Real Bétis 0-2 Barcelona, 2016 La Liga: 3 Things We Learned

Barcelona stays firm at the top of the La Liga table after a key road victory against Real Bétis on Saturday, and the Catalans are favorites to take home the trophy again after three straight league wins. Here's a few lessons from what we saw in Seville: 1. Lionel Messi will be a fantastic midfielder During the Pep Guardiola Era, Messi was the best (false) striker on the...

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Real Bétis 0-2 Barcelona, 2016 La Liga: Match Review

A recap of Barça's win on Saturday night over Real Betis. Barcelona equaled the results of the two Madrid-based title contenders with a hard-fought win against Real Betis. Led by Lionel Messi who supplied both assists, Barcelona scored twice in the second half to see off a brave Betis side who fought through a large part of the match while a man down, but Messi’s assist to...

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Real Bétis vs Barcelona, 2016 La Liga: Final Score 0-2 as Barça remain atop La Liga

Barcelona remain leaders of La Liga after a tough road trip to Real Bétis on Saturday, with the Blaugranes leaving Seville with a narrow 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suárez. In a tricky match against a disciplined defensive side, the Catalans showed patience and their talents came through in the second period, enough to secure a win to stay at the...

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Luis Suarez's 35th goal of the La Liga season is a masterpiece

via r/Soccer Barcelona have a 2-0 lead later in their match against Real Betis. They are headed back up to the top of the La Liga table with two matches remaining. Luis Suarez latched onto a perfect Lionel Messi throughball and finished superbly. It's the Uruguayan's 35th goal of the season extending his lead over Cristiano Ronaldo in the Pichichi race to four. from Barca...

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Hilarious defensive gaffe gifts Ivan Rakitic Barcelona's opener vs. Real Betis

via r/Soccer Some goals make the hair on your arms stand up from excitement. Barcelona's opening goal in today's huge league match away at Real Betis is likely not one of them. Granted, Lionel Messi deserves credit for a dangerous ball into the box, Betis' defender and goalkeeper made a meal out of it and it fell to an open Rakitic. The Croatian did his job and put it into...

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Real Betis vs Barcelona, 2016 La Liga: Confirmed Lineups, Live Game Thread

Live game thread with confirmed lineups for Barcelona's La Liga match against Real Betis La Liga: Jornada 36 Benito Villamarín, Seville, Spain Kickoff: Saturday, 30 April 2016, 20:30 CET Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz Lineups: Real Betis (4-2-3-1): 13. Antonio Adán | 4. Bruno González, 20. Germán Pezzella, 17. Heiko Westermann, 3. Martín Montoya | 18. Alfred N'Diaye,...

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Real Bétis vs Barcelona, 2016 La Liga: Start time, TV listings, live stream

Heaven or hell is just 270 minutes away. Barcelona's season could be filled with glory and trophies or end in disaster in just three games. The Catalan giants have lost a 10-point advantage at the top of La Liga, and they have one obligation: to win all of the remaining matches. Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid are involved in their difficult Champions League semifinals, but...

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Barcelona announce squad for La Liga match against Real Bétis

The next Barcelona match is upon us! The Blaugrana have a difficult trip to Seville to face Real Bétis this Saturday, and coach Luis Enrique has picked his squad for the game. It's a list with no surprises from the manager, who is expected to name his best starting eleven. But there's one pleasant surprise: full-back Aleix Vidal returns to the list after almost a month out...

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Real Bétis vs Barcelona, 2016 La Liga: Predict the Score

Luis Suárez is not human. Barcelona's rebirth this season after a terrible three-week stretch has a lot to do with the sensational moment the Uruguayan is enjoying. He scored four times in two consecutive league matches, the first player in La Liga history to achieve such mark. He was directly involved in eleven of Barça's last fourteen goals in domestic competition, which...

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FC Barcelona News: 30 April 2016; 18 Make Real Betis Trip, Manel Vich, Stadium Announcer, Passes Away

FC Barcelona mourns loss of Manel Vich, the voice of the Camp Nou | FC Barcelona FC Barcelona is in mourning following the death of Manel Vich, the stadium announcer at the Camp Nou for almost sixty years. Because of his delicate health, the 78-year-old was unable to perform his regular duties for the last game at the Camp Nou, against Sporting, and on Friday 29 April, he...

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La Liga News: 30 April 2016; Sporting Gijon Move Out of Relegation Zone, Michael Krohn-Dehli Breaks Knee

Why are La Liga teams dominating Champions League and Europa League - ESPN FC The half-time scores are in and Spain's in the lead again. Two home wins, two away draws, no defeats. Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 Sevilla, Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, Villarreal 1-0 Liverpool, Atlético Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich: Spain 4, everybody else 0? Ronaldo out again for Real Madrid clash at...

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What will happen with Barcelona's loanees next season?

Barcelona is no Chelsea when it comes to loans, but there are those who play for other clubs while still under contract with the Blaugrana. Barça's Loan Army is comprised of four players, and with the season coming to a close, we look at their contract situations and Barça's plans for them in the summer. Alen Halilovic (Sporting Gijón) The Croatian wonderkid is certainly...

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Rumor Roundup (April 30, 2016): Alen Halilovic's future, Toni Kroos leaving Real Madrid, Juventus wants Bayern star, more!

Talking about rumors surrounding football is a fun activity for many fans, maybe only second to actually watching football. In this new daily column, we'll take a look at the latest rumors floating around the rumor mill. Key reminder: Rumors are just that -- rumors. None of this has been confirmed as legitimate news or fact, it's just circulating around the rumor mill....

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Desperate Cristiano Ronaldo reaches out to Barcelona to heal injury

Cristiano Ronaldo is running out of time as he tries to return from injury and face Manchester City next Tuesday. And he has done something you won't believe to recover. The Real Madrid superstar missed the last two matches, including the first leg of the Champions League semifinals, because of a hamstring injury suffered in the final minutes of a La Liga game two weeks ago....

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Barcelona defender rejects China transfer as Juventus submit formal bid

Javier Mascherano is enjoying perhaps his best season in a Barcelona shirt yet. The Argentinean is an integral piece of Luis Enrique's scheme, and only the 'MSN' trio has more minutes than The Sheriff under the Asturian manager. Mascherano's ability to become a truly world-class central defender when he transitioned from a midfield role after arriving at the Catalan club...

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Real Bétis vs Barcelona, 2016 La Liga: Team News, Match Preview

A look ahead to Barcelona's Saturday evening clash with Real Betis FC Barcelona will be looking to move one step closer to retaining their La Liga title tomorrow when they travel to Andalusia to take on Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. Of the three games remaining on our schedule, many would consider tomorrow evening’s showdown with Los Verdiblancos to be the...

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Real Bétis vs Barcelona, 2016 La Liga: Projected Lineups

Barcelona's latest stop in the La Liga title chase is at the Benito Villamarín Stadium for a difficult away match against mid-table side Real Bétis; Barça will play after both Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, and if both title challengers win, the Catalans will begin the game in third place with the pressure to get a victory and return to the top. After three very good performances...

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FC Barcelona News: 29 April 2016; Gerard Pique Talks La Liga, Javier Mascherano Turns Down China Deal

Barcelona and Luis Enrique must beware Real Betis in La Liga title race - ESPN FC While Real and Atletico Madrid require results elsewhere to go in their favour, the Catalans remain the only title challenger that depends solely on its own results, and when combined with the extra rest they have thanks to a lack of European football, Luis Enrique's side must be considered...

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La Liga News: 29 April 2016; Villarreal Edge Liverpool, Sevilla Fight Back to Earn Away Draw

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema set to miss Real Sociedad clash - ESPN FC Benzema was substituted in the Champions League semifinal draw against Manchester City on Tuesday with a hip problem, but Spanish media reports say the injury was not a recurrence of the muscle injury that forced him out of the 3-2 La Liga win over Rayo Vallecano the previous weekend as was initially feared. Can...

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Rumor Roundup (April 29, 2016): Barcelona targeting Ligue 1 strikers, Jose Mourinho's new club, Riyad Mahrez future, more!

Talking about rumors surrounding football is a fun activity for many fans, maybe only second to actually watching football. In this new daily column, we'll take a look at the latest rumors floating around the rumor mill. Key reminder: Rumors are just that -- rumors. None of this has been confirmed as legitimate news or fact, it's just circulating around the rumor mill....

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Barcelona target Mats Hummels makes formal request to join Bayern Munich

Barcelona is set to miss out on one of their transfer targets. Borussia Dortmund star defender Mats Hummels has formally handed out a transfer request to his current club, specifically asking to be sold to Bayern Munich in the summer. The 27-year-old was one of the hottest properties in the market next season, with a number of clubs, including Barça, set to make bids for...

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Real Bétis vs Barcelona, La Liga Team News: Neymar and Messi fully fit, Vermaelen and Vidal to return?

Barcelona's road to the La Liga trophy stops in Seville on Saturday, when the Blaugrana face Real Bétis with the added pressure of playing after their title challengers and already knowing which result will keep the Catalans at the top. Visiting Bétis is never easy or pleasant, and thankfully for coach Luis Enrique, he has a very healthy squad. Only Jérémy Mathieu and Sandro...

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Real Bétis vs Barcelona, 2016 La Liga: All Updates

Barcelona's road to the La Liga trophy stops in Seville on Saturday, when the Blaugrana face Real Bétis with the added pressure of playing after their title challengers and already knowing which result will keep the Catalans at the top. Visiting Bétis is never easy or pleasant, and thankfully for coach Luis Enrique, he has a very healthy squad. Only Jérémy Mathieu and Sandro...

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FC Barcelona News: 28 April 2016; Juliano Belletti Praises MSN, Preparations Continue for Real Betis Match

FC Barcelona return to training ahead of trip to Betis | FC Barcelona The FC Barcelona first team got back to work on Wednesday morning after two days of rest. In surprisingly chilly temperatures for this time of year, around 15º, all of the available players took to the training ground at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, where Luis Enrique also called on the services of...

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La Liga News: 28 April 2016; Atletico Madrid Edge Bayern Munich, Diego Simeone Given Three Game Ban

Slick Atlético inflict more Spain pain on Bayern - UEFA.com The home side tore up the pre-match predictions as they burst out of the blocks and took the lead on 11 minutes in majestic fashion. The intensity did not relent until the second half when Bayern were finally allowed to find their rhythm, yet David Alaba's shot off the underside of the bar was as close as they came...

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Barcelona's sporting director will attend Europa League semifinal to watch Villarreal, Liverpool transfer targets

The cool part about being a Barcelona sporting director is that you can watch great football and work at the same time. Blaugrana official Robert Fernández will attend the UEFA Europa League semifinal first leg between Villarreal and Liverpool on Tuesday at  the El Madrigal Stadium, home of the Yellow Submarine. Robert will be there to watch what promises to be...

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Rumor Roundup (April 28, 2016): PSG's insane transfer offer for Busquets, Ibrahimovic to Arsenal, Juventus plans, more!

Talking about rumors surrounding football is a fun activity for many fans, maybe only second to actually watching football. In this new daily column, we'll take a look at the latest rumors floating around the rumor mill. Key reminder: Rumors are just that -- rumors. None of this has been confirmed as legitimate news or fact, it's just circulating around the rumor mill....

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Report: Barcelona plan to exercise transfer priority on Atlético Madrid midfielder

Atlético Madrid midfielder Saúl Ñíguez did THIS to win the first leg of the Champions League semifinal on Wednesday: (via r/Soccer) And that might get him a new team. According to reports from Catalan media, the 21-year-old is on Barcelona's transfer list for the upcoming summer window. The Blaugrana have watched the Spaniard closely all season and scouts have been...

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