Articles by "Rakitic"
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Barcelona will look to secure a place in the last four of the Champions League as they host Manchester United on Tuesday night.
The Catalan giants hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at Old Trafford in their quarter-final tie and are now considered strong favorites to complete the job at home.
However, United remain a threat as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side know that they can cause their rivals' problems after the first meeting, despite failing to register a shot on target.
With the pace, movement, and quality that they have in the final third though, they could be a handful on the counter-attack and that is something Barcelona will have to prepare for and nullify.
After being rested at the weekend, several key stalwarts are back in coach Ernesto Valverde’s squad, as seen in the club’s tweet below.
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Gerard Pique were all absent in the draw with Huesca, but they all return for this crunch showdown.
Ousmane Dembele also gets the nod as he continues his recovery from an injury, and after featuring on Saturday, the Frenchman is ready to provide Valverde with another key option in attack to pose a different threat to the Red Devils.
The 21-year-old recovered to make the bench in the first leg, but having now got minutes under his belt after missing four consecutive La Liga games with a muscle injury, he’ll hope to play a more prominent role.
Based on the reaction below, it’s fair to say that many Barcelona fans are delighted to have him return to the fold, and they’ll hope that he can prove to be decisive to seal their place in the semi-finals having bagged 14 goals and eight assists in 36 games so far this season.
It’s a strong squad for Barcelona and Valverde, and few will go against them securing the result they need to advance.


Cristiano Ronaldo continues to give names. The Luso wants a winning project at the Juventus of Turin, surrounded by stars. The ones you have, that stay, and the ones that are missing, that arrive this summer.
In this sense, there are already up to three players on the table. The first is Ivan Rakitic, crack of Barca, which will hear offers. Although Valverde considers him untouchable, the signing of Frenkie de Jong, the emergence of Arthur and the age of Croatian, 30 years, invites to study options.
The 'Vecchia Signora' is very interested in getting the '4' culé, which could fill the gap left by Blaise Matuidi, with offers from China. CR7 has approved the arrival of the ex of Sevilla, which he sees as an ideal complement for Miralem Pjanic in the midfield.
Two other stars are Raphaël Varane and Marcelo, whom he knows perfectly well during his stay at Real Madrid. The departure of both of the Santiago Bernabéu is no chimera and Florentino Pérez will negotiate with them.
Zinedine Zidane wanted to retain both, but, after seeing the terrible level in which they are, has given way to allow their goodbye. Yes, as long as you receive a millionaire.
 
The agreement between Marcelo and Juve has been closed for months. 40 million more variables are the 'bianconera' offerVery tempting, considering the age of the Brazilian and his bad time.
But Ronaldo wants to reconnect with the one who is his best friend in the world of football and who is convinced that he will recover his best version. He is your best partner both on and off the turf and knows him better than anyone else. He has no doubt that it will be a 'top' signing.
Varane, on the other hand, wants to leave Chamartín, where he has been in seven seasons in which he has won absolutely everything. He needs, at almost 26 years of age, new challenges and a new environment.
The Frenchman has also lowered his benefits, but he will ask for almost 100 kilos. A madness that from Turin they hope to reduce, until, at least, the 60.
Massimiliano Allegri is in love with the Gaul and has given the OK. Cristiano knows that Juventus need to rejuvenate the defense since the backbone, Chiellini, Bonucci, and Barzagli, is in their thirties and they have a few years left.
The Italians come with everything.

Manchester United vs Barcelona

The Champions League quarterfinal action continues on Wednesday with Man United taking on Barcelona.
Man United are through to the final eight following an incredible win at PSG in the last round.
Can Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side overcome Barcelona over 180 minutes?
That will prove a tough ask, as Barcelona are flying at the moment.
The Catalans could end up winning the treble this season, as they are on course to win La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

No Anthony Martial: Man United likely XI

The Manchester Evening News have gone about guessing at how Man United may line-up at Old Trafford tonight.
Solskjaer is expected to throw caution to the wind playing a 4-3-3 formation.
Can Man United really go toe-to-toe with Barca and win?
According to M.E.N, Anthony Martial will be omitted from the starting XI.
Marcus Rashford is tipped to play out wide, while Romelu Lukaku may start through the middle.
Jesse Lingard will be deployed in the attacking right forward role.
In midfield, M.E.N predicts that Fred will get the nod at kick-off. Alternatively, Nemanja Matic could start in that role instead. Elsewhere, Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba will be picked in the XI.  READ MORE

No Ousmane Dembele: Barcelona likely XI

Although he returned to first-team training last week, Ousmane Dembele isn’t expected to line-up in Barcelona’s XI.
That’s according to the Times, who predicts that Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, and Philippe Coutinho will lead the Spanish attack.
Barcelona’s midfield three is predicted to be Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Arthur.
At the back, French centre-half Clement Lenglet is tipped to start alongside Gerard Pique. READ MORE


Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic has reportedly agreed to a summer move to Italian champions Juventus with Frenkie de Jong set to arrive at Camp Nou.
As per a report from Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport, as carried by Spanish publication MARCA, Barcelona midfield mainstay and Croatian international Ivan Rakitic has agreed to join Serie A champions Juventus in the summer transfer window.
Rakitic has been with Barcelona since the summer of 2014 when he joined from fellow La Liga outfit Sevilla. The 31-year-old has grown into an integral part of the Catalans’ setup and has won three La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy as well, along with numerous other domestic honors.


In the ongoing campaign, Rakitic has continued to essay an important role in the middle of the park for Ernesto Valverde’s men as they push ahead towards another Spanish league crown. So far in the 2018-19 season, the midfielder has played 45 times in all competitions and has been involved in 14 goals (5 goals, 9 assists).

Despite his importance to the side, there is a good chance that Rakitic could see his involvement reduce in the coming season, as Barcelona have snapped up Ajax midfield sensation Frenkie de Jong. The Netherlands international will be joining the Catalans in the summer, after a deal was agreed in January.

With Sergio Busquets nailed down for the deep midfield slot and Arthur Melo emerging as a key creative outlet from the centre, de Jong is most likely to replace Rakitic in the starting lineup. And this has cast doubts over the future of the 31-year-old at Barcelona, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly making enquiries over his potential availability.

Now, according to latest reports from Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus too are interested in signing up Rakitic in the summer and have already made contact with the 31-year-old midfielder 
The Serie A heavyweights, who are hurtling towards their eighth successive Scudetto, have a number of quality options in the midfield department, with Miralem Pjanic, Emre Can, Blaise Matuidi, Sami Khedira and Rodrigo Bentancur. However, 32-year-old Khedira has spent most of the season on the treatment table and the Bianconeri could be looking to replace the German.
The report further goes on to add that Rakitic has told Juventus that he would consider a switch as he seeks regular playing time and an improved deal, which he is unlikely to get at Barcelona going forward from next season. Barcelona too is likely to be open to a sale as they look to generate funds to bankroll moves for Matthijs de Light and Antoine Griezmann.
Rakitic is contracted with Barcelona till the summer of 2021, having penned a new deal back in 2017. It remains to be seen if he decides to move on from Camp Nou at the end of the season.


Barcelona is reportedly considering selling six of their stars in order to raise funds for a summer transfer splurge.
The club’s hierarchy is continuing to plan for the future and is reported to be anticipating another active summer in the transfer market.
They have already completed the signing of Dutch star Frankie De Jong from Ajax and remain interested in his team-mate, central defender Matthijs de Light.
Atletico Madrid frontman Antoine Griezmann is another player they have been monitoring for some time, but the Catalan giants are aware that they must “balance the accounts” before making any large investments and want to raise over £200m, according to ESPN.
To that end, the futures of first-team stars Philippe CoutinhoIvan Rakitic and Samuel Umtiti are under threat.
The trio has been regulars for Barca boss Ernesto Valverde this season, but for one reason or another, they are seen as dispensable by the club’s board.
Coutinho has largely struggled since arriving from Liverpool 18 months ago, and although the report states that Barcelona is committed to his development – they are willing to listen to offers of around £90m.
Rakitic, meanwhile, is reported to have been unhappy at the club’s signing of Dutchman De Jong, although Valverde has told the Croatian schemer that he remains pivotal to his plans moving forward.
The 31-year-old, who has been strongly linked with Manchester United, has a contract until 2021 but is keen to have that extended – something that Barca has so far showed no intention to do.
De Ligt’s potential arrival could also signal the end of France star Umtiti’s stay, although the Frenchman admits he is keen to remain at the Nou Camp.
First team squad stars Jasper Cillessen, Rafinha and Malcom are also believed to be up for grabs this summer as Barca look for better bench options next season, as reported in the Daily Star.



All agreed. In Barcelona, there is a player who counts his games by small farewells that will live their end at the end of this course.
Iván Rakitic has not been renewed, nor will it be, to be able to load with the new record of De Jong, star signing, and his transfer.
Rakitic, who has not had the pressure in his favor that exercised Messi to retain Jordi Alba, renewed with a stratospheric record, has a home, school, and agreement in Paris and with PSG in the absence of the agreement between clubs.
The Croatian will change to Neymar for Messi this summer in the absence of closing the future of Coutinho, which could star in another of the fugues sounded next year.
A Rakitic who is silent about his future and who took off his hat before the Betis fans despite being ex Sevilla and Sevilla.
"Everyone knows me and they know that I am very Sevilla, but I respect the béticos and their fans very much, with that great detail that I had. 'Chapeau', I congratulate the fans for this great gesture It is always special to play here, a very special ", said the Croatian at the end of Betis-Barça.
"Playing such a game, so intense, we always enjoy it, although sometimes we have to suffer, we did well and it's nice to go to the national team in this way," said Iván.
We prepared it well, that's why the talk, we analyzed the things we did wrong in that game, there were many, I think this time we deserved to win and with that result and if Leo can always do it like today, much better," he reiterated.
"Something is something, it's a very typical play by Leo and if he finishes it that way, much better, at least I go out in the goal photo ...", concluded Rakitic.


At Barça there will not only be arrivals this summer. The Catalan team will also have to give exit to several players who do not fit into the plans of Valverde or whose output could leave room for more stars.
After the announced signing of Frenkie de Jong, the culés coffers have remained, practically, to zero. If they want more new faces, they will have to be let out.
 
The most rumored that could leave was Ivan Rakitic, who remains a key player for the 'Txingurri', but whose age, 31 years, invites to study the offers that rain for him, with Inter Milan and PSG as main suitors
But the Extremaduran coach and Leo Messi do not want to get rid of the Croatian. Unless there is an offer of insanity, worth around 100 million euros, they want to keep it in the workforce.
Put to let out a player of the core, prefer to get rid of Arturo Vidal, who is on track to turn 32, and has received the siren songs of up to two major clubs in Serie A.
In Italy, the Chilean offered his best version in the ranks of Juventus of Turin, squad in which he played four seasons. And now I could return, from the hand of Milan and Napoli.
Two clubs that, most likely, will be in the Champions League next year and seek to make a leap in quality in their workforce. And Vidal is the chosen one to do it.
Recruited last summer from Bayern Munich, in exchange for 18 million euros, Barca would study the offers that arrive by '22', as long as they exceed 30 'kilos'.
The player, meanwhile, does not rule out going to any team that guarantees ownership. At Camp Nou he is a regular substitute and only plays the last minutes of the matches in which the score is very tight.



Ernesto Valverde is likely to make a couple of changes to the Barcelona side that beat Rayo Vallecano 3-1 in La Liga on Saturday.
Sergi Roberto should replace Nelson Semedo at right-back, while Ivan Rakitic is expected to come in for Arthur in midfield alongside Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal.
Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho are certain to flank Luis Suarez, while Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Jordi Alba should make up the rest of the back four sitting in front of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
As far as injuries go, Rafinha is Valverde’s sole absentee - but Ousmane Dembele and Thomas Vermaelen are both doubts.
The score is poised at 0-0 ahead of tonight’s second leg at the Nou Camp following a stalemate out in France in the first, and Valverde insists neither team obtains a clear advantage.
“Nil-nil from the first leg is a result which benefits neither side because if neither of us scores it will go into extra time,” he said.
“Lyon will come here with their weapons, they’ve got a very strong attack – very quick, powerful players up front and I’m sure they’ll try to exploit that.
“They know how important it would be for them to get an away goal tomorrow, so I’m sure they’ll look for that too.”

As things stand, Lyon will only be without long-term absentee Amine Gouiri this evening.
They are sweating on the fitness of Rafael and Marcelo, nevertheless, who is facing a race against time to feature.
Tonight’s clash gets underway at 8:00 pm.
Barcelona predicted team: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Vidal, Messi, Coutinho, Suarez. 

The former Real Madrid boss says the defender tried provoke a reaction in his team's favour.
Jose Mourinho accused Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos of deliberately hitting Lionel Messi before half-time during Saturday's Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Barcelona claimed a 1-0 first-half lead thanks Ivan Rakitic's delicate finish in the 26th minute but Mourinho felt the match lacked the customary intensity of European football's fiercest rivalry.
Ramos caught Messi with a flailing arm, leaving the Barcelona superstar prone on the turf before he confronted his opponent and protested to the referee - Alberto Undiano Mallenco, who decided no action was necessary.
Speaking in his capacity as a pundit on beIN Sports, former Madrid boss Jose Mourinho suggested Ramos knew exactly what he was doing.
"I think in the first half, both teams when they had the ball, they did not hurt the opponent too much," he said.
"There was no intensity on the defensive actions, with everybody playing in a low-medium block.
"It was not the temperature of a derby, of a Clasico that can settle the title.
"I think Sergio Ramos' action probably is coming from a player that knows the game has to change.
"And probably he does it with the intention of creating a different temperature for the second half, because the game until then was really soft, in my opinion."
Ramos is no stranger to on-field controversy in high-profile matches and was the subject of prolonged scrutiny after his tangle with Mohamed Salah during last season's Champions League final left Liverpool's star forward with an injury shoulder before Madrid secured a 3-1 win.
UEFA has banned the 32-year-old for two Champions League games after it ruled he deliberately got himself booked during last month's first-leg win over Ajax in the last 16 in order to activate a yellow-card suspension.
Barcelona would go on to win the match 1-0, opening up a 12-point gap over third-place Madrid. 

The Dutch star's scheduled arrival at the club in 2019-20 has raised doubts but the Croatian has no plans to leave the Spanish giants.
Ivan Rakitic said Barcelona are "perfect" for him and he is "happy" at the La Liga champions amid links to Inter.
Rakitic is contracted to Barca until 2021 but the Croatia midfielder's future is uncertain as Inter, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain reportedly circle.
Frenkie de Jong's arrival at Camp Nou in 2019-20 has raised doubts over his future, with the Ajax man revealing in January that he will move to Barcelona this summer following a prolonged transfer saga. 
However, despite the Dutch international's imminent arrival in Barcelona, Rakitic has no plans to leave the Spanish giants.
"I like living in Spain," Rakitic said via DAZN, restating his desire to remain with the club.
"Unfortunately, I can't ask for another passport because I already have two, otherwise I'd also ask for a Spanish one because I'm fine here and I'm happy.
"My family are happy here too and my daughters are doing well in Barcelona because we're close to Seville. Therefore, staying here is perfect for me."


 Rakitic, who arrived from Sevilla in 2014, has made 24 La Liga appearances this season and 38 in all competitions.
He's made 252 total appearances for the club, scoring 34 goals during his stay in Barcelona.
The Croatian has claimed three La Liga crowns and a Champions League title, having already won a Europa League trophy as a member of Sevilla.
In addition, Rakitic has lifted a UEFA Super Cup and a Club World Cup while also winning four Copa del Rey's with Barcelona. 
The 30-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Barca's 3-0 victory at Real Madrid, which sealed a 4-1 aggregate win and the club's place in a sixth successive Copa del Rey final on Wednesday.

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

Barcelona took another step towards a La Liga title defence with a 4-2 win at Sevilla.
The visitors were 2-1 down, but managed to complete a comeback thanks to Lionel Messi. It has to be one of those games where the scoreline does not do any justice to the performance of the better team.
Sevilla were on top – in terms of goals and the performance – for most parts of the fixture, but Messi took the game away from the hosts in the last 20 or so minutes.
The Argentine once again pulled Barcelona from the jaws of defeat and handed them a crucial win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizuan. But how did the other Barcelona players perform? We take a look.
BARCELONA (4-3-3)

Marc-Andre ter Stegen 4: An uncharacteristically dull game from the German. Looked off-colour and conceded possession during the counter which led to Sevilla’s second goal.
Nelson Semedo 5: Dominated by Quincy Promes and Maximilian Wober in defence, no contribution in attack. The Portuguese was rightly taken off at the break.
Gerard Pique 4: After a stretch of tremendous games, Pique had his bad day as he failed to dispatch the Sevilla attack. Was caught sleeping ahead of their second goal.
Samuel Umtiti 5: Not the best return for the Frenchman. Looked lethargic and lost for most parts of the game. Pablo Sarabia had him on his toes for most parts of the first half and the defender was almost always second best.
Samuel Umtiti was sub-par against Sevilla

Jordi Alba 6: Took it on to himself to create chances on the left with Philippe Coutinho absolutely shut down by the Sevilla defence.
Sergio Busquets 6: Maintained the tempo of the goals in intervals and played the part of the lever in midfield.  Showed signs of fatigue with his movements, at times.
Arturo Vidal 5: Bang average in midfield, provided some support in defence but eventually taken off at half-time.
Ivan Rakitic 6: Could have been more vertical with his passes. Nevertheless, bagged an assist and was far from the worst player on the pitch.


 Philippe Coutinho 5: Typically uninspiring display. Failed to provide any threat on the left. Linked up well with Messi, at times but failed to deliver the final product.
Luis Suarez 6: Failed to get his basics right at first. Overestimated his own abilities with his runs and dribbles, still needs to work a lot on his touches. However, he sealed Barcelona’s win with an injury-time goal.
Lionel Messi 9: Was poor with his passes at first, but went on to save Barcelona’s blushes – like he always does – by scoring a hat-trick. Most importantly, got Suarez on the scoresheet as well.
SUBSTITUTES
Sergi Robrto 6: An upgrade over what Semedo provided.  The right flank moved well after his introduction and the defensive compromise was not too much.
Ousmane Dembele 5: Was his shabby self and lacked end product. Missed a sitter, but made up by providing the assist for the equaliser.
Carles Alena N/A: Came on for the last 10 minutes, directed the shot on goal which turned into an assist after a deflection.
According to Le Parisien, Paris Saint Germain star Adrien Rabiot will be the latest French player to join Barcelona albeit in the summer.  According to the outlet, a verbal deal has been agreed between both sides covering salary and bonus terms. The player has been marginalised by PSG for refusing to extend his current deal which expires on June 30 (2019). As the PSG first team squad train together, Rabiot trains alone counting down the days to the expiry of his deal.
Image result for Adrien Rabiot

Despite the centre of the Barcelona midfield already featuring talented individuals such as Busquets, Rakitic, De Jong and Arthur, the French player is prepared to strive for a starting place with Le Parisien adding that they anticipate Rakitic to make a Camp Nou exit during the summer months.  On December 30 (2018), Barça issued a statement acknowledging that talks had taken place between the player and club but refuted that any pre-arrangement had been concluded. In the subsequent time-frame Barcelona have filtered a number of messages implying that the Rabiot move was off but the latest revelations from Le Parisien suggest that the move is very much an ongoing concern.
Image result for Adrien Rabiot
Meanwhile, The future of Ivan Rakitic at Barcelona remains up in the air for the moment. However, neither the player nor the club are in a hurry over penning a contract renewal and will not address the issue until the end of the current campaign. The midfielder knows that the club will not renew his contract in the middle of the current season. Although the president promised an improvement on his current terms when Paris Saint-Germain came calling last summer, when he does renew, it does not appear that there will be an increase.
Image result for Ivan Rakitic
The team’s overall salary outlay doesn’t allow for an increase for the Croatian as he renewed in March 2017 for four years and the club consider that it is not the right time. His future will not be decided until June, although the midfielder is fully aware that if he was to enter the market then he would not be short of offers. Meanwhile, Rakitic is fitting in perfectly at Barcelona and playing as well as ever before his future is analysed.
Image result for Ivan Rakitic
The fact that Valverde has renewed for another year with the club is good news as the coach has always bet heavily on the player and was key to him remaining last summer. The importance that the coach places in the Croatian means he rarely misses a game and for his part, Rakitic continues to trust the president’s word. His agent Arturo Canales said a few days ago in Italy that it is impossible to see him leaving in the summer. We will have to wait and see.

What's the rumour?

Barcelona have no dearth of quality midfielders in their side. However, quite a few of their players are stepping into the twilight of their careers and want to graze fresh pastures. One such prominent player is Ivan Rakitic, who according to Gazzetta Dello Sport (courtesy: Sky Sportsis seeking an exit from the club.

In case you didn't know...

Barcelona had signed experienced campaigner Arturo Vidal from Bayern Munich and promising youngster Arthur from Gremio in the summer. They will add Frenkie De Jong to their squad in the winter transfer window for a reported sum of €75 million with a deal already being agreed between the clubs.

The heart of the matter

Ivan Rakitic's agent had earlier claimed that there is not a chance that the Croatian international will leave Spain this year. However, Gazzetta Dello Sport's report claims that Rakitic has grown annoyed with the growing competition for a starting berth at the Camp Nou and has set his eyes on a move away from the club.
Adrien Rabiot is also being heavily linked with a move to Barcelona and this would further aggravate the issue. Inter Milan are interested in bringing Rakitic to the San Siro and are reportedly willing to pay €90 million to that end.
The report further claims that Inter Milan will offer Rakitic a pay package that will see him earn around €5 million a year.
But despite all this, Ivan Rakitic has expressed his interest in extending his contract at Barcelona. The report also adds that though Rakitic is a regular feature in Valverde's starting XI, Bartomeu has said that the club's finances do not allow for a new deal to be put in place.

Rumour rating/probability: 6/10

The Italian outlet does get it right on occasion and the circumstances suggest that Rakitic could very well look for a move away from Barcelona.

Video

What's next?

If Adrien Rabiot also joins in the summer, Rakitic will do well to secure a move to a top club like Inter Milan where he will not have to face such intense competition to secure a spot in the starting XI. He will also stand to get a significant amount as wages at Inter Milan.