Zion Tech Group

Tag: Barcelonas

  • FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal Sets Internet Alight With Dribble (VIDEO)


    FC Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal set the Internet alight with a genius dribble that came in the first half of his team’s La Liga clash with Alaves on Sunday.

    Barca went into the vital fixture with crosstown rivals Espanyol having done them a huge favour by beating Real Madrid on Saturday night.

    In Cornella, relegation-threatened Espanyol topped Carlo Ancelotti’s men 1-0 which gave Barca the chance to cut their advantage to just four points from seven by seeing off Alaves.

    Barca went down the tunnel drawing 0-0 as the home fans in Montjuic jeered and whistled, but Lamine provided a rare moment of joy early on in the proceedings.

    Picking the ball up in his own half, Lamine first retreated to cut inside two Alaves men and left them trailing in his wake.

    Then heading towards the halfway line, Lamine continued to cut through a pack of white shirts and then out of nowhere changed direction.

    For another good 20 yards, Lamine carried on twisting and turning at will until lifting his head up and laying off a perfect outside of the foot trivela pass to Raphinha.

    Unfortunately the Brazilian couldn’t do anything with it and hit a pretty tame shot across goal.

    Yet it wasn’t long until X, formerly known as Twitter, was awash with footage of Lamine’s magnificent run.

    La Liga and Barca’s official accounts were two that uploaded the footage, which set the internet alight.

    Understandably, comparisons to his fellow left footed La Masia graduate Lionel Messi – which have intensified since a photo of the Argentine blessing a baby Lamine went viral in the summer – were 10 a penny if you will.

    Surely it can’t be long until Lamine inherits the holy jersey Messi once wore that is currently occupied by fringe player Ansu Fati.

    Maybe it’s when Lamine signs a long-term contract as expected when turning 18 on July 13 that a formal changing of the guard can take place.

    Like his fellow Spain internationals Pedri and Gavi this week, Lamine should commit until mid-2030 at least while expected to earn something between $7-8 million a season.



    FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal Sets Internet Alight With Dribble (VIDEO)

    FC Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, has taken the internet by storm with his incredible dribbling skills in a recent match. The young midfielder showcased his exceptional talent and agility as he weaved past defenders with ease, leaving fans and opponents in awe.

    In the viral video that has been circulating on social media, Yamal can be seen effortlessly gliding past defenders, showcasing his quick footwork and impeccable ball control. His mesmerizing dribble has earned him praise from football fans all around the world, with many hailing him as the next big thing in football.

    Yamal’s performance has further solidified his place as a key player in FC Barcelona’s lineup, and fans are eagerly anticipating more breathtaking moments from the talented midfielder. Watch the video and witness the magic of Lamine Yamal’s dribble that has set the internet alight.

    #FCBarcelona #LamineYamal #DribbleKing #FootballPhenom #ViralVideo

    Tags:

    FC Barcelona, Lamine Yamal, dribble, soccer, football, viral video, sports highlights, FC Barcelona news, football skills, soccer tricks, online sensation

    #Barcelonas #Lamine #Yamal #Sets #Internet #Alight #Dribble #VIDEO

  • FC Barcelona’s Champions League Comeback Worth More Than $50 Million


    FC Barcelona’s heroic comeback win over Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday could end up being worth over $50 million to the club as explained by official UEFA prize money figures and AS.

    It looked as though it wasn’t meant to be the Catalans’ night in the Estadio da Luz, as they trailed the Lisbon giants by a two-goal margin twice.

    At 4-2 down, however, Robert Lewandowski converted his second penalty ahead of Pedri setting up Eric Garcia for a headed equalizer.

    Deep into injury time, MVP Raphinha, who later said he will “kill and die” for the team, thundered down the pitch to latch onto a Ferran Torres clearance, and fooled Anatoliy Trubin to take home all three points by completing his brace and netting an eighth goal in seven UCL appearances this term.

    Hansi Flick confessed that he didn’t believe he’d lived a comeback like it. And while such a remontada works wonders for morale as Barca heads into the business end of the season, it also helps line the club’s coffers at a time when it needs all the money it can get while still recovering from a financial crisis that threatened to close the doors to the Camp Nou completely at the turn of the decade.

    As AS helps explain, the victory worth roughly $2.2 million (or exactly €2.1 million) means that Barca has pocked $13.1 million (€12.6 million) for the six of them it has achieved in the UCL league phase thus far, while taking scalps such as that of Flick’s former club Bayern Munich.

    We can then add this amount to the $19.4 million (€18.6 million) for participation and the $11.5 million (€11 million) which beating Benfica brought in for simultaneously reaching the last 16.

    That makes a total of around $43 million (€41.2 million) in the pot, but that could soon become $55.6 million (€53.3 million) by finishing in first in the league phase if Liverpool slips up, and also beating Europa League holders Atalanta next week on the last matchday of the preliminary phase.

    In short, the Benfica epic kept Barca in line for what is potentially an even bigger payday.



    FC Barcelona’s incredible comeback in the Champions League has not only secured their spot in the next round of the competition, but it is also estimated to be worth more than $50 million for the club.

    In their round of 16 second leg match against Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona pulled off a stunning 6-1 victory to overturn a 4-0 deficit from the first leg. This remarkable performance not only made history as the greatest comeback in Champions League history, but it also earned the club a spot in the quarter-finals.

    The financial implications of this victory are significant for Barcelona. Advancing to the quarter-finals means that the club will receive a share of the prize money distribution from UEFA. In addition, the increased exposure and TV revenue from progressing in the tournament will also bring in substantial revenue for the club.

    Furthermore, the victory has boosted the morale and confidence of the team and the fans, which can translate into increased ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and sponsorship opportunities.

    Overall, Barcelona’s Champions League comeback is not just a sporting achievement, but also a financial windfall that can help the club strengthen its position both on and off the pitch.

    Tags:

    1. FC Barcelona
    2. Champions League
    3. Comeback
    4. Soccer
    5. Sports
    6. Barcelona
    7. Football
    8. UEFA
    9. European Football
    10. Sports News
    11. Football Club
    12. Soccer News
    13. Team News
    14. Athletic News
    15. Financial Impact

    #Barcelonas #Champions #League #Comeback #Worth #Million

  • ‘Conceding four is not normal’ – Thierry Henry not happy with Barcelona’s win over Benfica


    Former Barcelona striker Thierry Henry says that if he were in Hansi Flick’s shoes he wouldn’t be happy with his team’s performance against Benfica.

    Barcelona ran out 5-4 winners in the Champions League after pulling off a remarkable comeback to take the win in Portugal.

    Flick hailed his team after the match for a great win, but Henry feels it wasn’t a great game.

    “As a coach, when I would have arrived in the dressing room, I would not be happy with what has happened,” he said on CBS Sports.

    “To come back in this way is surprising, but there have been many mistakes in the goals, it cannot be considered a great game.

    “Barcelona should have more control, if you analyse it, at first glance you look at the desire, the comeback and that you have done well, but conceding four goals is not normal.

    “If I had been a coach, I would go crazy, I wouldn’t have accepted to concede so many goals.”

    Flick did admit his side didn’t defend well against Benfica and made “a lot mistakes,” something he will want to put right going forwards.



    Thierry Henry, former footballer and current pundit, has expressed his dissatisfaction with Barcelona’s recent 4-2 victory over Benfica in the Champions League. In a post titled ‘Conceding four is not normal’, Henry criticized Barcelona’s defensive performance and highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong backline in order to be successful in top-level football.

    The Frenchman, who has played for top clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona during his career, knows the importance of solid defending and believes that conceding four goals in a single game is simply not acceptable for a team of Barcelona’s caliber.

    Henry’s comments come at a time when Barcelona are struggling to find their form and consistency under new manager Xavi Hernandez. The Spanish giants have been leaky at the back this season, conceding goals at an alarming rate in both La Liga and the Champions League.

    While Barcelona were able to secure a victory against Benfica, Henry’s words serve as a reminder that defensive solidity is crucial for any team with ambitions of success at the highest level of football. If Barcelona are to compete for silverware this season, they will need to improve their defensive performances and cut out the mistakes that have cost them dearly in recent matches.

    Tags:

    1. Thierry Henry
    2. Barcelona
    3. Benfica
    4. Soccer
    5. Champions League
    6. Sports
    7. Football
    8. Thierry Henry Barcelona
    9. Benfica vs Barcelona
    10. Soccer news

    #Conceding #normal #Thierry #Henry #happy #Barcelonas #win #Benfica

  • Barcelona’s Raphinha hits back at Benfica insults after win


    • Sam Marsden

    • Moises Llorens

    Jan 21, 2025, 06:13 PM ET

    Match winner Raphinha said Benfica insults sparked a scuffle in the tunnel after his stoppage-time goal earned Barcelona a remarkable 5-4 comeback win at the Estádio da Luz in the Champions League on Tuesday.

    Raphinha’s 96th-minute strike was just one part of a sensational ending in the pouring Lisbon rain, with Benfica coach Bruno Lage then dressing his players down on the pitch at full time after they had led 3-1 and 4-2.

    The drama continued as the players headed down the tunnel, with Raphinha at the center of the commotion as both teams clashed.

    “I’m someone who respects everyone,” Raphinha, who previously played for Benfica’s rivals Sporting CP, told reporters after the game. “When I was leaving the pitch, people were insulting me. I returned the insults. I know I shouldn’t. It got heated with the Benfica players … they preferred to insult me.

    “I’m someone who doesn’t let anything lie. I respect them if they respect me, but I don’t shut up if they insult me. It’s normal after an ending like that to a match.”

    A barely believable night had preceded those events, with Raphinha saying he’s in the best form of his career after scoring twice as Barça made it six successive wins in the Champions League to book their passage directly to the round of 16.

    Raphinha’s winner was his eighth in Europe this season — only bettered by teammate Robert Lewandowski‘s nine — and took his tally in all competitions for the campaign to a career-high 22.

    “I think I am in the best moment of my career, yes,” the Brazilian international added. “We knew it would be hard here, we knew how good they were, especially playing in front of their fans, their players individually and as a team, but what matters is that we knew to keep our focus during the entire game.

    “We had the mindset that we could turn the game around after the break, scoring a second to get back into the game and we managed to do it in the end. We never gave up and grabbed a win.”

    Benfica had earlier taken advantage of several Barça mistakes to lead 3-1 at half-time courtesy of a hat trick from Vangelis Pavlidis.

    The Greece international opened the scoring in the second minute and completed his treble inside half an hour after Lewandowski had briefly levelled from the penalty spot.

    Pavlidis rolled his second goal into an empty net after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny had taken out his own defender, Alejandro Balde, when coming for the ball.

    He then completed his hat trick with a penalty after Szczęsny fouled Kerem Aktürkoğlu.

    “It was a crazy game,” Barça coach Hansi Flick said in a news conference. “Benfica did really well, especially in the first half, but we made a lot of mistakes. We didn’t defend very good.

    “It’s important we speak about this. The next opponents will look at this match and we have to make it better. We will do that.

    “At half-time we said we wanted to change something; we need better positioning. And we said we want to come back.”

    Another goalkeeping error gave Barça a route back into the game, with Anatoliy Trubin‘s drilled pass ricocheting off Raphinha’s head 20 yards out and rebounding back into the goal.

    A Ronald Araújo own goal looked to have sealed the points for Benfica, but a second Lewandowski penalty and an Eric García header inside the final 12 minutes set up a grandstand finish as both sides went all out for the win.

    Szczęsny made a super save from Ángel Di María and minutes later, as Benfica appealed for a penalty, Raphinha was sent through at the other end to seal the win.

    “The best thing is the mentality of the team in the second half, they always believe in themselves,” Flick added. “It’s unbelievable. I was happy with one point, but with three it’s much better. It was a great finish. We invest a lot in the second half, we create more chances and we deserved it.”

    The victory means Barça have booked their place in the round of 16 with a game to spare, at home to Italian side Atalanta next week.

    Therefore, they dodge two extra fixtures in February, when teams that finish between 9th and 24th will take place in a two-legged knockout tie for a place in the round of 16.

    “Reaching directly the final 16, this will help us a lot for the rest of the season, I am 100% sure about that,” Flick said. “The most important thing is we need time to train. This is very important. You can see in the match we are making mistakes, but there is no opportunity to train things in the two days or one day we have.

    “It’s all about recovery, getting back the energy and to be fit for match day. For the players it’s really tough.”



    Barcelona’s Raphinha hits back at Benfica insults after win

    Barcelona’s Raphinha has responded to recent insults hurled at him by Benfica fans after his team’s victory in the Champions League. The Brazilian winger, who scored a crucial goal in the match, took to social media to address the criticism he received from Benfica supporters.

    In his post, Raphinha expressed his disappointment at the disrespectful comments made towards him and his teammates. He emphasized that he and his colleagues always give their best on the pitch and deserve respect, regardless of the result of the game.

    Raphinha went on to say that he is proud to represent Barcelona and will continue to work hard to bring success to the club. He urged fans to show sportsmanship and respect towards all players, regardless of the team they play for.

    The winger’s response has been well-received by Barcelona fans, who have shown their support for him on social media. Raphinha’s professionalism and maturity in handling the situation have further endeared him to the club’s supporters.

    As Barcelona prepares for their next match, Raphinha’s focus remains on performing at his best and helping his team achieve their goals. His determination and resilience in the face of adversity make him a valuable asset to the club, both on and off the pitch.

    Tags:

    Barcelona, Raphinha, Benfica, insults, win, football, soccer, rivalry, response, retaliation, sportsmanship, controversy

    #Barcelonas #Raphinha #hits #Benfica #insults #win

  • Barcelona’s Joan Laporta on Getafe refereeing: ‘A disgrace’


    • Sam Marsden

    • Moises Llorens

    Jan 20, 2025, 05:53 AM ET

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has slammed the “scandalous” decision not to award Jules Koundé a penalty in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Getafe.

    Koundé was brought down by Christantus Uche as he attempted to get on the end of a cross at the far post in the 81st minute, but neither the referee nor the VAR deemed it to be a foul.

    Barça continued to push for a winner but could not break down Getafe as their winless run in LaLiga extended to four games, leaving them seven points behind leaders Real Madrid.

    “The refereeing in the game against Getafe was an absolute disgrace,” Laporta told reporters on Monday when asked about the Koundé incident.

    “Not giving a penalty for the foul on Koundé is a scandal. A scandal. I think you should watch it back again and again because it’s scandalous.”

    Laporta also referenced an incident in Madrid’s win over Getafe in December, pointing out that a penalty was given in their favour for a very similar challenge by Allan Nyom on Antonio Rüdiger.

    Barça’s league form has contrasted with their cup form. They claimed the Spanish Supercopa with an impressive 5-2 win over Madrid recently and have progressed to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.

    They now turn their attention back to the Champions League and a trip to Benfica on Tuesday. A win should guarantee they skip the knockout round and progress straight to the round of 16.

    Meanwhile, the club continue to work on signing some of their young stars to long-term contracts after convincing defender Ronald Araújo to stay at the club last week.

    Sources have told ESPN that midfielders Pedri and Gavi are both close to putting pen to paper on new deals with their existing terms due to expire in 2026.

    A source said that Pedri’s extension should be announced by February at the latest, with the timing dependent on when the club decide to finalise the agreement.

    The Spain international is enjoying an exceptional season after appearing to put recent injury problems behind him.

    Eric García could still leave the club this month, though, with Girona sporting director Quique Cárcel confirming an interest in re-signing the defender who was on loan at Montilivi last season.

    “We wanted to sign him in the summer and our intention is to try and bring him in again,” Cárcel told DAZN. “But it depends on Barça’s conditions being realistic for us in terms of what we can do.”



    Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta has expressed his outrage over the refereeing in their recent match against Getafe, labeling it as ‘a disgrace’.

    In a post-match interview, Laporta criticized the decisions made by the match officials, stating that they were biased and heavily favored Getafe throughout the game.

    “It was evident that the referee had a clear bias towards Getafe. The decisions made were questionable and had a significant impact on the outcome of the match. It is unacceptable for such blatant favoritism to occur in a professional football game,” said Laporta.

    Laporta also called for more transparency and accountability in refereeing decisions, emphasizing the need for fair and impartial officiating in order to maintain the integrity of the sport.

    Barcelona’s disappointing result against Getafe has further fueled calls for reform in the refereeing system, with many fans and officials alike demanding a more fair and consistent approach to officiating in La Liga.

    Tags:

    Barcelona, Joan Laporta, Getafe, refereeing, disgrace, La Liga, football, controversy, Spanish football, sportsmanship

    #Barcelonas #Joan #Laporta #Getafe #refereeing #disgrace

  • FC Barcelona’s Champions League Squad List For Benfica Has A Surprise


    FC Barcelona’s squad list for its Champions League league phase trip to Benfica on Tuesday had a surprise when it was published via the club’s official website and social media accounts on Monday afternoon.

    We of course know that Dani Olmo will play no part in the fixture after he suffered a right calf strain.

    Barca’s big money summer signing from RB Leipzig had returned to good form after a slump to end 2024, which could have been influenced by his problems being registered to play past December 31.

    After that obstacle was cleared, Olmo featured in the 5-2 Spanish Super Cup final win versus Real Madrid and as a false nine against Real Betis as the Andalusians were soundly beaten 5-1 in the Copa del Rey last 16.

    Olmo travelled to Getafe for Saturday’s frustrating 1-1 La Liga draw, making it off the bench but picking up the mentioned injury which Barca confirmed the following day.

    “Dani Olmo has an overload in the calf of his right leg. He is out for the next game and a return to the dynamic with the team will be determined according to his evolution,” correspondence on the matter in Spanish read.

    While Olmo will certainly miss the Benfica clash, he is also doubtful for a Sunday night league meeting with Valencia.

    In the meantime, his absence has allowed Ansu Fati to return to the fold, after the number 10 was omitted from head coach Hansi Flick’s last four squad lists before him finally making one to travel to Lisbon.

    In prematch press conferences as of late, Flick has explained why Fati has been snubbed at a time the youngster and Lamine Yamal of his era is being linked with a potential move to the Premier League.

    “He was injured, but after the injury he didn’t show us his one hundred percent. And it’s a shame for him and for us, he did not give it his all. He has to work like everyone else and give his best, that’s what we want,” Flick said ahead of the Betis showdown.

    Though they are not direct positional rivals as such despite Olmo being able to operate on the left wing, Fati needs to take advantage of Olmo’s absence to try and work his way back into Flick’s plans.



    FC Barcelona’s Champions League Squad List For Benfica Has A Surprise

    FC Barcelona has announced their squad list for the upcoming Champions League match against Benfica, and there is a surprise inclusion that has caught the attention of fans and pundits alike.

    The surprise addition to the squad is none other than young academy graduate, 18-year-old striker Ansu Fati. Fati has been out of action for several months due to a knee injury, but has recently returned to training and has impressed the coaching staff with his progress.

    Many had expected Fati to be eased back into action slowly, but his inclusion in the squad for such an important match signals that the coaching staff have full confidence in his abilities and fitness.

    Fans are excited to see Fati back in action and are hopeful that he can make a big impact in the match against Benfica. With Barcelona looking to bounce back from a disappointing start to their Champions League campaign, Fati’s return could provide a much-needed boost to the team.

    Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting and potentially game-changing match as Barcelona take on Benfica with Fati in their squad.

    Tags:

    1. FC Barcelona
    2. Champions League
    3. Squad list
    4. Benfica
    5. Surprise player
    6. UEFA
    7. Football
    8. Soccer
    9. European competition
    10. Team news

    #Barcelonas #Champions #League #Squad #List #Benfica #Surprise

  • Barcelona’s Dani Olmo suffers calf injury, ruled out of Benfica Champions League trip


    Dani Olmo has suffered a calf injury that Barcelona say will rule him out of Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Benfica.

    The Spain international, 26, was introduced from the bench in the 1-1 draw at Getafe in La Liga on Saturday evening and played the final 28 minutes in place of Gavi.

    He will not travel with the squad when Barcelona head to Portugal on Tuesday, however, with assessments ongoing as to the severity of the issue.

    Barcelona are second in the Champions League league phase table and are already mathematically certain of at least a place in the playoffs after five wins from their six games.

    The club’s next league match comes against Valencia at Montjuic next Sunday.

    Olmo — alongside Pau Victor — has been granted temporary permission by the Spanish government to feature for Barcelona after the club missed the December 31 deadline to register him for the second half of the season.

    The decision from CSD was an acknowledgement that Barcelona have grounds to dispute the decision taken by La Liga and RFEF (the Spanish federation) and means the players can feature in La Liga and the early rounds of the Champions League knockout stages before a definitive ruling is made.

    Olmo returned to Barcelona in a deal worth in the region of €60million from RB Leipzig in August.

    He has gone on to make 18 appearances in all competitions for the club this season, adding six goals and three assists.

    Saturday’s draw saw Barcelona drop points for a fourth game in a row in La Liga with Jules Kounde’s opening goal cancelled out by Mauro Arambarri.

    They sit third in the table, four points behind second-placed Real Madrid, who can move top above Atletico Madrid if they beat Las Palmas on Sunday.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Barca’s Olmo reprieve: How long can he and Victor play for, why did the government intervene and what next?

    (Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images)





    Barcelona’s Dani Olmo suffers calf injury, ruled out of Benfica Champions League trip

    Barcelona’s Dani Olmo has been dealt a blow as the midfielder has suffered a calf injury, ruling him out of their upcoming Champions League clash against Benfica.

    The Spanish international picked up the injury during a training session and will now undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury and the expected recovery time.

    Olmo has been a key player for Barcelona this season, contributing with goals and assists in both domestic and European competitions. His absence will be a big loss for the team as they look to secure a crucial win against Benfica in the Champions League.

    The club has not yet provided a timeline for Olmo’s return, but fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery for the talented midfielder. In the meantime, Barcelona will have to find a suitable replacement to fill the void left by Olmo’s absence in their upcoming matches.

    Tags:

    1. Barcelona
    2. Dani Olmo
    3. Calf injury
    4. Benfica
    5. Champions League
    6. Football injury
    7. Barcelona news
    8. Dani Olmo injury update
    9. Benfica match
    10. UEFA Champions League injury news

    #Barcelonas #Dani #Olmo #suffers #calf #injury #ruled #Benfica #Champions #League #trip

  • Barcelona’s Dani Olmo to miss Benfica UCL trip with injury


    Jan 19, 2025, 09:40 AM ET

    Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo has been ruled out of Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Benfica with a calf injury, the LaLiga club said on Sunday.

    Olmo has scored six goals and registered three assists in 18 appearances since joining Barça from RB Leipzig.

    Barcelona were held by Getafe on Saturday in LaLiga but are well-placed in the Champions League table in second, having won five of their six games.

    “Dani Olmo has a right soleus [lower calf muscle] strain. He is out for the next match and his return will be determined by his recovery,” the club said.

    The injury comes after Olmo and fellow summer signing Pau Víctor were granted temporary playing registrations by the country’s top sports court.

    Olmo and Victor were originally only registered for the first half of the season and Barcelona were then blocked by LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation from registering both players for the second half of the campaign for failing to meet Financial Fair Play rules before the Dec. 31 deadline.

    However, the club turned to the Spanish Government, which intervened as the National Sports Council reversed the decision and allowed the club to provisionally register the players until the final resolution of Barcelona’s appeal.



    Barcelona’s Dani Olmo to miss Benfica UCL trip with injury

    Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo will miss the upcoming Champions League clash against Benfica due to injury. The Spanish international suffered a muscle injury during training and will not be fit in time for the crucial group stage match.

    Olmo has been a key player for Barcelona this season, contributing with goals and assists in both domestic and European competitions. His absence will be a blow for the team as they look to secure a spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

    Barcelona will have to rely on other midfield options to fill the void left by Olmo’s absence. The likes of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Sergi Roberto will need to step up and deliver a strong performance against Benfica.

    Despite the setback, Barcelona will be hoping to secure a positive result against Benfica and keep their hopes of advancing in the Champions League alive. Fans will be eagerly awaiting Olmo’s return to fitness as they look to see him back in action for the team.

    Tags:

    Barcelona, Dani Olmo, Benfica, UCL, injury, football, soccer, Champions League, sports news, update

    #Barcelonas #Dani #Olmo #Benfica #UCL #trip #injury

  • Barcelona’s Camp Nou return pushed back until May at the earliest


    Barcelona’s return to their Camp Nou stadium has been further delayed until May at the earliest.

    Work to refurbish the Camp Nou and increase its capacity to 105,000 — the largest in European football — began in June 2023.

    The Catalan club’s original plan was to return to playing at their home stadium before the end of 2024, with Barca president Joan Laporta outlining their aim to re-open at a reduced capacity to mark the club’s 125th anniversary on November 29.

    In October however, the club said the return would not take place in 2024 and would instead happen in the “second half” of the season, while in November this was pushed back again until at least February — with a further three months now added to the timescale.

    Barcelona have been playing their home games at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, the Montjuic venue for the 1992 Olympic Games, while refurbishment work takes place on the Camp Nou.

    In an email to the club’s socios, Barcelona confirmed their agreement to play at Montjuic would be extended until April 23, which would encompass their home match against Real Mallorca on that weekend.

    Barca’s next scheduled home fixture would be against Real Madrid on May 10, a situation that has been complicated by the Rolling Stones having a scheduled gig at Montjuic on the same weekend as that scheduled fixture.

    The club have a contract with Barcelona’s city council to play at the stadium until March 31, but that has now been extended until the end of April as works continues for the Camp Nou’s redevelopment.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Special report: Inside the chaos and controversy of Barca’s Camp Nou rebuild

    Barcelona and builders Limak have agreed a date of June 2026 for the ground to be completed — with current costs for the project at €900million (£766m; $984m at present rates).

    Remaining at Montjuic for the remainder of the season is a significant financial blow to Barcelona.

    For the 2023-24 season, it was estimated that playing at Montjuic would cost the club about €90million (£75m; $100m at current rates), taking into account lost revenue and money spent to get the ground match-ready.

    In September, the price of the Camp Nou reconstruction project was projected to be €900m, with costs for the wider Espai Barca project — of which the stadium renovation is the most significant part — were put at €1.5billion. According to the official Espai Barca website, the project “involves remodelling all the facilities that Barcelona has in the Les Corts neighbourhood of Barcelona, ​​and the Johan Cruyff Stadium at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi”.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Barcelona’s Camp Nou reconstruction is 24/7 – but will they really be back this year?

    Attendances at Montjuic have been lower than expected and the club have been forced to cut ticket prices in an attempt to boost demand.

    Only 17,552 fans out of 80,274 season-ticket holders took up the option to move to Montjuic when the club had made 27,385 places available.

    Barcelona are currently third in La Liga, winning 11 of their first 12 matches before picking up just five points in their most recent seven league games.

    Hansi Flick’s side are six points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid and five points from second-placed Real Madrid.

    Barcelona return to action with a trip to Getafe on January 18 before travelling to Benfica three days later in the Champions League.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Special report: Inside the chaos and controversy of Barca’s Camp Nou rebuild

    Camp Nou delay creates fresh headache for Barcelona

    This is the confirmation of something well-expected in Barcelona. The Camp Nou revamp is behind schedule, and right now it remains unclear if Barca will be able to play there before the end of the current campaign.

    That is not great news for the club, who had in return to their stadium a resource to increase their matchday revenues for the second half of the season. However, all the rumours coming from the club’s board were pointing in that direction.

    Barca’s vice president Elena Fort confirmed in an interview to local radio station RAC1 that there had been some complications with the works, and that as of now there is not an established date to come back at their stadium.

    Executive sources keep insisting their plan is to return before the end of the season, even if it is on a one-off occasion. However, there is a looming problem around the corner.

    On May 11, a couple of weeks after the end of this new license extension, Barca are expected to host Real Madrid in the second Clasico of La Liga this season.

    The game was expected to be played at the Camp Nou, as Barcelona projected to be back at their stadium with limited capacity by the start of 2025. On that very same day, The Rolling Stones will be in the city performing in a concert that was expected to be hosted (guess where) at Montjuic.

    Now there is a risk that Barca will still need Montjuic by May 11, and either The Rolling Stones’ concert or the Clasico will have to find a new venue. At this point, and despite club sources insisting with their optimism on being back at the Camp Nou, all scenarios are open.

    Pol Ballus

    (Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)



    Barcelona’s Camp Nou return pushed back until May at the earliest

    Barcelona fans will have to wait a little longer to watch their beloved team play at the iconic Camp Nou stadium, as the club has announced that their return to the stadium will be pushed back until May at the earliest.

    Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions in place in Spain, Barcelona had initially hoped to allow fans back into the stadium in April. However, with the situation not improving as quickly as hoped, the club has decided to delay their return until May.

    Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, expressed his disappointment at the delay but emphasized the importance of prioritizing the health and safety of fans and players. He assured fans that the club is working closely with local authorities to ensure a safe return to the stadium as soon as possible.

    Barcelona fans will have to continue watching their team play from home for a little while longer, but the club remains hopeful that they will be able to welcome back supporters in May. Until then, fans can continue to show their support for the team from afar and look forward to the day when they can once again cheer on Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

    Tags:

    Barcelona, Camp Nou, return, postponed, May, earliest, La Liga, football, stadium, news, update

    #Barcelonas #Camp #Nou #return #pushed #earliest

  • LaLiga deny Barcelona’s Dani Olmo, Pau Víctor re-registration

    LaLiga deny Barcelona’s Dani Olmo, Pau Víctor re-registration


    • Sam Marsden

    • Moises Llorens

    Jan 4, 2025, 08:29 AM ET

    LaLiga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] have rejected Barcelona‘s request to re-register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor for the second half of the season, a joint statement confirmed on Saturday.

    As things stand, neither Olmo, a €60 million ($62m) summer signing from RB Leipzig, nor Víctor will be able to play for Barça again until after the summer, with both players omitted from the squad for Saturday’s Copa del Rey trip to fourth-tier Barbastro.

    However, a source told ESPN Barça plan to fight the decision in court after the club missed a Dec. 31 deadline to prove they were compliant with LaLiga’s financial fair play (FFP) regulations.

    LaLiga say Barça finally provided the necessary documentation to have their spending limit for the season extended on Friday, but it came too late for Olmo and Víctor, who had their registrations cancelled on Wednesday.

    “A commission of representatives from LaLiga and the RFEF met to address Barça’s request for federative licences for [Olmo and Víctor],” a statement said.

    “Following the fulfilment of LaLiga’s FFP requirements by Barcelona on Jan. 3, with the club having completed the relevant documentation, LaLiga has decided to extend their spending cap from the aforementioned date.

    “However, the commission agrees not to grant the licenses requested for the players [Olmo and Víctor] in accordance with the interpretation of articles 130.2 and 141.5 of the RFEF’s general regulations that prevent a player whose license is cancelled from, during the course of the same season, obtaining a license at the same club to which they were already linked.”

    In a statement, Barça said they will appeal the decision at Spain’s supreme sports court, the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD).

    “Barcelona expresses their disagreement with today’s decision and will proceed to file the appropriate appeal before the CSD,” the statement said.

    “Regarding the matter of the registrations, the club will not comment again until the matter is resolved by the CSD.”

    Olmo and Víctor both signed for Barça permanently last summer but were only registered temporarily at the end of August.

    Barça took advantage of a rule that allows clubs to use up to 80% of the salary due to an injured player — in this case Andreas Christensen — to register the duo until the end of 2024.

    That gave the Catalan club four months to prove to LaLiga they were compliant with the league’s FFP rules and, therefore, extend Olmo and Víctor’s registrations until the end of the season.

    After losing two court hearings against the interpretations of LaLiga’s regulations, Barça agreed a deal to sell VIP boxes at Spotify Camp Nou, which is currently being redeveloped, for around €100m.

    However, they were unable to prove to LaLiga that the deal had been closed and provide proof of funds until Jan. 3, according to the league, with Olmo and Víctor already unregistered by that point.

    Sources have told ESPN that Barça will take the case as far and high as they can in a bid to have the players available for the second half of the campaign.

    Sources close to the players, meanwhile, have said they are extremely disappointed but still harbour hopes of staying at the club despite having clauses in their deals that would allow them to leave for free in the event they are not registered.

    Neither player plans to execute that clause, the sources added, but the options to leave on a short-term basis are not straight forward, either.

    Barça cannot loan them out for six months as they do not have their federative licences, while rescinding their contracts to allow them to sign a deal elsewhere before re-signing them in the summer also poses plenty of complications.

    Olmo has made 15 appearances since re-joining Barça, who he left for Dinamo Zagreb as a 16-year-old, and scored six goals, while Víctor has scored twice in 17 outings, although he has started just one of those games.



    LaLiga has denied Barcelona’s attempt to re-register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor in the squad for the upcoming season. The decision comes after the club’s financial struggles and inability to meet the league’s salary cap requirements.

    Barcelona had hoped to include both players in their squad for the new season, as they look to rebuild their team after a disappointing campaign last year. However, LaLiga has deemed that the club’s financial situation does not allow for the re-registration of the players.

    This setback is a blow to Barcelona’s plans for the upcoming season, as both Olmo and Pau Víctor were seen as key players in the team’s future. The club will now have to reassess their options and look for alternative solutions to strengthen their squad.

    It remains to be seen how Barcelona will respond to this decision and what impact it will have on their performance in the upcoming season. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on the club’s transfer plans and how they will navigate the challenges ahead.

    Tags:

    LaLiga, Barcelona, Dani Olmo, Pau Víctor, re-registration, transfer news, LaLiga news, Barcelona FC, football transfer updates, soccer transfer rumors, player registration, LaLiga denial

    #LaLiga #deny #Barcelonas #Dani #Olmo #Pau #Víctor #reregistration

  • Hello, how can I help you today?
Gathering thoughts.. ...
Powered by AI
Chat Icon