BARCELONA FC – Page 2 – Football Flame

8Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Busquets leaning towards staying at Barcelona – report

Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona with the ball during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona v Getafe CF at Spotify Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on January 22nd, 2023. Sergio Busquets’s future at Barcelona remains the subject of much speculation but the latest update reckons the captain is leading towards staying for another season. Sport are reporting that Busquets had considered a move but is feeling a lot happier about life at Barcelona after an upturn in form in recent months. Xavi’s switch to using four midfielders also appears to have helped out Busquets and is making the skipper feel more comfortable in the starting XI. Busquets is thought to have offers on the table from clubs in Saudi Arabia and the United States but could now stay for one more season on a reduced wag...

6Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, Gavi, LALIGA, Sevilla

Barcelona go eight points clear by beating Sevilla

Gavi of FC Barcelona celebrates 2-0 with Jules Kounde of FC Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona, Andreas Christensen of FC Barcelona, Pedri Gonzalez of FC Barcelona, Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona, Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Sevilla at the Spotify Camp Nou on February 5, 2023 in Barcelona Spain.Barcelona moved eight points clear at the top of La Liga as a clinical second-half performance helped them to a routine victory against Sevilla. After an uneventful first half the hosts took the lead through Jordi Alba’s 58th-minute side-footed finish. Gavi tapped home Raphinha’s cross to double the lead after 71 minutes and the Brazil winger rounded off the scoring by poking in Alba’s cross. Defeat leaves Sevilla 16th, just two po...

26Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, Copa del Rey, Ousmane Dembele

Dembele shines as Barcelona beat 10-man Sociedad 1-0 to reach Copa semifinals

Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona is tackled by Aihen Munoz of Real Sociedad during the Copa Del Rey Quarter Final match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Spotify Camp Nou on January 25, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Dembele scored the winning goal early in the second half as Barcelona defeated 10-man Real Sociedad 1-0 to return to the last four after a one-year absence. The days of Barcelona fans jeering Ousmane Dembele are long gone. There were only cheers from the crowd at the Camp Nou after the France forward led the hosts to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.The result ended a nine-game winning streak for Sociedad, which played a man down from the 40th minute after Brais Méndez was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets. It was Soc...

22Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, Getafe, LALIGA, Pedri

Barcelona edges Getafe 1-0 to increase Spanish league lead

Pedro 'Pedri' Gonzalez of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his side's first goal with his team mates during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF at Spotify Camp Nou on January 22, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona defeated relegation-threatened Getafe 1-0 to extend its winning streak and increase its lead over Real Madrid in the Spanish league on Sunday. Pedri scored a first-half winner for the Catalan club, which opened a six-point gap ahead of Madrid’s game at Athletic Bilbao later Sunday. Barcelona has won four of its last five matches, with its only setback a draw against Real Betis in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, where it advanced in a penalty shootout before eventually winning the title in a final against Madrid. Getafe playe...

16Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, Gavi, Spanish Super Cup

Barcelona crowned Spanish Super Cup champions

(L to R) Ousmane Dembele, Robert Lewandowski and Gavi of FC Barcelona celebrate with the Super Copa de Espana trophy after the team's victory during the Super Copa de Espana Final match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at King Fahd International Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup with a 3-1 victory against Real Madrid in Sunday’s final at Riyadh’s King Fahd Stadium.Spanish midfielder Gavi scored the opener in the 33rd minute with a close-range finish after Polish forward Robert Lewandowski’s assist.Near the end of the first half, Lewandowski finished in the six-yard box on a quick counterattack. Gavi dribbled the ball to assist Lewandowski.Another Barcelona midfielder, Pedri, was unmarked to make a close-range finish after Gavi...

16Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid, Spanish Super Cup

Ancelotti: “To call this loss a humiliation is a lack of respect”

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric (L) speaks with Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti at half-time during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 15, 2023.It was a frustrating Sunday night for Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia, as they were beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the Super Cup final, and Carlo Ancelotti was far from happy as he spoke in the post-match press conference. The Italian was much more agitated than usual and analysed the loss as so, stating: “We lost the game because of the mistakes we made. It wasn’t a lack of attitude. It was individual errors, we had 25 ball losses in the first half, we lost a lot of duels, we didn’t win our one-on-ones, we st...

10Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, NEWS, Real Madrid, Spanish Super Cup

Real Madrid begins defence of Super Cup title in Saudi

Real Madrid's players attend a training session in Riyadh on January 10, 2023 ahead of the Spanish Super Cup.The Spanish Super Cup is returning to Saudi Arabia with defending champion Real Madrid and Valencia looking to get back on track and Barcelona and Real Betis hoping to maintain momentum. The first semifinal game on Wednesday features Madrid and Valencia with both teams coming off weekend losses in the Spanish league. Madrid has dropped three points behind league leader Barcelona after a 2-1 defeat at Villarreal. Valencia lost 1-0 to Cádiz at home — its second straight league loss — and is four points from the relegation zone. Barcelona and Betis meet on Thursday following victories back home. Barcelona rebounded from recent poor results with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Atlético Madrid,...

9Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Ousmane Dembele

Barca’s win over Atletico a huge morale boost, says Xavi

Barcelona players celebrate victory after the LaLiga Santander match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on January 8, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. Barcelona boss Xavi admitted that Sunday’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano is a huge morale boost for his side. Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal of the game to send Barca three points clear at the top of the table in Spain. Here’s what Xavi made of it all: “I liked the first half an hour. The game was under control. The goal came from creating a numerical advantage through the middle. These are three golden points. We knew how to suffer. It’s important to have kept a clean sheet,” he said. “Without playing that well, we got the three points. It was a tough game but a big win. I...

5Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ansu Fati, BARCELONA FC, Copa del Rey, NEWS

Barcelona struggle in Spanish Cup start

Ansu Fati of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Copa Del Rey Round of 32 match between Intercity and FC Barcelona at Estadio Jose Rico Perez on January 04, 2023 in Alicante, Spain.Barcelona have struggled to advance in their Copa del Rey debut, needing extra time to defeat third-division club Intercity 4-3. Ansu Fati scored the winning goal for Barcelona in the 104th minute after the Catalan club relinquished a lead three times in the 3-3 draw in regulation. Oriol Solde scored a hat-trick for the hosts in the city of Alicante in southeastern Spain. Barcelona, playing without some of their regular starters, scored through Ronald Araujo in the fourth minute, Ousmane Dembele in the 66th and Raphinha in the 77th. Solde scored in the 59th, 74th and 86th minu...

31Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Marcos Alonso

Barcelona held by Espanyol in chaotic derby

Barcelona's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso reacts during the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 31, 2022.Barcelona were held to a draw by local rivals Espanyol in a chaotic New Year’s Eve derby at the Nou Camp. Marcos Alonso gave Barca the lead after seven minutes, however they were pegged back by a Joselu penalty. Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba received a second yellow card in the final minutes, while Vinicius Souza was also dismissed for the visitors. The referee also sent off Espanyol’s Leandro Cabrera, although that was overturned by VAR. Despite failing to win, Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga on goal difference ahead of Real Madrid, who beat Real Valladolid 2-0 on Friday. On Saturday, Alonso nod...

21Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Raphinha

Raphinha’s nightmare return to Barcelona from Brazil

Raphinha of Brazil during the World Cup match between Croatia v Brazil at the Education City Stadium on December 9, 2022 in Al Rayyan Qatar.Barcelona forward Raphinha was due to return to training this Wednesday along with Memphis Depay, as the last of the non-French players to come back from World Cup duty. However travel delays mean he will likely be back on Thursday. After 11 days of holiday following Brazil’s elimination on penalties at the hands of Croatia, Raphinha was due to fly back to Barcelona from Brazil, via Lisbon. A lengthy layover in Portugal and some lost luggage mean he will be late back to work though. The Brazilian winger posted the following on his Instagram account. “I would like to thank TAP for leaving us on the plane for more than an hour. And now they inform us tha...

20Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Xavi Hernandez

Xavi: LaLiga win would bring ‘stability’ to Barca

Xavi Hernandez coach of FC Barcelona during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Elche CF at Spotify Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on September 17th, 2022.Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has made winning LaLiga this season a priority in a bid to “bring stability” back to the Catalan club, accepting he is under pressure to deliver success after a summer of spending. Barca have won just one trophy in the last three seasons – the Copa del Rey under Ronald Koeman in 2021 – and have been knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages in each of the past two years. The club have also been fighting financial problems, with LaLiga’s financial fair play rules leading to the departure of Lionel Messi 18 months ago, but results domestically have improved under Xavi after eight n...

14Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Memphis Depay

Memphis’ Barca future set to be decided next week – report

Memphis Depay of Netherlands looks on during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium on December 9, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.The future of Memphis Depay is reportedly set to be decided in the coming week or two. The Barcelona attacker had a pretty solid World Cup despite being only just back from injury and still gaining fitness. That round of performance has apparently brought out former club Manchester United’s interest. Erik Ten Hag is in need of another attacker after Sir Ronaldo’s exit and Depay could fit the bill. Depay and Xavi are apparently set to meet as he returns from World Cup duty to chat about things. He hasn’t been a consistent feature in Xavi’s plans so an exit makes sense for both parties, the main ...

7Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, Gabriel Martinelli, TRANSFERS

Barcelona using the World Cup to track Arsenal star ahead of 2023 move

Gabriel Martinelli of Brazil looks on during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Brazil and South Korea at Stadium 974 on December 05, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Barcelona are using the World Cup to keep tabs on Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli ahead of a potential move in 2023. After an impressive season with Arsenal, Martinelli earned his first World Cup call-up this winter. The Arsenal forward hasn’t featured too much for his country due to Brazil’s immense attack, but to even make the squad is an impressive achievement. Despite their poor financial situation, according to Spanish outlet SPORT, Barcelona are keeping tabs on Arsenal forward Martinelli ahead of a potential move in 2023. The chances of Barcelona being able to afford Martinelli at this moment seem slim...

6Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Almeria, BARCELONA FC, Frenkie de Jong, Gerard Pique, LALIGA

De Jong scores as Barcelona saw farewell to Pique

Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona plays his last game for FC Barcelona celebrates with Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona, Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v UD Almeria at the Spotify Camp Nou on November 5, 2022 in Barcelona Spain.Frenkie de Jong helped Barcelona defeat Almeria 2-0 in the final match for Gerard Pique on Saturday evening.Earlier in the week it was announced that Gerard Pique would play his final game for Barcelona on Saturday. Frenkie de Jong was in the starting eleven while Memphis Depay is still out.Robert Lewandowski missed an early penalty for Barcelona, who could not open the scoring in the first half. Three minutes after the break, Ousmane Dembele did make it 1-0.In the 62nd minute, De Jong added the second with a close-range...

3Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, Gerard Pique

Barcelona legend Gerard Pique announces when he will retire from football

Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona looks on during spanish league, La Liga Santander, football match played between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao at Spotify Camp Nou on October 23, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.Gerard Pique has announced his retirement from football, bring down the curtain on a sensational career that has seen him win everything at club and international level. The 35-year-old has made 615 appearances for Barcelona, winning eight La Liga titles and the Champions League three times. He also won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship with Spain. The defender also picked up a Premier League and Champions League title during his stint with Manchester United between starting his footballing life at Barca and returning to the club in...

30Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

Valencia 0-1 Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski nets a last-gasp winner

Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona in action during the LaLiga Santander match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on October 29, 2022 in Valencia, Spain.Barcelona, bruised after Champions League elimination in midweek, snatched a late 1-0 victory at Valencia on Saturday in La Liga, with Robert Lewandowski stretching to convert a 93rd minute winner. The Polish forward managed to divert Raphinha’s cross home at the death to pull Barcelona level on 31 points with Real Madrid at the top of the table, before the champions host Girona on Sunday. It was a hard-fought win — the Catalans lost centre-backs Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia to injury, and they will be worries for their national teams, France and Spain respectively, ahead of the Qatar World Cup which starts in under t...

27Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Atletico Madrid, BARCELONA FC, BAYERN MUNICH, UCL

Barcelona, Atletico exit Champions League; Liverpool through

Sadio Mane of Bayern Munich warm up prior of the UEFA Champions League group C match between FC Barcelona and FC Bayern München at Spotify Camp Nou on October 26, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona was eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday even before enduring yet another 3-0 beating by Bayern Munich. Atletico Madrid also went out following an extraordinary sequence around a penalty awarded by video review after the final whistle of its 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen. Atletico’s spot kick was saved before a frantic scramble in the goalmouth still could not bring the winning goal the Spanish club needed to prevent Porto advancing thanks to its 4-0 win earlier at group leader Club Brugge. Canadian international Stephen Eustaquio scored as Porto punished Club Brugge’s defensive mi...

26Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Andreas Iniesta, BARCELONA FC, NEWS, Spain

Barcelona and Spain legend Andres Iniesta opens up on his battle with depression

Andres Iniesta of Vissel Kobe in action during the J.LEAGUE Meiji Yasuda J1 22nd Sec. match between Kashima Antlers and Vissel Kobe at Kashima Soccer Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan.Former Barcelona star Andreas Iniesta has opened up on his brutal battle with depression during one stage of his illustrious career. The Spain international midfielder struggled through a spell of injuries that sidelined him for the majority of the 2009/10 season after winning the treble with the Catalan giants the season before. The 38-year-old, who currently plays in Japan for Vissel Kobe, won nine LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns during his spell with Barca between the years of 2002 and 2018. Iniesta, who also won two European championships and a World Cup with Spain, reveal...

24Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele

Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in front of home crowd

Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club at Spotify Camp Nou on October 23, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in a Spanish La Liga match Sunday to remain behind leaders Real Madrid. Barcelona’s French forward Ousmane Dembele scored a header to draw first blood in the 12th minute at Spotify Camp Nou. Six minutes later, Sergi Roberto scored in the area to double the lead for Barca. Dembele assisted him. The home team’s Polish star Robert Lewandowski finished in the box with another assist by Dembele as Barcelona made it 3-0 before the clock hit 30 minutes. Lewandowski has scored 12 league goals to top the goal scorers’ list. Ferran Torres added another ...