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Suarez scores as Barca condemn neighbours Espanyol to relegation

FC Barcelona kept up their pursuit of leaders Real Madrid in the La Liga title race by beating city rivals Espanyol 1-0 at home on Wednesday.

The slim win also condemned their neighbours to relegation from the top flight.

Luis Suarez struck the only goal in the 56th minute, lashing a loose ball into the net.

This was shortly after both sides had been reduced to 10 men each in a frantic start to the second half.

Barca’s teenage forward Ansu Fati was sent off for a reckless tackle five minutes after coming off the bench.

But Espanyol’s numerical advantage lasted only three minutes as Pol Lozano was dismissed, also following a VAR review.

Barca, chasing a third consecutive Spanish title, are on 76 points after 35 games while Real Madrid are top with 77.

The leaders can restore their four-point advantage when they host Alaves on Friday.

Espanyol, one of Spain’s most prestigious clubs, were relegated for the first time since winning promotion back to La Liga in 1994.

They are bottom of the table on 24 points after 35 games.

Barca had produced one of their best performances of the season by hammering Villarreal 4-1 away on Sunday.

But they looked sluggish at an empty Camp Nou, which normally would have been in full voice on derby day.

Espanyol frustrated their more illustrious neighbours in the first half with a five-man defence and created the better chances.

Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to be aware to prevent his team mate Clement Lenglet from scoring an own goal just before half-time.

Espanyol’s Didac Vila fired the loose ball against the post.

Ter Stegen had also come to Barca’s rescue earlier, spreading his body and keeping out a low strike from Adri Embarba with his leg.

Barca found a way through with the help of their three forwards.

Antoine Griezmann raced to the byline and passed to Lionel Messi whose shot deflected into the path of Suarez and the Uruguayan made no mistake.(Reuters/NAN)

July 9, 2020
Barcelona look for stadium sponsor to fight coronavirus

La Liga champions Barcelona are searching for a stadium sponsor for the first time to raise funds in the fight against the novel coronavirus, the club said in a statement on Tuesday.

Barcelona said the club’s foundation would manage the bid for the naming rights of the 99,000 capacity Camp Nou stadium for the 2020/21 stadium.

“The income generated will create a fund that will be divided in the following way: a part will be destined for a project on COVID-19 driven by the sponsors… and the rest will be shared out amongst other projects that are being developed in parallel,” the statement said.

La Liga leaders Barca held a two-point advantage over Real Madrid when football in Spain was indefinitely postponed last month with 11 games remaining.

The virus has so far infected more than 200,000 people in Spain, claiming 21,282 lives.

April 21, 2020
Barca coach not convinced by plans to restart La Liga

Barcelona coach, Quique Setien, is pessimistic that the Spanish top flight season will be able to be completed and has called La Liga’s conditions for the campaign recommencing “a non-starter” due to the continued threat of the novel coronavirus.

La Liga has been on hold since March 10 due to the pandemic, although president Javier Tebas has said matches could start up again on either May 29, June 7 or June 28, most likely without spectators.

Tebas has estimated Spanish clubs would lose around one billion euros (1.09 billion dollars) if the season is not completed.

A draft of the league’s protocol for returning to training and matches, once given the green light by health authorities, recommends that clubs hold training camps at their training grounds or hotels for a two-week period before matches can start again.

“Only first team players, coaching staff and a small number of other staff would be allowed to access the facility, with everyone at the training camp being subjected to two COVID-19 tests before accessing the site.

“Testing would continue to take place during the camps,” added the protocol.

But Setien, whose Barca side held a two-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the standings when the campaign was indefinitely postponed, does not think it is so simple.

“Everyone wants to be ready for when the season starts again but that cannot happen until the health authorities can guarantee that there will be no problems.

“I have read the protocol and the reality is I don’t know if it can be carried out as it is written, I think it’s unworkable, I think it’s very difficult logistically,” Setien told Catalan radio station RAC1 on Thursday.

Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets also expressed doubts about the feasability of clubs holding training camps.

“We can start training again little by little but it will be difficult once everyone comes together and the competition starts again and teams start travelling.

“I have heard that La Liga wants teams to concentrate for a few months, I think that’s too much and it cannot be done. There will be too many problems,” he told Spanish radio stations Onda Cero and Cadena Cope.

La Liga declined to comment on Setien and Busquets’ comments although a source close to the matter said stakeholders were continuing to discuss a plan to return to matches along with the association of European leagues.

“The objective of La Liga is to create a protocol of the highest possible standard that can allow return to training and get us in a good, healthy, way to the light at the end of this dark tunnel,” added the source.

More than 19,000 people have died from the coronavirus in Spain although this week the government loosened the terms of a strict lockdown to allow some businesses back to work. (Reuters/NAN)

April 17, 2020
Stumbling giants Madrid and Barca meet in Clasico

Spain’s two biggest sides clash on Sunday in the Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu but neither leaders Barcelona nor Real Madrid are close to their best.

If Barcelona win in the Spanish capital they will move five points clear at the top of the table, but beyond Lionel Messi, the Catalans are nothing to be feared.

Quique Setien’s side struggled to break down Napoli in Tuesday in the Champions League, with Antoine Griezmann’s goal earning Barcelona a 1-1 draw in the last 16 first leg. It was their only shot on target.

Defender Gerard Pique is a doubt for the Clasico after suffering an ankle injury towards the end of the game, while Luis Suarez, Sergi Roberto, Jordi Alba and Ousmane Dembele are out injured.

“We don’t have a deep squad because, unfortunately, that’s how it was planned,” said midfielder Sergio Busquets. He was joined by Ivan Rakitic, who complained: “We have a short squad but those that are in charge knew that.”

Champions Barcelona sold or loaned out various players in the winter window, including Carles Alena, Abel Ruiz and Carles Perez, later bringing in Martin Braithwaite from Leganes as an emergency signing after Dembele was ruled out for six months.

Barcelona coach Setien was present at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday to watch Real Madrid fall to a 2-1 defeat by Manchester City.

Zinedine Zidane’s side are in a poor run of form, drawing with Celta Vigo, losing at Levante and then suffering this disappointing defeat by Pep Guardiola’s side.

Almost a year ago Madrid’s whole campaign collapsed when Barcelona beat them in cup and league Clasicos and Ajax knocked them out of the Champions League.

There is a danger of it happening again, with Zidane urging his side to do whatever it takes to change their dynamic.

“Sunday’s is an amazing match and we’ve now got to rest up well and put in a great performance,” said Zidane.

“I hope that the fans come and help the team to get over this (defeat). We give our all out there, but we’re on a bad run and we’ve got to get through this however we can. Sunday’s game gives us a chance to alter this run of form.”

Madrid will be missing the injured Eden Hazard and long-term absentee Marco Asensio, as well as suspended winger Rodrygo Goes. Toni Kroos could return after being dropped for the clash against Manchester City.

“He’s an extremely important player for us,” explained Zidane. “It was a coaching decision and I’ve got nothing against him. I just picked another player for this game.”

Elsewhere Atletico Madrid, third and 12 points behind leaders Barcelona after 25 games, visit bottom of the table Espanyol.

Atletico’s record signing Joao Felix is poised to start his first game for a month after he returned from injury to score last weekend as a substitute in the club’s 3-1 win over Villarreal.

The weekend’s other fixtures are Real Sociedad v Real Valladolid, Eibar v Levante, Valencia v Real Betis, Leganes v Alaves, Granada v Celta Vigo, Sevilla v Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao v Villarreal and Real Mallorca v Getafe. (dpa)

February 27, 2020
Ramos urges Chukwueze to join Barcelona

Villarreal wonderkid Samuel Chukwueze has been urged to join La Liga champions Barcelona amid speculation linking him with a summer move to Liverpool, allnigeriasoccer. com reports. La Liga expert Diego Ramos believes the Nigerian international could be the missing link Barcelona have been looking for to complete their attacking trident.

Ramos who was recently in Nigeria on the invitation of the Nigerian Professional Football League reckons that Chukwueze has more qualities than Barcelona’s teenage sensation Ansu Fati. “Right now if Chukwueze signs for Barcelona his main competition is Ansu Fati, who is the third player in the three-man attack,” Ramos said.

“Right now he has something over Ansu Fati which is more experience in the league. “He is probably more powerful because I saw his physical condition, he is a more powerful player than Ansu Fati even though Ansu Fati is a great player as well. “So maybe he has a good chance to challenge for a starting spot in Barcelona right now”. While the 20-year-old Chukwueze has hit 65 appearances for Villarreal’s first team since his senior debut, Barcelona’s Fati, who is three years younger, has played 21 matches.

February 19, 2020
Brazil Legend Ronaldo Reveals That He Never Wanted to Leave Barcelona

Ronaldo Nazario has admitted that he never wanted to leave Barcelona when his contract expired in 1997. Ronaldo joined Inter upon leaving the Camp Nou before moving on to play for Real Madrid.”I was about to sign my contract extension after the end of the season and then went to Brazil on holiday,” Ronaldo told DAZN. “Then they called me five days later to tell me that the extension couldn’t happen.”It was never my call, I wanted to stay. If the club didn’t value me the way they should have, it wasn’t my decision.”I would’ve loved to stay, but as I say, it wasn’t my call.

“Five years later, Ronaldo was back in Spain as he became one of the Galactico signings at Real Madrid.”I joined Real Madrid because I just wanted to play there,” he said.”My dream was to play for Real Madrid one day and I fought hard so that it could happen. “Roberto Carlos was with me in the national team and he was always telling me what Real Madrid meant for everyone.”That left a very good impression and after some years I wanted to see it with my own eyes.

“The truth is it is a bigger club than he was telling me!”There’s a big expectation every time and also a lot of pressure because we always have the world’s best players.”I loved to know that I could make Real Madrid an even bigger club. “There were many expectations about Los Galacticos and in the end, we delivered a good show, we were a winning group who changed the way business was handled in the world of football.”Since our group appeared every team started generating more money, they sold their players in a better way and it was a big change that created a new era for football.”

February 12, 2020
Oshoala’s brace helps Barcelona win maiden Spanish Super Cup

Asisat Oshoala scored twice to help Barcelona claim her maiden Spanish Super Cup trophy after thrashing Real Sociedad 10-1 on Sunday.
It’s the first title for the team this season and the 25-year old’s 35th and 51st goals added spice to the team’s victory.
It’s the African Footballer of the Year’s first major title since her debut at the club in 2019, scoring 19 goals in 22 matches in all competitions this season. (NAN)

February 10, 2020
Barcelona sign Francisco Trincao from Braga

Barcelona has signed promising Portuguese forward Francisco Trincao from Braga in a deal worth 31 million euros, the La Liga club announced on Friday.

In a statement, the Spanish champions said that Trincao, 20, will join Barca on July 1 and has signed a five-year contract, which includes a buy-out clause of 500 million euros.

“FC Barcelona and SC Braga have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Francisco Trincao,” the statement read.

“The young Portuguese forward can play anywhere up front although he usually features on the wing, on either flank despite being left-footed.”

Barca described Trincao as “quick and technically gifted”, with “the ability to take defenders on with his dribbling skills”.

Trincao began his career in the youth teams of Vianense and Porto before signing for Braga, where he made his senior debut in December 2018. He went on to play 29 times for the Portuguese club and scored three goals.

Barcelona director Guillermo Amor confirmed on Thursday the club had ended their pursuit of a striker this month, despite Luis Suarez’s knee injury which is likely to rule the Uruguayan out for the rest of the season.

Barca had been linked with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan while negotiations broke down over a deal for Valencia’s Rodrigo Moreno.

January 31, 2020
Barcelona sack coach Valverde, appoint Setien till June 2022

Barcelona have sacked coach Ernesto Valverde and named former Real Betis coach Quique Setien as his replacement, the club said in a statement on Monday.

“FC Barcelona and Quique Setien have reached an agreement for the latter to become first team coach until 30 June 2022,” the Spanish champions said in a statement.

The 55-year-old Valverde, who led Barcelona to successive La Liga titles in 2018 and 2019, came under fire this season for the team’s dip in performance levels even though they top the league standings at the halfway point of the campaign.

Valverde is the first coach Barca have dispensed with in the middle of a campaign since Louis van Gaal was sacked in January 2003 with the team sitting 12th in the standings.

He also won the Copa del Rey in 2018 after taking charge in 2017.

Barcelona lead the standings on 40 points, ahead of second-placed Real Madrid on goal difference.

Barca are also into the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face Napoli.

Even though he had a superb domestic record, Valverde’s standing was weakened by his failure to win the Champions League, suffering shock eliminations by AS Roma in 2018 and Liverpool in 2019 after taking a three-goal lead in each tie.

The tide appeared to turn against the coach after a 2-2 draw at struggling Espanyol which was followed by a 3-2 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals.

Setien, 61, coached Real Betis last season but left by mutual consent after leading the club to a 10th-place finish.

The former Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander player is known for his possession football and attacking gameplan, which suits the way Barcelona were known for playing in the iconic Pep Guardiola era.(Reuters/NAN)

January 14, 2020
Atletico Madrid stun FC Barcelona to reach Super Cup final

Atletico Madrid pulled off a stunning turnaround to beat FC Barcelona 3-2 in an enthralling Spanish Super Cup tie in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

They thus booked their place in the final of the revamped competition where they will face Real Madrid on Sunday.

Argentine forward Angel Correa struck the decisive goal in the 86th minute to complete an unlikely late comeback for Atletico Madrid.

That was after Barca had dominated the second half and had two goals ruled out following VAR reviews.

Substitute Koke had put Atletico Madrid in front at the start of the second half, but Lionel Messi levelled in the 51st minute.

Messi soon put the ball in the net again but his second effort was ruled out for handball following a VAR review.

Former Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann did put Barca in front in the 65th while Gerard Pique thought he had extended their lead moments later.

However, that goal was also ruled out after a VAR review, this time for a fractional offside against Arturo Vidal.

Atletico Madrid had spent most of the second half trying to stop waves of Barca attacks but got a lifeline when substitute Vitolo was tripped by goalkeeper Neto.

Striker Alvaro Morata then equalised from the penalty kick spot in the 81st minute.

Stand-in goalkeeper Neto was also at fault for the winning goal, failing to properly block Correa’s shot which bounced into the net to cap an incredible match.(Reuters/NAN)

January 10, 2020