FC Barcelona 2-0 Espanyol: 5 Talking Points

Messi and Suarez combine to guid Barcelona into the sami-finals of the Copa del Rry

Barcelona eased into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey for the fifth year running as Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi overturned their 1-0 deficit from the first leg.

It took only nine minutes for the holders to drive ahead, as El Pistolero headed home Aleix Vidal's inch-perfect cross to level with Espanyol on aggregate. The home side's continued high-pressing then yielded another one before the half-hour mark as Messi rifled home from the edge of the box - albeit with the help of a slight deflection.

The Periquitos, who held their mighty city rivals with aplomb last week, lacked the spark this time around as they never really threatened to derail Barcelona's hopes of more silverware.

Here's 5 talking points from Barcelona's 2-0 victory:

             #5 Barcelona do what is written on the tin

Even after the 1-0 defeat in the first leg, the chatter about a surprise exit from the competition was never really heard beyond whispers. With the margin of only a goal, everyone knew Barcelona had it within their capability to overcome that narrow deficit, not least in the home leg.

Suarez's early strike served to effectively pacify all pre-match worries and proved only the beginning for them too. The hosts were in the driving seat throughout, with the resilient Espanyol of last week seemingly nowhere to be seen.

Easily beaten on the ball and effortlessly carved open, the league leaders held their crosstown rivals by the throat. With 13 shot attempts, it justifies their dominance in the final third.

If they were more clinical, they would have enjoyed a more comfortable victory in truth - but promising chances went begging and they were made to play smart in the latter stages, avoiding an unlikely Espanyol revival late on. Ultimately though, they got the job done and you cannot ask for much more than that.

Spanish Media Reports Link Gareth Bale With Sensational Return to the Premier League

Gareth Bale could be set for a spectacular return to the ​Premier League, after reports emerged in the Spanish media that a host of sides are keen on bringing him back to England.

The 28-year old has struggled with multiple injury problems during his time in Madrid, and could be offered a way out of the Spanish capital in the summer.

That is according to notorious gossip kings ​Don Balon, who report that Bale that has asked Florentino Perez to sanction a move away from the club.

​Manchester United, ​Liverpool, ​Chelsea and ​Tottenham are all rumoured to be interested in signing the Wales international, whose injury problems have restricted him to only nine La Liga starts this season.

United have long been credited with interest in Bale, but with the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal going through on Monday, the Red Devils are unlikely to move for him at this time. Liverpool are keen to strengthen their attacking hand meanwhile, and have money in the bank after losing prized asset Philippe Coutinho to ​Barcelona for £142m earlier this month.

Though a move to Stamford Bridge would seem unlikely, the report claims that Chelsea could be interested as well. The Blues are likely to be focusing on fending off any approaches for Belgian superstar Eden Hazard though, with Los Blancos known admirers.

Former club Tottenham are also believed to be in the running, and Mauricio Pochettino admitted earlier in the season that Bale would be welcomed back with open arms should he wish to rejoin.

Barcelona Confirm Farewell Ceremony for China-Bound Javier Mascherano After 8-Year Stint

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Barcelona will officially bid goodbye to Javier Mascherano by way of an 'institutional ceremony' on Wednesday.

The event will be streamed by the club live on social media channels such as Facebook, BarcaVideo and YouTube, allowing fans to engage from around the world, according to the ​club's official website

Mascherano is leaving the club after joining from ​Liverpool in 2010 to embark on a new chapter in the final stages of his playing career ​in the form of Hebei China Fortune in the Far East.

The midfielder-turned-defender is 33 now and had become a peripheral figure at the Nou Camp, with Samuel Umtiti the preferred centre-back partner of Gerard Pique when fit.

Thomas Vermaelen had been filling in for the Frenchman during his spell on the sidelines, and there has been little chance for Mascherano to feature in midfield.

The former Corinthians player has had a highly successful time at the Nou Camp, winning both the league title and Copa del Rey on four occasions, and also two Champions League trophies along the way.

All in all he made 334 appearances under Pep Guardiola, Tito Villanova, Tata Martina, Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde. That makes him the fourth-highest foreign appearance-maker at the club after Lionel Messi, Philipp Cocu and Dani Alves.

​Barcelona are currently flying high in ​La Liga - they sit top of the pile, 11 points ahead of second-placed ​Atletico Madrid and a whopping 19 points ahead of Real Madrid in fourth.

Rafinha Pens Classy Goodbye Message to Barcelona Fans After Inter Transfer Finalised

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Rafinha has posted a classy message to Barcelona's fans on social media after the club announced a deal which will take him to San Siro to play for ​Inter for the rest of the season - with an option for the ​Milan club to buy him in the summer, which they are expected to exercise. 

The 24-year-old spent over a decade at the Nou Camp, playing almost 100 games for the club in a spell which saw him pick up two Primera Division winner's medals, four Copas del Rey and and the 2014/15 Champions League. 

However, a lack of game time in ​Barcelona has seen him move to pastures new, posting on Instagram on Monday evening: “I almost do not have the words to express what I feel for the club that formed me as a person and a professional. 

"I arrived in 2006, at the age of 13, as a child who never thought of living so many wonderful moments and getting so many titles. They have taught me almost everything I know of soccer and I have been able to fulfil my greatest dreams as canterano. Now is the time to take another path in my life.

“Eternally grateful to this shield, club and fans who have given me all their support in the toughest moments. You are incredible. To my colleagues, I have been able to grow by learning from them: A heartfelt thank you. I will always wish you the best.

"To all the workers, from the first to the last, who have shown me their smile since being small: I will take you in my heart. They were 12 incredible years. You do not know how happy it made me to be able to say goodbye with my shirt on. Forca Barça and eternally blaugrana.”