#barcelona

#barcelona

Interestingly, this would not be the first time Flick has experimented with Martin in central defence. After Inigo Martinez's departure, the manager tested Martin as a left-sided centre-back during training sessions and friendlies, and the results were encouraging. The youngster adapted well to the role, showing composure and positional awareness beyond his years. Those trials could now prove vital, as Flick considers all his options before Sunday's crucial clash against Celta Vigo.

The original plan was for the Blaugrana to face either Universitario de Deportes or the Peruvian national team. However, the date clashed with their final La Liga fixture before the winter break, set for December 20 against Villarreal. That match, initially intended to be played in Miami, still lacks an official venue. Logistical hurdles and player welfare were reportedly key in the club's decision.

It was an emotional day at the Camp Nou, not only because supporters witnessed the first open session since the stadium's renovation, but also due to the sight of Garcia back among his teammates. For the first time since suffering an injury against Real Oviedo on September 25, the young shot-stopper trained alongside the group in front of 23,000 enthusiastic fans. His presence was met with loud cheers as he stepped onto the pitch, symbolising another step forward in his recovery.

With the year soon coming to an end, it is no secret that Barcelona are actively seeking opportunities to play friendly matches in other continents in order to boost revenue. Not too long ago, the club were presented with the opportunity to play a friendly in Peru that would bring about €7-8 million to the club's coffers. However, recent reports had indicated that the Peru option looks difficult due to scheduling hassles and potential run-ins with the AFE (Spanish Footballers' Association).

Of all of the top teams in Europe, Barcelona under manager Hansi Flick is the most addicted to the offside trap. The high-risk, high-reward defense has been Flick's trademark as a manager, and Barcelona has, by both design and necessity, adopted it with striking intensity. Flick's mantra is simple: Play a high line, try to catch opponents offside, and if and when it fails, just out-score them on the other end. This, I'd say, broadly worked last season.

Following a string of disappointing performances against strong opponents, Barcelona are desperately in need of a breather. Fortunately, the upcoming November international break could offer Hansi Flick some ample time to reground and rethink their strategies. However, not all the players will be available at the disposal of Flick, one of whom is Jules Kounde. Kounde makes into French team As revealed by France Football, Didier Deschamps has selected Jules Kounde in the French team heading the team's World Cup qualifying campaign.

Barcelona's often-discussed defensive frailties came to the fore once again on Wednesday, when they fought back to secure a frantic 3-3 draw at the Jan Breydelstadion. It was end-to-end action from start to finish as Brugge took an unexpected lead from a counter-attack finished by Nicolo Tresoldi just six minutes in, though Ferran Torres levelled the scores two minutes later.

"We are Barça and we want to play our football. We can talk about changing everything, but I'm not that kind of coach. "We will play according to our DNA. We won't defend in our own half and we'll play on the counter-attack to win 1-0,"

Many fans will say, be patient, Barcelona will come good this season once they are fit and healthy again. I can't say I share the optimism, but I'd be glad to be wrong. Barcelona are their own worst enemies at the moment. They're making it way too easy on their opponents, regardless of how good or bad they are, to get in on goals, and have a chance to defeat the Catalan giants.

Barcelona will finish Matchday 4 of the League Phase of this season's Champions League in 11th place in the standings thanks to a 3-3 draw away to Club Brugge in Belgium on Wednesday night. The Blaugrana had to come back from behind three times to steal a result on the road and their defensive performance was truly grotesque and deserved a defeat,

Barcelona have found clean sheets hard to come by so far this season and it was the same story on Wednesday night against Club Brugge in the Champions League. The hosts needed less than six minutes to open the scoring against Hansi Flick's side and then added a second on 17 minutes following another quick break. The goal means that Barcelona are now on their worst run without a clean sheet for over a decade.

[It's] is because of what I said after the Elche game. I saw many things I liked, and that's why I've decided to repeat the same starting eleven, because I believe in them. We've decided not to make any changes.

According to a recent report from Fichajes, Arsenal have completely ruled out any possibility of selling their captain, making it clear that the Norwegian remains untouchable in Mikel Arteta's project. The 26-year-old has grown into one of the Premier League's standout creative players, and his importance to Arsenal cannot be overstated. As per the report, the Gunners have "closed the doors" on any potential exit, with no offers being entertained for the Norwegian star.

According to Sport, Oriol Romeu has secured his next move after leaving Barcelona, returning to England to join Southampton. The 34-year-old midfielder, who terminated his contract with the Catalans at the end of the summer transfer window, will sign a short-term deal until the end of the season, with an option for an additional year. Romeu, a club legend at Southampton after seven successful seasons there, is expected to help the team fight against relegation in the Championship. He will travel to England shortly for a medical and to finalize the agreement.

There will be plenty of focus as usual on his selection and particularly whether he decides to call up Lamine Yamal who is still suffering some discomfort caused by pubalgia. Barcelona "would prefer" it if Spain did not call up Yamal this summer as they want him to continue to follow a recovery plan they have put in place, according to El Desmarque.

Until the final moments of the summer transfer window, Ronald Araujo's name was dominating the headlines. The Uruguayan defender's future remained uncertain because of a special €60 million release clause that was active until mid-July. For a player of his calibre, age, and experience, that figure was more than attainable for several top European clubs, and that sparked serious concern within Barcelona.

The name Tommy Marques has started gaining real attention in Barcelona circles lately. The young midfielder has caught the eye after being spotted training with Hansi Flick's first team, just as the club learned about the extent of Pedri's injury. It seems that fate has handed the teenager the perfect chance to make a statement, and he is making the most of it.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the proposal to play in Morocco is currently considered the most viable and is gaining traction internally. The preference for Morocco is based purely on logistics. Barça is looking to schedule the match after their final game of 2025 against Villarreal. But they must do so before the players' mandatory Christmas holidays begin, as set by the AFE (Spanish Footballers' Association) agreement.

Earlier today, FIFPro, the global union for professional football players, announced the 2025 FIFPro Men's World XI. The FIFPro World XI has been in practice since 2009, with the organisation inviting all professional footballers to compose the best men's and women's teams of the year. An initial 26-player nominee list was unveiled last week, after which the World XI has now been announced, comprising a goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards.