Off-the-radar: 19th June, 2010.

At the Estadio Cartagonova, something happened that is somehow all too familiar and accepted in Spanish football... This is the continuation of a previous piece about Real Betis. You can read it here. Somewhere, at the end of the table, there were going to be tears. Girona were losing to Murcia 0-1 at home, and Las Palmas were leading 1-0 against Gimnàstic de Tarragona courtesy...

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FC Barcelona News: 31 December 2016; Players Back in Training, Jasper Cillessen Out Two Weeks

First training session following Christmas break | FC Barcelona FC Barcelona got back to work at the Ciutat Esportiva following the Christmas holidays. The first team took part in the penultimate training session of the year in which Barça started preparing for the first game of 2017 on the 5 January against Athletic Club at San Mamés. The fixture corresponds to the first...

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Transfer Rumor: Barcelona In For Dayot Upamecano

The Red Bull Salzburg defender continues to be monitored by Barcelona The papers continue to report a link between FC Barcelona and youngster Dayot Upamecano. Robert Fernández is hoping the Red Bull Salzburg man is the “new” Samuel Umtiti, meaning a young French defender who adapts to the Barcelona way quickly, that is according to a new report by Edu Polo and Fernando Polo...

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Andrés Iniesta Wants Luis Enrique to Remain as FC Barcelona Manager

The captain gave a vote of confidence to his coach Will Luis Enrique remain as FC Barcelona manager? At the moment no one knows, with the coach himself coy over his future. But there’s at least one player hoping Lucho continues, and it’s a heavyweight in the locker room: Andrés Iniesta. "He seems well, motivated as always," the captain said about the manager. "I would be...

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FC Barcelona News: 30 December 2016; Looking at Every Barcelona 2016 Goal, Youth Team Wins La Liga Promises

Video: Every FC Barcelona goal of 2016 | FC Barcelona Another year over and a new one just begun … And 2016 has been one mighty year for FC Barcelona, with no few than three new trophies added to its rapidly expanding collection. The goals have flowed all year for Luis Enrique and his team. A humungous 174 in 59 games makes for an impressive average of 2.94 goals a match. 2016:...

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Arda Turan will refuse millions to remain a Blaugrana

The attacking midfielder is happy with his current role The Chinese have been shelling out an obscene amount of money on superstars and one Blaugrana who continues to remain on their radar is Barça number 7, Arda Turan. Last week's print of Turkish newspaper Fanatik reported Guangzhou Evergrande’s interest in Arda, mentioning a potential salary of a whooping €18 million,...

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Valverde to succeed Enrique?

The Basque has emerged as a target should Luis Enrique not renew. Luis Enrique's refusal to commit his future to Barça has forced the club to look at options that are available on the market, and the man leading the race to replace the Asturian at the moment, is Ernesto Valverde. The Basque coach has emerged as a surprise target in the last few days, should Luis Enrique...

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FC Barcelona News: 29 December 2016; Players Return to Training on Friday, Luis Suarez Recognized by IFFHS

The first team returns to training on Friday | FC Barcelona The FC Barcelona first team returns to training on Friday after enjoying several days off over the Christmas period. The session will take place at 6.00pm CET at Ciutat Esportiva, while an open door training day will be held on 3 January. Luis Suárez, world's top scorer for 2016 | FC Barcelona Luis Suárez has been...

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FC Barcelona, Shakhtar Donetsk closing in on deal for Darijo Srna - Report

New full-back! FC Barcelona are very close to signing a new full-back. The Catalan giants have had very good progress in their negotiations with Ukranian powerhouse Shakhtar Donetsk over the last week and are very close to agreeing a deal for the transfer of full-back Darijo Srna, sources told Barça Blaugranes. The two clubs had major differences in transfer fee, but the...

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Xavi Makes Appearance; Catalonia Lose Friendly Against Tunisia on Penalties

Sergi Roberto and Jordi Masip also played in the 3-3 draw The Catalan national team drew 3-3 with Tunisia before succumbing on penalties, in a friendly in which former FC Barcelona star Xavi made an appearance along with current players Jordi Masip and Sergi Roberto. Xavi played for 64 minutes before being replaced by Oriol Riera, while Masip and Roberto started the match...

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FC Barcelona News: 28 December 2016; David Villa Talks Lionel Messi

Barça players enjoy their Christmas! | FC Barcelona The first team players, with their friends and family, publish videos and photos of their holidays during the Christmas period. Villa: Messi 'will sign a new contract' - Goal.com David Villa is confident Lionel Messi will sign a new contract with Barcelona as he cannot imagine the Spanish champions without the five-time...

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La Liga News: 28 December 2016; Sevilla Eying Anthony Martial, Manchester City Duo Move to Spain

Pepe set for China move | Football Espana The 33-year-old’s contract at Madrid expires in June 2017 and talks over a new deal have stalled with the player’s representatives reportedly favouring a two-year deal with the club reluctant to sanction anything other than a renewed one-year contract with the option for a further year based on performances. Martin Odegaard set to...

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A Fan's Perspective: What's on Lucho's mind?

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Barcelona substitutes have a tremendous game against Hércules

The terrific game from the subs is a welcome sign of things to come. Despite the somewhat perceived unnecessary nature of this return fixture (in the sense it should have been dealt with, perhaps, in the away game), the Barcelona second-teamers managed to adroitly secure our moving on to the next round. Yes, granted, a couple of the starters played in this match instead of...

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The Goleadores: Barcelona vs Hércules, Copa del Rey, 2016-2017.

The terrific game from the subs is a welcome sign of things to come. Despite the somewhat perceived unnecessary nature of this return fixture (in the sense it should have been dealt with, perhaps, in the away game), the Barcelona second-teamers managed to adroitly secure our moving on to the next round. Yes, granted, a couple of the starters played in this match instead of...

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FC Barcelona News: 26 December 2016; Barcelona Release Lionel Messi Youth Skills Video

Leo Messi’s top skills in the FC Barcelona youth academy | FC Barcelona As a Christmas present, we are offering a compilation of some of the finest moments of skill produced by Leo Messi when he was a youngster coming up through the FC Barcelona academy. The Argentine has just ended another year in which he has racked up some impressive numbers, with 59 goals and 32 assists,...

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FC Barcelona News: 25 December 2016; Luis Enrique Gives Interview, Samuel Umtiti, Sergi Roberto Named in Breakthrough Team

FC Barcelona’s 2016, by the numbers | FC Barcelona The year is about to come to an end and, as always, it is time to review the highlights of the last 12 months. The players go into the holiday season having just qualified for the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, three points behind leaders in La Liga and through to the knockout stages of the Champions League. Here is a look...

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Why Aleix Vidal is still at Barcelona

A look at why the fringe player hasn't left. Aleix Vidal has been a disappointment. Whether the club likes to admit it or not, their inability to find a suitable replacement for Dani Alves has caused the squad a major setback all season. The club made a bold move while signing Aleix Vidal from Sevilla last season for the role of right-back, despite his inexperience at playing...

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Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto Named in Champions League Breakthrough Team

The two youngsters are making their name known. Two Barcelona players are in the UEFA Champions League Breakthrough Team of 2016: centerback Samuel Umtiti and right-back Sergi Roberto. Roberto has nailed down a spot in the starting XI on the right side, while Umtiti has proven a good alternative to Javier Mascherano in the middle. The whole team is: Goalkeeper: Alphonse Aréola...

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Transfers: Barcelona Tie Down Valencia RB João Cancelo, Per Report

Multiple sources had said Cancelo was Barcelona’s target, but now Sport says it’s a done deal. We have been hearing for a while now that Barcelona were in for Valencia’s João Cancelo, and now, according to Sport, it’s a done deal. The 22-year-old will join in the summer and sign for five seasons, if the report is correct. Barcelona will not make it public until the summer...

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Copa del Rey: Barcelona to Face Athletic Club Bilbao

An exciting but tough draw. FC Barcelona will play Athletic Club Bilbao in the next round of the Copa del Rey. After tossing aside Hércules, Barcelona will face a tough challenge in the round of 16. What’s left to be seen is the exact date of the match, and whether Luis Enrique will cut short the vacations granted to Neymar, Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi and Gerard Piqué. The...

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FC Barcelona News: 23 December 2016; Barca Draw Athletic Bilbao in Copa del Rey

FC Barcelona drawn against Athletic Club in Copa del Rey last sixteen | FC Barcelona The teams met in the quarter finals last season (Barça progressing 5-2 on aggregate) and also in the Spanish Super Cup (which the Basques won 5-1 on aggregate). The teams have also met in the final three times in the last eight years, the Catalans collecting the trophy on each occasion. The...

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Tactics: Key Difference Between Luis Enrique’s Barcelona and Pep Guardiola’s Team

There are many, but maybe this is the most important one. I talked some basics about positions in Barcelona’s system, and with that out of the way, I’d like to talk about how current coach Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola, former coach, differ. What’s interesting is there is actually a lot of overlap between the two. It’s easy to get lost in the contrasts and miss the larger...

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Tactics: Key Difference Between Luis Enrique’s Barcelona and Pep Guardiola’s Team

There are many, but maybe this is the most important one. I talked some basics about positions in Barcelona’s system, and with that out of the way, I’d like to talk about how current coach Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola, former coach, differ. What’s interesting is there is actually a lot of overlap between the two. It’s easy to get lost in the contrasts and miss the larger...

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Tactics: Explaining Positions in Barcelona’s System

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Tactics: Explaining Positions in Barcelona’s System

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FC Barcelona News: 22 December 2016; Barça Destroy Hércules, Aleix Vidal Linked with Premier League Transfer

A wrap-up of the latest Barcelona news and transfer rumors FC Barcelona v Hércules: Through in style (7-0) - FC Barcelona Barça sent the fans home happy in the final game of 2016 with goals galore including a long-awaited first official strike for the club from Paco Alcácer and a second hat-trick of the season for Arda Turan. FC Barcelona’s big win over Hércules, by the numbers...

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Barcelona vs Hércules, 2016 Copa del Rey: Final Score 7-0 as Barça dominate second leg

BIG WIN! Barcelona are safely through to the Copa del Rey Round of 16 after dominating the Round of 32 second leg against Hércules at Camp Nou, winning 6-0 with goals from Lucas Digne, Ivan Rakitic, Rafinha Alcântara, Arda Turan (3) and Paco Alcácer. The Blaugrana had a team full of reserves, but were very concentrated and easily got a big victory to end 2016 in style and...

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WATCH: Paco Alcacer scores first competitive goal for Barcelona

Finally! Paco Alcacer was brought to Barcelona to score goals. So far this season he hasn’t been able to do that. After scoring in a throwaway friendly in Qatar, he’s finally netted one in a competitive match. The Spaniard scored the club’s fifth goal in the Copa del Rey against Hercules: Paco Alcacer golazo!! http://pic.twitter.com/YvWVz9GtLu — Soccerpulse (@soccerpulse2016)...

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WATCH: Rafinha’s low blast extends Barcelona’s advantage over Hercules

Nice goal. Barcelona are likely headed to the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey as everyone expected. Rafinha has given the Blaugrana a 3-0 lead on the day and a 4-1 lead on aggregate over Hercules. A very nice goal all around as Barcelona’s second string squad makes easy work of a Hercules side no one gave a chance. On to the next round! from Barca Blaugranes - All...

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WATCH: Lucas Digne’s first goal gives Barcelona lead over Hercules in Copa del Rey

Finally. After drawing the first leg 1-1 with Hercules in the Copa del Rey Round of 32, Barcelona have finally pulled ahead on aggregate thanks to a Lucas Digne goal. The full back’s first ever goal for the club was a big one as it puts them in good position to advance to the next round in the competition. The French defender doesn’t score many goals. He only had six...

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Barcelona vs Hercules, 2016 Copa del Rey: Confirmed Lineups, Live Game Thread

Live game thread with confirmed lineups for Barcelona's Spanish Cup match against Hercules Copa del Rey: Round of 32, 2nd Leg (1st Leg: 1-1) Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Kickoff: Wednesday, 21 December 2016, 10pm CET Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero ***** Starting Lineups ***** Barcelona: 13. Jasper Cillessen; 22. Aleix Vidal, 23. Samuel Umtiti, 14. Javier Mascherano,...

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Barcelona vs Hercules, 2016 Copa del Rey: Confirmed Lineups, Live Game Thread

Live game thread with confirmed lineups for Barcelona's Spanish Cup match against Hercules Copa del Rey: Jornada 16 Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Kickoff: Wednesday, 21 December 2016, 10pm CET Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero ***** Starting Lineups ***** Barcelona: 13. Jasper Cillessen; 22. Aleix Vidal, 23. Samuel Umtiti, 14. Javier Mascherano, 19. Lucas Digne;...

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Barcelona vs Hércules, 2016 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch Copa Del Rey online

Last game of the year for Barcelona! Don't miss it! It's the holiday season, and Barcelona will play one last time before you celebrate Christmas and New Year's. The Blaugrana have to play the second leg of the Copa del Rey Round of 32 against Hércules, at Camp Nou. After getting a draw in the first game away from home, Barça have to win this game if they want to win a third...

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Barcelona Transfer Rumors: Update on Darijo Srna and Aleix Vidal

Barto said probably not. But it could still happen if the money is right. Barcelona don’t want to spend money in the winter transfer window, but Luis Enrique does want to bring in Darijo Srna from Shakthar Donetsk, or so says Mundo Deportivo. This could turn into another “Nolito case” in which the coach wants a player but the money is just not there in the budget. The last...

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Neymar in Scoring Slump - But How Much Does it Matter?

The Brazilian hasn’t scored a lot lately, but what about his overall performances? Luis Enrique has given Neymar an early break for the holidays, meaning he’ll finish 2016 on a scoring slump. How bad is the slump? Well, put it this way - Neymar hasn’t scored in more minutes than Paco Alcácer. It’s worse if you count Paco’s goal against Al-Ahli in a friendly, since that means...

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Neymar in Scoring Slump - But How Much Does it Matter?

The Brazilian hasn’t scored a lot lately, but what about his overall performance. Luis Enrique has given Neymar an early break for the holidays, meaning he’ll finish 2016 on a scoring slump. How bad is the slump? Well, put it this way - Neymar hasn’t scored in more minutes than Paco Alcácer. It’s worse if you count Paco’s goal against Al-Ahli in a friendly, since that means...

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Barcelona fans tune into Espanyol game, get Return of the Jedi instead

Messi and Iniesta decide they’d just dribble everybody because why not? Do you remember at the end of Back to the Future where Doc Brown tells Marty that where they are going they don’t need roads? And then he busted out that sweet, sweet flying DeLorean and everybody’s mind was blown? Yeah, that’s exactly how it felt to watch Don Andrés and Messi go off on Espanyol and play,...

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FC Barcelona News: 21 December 2016; Squad Announced for Copa Match, President Talks Lionel Messi Contract

Squad announced for Copa del Rey second leg against Hércules | FC Barcelona It’s time for the last game of 2016. FC Barcelona face Division 2B side Hércules tonight at the Camp Nou in the second leg of their Copa del Rey round of 16 tie. After a 1-1 draw in Alicante there is still some work to do to ensure a place among the last sixteen and a date with Granada or Osasuna...

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FC Barcelona squad named for Copa del Rey match against Hércules

Luis Enrique calls up 16 players for the Round of 32 second leg The next Barcelona match is upon us! The Blaugrana finish off their 2016 campaign with the second leg of the Copa del Rey Round of 32 against Hércules at Camp Nou, and Luis Enrique has called up 16 players to be in uniform. This is the squad in full: Goalkeepers: 13. Jasper Cillessen, 25. Jordi Masip Defenders:...

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Barcelona vs Hércules, 2016 Copa del Rey: Match Preview, Predictions

2016 ends with a pretty important game for Barça. Just kidding. Barcelona have just one more match before 2016 ends, the players go into 20 days of vacation and only return to action in mid-January. They deserve a break after a pretty awesome year of titles, goals, fun, disappointment, meltdowns, recoveries, the Espanyol game, and much more. The La Liga campaign this year...

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Barcelona vs Hércules, 2016 Copa del Rey: Team News, Lineups, Goals, Live Stream, All Updates

Barcelona face Hércules in the 2nd leg of their Copa del Rey Round of 32 matchup at Camp Nou. Stay with us for full coverage! Barcelona could be in for a shock against Hércules. The Segunda B minnows earned a draw at home against the Catalan giants, and they need either a win or a high enough scoring to draw to proceed into the next round of the Copa del Rey. Luis Enrique...

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Barcelona Coach Luis Enrique Aware of Hércules Risk

Barcelona do not have the tie settled in the Copa del Rey. Barcelona could be in for a shock against Hércules. The Segunda B minnows earned a draw at home against the Catalan giants, and they need either a win or a high enough scoring to draw to proceed into the next round of the Copa del Rey. Luis Enrique has allowed Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Neymar and Gerard Piqué an...

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Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu Says Aleix Vidal is Unlikely to Be Sold

The FC Barcelona president said it’s likely no players will be sold during the winter Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu has played down rumors that Aleix Vidal is on his way out. If Vidal does not leave, it is unlikely another fullback (such as Darijo Srna) will be brought in. Bartomeu: “We have a small squad and it’s not expected that we will sell anyone, not Aleix...

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FC Barcelona News: 20 December 2016, Preparations End for Hercules, Barcelona Reach UEFA Deal

Barcelona will make Lionel Messi best-paid player in the world - Bartomeu | ESPN Barcelona have vowed to make Lionel Messi the best paid player in the world as they prepare to begin talks over extending his contract in the New Year. Neymar, Luis Suarez, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo have all penned new deals at their respective clubs in recent months, with the latter...

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La Liga News: 20 December 2016; Real Madrid Transfer Ban Reduced, Sevilla Want Defensive Reinforcements

Real Madrid's transfer ban halved after CAS appeal - ESPN FC Real Madrid will be able to sign players during summer 2017 after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially accepted their appeal regarding a transfer ban imposed by FIFA for breaking youth transfer regulations. 'I turned down Zidane' - Mbappe | Football Espana Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe has revealed...

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Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo Rivalry: It’s Time to Forget about the Ballon D’Or

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Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitić: Unsettled, Manchester United Beckon?

Rumor is Rakitić is unsettled by Luis Enrique’s team selection. How much truth is there? According to a report by Francesc Aguilar, a well-known writer for Mundo Deportivo, Ivan Rakitić is unsettled by Luis Enrique’s recent team selection. The Croatian did not play a single minute in Barcelona’s 4-1 triumph over Espanyol, and it’s become commonplace to see Rakitić dropped...

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FC Barcelona News: 19 December 2016; Barcelona Dominate Espanyol, Four Begin Holiday Break

Round-up of today’s Barcelona news FC Barcelona v RCD Espanyol: Derby delight! (4-1) | FC Barcelona FC Barcelona turned on the style in the second half to cruise to a 4-1 win over rivals RCD Espanyol at Camp Nou on Sunday night.Luis Suárez opened the scoring in a quiet first period but the magic of Andrés Iniesta and Leo Messi helped propel the team to another level in the...

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