FC Barcelona News: 28 September 2021

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A round-up of the altest Barcelona news and rumors

Nine Masia graduates against Levante - FC Barcelona
No fewer than nine La Masia graduates featured in the spectacular win against Levante on Sunday, all playing their part in a dominant display from start to finish, with some of the most magnificent football of the season so far.

No appeal against second game ban for Koeman - FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona shall not be appealing against the second game for which Ronald Koeman is currently suspended in consideration of the Competition Committee’s verdict a minimum two-match suspension.

Pedri and Jordi Alba train with the rest of the squad - FC Barcelona
On Monday the first team squad returned to training after the win against Levante at Camp Nou on Sunday in which goals from Memphis, Luuk de Jong and a returning Ansu Fati gave them a much needed 3-0 win.

The lowdown on Benfica - FC Barcelona
After losing at home to Bayern Munich in their opening UEFA Champions League Group E fixture, Wednesday (9.00pm CEST) brings the first road trip of the campaign, a visit to Portugal to face Benfica. Here are all the essentials on the Eagles of Lisbon.

UEFA confirm no European Super League sanctions - Football Espana
UEFA have confirmed they will not be imposing any sanctions on the remaining three European Super League clubs. Europe’s governing body had previously warned of financial sanctions for any club who remained within the ill fated project in 2021 alongside potential future competition bans.

Ansu Fati believes the Barcelona number 10 is 'not a pressure' - Football Espana
Ansu Fati says taking the number 10 at Barcelona is ‘not a pressure’. The Barcelona starlet finally returned on Sunday after a the best part of a year out injured, suffering a serious knee injury last November. It has been a long wait to get back to action for Fati, but he made the most of it, scoring just 10 minutes after stepping back onto the Camp Nou grass as Barca defeated Levante 3-0.

Ansu Fati 'didn't imagine' dream Barcelona return would include a goal - Football Espana
Ansu Fati is delighted with his long-awaited return to action for Barcelona. Fati had been out since last November following a serious knee injury, but he finally returned on Sunday. In the 81st minute of Barcelona‘s win over Levante at Camp Nou, Fati was brought on and his return was made official.

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How will Barcelona line up against Benfica?

Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

The Catalans are in Portugal for Matchday 2

Barcelona take on Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday and need a win after opening up with a 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou.

Ronald Koeman is still without several key men due to injury but there’s hope Pedri might be fit, while there may be some more minutes off the bench for Ansu Fati.

Let’s look at how they might line up in Portugal.

Defense

Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

There’s unlikely to be too many changes in defense with Koeman still expected to be without both Jordi Alba and Alejandro Balde.

Alba is back in training but is expected to miss out again which means Sergino Dest should continue on the left with Oscar Mingueza on the right.

Ronald Araujo looks set to return in central defense and partner Gerard Pique, although Eric Garcia, Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti are also options.

Midfield

Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Pedri is closing in on a return to action after a thigh injury but it’s not clear if the 18-year-old will be fit enough to go straight back into the starting XI.

Barcelona will be able to call on Frenkie de Jong again after he missed the win over Levante because of his red card in the draw at Cadiz.

Nico Gonzalez and Gavi are both pushing for starts after impressing at the weekend, and Riqui Puig will be hoping for his first Champions League minutes in 2021-22.

Attack

Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

Ansu Fati stole all the headlines at the weekend after his triumphant return but will surely be back on the bench for this one with Barca needing to be careful with the teenager.

Luuk de Jong could continue up front after opening his account last time out, while Memphis Depay and Philippe Coutinho may also start again.

Injuries mean that Yusuf Demir is the only other real option to feature in attack but could have to settle for a place on the bench once again.

Possible XI: Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Pique, Araujo, Dest; Busquets, Frenkie; Gavi, Coutinho, Memphis; Luuk de Jong.

How do you think Barcelona should line up against Benfica? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below.

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Pedri & Alba back in training ahead of Benfica clash

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The duo are close to a return

Barcelona received a fitness boost on Monday with both Pedri and Jordi Alba back in training at the Ciutat Esportiva after injury.

Both players have been sidelined since picking up problems in Barca’s Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich a little under two weeks ago.

Sergi Roberto also trained after being a late withdrawal from the squad to face Levante on Sunday in La Liga due to illness.

The team will train again on Tuesday morning before flying out to Portugal for their next game against Benfica in the Champions League.

Pedri could be ready to return against Benfica and is “working against the clock” to be ready in time for the match, according to Diario AS.

It’s thought the Spain international could possibly make the starting XI, while Jordi Alba may have to wait until Saturday’s trip to Atletico Madrid to return.

Barca will also have Frenkie de Jong available for the game against Benfica. The Dutchman was forced to sit out the win over Levante due to suspension.

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Van Basten “doubts” Memphis can succeed at Barca

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The Netherlands legend is skeptical

Former Netherlands, Ajax, and AC Milan great Marco van Basten expressed skepticism that Memphis Depay was the right player for FC Barcelona, in a new interview.

“I have my doubts that he is a player for Barça,” he was quoted as saying.

“I believe that Memphis is a good player, but I believe he is an artist, an individualist. He does his own thing and continues to do that a bit. I believe that in a team this big, you have to be more of a team player. You have to attack as a group and share the ball. I have the idea he does too much his own thing, and I don’t know if that is sufficient for an elite club.”

Van Basten also had a career as a manager, having coached the Netherlands at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and at the 2008 European Championship. He also managed several clubs in the Eredivisie in his time - Ajax, Heerenveen, and AZ Alkmaar.

Memphis arrived from Olympique Lyonnais to Barcelona on a free transfer. Since, he has scored three goals for the Catalans in six appearances this season.

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Piqué announces he will host a “Balloon World Cup” alongside Twitch streamer

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The “sport” involves tapping a balloon and keeping it from hitting the ground

Gerard Piqué has announced he is going to launch the first ever “Balloon World Cup” alongside Twitch streamer Ibai Llanos. Teams from different countries will participate, and big prizes are promised for the winners.

The “sport” involves tapping a balloon so it doesn’t fall to the ground. Due to its nature as a game played inside a house, the duo hinted that furniture will be deployed in the playing area as obstacles.

To get a better idea what this would look like, here is a clip of the sport in action:

Gerard Pique and Ibai Llanos want to host a Balloon World Cup, with games kind of like this but with national teams, big prizes, and so on.pic.twitter.com/cvwJyelMjN

— Luis Mazariegos (@luism8989) September 27, 2021

Sixteen national teams - primarily from Latin America and Europe - will qualify. The organizers said they also wanted an Asian representative - perhaps China or Japan.

Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, France, Portugal, and the UK were mentioned as participant nations.

Llanos also mentioned he would like to see nearby Andorra qualify.

“It will depend a bit on the people, who shows up. We are organizing it now,” the FC Barcelona defender said.

“It’s a competition that we all have done at one point at home,” Llanos said.

The first match is slated to take place on October 14th. If you’d like to try to sign up as a national team, click here.

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The sun’s shining in Barca & revealing what this team could be

Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

Big games week for Barcelona will test the power of positive thinking 

Beware of the self-fulfilling prophecy.

When you say over and over again that you aren’t good enough, that’s exactly what you’ll be.

For Barcelona fans, the defeatist attitude has been one of the biggest frustrations with manager Ronald Koeman.

Perhaps it was fitting then that the Dutchman wasn’t on the touchline as his men made one of their most inspired performances in a long time, dominating Levante from start to finish.

In the end, the headlines will understandably focus on Ansu Fati and his fairytale comeback story.

Indeed, he’s back, and by the looks of it, maybe even better than ever.

Does this vindicate what Koeman has been saying all along? That we need to be patient and wait for the top players to return?

No. Ansu may have stolen the show, but it was still just a cameo performance. This victory was a collective triumph with every player pulling in the same direction.

Everyone did their job, but the catalysts were the youngest players on the field.

Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images

With Sergi Roberto unavailable at the last minute, Barcelona inserted 19-year-old Nico Gonzalez into the midfield to play alongside 17-year-old Gavi, who later on was joined by 22-year-old Riqui Puig, who soon will have to make room for 18-year-old Pedri.

They were fantastic. Eager to prove their value and ability to help win a game, and did so by commanding the midfield with 71% possession, and unleashing the attack to 12 shots on target.

Sergino Dest, Oscar Mingueza, and Eric Garcia were also outstanding on both ends of the ball. Dest in particular is showing forward thinking and becoming one of the top danger men, attacking with confidence and to great effect on both the left and right equally.

And how fitting that it was Ronald Araujo to raise Ansu Fati ten feet in the air to celebrate his goal properly for the magic it was.

Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

In that moment, the clouds had parted, and the potential of this team was illuminated.

There can be joy and success if Barcelona sees itself in a positive light again.

There is a future at this club because it continues to have one of the strongest academies in the world.

We know there is a future this season when we see players willing to fight hard for their fans and for each other.

Ansu is back, and will score goals.

Memphis Depay continues to be the man on a mission determined to prove he is one of the best players in the world that can make it at the biggest club.

Soon, they will have Ousmane Dembele rounding off the attack, and what a storm the three attackers could generate.

But above all else, there is a lesson for Ronald Koeman and president Joan Laporta.

No more fighting. No more negativity. Positive thinking works.

That should be a standard everyone at the club is held to.

Give the players credit for reminding us of that on Sunday.

Will the positive vibrations last?

It’s about to be tested in a big way.

The challenges must be taken on with confidence, courage, and belief.

Benfica is undefeated domestically, and Atletico Madrid are the reigning champions.

But they are not Barcelona.

Time to make sure they understand that, and to see if Koeman and his players finally believe it too.

Time to enjoy the beautiful game in Barcelona again.

Keep the momentum going.

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Five talking points from Barcelona 3-0 Levante

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

The Catalans get back to winning ways

Ansu gets Barca fans dreaming again

Barca fans haven’t had much to get excited about in recent weeks but the return of Ansu Fati on Sunday certainly got pulses racing at the Camp Nou.

Just seeing the 18-year-old back on the pitch after 323 days on the sidelines with a knee injury and the youngster’s smile as he ran on was something else.

pic.twitter.com/hPrXGgQ0ZZ

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) September 26, 2021

Fati was straight back into the action and was unlucky not to win a penalty within minutes of his arrival. The decision wasn’t given but that didn’t seem to bother the 18-year-old one little bit.

With the game into stoppage time, the forward picked up possession, swivelled past a couple of defenders and then ran through on goal and smashed an early low shot past Aitor Fernandez.

It was a brilliant moment as the Camp Nou rose as one to salute their young hero with the No. 10 on his back for the first time. Fati ran into the stands to celebrate with the medical team, while his father couldn’t hold back the tears, and Barca fans started to dream again.

Nico and Gavi are here to stay

Fati wasn’t the only teenager getting fans excited about Barcelona’s future. Nico Gonzalez and Gavi both started the match in midfield and showed once again just how much they have to offer.

Ansu & Gavi: A life together as . pic.twitter.com/D5f0NyprkP

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 26, 2021

Gavi had looked set to steal all the headlines after a superb display in midfield, but ended up being overshadowed by Ansu’s moment of magic, while Nico grew into the match after a slow start.

| Pablo Paéz 'Gavi' vs Levante.

• 67 Touches.
• 44/50 Passes.
• 3/4 Accurate Long Balls.
• 2 Shots.
• 1 Big Chance Missed.
• 8/12 Duels Won.
• 5/5 Dribbles Completed.
• 2/2 Aerials Won.
• 6 Ball Recoveries.
• 1 Foul Won. pic.twitter.com/yQOFr9ZhKm

— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) September 26, 2021

Barca lost Ilaix Moriba over the summer but the 18-year-old has already been swiftly forgotten about such are the riches the Catalan giants now have in midfield.

The future of the Barca midfield looks very safe indeed with Nico and Gavi joining Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Riqui Puig as options and with Jandro Orellana potentially the next to make the breakthrough.

Dest enjoying life on the left

There was also a standout performance in defense where 20-year-old Sergino Dest played out of position again at left-back but thoroughly enjoyed himself against Levante.

This was Dest’s best performance for Barcelona in a long time and saw the USMNT star pick up just his second assist for the Catalan giants in the first half.

Dest sent Luuk de Jong through on goal with a perfectly-weighted pass that was just begging to be put away and the Netherlands international duly obliged.

The stats show just how impressive Dest was on Sunday.

Sergiño Dest (20) v. Levante:

☑️ 89 minutes
️ 1 assist
4 chances created
5/6 dribbles won
8 ball recoveries
⚔️ 11 duels won
99 touches
3-0 win

A very, very good day for Dest. pic.twitter.com/eOqcBTAalk

— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) September 26, 2021

Playing on the left allows Dest to cut inside and link with more of his teammates, and he could well continue in that position against Benfica with Jordi Alba expected to miss out once again due to injury.

Barcelona’s Dutch duo deliver

Barcelona’s Dutch duo Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong were also on the scoresheet with early goals that made it a comfortable afternoon for the hosts.

Memphis looked far brighter after a quiet couple of games, winning and scoring a penalty, and probably should have had a few more but couldn’t beat Aitor Fernandez again.

Meanwhile, De Jong opened his account for his new club with a confident finish from a cute pass by Sergino Dest that sent him through on goal.

2 - Two different Dutch players (Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong) have scored in the same LaLiga game for the first time since March 2009 in Athletic-Real Madrid at San Mamés (Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Arjen Robben). Orange. pic.twitter.com/4fCK14kTSt

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 26, 2021

The tall striker admitted it was “beautiful” to score his first goal for Barcelona after failing to find the back of the net in his first three appearances for his new club.

De Jong’s already attracted plenty of criticism but took his goal well and worked hard throughout the 90 minutes. It was a good moment for the 31-year-old who will know game time will be hard to come by once Barca’s injured attackers return.

What now for Koeman?

Barca’s win over Levante came amid continuing speculation about Ronald Koeman’s future at the Camp Nou. The Dutchman still seems on very thin ice but it’s still not clear if any of Barca’s reported targets are willing to take on the job right now.

Koeman was forced to watch the game from the stands due to his touchline ban which meant Alfred Schreuder and his tight trousers took over. The assistant coach was noticeably vocal on the touchline as he urged his players on and shouted instructions throughout the 90 minutes.

A much-needed win duly arrived and may relieve some of the pressure on Koeman, for now at least, while the return of Ansu Fati will add some much-needed positivity around the club. The Barca boss was certainly happy to see the teenager back in action.

An important win today! Happy for @ansufati, who returned with a goal after a long time of rehabilitation! #ForçaBarça
-
Una victoria importante hoy! Feliz por @ansufati, que ha vuelto con un gol después de un largo tiempo de recuperación! #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/LSwVLabRNV

— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) September 26, 2021

Koeman will be back on the bench on Wednesday in the Champions League against Benfica but will be in the stands for a second time at the weekend against Atletico Madrid as he completes his ban.

It’s a big week for Barca ahead of the international break. A victory in Portugal will get their Champions League campaign up and running, while three points at the Wanda Metropolitano would see Barca leapfrog the champions in the table.

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