Tag: Barcelona

Messi pays tribute to Vilanova on 10th anniversary of ex-Barcelona coach’s death

The title-winning coach died in 2014 at the age of 45 after battling cancer

Lionel Messi paid tribute to Tito Vilanova on Thursday, the 10th anniversary of the former Barcelona manager’s death.

Vilanova passed away on April 25, 2014 after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 45.

Messi played under Vilanova for several seasons at Barcelona. Vilanova served as an assistant coach for four years, before taking charge as head coach after Pep Guardiola left in 2012.

Vilanova led Barcelona to the La Liga title in 2012-13, as the Blaugrana amassed 100 points to set a new league record. He was forced to announce his departure as coach in July 2013 following a relapse of his cancer.

Messi posted a tribute to the late coach on his Instagram story on Thursday, saying: “10 years already, we won’t forget you Tito.”

Vilanova’s former assistant at Barcelona, Jordi Roura, revealed in 2019 that the coach helped convince Messi to stay at the club just six days before his death.

“Tito was at a delicate stage and Leo wasn’t convinced about his continuity,” Roura told Radio Kanal Barcelona.

“They met and although I wasn’t there, I know they spent a number of hours talking. Messi decided to stay and we hope that he will for many more years.”

Messi would stay for two years after that, before joining PSG and ultimately his current side Inter Miami.

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Xavi reportedly makes U-turn, will now stay at Barcelona

Xavi is reportedly pulling a switcheroo, with the Barça legend set to stay for another year

Xavi apparently isn’t leaving Barcelona after all.

Mundo Deportivo was first to report that the Barça manager — who in January said he would depart the club at the end of this season — will in fact stay on through the end of his contract, which runs through the end of the 2024-25 season.

At the time Xavi announced his intention to step down, the club legend said Barcelona needed “a change of dynamic” amid a disappointing season.

However, that announcement was followed by a 13-game unbeaten run for Barcelona, including impressive away wins over Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

That said, Barça lost its last two matches, and they were particularly painful defeats. A second-leg collapse against PSG ended the club’s Champions League hopes, while Barcelona led twice only for Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time winner to give Real Madrid a controversial 3-2 victory in the latest Clásico.

More to follow…

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Barcelona to request El Clasico replay if ‘ghost goal’ error can be proven

The Blaugrana are feeling aggrieved over a goal that wasn’t in the first half of El Clasico

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said his side will request a replay of Sunday’s Clásico against Real Madrid if an error can be proven on Lamine Yamal’s “ghost goal” in the first half.

Madrid defeated its rival 3-2 in the match at Santiago Bernabéu, as a last-gasp Jude Bellingham goal sealed a win that put the club 11 points clear atop the La Liga table.

An incident in the first half proved controversial, as Yamal’s flick was blocked off the line by Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Though the ball looked like it may have crossed the line, a VAR review determined there was no goal and La Liga does not use goal-line technology.

Laporta released a statement on Monday requesting a full investigation into the game-changing moment.

“There were several debatable incidents in the match, but amongst all of them there is one that is crucial and can change the result of the game,” Laporta said.

“I am referring to the ‘ghost goal’ by Lamine Yamal. As a club, we want to be sure about what happened. It is for that reason we will make an immediate request for a comprehensive collection of footage and audio from the incident.

“If once this documentation has been analyzed, the club understands that an error was made in the revision of the incident, we will take all available measures to reverse the situation, without discounting, obviously, any necessary legal action.

“If it is confirmed that it was a legal goal, we will move ahead and request that the game be replayed, just as has happened in another game in Europe due to a VAR error.”

According to Mundo Deportivo, the other game in Europe that Laporta referenced was a match in Belgium between Anderlecht and Genk in December.

After a review by the league’s disciplinary committee, the game will be played again on May 11 due to a determination that the VAR “applied the rules incorrectly” on a penalty incident.

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Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: How to watch El Clasico, TV channel, live stream

Madrid could essentially lock up a league title with a win at home over its rival

Real Madrid could all but seal a La Liga title with a win over Barcelona in El Clásico on Sunday.

Madrid enters the match in first place, eight points above second-place Barça. Even a draw could be sufficient for Madrid, with both teams only having six matches remaining after this one.

Madrid is coming off a shootout triumph against Man City in the Champions League quarterfinal midweek, while Barcelona suffered a nightmare elimination against PSG.

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These two teams have already met twice this season, with Madrid coming out on top both times.

Jude Bellingham scored a brace in the first league meeting in October, as Madrid won 2-1. Vinicius Jr. would then net a hat trick in Madrid’s 4-1 Spanish Super Cup final win in January.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

  • When: Sunday, April 21
  • Where: Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: ESPN+ (WATCH NOW), ESPN Deportes

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona lineups

Real Madrid predicted XI: Lunin, Carvajal, Nacho, Rüdiger, Mendy, Tchouameni, Kroos, Valverde, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr

Barcelona predicted XI: Ter Stegen, Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo, Gündoğan, Christensen, De Jong, Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha

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Barcelona vs. Chelsea: How to watch UWCL, live stream

Last season’s winner hosts Emma Hayes and Co. in the first leg

Barcelona hosts Chelsea on Saturday as the Blaugrana continue their quest for back-to-back UEFA Women’s Champions League titles.

These two sides met in the semifinal last season, and Barça will look to get off on the right foot in the last four with a positive result in the first leg.

Both managers, Barcelona’s Jonatan Giráldez and Chelsea’s Emma Hayes, will be departing after this season for jobs in the United States. Giráldez will take over as Washington Spirit head coach while Hayes will manage the U.S. women’s national team.

Hayes will be especially keen to end on a high, as she has won a host of domestic trophies but has never lifted the UWCL.

Barcelona is still on track for a quadruple this season, but Chelsea has stuttered in recent weeks with eliminations from the League Cup as well as the FA Cup.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Barcelona vs. Chelsea (UWCL semifinal)

  • When: Saturday, April 20
  • Where: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Barcelona)
  • Time: 7:30 a.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: DAZN on YouTube.

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Ronald Araujo didn’t appreciate Ilkay Gundogan’s assessment of his red card

The defender does not seem happy with his Barcelona teammate

Ronald Araujo has offered a terse response to his Barcelona teammate İlkay Gündoğan’s assessment of his red card in a Champions League defeat to PSG on Tuesday.

With Barça up 4-2 on aggregate, Araujo was sent off 30 minutes into Tuesday’s second leg — a moment that ended up completely turning the quarterfinal tie on its head.

The Uruguayan fouled PSG’s Bradley Barcola, who was closing in on goal. Referee Istvan Kovacs deemed that Araujo had denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity, showing a red card.

Barcelona would completely fall apart after Araujo’s sending off, conceding four goals in a row to lose 4-1 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate.

Gündoğan didn’t mince words speaking to CBS Sports after the game, saying that Araujo would have been better off simply letting Barcola go rather than committing a costly foul.

Araujo appeared Thursday at an event promoting a book for charity, and was asked about the red card as well as his teammate’s response.

“I’m sad, like all culés (Barcelona fans), for the elimination,” he said. “We wanted to qualify. We had it in our hand and there is sadness. It was a play that was 50-50. If the referee doesn’t call a foul, nothing happens. But if he called it, he had to send me off. As a culé, it hurts.”

On Gündoğan, he added: “I prefer to keep what I think to myself. I have codes and values ​​that must be respected.”

What did Gundogan say?

“Disappointed, very disappointed actually because we were in such a good position. Not just after the first leg, after the first goal we scored. Everything was in our hands and we just gave it away in the most simple manner. We just gave it to PSG and that’s the most disappointing thing,” the Germany international told CBS Sports.

“If he fouled him, I guess it’s a red card. I haven’t seen the replay. Difficult to say, in these kind of crucial moments you need to be sure to get the ball, and if you don’t get it — and I don’t know if he touched the ball or not — you have to stay away. I’d prefer to concede the goal there or give the striker a one-v-one even though he played the ball quite far, so I don’t even know if he’d be able to reach the ball.

“But given the opportunity, maybe let the goalkeeper save us or even concede a goal because to go down one man and get a red card so early in the game just kills the game.”

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Reports: Mexico legend Marquez favorite for Barcelona coaching job

The Mexico legend has been called “the chosen one” in Spanish media

Former Mexico international Rafa Márquez has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Xavi as Barcelona head coach, according to multiple reports.

Xavi announced in January that he will step down at the end of the current campaign, which looks likely to end trophy-less after a stunning Champions League elimination at the hands of PSG on Tuesday.

Márquez is waiting in the wings as the coach of Barcelona’s reserve side Barça Atlètic, which is currently fighting for promotion to the second division. The 45-year-old spent seven seasons as a player with the Blaugrana between 2003 and 2010.

After amassing 148 caps with Mexico and playing in five World Cups, Márquez retired in 2018.

According to various reports, Márquez has become the leading contender for a number of reasons.

Sport, which called Márquez “the chosen one” in its report, said that Barça president Joan Laporta remembers the success Barcelona has experienced in the recent past with two other former reserve team managers, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique (who ironically knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League this year with PSG).

Additionally, the club likes the work Márquez has done with Barcelona’s B team, and also believes his time spent with the club as a player gives him an advantage over other candidates.

Other factors in Márquez’s favor are slightly more practical.

RAC1 journalist Jordi Basté reported that Márquez, who has never served as a senior head coach, would be cheaper than other alternatives and could give Barça more money to spent on players.

ESPN reported that Laporta is only really a fan of two candidates, Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp, who are both considered to be unobtainable.

Other names in the mix include Roberto de Zerbi, Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel.

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Soccer Champions Tour 2024: Schedule, tickets, stadiums and more

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, AC Milan, and Manchester City will all play in the U.S. this summer

The Soccer Champions Tour will return in 2024, with five European powers set to tour the United States during preseason.

The Soccer Champions Tour debuted in 2023, and will return this summer with six games featuring five clubs: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, AC Milan, and Manchester City.

The marquee event of the Soccer Champions Tour will be a preseason El Clásico featuring Real Madrid and Barcelona, with this year’s edition taking place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

SHOP: 2024 El Clásico tickets

American fans will also get the chance to see AC Milan star Christian Pulisic face Madrid and Barcelona in Chicago and Baltimore, respectively, as well as Manchester City in New York.

“Soccer Champions Tour is thrilled to return this summer with enticing matchups featuring some of the world’s most storied clubs for fans in the U.S. to witness the beautiful game at the highest level,” said Joe Carr, the commissioner of the Soccer Champions Tour.

“With all five clubs possessing passionate supporters that span the globe, we’re pleased to unveil an exciting range of matches throughout the U.S., a market experiencing exponential growth in the sport’s popularity.”

Here are the Soccer Champions Tour fixtures for 2024 in the United States. Tickets to all games are available now, and all information can be found HERE.

Soccer Champions Tour 2024

July 27: Manchester City vs. AC Milan — Yankee Stadium, New York, NY.

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July 30: Barcelona vs. Manchester City — Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL.

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July 31: Real Madrid vs. AC Milan — Soldier Field, Chicago, IL.

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August 3: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid — MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.

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August 6: Barcelona vs. AC Milan — M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD.

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August 6: Real Madrid vs. Chelsea — Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC.

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Barcelona USA tour 2024: Schedule, tickets, stadiums and more

The Spanish giants will tour the U.S. for a third consecutive summer

For the third summer in a row, Barcelona will tour the United States.

Three high-profile friendlies are on the agenda, as Barcelona will take part in the Soccer Champions Tour for a second straight year. The preseason competition also includes Real Madrid, Chelsea, AC Milan, and Manchester City.

Once again, the marquee event of Barça’s tour will be a preseason El Clásico against Real Madrid, with this year’s edition taking place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

It will be the third consecutive preseason Clásico on U.S. soil, after the teams met in Arlington, Texas last year. Overall, it will be the fourth time Real Madrid and Barcelona have met on U.S. soil

Here are Barcelona’s fixtures for its 2024 summer tour of the United States. Tickets are available now, and more information can be found HERE.

Barcelona USA tour 2024

July 30: Barcelona vs. Manchester City — Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL.

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August 3: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid — MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.

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August 6: Barcelona vs. AC Milan — M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD.

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