Barcelona Archives ⋆ Page 28 of 34 ⋆ LSU

Mar182019 by JBNo Comments

Barcelona give update on Luis Suarez’s injury in Real Betis clash

La Liga

Luis Suarez sprained his right ankle as Barcelona won 4-1 over Real Betis, the La Liga leaders have confirmed. Suarez, who scored Barca's third goal with an incredible solo run and finish, was hurt towards the end of Sunday's win, in which Lionel Messi scored a glorious hat-trick. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Barca said in a statement released on social media that Suarez will undergo tests on Monday to know the extent of his injury, with the striker unlikely to join Uruguay on international duty. Suarez's strike against Betis was his 128th goal in La Liga, drawing him level with former Atletico Madrid forward Diego Forlan as the most prolific Uruguayan player in the league's history. Ernesto Valverde is already without Ousmane Dembele for both leg...

Mar92019 by JBNo Comments

Former Barca boss Enrique reveals feud with Messi at Camp Nou

La Liga

Former Barca head coach Luis Enrique has revealed there was tension between himself and Lionel Messi during his time in charge of the club. Now in charge of Spain, Luis Enrique was at the helm of the Catalan club when Messi starred in their outstanding treble triumph in 2014-15. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Towards the end of that season , there were constant stories in the Spanish media hinting at a rift between the manager and his star player. The former Barca boss has rarely gone on record about his relationship with Lionel Messi but has now opened up about it. "Until the issue was resolved there was a period of tension," Luis Enrique told Catalunya Radio. "Which I was not looking for in any way, but which happened and needed to be managed....

Feb262019 by JBNo Comments

REVEALED: The time Messi did a Kepa for Barcelona and refused to be substituted in 2014

Premier League, La Liga

Kepa Arrizabalaga grabbed the headlines from the Carabao Cup final after refusing to be substituted - but he is not the first player to disobey his manager. The Chelsea goalkeeper was in fact following the lead of one of the greatest players of all time, in Barcelona's (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In October 2014, Messi refused to come off during a 3-0 La Liga victory over Eibar, despite his manager, Luis Enrique, wanting to take him off. With the victory secure, Enrique wanted to bring off the Argentina international for the final 15 minutes in order to help him stay fresh. However his gesticulations to Messi to come over to the touchline were met by a thumbs up from him, clearly indicating he felt good to continue. After some shouting and ple...

Feb202019 by JBNo Comments

‘When referees help Madrid they shut up’ – Pique slams Real’s attitude towards referees

La Liga

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique reopened his feud with Real Madrid by claiming the team act in a hypocritical fashion when it comes to refereeing decisions - whichever sport they partake in. Madrid's basketball side tasted disappointment on Sunday when they were downed 94-93 by their rivals in the Copa del Rey final. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The aftermath of that match, however, was dominated by Madrid accusations that Barcelona had enjoyed several questionable calls which led to their victory. However, Pique pointed out scenarios where the Merengue did receive a perceived advantage from officials, like February's 3-1 derby win over Atletico, in which no comment is made. "[Madrid's complaints] happen in football, it happens in basketball, at ...

Feb72019 by JBNo Comments

Barcelona send message to Chelsea over Coutinho transfer

Premier League, La Liga, Transfer Info

Barcelona have warned Premier League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea that Philippe Coutinho is not for sale. The Brazil international, who joined Barcelona in January 2017 in a £142million transfer from Liverpool, is already being linked with an exit from the Nou Camp. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The 26-year-old has already won three titles at Barcelona but has endured a somewhat frustrating campaign, only scoring four goals in the league. Premier League giants Man United and Chelsea have reportedly expressed interest in discussing a deal with Barcelona to bring him back to England. For Chelsea, Coutinho could be seen as a replacement for Eden Hazard, who appears to be set on a move to Real Madrid. But the clubs may be forced to look elsew...

Jan312019 by JBNo Comments

Coutinho breaks silence on transfer links to Man United & Chelsea

Premier League, La Liga, Transfer Info

Philippe Coutinho refused to rule out a future transfer away from Spain, but insists his focus is on performing for Barcelona. The former Liverpool playmaker has found life difficult at Barcelona and is yet to rediscover his best form in his season in Spain. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly plotting moves for Coutinho, as speculation mounts Barcelona could be open to selling the Brazilian. Coutinho addressed the transfer talk after Barcelona’s 6-1 Copa del Rey win over Sevilla. He told BeIN Sports : ‘Nobody knows what will happen in the future. All I have in my head right now is to work hard.’ Ernesto Valverde issued a challenge to Coutinho after the midfielder scored a brace against Sevilla, urging the ...

Jan302019 by JBNo Comments

Barcelona confirm Denis Suarez’s transfer to Arsenal

Premier League, La Liga, Transfer Info

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has all but confirmed Denis Suarez’s loan transfer to Arsenal and wished him good luck in the Premier League. The Gunners have been trying to bring Suarez to the Emirates but hit a stumbling block with Barcelona as they were unwilling to accept a compulsory purchase clause at the end of the loan. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); But a workaround has been found, with Suarez agreeing to sign a new deal that will preserve his value should Arsenal choose not to make the move permanent. Now Barcelona head coach Valverde has confirmed that the loan deal is on the verge of being announced. Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Sevilla game, he told reporters: ‘Denis Suarez is on the verge of joining Arsena...

Jan292019 by JBNo Comments

Chelsea in shock move for Rakitic as replacement for Fabregas

Premier League, La Liga, Transfer Info

Chelsea are preparing a summer move for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic as they look to fill the void left by Cesc Fabregas , according to reports in Spain. Maurizio Sarri has made little secret of his desire to bring in a new player to provide cover and competition for Jorginho, describing the Italy international as being ‘in trouble’ against Newcastle recently. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); However, the club were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign both Nicolo Barella and Zenit midfielder Leandro Paredes, with the latter already signing for PSG. And now it appears Sarri will have to do without the midfielder he craves until the summer, when Catalan newspaper report that Chelsea will try to bring Rakitic to London. The Croatian is expected to...

Jan242019 by JBNo Comments

Barcelona to make bid for City defender Otamendi

Premier League, La Liga, Transfer Info

Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi is wanted by Barcelona in a shock move this month. The Argentine has featured just ten times in the Premier League this campaign and is now poised to quit the current Premier League holders. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Pep Guardiola is keen to strengthen his defensive ranks too, eyeing up a £50million move for Matthijs de Ligt. With City missing out on Frenkie De Jong to Barca, they may now turn their attention to the sought-after centre-half. That spells doom for Otamendi who looks set to slip further down the pecking order in at the club. John Stones and Aymeric Laporte have developed a strong defensive partnership this campaign, with Vincent Kompany still important when fit. Earlier this week,...

Jan242019 by JBNo Comments

REVEALED: Lionel Messi told Barcelona to sign Frenkie de Jong

La Liga, Transfer Info

Lionel Messi was desperate for Barcelona to sign Ajax player Frenkie de Jong, according to Dutch coach Aad de Mos. De Jong was wanted by several top clubs in Europe but Barcelona’s main competition for the midfielder came from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, who were confident of completing a deal. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); But Barcelona managed to win the race for his signature and have agreed an initial €75 million deal with Ajax to sign De Jong at the end of the campaign. And De Mos, who has won three Eredivisie titles during his managerial career, claims that Messi was very key in Barcelona’s push to sign De Jong. ‘The football that Barcelona play suits De Jong,’ De Mos told HLN. ‘Combining in the short space is entirely De...