Tag: Barcelona

Brazil winger Raphinha scored a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Real Valladolid 7-0 on Saturday to make it four wins from four in La Liga under new coach Hansi Flick.

While bitter rivals Real Madrid have stumbled early following the much-trumpeted arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona are off to a flying start despite their continued financial difficulties.

They are also missing Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo but have a maximum 12 points heading into the international break, leaving them seven clear of Madrid who face Real Betis on Sunday.

“We’re growing as a team. I think it’s a very good start to the season,” said Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

“I’m proud of how things are going… hopefully we can continue like that in the next weeks.”

Barcelona’s best start to a La Liga campaign came in 2013-14 when they started the season with eight straight wins, although they were pipped to the title that year by Atletico Madrid.

Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium on 20 minutes as he chested down a pass from Pau Cubarsi and flicked elegantly into the far corner with the outside of his left boot.

Robert Lewandowski soon doubled the lead when he latched onto a ball through from Lamine Yamal and squeezed a shot past Valladolid goalkeeper Karl Hein, on loan from Arsenal.

Jules Kounde made it three before half-time when a corner dropped to the France defender inside the area and he stabbed into the top corner while off-balance.

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Raphinha had a simple tap-in from close range just past the hour, with Lewandowski and Yamal involved before the ball broke kindly for the Brazilian.

He completed his treble on 72 minutes following a brilliant burst forward from Yamal, who then slid through a delightful pass for Raphinha to stroke home.

Dani Olmo, who got the winner midweek at Rayo Vallecano, on his debut, struck with his final touch after twice hitting the post and having a goal disallowed for offside.

The Spain international danced past a series of defenders and rolled in Barcelona’s sixth. He missed Barcelona’s first two games this term with the club unable to register him as they struggled to meet La Liga’s strict financial rules.

Raphinha rounded off a glittering performance with an assist for Ferran Torres as Barcelona hit a seventh, fizzing in a cross from the left for the substitute to steer home in clinical fashion.

Atletico snatched a 1-0 victory away to Athletic Bilbao as Angel Correa scored in stoppage time to send Diego Simeone’s side up to second, four points adrift of Barcelona.

Espanyol came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Rayo Vallecano with Tottenham loanee Alejo Veliz striking in the sixth minute of added time.

Ayoze Perez’s equaliser ensured Villarreal remained unbeaten, but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against a Valencia side that had lost each of their first three games.

Mallorca picked up their first win of the season by beating Leganes 1-0.

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Ilkay Gundogan said he had returned to the “best club in the world” after re-signing for Manchester City from Barcelona on Friday.

The former German international won five Premier League titles and the Champions League among 12 major trophies during his first spell at City between 2016 and 2023.

Gundogan departed the English champions just over a year ago to join Barcelona.

However, the 33-year-old and the Catalan giants reportedly agreed to rescind his contract after just one season to pave the way for a return to the Etihad.

In his sole season in Spain, Gundogan scored five goals and provided 14 assists but Barca failed to win a trophy.

“I’m incredibly happy,” Gundogan said in a City statement. “Happy to see the team-mates, the staff, people that over seven years I had an amazing time with, a very successful time with. Many ups, and a few downs, but in general, an incredible experience.

“When you leave this place like I did last year, you spend a year away, and you then start to appreciate the place even more. You realise what you had. You realise how amazing that time was.

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“You realise how big the club is — the best club in the world.”

Gundogan’s return is a timely boost for Manchester City after the departure of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for a reported fee of up to 95 million euros (£81 million, $104 million).

He was Pep Guardiola’s first signing when both joined the club in 2016.

Ilkay Gundogan went on to score 60 goals in 304 appearances and will provide experience and depth to Guardiola’s squad as they go for a record-extending fifth consecutive Premier League title.

“Ilkay is one of the finest professionals I have ever worked with. His dedication to football and his approach to every single training session is something special,” said City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain.

“To be able to bring him back here is fantastic news for everyone. He will help us in our main objective, which is to win trophies, but he will also be an inspiration to so many.”

Ilkay Gundogan is City’s second signing of the transfer window after the arrival of Brazilian winger Savinho.

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VALENCIA: Robert Lewandowski struck twice for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona to deliver a battling 2-1 win against the home team in their La Liga 2024-25 opener at Mestalla Stadium on Saturday.

The German coach celebrated his first competitive match at the helm with three points as Barcelona came from behind against Ruben Baraja’s solid Valencia side.

Hugo Duro sent the hosts ahead after 44 minutes but veteran Polish striker Lewandowski levelled from close range before the break and netted a penalty early in the second half.

With champions Real Madrid, led by new superstar Kylian Mbappe, in action on Sunday at Real Mallorca, Barcelona started their bid to steal the crown with an impressive result at Valencia’s rowdy Mestalla stadium.

Barca were without key players, including Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Ronald Araujo and Flick selected three 17-year-olds in his starting line-up.

They were Spain’s Euro 2024 star Lamine Yamal, whose father was stabbed earlier this week in a violent attack, Pau Cubarsi and midfielder Marc Bernal, the latter making his debut.

“In the second half I think we played much better and with three or four very young players — I think this match is very important, to win at the beginning of the season, especially at this stadium in Valencia, it’s very difficult,” Robert Lewandowski told Movistar.

“My aim is always to score goals, I don’t know how many goals by the end of the season, but it is very important for me that as today was the first game, (I got) goals for confidence.”

Barcelona’s summer signing Dani Olmo is not yet registered to play and Flick said the playmaker still needs to get up to speed in terms of fitness.

The coach was happier with his team’s second-half display than their performance before the break.

“The second half was much better than the first half (where) we made a lot of mistakes,” Flick told Movistar.

“We came back at the end of the first half and in the second half, we did much better.”

An even first half burst into life as the break beckoned after the teams managed to create few clear chances in the first 40 minutes.

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Duro nodded the best of them over the bar from a corner, while Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved a fierce Raphinha drive.

Valencia took the lead in the 44th minute, with Duro nodding home Diego Lopez’s cross after losing Inigo Martinez, who played him onside.

Los Che should have doubled their lead but Cubarsi hacked Duro’s effort to safety off the line after Marc-Andre ter Stegen gave the ball away.

Robert Lewandowski grabbed the leveller in stoppage time, turning home from close range after Yamal diverted Alejandro Balde’s cross back into the danger area.

Barcelona moved ahead soon after the break when Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera felled Raphinha in the area.

Lewandowski, who turns 36 next week, hammered the resulting penalty into the top corner with aplomb.

Barcelona kept Valencia at arm’s length for most of the second half, ensuring the pace of the game was slow.

The Catalans had the better chances to score again with Ferran Torres sending a weak effort straight at Mamardashvili when through, while midfielder Marc Casado fired wide when well placed late on.

Lewandowski had a chance to complete his hat-trick in stoppage time but rifled over the bar.

“In the final stages we had this match under control,” added the former Bayern Munich striker, who played under Flick in Germany.

“We took the first step on the first match day, and now we have three games (coming up in La Liga) that are very important.”

Yamal was applauded after being substituted by some Valencia fans for his performances with Spain as they won the Euros.

“Lamine is a great player and I think everyone loves to see him playing football… I think you can say all the world likes to see him play,” added Flick.

Barcelona will host Copa del Rey winners Athletic Bilbao next Saturday in their second La Liga clash.

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Teenage star Lamine Yamal is carrying the weight of expectations as Hansi Flick’s Barcelona face the unenviable challenge of dethroning a fearsome Real Madrid side as Spanish champions this season.

The German coach replaced club legend Xavi Hernandez at the helm and welcomed new arrival Dani Olmo last week, but last season’s La Liga winners Madrid signed superstar French striker Kylian Mbappe earlier this summer.

The forward joins Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and other star names to ensure Barcelona begin the season as firm underdogs to Los Blancos.

The Catalan giants won nothing last season and surrendered their Spanish crown in a deeply disappointing campaign, but 17-year-old Yamal’s emergence shows there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Along with Olympic gold medal-winning centre-back Pau Cubarsi, financially-hampered Barcelona will rely on their young stars to try and compete with the might of Carlo Ancelotti’s Champions League winners.

Many believe Barcelona need a left winger and a deep-lying midfielder to put themselves in a position to fight for silverware but the club’s economic struggles make those dreams unlikely after Olmo’s arrival.

Flick’s side beat Madrid in pre-season during a tour of the United States but were brought crashing down to earth on Monday by Monaco, who enjoyed a 3-0 win in the traditional Joan Gamper Trophy curtain-raiser at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium in their final friendly.

“We didn’t play with our normal speed or normal combinations, we lost a lot of balls,” said Flick after the chastening defeat.

“But in the end, it is pre-season. I know the team can play much better than today.

“We have five days more now and will prepare them well for the next match against Valencia (Barca’s La Liga opener).”

The German coach is hoping to transform the club’s pressing game but with pivotal striker Robert Lewandowski soon turning 36, there are doubts over whether he can achieve it.

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Flick is further set back by injuries to midfielders Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, as well as centre-back Ronald Araujo, which means he starts the season with depleted ranks.

Barcelona are planning to return to their renovated Camp Nou stadium midway through the season if building works stay on track which will be a welcome boost for demoralised fans.

Although a club of Barcelona’s size is always aiming to compete for silverware, expectations seem lower than usual in Catalonia.

Gone are the days when stellar names like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar gave Barcelona the most fearsome attacking line in world football.

Instead, it was youngster Lamine Yamal who fans cheered for against Monaco, with Barcelona supporters’ biggest roar of the night reserved for the moment the winger jogged down the touchline to warm up.

Yamal, who made his Barca debut at 15, was a vital figure in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph this season and has taken to elite football like a duck to water.

No challenge has appeared too daunting thus far for Barcelona academy starlet Yamal, leading to inevitable comparisons with Messi.

With Sergi Roberto departing after 14 years in the first-team squad, Marc-Andre ter Stegen takes the armband as Barcelona captain.

“I hope the fans are with us all year because many good things are ahead of us,” said the goalkeeper after the Monaco defeat.

“Let’s hope (that) was an accident… it’s a good warning, and let’s hope that in a few days, we’ll be better.”

If Barcelona are to be able to compete with Madrid this season, that needs to be the case.

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New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick made a triumphant start to his tenure on Tuesday as the Spanish giants beat Manchester City on penalties after their pre-season friendly at Orlando finished 2-2 at full-time.

Toni Fernandez, who signed with Barca earlier this month after turning 16, flicked in a left-footed shot past reserve City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to give the German manager’s side a 4-1 win on penalties.

Barcelona kicked off their US tour in the pre-season contest against the four-time reigning Premier League champions, guided by former Barcelona player and coach Pep Guardiola.

A sellout crowd of 63,237 spectators were unhappy early as a storm delayed the start by 80 minutes, but were delighted with a strong early pace before both teams gave reserve players abundant time on the pitch.

Barcelona jumped ahead 3-0 on penalty kicks thanks to a left-footed shot by Alejandro Balde before Amar Ahmed kept City in it by beating reserve Barca goalkeeper Ander Astralaga, setting the stage for the teen newcomer’s heroics.

Pau Victor had opened the scoring in open play for Barcelona in the 24th minute, taking a quick through ball pass from Marc Casado and firing a right-footed blast from the right side into the goal.

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Nico O’Riley answered for Manchester City in the 39th minute, firing in a left-footed shot from the left side off a pass from Josko Gvardiol, the Croatian international making his first US tour start.

Pablo Torre’s goal in the second minute of first-half stoppage time gave Barcelona a 2-1 half-time lead.

The 21-year-old Spanish midfielder took a centring pass from Gerard Martin at the left wing, nudged the ball to his right, and then blasted a right-footed shot past Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson and inside the left post.

Jack Grealish equalized for City in the 60th minute off an impressive fast break.

Croatian international Mateo Kovacic, making his first start on City’s US tour, gathered a loose ball just beyond the City box, split two defenders and raced upfield with the ball before passing to English left winger Grealish, who outraced a defender and finished with an outstanding left-footed shot from a steep angle high into the goal.

Barcelona will continue their US tour with pre-season matches against Real Madrid and AC Milan.

City, who lost earlier US matches to Celtic and AC Milan, will close the US tour by facing Chelsea on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

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Barcelona appointed Hansi Flick as coach on Wednesday on a deal until June 30, 2026, after sacking Xavi Hernandez last week.

“FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick have reached an agreement for the German to become men’s first team football coach until 30 June 2026,” said the club in a statement.

“The new coach has signed a contract at the Club’s offices accompanied by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta.”

Flick, who led German giants Bayern Munich to a historic sextuple in 2020, became the first coach ever to be sacked by the German national team in September 2023 after a string of bad results.

The 59-year-old occasionally watched Barcelona matches this season from the presidential box and was linked with the job after Xavi said in January he would depart at the end of the campaign.

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Barcelona and Xavi decided jointly he would stay for next season after all in April but then Laporta changed his mind and sacked the former midfield great last week.

“It won’t be easy at all — they will suffer and they will need patience because it’s a really difficult job,” Xavi warned his successor last week after winning his final match in charge against Sevilla in La Liga.

“The only thing that can save them is winning, whether they have been part of the club or not.”

Barcelona finished second in La Liga this season and were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Paris Saint-Germain.

Spanish media said Laporta was enraged by Xavi’s comments earlier in May when he highlighted the economic difficulties Barca had when competing against Spanish champions Real Madrid and other European elite.

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Spain coach Luis de la Fuente named Barcelona’s teenage stars Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi in a 29-man Euro 2024 squad list on Monday.

De la Fuente must cut three players before June 7 for the tournament that kicks off in Germany on June 14.

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez and Real Betis’ Ayoze Perez also get their first-ever international call-ups.

De la Fuente left out various players who have been involved in the last few years, including Marco Asensio, Gerard Moreno and Pablo Sarabia.

Yamal, 16, has burst into the limelight this season with Barcelona, along with 17-year-old centre-back Cubarsi.

The coach said he had included three extra players to account for potential injuries before then, with Real Madrid competing in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on June 1.

“It’s a guarantee against any set-back that could happen in the Champions League final, or in training, that would generate a problem,” said the coach.

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“They all have the same chance (of going), we will minimise risks, we have very versatile players.”

Spain, who won the European Championship in 1964, 2008 and 2012, reached the semi-finals of the last edition.

They are in a ‘group of death’, facing Italy, Croatia and Albania in Group B.

Before the tournament Spain face Andorra on June 5 and Northern Ireland on June 8 in friendlies.

Spain squad for Euro 2024

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), David Raya (Arsenal/ENG)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr/KSA), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/ENG)

Midfielders: Rodri Hernandez (Manchester City/ENG), Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Pedri, Fermin Lopez (both Barcelona), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Aleix Garcia (Girona)

Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Joselu (Real Madrid), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig/GER), Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres (both Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ayoze Perez (Real Betis)

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Barcelona are poised to sack coach Xavi Hernandez just weeks after he made a U-turn and decided to stay at the club, Spanish media reported Friday.

Catalan radio station RAC-1 said president Joan Laporta had decided to sack Xavi, with daily newspaper Sport confirming the news, while AS said Barcelona were already deciding who would replace the coach.

In January, Xavi said he would leave at the end of the season but, after a run of strong form, in April he and president Joan Laporta agreed the coach would stay for the next campaign, with his contract expiring in June 2025.

However, Laporta did not travel with the team for their 2-0 win at Almeria in La Liga on Thursday, with Spanish media reporting he was angry with Xavi’s pre-match comments.

The coach had highlighted Barcelona’s financial difficulties in comparison to the strength of new Spanish champions Real Madrid and other European giants.

“Barcelona fans have to understand, we’re not in the same situation (as those clubs),” said Xavi on Wednesday.

The coach stood by his words on Thursday when he was asked about Laporta not attending the Almeria match.

“They haven’t told me anything personally… We travelled with the sporting vice-president, more directors, all normally,” Xavi told reporters late Thursday.

“I said what I think is real, that we will fight for all the trophies, with a lot of hope, with ambition, but that the situation is not easy.

“We are working very well, the club most of all, to change this situation.”

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Barcelona won La Liga last season but were not able to defend the title. They went out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and will end the season trophyless.

Real Madrid thrashed Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final while Athletic Bilbao eliminated them in the Copa del Rey.

In April, Xavi, 44, said he was “full of hope” and that fans, players and “above all the confidence of the president and (sporting director) Deco” was what convinced him to stay.

Laporta said at the time that he was glad Xavi would remain at the helm and that it was good for the stability of the club.

“It’s great news that Xavi is staying,” the president told a news conference. “The team we have, that is (still) consolidating, with very young players, needs that stability.

“Xavi is a reference for young players and we can see that — today I’m especially pleased, and the board have unanimously supported this decision.”

Laporta appointed Xavi, one of Barcelona’s greatest-ever midfielders, to replace Ronald Koeman in November 2021.

As a player, Xavi made 767 appearances for Barcelona, winning four Champions Leagues and eight La Liga titles, as well as the World Cup with Spain.

During his time as Barcelona coach, he lifted the Spanish Super Cup last season, along with the league title.

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ALMERIA: Midfielder Fermin Lopez struck twice to power Barcelona to a solid 2-0 victory over bottom-ranked Almeria during the ongoing La Liga 2023-24 at Power Horse Stadium on Thursday.

Almeria, who only managed two victories in the current season and are already relegated, challenged the second-positioned Barcelona. However, the Catalans proved too strong for the home side.

Barcelona are now four points ahead of the third-ranked Girona.

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Lopez opened the scoring for the visitors in the 14th minute with a brilliant header from a very close range. This was 6th La Liga goal for the midfielder this season.

Almeria’s Leo Baptistao had an opportunity to equalize eight minutes later when he found Anthony Lozano, but he missed a wide shot, squandering their chance for a comeback.

Lopez then doubled Barcelona’s lead after 67 minutes after meeting Sergi Roberto’s cross at the centre of the box and hitting home safely.

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“I’m happy to help the team with goals but above all for the win,” Fermin Lopez told Movistar after the game. “We will fight for second until the end, it’s our objective now.”

Later, in another La Liga match at Reale Arena, Real Sociedad edged past Valencia, courtesy of a third-minute header by André Silva.

With the victory Real Sociedad jumped into sixth place, a point ahead of Betis, seventh, with the sides meeting in Seville on Sunday in a crunch clash.

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Real Madrid defeated Cadiz 3-0, while Girona registered a stunning 4-2 victory over defending La Liga champions Barcelona to seal a record-extending 36th title for Los Blancos on Saturday.

Real Madrid’s comfortable win over Cadiz sent them 14 points clear of third-placed Barcelona in the La Liga points table with only 12 left to play.

Meanwhile, Girona is trailing Real Madrid by 13 points in second position after their second 4-2 win over Barcelona.

Cadiz showed resistance against Real Madrid in the initial phase of the game, however, Los Blancos nullified their attempts at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

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Brahim Diaz opened the scoring for the hosts after the first half, followed by a brilliant goal by Jude Bellingham 17 minutes later to extend the lead.

Joselu ensured that the home side ended the match on high with the third goal to seal the dominant victory.

“We’ve had a spectacular Liga campaign,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters after the victory. “We’ve made few errors and the advantage is deserved.”

“We leave our skins out there on the pitch to live moments like today’s,” Madrid striker Joselu said.

“There are young players who are very hungry for titles, veterans who are delighted to be here… and these are special moments.”

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Barcelona needed the victory in their clash against Girona to keep title hopes alive and Andreas Christensen sent them ahead in the third minute.

However, Girona bounced back a minute later as Artem Dovbyk levelled the score.

Both teams fought hard to get the lead before Barcelona were awarded a penalty at the stroke of half-time, which Robert Lewandowski converted.

Girona came back strongly in the second half with Portu and Miguel Gutiérrez scoring two goals in three minutes to take the home team ahead in 67 minutes.

Portu scored another one in the 74th minute to further extend Girona’s lead, which remained intact until the final whistle.

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