Xavi laments Barcelona's 'lack of maturity' after 'bittersweet' 1-1 draw with Napoli in Champions League
1 year, 1 month ago

Xavi laments Barcelona's 'lack of maturity' after 'bittersweet' 1-1 draw with Napoli in Champions League

Hindustan Times  

Barcelona were unable to protect a 1-0 lead in their Champions League round of 16 clash against Italian champions Napoli at the Stadio Maradona. Barca were playing their first Champions League knockout match for three years Barcelona head coach Xavi lamented the fact that his side defender well but lacked the control needed to dominate the match. Barca were playing their first Champions League knockout match for three years while Napoli were led by new coach Francesco Calzona with their Serie A title defence in tatters as they languish ninth in the domestic standings. That woke Napoli up and Nigerian Osimhen, playing his first game since the Africa Cup of Nations, equalised 15 minutes later with a fine swivelling strike from inside the box to leave the tie evenly poised ahead of the return leg in Spain on March 12.

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History of this topic

Barcelona legend Xavi linked with Premier League job, in talks with unnamed club: Report
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Barcelona legend Xavi linked with Premier League job, in talks with unnamed club: Report

Firstpost  

Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez is reportedly in talks with an unnamed Premier League club for a potential return to management. Talks underway with an unnamed club According to reports from Relevo, an unnamed Premier League club is considering a summer move for Xavi. “Next year, Xavi Hernandez wants to return to the dugout, and I can tell you that …

La Liga 2024-25: Barcelona stunned by lowly Leganes in 1-0 home defeat
Trending News
3 months, 1 week ago

La Liga 2024-25: Barcelona stunned by lowly Leganes in 1-0 home defeat

The Hindu  

La Liga leader Barcelona lost 1-0 to Leganes on Sunday with defender Sergio Gonzalez’s early header enough to stun the wasteful host who lost its second consecutive league game in front of its own fans. Leganes took the lead from a corner after four minutes when visiting captain Gonzalez rose unmarked at the near post to fire an unstoppable header …

Champions League 2024-25: Flick says Barca must eliminate mistakes after stumble
4 months ago

Champions League 2024-25: Flick says Barca must eliminate mistakes after stumble

The Hindu  

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick warned his team it must stop making mistakes ahead of the Champions League clash with French side Brest on Tuesday. “We have a lot of things to do better with the ball and that’s the focus.” The German coach said Barcelona should have defended better after going down to 10 men against Celta Vigo when Marc …

Xavi’s Barcelona was whipped twice by Girona last season so Flick’s team is looking for revenge
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Xavi’s Barcelona was whipped twice by Girona last season so Flick’s team is looking for revenge

Associated Press  

BARCELONA, Spain — The lowest of the lows of Barcelona’s trophyless campaign last season was when it was spanked not once, but twice, by the formerly modest Girona. Girona dealt Barcelona a pair of stinging 4-2 defeats as the club partly owned by Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi ownership emerged as one of the surprise packages of European soccer. Olmo scored …

Squad doubts led to Xavi exit, says Barcelona president Laporta
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Squad doubts led to Xavi exit, says Barcelona president Laporta

The Hindu  

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Tuesday that he decided to sack coach Xavi Hernandez after the former midfielder expressed doubts about the squad. Xavi, who joined Barcelona on a three-year deal when Dutchman Ronald Koeman left in 2021, led the Catalan giants to their 27th league title last season. “Xavi did a good job, he took over the team …

Xavi issues warning to his managerial successor at Barcelona
10 months ago

Xavi issues warning to his managerial successor at Barcelona

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Departing Barcelona manager Xavi has warned his successor …

Xavi wins his last game as Barcelona coach in final round of Spanish league
10 months ago

Xavi wins his last game as Barcelona coach in final round of Spanish league

Associated Press  

MADRID — Xavi Hernández ended his stint as Barcelona coach with a 2-1 win at Sevilla in the final round of the Spanish league on Sunday. He deserves the best.” Barcelona had already clinched second place and a spot in the lucrative Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia next season. But last week the president was reportedly unhappy when the …

'Laporta Will Only Have to Tell His Motives': Xavi Deflects to Barcelona President For Reason Behind Recent Exit
10 months ago

'Laporta Will Only Have to Tell His Motives': Xavi Deflects to Barcelona President For Reason Behind Recent Exit

News 18  

Xavi Hernández said Saturday that he is leaving Barcelona with “a clear conscience” that he did his best after the club decided to part ways with the former player, but that it will be up to president Joan Laporta to explain why he is going. But I think that we can feel proud of the work we have done.” In …

Barcelona sack Xavi: The inside story on manager’s exit
10 months ago

Barcelona sack Xavi: The inside story on manager’s exit

New York Times  

Xavi woke up on Friday morning to rather unpleasant news. But despite publicly saying he wanted Xavi to reverse his decision in March, sources close to Laporta say Barca’s president later became convinced the club would be better off with a new manager. And in recent weeks, club sources say further tension has grown around Xavi’s comments on summer transfer …

'It is never easy to leave the club of your life': Xavi Hernandez pens message after being sacked by Barcelona
10 months ago

'It is never easy to leave the club of your life': Xavi Hernandez pens message after being sacked by Barcelona

India TV News  

Xavi Hernandez was sacked by Spanish club Barcelona from his position of coach on Friday, May 24. Xavi penned a message for the fans saying that it is not easy to leave the club of life but is proud of the team. It is never easy to leave the club of your life, but I am very proud, after two …

Xavi sacked by Barcelona a month after deciding to stay
10 months ago

Xavi sacked by Barcelona a month after deciding to stay

New York Times  

Xavi has been sacked by Barcelona a month after it was announced he would be staying on as head coach. Xavi met president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco at the club’s training ground on Friday, alongside his assistants Oscar Hernandez and Sergio Alegre, where it was decided the game against Sevilla on Sunday, the final match of the La …

Xavi denies reports that Barcelona’s leadership is considering firing him
10 months, 1 week ago

Xavi denies reports that Barcelona’s leadership is considering firing him

Associated Press  

BARCELONA, Spain — Xavi Hernández on Saturday denied a slew of reports in Spanish media outlets that Barcelona’s leadership is considering firing the coach for having said that the club’s poor finances will impede it from competing with Real Madrid. Almost all the questions he faced were about the speculation in Spain’s sports press that club president Joan Laporta was …

Xavi reportedly under pressure at Barcelona after saying it will struggle to compete with Madrid
10 months, 1 week ago

Xavi reportedly under pressure at Barcelona after saying it will struggle to compete with Madrid

Associated Press  

BARCELONA, Spain — Xavi Hernández’s honesty about Barcelona’s ongoing financial strife has reportedly not sat well with the club. In a message directed at the Barcelona fans, Xavi said earlier this week that no one should get too excited about the summer transfer market since there is little money to spend. After Barcelona’s 2-0 win over last-placed Almeria on Thursday, …

Xavi claims Barcelona's players were NOT giving their all before he announced he was leaving - and reveals why he made dramatic U-turn
10 months, 4 weeks ago

Xavi claims Barcelona's players were NOT giving their all before he announced he was leaving - and reveals why he made dramatic U-turn

Daily Mail  

Barca went on an 11-game unbeaten run and beat Valencia 4-2 on Monday night Xavi has suggested that his Barcelona players were not giving 100 per cent when he announced his intention to step down in January. Xavi believes his players were not giving their all earlier in the season, before he decided to step down They have since been …

Xavi says Barcelona’s improved play has been key to changing his mind to leave the club
11 months ago

Xavi says Barcelona’s improved play has been key to changing his mind to leave the club

Associated Press  

BARCELONA, Spain — Xavi Hernández says he walked back his decision to leave Barcelona this summer after his players convinced him “this is a winning team” even if this season will end without any trophies. Xavi spoke a day after he reached an agreement with Barcelona to reverse his January decision to leave his boyhood club after this season. He …

Xavi thanks squad for support after confirming he will remain as Barcelona boss
11 months ago

Xavi thanks squad for support after confirming he will remain as Barcelona boss

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The 44-year-old, who made more than 500 appearances for Barca during a …

Xavi to remain as Barca coach
11 months ago

Xavi to remain as Barca coach

China Daily  

MADRID - FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has reversed his decision to step down as first team coach at the end of the current season and will now see out his contract until the end of June 2025. Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste confirmed the news late on Wednesday night outside the home of the club's president Joan Laporta following a …

Xavi reportedly set to stay as Barcelona boss after reversing decision to leave
11 months ago

Xavi reportedly set to stay as Barcelona boss after reversing decision to leave

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Xavi has changed his mind and decided to …

Xavi will stay with Barcelona for another season, AP sources say. Coach had planned to leave
11 months ago

Xavi will stay with Barcelona for another season, AP sources say. Coach had planned to leave

Associated Press  

BARCELONA, Spain — Coach Xavi Hernández will stay with Barcelona for another year after all, agreeing to finish his contract to 2025 in a reversal of his decision to quit at the end of the season, two people with knowledge of the agreement said Wednesday. Spanish media said Xavi met with Laporta and sports director Deco for several hours on …

Peter Crouch expects Barcelona to struggle like Man United after Sir Alex Ferguson once Xavi departs in the summer as the Liverpool legend insists they 'aren't the same teams of old'
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Peter Crouch expects Barcelona to struggle like Man United after Sir Alex Ferguson once Xavi departs in the summer as the Liverpool legend insists they 'aren't the same teams of old'

Daily Mail  

Peter Crouch believes Barcelona will struggle in similar vein to Manchester United once head coach Xavi leaves at the end of the season. Barcelona are desperately attempting to convince Xavi to reverse his decision and Crouch compared his impending exit to Sir Alex Ferguson's at Old Trafford in 2013. Peter Crouch believes Barcelona will struggle in similar vein to Manchester …

Barcelona are on an 11-game unbeaten run since Xavi announced he is leaving at the end of the season - a statement win over PSG tonight could force a major U-turn over his future
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Barcelona are on an 11-game unbeaten run since Xavi announced he is leaving at the end of the season - a statement win over PSG tonight could force a major U-turn over his future

Daily Mail  

Barcelona are giving serious consideration to the possibility of keeping Xavi as manager beyond the end of this season after an impressive run of 11 games unbeaten. It’s Luis Enrique that Barça president Joan Laporta would put in charge if he could pick any coach he wanted. Xavi announced that he will be leaving the Nou Camp at the end …

Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste reveals he is trying to 'convince' Xavi to reverse his decision to leave this summer... as he insists the club are still 'thinking of a long-term project led by him
11 months, 4 weeks ago

Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste reveals he is trying to 'convince' Xavi to reverse his decision to leave this summer... as he insists the club are still 'thinking of a long-term project led by him

Daily Mail  

Barcelona's desperation to extend Xavi's stay past the end of the season has been ramped up again as the club's vice-president made a plea for the head coach to stay at the Nou Camp. Xavi enjoys club legend status at Barcelona after a stunning playing career ended with eight LaLiga and four Champions League titles along with other major honours …

La Liga: Barcelona outclasses Atletico Madrid in 3-0 win to climb second
1 year ago

La Liga: Barcelona outclasses Atletico Madrid in 3-0 win to climb second

The Hindu  

Barcelona cruised to an emphatic 3-0 win at Atletico Madrid on Sunday with goals from Joao Felix, Robert Lewandowski and Fermin Lopez, to move second in the La Liga standings. Lewandowski extended the advantage two minutes into the second half as Raphinha stole the ball from Atletico’s Rodrigo de Paul to set up the Pole for his 13th league goal …

'Moment of truth' for Barca says coach Xavi after team on a roll
1 year ago

'Moment of truth' for Barca says coach Xavi after team on a roll

Hindustan Times  

Barcelona coach Xavi said Saturday it was now the 'moment of truth' for his side who are on a roll of six wins in all competitions with an away match at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga and a Champions League return game at home to Napoli. Barcelona are eight points behind leaders Real Madrid after Real drew two games and …

Osimhen's intervention leaves bitter taste for Barca
1 year, 1 month ago

Osimhen's intervention leaves bitter taste for Barca

China Daily  

Napoli forward Victor Osimhen celebrates after netting his team's equalizer in Wednesday's Champions League last-16, first-leg match against Barcelona at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. New Napoli boss Francesco Calzona was also happy with the result of his first match, which he prepared for hurriedly after becoming the Italian champion's third manager of the season on Monday night. "He's a huge …

Champions League: Napoli fights back to draw with Barcelona in dull game
1 year, 1 month ago

Champions League: Napoli fights back to draw with Barcelona in dull game

The Hindu  

Napoli fought back to hold visitor Barcelona to a dour 1-1 draw in the first leg of its Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday thanks to a goal from Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen. “We were better in all aspects of the game, we had to control and we struggled, we weren’t effective up front, it was a summary of our …

Barcelona cannot afford any more slips-ups, says boss Xavi Hernandez
1 year, 1 month ago

Barcelona cannot afford any more slips-ups, says boss Xavi Hernandez

The Hindu  

Barcelona have little room for error if it is to defend its LaLiga title, manager Xavi Hernandez said on Friday ahead of his side’s trip to Celta Vigo. Barca’s hopes to overtake bitter rival Real Madrid and this campaign’s surprise package Girona in the title race suffered another blow last weekend after a 3-3 home draw against relegation-threatened Granada. “These …

Barcelona faces tricky game at Celta Vigo before focusing on Napoli trip
1 year, 1 month ago

Barcelona faces tricky game at Celta Vigo before focusing on Napoli trip

Associated Press  

BARCELONA, Spain — Xavi Hernández will have one more chance to get his Barcelona playing well before its first Champions League knockout-round game in three years. Barcelona crosses northern Spain to Celta Vigo on Saturday, four days before it travels to Napoli in the Champions League round of 16. “We cannot have any more slips.” At first glance, the game …

Barcelona president sticks with Xavi in show of support for the coach despite his decision to leave
1 year, 2 months ago

Barcelona president sticks with Xavi in show of support for the coach despite his decision to leave

Associated Press  

MADRID — Barcelona is sticking with Xavi Hernández amid a show of support for the coach despite his decision to leave at the end of the season. Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Sunday he will not make a coaching change and expects Xavi to remain fully committed despite not returning next season. “Xavi told me that at the end of …

From title triumph to stepping down, how Xavi’s Barcelona dream soured
1 year, 2 months ago

From title triumph to stepping down, how Xavi’s Barcelona dream soured

The Hindu  

Only a few months after lifting the Spanish title, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez dramatically announced he would walk away from the club at the end of the season. After a 5-3 collapse against Villarreal on Saturday which left the champions 10 points adrift of league leaders Real Madrid, Xavi said coaching Barcelona was a “cruel and unpleasant” experience. Xavi took …

How constant criticism and pressure of the game forced Xavi to quit Barcelona coach job
1 year, 2 months ago

How constant criticism and pressure of the game forced Xavi to quit Barcelona coach job

Firstpost  

After Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, another top club in European football is set to lose its manager as Xavi Hernandez announced on Saturday that he will leave his position at Barcelona at the end of the season. After the Villarreal debacle Xavi said his players’ lacked the “maturity” to know how to hold onto leads, and after the Bilbao loss …

Barcelona Coach Xavi Hernandez To Step Down At End Of Season
1 year, 2 months ago

Barcelona Coach Xavi Hernandez To Step Down At End Of Season

ABP News  

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has announced that he will be parting ways with the club at the end of the season. However, the team's 4-1 defeat to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa final and their 4-2 loss aganinst Athletic Club in the Copa del quarterfinals to go with them dropping points in the La Liga seems to have …

Xavi to quit Barcelona: Barca manager leaving Camp Nou at season end, citing 'lack of respect' and mental fatigue
1 year, 2 months ago

Xavi to quit Barcelona: Barca manager leaving Camp Nou at season end, citing 'lack of respect' and mental fatigue

Hindustan Times  

Xavi Hernández won’t continue as Barcelona’s coach after this season, saying he can't get the team out of a slump. Xavi said he made the decision “several days ago'' Xavi announced his decision on Saturday, minutes after Barcelona lost to Villarreal 5-3 in the Spanish league, leaving it 10 points adrift of leader Real Madrid. “As a Barcelona fan, I …

Xavi won’t continue at Barcelona after this season, citing ‘lack of respect’ and mental fatigue
1 year, 2 months ago

Xavi won’t continue at Barcelona after this season, citing ‘lack of respect’ and mental fatigue

Associated Press  

BARCELONA, Spain — Xavi Hernández won’t continue as Barcelona’s coach after this season, saying he can’t get the team out of a slump. “As a Barcelona fan, I can’t allow this situation to continue, we need a change of course and of dynamics.” Xavi said he made the decision “several days ago,” and although the hard defeat to Villarreal set …

Xavi QUITS: Barcelona icon will step down as manager at the end of the season after claiming the club has 'reached a point of no return' and insists it's 'time for change'
1 year, 2 months ago

Xavi QUITS: Barcelona icon will step down as manager at the end of the season after claiming the club has 'reached a point of no return' and insists it's 'time for change'

Daily Mail  

Xavi’s reign as Barcelona coach ended in farcical circumstances on Saturday night with him announcing his decision to quit at the end of the season after losing 5-3 at home to Villarreal. Barcelona manager Xavi has revealed that he will leave the club at the end of the season Xavi announced his decision to leave after Barcelona's 5-3 defeat against …

Xavi’s trophy hopes at Barcelona shrink after Copa del Rey exit
1 year, 2 months ago

Xavi’s trophy hopes at Barcelona shrink after Copa del Rey exit

Associated Press  

BARCELONA, Spain — The chances for Xavi Hernández to salvage Barcelona’s season — and likely his own job — are quickly fading. Xavi’s side exited the Copa del Rey quarterfinals after losing in extra time at Athletic Bilbao 4-2 on Wednesday, a loss that came two weeks after Barcelona was dismantled by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup. While …

Barcelona boss Xavi is making his players WORSE not better, Real Madrid's Spanish Super Cup triumph proves Kylian Mbappe isn't needed, while Sevilla and Villarreal are serious relegation candidates -
1 year, 2 months ago

Barcelona boss Xavi is making his players WORSE not better, Real Madrid's Spanish Super Cup triumph proves Kylian Mbappe isn't needed, while Sevilla and Villarreal are serious relegation candidates -

Daily Mail  

Real Madrid trounced Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup leaving Xavi's future as coach in question. Ronald Araujo was sent off during Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup defeat by Real Madrid Your browser does not support iframes. Despite their 4-1 win over their eternal rivals, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti remained grounded Despite his devastating display, hat-trick hero Vinicius Jr admitted he …

Barcelona to face Real Madrid in Super Cup final after 2-0 over Osasuna
1 year, 2 months ago

Barcelona to face Real Madrid in Super Cup final after 2-0 over Osasuna

The Hindu  

Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal scored second-half goals to give Barcelona an 2-0 win over Osasuna in a dour Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Barca set up a dream showpiece clash on Sunday with Real Madrid, which had beaten city rival Atletico Madrid in a breathtaking 5-3 derby earlier in the week. However, Osasuna players were …

La Liga 2023-24: Xavi urges Barca to be more clinical in bid to keep title charge alive
1 year, 3 months ago

La Liga 2023-24: Xavi urges Barca to be more clinical in bid to keep title charge alive

The Hindu  

Barcelona must play with more conviction to avoid the setbacks it has suffered in recent games, manager Xavi Hernandez said on Tuesday ahead of its La Liga meeting with lowly Almeria. Barca has won just one of its last four league games, dealing a blow to its hopes of defending its La Liga title and leaving it third in the …

‘We have to be one of the worst…’: Xavi left frustrated as Barcelona squander chances in 1-1 draw vs Valencia
1 year, 3 months ago

‘We have to be one of the worst…’: Xavi left frustrated as Barcelona squander chances in 1-1 draw vs Valencia

Hindustan Times  

In a three-match winless run, Barcelona are in poor form currently, and were also held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia on Sunday. Xavi Hernandez' men took a 1-0 lead via Joao Felix in the 55th-minute, and thought they would bounce back to winning ways. Barcelona's head coach Xavi Hernandez gestures during the La Liga match against Valencia. Speaking after …

Frustrated Xavi labels Barcelona as 'one of the worst teams in Europe' in a key area after the Spanish giants were held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia
1 year, 3 months ago

Frustrated Xavi labels Barcelona as 'one of the worst teams in Europe' in a key area after the Spanish giants were held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia

Daily Mail  

Xavi labelled Barcelona as 'one of the worst team in Europe' in a key area after his side dropped points again on Saturday. The Spanish giants were held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia as Hugo Guillamon's superb strike cancelled out Joao Felix's opener early in the second-half. A frustrated Xavi labelled Barcelona as 'one of the worst team in …

Xavi under pressure as Barcelona visits Valencia after two straight defeats
1 year, 3 months ago

Xavi under pressure as Barcelona visits Valencia after two straight defeats

Associated Press  

BARCELONA, Spain — Another poor performance by Barcelona in a defeat at modest Antwerp has increased the pressure on Xavi Hernández to turn things around. “No Forgiveness” was Mundo Deportivo’s headline, while Sport went with “Enough Is Enough!” “The defeat that really hurt was the one against Girona,” Xavi said this week after trying to find the bright side of …

Xavi 'is under pressure at Barcelona with NONE of their boardroom chiefs backing him' and sporting director Deco publicly placing the blame for problems with a U-turn on players on his old team-mate
1 year, 3 months ago

Xavi 'is under pressure at Barcelona with NONE of their boardroom chiefs backing him' and sporting director Deco publicly placing the blame for problems with a U-turn on players on his old team-mate

Daily Mail  

Barcelona boss Xavi is facing the heat at the Nou Camp after punishing back-to-back defeats with none of the clubs boardroom chiefs giving their support to the Spaniard, according to reports. With a trip to Valencia coming next, Xavi now knows that another defeat would leave him in a 'very weak position', the report adds, noting that Ronald Koeman was …

Barcelona 2-4 Girona: LaLiga's surprise package beat Catalan rivals to reclaim top spot... leaving Xavi's side SEVEN points adrift in fourth
1 year, 3 months ago

Barcelona 2-4 Girona: LaLiga's surprise package beat Catalan rivals to reclaim top spot... leaving Xavi's side SEVEN points adrift in fourth

Daily Mail  

The 4-2 win at Barcelona sees Girona return to the top of the La Liga table Little Girona’s chances of ‘doing a Leicester’ in LaLiga looked a little more credible on Sunday night at the Olympic Stadium after they put four past Xavi’s Barcelona to go back to the top of the league. Barcelona came back into it on 19 …

Xavi calls on Barcelona fans for vital Champions League tie with Porto
1 year, 4 months ago

Xavi calls on Barcelona fans for vital Champions League tie with Porto

The Hindu  

Barcelona has another chance to secure qualification for the knockout rounds of the Champions League when it hosts Porto, and Xavi Hernandez’s side needs the fans’ support for this vital game, the manager said on Monday. It’s important that they are with the team.” Barca also failed to win its most recent La Liga game, drawing 1-1 at Rayo Vallecano …

Barcelona looks to regain best form and secure return to knockout stage of Champions League
1 year, 4 months ago

Barcelona looks to regain best form and secure return to knockout stage of Champions League

Associated Press  

MADRID — A win against Porto will be enough to put Barcelona back in the knockout rounds of the Champions League after two consecutive group-stage eliminations. Barcelona is coming off a stretch that includes a 1-0 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in its last Champions League game, and a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano in its previous Spanish league match. “We …

Injury doubts haunt Barcelona ahead of El Clasico against Real Madrid
1 year, 5 months ago

Injury doubts haunt Barcelona ahead of El Clasico against Real Madrid

The Hindu  

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is facing serious injury concerns as his team prepares to host rivals Real Madrid in the LaLiga ‘El Clasico’ on Saturday. Xavi had to call up eight academy players for the Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, as the Catalonian side grapples with injuries to eight key players, including Polish striker Robert Lewandowski. Barca …

Xavi condemns Barcelona and Real Madrid ‘tension’ after alleged social media attack on Vinicius Junior
1 year, 5 months ago

Xavi condemns Barcelona and Real Madrid ‘tension’ after alleged social media attack on Vinicius Junior

New York Times  

Barcelona manager Xavi has condemned the “current state” of tension between Barcelona and Real Madrid ahead of Saturday’s Clasico after a Barcelona board member’s alleged social media attack on Vinicius Junior. A now deleted tweet allegedly sent from the account of board member Mikel Camps criticised the Real Madrid forward after he performed a number of stepovers during Madrid’s Champions …

Injuries and Clasico no excuse for Barca, says Xavi
1 year, 5 months ago

Injuries and Clasico no excuse for Barca, says Xavi

The Hindu  

Barcelona cannot use its injury crisis and its upcoming league game against Real Madrid as excuses for a poor performance in a midweek Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, coach Xavi Hernandez warned on Tuesday. Barcelona tops Champions League Group H with six points after winning its first two games without conceding a goal. Despite its more comfortable position in …

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