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Tag: Barcelona

  • UCL: PSG to face Bayern, Barcelona in opening stage [See fixtures]

    UCL: PSG to face Bayern, Barcelona in opening stage [See fixtures]

    UEFA Champions League (UCL) holders Paris Saint-Germain will face Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the new league phase, following Thursday’s draw, which produced several high-profile match-ups.

    Real Madrid, winners of a record 15 titles, will take on Manchester City and Liverpool as the expanded league format, introduced last season, continues.

    PSG are also set to play Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Atalanta, and Bayer Leverkusen, with each club playing eight games, four at home and four away.

    Real Madrid will face Manchester City for a fifth straight season and travel to Liverpool, marking a return for former Reds star Trent Alexander-Arnold.

    Madrid will also host Juventus and make a long trip to Kazakhstan to face debutants Kairat Almaty, who stunned Celtic in the playoff round.

    Liverpool, top of last season’s league phase, are drawn against Inter Milan, Atlético Madrid, and Eintracht Frankfurt in the new 36-team format.

    Bayern Munich will face Chelsea, Arsenal, and Club Brugge in a competitive group, while Manchester City meet Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, Villarreal, and Leverkusen.

    Inter Milan, last season’s runners-up, will host Liverpool and Arsenal and travel to Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

    Barcelona, La Liga champions and last year’s semi-finalists, host PSG and play away matches at Chelsea and Newcastle.

    Arsenal, who reached the semi-finals last season, face Atlético Madrid, Club Brugge, and long-time rivals Bayern Munich.

    The Gunners have failed to beat Bayern in their last five Champions League encounters, including two heavy defeats in 2017.

    The Premier League has six representatives: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur.

    Spurs will face PSG, Borussia Dortmund, and Villarreal, while Serie A champions Napoli are drawn against Chelsea, Manchester City, Frankfurt, and Benfica.

    Newcastle, making their first UCL appearance in more than 20 years, have a tough draw with matches against Barcelona, PSG, Benfica, and Bayer Leverkusen.

    The league phase runs from Sept. 16 to Jan. 28, featuring eight matchdays that will determine the clubs progressing to the knockout stage.

    The knockout round begins in February, and the final is scheduled for May 30 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest.

    In other news, Chelsea were honoured as the first club to win all five major UEFA trophies: the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup, and Cup Winners’ Cup.

    Former Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimović received the UEFA President’s Award for his outstanding contributions to football.

  • You’re no longer a child – Lewandowski tells Yamal

    You’re no longer a child – Lewandowski tells Yamal

    Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has told Lamine Yamal he’s not a kid anymore.

    Yamal turned 18 last week and Lewandowski says the winger now must focus on continuing to improve.

    He said,  “Now he’s no longer a child, he’s an adult because he’s already 18. Lamine can play better than last year. Every year he’ll be better.”

    Lewandowski also commented on the arrival of Marcus Rashford on-loan from Manchester United.

    He said, “He will make the team better. He’s a very talented player; he played against us with Manchester United and was in great form. He can play in different positions and can help us.”

  • Massive reactions as Marcus Rashford arrives Barcelona, to adorn jersey number 14

    Massive reactions as Marcus Rashford arrives Barcelona, to adorn jersey number 14

    Marcus Rashford’s move from Manchester United to Barcelona has provoked huge interest, with fans and media across the UK fascinated to see whether the forward can reignite a stalled career that once looked so promising.

    And there’s a similar level of intrigue on the shores of the Mediterranean, with Barca fans anxious to see what kind of player is arriving in the Catalan capital.

    To gauge the mood, BBC Sport has spoken to three Barcelona-based journalists and asked for their views on the England international’s arrival.

    Here are the thoughts of Jamie Easton Gombau (La Liga TV presenter), Jordi Pons (Spanish TV commentator) and Toni Padilla (journalist for local newspaper Ara).

    Barca’s forward line is already well stocked, with veteran marksman Robert Lewandowski, teen sensation Lamine Yamal and rejuvenated Raphinha all coming off brilliant seasons, while further depth comes from Spain internationals Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres. So where does Rashford fit in?

    Jamie Easton Gombau: We know from Deco, Barca’s sporting director, that they wanted another winger – partly to rest Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, and also to play Raphinha in a different role as a number 10. But Rashford is a joker in the pack because he can also fit as a false nine or striker, which will be even more important this season to give some rest to Lewandowski, considering his age.

    Luis Diaz and Nico Williams were the first choices, so Rashford was option C… at least! He’s also the cheapest option which is important because Barca’s financial situation is a long way from being solved.

    Toni Padilla: Barca wanted someone who can play mostly on the left side, but also as a striker. Barca’s first idea was to have a younger player, like Williams, but Rashford is still young enough. From a tactical point of view, considering Rashford’s evolution in the last few years, it fits perfectly. But we should remember he’s only here because Nico said no.

    Jordi Pons: I remember when Rashford was young and promised so much. He beat defenders, ran up and down the wing, and above all I liked his shot from mid-range.

    Sometimes players can lose their way, but I see someone who is willing to drop his salary and try to re-establish himself in a team like Barca. A few years ago, everyone was talking about how great he was, and what a huge career he was going to have. Now he’s got a big opportunity ahead of him to return to that world-class level.

    Rashford becomes the first Englishman to represent Barcelona since Gary Lineker left in 1989, and he will look to emulate the success of his predecessor who scored 52 goals in 138 appearances. But does his nationality matter to Barca followers? BBC Sport

  • Barca clinch La Liga title after Espanyol win

    Barca clinch La Liga title after Espanyol win

    Barcelona secured a 28th La Liga title with a 2-0 win at 10-man Espanyol.

    Despite Real Madrid’s late win over Mallorca on Wednesday night, Hansi Flick’s side knew victory at the RCDE Stadium would secure them the championship with two games remaining.

    After a goalless first half, Lamine Yamal broke the deadlock shortly after the restart with a stunning strike.

    Espanyol’s Leandro Cabrera was shown a straight red card for striking out at Yamal in the closing stages before Fermin Lopez wrapped up Barcelona’s win – and another title – in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

    Before the match, several people were reported to have been injured in an incident outside the stadium, where a driver appeared to lose control and a car went into the crowd.

    According to Spanish media, an announcement was made over the public address system inside the ground saying the situation was under control with no serious injuries, while some Espanyol fans behind one of the goals had left the stands, feeling the match should not be played.

    Elsewhere, Osasuna boosted their hopes of European qualification with a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid at El Sadar.

    A first-half header from defender Alejandro Catena and a late second from Croatia forward Ante Budimir saw Osasuna move up to ninth – level on points with Rayo Vallecano in the battle for a spot in the Conference League.

    Athletic Bilbao closed to within three points of third-placed Atletico and secured Champions League football with a 2-0 win at Getafe.

    Gorka Guruzeta broke the deadlock with 14 minutes left before Dani Vivian made sure with a late second.

    Real Betis fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Rayo Vallecano.

    Jorge de Frutos put the home side ahead in the 37th minute, heading in a rebound after Pedro Diaz’s long-range strike rattled the crossbar.

    Florian Lejeune made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time with an angled free-kick from the edge of the box.

    Conference League finalists Betis, though, fought back to get themselves on level terms in the 51st minute through Cucho Hernandez before Isco slotted in a penalty just after the hour.

  • Xavi opens up on Premier League ambitions

    Xavi opens up on Premier League ambitions

    Barcelona legend Xavi has revealed he would “love to work in the Premier League” after nearly a year without a job.

    It’s been nearly 12 months since the 45-year-old was dismissed by Barcelona, the club he spent 17-years at as a first-team player.

    His replacement, Hansi Flick, has gone on to turn the Catalan giants into one of the most exciting sides in Europe.

    Xavi has been linked with several big jobs, including Man United, since his dismissal, but he is yet to nail down a new position.

    In an interview with The Athletic, Xavi couldn’t hide his admiration for the Premier League and admitted he would love to manage in the English top tier.

    “Of course? Where, I don’t know,” the Spaniard said when quizzed about his future. “There’s no hurry for me, but I’d like a good project. Like, ‘You have four years to work and make a project’.

    “I’d love to work in the Premier League because I love the passion there. In Spain, it’s too much about the result.”

  • Barca’s player makes Champions League history

    Barca’s player makes Champions League history

    Barcelona left-back Gerard Martin etched his name into Champions League history during the semi-final second leg clash against Inter Milan.

    At just 23 years and 69 days old, the Spain youth international became the fourth youngest player ever to provide two assists in the competition’s last four.

    His standout performance drew comparisons to Tottenham’s Dele Alli, who in 2019, at 23 years and 27 days, was the last player of a similar age to accomplish the same feat in a memorable tie against Ajax.

    Martin’s emergence has been one of the bright spots in Barcelona’s season, with his contributions not just defensively but also in attack which shows his versatility.

  • Barca, PSG win big in UCL Quarter-finals first legs

    Barca, PSG win big in UCL Quarter-finals first legs

    Robert Lewandowski led Barcelona to a 4-0 romp over his ex-club Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

    In the other quarter-final clash, Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1.

    Brazil winger Raphinha was on the goal-line when he prodded Barca ahead midway through the first half, although he was fortunate to survive a video review for offside given Pau Cubarsí’s flick was going in on its own anyway.

    There was no doubt about the home side’s second on 48 minutes, though, as Raphinha athletically headed the ball back across goal and Lewandowski nodded in on the line.

    The Poland star, who played for Dortmund in the 2013 final they lost to Bayern Munich, then rifled in for 3-0 on 66 minutes before Lamine Yamal added the gloss.

    “It’s a question of whether everyone was 100% at it and willing to go through the pain barrier against this Barcelona,” Dortmund’s Emre Can told DAZN. “We’ll play for pride at home. We still try to win. We’ll give everything.”

    Barca head to Germany next Tuesday with a big advantage while PSG go to Birmingham ahead after Désiré Doué’s cracker, a Khvicha
    Kvaratskhelia special and a late Nuno Mendes strike followed a neat team goal from Morgan Rogers.

    In Tuesday’s first legs, Arsenal won 3-0 at home to holders Real Madrid and Inter Milan prevailed 2-1 at Bayern.

    Barca’s Lewandowski and Yamal had early half-chances for the side bossed by German Hansi Flick, who along with Lewandowski won the competition with Dortmund’s big rivals Bayern in 2020.

    Five-times champions Barca, playing in the Olympic Stadium while the Nou Camp is rebuilt, went ahead on 25 minutes – though Brazil’s Raphinha had his heart in his mouth before the review went his way.

    The Spanish league leaders had the odd scare at the other end but Dortmund, last season’s runners-up and 1997 champions, lacked belief as Serhou Guirassy missed two good opportunities.

    Dortmund without defender Nico Schlotterbeck after he was ruled out for six months with a knee meniscus tear, were punished when former star Lewandowski grabbed his second-half double to take his Champions League tally this season to 11.

  • Transfer: Tonali makes clear Barca claims

    Transfer: Tonali makes clear Barca claims

    Sandro Tonali has assured Newcastle United fans over his commitment.

    The Italy midfielder has been linked with a return to AC Milan and also Barcelona.

    But Tonali told Sky Sports: “I think a lot of players at Newcastle say that being here one month is the same feeling as two years. The football and the area is so lovely.”

    When asked if the speculation bothered him he said: “No, and last season as well, I don’t use my phone a lot. I only use it for my family and not for social media.

    “I have social media, but I use it after the game or for my life (pictures), and not for the transfers. I never used social media when I was young or for transfers.”

    Tonali admits he also feels he owes the club after the way they supported him last season during his ten-month betting ban.

    He added: “I feel like I owe them back for the last year and the 10 month ban. I was at the training ground and at St James’ Park and from the fans I felt the same love as the players who were starting the game. I felt much better after every game.”

  • Neymar will return to Europe – Rivaldo

    Neymar will return to Europe – Rivaldo

    Barcelona great Rivaldo is convinced Neymar will play in Europe next season.

    Neymar is contracted with Santos to mid-year, with expectations that a return to Barca will happen. Indeed, agent Pini Zahavi has been in talks with the Catalans about re-signing Neymar.

    And Rivaldo told Betfair: “Neymar is a great player, and I really like his style of play. If he maintains what we’re seeing at Santos—scoring goals and gaining momentum—he still has a place at any team in the world.

    “If it’s not Barcelona, ​​where he made history and where everyone already knows him, he’ll go to a big European club by midyear.”

    On Barca and coach Hansi Flick, Rivaldo added: “The way they’re playing, with joy, unity in the locker room, and a lot of respect for the coach’s demands, we can go far. Barcelona is very much alive in all three competitions and has everything it takes to win another treble.”

  • Why I don’t feel pressure when playing – Lamine Yamal

    Why I don’t feel pressure when playing – Lamine Yamal

    Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal says he doesn’t feel any great pressure when he’s on the pitch.

    The teen insists he still sees the game as something to enjoy and have fun with.

    He told DAZN: “I’m a creative, fun player. I might not touch the ball for a while, but in a minute I can do fun things, so to speak, like having fun going to a football match.

    “I could imagine being a footballer, being at Barça , but obviously never so soon. Everything moves so fast that you don’t stop to think. Thank God I haven’t had any serious injuries, but I think that’s when the moment will come when you realize that what you’re doing is beautiful.

    “But everything moves so fast that you don’t think much.”

    Yamal also said: “The pressure starts when you have a bad game, and the excuse you try to find is pressure. But it doesn’t exist; it’s mental.

    “If you just think about enjoying yourself and having a good time, you don’t have any pressure.”