TheNewsGuru

Tag: Barcelona

  • La Liga: Barca strike late to snatch win from Villarreal

    La Liga: Barca strike late to snatch win from Villarreal

    Barcelona struck twice late on to snatch all three points from a spirited Villarreal side in La Liga.

    Frenkie De Jong’s close-range finish opened the scoring, but Barca were clinging on after Samuel Chukwueze’s well-taken leveller in the 76th minute.

    But Memphis Depay pounced after the Villarreal defence failed to clear a long clearance in the 88th minute.

    Substitute Philippe Coutinho slotted an injury-time penalty to make sure of the result and rub salt in the wound.

    Barcelona remain seventh in the Spanish top flight despite their first away league win of the season, but are now only three points from the Champions League places and seven off leaders Real Madrid.

    The win also continues new manager Xavi’s unbeaten start to his term at the Nou Camp, but there was plenty in the performance to give the former Spain midfielder pause for thought.

    Villarreal frequently looked like overrunning his side in the second half with the Arnaut Danjuma and Manu Trigueros speed and movement creating a clutch of chances.

    The hosts, who also saw a strong first-half claim for a penalty turned away, were left ruing their own defensive shortcoming through as Colombian Pervis Estupinan allowed Depay in to round the keeper and put his side back in front against the run of play.

    Former Tottenham defender Juan Foyth was at fault for the final goal, tripping Coutinho in the box to give away a clear penalty.

     

    BBC

  • Xavi must be his own man at Barca – Guardiola

    Xavi must be his own man at Barca – Guardiola

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says new Barcelona coach Xavi needs to be his own man.

    Although Xavi was full of praise for his former coach during his introductory press conference, Guardiola isn’t keen on comparisons between the two.

    “I wasn’t the heir to anybody and Xavi doesn’t have to be my heir,” Guardiola said at a charity golf tournament, held to raise funds for Juan Carlos Unzue’s fight against ALS.

    “If Joan Laporta and the board have chosen Xavi then it’s because there are millions of pros and few cons.

    “He knows the club and will bring positive energy, given how he enjoys football and because of his dedication. He always sees the positive side of things.

    “With his class, dedication and effort, I’m sure he’ll improve the club’s situation.”

  • New Barca coach Xavi reveals Messi ‘good luck’ message

    New Barca coach Xavi reveals Messi ‘good luck’ message

    Xavi Hernández has revealed what Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi told him following his appointment as Barcelona’s new manager last Friday.

    Xavi was appointed as Barcelona’s new manager three days ago following the sacking of Ronald Koeman last month.

    The Spaniard was unveiled by Barcelona on Monday at Camp Nou.

    Speaking at his unveiling, Xavi said Messi, his former teammate, texted him and wished him the best of luck as Barcelona manager.

    “Leo Messi texted me to wish me the best of luck,” Xavi said.

    He added, “He’s incredible, but he’s not here as Eto’o or Ronaldinho… we have to think about the future, not about players who are no longer here at Barça.”

    Xavi will now hope to lead Barcelona to victory when they take on Espanyol on November 20 after the international break.

    The former midfield maestro signed a two-and-half-year deal with Barcelona after saying his goodbyes to Qatari side, Al-Sadd.

  • Barca appoints Xavi as new head coach

    Barca appoints Xavi as new head coach

    La Liga club Barcelona has named Xavi as their new permanent head coach following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.

    Koeman’s 14-month reign came to an end following Barca’s 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano on October 27, with the Dutch boss failing to convince.

    Barca have now turned to another club legend in an effort to steady their ship, with World Cup winner Xavi leaving Qatar-based club Al Sadd and joining Barca on a deal through the 2023-24 season.

    “FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Xavi Hernandez for him to become first team coach for the rest of the current season and two more seasons,” a Barcelona statement said.

    “Xavi Hernandez, a youth team product at Barca, has left his current club, Al Sadd of Qatar, after talks held over the last few days with the owners of the club.

    “It is expected that Xavi Hernandez will arrive in Barcelona this weekend and that on Monday 8 November his presentation as new FC Barcelona first team coach will take place in an event open to the public at Camp Nou.

    “After the event Xavi Hernandez will appear in a press conference in the Ricard Maxenchs press room.”

  • REVEALED: Xavi’s three demands in Barca deal, includes Raheem Sterling

    REVEALED: Xavi’s three demands in Barca deal, includes Raheem Sterling

    Xavi will return to Barcelona with three demands he insist be met.

    After several days of negotiations over a release from his contract, the Qataris have confirmed Xavi is now leaving to return to the Nou Camp and replace sacked coach Ronald Koeman.

    Sport says during talks with Barca officials, Xavi pushed for agreement over three points.

    First of all, he wants the club’s medical services to be restructured.

    Then, he wants to take with him seven members of his current staff. This would be his two assistants, Oscar Hernandez, who is also his brother, and Sergio Alegre, but also Ivan Torres, physical trainer, and Carlos Nogueira, physiotherapist. David Prats, Toni Lobo and Sergio Garcia, all recruiters, would also follow Xavi.

    Finally, he wants the recruitment of a winger in January. If he is confident about the return of Ousmane Dembélé, who is injured again, he wants an additional player for the position.

    Manchester City attacker Raheem Sterling is under consideration.

  • Xavi makes Barca confession to Al Duhail player

    Xavi makes Barca confession to Al Duhail player

    Al Sadd coach Xavi has admitted he doesn’t know if he’ll be taking the Barcelona job.

    Xavi was in charge of Al Sadd for yesterday’s 3-3 draw with Al Duhail as Barca directors Rafa Yuste and Mateu Alemany touched down in Doha in the morning.

    After the game, Al Duhail’s Assim Omer Al Haj Madibo asked Xavi for an update on the Barca negotiations.

    “Are you leaving for Barcelona?” he asked Xavi.

    “I don’t know,” replied Xavi.

  • Barca chiefs in Doha for Xavi deal

    Barca chiefs in Doha for Xavi deal

    La Liga giant Barcelona expect to secure the signing of new coach Xavi today.

    Sport says Barca directors Rafa Yuste and Mateu Alemany are in Doha and currently in talks with Al Sadd president Mohammed bin Hamad.

    Xavi will lead Al Sadd against Al Duhail on Thursday and then put pen to paper on a deal with Barca.

    The former Barca captain will sign a contract to the end of the season, with a further two years included. It’s also suggested Al Sadd will release Xavi without any demand of compensation.

    Xavi is expected in Barcelona on the weekend, though caretaker coach Sergi Barjuan will remain in charge for the clash with Celta Vigo.

  • UCL: I want Liverpool version of Coutinho – Barca coach

    UCL: I want Liverpool version of Coutinho – Barca coach

    Barcelona caretaker coach Sergi admits he wants to help Philippe Coutinho rediscover his best form.

    Sergi was speaking ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash with Dynamo Kyiv.

    On Coutinho, he said, “This is my idea. I have spoken with all the players, also with him. The Camp Nou whistled at me, even when I was from home. I have asked him to play easy and that when he can make a difference, to do so. The easier he does it, the better we can find the strength he had as a Liverpool player.”

  • Barca give details of Sergio Aguero heart arrhythmia

    Barca give details of Sergio Aguero heart arrhythmia

    Barcelona have announced Sergio Aguero will be out for at least three months after he was diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia.

    Aguero felt chest pains in Barcelona’s LaLiga Santander match with Alaves, eventually leaving the field. Tests after the game revealed a cardiac arrhythmia. The Argentine was transferred to hospital for a cardiology examination on Saturday.

    “Barcelona player Kun Aguero has been subjected to a diagnostic and therapeutic process by Dr. Josep Brugada,” Barcelona said in a statement.

    “He is unavailable for selection and, during the next three months, the effectiveness of treatment will be evaluated in order to determine his recovery process.”

    Norberto Debbag, an Argentine cardiologist, did though provide the public with an explanation on what a cardiac arrhythmia means for an athlete.

    “An arrhythmia can be studied within 24 hours, the diagnosis will already be in place,” Debbag explained to Ole.

    “Ventricular ones are the most complicated because there is damage to the structure of the heart, whilst Atrial arrhythmias are more benign, which can be solved with medication.

    “We have no details about Aguero but it won’t take long to find out, just when he will play again will depend on the time of arrhythmia that is detected.”

  • La Liga: I should’ve sacked Koeman earlier – Laporta

    La Liga: I should’ve sacked Koeman earlier – Laporta

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has explained his decision to sack Ronald Koeman.

    Laporta was clear that the targets for this season did not look like they were going to be met.

    “The situation was not sustainable. We needed to act. We were not on course to achieve the objectives of the season, which is to win trophies,” he stated.

    Laporta nevertheless feels that the sacking of Koeman could have arrived a little earlier.

    “Possibly we should have dismissed Koeman earlier and I take responsibility for that,” the Barcelona president commented.

    “We beat Dynamo [Kyiv] and Valencia but the situation was unsustainable. We thought he needed backing. But we were drifting.”