الاثنين، 27 سبتمبر 2021

FC Barcelona News: 27 September 2021

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FC Barcelona v Levante UD - LaLiga Santander
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A round-up of the latest Barcelona news and rumors

Barça 3-0 Levante: Party time at Camp Nou! - FC Barcelona
Questions may have been asked about FC Barcelona’s football in recent weeks, but nobody will be asking any questions about today’s performance. The Catalans were simply outstanding from start to finish as they cruised to 3-0 victory against Levante.

Triumphant comeback for Ansu Fati - FC Barcelona
Sunday was a very special day at Camp Nou. Not just because of the win but also because of the triumphal return of Ansu Fati. Only on from the 79th minute, the 18-year-old dazzled every time he touched the ball and capped it all with a remarkable goal just as the game was heading into injury time.

Luuk de Jong opens his FC Barcelona account - FC Barcelona
Their is a new name on the list of players who have scored in an FC Barcelona shirt: the Netherlands striker Luuk de Jong opened his Barça account with a goal on Sunday against Levante at Camp Nou.

The week ahead for FC Barcelona with La Liga and Champions League - FC Barcelona
After a week with no less than three games there is no let up for FC Barcelona as they face a week with two vital away games. Ronald Koeman's team will travel to Benfica for Match Day 2 of the Champions League before Saturday's trip to Madrid to take on current La Liga champions Atlético Madrid.

Barcelona target 'new' Pedri at Las Palmas - Football Espana
Barcelona are rumoured to be lining up another raid of the Las Palmas’ academy following the incredible rise of Pedri at the Camp Nou. La Blaugrana agreed a €5m deal for Pedri in 2019 before allowing him to return to Gran Canaria on a season long loan in 2019/20.

Ansu Fati: "We are Barcelona and we have to aim to win everything" - Football Espana
“Thank you to the doctors and everyone who’s been through this with me,” Fati said post-match in comments carried by Dermot Corrigan. “And the fans, who have been unbelievable. We are Barcelona and we have to aim to win everything; La Liga, the Champions League, all the competitions. We have to fight and work for that. I’m proud to wear the number ten after Leo. Thank you to the club and the captains for the opportunity.”



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Schreuder: We’ll have a fantastic team when everyone’s fit

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The coach is feeling optimistic

Barcelona assistant coach Alfred Schreuder was in pretty confident mood after Sunday’s convincing La Liga win over Levante.

There was no Ronald Koeman on the bench for Barca, due to a two-match touchline ban, which meant Schreuder took over and also spoke to reporters after the game.

The Dutchman was pretty happy with his team’s performance and thinks Barca will take some stopping once everyone is fit and available.

“We played some great football today. The players really applied themselves,” he said.

“It’s great that Ansu is back, but we can’t forget about the other players. People like Gavi and Nico [Gonzalez] had a great game and the fans were really happy.

“I think that if everyone is fit, we’ll have a fantastic side with good options.

“Right now, we have to make sure that those who are playing give everything they can. Pedri will be back soon and we’ll have a really dangerous team when everyone is available.”

Schreuder also paid tribute to Ansu Fati, after his goalscoring return, and admitted having the youngster available again will be a big boost to the Catalan giants.

“We know he’s a great player,” he added.

“He’s got individual talent that we need and we know what he’s capable of. We’re delighted to have him available to play again.”

Source | Marca

Barcelona now head to Portugal to take on Benfica in the Champions League before a trip to Atletico Madrid next weekend. Koeman will also be absent from the bench at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium as he completes his ban.



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الأحد، 26 سبتمبر 2021

Nico ‘not surprised’ to see Ansu score on his Barca return

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FC Barcelona v Levante - La Liga Santander
Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

‘He is a special player’

Nico Gonzalez has been talking about Ansu Fati after seeing his team-mate mark his Barcelona comeback with a goal in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Levante.

Fati came off the bench to score and snatch all the headlines in a game where both Nico and 17-year-old Gavi impressed for the hosts.

The midfielder says he wasn’t surprised to see Fati straight back on the scoresheet and he’s hopeful the attacker can keep on banging the goals in.

“He is a special player, very important to us and what he has done has not surprised me because I have known him for a long time and I know what he does in training,” he said.

“He is a differential player. I hope that with the goal he has gained confidence and continues to give us everything he can, which is a lot. I hope he continues like this, on this path.

“We came from a complicated week, with two draws, and the game was committed, demanding, but we have a great team and things went the way we wanted.”

Source | Sport

Nico also spoke about how “it’s very easy” to play alongside Sergio Busquets and Gavi in the Barcelona midfield with both youngsters looking set to see plenty of game time in 2021-22.



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Barca players react to Ansu Fati’s sensational comeback

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FC Barcelona v Levante UD - LaLiga Santander
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Lots of messages for the youngster

Barcelona players have been quick to congratulate Ansu Fati on his brilliant comeback after the 18-year-old came off the bench and scored in a 3-0 win over Levante on Sunday.

There were emotional scenes at the Camp Nou as Fati made his first appearance for the Catalan giants since November 2020 and capped it off with a fine strike.

Riqui Puig was one of the first to send a message to Fati. He wrote on Instagram, “Congratulations Ansu Fati. You deserve it more than anyone. Magic afternoon at Camp Nou, thank you culés.”

Center-back Ronald Araujo also had some kind words for Fati.

“You deserve it… you and your big family. We are witnessing the patience and hard work you put into this time. Sos Crack, God bless you.”

Eric Garcia was up next and couldn’t hide his delight at seeing his close friend back out on the pitch at the Camp Nou.

“Afternoon of many joys today. For the victory and for the return of Ansu. You deserve it for all your hard work, that’s just the beginning. Thanks also to the fans for all the support.”

Dutch duo Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong also posted messages on Instagram after the game.

The messages continued to flow in for Ansu after the game. Gerard Pique tweeted how he was happy to see the forward back out on the pitch.

And fellow defender Oscar Mingueza was also celebrating Ansu’s return: “Good victory and great team match! Very happy to see you play Ansu again! You deserve it! Thank you so much fans, this continues!”

Meanwhile, Fati also took time out to send a message of his own to supporters on social media. He wrote, “Very happy to enjoy football again, for the victory and for the goal! Thank you to everyone who has helped me in recent months and thank you for your love! Força Barça!”



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Gavi and Ansu Fati give Barca reasons to be cheerful

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FC Barcelona v Levante UD - LaLiga Santander
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Long live La Masia!

Maybe Ronald Koeman should stay away from the Barcelona bench more often!

In all seriousness, this is the type of performance that all culers have been crying out for. Let’s not even dwell on the fact that Levante are usually the most accommodating of opponents at Camp Nou.

Paco Lopez has had the measure of the blaugranes of late, but his side were well beaten on Sunday afternoon.

It was three but it so easily could’ve been six or seven.

The icing on the cake was Ansu delivering on his long-awaited return. Still just 18 years of age, and with incredible pressure on his young shoulders, he took just a few minutes to send the faithful into orbit.

His movement and directness had already caused problems before the goal, and as long as he’s allowed to continue developing as before, he will be a worthy No.10.

‘Ansu-dependance’ really mustn’t be allowed to become something, however.

The clamour for a new hero is, perhaps, predictable, but in Gavi, Nico, Riqui, Eric, Ronald Araujo, Oscar Mingueza and more, the club have young stars coming out of the woodwork.

Give Koeman his due. For all of his other faults, his bravery in giving the kids their wings should be lauded, and Gavi’s performance in particular was sensational.

Just 17 years of age, and the midfielder looked completely at home being involved at every opportunity.

His physicality is, I’d contend, the main reason why Koeman favours what Gavi brings to the table a little more at this stage.

FC Barcelona v Levante UD - LaLiga Santander Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

What was wonderful to see from him was a young player expressing himself with complete freedom. The shackles were off.

Yes, he had a clear responsibility to defend when the need arose, but a licence to roam sat well in his shoulders.

His association with Busquets and his other team-mates was at an incredibly high level when you consider the small amount of minutes that he’s played. Minutes that Riqui Puig would kill for.

No doubt there will be many supporters clamouring for Gavi to have a more permanent residency, but are the club brave enough to unleash him against the likes of Benfica, Atletico Madrid and, a little later, Real Madrid?

When Pedri returns and Frenkie de Jong is back from suspension, we all know who the first choice midfield three will be.

In many respects, the technical team are caught between a rock and a hard place.

What was seen on Sunday hints at a much brighter future ahead, and yet there will be much bigger battles to come.

Do the club really want to throw their young talents in at the deep end, risk losing further ground at the top of the table, and then incur the wrath of the Camp Nou?

Fortune favours the brave but Barcelona aren’t really in a position to take any chances.



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Ansu Fati reacts to scoring on his Barcelona comeback

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FC Barcelona v Levante - La Liga Santander
Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

The teenager is back in business

Ansu Fati returned to Barcelona action after 10 months out injured and capped his comeback with a great strike to help seal a 3-0 win over Levante at the Camp Nou.

It was an incredible moment for the youngster, the club and his family after such a tough time on the sidelines and long road to recovery.

Fati’s father was captured looking pretty emotional in the stands as the Camp Nou celebrated his son’s goal, and the teenager was happy to share his thoughts after the match.

“I did not imagine a return like this. Here you always have to win. I am happy for the victory. I thank the doctors and physios who have been with me. Also to the fans.

“I have thought about helping in the team. I have also thought about my family, who have suffered these months. Also for the people of the club. They have been a great support for me in all these months.

“I am one more. I will try to add what I can. I will try to help the coach and be available to help. It will depend on how I find myself. I will have to earn the minutes. This is very a long process, it has just begun. We are Barça and we have to fight for everything.”

Barcelona’s new No. 10 also said he wasn’t fazed at all by wearing Lionel Messi’s old number and that he was thankful for the opportunity.

“For me the 10 is not a pressure, it is a pride. I thank the club and the captains for giving me the opportunity to wear it. It is not pressure, but gratitude,” he said.

“We are Barça, we are going to fight for LaLiga, for the Champions League and for everything. We are Barça and we have to fight and work for that.”

Source | Marca

Fati’s remarkable return is a real shot in the arm for Barcelona. The Catalans will obviously have to be careful with him but his performance, and those of Nico Gonzalez and Gavi, offer hope of a really bright future at the Camp Nou despite all the recent chaos.



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Barça 3-0 Levante: Recap

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FC Barcelona v Levante - La Liga Santander
Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

A perfect day at Camp Nou

Barcelona are back to winning ways and will finish the weekend in the Top 5 of the La Liga table thanks to an excellent 3-0 victory over Levante at Camp Nou. Barça played great attacking football throughout the 90 minutes, and Ansu Fati scored on his return in one of the most unforgettable moments in recent Barça history.

FIRST HALF

To the suprise of everyone watching, Barcelona were quite simply outstanding in the first half. They scored two goals early, with Memphis Depay winning and scoring a penalty and Luuk De Jong getting his first for the club after a brilliant buildup play from the back, but the team continued to attack and create chances throughout the period.

The midfield was superb, with Gavi and Nico González shining with their play on the ball and hunger to press the opposition and regain possession, and Sergio Busquets had one of his best halves in months. Óscar Mingueza and Sergiño Dest were constant threats from the full-back positions, and the team was really good defensively as well.

Barça could have easily scored four of five if not for Aitor Fernández in the Levante goal, and the feelings were extremely positive going into halftime. Could the home team sustain the pressure and score more in the second half?

SECOND HALF

The home team didn’t slow down: Barça continued to dominate possession and look to score more in the second half, with Memphis especially hungry to add more to his tally and being a tad too selfish at times. Riqui Puig came on early in the period and sparkled as usual, but the moment we all waited for came with 10 minutes to go when Ansu Fati returned.

The Prince was instantly a threat, running at defenders with his speed and skill and even earning himself a penalty which was somehow ignored by both the referee and VAR despite Fati being clearly tackled. But Ansu was not done: in the first minute of added time, he fired a rocket from just outside the box and found the bottom corner.

Camp Nou exploded, his parents cried in the stands, and the entire team celebrated with Barça’s new Number 10. The final whistle came to end a perfect day for Barça, and maybe, just maybe, it’s the start of many other good days. Football is amazing.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Mingueza (Araujo 81’), García, Piqué, Dest (Lenglet 89’); Nico, Busquets; Gavi (Demir 81’), Coutinho (Puig 59’), Memphis; L. De Jong (Fati (81’)

Goals: Memphis (pen 6’), L. De Jong (14’), Ansu Fati (90+1’)

Levante: Aitor; Miramón, Postigo, Mustafi (Pier 77’), Clerc; De Frutos (Cantero 69’), Radoja (Martínez 55’), Pepelu (Vukcevic 69’), Melero; Roger, Gómez (Morales 55’)

Goals: None



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