An insight into a disagreement behind the scenes at La Liga giants Barcelona regarding the futures of two members of the club’s attacking ranks has this weekend been provided.
The info comes courtesy of ESport3, and points towards the difference of opinion as being between Deco, and Joan Laporta.
Barcelona are poised to officiate Hansi Flick as their new manager on Monday, which could serve as the start of the club’s preparation for the season ahead.
Barcelona will have to take several key decisions as they look to not only reinforce the squad but also reduce the salary mass.
Given the economic constraints, however, Barça may once again have to rely heavily on their youth players and to that end, the future of Marc Casado has come into focus.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have decided to bet on Marc Casado for the season ahead.
It appears the youngster, whose contract expires on June 30, may become a part of the first team next season, serving as a potential alternative in the defensive midfield slot.
The versatile 20-year-old midfielder has impressed with his performances for Barça Atletic, leading the team to the promotion playoffs for the Second Division.
Casado has also showcased his tactical adaptability, featuring primarily as a right-back for Barça Atlètic under manager Rafa Marquez. However, his natural position is midfield, a position where Barcelona desperately needs reinforcements.
Frenkie de Jong’s future remains uncertain, with transfer rumours swirling. Additionally, Oriol Romeu is expected to leave the club, leaving a significant void in the defensive midfield role.
Casadó, with his versatility and technical qualities, appears perfectly suited to fill this gap.
While his current contract expires on June 30, Barcelona hold a unilateral option to extend it until 2025. Negotiations for this extension are already underway.
However, Barcelona’s trust in Casado does not necessarily mean the club will not sign any midfield reinforcements in the summer. The club, in fact, are still considering the addition of experienced midfielders like Guido Rodriguez.
Betting on the youth of the club is something FC Barcelona has always been renowned for. Even when they were at the absolute top of the footballing world, Barça’s youngsters were a prominent feature of the team. Now, however, even the desperate situation of Barcelona pushes them to count on them.
Yet, a very pivotal position still remains a constant headache for Barcelona to overcome. The signing of a new elite pivot is a must, but Barça believe one of their own has at least earned the right to be considered a suitable candidate for the position itself.
However, his contractual situation has caused some worry in recent times. His current deal expires in June of this year, but Barcelona are already looking to offer him a better deal that would apply bonuses and improvements as per his performances this season and the value that he will add to the team in upcoming years.
It remains to be seen how Hansi Flick will view the youngster, however, as the new Barcelona coach may have plans of his own.
Xavi Hernandez will manage FC Barcelona for the last time against Sevilla on Sunday, as the Catalans close out an underwhelming season at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuán Stadium which resulted in them ceding the La Liga title and its Spanish Super Cup crown to bitter rivals Real Madrid.
The club legend agreed to see out his contract which expired on June 30, but was dismissed before the weekend for what was thought to have been making the board angry about negative comments he made on how Barca’s bleak economic outlook affects being able to compete with their bitter rivals.
In his pre-match press conference, Xavi was made to answer questions on if the club of his life mistreats its legends, what President Joan Laporta said to him in a meeting that concluded with being fired, and his plans for the future.
This aside, there is still a game of football to be played after and Xavi wanted to look on the bright side of life.
“It’s been a spectacular experience, a tremendous learning experience. I’m satisfied and grateful to the club, and now we hope to finish in the best possible way and play well against Sevilla. It’s been an honour and a pleasure,” he said.
“I was still motivated and excited, I believed in this squad and in being able to do interesting things by changing some things. But it was not to be. I had never imagined a goodbye like this, but it can happen, I’m a professional, I’m a coach,” Xavi also added.
Though as touched on Barca will finish the season trophyless, Xavi at least helped to nail down second place last week with a 3-0 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Montjuic Stadium which means that qualification to the Super Cup at the turn of 2025 is already secure.
For his last match then, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be supported by a backline of Joao Cancelo, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde from left to right.
This means that there is no place for Ronald Araujo, and the same logic applies to Pedri in midfield.
Xavi goes for captain Sergi Roberto as his pivot, behind Fermin Lopez and Ilkay Gundogan.
Up top, Raphinha is the left winger and Lamine Yamal the right one on the other side of striker Robert Lewandowski.
FC Barcelona Starting XI Vs. Sevilla: Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Inigo, Cubarsi, Kounde; Roberto, Gundogan, Fermin; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine
Catalunya Radio has reported some disagreements within Barcelona management regarding next season’s squad planning, especially following Xavi’s dismissal.
While Xavi was still the manager, he and the club’s sporting director, Deco, created a list of players they intended to let go over the summer.
This list included notable names such as Robert Lewandowski, Joao Felix, Oriol Romeu, Marcos Alonso, and Vitor Roque.
However, club president Joan Laporta had a different vision. He disagreed with Xavi’s plans, particularly about Lewandowski and Felix.
Laporta believed that both players should continue to play important roles in the team, even after the anticipated arrival of the new manager, Hansi Flick.
Reports indicate that Xavi was not entirely satisfied with Lewandowski and made attempts to transfer the experienced striker.
Meanwhile, Joao Felix struggled to find favour with Xavi. Initially, he joined Barcelona against Xavi’s wishes and despite a promising start, his playing time diminished as Xavi began to prefer Raphinha, signalling that Felix was never a key part of Xavi’s plans.
As for Alonso and Romeu, they contributed little to the team’s performance and were seen as surplus to requirements. Both players are expected to leave the club, a decision the management fully supports.
Lastly, the situation with Vitor Roque was particularly surprising. Roque was supposed to join the team in the summer, but due to Xavi’s insistence, efforts were made to bring him in January.
Although he showed promise initially, he was eventually sidelined, leading to speculation about his future with the club. This issue was one of the main points of contention between Xavi and the Barcelona board.
As a result of these events, Barcelona are facing internal disagreements over squad planning following Xavi’s departure which has created friction within the board.
Barcelona’s final game of the season also marks the end of Xavi’s time as head coach, with Hansi Flick set to take over.
This game against Sevilla is the closing chapter of a season filled with ups and downs for the Catalan giants.
Now, the club’s management must focus on the future and navigate through various challenges, including financial constraints and potential player departures.
In that regard, Barcelona face significant financial difficulties, forcing the club to consider selling some key players despite their reluctance to do so, and with the season drawing to a close, let’s look at five players who might be playing their last game for Barcelona.
It is no secret that Joao Felix’s future at Barcelona is uncertain. The Atletico Madrid loanee started strong but lost his place as the season progressed under Xavi.
It is to be noted that Barcelona are interested in integrating Nico Williams from Athletic Club into the squad, which could push Felix further down the pecking order.
Additionally, negotiations with Atletico Madrid for Felix’s future are complex. Right now, Barcelona prefer another loan deal, but Atletico may demand a substantial transfer fee, making his continued presence at the club unlikely.
It is said that the club is only willing to keep him if the terms with Manchester City are favourable, which seems difficult given their financial constraints.
If Cancelo stays, it will likely be through another loan with an option to buy, a condition that Manchester City might not accept.
Ronald Araujo’s future at Barcelona is also uncertain despite being a key player and one of the team’s captains, as both Bayern Munich and Manchester United have shown long-term interest in the 25-year-old defender.
For now, Barcelona have not made significant progress in renewing Araujo’s contract mostly because he has not responded to their extension offers.
Given the lack of these developments, there is little optimism about his continuity at the club, even though Araujo has always expressed his gratitude towards Barcelona.
Barcelona are reportedly open to offers for Frenkie de Jong this summer.
The Dutch international seems uninterested in signing a contract extension with the club and as things stand, Manchester United remain keen and so does Bayern Munich as they plan a major squad overhaul after a trophyless season.
While de Jong is a crucial player for Barcelona, his market value and the substantial interest in him make him a prime candidate for a potential sale to help address the club’s financial issues.
Barcelona’s interest in Nico Williams has led to speculation about Raphinha’s future at the club.
Despite his consistent performances this season, the club is considering selling him to fund new transfers. Raphinha, however, has no intention of leaving Barcelona, especially not for Saudi Arabia.
On the other hand, he might be persuaded by a lucrative offer from the Premier League. Right now, the decision hinges on Barcelona’s plans for Nico, as if they decide to pursue him, Raphinha might have to be sacrificed.
In summary, Barcelona’s final game of the season against Sevilla could also be the last for several key players.
Joao Felix, Joao Cancelo, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, and Raphinha all face uncertain futures due to the club’s financial struggles and strategic decisions.
As Barcelona transitions into a new era under Hansi Flick, the management must carefully navigate these potential departures and rebuild the squad to ensure future success.
Barcelona players past and present have been quick to congratulate Barca Femeni on a brilliant Champions League win over Lyon on Saturday.
Jonatan Giraldez’s side won 2-0 to complete an incredible quadruple this season and ensure the Women’s team make even more history.
Lionel Messi was happy to see the team win and offered his congratulations with a post on Instagram Stories shortly after full time. Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba had a similar post that read simply: “Congratulations champions.”
Gerard Pique also took to social media with a message for Barca Femeni. He posted: “You are the best!” along with Barca’s celebratory picture of the team.
Ilkay Gundogan also sent his congrulations to the team. He wroe: “Congratulations FCB Femeni. Amazing achievement!” He was joined by Raphinha, Pedri and Inigo Martinez who also sent congratulatory messages on social media after the final whistle at San Mames.
Alexia Putellas stood on the sidelines, watching, the captain’s armband already wrapped around her left arm. For almost three years, since rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament on the eve of the Euros, Putellas has spent too long doing just that: waiting, looking on, as others have shone in the spotlight. The clock in the San Mames had reached 90 minutes. Time was up.
Yet it was Putellas who arrived just at the right moment to settle this Women’s Champions League final, striking to earn Barcelona a famous first-ever victory over Lyon and a third European crown in four years. With it, Lyon’s reign may be over, an era passed. Barcelona defended their Champions League and they did it their way, a 2-0 victory over the record eight-time champions sealed by their own.
There could not have been two more popular goalscorers than Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, Barcelona’s two Ballon d’Or winners. As Putellas crashed a left-footed shot high into the net, it wasn’t just the stand behind the goal that erupted; the San Mames shook. It had done so before, as Bonmati set Barcelona on their way, but there were nerves as Lyon plotted a route back. For so long in the Women’s Champions League, Lyon were its inevitable force. Could they salvage something?
“She’s the captain of the team, she’s the queen of Barcelona for a reason,” said Lucy Bronze, shortly after becoming the first English footballer to win five European Cups. “She’s had to work really hard to get back fit, and she’s shown today why she’s a back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner.”
It added to an iconic victory for Barcelona, on the pitch and in the stands. On the eve of the final, Bonmati had spoken of the importance of their fans as Barcelona stood a game away from a historic quadruple. The culers responded, turning Bilbao into an extension of Barcelona for the day.
And if this was a home final for Barcelona, it was settled by their stars. Putellas and Bonmati are not only the best in the world, but they are theirs, too. Bonmati, the player of the match, represented what was so vital for Barcelona here: the girl from Catalonia who grew up in La Masia and plays every game for the “12th player” in the stands.
How Barcelona needed them, too. Any other team in the world may have crumbled at what the Catalans managed, invading the San Mames and turning it into their own. Lyon faced it head-on with the assurance of eight-time champions. Barcelona lacked their usual fluency at times and were made to survive what Lyon threw at them. Until the end, this was not a performance they could enjoy but was instead another example of how Barcelona have learnt to battle through it.
And the occasion, fittingly, was lit up by Bonmati, whom Barcelona needed to be everywhere and on 63 minutes found herself in the right place at the right time. Bonmati understood it, she had played the final a step ahead of everyone else, her ability evident in each turn, tackle and burst forward. She saw the space before Lyon could cover, choosing her moment of when to make the diagonal run from right to left. Facing her, the Lyon defender Vanessa Gilles invited Bonmati onto her left foot. Bonmati obliged. The shot was crisp but it was the deflection that took it away from Christine Endler, agonisingly so.
Bonmati turned away, arms outstretched. Behind her, the Sam Mames rocked. The prediction that Barcelona would fill 80 per cent of the stadium was inaccurate; it was closer to 90 per cent, with reds and blues and yellows filling every level of every section apart from the pocket of white behind one goal. The screeching jeers and whistles had begun as Lyon’s goalkeepers emerged to begin their warm-ups; by the closing stages, after the explosion Bonmati provided, it had turned to nerves until Putellas finally settled it.
Lyon had not lost a final since 2013, winning six of their eight in that spell, two of which were against Barcelona. This was the rarest of defeats, the feeling of falling short on the biggest stage. Lyon could not find a way. Ada Hegerberg was thrown on by Sonia Bompastor but could not extend her remarkable record of scoring in Champions League finals. As Bompastor now prepares to depart, Lyon may have to reflect on the end of an era. For Barcelona, theirs is only just beginning.
Barcelona ended its losing streak against Lyon to clinch its third Women’s Champions League title in four years on Saturday.
World player of the year Aitana Bonmati scored in the second half and former world player Alexia Putellas added a second deep in stoppage time for defending champion Barcelona to win 2-0 in front of a record crowd of 50,827 for a final.
Barcelona lost the two previous finals it played against the French side and all four of its previous matches against Lyon, which remains the most successful club in the women’s game with eight European trophies.
Victory gave Barcelona a quadruple of trophies: Champions league, Spanish league, Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Super Cup.
“This is what we worked so hard for,” Putellas said. “We are super happy to have won these four titles.”
Barcelona added to its Women’s Champions League titles in 2021 and 2023 in its fourth consecutive final.
“We knew we needed to be a club that made history,” Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze said. “It’s not easy, it’s hard to win it once, but to do it back to back, Lyon showed how difficult it is. This team’s finally done that. We go down in history as one of the best teams in Europe.”
The women’s triumph comes amid continued turmoil in the men’s team, which hasn’t succeeded in Europe recently and saw player great Xavi Hernandez leave as the coach on Saturday. Club president Joan Laporta, who sacked Xavi, celebrated the title with the women at the medal ceremony.
Their success follows Spain’s triumphs last year in the Women’s World Cup and the inaugural Women’s Nations League.
It felt like a home match for Barcelona as its fans occupied most of the seats at San Mames Stadium in Basque Country.
It was an even match from the start, with neither team creating many significant scoring opportunities. Lyon hit the woodwork and goalkeeper Christiane Endler made easy saves at the other end.
Lyon was able to keep Bonmati in check during most of the match, but she broke through with the opening goal with a nice run into the area before firing a left-footed shot past Endler in the 63rd minute. The ball deflected off the leg of Lyon defender Vanessa Gilles. Bonmati was named the player of the match.
“Today is a historic day that we will never forget,” Bonmati said.
Putellas came off the bench in stoppage time and scored a few moments later. She celebrated by taking off her jersey and running toward the fans.
Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor, the first woman to win the Women’s Champions League as a player and coach, was trying to become the first woman to win two titles as a coach.
Lyon was playing in its 11th final in 15 seasons, and was seeking its first title since it beat Barcelona in the 2022 final. The French club also defeated Barcelona in the 2019 final. It won five titles in a row from 2016-20.
“I’m very emotional. No one likes to lose a final. You’re here to win it,” Lyon defender Danielle van de Donk said. “It’s a shame you don’t create enough. Barcelona overtook the game, and they kind of deserved the win. I’m still very proud of my team. We gave it our all. We have some regrets, of course, but hopefully next year we’re back again.”
Barcelona became the third club with three Women’s Champions League titles, behind the eight of Lyon and the four of Eintracht Frankfurt.
Barcelona edged a tense 2-0 win in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final against Lyon to retain their title.
The Catalan giants won the competition only 12 months ago, but Lyon remained the one team they were yet to get the better of. That all changed on Saturday in Bilbao as Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati made the difference in a nervy affair at San Mames.
Deep in stoppage time, substitute Alexia Putellas made it two to put the result beyond doubt and celebrations ensued inside the stadium. Lyon, the giants of the competition for so many years, were toppled by Barcelona at last.
It was a relatively even first half of action as Barcelona had more of the possession, but couldn’t create much with it. Lyon carved out the first major opportunity of the game following some good link up play from Melchie Dumornay and Kadidiatou Diani, but a foul was eventually awarded in Barcelona’s favour.
Caroline Graham Hansen was Barcelona’s main creative outlet in the early exchanges as she found some space down the right and picked out Fridolina Rolfo, but the eventual effort was off target. Lyon then put the pressure on as Lucy Bronze very nearly steered an attempted clearance from Selma Bacha’s effort into her own net.
Bacha was then called into action down the other end as Patricia Guijarro picked up a loose ball from Lindsey Horan and charged into the Lyon box. Her effort was parried by goalkeeper Christiane Endler and it very nearly rebounded into the back of the net, if not for a goal line clearance from Bacha.
Just after the hour mark, Bonmati showed exactly why she’s one for the big occasion as she charged past the Lyon defence and her effort from the tightest of angles deflected into the back of the net.
Diani came the closest to levelling the scoreline late on as she unleashed a shot from distance. It curled marginally wide of the top corner, but showed Lyon weren’t ready to give in just yet.
Despite six minutes of added time, Barcelona were able to hold on and see out a historic win. Substitute Putellas ensured Lyon were denied a ninth crown by adding a second right at the death.
GK: Cata Coll – 6/10 – Looked pretty uncomfortable dealing with crosses into her box. Dropped one in the first half and very nearly gifted Lyon an opener. A poor clearance to put her side under pressure in the second half.
RB: Lucy Bronze – 8/10 – Some crucial defending in the opening five minutes to deny Lyon an opener after some clever play. Lucky not to concede an own goal shortly after, however. More than made up for it by a heroic defensive display in the second half.
CB: Irene Paredes – 8/10 – Vital tackle late in the first half as Dumornay looked to get a shot away. Dealt with Lyon’s late onslaught extremely well.
CB: Ingrid Engen – 8/10 – Solid defensive partnership with Paredes and showed composure late on as Lyon pushed for an equaliser.
LB: Fridolina Rolfo – 7/10 – Put a few efforts wide in the first and second half, but still looked a threat down the left. Subbed.
CM: Keira Walsh – 7/10 – In control for most of the game but her influence waned late on as Lyon pushed for an equaliser. Did enough to get the job done.
CM: Aitana Bonmati – 8/10 – Plenty of energy in the middle of the park and oozed class at times. No surprise she was the one to open the scoring in the second half.
CM: Patricia Guijarro – 7/10 – Very nearly opened the scoring in the first half but was denied by Endler. A confident and positive evening from the midfielder.
RW: Caroline Graham Hansen – 8/10 – Danced through the Lyon defence at times. Was quality on the ball and worked hard off it. Her pace caused a lot of problems for the opponents.
ST: Salma Paralluelo – 7/10 – Couple of decent sights of goal in the first hour but unable to make any of them count. Used her pace and physicality well. Subbed.
LW: Mariona Caldentey – 7/10 – Added fluidity to Barcelona’s attack as she often switched positions with Paralluelo in order to test the Lyon defence.
SUB: Ona Batlle (67’ for Fridolina Rolfo) – 7/10
SUB: Esmee Brugts (84’ for Salma Paralluelo) – 7/10
SUB: Alexia Putellas (90+2’ for Keira Walsh) – 8/10
SUB: Claudia Pina (90+2’ for Mariona Caldentey) – N/A
Subs not used: Sandra Panos (GK), Gemma Font (GK), Mapi Leon, Jana Fernandez, Marta Torrejon, Bruna Vilamala, Vicky Lopez, Martina Fernandez
Jonatan Giraldez – 8/10 – Finally cracked the Lyon code. Signed off from his European journey with Barcelona in style with a historic win. Used his substitutes well as Putellas stepped up in the dying stages of the game.
RB: Ellie Carpenter – 6/10 – Allowed Bonmati to run through for the opening goal. Offered some threat down the right flank but wasn’t able to make her influence count.
CB: Wendie Renard – 7/10 – Struck the post early doors as Lyon displayed their threat at set pieces. Set the tone for Lyon’s defensive unit and was a calming presence at the back, especially as Barcelona dominated possession, but picked up a booking in the second half when Hansen managed to burst past her.
CB: Vanessa Gilles – 6/10 – Allowed Patri to charge into the box with the ball after Horan gave it away and it very nearly cost Lyon a goal. Bonmati’s opening goal deflected off her leg as she slid in an attempt to clear it.
LB: Selma Bacha – 7/10 – Hansen certainly had her number in the opening exchanges as the Barcelona forward was the orchestrator of a handful of chances. Cleared off the line after Guijarro’s initial shot nearly rebounded into the net. Goal-saving challenge to deny Hansen from making it two.
CM: Damaris Egurrola – 6/10 – Huge tackle to dispossess Caldentey after the Barcelona winger picked up the ball in the box. Struggled to dictate the play in the middle of the park as the opponents dominated possession.
CM: Lindsey Horan – 7/10 – Gave the ball away in a very dangerous area in the first half and was fortunate Barcelona couldn’t capitalise. Was central to a lot of Lyon’s attacking play across the 90+6 minutes.
CM: Danielle van de Donk – 6/10 – A pretty quiet game from a player that is often so influential. Subbed.
RW: Kadidiatou Diani – 7/10 – Some clever flicks and footwork when she was able to get on the ball in the first half, but was quiet for large spells. Wasn’t far off scoring an equaliser late on with an effort from distance.
ST: Melchie Dumornay – 6/10 – So close to connecting with a cross from Cascarino on the hour mark but just about missed it. Wasn’t able to influence the game and probably didn’t have enough service.
LW: Delphine Cascarino – 6/10 – An outrageous touch in the first half to bring down a cross-field pass, but was quickly crowded out by the Barcelona defenders. Looked lively at times but had little overall impact. Subbed.
SUB: Amel Majri (65’ for Delphine Cascarino) – 6/10
SUB: Vicki Becho (80’ for Vanessa Gilles) – 6/10
SUB: Ada Hegerberg (81’ for Danielle van de Donk) – 6/10
Subs not used: Feerine Belhadj (GK), Laura Benkarth (GK), Perle Morroni, Dzsenifer Marozsan, Alice Sombath, Alice Marques, Griedge Mbock
Sonia Bompastor – 6/10 – Not the ending to her time at Lyon she would’ve hoped for, if she is to complete the switch to Chelsea that has been so heavily reported. Her side had their moments, but Barcelona ultimately dominated and got the deserved result in the end