Creation Of New Districts To Provide Jobs - Prez Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the creation of new districts and constituencies in the country was to accelerate national development, and not for political gratification as perceived by some people.

He said apart from providing jobs for the people, the creation of districts would lead to the provision of basic amenities such as health and educational facilities, good roads, police stations and decentralized offices to help expand those areas.

President Mahama was addressing the chiefs and people of Aburi during the celebration of their annual Odwira festival, on Saturday.

The festival brought together the people of Aburi in Ghana and abroad, to appraise the socio-economic development of the area, and to map out new strategies to improve upon previous performances.

President Mahama said the creation of a separate district with its capital at Aburi would result in the creation of jobs in the area, to prevent the perennial rural-urban drift of youth for non-existent jobs.

The President dismissed speculations that government had sold the Aburi Botanical Gardens, “but rather, government is looking for a viable investment organization that will partner the Department of Parks and gardens to reactivate the area for viable tourism activities.”

President Mahama announced that plans were far advanced for commencement of work on the Aburi-Nsawam road, which he said was not only an economic route to the people of those communities, but for the benefit of the entire country.

The President earlier attended funeral of the late lawyer Ohene Djan in Akropong, and proceeded to Osiem to participate in the Saviour Church programme.

Otubuor Djan Kwasi, Chief of Aburi, commended the National Democratic Congress government for continuing all the development projects that were initiated by the previous administration, and pledged that “I will work with any government that will come now or in future.”

He appealed to government to complete the GHC120,000 Craft Village in Aburi, so that craftsmen and craftswomen could use the facility to better their lot.

source: GNA

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NDC Cannot Be Trusted – Nana Addo

The Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo has advised Ghanaians not to trust the ruling NDC as their 2012 Manifesto is unrealistic.

Addressing the Chiefs and people of the Kwabre West District in the Ashanti Region, Nana Addo called on them to vote out the NDC government because they have a track record of failed promises.

He said: “I didn’t come here to come and lie to anybody and to make a promise I cannot fulfill. I am not like the leaders of the NDC who promised you one time premium and a drastic reduction in fuel prices.
But what are we seeing today? They are collapsing the NHIS and fuel prices are doubling.”

The NPP flagbearer also mentioned that President John Mahama’s promise of building a University in the Eastern Region may not materialize “because I wonder if they will still be in government by then; we would have kicked them out.”

source: Citifmonline

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TOP TEN MOVIES OF THE WEEK

1.  Taken 2
2. Hotel Transylvania
3.  Pitch Perfect
4. Looper
5. Frankenweenie
6. Trouble with the curve
7. House at the end of the street
8. The Master
9. Finding Nimo
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

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‘Presidents’ Pay ¢100M

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES in the 2012 general elections are expected to pay GH¢10,000 or GH¢100 million as the nomination fee for the December 7 polls.

However, the nomination fee for parliamentary elections was GH¢1,000.

The Electoral Commission (EC) released the amounts in a statement signed and issued on Thursday by its Deputy Chairman in charge of operations, Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka.

The statement said in accordance with regulations 4 and 5 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2012, the EC would receive nominations for the 2012 elections on October 17 and 18.

It said political parties desirous of sponsoring candidates for the parliamentary elections as well as individuals who were interested in contesting the said elections may obtain nomination forms from the Returning Officers in the respective constituencies or the regional offices of the commission.

Nomination forms for the presidential election, the statement added, may be obtained from the head office of the commission.

It reminded candidates to submit four copies of their recent photographs (bust) with red background showing the full face and both ears when submitting their nomination forms.

“Political Parties and individuals who want to contest the elections are advised to take note and act accordingly,” the statement concluded.

Political pundits have been wondering when the EC would open nominations for this year’s presidential and parliamentary elections, especially when the usual filing month of September has passed without a word from the election governing body.

source: Daily Guide

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Karrueche Tran & Rihanna Respond To Chris Brown's Split Decision

 Rihanna and Karrueche Tran seem to have opened up on their feelings on Chris Brown's decision to go solo.

Karrueche parted ways with the 'Don't Wake Me Up' singer yesterday after he issued a statement confirming they have split and blaming his friendship with Rihanna as a major factor.
Taking to Twitter, Karrueche sent out a series of tweets seemingly directed at the 23-year-old singer.
"Wtf is going on?"she wrote.
Before uploading a message indicating she is harbouring ill feelings towards her ex: "All I'm saying is.. You don't mess with people's genuine feelings. You just don't!"
"Life moves on.. So let's all."
TMZ claim to have spoken to several of Karrueche's friend, who have expressed the model "truly loved" Chris and feels deeply betrayed by him.
While Rihanna - who is now believed to be on the verge of rekindling her relationship with Brown - sent out a tweet of her own.
"Ain't nobody bidness..... But mine and my baby" the 'We Found Love' singer declared on her Twitter page.

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Beyonce with a new exquisite look and new incoming album

 Queen Beyonce is back, as she hits up the studio ready to drop her next album in a video surfaced online.

Fresh off the stage from performing with her hubby Jay-Z at the Barclay’s Centre over the weekend, the video shows us she is working hard on new material.
The shot from the clip is even displayed as the background to her website Beyonce.com.
During the 15 seconds we Beyonce can be seen sitting in the booth, with a pencil and ad full of lyrics in hand.
The ‘Halo’ singer has her headphones on and looks like she is ready to put in that work.
This would be her 5th solo album since ‘4’ and her 1st album since she has become a mother.

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Life created from eggs made from skin cells

Stem cells made from skin have become "grandparents" after generations of life were created in experiments by scientists in Japan.

The cells were used to create eggs, which were fertilised to produce baby mice. These later had their own babies.
If the technique could be adapted for people, it could help infertile couples have children and even allow women to overcome the menopause.
But experts say many scientific and ethical hurdles must be overcome.

 Healthy and fertile
Stem cells are able to become any other type of cell in the body from blood to bone, nerves to skin.
Last year the team at Kyoto University managed to make viable sperm from stem cells. Now they have performed a similar feat with eggs.
They used stem cells from two sources: those collected from an embryo and skin-like cells which were reprogrammed into becoming stem cells.

The first step, reported in the journal Science, was to turn the stem cells into early versions of eggs.

A "reconstituted ovary" was then built by surrounding the early eggs with other types of supporting cells which are normally found in an ovary. This was transplanted into female mice.
Surrounding the eggs in this environment helped them to mature.
IVF techniques were used to collect the eggs, fertilise them with sperm from a male mouse and implant the fertilised egg into a surrogate mother.
Dr Katsuhiko Hayashi, from Kyoto University, told the BBC: "They develop to be healthy and fertile offspring."
Those babies then had babies of their own, whose "grandmother" was a cell in a laboratory dish.

 Devastating blow
The ultimate aim of the research is to help infertile couples have children. If the same methods could be used in people then cells in skin could be turned into an egg. Any resulting child would be genetically related to the mother.
However, Dr Hayashi said that was still a distant prospect: "I must say that it is impossible to adapt immediately this system to human stem cells, due to a number of not only scientific reasons, but also ethical reasons."
He said that the level of understanding of human egg development was still too limited. There would also be questions about the long-term consequences on the health of any resulting child.
Dr Evelyn Telfer, from the University of Edinburgh, said: "It's an absolutely brilliant paper - they made oocytes [eggs] from scratch and get live offspring. I just thought wow! The science is quite brilliant."
However, she warned that this had "no clinical relevance" as there were still too many gaps in understanding about how human eggs developed.
"If you can show it works in human cells it is like the Holy Grail of reproductive biology," she added.
Prof Robert Norman, from the University of Adelaide, said: "For many infertile couples, finding they have no sperm or eggs is a devastating blow.
"This paper offers light to those who want a child, who is genetically related to them, by using personalised stem cells to create eggs that can produce an offspring that appears to be healthy.
"It also offers the potential for women to have their own children well past menopause raising even more ethical issues.
"Application to humans is still a long way off, but for the first time the goal appears to be in sight."
Dr Allan Pacey, from the British Fertility Society and the University of Sheffield, said: "What is remarkable about this work is the fact that, although the process is still quite inefficient, the offspring appeared healthy and were themselves fertile as adults."

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Man charged over April Jones Facebook post

A man from Lancashire has been charged with making an offensive post on Facebook about missing five-year-old April Jones.

Police are still searching for April, who was last seen in Machynlleth, Powys, Wales, on Monday.
Matthew Wood, 20, of Eaves Lane, Chorley, is accused of sending a public electronic communication which is grossly offensive.
He is in custody and will appear before Chorley Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Mr Wood, who was arrested on Saturday, has been charged under section 127 of the Communications Act.
Hundreds have taken part in a procession and church service for April at St Peter's Church in Machynlleth.
Mark Bridger, 46, has been charged with murder, child abduction and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

source: BBC

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Barcelona 2 Ream Madrid 2: The extravaganza ends

90′ +3

Iniesta threads a sumptuous ball to Pedro on the right, but the Barcelona forward fires his effort off target, curling a shot inches wide of Casillas' right-hand post from the right side of the Madrid penalty area.

 

90′ +3

Pedro has a shot at goal but it is deflected behind by his own player Alexis Sanchez, resulting in a Real Madrid goal-kick. The clock ticks onwards...

 

90′ +2

Barca are probing away at the Madrid back line and are finishing this match strongly as they go in search of a winner in the dying moments.

 

90′ +1

Xavi's late free kick is deflected behind for another corner to the home side, as the game heads towards its conclusion.

 

90′

Yellow Card Arbeloa

 

90′

MONTOYA COMES CLOSE!! The Barcelona right-back nearly gives his side the lead with a well-struck effort from 18 yards but Casillas is equal to it.

 

89′

Barcelona work the ball in the corner, but lose it to Higuain who tries to set Ronaldo free but is stopped by Montoya. Alonso shows neat feet to evade the challenge of Messi before firing a long pass towards Ronaldo but Alba wins the ball for Barcelona with a fine piece of control and clears it upfield.

 

88′

Substitution Ángel Di María Michael Essien

 

88′

Alonso, already on a yellow card, catches Sanchez in the centre circle and Barcelona have a free kick.

 

87′

Mourinho is having words with Michael Essien on the touchline as he considers making a third change, but despite the fourth official holding up Essien's number he is yet to come on as his coach tells him to continue warming up.

 

86′

Barcelona counter through Messi and Pedro after Higuain's cross is swept away by Montoya, but the former's pass to the latter is too heavy, and Madrid are able to collect the ball and slow the play down.

 

85′

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to wince in pain each time the camera pans to him. He seemed to damage his shoulder when attempting a bicycle kick earlier in the half, and that seems to be continuing to bother him.

 

84′

Alonso hooks the free kick towards Higuain at the back post, but the Argentine forward makes poor contact with the ball, ushering it out of play when he really should have been testing Victor Valdes.

 

83′

Barcelona waste the corner though, and Madrid immediately counter down the left through Ronaldo. He does brilliantly to win a free kick on the left of the penalty area after being blocked off by Mascherano.

 

82′

Pepe heads the ball behind for a corner kick to Barcelona under pressure from Messi, the home side have another chance to work Madrid from a set piece, which as we have seen already this season, they do not like!

 

81′

Madrid make another substitute here at Camp Nou, Mourinho choosing to bring on Kaka for Mesut Ozil. You've got to feel for Luka Modric there, he's been in good form going into this match, and will probably have expected to play some part in the game.

 

80′

Substitution Mesut Özil Kaká

 

79′

Alba is flagged offside on the near side as Xavi looks to slide a pass between Arbeloa and Ramos into his path as he races forward. That was a very close decision from the linesman.

 

78′

Yellow Card Pepe

 

78′

Pepe catches Messi, and Barcelona have another free kick. Xavi tries to work it through to Iniesta inside the Madrid box but Arbeloa steps across and steals the ball and works it back upfield for his side.

 

77′

Barcelona are keeping the ball better than Madrid at the moment, with the away side struggling to match their opponents passing and movement both on and off the ball. They continue to look dangerous on the counter attack though, as always.

 

76′

The Argentine's effort curls just over the bar on this occasion though, and the score remains level!

 

75′

Barcelona have another free kick in a promising position outside the Madrid box, and there's no surprise as to who fancies taking it. Messi stands over the ball.

 

73′

Some neat play from Messi and Iniesta almost creates a third for the home side but Ramos manages to get his body in the way inside his own penalty area to end the attack.

 

71′

Iniesta slips the ball out to Alba on the left, who then plays it back inside to Xavi 40 yards from goal. The metronomic midfielder switches play to the substitute Sanchez over on the right, but he loses possession under pressure from Marcelo.

 

69′

Messi comes within inches of flicking Alba's cross-cum-shot goalwards after the Spanish full-back darted down the left and hammered the ball across Casillas' goal.

 

68′

So the score now, Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid, Lionel Messi 2-2 Cristiano Ronaldo. You hate to say these matches are just a duel between those two but they are certainly doing their best to make it seem that way tonight!

 

67′

Moments before Ronaldo scored that, a replay was shown of his face as Messi's free kick found the back of the net, he looked absolutely furious, but he's shot back now with his second goal of the evening.

 

66′

Assist Mesut Özil

 

66′

Goal Cristiano Ronaldo
RONALDO SCORES!!! REAL MADRID DRAW LEVEL!! The Madrid forward springs the offside trap to latch on to Ozil's delicious through-ball before slotting the ball casually past Valdes and into the back of the net. One more tonight and he will have three consecutive hat-tricks!

 

65′

The Germany international floats the set piece towards Ronaldo 15 yards out, but his attempted bicycle-kick is mistimed, and the ball goes out for a throw to Barcelona.

 

64′

Substitution Cesc Fàbregas Alexis Sánchez

 

64′

Ozil exchanges passes with Marcelo on the left for Madrid, and then wins a corner after his cross is headed behind by Montoya.

 

62′

Substitution Karim Benzema Gonzalo Higuaín

 

62′

A fabulous challenge from Sergio Ramos on Pedro stops Barcelona breaking again, but play is stopped seconds later as the Madrid substitute Gonzalo Higuain ploughs through the back of Busquets on the halfway line.

 

61′

Goal Lionel Messi
GOALLL!!!!! WHAT A STRIKE FROM LIONEL MESSI!! Barcelona's talisman whips an inch perfect free kick straight into the top right corner with his left foot, that Casillas is nowhere near stopping. That is straight from the top drawer from Barca's No.10. They lead this match now, 2-1.

 

60′

The former Liverpool man should go for that!! He's clearly caught Messi as the Argentine looked to burst into the Madrid box, AND he was already on a yellow!

 

59′

ALONSO CATCHES MESSI!! The Madrid midfielder is on a yellow card. What is the ref going to do here??

 

58′

Yellow Card Mesut Özil

 

58′

Both sides lose possession inside Victor Valdes' penalty area in the space of a few seconds, as Benzema misplaces a pass to Ronaldo, before Adriano hits a clearance straight into a Madrid player. Not the most beautiful passage of play there...

 

57′

The home side show their patience on the edge of the Madrid penalty area, patiently moving the ball around before flicking it out to Fabregas out wide who then drives a low cross across the six yard box that none of his team-mates can connect with and divert towards goal.

 

55′

Unsurprisingly Ronaldo takes the free kick himself, but fails to hit the target, as his firm strike meets Pepe's midriff in the wall as the Madrid defender tried to create a diversion for his team-mate.

 

54′

Yellow Card Sergio Busquets Burgos

 

54′

Busquets goes through the back of Ronaldo as the Madrid attacker races forward with the ball, and the visitors have yet another free kick in a dangerous position, this one 35 yards out, just left of centre.

 

53′

SURELY THAT'S A PENALTY?! Iniesta ghosts into the Madrid box on the left and after pushing the ball past Pepe is brought crashing to the deck by a late challenge from the Portugal international. The whole Barcelona team appeal to the referee, but he sees nothing in it, and tells them to get on with the game. That certainly looked like a penalty from where I'm sitting!

 

52′

Xavi picks out Alba with a marvellous pass from midfield but the full-back fails to find a team-mate with his first-time pass, and Madrid bring the ball out from the back.

 

51′

Should Madrid win, it will be the first time since 1964-65 that they have won back-to-back league games at Camp Nou.

 

49′

If Barcelona go on to win this match it will be their best start ever in a Liga campaign, with them winning their six previous matches this season.

 

48′

Ozil goes down after being caught by Busquets midway inside the Barcelona half, but Alonso again wastes the set piece, much to his team-mates' disapproval.

 

47′

Messi picks up the ball straight from that Madrid move and goes flying down the right-hand side for Barcelona. The diminutive forward jinxes past three challenges on his way into the Madrid penalty area before firing a cross towards Pedro at the back post. Pepe manages to slide in superbly and nip the ball off Pedro's foot though, and Madrid can then clear the ball away.

 

46′

Ronaldo tries to play the ball into Ozil but the Germany international is impeded on his way into the Barca box, despite the referee waving play on.

 

46′

Off we go here at Camp Nou, as Barcelona get the second half underway...

 

 

Some of you that have got in touch with me during the break, including @Vichu_Rex, to tell me that you think Kaka should be introduced at half-time by Jose Mourinho. Mesut Ozil was certainly quiet in the opening 45 minutes, and I think it would come as little surprise if he was replaced by either Kaka or Luka Modric if not at the break, then shortly after. The Germany international has looked out of sorts this season for Madrid, with tonight being no exception.

 

 

There's been some suspect defending from both sides so far tonight. Victor Valdes could and perhaps should have done better for Ronaldo's goal, although the Portuguese attacker did strike the ball well, while Pepe's inability to clear the ball seconds before Messi pounced cost his side dearly. What have you all thought of the first half? Let me know your thoughts on Twitter, @charliefscott.

 

 

HALF-TIME: BARCELONA 1-1 REAL MADRID. It's all square here at Camp Nou, despite Real Madrid dominating. Jose Mourinho's side took the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo (of course), when he slammed the ball past Valdes from the left side of the penalty area, before Lionel Messi equalised from close-range following a horrible misjudgement from Pepe inside the Real Madrid box. The away side have been far the better side, but it is 1-1 with everything still to play for.

 

45′ +2

And there is the referee's whistle to mark the end of the first half here at Camp Nou.

 

45′ +1

The attack breaks down though, as Alonso's pass to Ronaldo floats over his head and goes out for a Barcelona throw-in.

 

45′

Barcelona have a free kick in a dangerous position after Ozil charges through the back of Messi 30 yards from goal. The home side waste the set piece opportunity though, and Madrid look to counter attack down the left through Ronaldo.

 

44′

Alba is losing his head at the moment, first he barged into Arbeloa in an attacking position on the left, and he has since thrown himself into a couple of challenges and not got anywhere near the ball. He needs to be careful!

 

43′

Yellow Card Xabi Alonso

 

42′

The home side are being whistled by their own fans as we head towards half-time. They have been disappointing in this first half, and Los Cules are letting them know it.

 

40′

Pedro goes into the book after a high foot in a collision with Sergio Ramos. The Barca attacker was slightly unfortunate there, I don't think there was much he could do to avoid that.

 

39′

Yellow Card Pedro

 

39′

Messi has also now scored 16 goals in Clasico matches, which takes him just two behind the leading all-time Clasico scorer Alfredo Di Stefano, who has 18.

 

38′

A clear push from Alba on Arbeloa hands Madrid possession in their own half, and draws the attention of the referee, who looks for a second like he might show the Spain international a yellow card, but in the end decides against doing so.

 

37′

HERE'S A LOVELY STAT!! Lionel Messi has now scored 99 Liga goals for Barcelona at Camp Nou, with five of those coming against this evening's opponents, Real Madrid.

 

35′

Messi is chasing the ball all over the pitch at the moment, as he looks to drag his side into this game. They are fortunate to be level as we head towards the break, Madrid have been well on top, but Messi's goal a few moments ago keeps them right in it.

 

34′

Xabi Alonso tries to curl the set piece to the back post, where Ramos and Pepe are lurking, but the cross is poor and fails to beat the first man, allowing Barcelona to clear the ball to safety.

 

33′

Montoya flies into a challenge on Ronaldo with both feet raised, and although the young full-back wins the ball, the referee awards the visitors a free kick.

 

32′

There were hints of offside in the build-up to that Messi goal, with Pedro looking to have received the ball on the right in an offside position. I'm sure Jose Mourinho will have something to say about that after the game.

 

31′

Goal Lionel Messi
GOALLL!! MESSI EQUALISES FOR BARCELONA!! The Argentine blasts the ball home from close-range after Pepe failed to clear the ball as it bounced up in the air following a cross from the right from Pedro. Simple stuff from Messi. It's all square here, despite Madrid dominating.

 

30′

He curls it towards Busquets on the penalty spot but the cross is met by a firm header from Sergio Ramos. Madrid look solid here at Camp Nou, Barcelona are struggling to break through them and create chances.

 

29′

Barcelona have a corner on the right. Xavi is set to take the set piece...

 

28′

Substitution Daniel Alves Montoya

 

27′

Barcelona with a back four now, as Montoya replaces Alves. So from right to left: Montoya, Mascherano, Adriano, Alba.

 

26′

Alves looks to be in trouble here, and Martin Montoya is warming up and is set to replace the Brazilian full-back.

 

25′

That Ronaldo goal is his sixth successive strike in Clasico matches, an unprecedented achievement. Take a bow, Cristiano, you're a record breaker.

 

24′

DI MARIA COULD MAKE IT 2-0!! The Argentine attacker shoots wide after Benzema had hit the post from inside the box after Ozil had bombed down the right-hand side and pulled a pass back to him.

 

23′

Assist Karim Benzema

 

23′

Goal Cristiano Ronaldo
GOALLL!!!! CRISTIANO RONALDO SCORES!!! Karim Benzema slips a pass through to Ronaldo on the left-hand side of the penalty area, and he smashes the ball past Valdes at his near post with his left foot to give Madrid the lead. Advantage to the away side.

 

21′

Madrid are committing men forward with far greater gusto than they have done in recent Clasicos, Pepe in particular is roaming forward from centre-back whenever he can as the away side look to profit from a slow start from Barcelona.

 

20′

Fabregas has started the match well for Barcelona, and he fashions another chance for his team, dancing into the box and pulling the ball back to the on-rushing Andres Iniesta, who fails to connect cleanly with the pass and it is dealt with by Casillas.

 

19′

RAMOS SHOULD SCORE!! Ozil clips the ball into the box and the Spain international wastes a glorious opportunity to open the scoring for the away side.

 

17′

Keep an eye on Cristiano Ronaldo guys, should he score tonight, he will set a record for scoring in six consecutive Clasico matches.

 

16′

Barcelona go all the way back to Valdes as the are pressed high up the pitch by Madrid's attackers. Their makeshift defence is standing firm at the moment, but they are not enjoying the intensity of Ronaldo, Benzema and Di Maria.

 

14′

Pepe has gone down inside his own half under a challenge from Fabregas and the referee has awarded the away side a free kick.

 

12′

Cesc Fabregas cuts into the Madrid box on the left-hand side and looks to slide a pass through to Messi on the six-yard box but Pepe hoofs the ball away and averts the danger for the time being.

 

10′

Pepe brings the ball out of defence for Madrid brilliantly before shifting the ball out to Di Maria on the right. The Portugal international continued his run forward and was screaming for the return pass from Di Maria but his pass strayed out of play. Madrid are committing men forward which is nice to see, and promises an exciting game!

 

9′

Madrid are trying to play Ronaldo in more and more in these opening exchanges, and a fine Ozil pass nearly does just that, only for Mascherano to step in and clear the ball away. Good positioning there from the Barcelona defender.

 

8′

Ozil crumples to the turf following a challenge from Dani Alves, and looks up imploringly at the referee Carlos Delgado Ferreiro‎ for a free kick but the official dismisses the Germany international's request and tells him to get to his feet.

 

7′

Mesut Ozil and Marcelo combine well on the left, with the latter lifting an enticing ball over the Barcelona defence towards Ronaldo, but the Madrid man cannot get there ahead of Valdes, the goalkeeper rushing off his line to grab the ball.

 

6′

Angel Di Maria sends a hopeful effort at goal for Madrid from long-range on the right-hand side but his shot is a long way from troubling Victor Valdes in the Barcelona goal, and flies out for a goal-kick.

 

5′

Adriano's inclusion tonight means Barcelona have had a different centre-back pairing for each of their seven Liga matches so far this season. For a team that loves stats, that is not a good one...

 

4′

Dani Alves catches Ronaldo, and Madrid have an early free kick in the centre circle. The atmosphere is electric at Camp Nou, with the crowd making one hell of a noise out there.

 

4′

We weren't sure before kick-off about where Adriano would be playing for Barcelona tonight, but it looks like he is playing at centre-back alongside Mascherano tonight. That's a short centre-back pairing! It will be interesting to see how they deal with the intimidating figures of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

 

3′

Some sharp interplay from Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi right on the edge of the Madrid box nearly results in a goalscoring chance for the Catalan side but Pepe stands firm and nicks the ball off Xavi as he tries to ghost into the box.

 

2′

Xabi Alonso looks to play Angel Di Maria in on the right-hand side with an early through-ball, but Javier Mascherano reads the danger and picks up the ball for the home side.

 

1′

The first passage of play is ended by Cristiano Ronaldo, as he heads the ball behind for a Barcelona goal-kick under pressure from Dani Alves.

 

1′

Strap yourselves in ladies and gentleman, we are off and running here at Camp Nou...

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