#barcelona

#barcelona

CHELSEA (B+) They might have only finished 12th, but sealing a spot in the knockout-phase playoffs would have been beyond the Belgian minnows' wildest dreams in their first-ever UWCL tournament. A win over FC Twente and draws with PSG, Paris FC and Roma set them up for success. They even managed to keep Barcelona and Arsenal to only three goals.

"We want our legends to be able to come back to the club and not have to do it in the middle of the night and hidden. We will do everything possible to achieve it. [Messi] is an indispensable figure for this club. He must come back with a solid support system and a good structure in place. The Messi-Barca relationship has to be like the Michael Jordan-Nike one. It must go above and beyond, from the commercial and institutional areas of the club to the sponsors and development of players at La Masia."

WELCOME TO THE ESTADIO PEDRO ESCARTÍN! The tiny home of Spanish Third Division's CD Guadalajara in the Castilla-La Mancha region near Madrid is the site of a Copa del Rey Round of 32 between the hosts and Barcelona, who begin their defense of the Spanish Cup title in a game they'll be favorites to win and secure a spot in the Last 16 next month. This should be fun, and you're welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos!

Tommy Marques has quietly become a familiar figure around Barcelona's first-team environment under Hansi Flick. The 19-year-old midfielder has been a constant presence in training sessions in recent weeks, regularly working alongside established senior players. Yet despite that growing exposure, his official first-team debut has so far remained out of reach. As Barcelona prepare to begin their Copa del Rey campaign against CD Guadalajara, there is a growing sense that the competition may once again serve as the perfect platform for youth integration.

Barcelona's march under Hansi Flick this season has been built on a simple but ruthless principle - make home advantage untouchable. No matter the venue, no matter the circumstances, the reigning champions have turned every stadium they have called home into hostile territory for visiting sides. The numbers, the performances, and the growing belief around the squad all point to the same conclusion that Barça are laying the foundations of a title-winning campaign.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo would prefer a move to Real Madrid to joining Barcelona in the January transfer window, according to Defensa Central. Mainoo is ready to leave Man Utd on a loan deal in the middle of the season. The 20-year-old England international midfielder has become frustrated by his lack of chances under manager Ruben Amorim. Mainoo has made 10 substitute appearances for Man Utd so far this season and has not started a single game in the league.