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Tag: FC Barcelona

  • Fati trains with FC Barcelona after long injury lay-off

    Fati trains with FC Barcelona after long injury lay-off

     FC Barcelona forward Ansu Fati has returned to training with the Spanish LaLiga club’s first-team squad following a lengthy lay-off through injury.

    The 18-year-old missed the second half of last season after tearing the meniscus in his left knee in November 2020.

    Fati sustained the injury during FC Barcelona’s 5-2 victory over Real Betis at Camp Nou, and has subsequently undergone three operations.

    However, he is closing in on a return to action after being photographed back on the training pitches at FC Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training ground on Tuesday.

    Although the Spain international will not be available for this weekend’s LaLiga showdown with Getafe, Fati could be in contention for FC Barcelona’s trip to Sevilla on Sept. 11.

    The forward became the youngest goalscorer in Barca’s history when he scored against Osasuna in August 2019 aged 16 years and 304 days.

    Fati has since added a further 12 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions for the Blaugrana, who he joined at the age of 10.

    The Guinea-Bissau-born youngster has been capped four times by Spain, and scored his first international goal against Ukraine in September 2020.

  • Messi Set To Equal Xavi’s Record Of 767 Games For Barca

    Messi Set To Equal Xavi’s Record Of 767 Games For Barca

    Lionel Messi is set to equal Xavi Hernandez’s record of 767 appearances for Barcelona after he was named in the team to play against Huesca on Monday.

    Messi was in the starting line-up for the match at Camp Nou where Barca will look to put further pressure on Atletico Madrid in La Liga’s title race.

    Xavi spent 17 years at Barcelona before leaving in 2015 and is now the coach of Al-Sadd in Qatar.

    Messi, meanwhile, has been an ever-present in the Barca team since 2004 and is expected to break Xavi’s record against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

    This handout pictured made available by FC Barcelona shows Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi attending a training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi on May 8, 2020. Miguel RUIZ / AFP / FC BARCELONA

    “It could only be Leo”, Xavi told Mundo Deportivo on Monday.

    “It is totally fair that the best player in history is the one who has defended Barca’s colours the most times.”

    AFP

  • Real Madrid, FC Barcelona knocked out of Copa del Rey

    Real Madrid and FC Barcelona were on Thursday knocked out of the Spanish Copa del Rey, meaning for the first time since 2010 the competition’s final will feature neither of the two.

    Real Madrid were dumped out of the quarter-final after losing 3-4 at home to Real Sociedad in a hugely entertaining game.

    It saw two goals ruled out by video technology though and a late red card for the visitors.

    Real Sociedad’s Sweden forward Alexander Isak inspired an incredible attacking display, scoring twice in the second period.

    He set up the fourth goal for Mikel Merino and also had a strike ruled out for offside.

    Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard, who is on loan from Real Madrid, had given the visitors the lead midway through the first half.

    He had followed up on the rebound after home goalkeeper Alphonse Areola could only parry a long-range effort from Isak.

    Defender Marcelo quickly pulled a goal back for the hosts after Isak’s quick-fire brace to make it 3-1.

    He beat goalkeeper Alex Remiro at the near post moments after receiving a volley of boos from the home fans for his haphazard display.

    But rampant Real Sociedad soon restored a three-goal cushion when Isak teed up Merino for a simple tap-in after 69 minutes.

    Real Madrid substitute Rodrygo pulled a goal back in the 81st minute to make it 4-2.

    This was after Brazilian team mate Vinicius Jr had a strike ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

    Nacho struck in added time for the hosts to set up a tense finish.

    Real Sociedad defender Andoni Gorosabel was sent off in stoppage time but Real Madrid, who are top of La Liga, could not find an equaliser.

    They thus suffered their first defeat in any competition since losing 1-0 at Real Mallorca on Oct. 19.

    Also, FC Barcelona’s hopes of reaching a seventh successive Copa del Rey final ended at the same quarter-final stage with a 0-1 defeat by Athletic Bilbao.

    The tight contest was decided in the third minute of stoppage time when Spanish forward Inaki Williams headed past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

    FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi wasted a good late chance when he fired at the legs of Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon.

    The two surprise results have come a day after second-tier side Mirandes defeated Villarreal 4-2.

    Granada, who overcame Valencia 2-1, make up the semi-final line-up.(Reuters/NAN)