little reason for panic in the Blaugrana ranks. The chances were coming, space was being made, and Chelsea seemed not to know how to put a stop to it.

Sergio Busquets was the man who eventually opened the scoring, tucking home after Isaac Cuenca had restarted an attack following a half-cleared corner. It levelled the tie, and moments later came the game’s big flashpoint.

MATCH FACTS | Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea

	BARCELONA	CHELSEA
On Target	7	3
Posession	72%	28%
Territory	82%	18%
Corners	10	1
Bookings	2	6
Red cards	0	1

Brainlessly, stupidly, John Terry kneed Alexis Sanchez in back play, and the red card which followed seemed set to start an onslaught. Chelsea’s remaining 10 men looked stunned, and were soon rocked by a second Barcelona goal, Andres Iniesta firing home what most watchers expected to be the catalyst for a rout after collecting the ball from Messi. But in first half stoppage time came the first bolt from the blue.

Ramires chased on to a pass forward from Frank Lampard, and made the most of it, chipping the ball over Victor Valdes, who had run into no-man’s land yards off his line. Suddenly, the Camp Nou crowd fell silent, and their goalkeeper had conceded for a second time in two legs from a grand total of two shots at his goal. And for the second time he had been at fault.

Straight after the break though, the tie should have been back on script when Cesc Fabregas was brought down by part-time left-back Didier Drogba just after the interval. Some replays suggested it may have been a soft penalty award, but it wasn't to matter. Messi couldn’t convert from the spot, lashing his effort against the bar with so much force that nobody could mop up from the rebound. It was the first true sign that it may not be Barcelona’s night after all.

Thereafter, it was a second period in which the pace of the home side’s play dropped markedly, and there was little of real concern for Chelsea. Instead of having their backs to the wall, the Londoners looked comfortable enough. Isaac Cuenca got in behind on one occasion, but couldn’t lift the ball over Cech.

There should have been more to it than that. There needed to be more energy, more invention, more incision, but there was little more than dead possession which did nothing to hurt Roberto Di Matteo’s side. Pep Guardiola had few answers to the malaise, with little done to fix the lack of width and lack of ideas. At a time when they needed to prove they had something else to unlock the Chelsea defence, they just continued to do their thing, almost expecting the Blues to slip up somewhere along the line. They didn’t.

With time beginning to run thin, Messi teed up Sanchez to slot home, but the Argentine had been in an offside position. Seconds later, he thundered a shot from range off the post. It was the best they’d had to offer since the penalty miss.

Chelsea defended well, but Barca ultimately got what they deserved, and their six days from hell reached a new low in injury time when Fernando Torres broke away from his own half to clinch the tie. Their dream of back-to-back European titles has eluded them once more, and while in 2010 they went out at the same stage with a gripe over a winning goal that wasn’t given, they can have no complaints this time.

Their football continues to astound most football followers, but when all is said and done, Chelsea’s 10 men were not stretched as they should have been. This was a lesson in not making opponents work harder to keep you out. One of the best footballing sides in the game’s long history mustered two good chances in the entire second half.

Whether Barca have been at their very best at all this season is open to opinion, but they certainly haven’t been in the past week. And tonight was their nadir. They all but lost their La Liga crown on Saturday to their arch rivals Real Madrid, but this one will hurt more, and particularly because of the manner of the defeat.

Barcelona stopped themselves from achieving an unprecedented double