Barcelona

Despite a scramble to register its new star acquisitions the day before the La Liga season opener, they couldn't help FC Barcelona find the back of the net ...

10th min.: Quiet start to this one until Raphinha makes a run into the right side of the Rayo box and goes down on a challenge from the left back. 1st min.: Rayo kick off and they're aggressive from the start with a direct ball, and they're pressing high. 45th min.: Jordi Alba makes a key defensive intervention in the box to clear a cross that was heading to Rayo's Isi Palazon. Five minutes of stoppage time. He doesn't give them a chance to finish out the play and the bench is livid. Barcelona are aggressive, with and without the ball. He tried to make the best of a poor Raphinha cross in the first half, and then he had a chance to be the hero with six minutes remaining, but he could not contort his body quickly enough to take advantage of a rebound allowed by the Rayo 'keeper. That was the best chance of the game. 52nd min.: Another chance for Rayo! Sergio Camello runs onto a ball into space and it's chaos in the Barcelona defense. The Dutch do-it-all player gave Barcelona a lift when he came off the bench to play midfield. To add insult to injury, captain Sergio Busquets was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card after a high arm in the face of Rayo's Falcao. Lewandowski was the prize catch of the summer for Barcelona, and he was supposed to help resolve matches like these with opponents interested only in defending and countering. And there are plenty more of these matches left on the calendar.

Barcelona wants to offload the 25-year-old to balance the books and have enough room in its budget to register new defender Jules Kounde but De Jong appears ...

How are we allowing ourselves to be put in a position like that? And he's looking around and saying "not for me." It's all or nothing for him, he no longer has anything to lose.'

ALL EYES ON: Lewandowski was the man of the moment at Camp Nou but his La Liga debut was ultimately underwhelming. During the first half, he put the ball in the ...

During the first half, he put the ball in the back of the net but was a couple of yards offside. There will be plenty of improved performances when the new signings are allowed time to adjust to the club. ALL EYES ON: Lewandowski was the man of the moment at Camp Nou but his La Liga debut was ultimately underwhelming. It was clear that the new signings are not quite used to playing together as a unit, something they will hope to rectify in the coming weeks and months. Perhaps the right formula will emerge during a tough upcoming trip to face Real Sociedad. WHAT HAPPENED? The new era at Barcelona didn't get off to the start Xavi would have wanted.

As reported by Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath, midfielder Frenkie de Jong has decided to prioritize Chelsea over Manchester United if he is to leave ...

McGrath writes that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is looking to add one more player, and Frenkie de Jong suits the bill to perfection. It’s clear that Barcelona are not ruling out de Jong’s departure as they understand his exit would free up significant space in terms of finances. The Red Devils had an agreement in place with Barcelona for long but given their absence in the UEFA Champions League, they were unable to convince the midfielder to become their new signing.

The Catalans dominated the game and had 21 shots as opposed to Rayo's meagre four. Ansu Fati, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Sergio Busquets came very close ...

The pressure is now on Xavi to work out a solution. After the game, Andoni Iraola revealed that they had a special plan to neutralise Lewandowski’s threat. In 90 minutes, he made four saves to deny the Blaugranas a goal, including two from inside the box. The hosts had a staggering 21 shots on goal, including six on target. They dominated the game with close to 70% possession and had eight corner kicks. The season is long, and this is just the start.

Former champions Barcelona were off to a frustrating start to their La Liga 2022-23 campaign as the side remained unable taste the triumph as Rayo Vallecano ...

Things got even more frustrating for the side in the extra time as their captain Sergios Busquets walked off the field after being given a red card. Iago Aspas scored in the final minutes of the first half to give Celta Vigo the lead, and Goncalo Paciencia scored in the 63rd minute to give the side a solid 2-0 lead. SPAIN: Former champions Barcelona were off to a frustrating start to their La Liga 2022-23 campaign as the side remained unable taste the triumph as Rayo Vallecano held their nerves to force a draw.

Fans who turned out to see Lewandowski and Brazil winger Raphinha were met with a disappointing 0-0 home draw. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Maybe the pressure and expectation got a little under our skin," Xavi told DAZN. He made a couple of crucial stops in the second half, one from a Busquets long-range shot and another from a strike by Raphinha. As the frustration mounted for Barca, their captain Sergio Busquets lost his cool and was sent off for an elbow to the face of Falcao Garcia in stoppage time.

FRENKIE DE JONG is angry with Barcelona and has made a decision over his future with Manchester United interested.

De Jong has made clear his desire to remain at the Nou Camp this summer. The Spanish outlet claim De Jong, who was initially understood to be unwilling to join United, has now performed a U-turn and is open to the idea of linking up with Erik ten Hag's Red Devils. Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong following reports that the Barcelona midfielder has made a U-turn and is now open to joining the Red Devils this summer.

FC Barcelona will have all but one of their star acquisitions this summer when they host Rayo Vallecano in the start of the 2022/23 La Liga season during ...

10th min.: Quiet start to this one until Raphinha makes a run into the right side of the Rayo box and goes down on a challenge from the left back. 1st min.: Rayo kick off and they're aggressive from the start with a direct ball, and they're pressing high. 45th min.: Jordi Alba makes a key defensive intervention in the box to clear a cross that was heading to Rayo's Isi Palazon. Five minutes of stoppage time. He doesn't give them a chance to finish out the play and the bench is livid. Barcelona are aggressive, with and without the ball. He tried to make the best of a poor Raphinha cross in the first half, and then he had a chance to be the hero with six minutes remaining, but he could not contort his body quickly enough to take advantage of a rebound allowed by the Rayo 'keeper. That was the best chance of the game. 52nd min.: Another chance for Rayo! Sergio Camello runs onto a ball into space and it's chaos in the Barcelona defense. The Dutch do-it-all player gave Barcelona a lift when he came off the bench to play midfield. To add insult to injury, captain Sergio Busquets was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card after a high arm in the face of Rayo's Falcao. Lewandowski was the prize catch of the summer for Barcelona, and he was supposed to help resolve matches like these with opponents interested only in defending and countering. And there are plenty more of these matches left on the calendar.

The modest club from Madrid frustrated Robert Lewandowski and his fellow Barcelona newcomers by defending well and producing the more dangerous scoring ...

I am happy for the effort of my team and for having neutralized a great rival.” The biggest applause Lewandowski heard from the crowd was to show their appreciation for his hustle on defense late in the match with Barcelona stymied in attack. Iraola’s team, led by midfielders midfielders Isi Palazón and Óscar Trejo, erased all the passing lanes for Lewandowski. Barcelona was unable to find the answer through Raphinha and Dembélé, who both wasted the one good chance they each got. “We had generated a lot of expectations, but this is just the beginning. “It is too bad because we wanted to show our fans that we are on the right path,” Xavi said. The modest club from Madrid frustrated Robert Lewandowski and his fellow Barcelona newcomers by defending well and producing the most dangerous scoring threats.

BARCELONA : Robert Lewandowski's Barcelona debut ended in a disappointing 0-0 home draw with Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou in their first LaLiga game of the ...

Maybe the pressure and expectation got a little under our skin," Xavi told DAZN. Advertisement Advertisement

Barcelona coach Xavi responded to questions about Frenkie de Jong's future after the Manchester United and Chelsea target was left on the bench.

“But of course, we needed to be a bit more effective today, and this was the main problem. Asked about Lewandowski’s performance, Xavi said: “I’m satisfied because he works for the team. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the transfer market, but if he stays with us, he will be an important player.”

Xavi's new signings couldn't make an impact at Camp Nou in their first LaLiga match of the season, with Lewandowski failing to find the net.

It's a shame because we wanted to show the fans that we're on a good path. We will have to analyse the game, improve and keep believing in the model of play. Luis Suarez's goal in 2019 was the Catalan's last against Rayo. That's not down to luck. The pre-game optimism of the 81,000 fans at Camp Nou turned to whistles in the second half as Dimitrievski time wasted at every opportunity. He made six saves in total on a memorable opening day for Rayo. No one deserves too much criticism for Barca dropping points, but left-back Jordi Alba was perhaps the player furthest away from his best. Luckily for Barca, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was in good form to ensure they didn't suffer a third straight defeat to Andoni Iraola's team. Iraola is a fantastic young coach and he has some talented players, despite not having a penny to spend. Busquets was shown a late red card for a second booking. When Lewandowski did beat him early in the first half, the flag went up. Barca do not have enough salary space to register the defender yet. Since losing to Rayo in April, Barca have spent over €150 million on new players.

Former Netherlands attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has expressed his discontent with the whole Frenkie de Jong situation, saying that Barcelona ...

But as of now, we judge it differently and I find it a disgrace when you play for them,” he concluded. Van der Vaart also added that this kind of treatment is putting Barcelona in a bad place. You sign a contract and then you fulfil the contract or leave on good terms, but not like this.

Bernardo Silva now looks more likely to leave Manchester City, with reports now suggesting Barcelona have begun negotiations to sign the Portuguese ...

Manchester City are unwilling to sell, but will consider if the fee involved is a significant fee. - Watch: Kevin De Bruyne Puts Manchester City 2-1 Up Over Club America - Watch: Kevin De Bruyne Scores To Put Manchester City 1-0 Up Over Club America

While a move for Chelsea ace Marcos Alonso is well advanced, it seems like Barça's pursuit of Manchester City superstar Bernardo Silva is also gathering serious ...

Silva’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is said to be mediating the deal as he looks to get his client his dream move to Camp Nou before the window slams shut in a little over two weeks. While Man City have been reluctant to sell so far, it seems like they might be rethinking their stance as Silva is said to be leaning towards a move to Barça before the summer window closes. The 28-year-old Portugal international has been at the top of manager Xavi Hernandez’s wishlist this summer.

Manchester City do not want to lose Bernardo. A late-window transfer to Barcelona is far from a certainty, but the prospect lingers.

In the event, not really: Ilkay Gundogan, who started in midfield at the London Stadium, had a specific job to do and he performed it brilliantly. At the same time, I don’t know what’s going to happen.” Earlier in the summer, Guardiola had batted away questions on the subject of a Bernardo departure, insisting Barcelona will not have it easy. “I don’t know what is going to happen. “I want him, I want him and I want him,” Guardiola continued. “I’m weak when I talk about him because he is a special person to me in these years.

Robert Lewandowski's Barcelona debut ended in a disappointing 0-0 home draw with Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou in their first LaLiga game of the season on ...

Maybe the pressure and expectation got a little under our skin," Xavi told DAZN. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

Chelsea have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and have submitted an offer worth nearly €14 million for the veteran striker.

The Blues are also willing to double Aubameyang’s salary, which has temped the Gabonese international. The journalist also reports that Thomas Tuchel is pushing for the transfer, and wants Chelsea to match Barcelona’s asking price of €25 million. Barcelona are willing to continue negotiations with Chelsea as Memphis Depay’s potential move to Juventus has been halted.

Barcelona's transfer dealings this summer continue to surprise and with just under three weeks remaining in the transfer market, there might be more to come ...

Barcelona have plenty of depth in attack and MD believe that the Azulgrana would consider an exit if it meant being able to bid for Bernardo Silva. Lewandowski’s position is likely the only guaranteed spot in Xavi Hernandez’s front three and Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati are fighting it out for the other two, but both Fati and Torres have played through the middle before. Yet Chelsea have shown a strong interest in him and former manager Thomas Tuchel is very keen on a reunion in London. Given Aubameyang will likely play second fiddle to Robert Lewandowski, it might create the conditions necessary for an exit. According to Mundo Deportivo, Aubameyang is happy in Barcelona both in terms of his life and with the team.

SportsBrief.com News ☆ Xavi Hernandez says Barcelona still need to strengthen their squad after opening the season with disappointing goalless draw against ...

Laporta has therefore asked Xavi to prepare his team for the weekend, including the five new signings. Despite not officially registering their new players yet, Barcelona are already trying to sign more players. The report further states that Barcelona to bring in three more signings; Marcos Alonso, Bernardo Silva and a right-back.

Chelsea had further talks regarding a move for Barcelona's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over the weekend. Chelsea were plotting to launch a bid for the Gabon ...

Chelsea held further talks with Barcelona to negotiate a deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Chelsea had further talks regarding a move for Barcelona's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over the weekend. - Chelsea have had further talks with Barcelona over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Another typically frenetic period at Barcelona saw them pull a fourth economic lever one day before their first La Liga game this season.

“We have been brave, we have been insistent, perseverant and when the hour of truth came we believed, and God helped us, because it has all gone very well — spectacularly well.” When asked about the futures of De Jong, Aubameyang and Memphis on Friday, Xavi kept repeating that anything could happen between now and the end of the window. In another quirk of the situation, Roures is also an ally and business partner of La Liga president Javier Tebas. They see it as the board going even further than usual to put pressure on a player to do what they want. Even the story about the Netherlands international’s contract being illegal was not really taken seriously by the other players and their camps. A further sign of nerves around the place came on Wednesday, when it emerged that both Kessie and fellow Bosman arrival Andreas Christensen had clauses in their contracts allowing them to leave again for free should they not be registered by the time La Liga started. Lewandowski scored in the opening three minutes and the team cantered to a 6-0 win over outmatched Mexican side Pumas. When Dembele fired into the net he was cheered by fans who had whistled him mercilessly just months ago. After the Europa League quarter-finals embarrassment at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, their La Liga season limped painfully to its conclusion with home defeats to Cadiz, Rayo and Villarreal in a half-empty stadium. Many in the dressing room are happy, and relieved, to see top internationals arriving, provided their own salaries are not touched. And what was served up on Saturday will likely accelerate the plans for further spending in what remains of this transfer window. The independently wealthy Pique was offering to practically play for nothing this season, if it would help with registering those new players. The league did not agree with this interpretation of the situation.