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Tag: Barcelona

  • Europa: Facing Man Utd, most difficult fixture – Xavi

    Europa: Facing Man Utd, most difficult fixture – Xavi

    FC Barcelona’s manager Xavi says the club have been handed the toughest possible draw after being paired with Manchester United in the Europa League’s knockout round play-offs.

    Barca will compete in the Europa League after the turn of the year as a result of their failure to advance from a UEFA Champions League group containing Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

    They have now suffered successive group-stage eliminations from the UEFA Champions League for just the second time, having also done so under Louis van Gaal in the 1997/1998 and 1998/1999 campaigns.

    The Blaugrana were beaten by eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt in the last eight of the Europa League last term, and Xavi said they had been unfortunate once again following Monday’s draw.

    “We will have to compete, going to Manchester against a really tough rival,” Xavi said ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Osasuna in La Liga.

    “It’s a historic rival that has grown a lot with the arrival of Erik ten Hag, with great individual players. We have been given the most difficult rival, yet again, in the Europa League.

    “It’s a massive challenge for us, our players will probably be more motivated against a strong team.”

    Barca’s next European tie will see them reunited with their old foe Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 20 goals in 34 games against the Blaugrana.

    He scored against them in La Liga (nine), the UEFA Champions League (two), the Copa del Rey (five), and the Supercopa de Espana (four).

    Xavi refuted suggestions the Manchester United striker is in decline in spite of his struggles this season, adding: “He seems to me to be a great player who has marked an era, and he can still make a difference.”

  • La Liga: Why I left Barcelona before the end of season – Pique

    La Liga: Why I left Barcelona before the end of season – Pique

    Former Barcelona captain, Gerard Pique has given reasons for exiting the Catalan giants at age 35.

    The Spanish footballer said it was the right thing to do in order to give space to other footballers coming on board.

    Pique addressed the club’s supporters during his emotional farewell speech at Camp Nou on Saturday evening.

    Pique announced on Thursday he would be exiting the club as a player but promised to stage a return sooner.

    He played his final game for Barcelona  on Saturday in their 2-0 win over Almeria at Camp Nou.

    Pique said, “It’s been a relationship of a lot of love and passion to play for Barca. I think this was the time to give some space to one another.

    “I think it was time to part ways and I’m convinced that in the future I will come back here.”

    Pique helped Barcelona win 15 trophies, including eight La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues.

    Many would have thought that the veteran defender would be in the Spain squad for the November 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

    He is considered one of the best defenders of his generation. Originally one of the most promising students at La Masia, Piqué joined Manchester United in 2004.

  • Mikel Arteta dismisses Barcelona rumours

    Mikel Arteta dismisses Barcelona rumours

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is “extremely happy” at the Emirates after reports linking him with the Barcelona job.

    The 40-year-old Spaniard has guided the Gunners to the top of the Premier League, while they reach the last 16 of the Europa League if they beat Zurich.

    Barca, who are managed by their former player Xavi, have lined up Arteta as a future boss, according to the reports.

    “They [Barcelona] have a phenomenal coach who is an absolute legend at the club,” said Arteta on Wednesday.

    Arsenal are top of Group A with 12 points from five games, two more than second-placed PSV Eindhoven – who are in Norway to face Bodo/Glimt – before the final round of group games.

    The Gunners are guaranteed a top-two finish.

  • Jorge Mendes offers Man Utd fullback to Barca

    Jorge Mendes offers Man Utd fullback to Barca

    The agent of Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has offered him to Barcelona.

    Agent Jorge Mendes is developing closer ties to Barca and has held several meetings with the club’s hierarchy this season.

    Mundo Deportivo says knowing Barca are seeking a fullback signing, Mendes has raised the prospect of moving for Dalot.

    The Portugal international is off contract at United in June.

    However, United will be unconcerned by Mendes’ move as they hold a 12 month option in Dalot’s contract.

  • UEFA CL: Bayern dump Barcelona to Europa league as Liverpool pummel Ajax 3-0

    UEFA CL: Bayern dump Barcelona to Europa league as Liverpool pummel Ajax 3-0

    Bayern are already through to the knockout stage, boasting a perfect record of four wins from four, but still dealt a big blow to the aspirations of Barcelona following the 3-0 demolition of the Blaugrana at Camp Nou.

    Barcelona exit the Champions League and are now heading to the Europa League to try and slug it out with the likes of Arsenal, Man Utd and other powerful football sides

    The first goal came from a glorious through ball by Serge Gnabry to find Sadio Mané, who easily beat Héctor Bellerín for pace and chipped the ball over Marc-André ter Stegen to give Bayern the lead; 20 minutes later, a similar counter-attacking goal with another assist from Gnabry and a good finish by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

    Second half began with both teams pressing for a goal but all effort proved abortive until the dying seconds of the game.

    The visitors had a late corner and Benjamin Pavard found himself all alone inside the box to score Bayern’s third with the last touch of the game.

    The final whistle came to finish Barça’s Champions League journey with another European embarassment.

    Recall Barcelona was dumped out of the UCL last season and  still got booted uyt in the competition in  Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi -finals.

    However, it was an easy ride for English Premier League side Liverpool booked their place in the second round of the competition after pummeling Ajax 3-0 away from home.

    Needing a draw to reach the last 16, the Reds were fortunate not to be behind before Mohamed Salah clipped in with their only shot on target of the first half.

  • Barca star Ansu Fati says Injury problems are over

    Barca star Ansu Fati says Injury problems are over

    Barcelona star Ansu Fati has declared his injury problems are over.

    The youngster scored in victory over Villarreal in La Liga fixture.

    Fati says he’s happy with his fitness and said at the final whistle: “We knew we were coming from difficult results.

    “These 3 points are very important and we played with the same style, giving our best.”

    On his injuries, Fati added: “It’s over, now I’m fine.”

  • Chelsea co-owner sends Super League message to Real Madrid, Barca

    Chelsea co-owner sends Super League message to Real Madrid, Barca

    Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali has hinted they’re unlikely to join the new Super League.

    Chelsea were one of the clubs, along with Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Atletico Madrid to exit the plans to launch the ESL in March of 2021 less than 48 hours after the project was revealed.

    Chelsea co-owner and Clearlake Capital co-founder Eghbali, who was appearing at the Sportico Invest in Sports conference in New York on Wednesday, told football.london: “I think the sport needs more premium high quality matches and content but it doesn’t have to be a Super League.

    “Todd [Boehly] went there on an All-Star Game, the baseball talent competition or draft generates £200million to £300million of revenue on a Monday or Tuesday each year, none of that exists in the EPL. Could there be an EPL versus Serie A game? Could you see pre-season matches producing more premium content on the pitch? You could.

    “But structurally, given how botched that episode was does anybody have any appetite for something like that? A couple of teams in Spain do and they are vocal about it, but everyone else doesn’t want to go there anymore.”

    For the moment, the new Super League is being driven by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus.

    Tribalfootball

  • El Clasico: Real Madrid win after goals from Benzema, Valverde and Rodrygo

    El Clasico: Real Madrid win after goals from Benzema, Valverde and Rodrygo

    Real Madrid leapfrogged FC Barcelona at the summit of LaLiga as goals from Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo sealed a 3-1 triumph in El Clasico on Sunday.

    Barca had conceded just one goal in eight league games this season prior to the visit to the Santiago Bernabeu.

    But two clinical finishes from Benzema and Valverde saw them two goals down at the interval.

    Xavi’s side pulled one back with seven minutes remaining through Ferran Torres, but the hosts restored their two-goal advantage in stoppage time courtesy of Rodrygo’s penalty kick.

    The result marked Barca’s first league defeat of the campaign, with victory for Los Blancos moving them three points clear of their great rivals at the top of the table.

    Real Madrid went ahead in the 12th minute when Benzema fired home from 12 metres via a deflection from Sergi Roberto.

    That was after Marc-Andre ter Stegen had raced off his line to deny Vinicius Junior.

    Barca were presented with a golden opportunity to restore parity in the 25th minute.

    But a stretching Robert Lewandowski somehow managed to scoop the ball over the crossbar from just a few metres out following Raphinha’s cross.

    Xavi’s men were punished for that miss 10 minutes before the interval when Valverde whipped into Ter Stegen’s bottom-right corner from 20 yards.

    Benzema thought he had scored a wonderful second shortly after half-time, but his curled effort was ruled out for offside.

    Substitute Torres reduced the deficit with a simple finish at the back post after superb work from Ansu Fati.

    But Rodrygo wrapped the win up for Real Madrid from the penalty kick spot after he had been tripped by Eric Garcia —- the decision given following a VAR review.

    Real Madrid managed just four shots on target, but that proved enough to score three goals against Barca and seal an eighth win in nine LaLiga games this season.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s side have now won six of their past seven matches against Barca in all competitions —- more than they achieved in the previous 18 meetings.

    After failing to find the back of the net in LaLiga last season, Valverde has now scored four in nine appearances this term.

    The Uruguay international’s fine strike was the first Real Madrid have scored at home against Barca from outside the area since Raul did so during the 1998/1999 season.

    Both sides are in LaLiga action in midweek, with Real Madrid away to Elche on Wednesday and Barca at home to Villarreal a day later.

  • El Clasico: We’re ready for Barcelona – Real Madrid defender, Militao

    El Clasico: We’re ready for Barcelona – Real Madrid defender, Militao

    Real Madrid defender Eder Militao says they’ll be ready for Barcelona today.

    Real will host Barca in the first El Clasico of the season.

    Militao said, “We have to be prepared and fully focused at all times because it’s a very special match and anything can happen in the Clásico.

    “The team is ready. We’ve started the season really well and we’re all focused and committed to this game.

    “(Carlo) Ancelotti has encouraged me to score goals when I get the chance. I kept trying until it came off in the Getafe game.

    “From a defensive perspective you have to make sure you don’t come under too much pressure, and that way you’re a step closer to victory. We always play with commitment and respect for our teammates in defence. It doesn’t matter who plays, whether it’s Nacho, Militão, Rüdiger or Alaba, we’re well covered. We’re going to give it all we’ve got to win games.”

  • El Clasico: Raphinha sends warning to Real Madrid

    El Clasico: Raphinha sends warning to Real Madrid

    Barcelona attacker Raphinha has sent a warning to rivals Real Madrid ahead of the El Clasico.

    Barca are reeling after this week’s 3-3 draw with Inter Milan left their Champions League round 16 hopes hanging by a thread.

    But Raphinha says: “I’m a little anxious about the Clásico, but I’m fine with my head.

    “We’re leaders. I’m not saying fear, but if someone has to be a little careful, it’s them.

    “We’re confident and we’re going to do everything possible to win.”