Articles by "Copa de rey"
Showing posts with label Copa de rey. Show all posts

at February 27, 2019 0

The next Barcelona match is upon us! The Blaugrana face their biggest rivals for a place in the Copa del Rey Final as Barça and Real Madrid play the second leg of their semi final tie at the Santiago Bernabéu, and Ernesto Valverde has called up the following 19 players for the trip to Madrid:
Goalkeepers: 1. Marc-André ter Stegen, 13. Jasper Cillessen, 30. Iñaki Peña
Defenders: 2. Nélson Semedo, 3. Gerard Piqué, 15. Clément Lenglet, 18. Jordi Alba, 23. Samuel Umtiti
Midfielders: 4. Ivan Rakitic, 5. Sergio Busquets, 7. Philippe Coutinho, 8. Arthur, 20. Sergi Roberto, 21. Carles Aleñá, 22. Arturo Vidal
Forwards: 9. Luis Suárez, 10. Lionel Messi, 11. Ousmane Dembélé, 14. Malcom
The big news here is the return of two players from injury: Arthur is back after missing three weeks with a hamstring issue, while Jasper Cillessen comes back over a month after injuring his calf in training. Only Rafinha (knee) and Thomas Vermaelen (leg) miss El Clásico due to injury, while Jeison Murillo, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sergi Samper and Jean-Clair Todibo didn’t travel to Madrid per the manager’s decision.

Predicted starting XI (4-3-3):
Ter Stegen; Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Vidal; Messi, Suárez, Dembélé
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at February 24, 2019 0

With a good number of games that have been played this season, it is already clear what is the eleven gala of Ernesto Valverde , as well as the possible options that exist to face matches where the initial idea mute by the approach of the opponent.

The Barcelona has shown a different face in recent games, and Laliga was not only a chance to win again, but to regain feelings of a team that thrives on good play, without neglecting the result obviously. The game against Sevilla left interesting conclusions from players who do not seem to fully adapt to the Barça philosophy . In the Sanchez Pizjuán , Arturo Vidal was chosen to accompany fixed-line players like Busquets and Rakitić .

The Chilean was not comfortable at any time of the first time, where it was noted that he could not be influential in what is his greatest virtue, recovery, and even at times when the party called for certain calm and precise deliveries, he ended up giving away many balls. So bad it was to him, that Valverde decided to rectify after the rest, giving him entrance to Ousmane Dembélé .

The footballer who represents the Chilean team, has several games under the state on a regular basis and does not raise his head from the game against Athletic. Rakitić and Piqué recriminated several actions in which he missed plays that seemed routine.

Messi already asks that they put another in their place in the return match for Copa del Rey against Real Madrid , since in that tie not only defines who advances, but plays a mental drive that can lead to that extra allow to raise the rest of the titles in dispute.
Vidal begins to lose ground again. Will it rectify in time to be considered?
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at February 10, 2019 0

Sergio Ramos has it very clear. The captain of Real Madrid says that the Camp Nou Classic was a game to get a good result that the white team deserved.

The one of Beds does not have any doubt when being questioned. For him, they were very superior to Barça and the victory, in many sections of the match, was taken for granted. However, the scoreboard showed a 1-1 draw and maximum equality.




Something that, according to the former Sevilla, has a simple explanation, and with name: Marcelo. Solari bet on the Brazilian before Reguilón, who had done more than enough to be part of the game.

The Argentine preferred the experience of '12' to stop the possible threat of a Messi who could barely play the last 30 minutes of the crash. In the end, the biggest threat of the Real was Marcelo himself.

The 30-year-old left a highway in his band. Semedo and Malcom did what they wanted the 90 minutes, leaving in evidence, once again, that the time of 'Marce' has passed.Defensively, it's a 'flan' for years. In fact, his Achilles heel has always been that. Something that the rivals have known for a long time and try to take advantage every time they play against him.

But it is that offensively does not contribute anything either. What was his strong point, now is another pending issue. Vinicius was left alone waiting for the incorporations of the international 'canarinho'.



At 18 years old, 'Vini' had to assume the responsibility of defending and attacking Semedo alone. Because Marcelo was neither expected nor expected.In the dressing room there are no doubts left. The former Fluminense has become the 'rotten apple' of the starting lineup and playing with him is an advantage for rivals and a challenge to luck.

His future, irremediably, is far from Madrid.

And very close to Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus.
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at February 09, 2019 0

Philippe Coutinho's future at Barcelona has been a talking point in the footballing world for some time now.


The 26-year-old Brazil international left Liverpool in 2018 to complete a move to the Spanish club. However, many fans feel that he has failed to replicate his brilliant form at the Reds during his time with Barça.
Well, it looks like Barcelona have made a decision on the former Inter Milan player after the club's 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.
According to Marca, the reigning La Liga champions will not rule out any offers made for the former Liverpool ace.
The Spanish newspaper reports that the club won't actively put him up for sale during the season, but that doesn't mean that they will turn a blind eye to any offers made for him.
The fact that Barcelona would be willing to sell the player could attract some clubs to snap him up in the summer.
There have been reports suggesting that Manchester United are interested in Coutinho, while Chelsea have also been linked with him as a potential replacement for Madrid target Eden Hazard.
Coutinho has made 38 appearances for Barça and scored 12 times so far, but he has come under heavy criticism from fans.

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at February 05, 2019 0
Barcelona players celebrating a goal
Argentina star Lionel Messi has been included in Barcelona’s squad to face Real Madrid in their first leg Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday.
The game will be played at the Camp Nou with manager Ernesto Valverde set to leave out one player from his squad.
This means Messi could still miss out due to a thigh injury he picked up in the Catalan club’s 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday.
According to Valverde, Messi, 31,  had a “small problem” and would undergo tests to ascertain if he will play the game.
The Argentine did not take part in full training on Monday but returned to join his team-mates on Tuesday for their final session.
Similarly, Ousmane Dembele will miss the tie with an ankle problem.
Dembele joins goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, who has been ruled out for six weeks with a calf injury, on the bench, alongside Samuel Umtiti and Rafinha.
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at February 05, 2019 0

Barca can soon lose another piece , and heading to PSG, which already snatched Neymar almost two years ago. And it is not Rakitic, who can also do the same, if not Philippe Coutinho.
'Ney' has demanded that the board of Paris Saint-Germain sign up his intimate friend , who is going through a bad time in Barcelona. Relegated to the substitution, his departure is no utopia.


And is that 'Cou' has not been able to meet the huge expectations generated by his signing a year ago , in exchange for 160 million euros. The Brazilian, one of the stars of the Premier League, expected a level 'top' and have found a player as shy as fallon.
Despite the fact that the first six months were quite acceptable, with the inconvenience of not being able to play the Champions League, Coutinho fell apart at the beginning of this year.
The former Liverpool was more to less and, above all, after the injury of Messi, at which point he was asked a step forward. And he did it backwards. Since then, he is immersed in a rut that he seems unable to leave.

Even Dembélé, criticized by many and placed on the exit ramp, has eaten Philippe's toast. The Classic will be the great judge of the future of 'canarinho' , which against Sevilla and Valencia showed small flashes that invite hope.
But if it disappoints again, there will be no other solution: Coutinho will be placed on the market . And the PSG would be willing to welcome him, as long as the club azulgrana lowers their demands - he wants to recover the investment of 160 kilos they did for him.
The future of Mbappé
On the other hand, the arrival of the '7' culé to the Parc des Princes could mean the escape of Kylian Mbappé.
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at February 05, 2019 0

The uncertainty surrounding Lionel Messi's participation in Wednesday night's Clasico is becoming a little clearer as the Argentine joined his Barcelona teammates in training on Tuesday evening.
It will ultimately be the decision of Ernesto Valverde, who must announce his squad list for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid, yet he will almost certainly wait to see how Messi is feeling after the training session.
For the first 15 minutes at least, which is what the media are able to observe, the Argentine trained like usual.
That could indicate that Messi will be ready to play in Wednesday's Clasico.
It is not just Messi that is a doubt, however, as Ousmane Dembele has made his return from injury and could feature against Los Blancos.
Just like Barcelona's No.10, Dembele trained like normal with his teammates in the opening 15 minutes and could be a surprise inclusion in the line-up, given the Frenchman has not yet played since injuring his ankle against Leganes.
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at February 03, 2019 0
Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele are in doubt for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey game against Real Madrid due to injuries and the Barcelona medical staff are expected to reassess their progress on Monday. The Argentine picked up an injury to his thigh during Saturday’s encounter against Valencia, while the Frenchman has been sidelined for the last couple of weeks.
Medical tests after the 2-2 draw against Los Che showed that Messi had a muscle spasm and there won’t be any more tests, with the 31-year-old forward to rest and with his progress to be monitored when he returns to training on Monday.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – DECEMBER 11: (L-R) Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur, Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v Tottenham Hotspur at the Camp Nou on December 11, 2018 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the recovery of Dembele, who suffered a sprained ankle against Leganes, was slowed down by flu, which kept the former Borussia Dortmund player at home for several days. The World Cup winner will train with the group after the weekend, when the medical staff will re-evaluate his physical condition.

VALENCIA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 07: (L-R) Philippe Coutinho, Malcom and Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona arrive for the La Liga match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on October 7, 2018 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)

Blaugrana doctors on Sunday morning prescribed the forward antiobiotics and told him to go home and rest after he reported to the club’s training ground suffering from a fever, complaining of pain in his tonsils and feeling generally unwell. Ernesto Valverde will have the last word on whether the two players are fit enough to follow the rest of the team to the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals. He has never been one to take risks, but this is obviously a huge fixture.

11 Ousmane Dembele from France of FC Barcelona celebrating his goal with 04 Ivan Rakitic from Croatia of FC Barcelona during the La Liga football match between FC Barcelona v Villarreal CF at Camp Nou Stadium in Spain on May 9 of 2018. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto)

The derby will kick off on Wednesday at 21:00 CET at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi
Do you think Barcelona can get a good result out against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou even if Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele didn’t finally make the squad?
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at February 03, 2019 0

Lionel Messi picked up a knock on his right thigh during Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday evening.
In the 70th minute, Antonio Lato’s knee collided with the Argentine star and he let the field for treatment.
Messi did return to the field of play but was far from his best with sprinting, appearing to trouble him.
Valverde now faces a tough decision with semi-final clash with Real Madrid fast approaching on Wednesday.
And the Spaniard has revealed he is yet to decide on whether Messi will be involved.
"Between tomorrow and the day afterwards we'll need to see exactly how he is and what he has," Valverde said.
"I don't exactly what it is.
"It could be a small discomfort.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi (Pic: GETTY)
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi suffered a knock to his right thigh against Valencia (Pic: GETTY)
"We'll wait to see what the doctors say, then evaluate things based on that.
"I imagine that he can't be too bad, but I'm not able to reveal anything."
Messi scored twice at the Nou Camp to salvage Barca a point against Valencia that leaves them six points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the table.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi scored twice in Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Valencia (Pic: GETTY)
On facing the European champions, Valverde said: “It will be a great game for both the teams and the fans.
“It will be a fascinating tie and it will be interesting to see who makes it through to the final.
“They were going through a poor run of form in the league but they have turned it around and we know that it will be a tough match.”

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at February 01, 2019 0

Messi graciously gave away his spot-kick to the former Liverpool star during a Copa del Rey game.

What's the story?
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has revealed why he chose to hand over his penalty to teammate Philippe Coutinho during their 6-1 rout of Sevilla in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.

In case you didn't know...

La Liga table-toppers Barcelona went into the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals as surprising underdogs following Sevilla's 2-0 win over them in the first leg.
However, if there's one team to overturn a two-goal deficit, it is the Blaugrana. An early Coutinho penalty opened the banks for the Catalan giants as Messi graciously gave away his spot-kick to the former Liverpool star, who promptly converted it.
Ivan Rakitic scored a second goal which was followed by two others, only a minute apart, from Coutinho and Sergi Roberto. The goal-fest was capped off by a Luis Suarez effort and a late Messi goal.
The holders thereby secured a 6-3 aggregate victory, firing them straight to the semi-finals of the Cup.

The heart of the matter

Messi has explained the reason behind the penalty gift to Coutinho, who has been out of form recently, stating that he was happy to let the Brazilian take the spot-kick.
According to Sport English, the Argentine ace said, "Coutinho had scored a penalty against Levante and he wanted to take it."
"We talked about it. So he took it and I am happy because the comeback started there."
Meanwhile, Coutinho was quick to thank his captain for the gesture, saying (via Goal), "The penalty has come naturally. Leo’s gesture shows how great it is."
"Thanks to Leo, for letting me kick the penalty, that’s good for the confidence of the group. We knew that to overcome, we had to be involved from the beginning."
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at January 30, 2019 0

Sergio Ramos goes face to face. The captain of Real Madrid knows better than anyone that this year the League is impossible. And so he has let Gerard Piqué know with messages in which the championship is lost.
Whites are not going to let go in the domestic championship, but they are very clear that the title will be Barça.


With this reality almost immovable on the table, Ramos and company are conjured under a double objective.
First, fight for the Champions, fetish competition. And second, go for the Copa del Rey as if it were a major title.
Despised many times by the greats, the Royal sees in the KO competition a lifeline to which he wants to grab.


Adding four consecutive Champions is the great desire, but nobody escapes that it is also a capital enterprise.
The Cup, on the contrary, and if it is confirmed the elimination of Barca at the hands of Sevilla, points to a military outing for whites.
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at January 29, 2019 0


the Barca has already begun to think about the future. The azulgrana team, waiting for the successes you can reap during this course, already plans the arrivals and departures that may occur in June.
The escape that is decided is that of Jasper Cillessen. The Dutch goalkeeper already wanted to leave last year and there will be no obstacles to his departure if an offer of about 20 million euros arrives.


Signed three years ago from Ajax, Cillessen has performed at a great level when he has had the opportunity. But, at 29 years old, he wants to try his luck in a top team where he is guaranteed title. The Arsenal, the Juventus and Napoli, the favorites to receive him .
The directive of Barcelona already has in mind who will be his replacement: Iñaki Peña. The goalkeeper of the subsidiary, 19 years old, is the great jewel of the quarry at his post. There are many hopes placed in him and he is confident to be the starting goal in Copa del Rey. 
Indisputable in Second Division B , Peña already exercises as third goalkeeper this season. Valverde sees him ways and has already ordered to stop any signing for his position.
Peña will be Ter Stegen's substitute .
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at January 28, 2019 0
Levante are taking their complaint over Barcelona’s alleged illegal line-up in the first leg of the two sides’ Copa del Rey last 16 tie to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS), but the institution has denied their request to suspend cup action. The Valencian club believed that their case would be less likely to succeed if Barcelona’s quarter-final tie against Sevilla had already kicked off, so called for the tie to be suspended until the courts had ruled on the matter.
However, CAS have dismissed this particular request this Wednesday morning and the first leg at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan will go ahead as planned at 21:30 CET on Wednesday evening. Levante had already argued their case to the Spanish FA’s competition committee and appeals committee, but their complaint was deemed to have been submitted too late.
Leo Messi.
Meanwhile, both Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets will play no role in the cup game with the Basque coach opting to rotate the squad ahead of the LaLiga match this weekend as the Catalan giants face Girona. On the other hand, the Blaugrana new signing Boateng has been immediately included in the team squad, on the same day he took part in his first training session as a Barcelona player.
Here is Barcelona full squad to face Sevilla: Jasper Cillessen, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen; Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Thomas Vermaelen; Ivan Rakitic, Denis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho, Arthur, Carles Alena, Arturo Vidal, Riqui Puig, Oriol Busquets; Malcom, Luis Suarez and Kevin Prince Boateng.
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at January 26, 2019 0
Following the signature of Jean-Clair Todibo from Toulouse, Barcelona have also completed the signing of another black player in the form of Kevin Prince Boateng from Sassuolo. The 31-year-old former Ghana international has joined from Serie A club Sassuolo in a £1.8m deal which includes an option to buy for £7.1m in the summer. Boateng, who joined Portsmouth from Spurs in 2009 before going on to sign for AC Milan a year later, will be presented to the media on Tuesday morning.
Image result for Barcelona
“It’s a very sad day. Because I’m saying goodbye to an amazing group and club like Sassuolo that gave me a lot,” Boateng told Sky in Italy on Monday night, before boarding a plane to Barcelona.
Boateng was a fan favourite at Portsmouth and featured in the team that got to the FA Cup final in 2010
“Going to Barcelona is a huge opportunity and an incredible feeling. I was very stressed today but I wanted to say goodbye to everyone, I respect Sassuolo. “I remember my debut [with AC Milan] in the Gamper trophy against Barca, and the emotions run high…”
Boateng’s arrival at the Nou Camp marks his return to La Liga, after featuring for Las Palmas in the 2016/17 season where he scored 10 goals in 28 appearances. The Ghanaian faced backlash from Barcelona fans on social media as an old video resurfaced where he said he would have liked to play with Real Madrid rather than the Catalans, if he had the choice.
“My pro-Real Madrid video from the past? It’s old stuff, I’m very focused on Barca. I’ll be hoping to score in the Clasico at the Bernabeu,” he said. Boateng will be available for the first leg of Barcelona’s Copa del Rey quarter-final clash against Sevilla on Wednesday night.
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at January 26, 2019 0

The Barcelona can get to get the best version of soccer players, as long as they fit the philosophy of the club, but if that does not happen, the player can get to show an unrecognizable level. One of those who is not making the grade within the current leader of LaLiga is Malcolm Filipe Silva de Oliveira , who is receiving several opportunities, and so far has not shown why it was brought from Ligue 1 .

In the Girondins de Bordeaux was the undisputed figure, and although this team is of the middle line in the French championship, the Brazilian had great performances against the leaders, unleashing in this way the interest of great teams.

In the Barça , at first he showed some details in the preseason, and even in a Champions League match he seemed to be finding the state so that everyone in the club claimed, but this was only a mirage. Ernesto Valverde for his part, has supported the attacker, so that he regains confidence.
Malcom was considered part of the starting team in the first leg of Copa del Rey that was played against Sevilla , this being a golden opportunity to show his credentials. The game was a real catastrophe, due to the fact that it ended with an adverse score of 2-0, and the Canarinha player was seen as erratic in most of the actions in which he took part, even though his attitude was positive in regarding the physical deployment.  

For Messi , the end has no level for the Catalan team, and considers that he has not understood the game azulgrana, which results in not add to the performance of the set. The Argentine crack prefers that Denis Suárez remains in his place, but the Salcedense is beginning to have problems with the institution. Who will end up staying?

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