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Tag: Barcelona

  • Worst game of my 2 years in charge – Xavi on Shakhtar defeat

    Worst game of my 2 years in charge – Xavi on Shakhtar defeat

    Barcelona coach Xavi offered no excuses after their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk.

    Danylo Sikan proved Shakhtar’s matchwinner in Hamburg.

    Xavi later said, “I think we are at a low level of play, worst for the season. We have played one of the worst games of these two years. There is nothing lost. But it is at the most inopportune moment.

    “We have to do self-criticism. You have to be more dynamic, be recognizable… you have to have more confidence. We were not comfortable in the game. You have to do a reset.

    “In the second half, we improved but we were not fluid. You have to win back people and give them confidence. It’s a shame, but nothing is lost.”

    On reaching the knockout phase, Xavi said: “We depend on ourselves. The next game is at home, with Porto, and mathematically we can do it. You have to take pride and self-love. We must regain trust.

    “We are in a small hole, also in terms of confidence. It’s more mental than game. We are blocked. We are in a bad moment.

    “I think we do things wrong in general, in attack and defence. The pressure after a loss is not what it should be… the players have to be recovered. We have to create more.”

    He added: “The staff must not lose confidence, it is my job. We have to keep going. There is nothing lost. We are in a small football slump.”

  • La Liga: Barcelona eye Osimhen, Boniface as Lewandowsk’s replacement

    La Liga: Barcelona eye Osimhen, Boniface as Lewandowsk’s replacement

    La liga clubside, Barcelona are monitoring two Super Eagles strikers, Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface as potential replacements for polish forward, Robert Lewandowski,  Barca Insider has revealed.

    Barce hired Lewandowski in a deal worth €50million from Bayern Munich in 2022.

    Since then the polish striker  has scored 33 goals in 46 appearances for the La Liga giants.

    Although Lewandowski has six goals in 11 matches already this season, he has not been his usual sharp self.

    It is now believed the forward’s time at the Nou Camp is nearing an end.

    Barcelona are now looking at Osimhen and Boniface as part of their options to replace Lewandowski.

    Osimhen would be the more expensive as Napoli values him at over €120 million. But Boniface could go for way less, as Bayer Leverkusen paid €20.5million for his services just three months ago.

  • El Clasico not my best game – Jude Bellingham

    El Clasico not my best game – Jude Bellingham

    Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham was floating after his spectacular double won the El Clasico against Barcelona.

    Bellingham struck twice – including an injury-time winner – for the 2-1 triumph.

    He said: “It was a good day. Neither myself nor the team were at our best, but we kept playing and little by little we started to put pressure on their midfield and defence. Then we got our reward. We showed belief and character and we took the three points.

    “Another comeback. I love them. It’s hard on the heart, but they’re fun games. We gave it our all, we didn’t give up and I’m very happy.”

    On his first goal, Bellingham said: “I got the ball on the edge of the box. I’ve been saying for a few weeks that I need to try from outside. Maybe the opponents expect me to try to get into the box or combine with a team-mate and I wanted to surprise them by hitting it from outside the box. I know I have the technique and it went into the top corner.

    “I wasn’t at my best. Sometimes it’s not about trying to do something special every time you have the ball, but to combine with those up top. I fulfilled that task well, but as soon as I got the ball there I knew I was going to score.”

  • El Clasico: Bellingham’s double sinks Barcelona at home

    El Clasico: Bellingham’s double sinks Barcelona at home

    England and Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham scored two second half goals against FC Barcelona in Saturday’s El Clasico to secure all three points for Los Blancos away from the Santiago Bernabéu.

    Barcelona came into the El Clasico game unbeaten and took the lead as early as the sixth minute of the thrilling encounter.

    Ilkay Gundogan scored  the opener, before Bellingham unleashed a ferocious shot past Marc-André ter Stegen to make it 1-1 in the 68th minute.

    The England international then lashed on to a pass from senior midfielder, Luka Modric in the closing stages of the game to score the winner for the visitors.

    Real Madrid overtook Barcelona on the log with 28 points, while the home side are presently occupying the second spot with 24 points after 11 games each.

  • Guardiola is ruthless and I experienced it – Thierry Henry

    Guardiola is ruthless and I experienced it – Thierry Henry

    Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has recalled how Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would drop him for games with Barcelona.

    The pair won the Champions League together with Barca.

    But Henry recalled on the Rest is Football: “What I would say with Pep first and foremost he is the best I have seen.

    “But Pep is ruthless and I experienced it because sometimes I travelled to games and he used to put me in the stand.

    “I’m 33/32 at that time and you make me travel and you put me in the stand.

    “So I could be here right now and be bitter like a lot of players would be. But at one point you have to recognise I was s****. That’s about it.”

  • Messi might go to Barcelona – Inter Miami coach

    Messi might go to Barcelona – Inter Miami coach

    Inter Miami coach Tata Martino says he’s unaware of talk of Leo Messi moving to Barcelona.

    Messi has been linked with a loan move to Barca with Inter Miami now out of the MLS playoffs.

    Martino said: “Messi to Barcelona? Not to go for a stroll, right?

    “Honestly, that surprises me. I know nothing about it. If you tell me that you are going to visit Barcelona on vacation, then yes, that is a possibility.

    “But to tell you the truth, I have no idea about any of this.”

  • La Liga: Youngster makes history as Barca survives Granada scare

    La Liga: Youngster makes history as Barca survives Granada scare

    History was made on Sunday evening as Lamine Yamal became the youngest La Liga player to score a goal for Barcelona as they drew 2-2 at Granada.
    Granada stunned Barcelona after scoring one of the fastest goals in La Liga in just about 17 seconds from the blast of the whistle.
    Xavi’s side needed an equaliser five minutes from time, turning home Alejandro Balde’s cross from close range to complete a two-goal comeback.
    The shocking opener came when Gavi gave the ball away in midfield and Lucas Boye set free Bryan Zaragoza, whose effort Marc-Andre ter Stegen will feel he should have stopped after getting both hands to the ball.
    Bryan then doubled the lead, out-pacing Jules Kounde before turning back and stroking the ball home.
    The Azulgrana’s 16-year-old winger Yamal shot home from close range, turning home Joao Felix’s errant effort at goal to set a new record for the youngest goalscorer in the Spanish top-flight, before Sergi Roberto completed the comeback.
    In injury time, Joao Felix had the ball in the net from Joao Cancelo’s cross, but Ferran Torres was ruled offside and interfering with the play.
    The Catalans have not had it easy in their past three games, being held to a 2-2 draw against Mallorca and grinding out two 1-0 wins against Sevilla in La Liga and then Porto in the Champions League, rather fortuitously.
    The Catalans have now failed to win against them in their last four encounters, although many will argue that their stoppage-time winner should have counted.
    They are presently occupying the third position on the log behind Real Madrid and Girona.
  • UCL: City in comeback win, PSG beat Dortmund, Lazio’s keeper scores loss time equalizer against Atletico

    UCL: City in comeback win, PSG beat Dortmund, Lazio’s keeper scores loss time equalizer against Atletico

    French Champions, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) started their 2023/24 UEFA Champions League campaign on a brighter note after defeating German side, Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in Paris.

    The first half ended goalless at the Parc des Princes, as all effort to break the deadlock proved abortive in France.

    However, upon resumption of second half, Kylian Mbappe gave PSG the lead after converting a penalty, before the Moroccan defender, Achraf Hakimi doubled the lead with a fantastic solo effort in the 58th minute.

    UCL defending champions, Manchester City began their Champions League defence with a win over Crvena Zvezda of Serbia, as Julian Alvarez and Rodri scored in a 3-1 comeback win.

    Rodri is the best midfielder in Europe, Pep Guardiola declared after the Spaniard scored again for Manchester City.

    Bukari opened scoring, but Julian Alvarez struck twice, before Rodri added a third.

    The midfielder now has three goals and two assists this season, and Guardiola feels he can get even better in the absence of more attacking teammates in the central areas.

    Barcelona made their comeback in the UCL  count  by hammering Royal Antwerp 5-0, while Newcastle United played out a 0-0 draw at AC Milan.

    Elsewhere in Italy, Provedel’s goal came in stoppage time and turned out to be the last touch of the game, ensuring Lazio avoided a defeat on home soil against Diego Simeone’s team.

    Provedel is the first goalkeeper to score in the Champions League since Vincent Enyeama did so for Hapoel Tel Aviv against Lyon in 2010.

  • Saudi Pro League: Neymar signs two- year deal with Al Hihal, plans Barcelona return

    Saudi Pro League: Neymar signs two- year deal with Al Hihal, plans Barcelona return

    Brazil and Al Hihal of Saudi Arabia new forward, Neymar has revealed plans to stage a return to Barcelona after his stint in Saudi Arabia.

    Neymar Jnr put pen to paper for Al Hihal in a deal worth €100m

    Neymar was informed by new PSG head coach Luis Enrique that he was surplus to requirements during a meeting last week.

    The Brazilian was hoping to return to Barcelona this summer, but no deal could be struck between PSG and the La Liga champions.

    Neymar was even willing to lower his wages to help make the move happen.

    However, he has now signed a two-year contract with Al-Hilal and it contains an option to trigger a further year.

  • La Liga: Xavi expresses displeasure over Barcelona’s season opener against Getafe

    La Liga: Xavi expresses displeasure over Barcelona’s season opener against Getafe

    Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernández has expressed his displeasure at both the outcome of the away match with Getafe at  the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, and the officiating by the center referee.

    Coach Xavi Hernández, who was sent off during the intense encounter, gave his views on the frustrating opener against Getafe.

    Barcelona were forced to play for the majority of the match with 10 men after Raphinha was shown a straight red card for an elbow towards the end of the opening 45 minutes.

    Getafe did not finish the contest with a full deck, as Jaime Mata was shown a second yellow shortly before the hour mark, while Barca coach Xavi was sent to the stands for arguing and contesting some decisions in the match.

    In his post match interview Xavi said “My sending off wasn’t important. We tried hard and deserved to win. We earned a point we don’t feel that was enough.”

    “There’s no need to get too worked up about it. We started last season badly too but things worked out in the end. We played well with ten men and still had chances. We knew we wouldn’t get many and that we’d have to take the ones that came. They were comfortable with a 0-0 draw, and were happy to waste time and cause interruptions.”

    On the Possible penalty on Araujo he added “They told that they’d only give really clear handballs but that wasn’t the case here. I didn’t like the meeting that we had with the referees and I didn’t like what happened today.”

    “I said they were letting them get away with a lot of fouls while we weren’t. The other day we had a meeting with the referees and they said they’d listen to the coaches more, and that they’d understand what a tense job we have, but that didn’t happen today.”

    On time wasting he added”It’s the referee who allows all that. I think there’s too much whistle and if they want to sell La Liga as a product then that’s not going to benefit anyone.”

    “More than 20 minutes of added time is embarrassing. Only counting played time would put an end to all this. I’ve said that a million times.”