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Tag: Barcelona

  • La Liga: El Clasico to hold on October 27 at Bernabéu as Spanish League releases 2024/25 fixtures

    La Liga: El Clasico to hold on October 27 at Bernabéu as Spanish League releases 2024/25 fixtures

    The date for the first leg of the 2024/25 season  El Clasico battle between Champions Real Madrid and Barcelona will be played on October 27 at the Bernabéu.

    This was confirmed on Tuesday after La Liga released fixtures for the 2024/2025 season.

    It would be recalled that the  two rivals faced each other three times last season – twice in La Liga and again in the Spanish Super Cup final. Madrid won all three.

    The el Clasico reverse fixture  between Madrid and Barca will hold on the 11th of May 2025.

    However, Barcelona would begin  their league campaign away at Valencia, while Madrid travel to Mallorca, both on August 18.

    Real Madrid under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti are double champions after winning the La Liga  and the UEFA Champions League titles last season.

     

  • La Liga: Barcelona blocked from registering 9 players ahead next season

    La Liga: Barcelona blocked from registering 9 players ahead next season

    La liga clubside, Barcelona are currently unable to register nine first-team players due to an ongoing financial crisis, according to The Athletic.

    The Catalans would have to pay the sum of €130million by the end of June or they won’t be able to register further new additions.

    Barca are now seeking new investment and want to restructure their deal with Nike.

    Players like  Inigo Martinez or Vitor Roque, are largely affected by the embargo due to the way they were registered last season.

    Also the contracts for Alejandro Balde, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Hector Fort have not been registered with LaLiga.

    Sergi Roberto and Marcos Alonso are out of contract soon, while there remains uncertainty over the contract agreement with Gavi.

  • Hansi Flick will decide transfers at Barca – Laporta

    Hansi Flick will decide transfers at Barca – Laporta

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta says new coach Hansi Flick will be involved in transfers.

    Laporta touched on several transfer stories when speaking with Barca One.

    “Jules Kounde has had an incredible season, he transmits strength to me, he goes to the gym after the games, Inigo (Martinez), Sergi Roberto… We rely on everyone, but it depends on the coach,” he said.

    “If he thinks adjustments need to be made, they will be made. There are players who are ending their contract, some who have asked us to leave, those on loan are coming back, like Ansu Fati, who has a tremendous desire to succeed according to what I read.

    “Flick and Deco are deciding how the squad will look, the additions, the departures, the changes in physical preparation, rules in internal discipline, schedules at the Ciutat Esportiva… They will make the decisions, they will submit them to the board of directors and we will see. If they can be validated depending on this transition we are making towards economic peace of mind.”

    He also said: “It is not necessary as of today. There is a breach of contract by one of the partners who were going to join (Libero), and if we solve it, it will give us the ability to spend without restrictions. There are deals in motion that are allowing us grow our sponsorship. That is why I value so much the trust and patience of the cules who value the sense of responsibility that we have. An effort has been made, an exercise in resistance, we have peace of mind, let’s not rush now.”

  • Barca exit is good for Xavi – Ancelotti

    Barca exit is good for Xavi – Ancelotti

    Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti feels Xavi will bounce back from his sacking by Barcelona.

    Xavi has already been replaced by Hansi Flick at Barca.

    Ancelotti said: “Barça has created its history thanks to a clear game identity with players of that profile like Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and Busquets. The coach has to adapt to the players he has.

    “With what Barça had it was the most appropriate way to play football.

    “It’s part of a coach’s job, Xavi will understand. When there is not a good relationship between the club and the coach, the best thing is to separate. It happened to me with Napoli, Bayern and Chelsea. Separation is good for him to Barcelona and Xavi.”

  • La Liga: Hansi Flick reveals reasons for joining Barcelona

    La Liga: Hansi Flick reveals reasons for joining Barcelona

    Barcelona’s new manager, Hansi Flick has stated reasons why he joined the Catalan side.

    According to Flick, he decided to join the La Liga giant because he shared the same vision, possession and quality football with the Catalan club.

    The German, on Wednesday, officially signed  a two year contract that is expectedly going to run till 2026.

    Shortly after his announcement, the new manager, Flick, who replaced Xavi Hernandez, also said he was proud to be at Barca.

    According to him, he wants to improve Barcelona’s academy players.

    “I’m proud to be at Barça, it’s a wonderful and incredible club really,” Flick said.

    “We share the same vision, possession and quality football.

    “Barça has La Masia, one of the best academies in the world; so our mission is to improve all the players.”

  • La Liga: Hansi Flick replaces Xavi as Barcelona’s new Manager

    La Liga: Hansi Flick replaces Xavi as Barcelona’s new Manager

    Hansi Flick has been named the new Barcelona head coach today and tasked with the job of regaining the Liga title.

    Flick, who  signed a two-year deal at Camp Nou, took over a side that finished 10 points behind Real Madrid in the 2023-24 season and lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.

    His appointment ends months of uncertainty regarding Barca’s boss for next season.

    Xavi’s original plan was to leave the Camp Nou at the end of the campaign, but the 44-year-old performed a U-turn and decided to stay and see out his contract which was due to expire in 2025.

    However, some ill-judged remarks relating to the club’s precarious financial situation then saw him dismissed by an angry Laporta, who has now turned to German Flick to fill the void.

    About Barce’s new Manager

    Flick started his managerial career at Hoffenheim before moving into an assistant role with RB Salzburg, Germany and Bayern Munich.

    His big break came when Niko Kovac was sacked as Bayern boss and Flick promoted to head coach, initially on an interim basis that became permanent in December 2019.

    In his first season in charge, he won the treble with the club claiming the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League titles.

    He added the FIFA Club World Cup and another Bundesliga crown before leaving the Allianz Arena to become Germany boss in May 2021.

    A good start quickly turned sour and following a poor World Cup campaign in Qatar and some disappointing results in 2023 he was sacked.

  • UEFA picks Oshoala’s stunning bicycle kick as goal of the season

    UEFA picks Oshoala’s stunning bicycle kick as goal of the season

    Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala has been awarded   the UEFA Women’s Champions Goal of the Season award.

    The African female footballer of the year scored a beautiful bicycle kick goal in a matchday one encounter against Benfica.

    The UEFA’s Technical Observer panel selected Oshoala’s goal among many others but the Nigerian stood out completely with her stunning Bicycle kick goal.

    The striker’s former Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati took second spot for her bending effort in the quarter-final second-leg win against Brann.

    Lyon’s Delphine Cascarino came third for her long-range strike in the quarter-final second-leg victory over Benfica.

    Oshoala quit Barcelona for National Women Soccer League (NWSL) club Bay FC in February.

    On her NWSL debut, she scored Bay FC’s winner in the 1-0 victory over Angels City.

  • I leave Barca with clear conscience – Xavi

    I leave Barca with clear conscience – Xavi

    Xavi says he leaves Barcelona with a “clear conscience”.

    Xavi was sacked by Barca president Joan Laporta on Friday.

    He said, “I’m fine. It’s been a difficult few days, but I have a clear conscience. I’m proud and happy. It’s been a good two and a half years. Today I was talking about it with the staff and the players that I think we can be proud, because it wasn’t an easy situation. We’ve given it our all. We’ve been club men and we’ve done a good job, although this year we haven’t met our objectives.

    “The experience has been spectacular and the learning tremendous. I want to finish in the best possible way and enjoy the last game as Barcelona coach, which has been an honour and a pleasure.”

    Xavi continued: “Yesterday I spoke with the president, he told me his reasons why he thinks the coach needs to be changed. I just have to accept it, he’s the one who makes all the decisions of the club. I will always be at Barcelona’s disposal. We shook hands, hugged each other and wished each other the best. I’ll be just another Barcelona fan and I wish the best for the president, the sporting director and the players.

    “They have decided this thinking because they believe they need a change of direction at the club. I was still motivated and had my ambition intact with this squad, but it wasn’t to be.”

  • Women’s Champions League: Barcelona beat Chelsea 2-1 on aggregate to reach fourth consecutive final

    Women’s Champions League: Barcelona beat Chelsea 2-1 on aggregate to reach fourth consecutive final

    Barcelona femini on Saturday reached their fourth Women’s Champions League final with a controversial 2-0 win against Chelsea in the semi-final second leg.

    Barcelona overturned a 1-0 first leg deficit, Jonatan Giraldez’s side took the lead through Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati at Stamford Bridge.

    Chelsea’s Kadeisha Buchanan was sent off in the second half for a contentious second booking.

    And Fridolina Rolfo wrapped up Barcelona’s 2-1 aggregate victory with a debatable penalty.

    It will be Barca’s fourth successive final berth as they look to lift the trophy for the third time.

    “We are very happy. We deserved the victory. The first leg we were not better than the opponent. Today we created more clear chances,” Giraldez said.

    “The connection with the players is amazing. I’m proud of them. I’m really happy to get another final. It’s special.”

    Chelsea’s first-leg victory last week is the only defeat Barca have suffered this season, ending the club’s five-year unbeaten record on home turf.

    But Blues boss Emma Hayes, who leaves to take charge of the USA women’s national team at the of this season, said Chelsea would have to produce a perfect display to overcome “the best team in the world” again in the rematch.

    Chelsea were unable to rise to the challenge and their wait for a first Champions League crown goes on.

    They have now lost to Barca in successive Champions League semi-finals after being beaten by the Spanish club in the 2021 final.

     

     

  • Xavi makes U-turn, to stay at Barcelona till end of contract

    Xavi makes U-turn, to stay at Barcelona till end of contract

    The coach of Barcelona, Xavi Hernandez, has opened up on why he has chosen to stay on at LaLiga club.

    It would be recalled that Xavi announced in January that he will be quitting as head coach in the summer.

    However, the 44-year-old has changed her mind about  walking away despite having a contract until 2025 at the Nou Camp.

    But in a dramatic U-turn on Wednesday, Xavi has decided to continue with Barca, after meeting with the club’s president, Joan Laporta and other senior officials.

    The former Spain midfielder has now given reasons for his decision to remain at the club.

    “I changed my mind because I really felt total confidence from the president, from the board and the players too. This project isn’t finished yet.

    “Me, my staff, all together feel that we have strength to make important things together and continue this project,” Xavi said.