Tag: Barcelona

6Mar By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

Champions League

Raphinha returns to haunt Benfica again with long-range stunner

LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 5: Raphinha Dias of Barcelona celebrates his goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first Leg match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on March 5, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. Raphinha has scored another goal against Benfica in a challenging first leg of the Champions League round of 16. The Brazilian winger intercepted a poor pass given by Antonio Silva in order to unleash an unstoppable shot towards the Portuguese's goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. While the Ukrainian did not have a chance to save the strike, the ball hit the bottom right corner to hand Barcelona a crucial away win at Estadio da Luz. Raphinha's winner comes after the Catalans were reduced to 10 men after Pau Cubarsi was sent ...

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5Mar By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona prepare for goalkeeping transition with three options on the table – Report

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 02: Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the La Liga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on March 02, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) After not having brought any new players into Hansi Flick’s team in the last winter transfer window, FC Barcelona are likely to bring some reinforcements next summer. In this window, the Blaugranes are expected to bring in another forward to add more depth to their already set attacking line, while other areas, like the flanks, might also be strengthened. However, another position that the Catalans understand they need to strengthen in the long run is that of the goalkeeper. Their starting goalkeeper, Marc Andre Ter Stegen, is c...

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2Mar By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona plot surprising Raphinha sale in 2026

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 25: Raphinha of FC Barcelona in action during the Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey, semi-final football match played between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on February 25, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona are looking to extend the contract of Raphinha, at the same time as preparing for an exit by the time the 2026 World Cup comes around, reports in Spain claim. The 28-year-old has been of Barcelona's most outstanding players of what's generally been an impressive season, registering 24 goals and 18 assists across 38 appearances in all competitions. Playing alongside Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in a devastatingly talented front three, Raphinha has elevated his game to previously unseen levels and is now thought of as o...

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27Feb By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Flick makes De Jong demand after Barca’s draw with Atletico

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick during the Copa del Rey match, Semi-finals, leg 1, between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid played at Lluis Companys Stadium on February 25, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Hansi Flick made it clear he wasn’t happy with Barcelona’s defensive effort after Tuesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final draw against Atletico Madrid. According to Marca, Flick has analysed the game and called on Frenkie de Jong to be “more decisive” defensively to help support the backline. De Jong had a good game against Atletico, but Flick wants more from the Dutchman and feels he could have done better against Diego Simeone’s side. The German coach has noted how De Jong failed to close down Angel Correa in the build-up to Atletico’s third goal which put the visitors back in the game. Flic...

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13Feb By Silver Emmanuel6 Comments

TRANSFERS

Barcelona refuse to rule out Araujo exit after Arsenal transfer links

Ronald Araujo centre-back of Barcelona and Uruguay during the La Liga match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on February 9, 2025 in Seville, Spain. Barcelona sporting director Deco has refused to rule out a summer move for Ronald Araujo, though remains confident the defender will stay on at the Camp Nou for ‘many more years’. Araujo’s future was the subject of intense speculation throughout the January transfer window, with Juventus believed to working on a deal for the centre-half. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were also credited with a strong interest and reports emanating out of Spain indicated the Gunners were plotting an ambitious bid to lure the Uruguayan away from Barcelona. It’s understood Araujo had serious concerns over his role under Hansi Flick aft...

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11Feb By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

LALIGA

Vitor Roque could be set for a permanent Barcelona departure this month

VIGO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 08: Vitor Roque of Real Betis during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RC Celta de Vigo and Real Betis Balompie at Estadio Abanca Balaidos on February 08, 2025 in Vigo, Spain. La Liga giants Barcelona could rid themselves completely of on-loan youngster Vitor Roque before February is out. That’s according to Diario Sport, citing Brazilian outlet UOL, who have on Tuesday confirmed a fresh development in Roque’s future. The 19-year-old was of course farmed out on loan by Barcelona last summer, linking up with La Liga rivals Real Betis for the duration of the campaign. According to UOL, though, Brazilian heavyweights Palmeiras are keen for this agreement to be cut short, to lodge an offer of their own for Roque. The brass at Allianz Parque are on the lookout for rein...

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10Feb By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Barcelona receives Ronald Araujo injury update

Ronald Araujo centre-back of Barcelona and Uruguay during the Copa del Rey Quarter Final match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on February 6, 2025 in Valencia, Spain (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) FC Barcelona has received news on the fitness of its defender Ronald Araujo, as explained by various outlets including Jijantes and MARCA. With Pau Cubarsi given a rare taste of the bench, the Uruguayan started Sunday’s vital La Liga clash with Sevilla partnering Inigo Martinez in central defense. After just 22 minutes of play down on the clock, though, as the score was tied at 1-1, Araujo had to leave the pitch while being replaced by 18-year-old La Masia pearl Cubarsi. There were fears that Araujo had picked up a right ankle knock as a ...

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9Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen expects to return for Barcelona season run-in

Marc-Andre ter Stegen goalkeeper of Barcelona and Germany lifts the trophy after winning with his team during the Spanish Super Cup final match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at King Abdullah Sports City on January 12, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Barcelona suffered a very big blow earlier in the season when Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was ruled out with a serious knee injury, sustained during the 5-1 victory at Villarreal in September. It meant that Hansi Flick would be without his starting goalkeeper and captain for an extended period of time, with many believing that the German international would not play again in the current campaign. Ter Stegen’s absence meant that Wojciech Szczesny was brought in as a replacement, and despite having started behind Inaki Pena in the pecking order...

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8Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona boss Flick speaks on possible contract extension

SANT JOAN DESPI, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 08: Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona attends a press conference during the training day of FC Barcelona ahead the Spanish League, La Liga EA Sports, football match against Sevilla CF at Ciudad Esportiva Joan Gamper on February 08, 2025 in Sant Joan Despi, Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona are hoping to continue their fine start to 2025 when they travel to face Sevilla in their latest La Liga fixture on Sunday. The Catalans continued their excellent form with a five-goal victory at Valencia in the Copa del Rey in midweek, but they know that they must keep winning in the league if they are to keep themselves in the title race. Sevilla have improved in recent months, and this is something that Hansi Flick is aware of. He expects a tough outing, although...

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2Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona find an unexpected opportunity to cut their deficit in La Liga

SANT JOAN DESPI, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 01: Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona attends his press conference during the training day of FC Barcelona ahead the Spanish League, La Liga EA Sports, football match against Deportivo Alaves at Ciudad Esportiva Joan Gamper on February 01, 2025 in Sant Joan Despi, Barcelona, Spain. After starting the 2024-25 season in blazing fashion, which allowed FC Barcelona to go atop the La Liga table with a whopping 9-point lead at one point, the Blaugranes lost most of their steam in the final stretch of the last year. The overturn of fortunes was so bad that currently, the Catalans are seven points behind the leaders, Real Madrid, and 6 points behind the second-placed Atletico Madrid. However, as Mundo Deportivo has noted, Barcelona have a golden chance to...

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28Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Barcelona offered shock loan deal for Manchester City forward

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Jeremy Doku of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Manchester City FC at Portman Road on January 19, 2025 in Ipswich, England. It seems on the improbable side that Barcelona will do business in the January transfer window before the deadline on the third of February, but if they are to do so, then it appears they will target reinforcements in the attacking third. The intriguing option of Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has landed on their desk. With Ansu Fati clearly not trusted by manager Hansi Flick and without an appearance in months, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been linked with a loan move to Barcelona until the end of the season. Thus far he has bee...

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25Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Christensen considering Barca exit due to lack of playing time

Andreas Christensen centre-back of Barcelona and Denmark sitting on the bench prior the La Liga EA Sports match between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Coliseum on January 19, 2025 in Getafe, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Barcelona have been hoping to move on one player in order to facilitate the arrival of Marcus Rashford, and while they have been without luck in this regard up until now, their fortunes could be about to change as a candidate has now emerged that appears willing to leave before the end of the winter transfer window. Over the course of the month, Barcelona have been considering the exits of Ansu Fati and/or Eric Garcia, either of whom would free up the required salary space in order to bring in Rashford. However, it was confi...

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25Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

‘This renewal is everything’ – Martin thrilled by new Barca contract

GETAFE, SPAIN - JANUARY 18: Gerard Martín of FC Barcelona warms up during the LaLiga match between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on January 18, 2025 in Getafe, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Gerard Martin says signing a new contract with Barcelona means “everything” to him after penning an extension until 2028. The 22-year-old has broken into the first team this season, as back-up to Alejandro Balde, and says it’s a dream to play for the Catalan giants. “For me this renewal is everything. Basically because I have been a Barça player since I was very young and when I arrived here I always had the dream of reaching the first team,” he told the club’s media. “You know it is very difficult, but I have achieved it and I am very happy. I hope to be here fo...

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23Jan By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

TRANSFERS

Real Madrid join Barcelona in race for €50m defender

Alvaro Carreras of SL Benfica reacts during the UEFA Champions League match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at Estadio Da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, on January 21, 2025. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/JAR Sport Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Real Madrid are expected to address their defensive options in the summer, and signings could happen across all three positions in the backline. Trent Alexander-Arnold is wanted as the new starting right-back, and while there has been numerous names linked in the centre of defence, the situation is equally unclear on the left side. For many months, Real Madrid have been tracking Alphonso Davies, whom they want to sign for free at the end of the season when his Bayern Munich contract expires. However, the chances of this happening appear to be...

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22Jan By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

Champions League

Hat-trick hero Pavlidis stars as Benfica succumbs to Barcelona

LISBON, PORTUGAL - JANUARY 21: Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona scores an own goal, scoring SL Benfica's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at Estadio do SL Benfica on January 21, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) Vangelis Pavlidis stood tall as a chief protagonist in Benfica’s epic UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona, scoring three times in their dramatic 4-5 away loss to the Catalonian outfit. The Greek striker bagged his hat-trick inside the first thirty minutes of the contest on Wednesday morning (AEDT), giving the Portuguese side a 3-1 lead heading into half time. His first came in just the second minute of the contest when he hit the ball home from close ra...

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21Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Barcelona holds talks in Lisbon over Marcus Rashford deal

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 7: Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 7, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images) Barcelona want to sign Marcus Rashford this month, and although a deal will be very tough to pull off, they are determined to make it happen. The player himself also wants the move, although he is becoming restless about the lack of progress made on negotiations with Manchester United. Because of their well-documented financial problems, Barcelona must orchestrate at least one departure before they can make a definitive move for Rashford. Eric Garcia is the most likely to leave this month, although the club ...

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14Jan By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Hansi Flick ‘shows Barcelona star the exit door’

Hansi Flick holds a press conference for the match against Betis, corresponding to the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, in Barcelona, Spain, on January 14, 2025. (Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has begun ushering a member of his attacking ranks towards the exit door at the club.That’s according to Diario Sport, who point towards Ansu Fati as the player in question.The name of winger Ansu has of course returned to the forefront of the headlines in Catalunya’s capital over the course of the last week. This comes after the Barcelona coaching staff made clear once more their lack of faith when it comes to the 22-year-old’s readiness to contribute moving forward.After first being left out of the Blaugrana’s starting XI for a C...

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13Jan By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona thrash Real Madrid to clinch Spanish Super Cup

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 12: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates with the Supercopa de Espana winners' trophy during the trophy presentation after the Spanish Super Cup Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at King Abdullah Sports City on January 12, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) Barcelona hammered rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in a wild Spanish Super Cup Clasico final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to win the first trophy of the Hansi Flick era. Kylian Mbappé put Madrid ahead but a dominant Barcelona hit five in response before their goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off in the second half. Madrid were hoping to avenge their 4-0 home defeat by Barcelona in October's La Liga Clasico but instead were left battered and bruised by their arc...

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11Jan By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

TRANSFERS

Barcelona needs to pay €6.5m to sign Marcus Rashford

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 7, 2024 in Manchester, England. Barcelona are said to be eyeing a move for Marcus Rashford, who looks set to leave Manchester United this month. A deal would be difficult, but not impossible, given that the Catalans are back within La Liga’s 1:1 rule. It would be a loan deal that Barcelona would want, and according to Sport, they would need to assume 100% of Rashford’s wages for the remainder of the season, as this is the condition set by Man United. As such, they would be required to free up €6.5m in salary space. Raising these funds is possible, given that there are at least four players (Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati and Frenki...

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26Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Yamal point out surprise defender as hardest he’s faced

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is not vastly experienced, having made his debut in senior football less than two years ago. However the 17-year-old is used to competing up against the best there is, and has picked out the toughest he has had to face. BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 15: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona is presented with the Golden Boy 2024 award prior to the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and CD Leganes at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on December 15, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Despite facing Real Madrid on a number of occasions, and facing the likes of France and England, at Euro 2024, it was against the home side that he came up against his toughest opponent. Speaking during the Golden Boy ceremony, Lamine Yamal told Cadena SER that RB...

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