#barcelona

#barcelona

It's a lie. And I have repeated the word lie 33 times. Barcelona has never, neither in the time when I was vice president nor president, bought referees. [Under] Laporta, Bartomeu, Rosell, and all Barça executives. I have said it with complete clarity, until the judge herself has agreed with me and has told me that you had already said it several times. But I wanted to repeat it,

The core of the sanction lies in the club's role as the host. Despite the stringent security measures implemented to prevent a repeat of the infamous 2022 "invasion," UEFA determined that Barcelona remains ultimately responsible for the safety and security of the facilities. Since pyrotechnics were successfully smuggled past the checkpoints and lit during the match, the liability falls on the host institution.

The France international has mostly been a key player for Barca down the years, but it seems the club are now less sure about keeping him. According to Fichajes, Kounde could be available for around 80m this summer, with Premier League clubs on alert due to his versatility as one of his most appealing attributes. Kounde can play both centre-back and right-back to a high standard, and that could make him a useful addition for the likes of Man United and Liverpool.

While the headlines went to the goal scorers, it was Gerard Martin who delivered the decisive action when it mattered most. The young full-back did not find the net or provide an assist, yet his contribution proved even more valuable. In the closing minutes, Barcelona were clinging to a 2-1 lead, and the momentum had suddenly shifted. This is where Albacete sensed a late equaliser.

According to a report from El Pais (h/t AS), it has emerged that Barcelona currently have approximately €4 million worth of merchandise sitting idle in an industrial warehouse. It appears the club commissioned the production of roughly 300,000 official garments that were never released to the public. These items, which include jerseys priced at €89 each, were manufactured during the high-stakes period of the club's kit sponsorship negotiations.

I wasn't particularly nervous against Espanyol, but it was a different game,

I still see it today, because videos of the goal and that day keep popping up on my social media feeds.

I've known him since he was 14 and have closely followed his development. Over the last three years, his game has become more like Haaland's.

At the centre of the storm was referee Jesus Gil Manzano, whose handling of the match visibly frustrated the Barcelona players. Throughout the contest, the referee's decisions appeared to go against Flick's side at key moments, gradually increasing tension on the pitch. A lot of talking points Marginal offside calls, several fouls that went unpunished, and a heavy challenge by Carlos Soler on Pedri all contributed to a sense of injustice from the visiting side.

There's no denying that Pep Guardiola's Barcelona side of the late 2000s and early 2010s was one of the greatest of the modern era. As well as the silverware - three La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and two Champions Leagues among other gongs - the team's style of play, influence and legacy mean that Guardiola's team's place in the history books is secure forever.

Ferran Torres had a mixed outing when Barcelona took on Elche last night. He scored the team's second goal against Eder Sarabia's men, but struggled to convert at least four other chances during his time on the field. On a larger level, however, Torres has been good for Barcelona this campaign and has given Hansi Flick enough reason to see him as a starting No. 9.

One of the worrying points from Barcelona's win over Elche last night was the fitness of Raphinha and Jules Kounde - two players who left the field injured and raised the alarm bells ringing in Catalonia. Reports in the morning relayed that neither player's injuries were concerning to the point that they would threaten their immediate participation, but it appeared set that they would be rested for the cup clash midweek.