Quique Setién has called up 18 players for Sunday’s trip to the Bernabéu
The next Barcelona match is upon us! The Blaugrana travel to the Spanish capital for a potential title-deciding El Clásico against Real Madrid, and Quique Setién has called up the following 18 players for Sunday’s match:
Midfielders: 4. Ivan Rakitic, 5. Sergio Busquets, 8. Arthur, 21. Frenkie De Jong, 22. Arturo Vidal, 30. Álex Collado
Forwards: 10. Lionel Messi, 17. Antoine Griezmann, 19. Martin Braithwaite, 31. Ansu Fati
There’s a big surprise on the list: Jordi Alba is back after missing a couple of weeks with a groin injury and taking part in the last two training sessions. Another good bit of news is about Gerard Piqué, who is indeed fit to be part of the squad after his injury scare against Napoli. Three players miss this one through injury: Luis Suárez (knee), Ousmane Dembélé (hamstring) and Sergi Roberto (thigh).
Predicted starting XI (4-3-3):
Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Umtiti, Firpo; Arthur, Busquets, De Jong; Vidal, Messi, Griezmann
The match kicks off at 9pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 8pm GMT (UK), 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 1.30am IST (India, Monday), and you can join us to follow and comment all the action.
VISCA EL BARÇA!
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2VyzWjZ
Barcelona Outs & Doubts: Luis Suárez, Sergi Roberto, Ousmane Dembélé (out)
Real Madrid Outs & Doubts: Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Nacho, Rodrygo, James Rodríguez, Luka Jovic (out)
Date/Time: Sunday, March 1st, 2020, 9pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 8pm GMT (UK), 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 1.30am IST (India, Monday)
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
How to watch on TV: beIN SPORTS (USA & Canada), LaLigaTV (UK), SuperSport 7 (Nigeria), Not Available (India), Movistar LaLiga (Spain), others
How to stream: FuboTV (USA), beIN SPORTS CONNECT (USA & Canada), LaLigaTV (UK), Facebook Live (India), Movistar+ (Spain), others
Following a solid 1-1 draw against Napoli in the Champions League in midweek, Barcelona return to action for the biggest La Liga match of 2020: El Clásico takes place at the Santiago Bernabéu between leaders and two-time defending champions Barça and second place Real Madrid.
Barça are two points ahead at the top of the table thanks to Madrid picking up just one point from their last two matches, and with Los Blancos coming off just one win in their last five in all competitions and a painful loss to Manchester City in Europe it’s safe to say Barça are in better form and maybe even favorites coming into this one.
A victory for Barça would open up a five-point gap at the top of the standings with 12 games to go and history shows us that’s almost impossible to overcome in La Liga, especially with Barça holding the head-to-head and goal difference advantage if they win. Not only that, the Blaugrana would win a sixth consecutive match at the Bernabéu, an unprecedented run of dominance at the Spanish capital that would truly change the name of Madrid’s stadium to the Santiago BARÇAbéu.
Madrid are virtually out of the Champions League and are eliminated from the Copa del Rey, so losing El Clásico will pretty much end their season. That means they’ll give everything they have to win this one, and Barça must manage the game well and know they won’t be able to play pretty football for 90 minutes. This is about intensity and wanting more than them, and Quique Setién is facing his biggest test yet.
This promises to be one of the great Clásicos of recent memory. Will Barça extend the streak? Will Madrid find a way to save their season? This is going to be so good.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Semedo, Piqué, Umtiti, Firpo; Arthur, Busquets, De Jong; Vidal, Messi, Griezmann
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco, Benzema, Vinicius
PREDICTION
I hate being confident ahead of a Clásico, but I think we’ll be too good at the end: 3-2 Barça in a Clásico for the ages.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/38dAI8A
Photo by Claudio Villa - Inter/Inter via Getty Images
More gossip about the club’s striker search
Barcelona’s lack of planning has been rightly criticised this season but they are already reportedly thinking about attacking options for next season.
Mundo Deportivo report the club are weighing up whether to try and sign Lautaro Martinez from Inter Milan for €110 million or RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner for €60m.
News of interest in Martinez is not new, but it seems that Barca are not the only club interested and face a battle for his signature. He’s also very expensive.
Werner is a far cheaper option and is enjoying a prolific season in Germany. He has 27 goals in all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit so far in in 2019-20.
The Germany international has been almost openly flirting with Liverpool in the last week or so but has also said it would be fun to play in Spain.
So what’s the better deal for Barca?
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/38hhCic
It’s the 53rd minute. Barça have just scored through Andres Iniesta. 3-0.
That game finished 4-0. A Messi-less Barça managed to down Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, encapsulating a trend of dominance for the Catalan club at Madrid’s home. Barça have won eight of the previous eleven meetings between the two clubs (away from home). A staggering record. Even more so considering the fact that Madrid dominated the football landscape in the second half of the 2010s.
This article ranks the five best Clasico wins at the Bernabeu. It was a tough decision; several thrillers didn’t make the cut. The ones that did, however, are some of the best games of football in recent memory.
Ernesto Valverde’s unbeaten Barça came into this as favorites, against a Madrid side that had had a mixed start to the Liga campaign. Valverde fielded a conservative 4-4-2 with Alba, Vermaelen, Pique and Roberto forming the back four along with Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitic and Paulinho in midfield. Uninspiring, yes, but very effective. Paulinho had found a rich vein of form at the time and had formed a good link with Messi, covering space on the right when Messi cut inside and running into the box to create havoc.
Zidane, on the other hand, had fielded a 4-1-3-2, with Casemiro as a pivot and Kovacic in the hole. Kovacic had been a surprise addition, deployed to cover Messi in the right half-space.
It was very much a game of two halves, with Madrid having the better chances in the first and Barça dominating in the second. Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the 54th minute, blasting in a drilled effort after some good work by Rakitic and Roberto. Barça doubled their advantage through a Messi penalty, ten minutes later, after Carvajal saved a Paulinho header with his hand and got himself sent off in the process. A third came late on, with Messi squaring the ball for an incoming Aleix Vidal. 3-0. Easy as you like it.
Barça finished the game with three goals, 18 shots (11 on target), 56% possession and an xG of 3.71 (to Madrid’s 1.30). It was a clinical performance. Barça were in the throes of their Valverdesque transformation and this performance was a perfect example. Not entirely without faults, but convincing enough.
4. Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Many remember this game for that Messi masterclass, and rightfully so. In the first leg of a tense semi-final fixture, Messi took the Madrid defense to the cleaners with two wonderfully worked goals. Pep fielded a 4-3-3 with Puyol, Busquets, Pique and Alves in defense, Seydou Keita, Mascherano and Xavi in midfield, with Messi, Pedro and Villa up top. Mourinho, on the other hand, went with a 4-1-2-1-2 diamond, with Marcelo, Ramos, Albiol and Arbeloa in defence, Pepe, Diarra, Xabi Alonso and Ozil in midfield alongside Ronaldo and Di Maria up top. Typical Mourinho, then.
The game was a tight affair, all things considered (both teams managed a total of 14 shots). However, the complexion of the game changed in the 61st minute, when Pepe was sent off for a boots-up challenge on Alves. Barça scored soon after, in the 76th minute, with Messi getting at the end of a low cross by Afellay. Messi doubled his tally in the 87th, by scoring what can only be described as a ‘worldie’. After taking the ball from Busquets, the Argentine danced past five defenders before slipping the ball beyond the reach of a hapless Casillas. It is one of ‘those’ goals. One of the purest exhibitions of genius in the history of sport.
Barça finished the game with two crucial away goals and progression all but guaranteed.
3. Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona
Photo by Miguel Ruiz/FC Barcelona via Getty Images
Enrique’s Barça came into this game, without Messi yes, but with a three-point lead at the top and an in-form duo of Neymar and Luis Suarez. In the absence of Messi, Enrique started Roberto on the right-hand side, alongside Neymar and Suarez, while opting for a midfield trio of Rakitic, Busquets and Iniesta and a back four of Alba, Mascherano, Pique and Alves. Rafa Benitez, too, fielded a full strength side with an attacking quartet of Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale and Rodriguez.
Barça were at Madrid’s throat right from the off and broke the deadlock early, with Suarez getting on the end of a lovely 24 pass move with an emphatic outside of the boot strike. 1-0. They doubled their advantage in the 39th minute when Iniesta threaded a ball through for Neymar, who slotted it in against an advancing Keylor Navas. Iniesta himself got on the scoresheet in the 53rd minute. The Spaniard blasted the ball in the top corner after receiving it via a Neymar backheel. Suarez capped the rout with a chipped finish, rubbing salt into the wound.
A deep wound, indeed. Barça ended the game with 18 shots (7 on target), 59% possession and a six-point cushion at the top of La Liga. It was the Suarez and Neymar show like we’d never seen it. And it was electrifying.
2. Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
In his first (and only) visit to the Bernabeu as Barcelona manager, Tata Martino oversaw a seven-goal thriller and in doing so, kept his side’s La Liga hopes alive. He fielded a very strong lineup, with Xavi, Busquets and Fabregas in midfield alongside Neymar, Messi and Iniesta in attack. Ancelotti fielded a similar a 4-3-3 with Modric, Xabi Alonso and Di Maria as the midfielders. In attack, he employed the familiar front three of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano.
Barca went ahead early through Iniesta, who thundered the ball into the right top corner with his left after being played on by Messi. Barça found themselves behind, however, after two quick strikes by Benzema, in the space of four minutes. Barca pulled level in the 42nd, through a lovely Messi goal. That was when the game got feisty, however, with Ramos eventually seeing red in the 63rd minute; Messi drew Barça level via the subsequent penalty, after Ronaldo had pulled Madrid ahead through a penalty of his own, minutes earlier. That was not it, however. There was another twist in the tale, as the referee gave the third penalty of the game Barça’s way. Messi scored. 4-3. Game over.
This game was tense in every sense of the word. It was fraught with indiscipline, yes, but it did have moments of footballing brilliance, especially from Messi and Di Maria.
1. Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
A classic. And a worthy number 1. Barça came into this game trailing in the La Liga race, three points behind a Madrid side that also had a game in hand. It was do or die for the Catalans. Lose and the league is lost. With that in mind, Enrique fielded a strong eleven; starting Roberto, Pique, Umtiti and Alba at the back, Busquets, Iniesta and Rakitic in the middle of the park along with Messi, Suarez and Alcacer up top. Zidane fielded his strongest possible eleven, starting with Casemiro, Kroos and Modric in midfield and Cristiano, Bale and Benzema in attack.
The first half was a feisty affair. Lots of fouls, lots of refereeing and a bleeding mouth. Real took the lead through Casemiro, who got on the end of a Ramos rebound. Barça equalised through Messi just five minutes later; the Argentine skipped past two (tissues and all) and drilled the ball into the net. Rakitic gave the Blaugrana the lead in the 73rd minute by blasting one into the net after a neat fake shot. The away side’s joy was short-lived. Rodriguez equalised for the Meringues in the 85th, seemingly ending Barça’s title hopes. A Messi goal was written in the stars, however. Sergi Roberto brought the ball from his own 18 yard box into the opposing half. He passed it to Gomes, who then laid it off for a charging Alba. Alba, in typical fashion, cut the ball back for an incoming Messi who slotted it in. Easy as you like. 3-2.
This game truly had it all. Injuries, scuffles, late drama. You name it. Truly spectacular.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2wj6HqE
For Real Madrid this game is vital and much more important than it is for us. It is a key and decisive game for them, it’s also important for us but perhaps not as important. It could be a very important day, a victory would give us a lead of five points but in these games the past is quickly forgotten about. I expect a very close game, we’ll see who deserves to win it more.
Setien on how Barcelona will play
We will be a daring team, we will try to have the ball and defend when they have it. As before with Real Betis and Las Palmas, we will be a daring team, pressing and wanting the ball. Madrid must be respected. It will be competitive, there will be phases that we control and others that we will not.
Setien on Jordi Alba
He’s pretty good, and the feelings are positive. We just have to decide with him whether he is going to start or not. We will see. Of course he is confident.
Setien on meeting Guardiola after Real Madrid’s defeat to Man City
I wasn’t there to see Pep, I was there to see the game. We talked about a little of everything. What City did in the Bernabeu can help us to an extent
Setien on Messi set to overtake Xavi’s record of Clasico appearances
We would love to see him play another 43 more. It says a lot. I don’t know the statistics in terms of efficiency but he is very important for us. Hopefully, he will take advantage of a great game and can help us to win.
Setien on Gerard Pique’s fitness
He has recovered well, he will not have any problems.
Setien on Martin Braithwaite starting
We do not rule anything out. We have alternatives laid out. We will decide on some things as we go. Hopefully the decisions are valid.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2PDEm5s
Jordi Alba has been declared fit to return to action and has been included in Barcelona’s squad for Sunday’s La Liga match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The left-back has been out of action since picking up an adductor injury in the win over Getafe and has missed the last two matches against Eibar and Napoli.
However, he has been passed fit and is in contention to play on Sunday in a crucial match at the top of the table.
Junior Firpo has filled in for Alba over recent weeks but has come in for criticism and seems to be lacking confidence.
Quique Setien therefore has a tough to decision to make over whether to through Alba straight back into the fray or continue with Junior in a such a big game.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2ToGIWJ
We study him ‘like a player from Celta Vigo or Levante’
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has risked angering Lionel Messi ahead of Sunday’s Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Belgium goalkeeper has given an interview where he asked about the Barcelona captain and was pretty disparaging in his reply.
“Do I think of Messi before this Clasico? No, not really. It was the case during my first season with Atlético Madrid, especially when you play Camp Nou for the first time, with all these stars. At that moment, if you don’t think about it, it is because something is wrong with you.
“But today, I don’t think about it anymore. For me, Messi, he is a player like any other. Nightmares because of him? No, never (laughs). We studied him as we study a player from Celta Vigo or Levante. There is no difference.”
Courtois’ interview did not go unnoticed at Barcelona. The club responded on Twitter with a collection of Messi’s goals against the Real Madrid stopper.
It’s never a good idea to wind up Messi as we’ve seen throughout his career. The Barcelona captain was in lethal form last time out in La Liga too, netting four against Eibar. Let’s see who comes out on top on Sunday.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2vtxaBP
Luis Suarez has said he was shocked to hear from doctors he would be out for four months after undergoing knee surgery in January and is determined to be back before the end of the season.
The Barcelona striker’s season appeared to be over after he was forced to go under the knife, but he says he is recovering well and is in a rush to get back to action for the Spanish champions.
“I want to prove that it will not be four months. That’s why I’m working on my recovery every day since the operation.
“I have not had a holiday because I want to come back as soon as possible. Also when I see the team I feel like coming back. Although always with care and the authorisation of the doctor who is giving me guidelines for my recovery.
“Last week I went to the doctor and he was surprised at how quickly I was recovering. Cugat is a very cautious doctor so to hear that was a good day for me.”
Source | RAC1
Suarez’s operation took place on January 12 which means he could potentially be available for Barca’s last three La Liga games of the season if he returns on schedule.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2T8naa8
Barcelona take on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga on Sunday in a game that could go some way to deciding the title.
The champions have enjoyed themselves in the Spanish capital over recent seasons and will go five points clear with another win.
Here’s a look at who might feature:
Defence
Photo by Alejandro/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
The big team news in defence is that Gerard Pique looks to have shaken off an ankle injury and should play, but Jordi Alba is likely to miss out despite returning to training.
Sergi Roberto is also still on the injured list, meaning Junior Firpo and Nelson Semedo will start as the two full-backs.
In central defence it’s between Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet as Pique’s partner. Umtiti appears just ahead in the pecking order but Lenglet will be fresher.
Midfield
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ivan Rakitic has started Barca’s last two games but looks set to return to the bench for the trip to the Spanish capital.
He could be replaced in the starting XI by Arthur, while Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets should also feature on Sunday.
Attack
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann will start in attack but it’s not clear who else will play for Barcelona against Real Madrid.
Arturo Vidal has forced his way back into the starting XI recently, featuring on both flanks, although Ansu Fati remains in contention.
New arrival Martin Braithwaite is also an option. The Denmark international impressed on his debut against Eibar and is being tipped by some to make a shock start.
Possible XI: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Junior; De Jong, Busquets, Arthur; Vidal, Messi, Griezmann.
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Real Madrid? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and line-ups in the comments below!
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/32A6Py4
Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The game should take place as scheduled
La Liga president Javier Tebas has said Sunday’s Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu is not at risk of being postponed due to coronavirus.
Barcelonareportedly received an informative talk about coronavirus during Friday’s training session about prevention methods after the virus spread across the globe.
Football has already been affected with games in Italy being called off and a number of Serie A fixtures set to take place behind-closed-doors.
Tebas spoke about the situation and said they do have plans in place should the situation worsen but are not expecting to have to use them currently.
“We haven’t considered the possibility of postponing the Clasico or any other games, but as of Sunday evening we have opened a coronavirus commission within LaLiga to monitor the situation,” he said.
”We have a plan in place for different cities regarding whether we can play behind closed doors or not. That situation has not yet arisen in Madrid and neither has the matter of postponing the Clasico.
“It’s one thing to postpone a game and another not to play it. We have been looking at the possibility of playing games behind closed doors and, if that is not possible, then we will postpone.
”If that case arises, we have dates prepared for when we can stage those games. We have presented this plan to UEFA so they can also bear in mind European ties involving Spanish teams.”
The Clasico has already been postponed once this season. The two teams met in December at the Camp Nou in a fixture that was originally scheduled for October but had to be rearranged because of security issues in Barcelona.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/3civrQr
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
The Spanish side used his criticism as motivation
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong may have inadvertently played a role in former team Ajax’s Europa League exit at the hands of Getafe on Thursday.
The Dutch champions won the second leg 2-1 in Amsterdam but went out 3-2 on aggregate, with Getafe reportedly using criticism from De Jong as motivation.
The Barca midfielder was critical of Getafe after their 3-0 first leg win and said: “The match between Getafe and Ajax was painful. For me, it was especially frustrating. Getafe does not play to entertain the crowd. I find it annoying to watch their games.”
A picture of De Jong with those comments printed out was found in the Getafe dressing room after the match, according to Voetbal Primeur:
An ill-tempered tie saw Getafe boss Jose Bordalas hit back at the team’s critics after the match saying: “We hit the woodwork three times, we scored and had a goal ruled out. If that’s a defensive team then I don’t know what football is.”
Getafe have been drawn to face Inter Milan in the last 16.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2wRE04p
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has been talking about his future and revealed there is a clause in his current deal that means his contract will be renewed if he features in 60 per cent of the team’s games next season.
Suarez’s current deal expires next summer by which time he will be 34.
There has already been plenty of talk about his replacement with Barca heavily rumored to be considering signing Lautaro Martinez in the summer.
Here’s what Suarez has had to say:
There is the option that next year if I play 60 percent of the games I’m available for, I renew,” he said.
”I am happy here and my family is too.
”I’m where I always wanted to be and I feel useful, but the decision has to come from the club, I want to stay here but that doesn’t depend on me.”
Source | RAC1
The Uruguay international had scored 14 goals in 23 matches this season before injury interrupted his campaign. He underwent surgery in January that saw the club rule him out of action for four months.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2TjupLq
Lucas Perez was one of the names that kept popping up in Barcelona transfer rumors over the last couple months.
The Alaves attacker became a name that Barcelona were pretty keen on signing. He was an early player in the minds in power at Barca to replace the production that an injured Luis Suarez left behind.
He ended up staying at Alaves, which could be better for him as a player in the long run He talked about his career, as well as the Barcelona interest in an interview with Marca.
“Teams usually call in transfer markets. It wasn’t only Barcelona who called, but others as well. My only thoughts were to end the season here though because I have a contract and I’m happy. My only focus is playing here and not taking another wrong step and end up not playing, like what happened in England. I never planned to leave mid-season.”
“It’s not the first time Barcelona or another big club have called me. But I have a clear idea of what I want to do and I want to feel like a player, which is how I feel here. Alaves have shown me a lot of love since the beginning and at the end of the season I’ll see what happens. But I have a contract with Alaves, I’m very happy at the club and in Vitoria, and that’s shown on the pitch.”
Jordi Alba has given Barcelona a fitness boost by returning to first-team training on Friday after recovering from an adductor injury.
The left-back took part in some of the session although it’s not expected he will be fit enough to face Real Madrid on Sunday.
Gerard Pique also took part in the session and it looks like he will be OK to face Real Madrid after shrugging off an ankle knock picked up against Napoli in the Champions League.
The centre-back will partner either Samuel Umtiti or Clement Lenglet on Sunday, while Junior Firpo should continue in place of Alba.
Riqui Puig and Sergio Akieme were part of seven B teamers in Friday’s session and could be included in Quique Setien’s El Clasico squad.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/3afIxvQ
Barcelona have injuries in defence with full-backs Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba definitely out. Gerard Pique is a bit of a doubt with an ankle problem but it’s hoped he will play.
If Pique does make it then Quique Setien still has to make a tough decision between Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti as his partner. Setien seems to have just favoured Umtiti so far but Lenglet will be fresh after not starting against Napoli.
There will be plenty of focus on the full-backs too at the Bernabeu. Junior Firpo came in for much criticism in midweek against Napoli and seems to be devoid of confidence. A big performance is needed from the youngster to answer his critics.
Photo by Franco Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images
On the other side of the pitch Nelson Semedo is expected to come up against Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian has been a lively, if still frustrating, presence for Real Madrid in recent weeks and his battle with Semedo could prove key.
Barcelona haven’t kept a clean sheet away from home since the start of December, although that one did come in Madrid in a 1-0 win at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Martin Braithwaite thrilled supporters with his brief cameo off the bench in the 5-0 win over Eibar which suggests he will see more first-team game time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It would be a surprise if the Denmark international were to start the game but it can’t be completely ruled out. Arturo Vidal may need a breather, Ansu Fati hasn’t seen much game time lately and Braithwaite has already said he “really wants” to play.
Braithwaite does know what it’s like to score against Real Madrid too. His first Leganes goal came against Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey in 2018-19.
Photo by Legan P. Mace/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The 28-year-old is a willing runner, can offer Barca pace in attack and has bags of enthusiasm as he showed against Eibar. He can also play with freedom because, rightly or wrongly, nobody is expecting too much from him over the next few months.
Can Setien and Barca continue Bernabeu dominance?
Barcelona have enjoyed their visits to the Bernabeu recently and have won eight of their last 11 at the home of Los Blancos. Last season brought wins at Real Madrid in La Liga and the Copa del Rey in the space of just four days.
Real Madrid’s home form is not good either currently. They have failed to win their last three and have been beaten by Manchester City in the Champions League, Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey and only drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo in La Liga.
The Bernabeu has also been a happy hunting ground for Quique Setien, particularly when Zinedine Zidane has been in charge of the Spanish giants.
Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Setien oversaw a 1-0 win with Real Betis in 2017-18, thanks to a 94th-minute winner from Antonio Sanabria and beat Real Madrid 2-0 on the last day of last season. Goals from Loren Moron and Jese ended the campaign in style.
The new Barcelona boss nearly pulled off a shock win with Las Palmas too. His team were 3-1 up in March 2017 but had to settle for a draw thanks to two late Cristiano Ronaldo goals.
Setien’s overall record against Zidane reads two wins, two defeats and two draws but something will have to give on Sunday at the Bernabeu.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2I9vOPj
Neymar has filed a third legal claim against Barcelona and is seeking 6.5 million euros from his former club, according to El Mundo. The Brazilian wants compensation for contingency payments, and the legal action could threaten his chances of returning to the club.
Former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes does not want Martin Braithwaite to play in El Clasico. He said: “He’s an interesting player for Barca. I love centre forwards and I think the opposition coach finds it harder to defend when there’s someone leading the line. As a Madridista, I’d prefer he didn’t play.”
Martin Braithwaite has given an interview to Barcelona where he’s talked about his difficulties as a youngster. He explained: “I was in a wheelchair for two years because of a hip disease. I had to rest, I couldn’t force my legs. For a child like me, who played and loved football, it was very difficult.”
Konrad de la Fuente is set to sign a new deal with the club in the coming days and will be a permanent member of Barca B next season. The American youngster is seen to be ready to make the step up, and Barca are keen to keep hold of one of their most promising young players.
Barcelona are no longer interested in signing Willian from Chelsea. The Brazilian could be on the move in the summer and has previously been linked with the Camp Nou. Atletico Madrid could be a possible destination for the winger.
Bernd Schuster does not think Barcelona or Real Madrid will win the Champions League this season. He said: “In general, they’re having a bad season. Quite poor, so I don’t think any Spanish team will win the Champions League. We didn’t believe in Bayern Munich until recently and now you see them and they’re doing very well.”
Barcelona and Manchester United have both made offers for RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, according to The Athletic. However, the Germany international is said to be holding out for Liverpool who are his preferred choice.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/32wZVd6
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
The champions are at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been talking about El Clasico and says victory on Sunday against Real Madrid would “mean everything” to his team.
Quique Setien’s side can move five points clear with a win at the Santiago Bernabeu and have an excellent recent record at the home of their fierce rivals.
Ter Stegen explained what Barcelona will need to do if they are to take a vital three points home from the Spanish capital on Sunday night.
“We want to play as always, we want to keep possession, we want to be better than the opponents. It will be tough but we can stop them, we have great players, hopefully they can’t come to close to me.
“The key to this is teamwork and we know that everything needs to work in special moments. We need to be there, we need to be focused and ready and this is one of the moments in the season that we can really make a change. It’s on us. It’s not about somebody else. We know we have a lot of strength. I’m very confident when it comes to our team.
“This would mean everything to us to win this game, to have it in our hands again. We are going to go there and play one game and we want to be the ones who leave Madrid with three points. We don’t think about what’s happening in the league or the season. We just want to win this game.”
Real Madrid have hit a bit of a rough patch recently. Zinedine Zidane’s side have won only one of their last five matches and will know that another defeat will be a big blow to their title hopes.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2T6A5tn
Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images
The striker is loving playing with the GOAT
New Barcelona signing Martin Braithwaite has been talking about captain Lionel Messi and has made his admiration for the Argentinian clear.
Braithwaite laid on a goal for Messi in the weekend’s big win over Eibar and joked afterwards he wouldn’t wash his shirt after receiving a hug from his team-mate.
The Denmark international has now given an interview to the club’s official website where he offered more insight into life as Messi’s team-mate.
“Nobody can do things he does. If football were a religion, Messi might be God,” he said.
”He controls the match. He is an extraordinary player.”
Braithwaite was ineligible for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Napoli but will be hoping for more game time at the weekend against Real Madrid.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2T6O6Y3
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The striker is keen to play but will he feature?
Martin Braithwaite has been talking about Sunday’s Clasico against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu and made it pretty clear how much he’d love to play in the game.
The new arrival from Leganes made an impact off the bench against Eibar last weekend and travelled with the Barcelona squad for their game in Napoli despite being ineligible to play.
He will now be hoping to make his first start for the club against Real Madrid at the weekend and says he is looking forward to the fixture.
“It will be a magnificent experience. It is the most important game, everyone sees it. There will be a lot of intensity.
“I like watching all the Clasico games, and I know there is a lot of tension between the two clubs.
“And I don’t talk only about football, there are other things. I really want to play the game.”
Source | FC Barcelona
Braithwaite’s cameo against Eibar will have given Quique Setien plenty to think about, although you would expect the Denmark international to start on the bench.
Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann look certain to start in attack with Ansu Fati or Arturo Vidal also contenders for a place in Setien’s starting XI.
Yet Braithwaite could still be a useful option late on off the bench with a win for Barcelona enough to take them five points clear at the top of the table.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2I2g00R
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
The rule may be unfair, but it was already in place
To hear some commentators, you’d think La Liga gave special permission for Barcelona to sign Martin Braithwaite from Leganés, then rejected giving that permission to Leganés to sign a replacement.
I think people are genuinely confused about this, while others are conveniently leaving out the truth to suit an agenda or get outrage clicks.
La Liga has, for years now, allowed teams to sign one player outside of the transfer window as a replacement for an injured player who is out for more than 5 months. This is a rule that has been available for every team for years and is still available for any team.
The rulebook does not allow teams to make a signing if one of theirs is taken through this rule. This may be poor planning, and perhaps La Liga should have made exceptions. (But perhaps not - this is a different conversation.)
Without a doubt, Braithwaite’s transfer had to go through in any case. You can’t institute a rule, then take it back the first time anyone tried to use it. This was not a special permission granted, but simply following the rules.
Leganés were in fact asking for special permission. You have to feel sorry for them, as they’re fighting relegation and lost perhaps their best player. But you can see why the two situations are not at all the same.
Leganés have publicly said Barcelona did nothing wrong, as they simply followed the rules. It’s the rules, they say, that have a problem. Going forward, the logical thing to do is to either scrap the rule, or only allow a signing if it is approved by both sides.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2I213fu
Setién and his assistant, Eder Sarabia, were said to be at the Santiago Bernabéu as City overturned a 1-0 deficit. They watched from the stands in preparation. as Barça play Real Madrid this Sunday.
The pair congratulated Guardiola for his victory later at the hotel, while the City boss asked them how they were doing coaching the club he used to coach and captain.
Setién says he is a disciple of Johann Cruyff’s school of thought, and his gameplan may have a lot in common with Guardiola’s. When the latter was a player, Cruyff was his manager. Guardiola’s teams are noted for their build-up from the back, possession football, and high pressing, some concepts Setién also holds in high regard.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/32uUknC
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Join us as we talk another frantic week at Barca.
This week on the Barca Blaugranes podcast, Renato and I discuss Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Napoli in the Champions League. Then we move on to discuss El Clasico, what Barcelona can do to win, and Real Madrid’s poor form.
The 31-year-old was named man of the match against Napoli in the 1-1 draw at the Stadio San Paolo after an impressive display for Quique Setien’s side.
Busquets has been nominated along with Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry, Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.
Gnabry scored twice in the 3-0 win over Chelsea, De Bruyne scored the winner from the penalty spot against Real Madrid, while Aouar impressed against Juve.
This cheeky Houssem Aouar nutmeg wins Skill of the Day!
He says both ‘lame’ teams are going through a tough time
Real Madrid’s former general manager Jorge Valdano isn’t impressed by the La Liga title race. The two sides fighting for the top spot at the moment, Real Madrid and Barcelona, haven’t been their usual swashbuckling selves this season. Both have struggled to gain consistent form and impress fans as they usually do.
Valdano played and managed Real Madrid before retiring. He discussed the hard times that both clubs are going through in an interview this week.
“This Clasico is a race of the lame. Barca and Madrid are going through hard times. Barcelona’s recovery [in La Liga] is only down to Real Madrid. It’s their bad form that has strengthened Barca’s position.
“There are many people that said after the match [against City] that they won’t come on Sunday to avoid the suffering of a defeat but it is a Clasico match, all wounds will be cured. There are many experienced players at Real Madrid and they’re playing at home.
“Barcelona had an appalling match against Napoli. It’s not the same playing against Napoli as it is playing against City.”
The two teams played out a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou just before Christmas in a pretty dull Clasico which was the first goalless draw between the two sides since 2002.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2wSkgOh
The former England captain has been talking transfers
Inter Miami are kicking off their inaugural season this weekend. The owner and face of the club is of course David Beckham. Miami’s owner hasn’t been shy about discussing his club’s relationship with the footballing superstars of the world.
One might say that Beckham is even leveraging his position as a footballing icon in his role as Miami’s face. Who could blame him. Either way you feel about it, you have to admit it makes for interesting stories. Beckham continued his brash and open discussion about star players, including Barcelona’s own Lionel Messi, potentially joining up with the club this week.
“We’ve been contacted by a lot of different players with possibly coming to join the team. As with any owner, you really want the best players and if we have the opportunity to bring in players like Cristiano or Leo, I have such admiration for them as athletes, if we could bring those players in than great.
”But at the moment, we have a great roster. Young players, a couple of experienced players too, but a lot of young players who are just ready to play.”
Atletico fined 12k euros after Die Griezmann chants - SPORT
The competition committee has fined Atletico Madrid 12,000 euros after the chants from their fans aimed at Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann. They had sung 'Die Griezmann,' when the teams clashed on December 1 in Madrid. Barcelona won the game 1-0.
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
The defender picked up an ankle injury against Napoli
Gerard Pique gave Barcelona a scare at the end of Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 clash against Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo by picking up an ankle problem.
The centre-back looked in real pain as he hobbled off in stoppage time and was replaced by Clement Lenglet for the final couple of minutes.
Quique Setien is short on defensive options, with Jean-Clair Todibo having left in January for Schalke, and will not want to be without Pique for Sunday’s trip to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Sport reported after the match that Pique told the media he was OK and was hopeful he could play Real Madrid at the weekend, while RAC1 have also reported he should be fit in time for Sunday’s match.
Even Marca are reporting that Pique’s injury “isn’t serious” and point to the fact that Barca haven’t issued a medical statement as evidence, although they also reckon he will be monitored over the next few days.
Setien does have options if Pique doesn’t make it. Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet are the most likely partnership, although Ronald Araujo is a right-sided centre-back who could come into the team.
However, the early signs suggest Pique will be fit to play on Sunday where a win would move Barca five points clear at the top of the table.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2TmMoR2
Pictures and video from Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Napoli shows the Catalans have yet to learn their lesson. Liverpool famously scored from a quick corner against Barça last season in the UEFA Champions League, but that catastrophe hasn’t been enough to clue them in.
A picture from the 85th minute showed a Barcelona not fully focused on a corner about to be taken by the Italians.
Antonie Griezmann and Sergio Busquets were looking upfield, while Nélson Semedo and Arthur had their backs turned. Ansu Fati appears to be looking at the ground, while Gerard Piqué seems to be shouting instructions but also not looking at the ball. Perhaps Samuel Umtiti is glancing towards the ball, although it’s not clear how focused he is.
A video shows it’s a recurring problem. Semedo in added time blocked a cross out for a corner, then turned slowly to walk towards goal. Napoli appeared to be ready to take a quick corner, and the fullback didn’t react until a very annoyed Marc-André ter Stegen shouted at him to be ready to defend it.
This is not the first time the team has been caught napping in this situation; it’s happened a couple of times this season.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/394iJTn
Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Barcelona have needed another option to help Lionel Messi for a while now
Antoine Griezmann hasn’t had the monster season some expected of him. His scoring stats are respectable, but many were hoping that, as one of the world’s best players, Griezmann would absolutely light it up every week.
Still, there’s one thing the Frenchman has been indisputably great at: opening the scoring for Barça. He’s done so 10 times already this season, remarkable as he’s scored 13 goals total.
He did it again against Napoli, this time while Barcelona were in danger of losing the first leg of their UEFA Champions League tie. He adjusted well to Nélson Semedo’s ground cross and finished neatly to pull Barcelona level 1-1 going into the second leg.
Griezmann had developed a reputation for losing finals in past years, so “clutch” was not what people associated him with. But he’s since scored and won in the FIFA World Cup final and perhaps he’s exactly what Barça need at this moment. Well, he better be, anyway, since apart from Lionel Messi, Barcelona do not have any fit first-team forwards who are eligible for the Champions League.
The small amount of help Messi has received in the Champions League, especially away from home, is insane. In fact, Griezmann is the first Barcelona player, apart from Messi, to score a knockout stage Champions League away goal since Neymar in 2015. That is ridiculous.
Griezmann still seems unsure of his role at Barcelona, but he has a lot of qualities. He presses and defends a lot, he can score goals, and he passes well. Still, the team undeniably is missing a pacy winger (the injury to Ousmane Dembélé is highly unfortunate) and Griezmann isn’t it. However, he’s so good, even if he’s out of position, he has a lot to offer.
We will see if it’s enough.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2viqWVs
Napoli came away with a clearly impressive 1-1 draw with Barcelona at home on Wednesday. The Champions League matchup saw an impressive start by Napoli that ended up earning them a draw. Napoli’s manager Gennaro Gattuso made it clear that despite the draw held at home, his side would be well prepared to go into the Camp Nou.
“Of course nothing is finished, we know there will be difficulties but we’ll buy the helmets, the armour and we’ll go and play at Camp Nou.”
What Gattuso is making clear is that any semblance of what happened at home, may not happen at Barcelona. His side will be forced to play a brutal defensive style of football. Physicality and tactics will be key if Napoli want to come into the Camp Nou and come away with a positive result. Gattuso knows that all too well.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2Tlj1yw
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
The teams head to Camp Nou after a first-leg draw
Setien’s short of options for return
Barcelona went into Tuesday’s match without Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto due to injury and then lost Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal to suspension.
Their lack of strength in depth has already been shown up this season, but the absence of the two midfielders will be a blow for the return leg and suggests a midfield of Ivan Rakitic, Frenkie de Jong and Arthur is inevitable.
Quique Setien will be praying none of his midfielders picks up an injury ahead of the return leg and will also be hoping a late ankle knock to Gerard Pique is not too serious, particularly with El Clasico up next.
The Barcelona manager did say after the game he expected Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto to be fit to face Napoli at the Camp Nou and both could feature in the game too. Junior Firpo had a tough time at the Stadio San Paoloi, while Ivan Rakitic was poor and was hooked early in the second half.
Griezmann goal gives Barcelona the advantage
Barcelona struggled to cause Napoli any problems at all in a pedestrian first half in Naples that saw the hosts go in at the break ahead thanks to Dries Mertens’ fine curling effort.
Gennaro Gattuso spoke about Barcelona after the match and said “they didn’t hurt us, it barely tickled” with regards to the visitors’ attacking play.
Yet Setien’s side were better in the second half and grabbed a crucial away goal from Antoine Griezmann that leaves them as favourites to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
The Frenchman swept home a fine team move after good work from Sergio Busquets and Nelson Semedo to net his 14th goal of the season for Barcelona in all competitions.
Antoine Griezmann has now scored as many career Champions League goals as Luis Suárez, Paul Scholes, Gonzalo Higuaín and Luís Figo (24).
Rather incredibly Griezmann’s goal saw him become the first Barca player, other than Lionel Messi, to score an away goal in the Champions League knockout stages since Neymar in 2015. It’s a telling stat and one that highlights Barca’s difficulties away from home in the competition.
Ter Stegen saves Barcelona from more away misery
Barcelona’s poor away record in Europe might have continued on Tuesday if not for another strong performance from their goalkeeper.
The Germany international could only stand and gawp as Mertens was given far too much time and space to curl a superb shot into the top corner for the opener but otherwise proved impenetrable.
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
Napoli had another three attempts on target after that goal (compared to Barcelona’s one) but could not find a way past Ter Stegen. He was quick off his line to prevent Jose Callejo restoring Napoli’s lead shortly after the equaliser and also did well to deny Lorenzo Insigne and Arkadiusz Milik.
Ter Stegen spoke to Mundo Deportivo ahead of the game about his contract and said he was in no rush to sign a new deal even though he’s happy in Barcelona. The club’s lack of planning has already been exposed this season and will be again if they don’t sign him up soon.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/3a506ik
The teams played out a 1-1 draw in the Champions League
There’s no two ways about it. Barcelona were quite insipid last night. Tasked with breaking down a conservative Napoli side, the Blaugrana failed to create anything of substance, finishing with only one shot on target. While there were glimpses of brilliance from both sides, with Lionel Messi repeatedly dribbling past a host of blue shirts and Dries Mertens firing in from outside the 18-yard box, the game was a relatively dry affair on the whole.
Gennaro Gattuso came into this game with a clear plan: have men behind the ball at all times. He lined up in a 4-1-4-1 with Diego Demme as the single pivot and Mertens up top. This 4-1-4-1 became a very narrow 4-5-1 mid-block out of possession. In this mid-block, Demme was instructed to sit in front of the back four and occupy the central spaces that Messi usually does, thereby limiting the Argentine’s ability to dribble and pass between the lines. Occasionally, Gattuso allowed either Piotr Zielinski or Fabián Ruiz to push up and press alongside Mertens (in a 4-4-2) to ease the Belgian’s defensive duties, keeping him fresh for counters. It was clear that Gattuso did not want either Jose Callejon or Lorenzo Insigne to press alongside Mertens; he wanted them to stay wide and maintain a counter-attacking threat at all times. Moreover, not once did Napoli press the Barcelona centre-backs when they were distributing the ball from deep. They were operating with a man-oriented press and seemed content with sitting back, whilst maintaining a potent threat on the counter (from where they ultimately punished the Blaugrana).
Photo by Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Quique Setien on the other hand, lined up in a 4-3-3 with Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Ivan Rakitic in midfield and Arturo Vidal on the right-wing, who seemed to have been put there to preserve width when Messi dropped deep. Barça were operating with a relatively advanced interior in Frenkie and a deeper one in Rakitic, who was often staying with Busquets as a faux second pivot. When building from the back, Setien instructed Nelson Semedo to drop back and present himself as an extra passing option for the two centre-backs (Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti) and asked Junior Firpo to stay up ahead. Barça employed an aggressive press yesterday, with the midfield, alongside Vidal, often leading the charge in that regard: Busquets recorded six interceptions while Vidal made six tackles. Frenkie was tasked with occupying the opposing centre-backs, thereby, allowing Messi space to drop deep and receive.
So, why was it such a drab affair then?
Well, it was a familiar story. Barca were insipid in possession and lacked verticality. Setien’s men were conservative on the ball and seemed afraid to lose it. Even though they were pressing well, the players seemed risk-averse. Moreover, there was a lack of width and a lack of runners through the middle. With no real wide players on either wing, Barça were unable to create 1v1 situations through which they could capitalise. Instead, they were crowded out by Gattuso’s men through the middle. Vidal, who had worked well as a left-sided attacker against Eibar looked far worse on the right. He did not play off Messi well and offered no penetration whatsoever; Mario Rui was able to effectively shut him out of the game in the first half. Junior, who was the most advanced player on the left, offered nothing. He constantly passed backwards from advanced spaces, instead of advancing with the ball or playing it in. As a consequence, he finished with zero key passes and zero dribbles completed. So, no width. There also was a dearth of progressive passing through the middle. Frenkie, who was staying up high, was largely absent during the game and Rakitic did not offer anything in the way of attack. Setien’s decision to bench Arthur and Ansu Fati did not pay off. So, to recap: None of the interiors created through the middle yesterday and none of the wide players bombed forward on the wings. Not exactly a recipe for success.
Photo by Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
The only real attacking threat came from Messi, who finished with seven dribbles, two key passes and three shots. However, without any runners (for the majority of the game) he could not offer much in terms of end product.
Barça did improve in the second half, as the game opened up and Napoli relented. They were more decisive in the final third. The addition of Arthur changed the complexion of the game; his offensive contribution was vastly superior to Rakitic’s. Semedo showed more initiative to run in behind on the right, as well. Barcelona also edged the game according to xG, with 1.52 to Napoli’s 0.70. Reassuring, in a way, considering their torrid form away from home. Setien can take heart in the fact that his team did not implode after going behind. Instead, they grew into the game after that Mertens goal.
All in all, a 1-1 draw is not the end of the world. Barça still go to the Camp Nou as heavy favourites, even in the absence of key personnel. After all, they have not lost there in the Champions League in seven years.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/381cNJm
Antoine Griezmann: In the Camp Nou it will be different - SPORT
"We wanted to win, we came to win, but it wasn't possible. It was hard for us to get into the game and create space and shots at first," said Griezmann. "We played with their tiredness to create more chances as time went by.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts https://ift.tt/2TfIWb5
Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Claudio Villa - Inter/Inter via Getty Images
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9922421/897585514.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19756715/113216228.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19756719/498923274.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Miguel Ruiz/FC Barcelona via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19756720/480227001.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19756706/672037438.jpg.jpg)
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Alejandro/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Photo by Pablo Morano/MB Media/Getty Images
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19723401/1200873142.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Alejandro/DeFodi Images via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19754715/1203011918.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19751701/1208773116.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19753376/1203274616.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Franco Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19753382/1083445098.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Legan P. Mace/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19753388/1150277923.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Pablo Morano/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19747524/1208670136.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19747513/1208675437.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19747514/1208673859.jpg.jpg)
Photo by Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
