Barcelona

For the first time in Barcelona history, the club will play a game on Australian soil tonight.

90 mins to kick-off: Barcelona are set to play their first ever match in Australia tonight against the best players from the local top-flight competition. While only a friendly, this game means a lot to both fans and players. 45 mins to kick off: Starting lineups have been confirmed. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong both left out of Barca's XI as a few youngsters get their chance instead. 15 mins to kick off: "I think we can keep them sort of quiet. Full-time: Barcelona come from behind in the second half to claim an entertaining 3-2 win. Barca have failed to score across their past two matches, while the All Stars led Juventus back in 2014 before two late goals saw them lose 3-2. Game looking likely to start about 10 minutes late. This game might not start on time. Barca then just manage to clear his follow-up attempt. Alba and Aubameyang come on for Barcelona. One to keep an eye on.

On another night of what might have been for Australian football, the Spanish giants held off a strong challenge from their All-Star hosts.

After that kind of performance tonight, surely that should be encouraged for every Australian fan around the place to make sure they come out and support their local team?” For the most part, it worked, and on another night, he might have claimed the prized scalp of Xavi in his coaching debut. “Maybe from our point of view we’re disappointed with the fact we didn’t win the game, but overall, I think it was a terrific performance from the players. There’s a grand final to be played in Melbourne on Saturday night, but the vast majority of the theatre-goers who dug out the old “Messi” jerseys from the back of their wardrobes and paid big money to catch a glimpse of Barcelona’s maiden voyage to Australia probably wouldn’t have a clue who’s in it. They sat in a low block, forcing Barca out wide, and posing the occasional threat on the counter. But over the course of the match, you could almost feel the fans who came for Barcelona warming to the All Stars.

Because Reno Piscopo drew the hosts level two minutes into the second-half and Adama Traore (not that one) turned the tie on its head five minutes later. Then ...

Barcelona enjoyed the lion’s share of possession. Barcelona have played their final game of the season. Then Adama Traore (that one) got Barcelona level in the 72nd minute before Ansu Fati produced the winner in the 77th.

Barcelona's first-ever match in Australia ended in a 3-2 victory over an A-League All-Star team with substitute Ansu Fati scoring the winning goal.

The list of absent Barcelona players was a long one. But his opposing namesake — Adama Traore — leveled for Barcelona in the 72nd minute before Fati’s winner five minutes later. Barcelona was also without Riqui Puig and Oscar Mingueza because of international duty, and Ferran Torres didn’t make trip because of his vaccination status.

Central Coast 17-year-old Garang Kuol earns plaudits from Barcelona manager Xavi after lighting it up in Sydney friendly.

Kuol hit the bar in the final minutes but the All Stars could not find the equaliser. It was a similar tale two minutes after half-time, but this time it was the All Stars who were the beneficiaries. The All Stars kept their foot on the throat with a second goal coming in similar fashion six minutes later. The teenager nearly put the All Stars 3-1 up when he found himself clean through on goal in the 66th minute and he also hit the woodwork in the dying stages. But he looked every bit at home taking on the likes of Sergio Busquets and Dani Alves in front of 70,174 fans and his turn of pace troubled the Barcelona defence. Kuol was part of the A-Leagues All Stars coached by Dwight Yorke that went down in a spirited 3-2 defeat at Stadium Australia on Wednesday.

Barcelona beat an A-Leagues All Stars team 3-2 in Sydney in a friendly match that brought their 2021/22 season to an end.

90 mins to kick-off: Barcelona are set to play their first ever match in Australia tonight against the best players from the local top-flight competition. While only a friendly, this game means a lot to both fans and players. 45 mins to kick off: Starting lineups have been confirmed. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong both left out of Barca's XI as a few youngsters get their chance instead. 15 mins to kick off: "I think we can keep them sort of quiet. Full-time: Barcelona come from behind in the second half to claim an entertaining 3-2 win. Barca have failed to score across their past two matches, while the All Stars led Juventus back in 2014 before two late goals saw them lose 3-2. Game looking likely to start about 10 minutes late. This game might not start on time. Barca then just manage to clear his follow-up attempt. Alba and Aubameyang come on for Barcelona. One to keep an eye on.

Garang Kuol was the name on everybody's lips at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night, with the 17-year-old earning rich praise from Xavi and Dwight Yorke.

I play with a lot of freedom, I don’t think about it too much – I just try to make an effect.” Overall, fantastic – I’m pleased that the public get to see him because he’s one for the future.” “Even when we conceded the equaliser it was a stonewall foul on him as well. “It was a great experience to play against some of these top players around the world,” Kuol said. “He was very fast, he created many chances,” Xavi said. A scholarship player with the Mariners who is still juggling high school commitments, Kuol is unfazed by his growing reputation.

The potential of football in Australia was in evidence as one of the game's superpowers helped deliver a festive night in Sydney.

“I didn’t think it was going to be this good. “You can see the talent is on show. Seventeen-year-old Central Coast Mariners striker Garang Kuol, with less than three hours of professional football under his belt, troubled the Barça defence all night, and nearly put the All-Stars 3-1 up following a blistering solo run before cracking an upright in the closing stages of the game. But the All Stars did not roll over and, despite striker Jason Cummings admitting at half-time that his team were “chasing shadows”, a goal from Reno Piscopo soon after the re-start put the home side back into the game. When Barcelona took the stage to face the A-League All Stars on Wednesday night they were met with a spectacle worthy of a grand final. The group, coached by Dwight Yorke, managed to train as a team just twice.

Raul Baena cut his teeth in Barcelona's youth sides alongside Sergio Busquets and was later Mauricio Pochettino's trusted lieutenant at the heart of ...

"That goal was a very important moment for me. Capping a dramatic evening for Baena, he was sent off in the dying moments. "It's a historic goal that helps us to continue to grow, continue to improve and continue to put Hong Kong in a very good place in Asian football."

Barcelona beat an A-Leagues All Stars team 3-2 in Sydney in a friendly match that brought their 2021/22 season to an end.

90 mins to kick-off: Barcelona are set to play their first ever match in Australia tonight against the best players from the local top-flight competition. While only a friendly, this game means a lot to both fans and players. 45 mins to kick off: Starting lineups have been confirmed. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong both left out of Barca's XI as a few youngsters get their chance instead. 15 mins to kick off: "I think we can keep them sort of quiet. Full-time: Barcelona come from behind in the second half to claim an entertaining 3-2 win. Barca have failed to score across their past two matches, while the All Stars led Juventus back in 2014 before two late goals saw them lose 3-2. Game looking likely to start about 10 minutes late. This game might not start on time. Barca then just manage to clear his follow-up attempt. Alba and Aubameyang come on for Barcelona. One to keep an eye on.

In front of a post-pandemic record crowd in Sydney of 70,000 – with global icons like Sergio Busquets, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Frenkie De Jong on the ...

“Even when we conceded the equaliser it was a stonewall foul on him as well. His agent John Grimaud says the precocious talent is already on the radar of clubs abroad and he has the ability to make it to the very top. All the best for him and all of the players from Australia,” the World Cup winner said.

All three of Adelaide United's All Stars contingent made it onto the pitch against FC Barcelona in an exhibition match in Sydney on Wednesday night.

As uncertainty continues to loom over the future of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, Mundo Deportivo has come up with a fresh report which provides a ...

So, de Jong could enter the deal, as Pep Guardiola is a huge fan and has tried to sign him on multiple occasions in the past. Robert Lewandowski has emerged as a top priority for the Catalan giants and has made it clear that he wishes to leave Bayern Munich in the summer. It is where de Jong could enter the picture, as per the report.

The club still find themselves in a precarious financial situation, with the Catalans needing to sell and offload players before they can bring anyone in.

Bernardo has enjoyed a stunning season for City, with reports suggesting that coaches at the club have viewed this as one of his best seasons in a blue shirt. Pep Guardiola is said to be a big admirer of Frenkie De Jong and tried to get him to sign for City in 2019 Pep Guardiola is said to be a big admirer of the former Ajax midfielder and Mundo Deportivo report that the former Barcelona coach personally called the Dutchman in 2019 to try and convince him to sign for City.

For De Jong, it is surely an awkward situation. The 25-year-old seems caught up in a generational change in the midfield at Barca, while Bayern Munich has ...

The 25-year-old seems caught up in a generational change in the midfield at Barca, while Bayern Munich has Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka entrenched as starters. De Jong, however, reportedly wants to stay with FC Barcelona. Barca’s leadership could be weighing the positives and negatives of selling De Jong — if his presence in a deal will help convince Bayern Munich to sell Lewandowski. Per the report (as captured by Twitter account @iMiaSanMia), Bayern Munich still has interest in De Jong and FC Barcelona believes a sale of the Dutchman to the Rekordmeister would be able to help convince the Bavarians to let go of Lewandowski this summer.

One is Bayern Munich, who have Robert Lewandowski on their books. Barcelona want Lewandowski and Lewandowski wants Barcelona but Bayern are playing hardball. If ...

Barcelona want Lewandowski and Lewandowski wants Barcelona but Bayern are playing hardball. Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United are also in the race. One is Bayern Munich, who have Robert Lewandowski on their books.

BARCELONA star Frenkie de Jong has emerged as a top transfer target for Manchester United.

Barcelona are open to swap deals for Frenkie de Jong but not with Manchester United, according to reports. He goes through some games where he has not been at his level but there is no doubt about Frenkie. I'm not talking about Frenkie, in general." "Then there is also the financial situation of the club and it has to be decided. City are also in the mix for De Jong as well, with Ilkay Gundogan expected to leave the club now the season is over. And the La Liga titans may try and use De Jong as bait in order to get Bernardo through the door.

Frenkie de Jong is at the top of Manchester United's transfer targets but the Red Devils are wanting an answer from the Barcelona midfielder about where his ...

Ten Hag is hoping to convince De Jong to join United and has assured him he will be a key player in their rebuild despite no Champions League football for the Red Devils next season. Paul Pogba is set to leave the club and join Juventus when his contract expires, while Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic will also depart at the end of their current deals in June. The club must offload players before they can buy anyone due to their restraints, and with Pedri, Gavi and Sergio Busquests all impressing in Barca's midfield last term, De Jong may be the one to make way.