SETTABLOID

Barcelona are already planning for next season with the 2023/24 campaign almost over.

La Blaugrana have secured UEFA Champions League qualification for 2024/25 and they are strong favourites to finish in second spot.

However, the club are already looking ahead to August and beyond, with a preseason tour in the USA confirmed.

Barcelona will face El Clasico rivals Real Madrid in New Jersey, alongside clashes with AC Milan and Manchester City, before returning to Spain at the start of August.

With the new La Liga campaign due to kickoff on August 18, Barcelona are aiming to schedule their annual Joan Gamper Trophy curtain raiser on August 11.

Barcelona have won the last 11 editions of the one-off game held in Catalonia, and as per reports from Diario Sport, Bundesliga side Werner Bremen are being lined up as a potential opponent.

Barcelona are unbeaten in their six competitive meetings with Werder Bremen the most recent coming in the 2005/06 Champions League group stages.

There is much excitement in Europe over the announcement of the Spain squad for the upcoming European Championship.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is yet to make the final list, but in a recent interview with La Vanguardia, he offered many hints as to who may make the squad.

De la Fuente extensively talked about a few of the Barcelona players, including young phenom Lamine Yamal.

De la Fuente on Yamal

De la Fuente had no qualms in admitting that Yamal is a ‘special player’, but added that he requires proper support.

“There are special footballers like him who at 16 have something different and you know that they are prepared for things that others are not until they are 23 or 24 years old.

“If he ends up playing in the Euro Cup it will be because he is prepared and because he has that special talent of a chosen one,” said Luis de la Fuente (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

De la Fuente also acknowledged that “Messi comes to mind” whenever he speaks about Yamal and pointed out that “it would be a mistake to put pressure on him.”.

The Spain coach, though, stressed that Yamal requires proper support and one must not put too much pressure on the youngster.

“He will need support because he will go through difficult times, because those who compliment him now will be the first to criticize him, and we professionals know that he will have sawtooth, he is in the process of training,” he said.

You have to be prudent, be cautious, but at the same time, demanding because there are not many with that potential. We have to demand them according to their level of maturity,” the coach added.

De la Fuente on Pedri

Apart from Yamal, another Barcelona youngster likely to make the Spain team is Pedri Gonzalez.

Despite his injury woes over the past three years, de la Fuente has immense faith in the youngster’s abilities and believes he can bring out his true self.

“Pedri has to become Pedri. But he can appear at any time because he has a lot of talent and is a great player. I know him very well, I have been one of his supporters since he was very young. I know perfectly well what Pedri can give me at any time,” he said.

“He knows what I am going to ask of him. He will always have my recognition, and I am sure that with me he will always be at a good level,” he added.

De la Fuente hinted that someone like Fermin Lopez could be in contention, even though he did not specifically point to the Barcelona breakout star.

“We follow all the players, and the majority have been on a pre-list. We will value everything and match those who best adapt to our needs, regardless of whether they have been with us or not, that will not be a problem,” he said.

Gavi to miss out on Euro 2024

Finally, the Spanish manager also talked about Gavi’s situation, with the midfielder more than likely to miss out on Euro 2024 due to his injury.

De la Fuente praised Gavi for his talents and acknowledged he would be a big miss for Spain in Euro 2024.

“He is a unique footballer, very important for Barça and for the national team in all aspects. He is a very loved player. for all his teammates and he gave us a lot of energy. It’s going to be a very important loss,” he concluded.

While there are still two games to play, the 2023-24 season is going to end for FC Barcelona without any piece of silverware being added to the Catalan club’s cabinet.

However, some of the Barcelona players still have the chance of lifting a trophy in the coming months, as there are two big international events scheduled for this summer, the UEFA EURO 2024 and the Copa America, and the Catalan club will be represented by its several players who have been called up for their respective teams in the two continents.

The Spanish national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, appeared in an extensive interview where he talked about the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024. As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the Spanish coach was full of praise for the Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal

There are special footballers like him who at 16 have something different, and you know they are ready for things that others aren’t until they are 23 or 24 years old. If he ends up playing in the Euro, it will be because he is ready and because he has that special talent of the chosen one.”

However, the trainer also understood that the youngster will face some difficult moments down the road, and he should be handled with care by everyone who is in charge of him:

“He will need support because he will go through difficult moments, as those who now praise him will be the first to criticize him, and we professionals know he will have ups and downs; he is in the process of development.

Lamine Yamal has already proven himself with his performances for Barcelona and Spain this season. He was not shy even while facing some of the biggest clubs in Europe with his club, and hopefully, he will also put on a show in the upcoming international event, and further cement himself as a differential player despite being only 16 years of age.

Barcelona remained on track to finish second in LaLiga after Fermin Lopez scored a brace in their 2-0 win over bottom side Almeria on Thursday.

Xavi Hernandez’s side are on 79 points, four clear of Catalan rivals Girona, whose hopes of finishing second are fading fast after Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat by Villareal.

“We have a very good squad and I’m happy with the level of demand from the players, but this not an easy or pleasant situation. We want to win titles and we haven’t done our homework properly,” Xavi told a press conference.

Real Madrid, who have already clinched the title, continue to pull away from Barca after a 5-0 win over Alaves on Tuesday and have 93 points with two games remaining.

Lopez gave Barca an early lead in the 14th minute when he headed past goalkeeper Luis Maximiano from Hector Fort’s accurate cross.

“Hector gave me a little piece of candy. I’ve always had good head timing,” Lopez said to Movistar+.

Despite efforts from Cesar Montes and Lucas Robertone, Almeria were unable to find an equaliser.

Lopez netted his second from Sergi Roberto’s cross to wrap up the win for Barca.

“I’m happy to help the team with goals and for the win, which we needed. We’re going to fight for second place until the end and we’re on the right track,” Lopez added.

Almeria, already relegated, sit last with 17 points.

Young Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez struck twice to secure his team a hard-fought 2-0 win at Almeria on Thursday in La Liga. The 21-year-old reached 10 goals for the season in his breakthrough campaign on a night Barcelona struggled but eventually overcame their already-relegated opponents.

In the hours before the game Spanish media reported Barcelona president Joan Laporta did not travel to the match in Almeria because he was unhappy with coach Xavi Hernandez’s pre-match comments.

Xavi had highlighted the club’s financial difficulties in comparison to the strength of new Spanish champions Real Madrid.

“They haven’t told me anything personally… we travelled with the sporting vice-president, more directors, all normally,” Xavi told reporters.

“I said what I think is real, that we will fight for all the trophies, with a lot of hope, with ambition, but that the situation is not easy.

“We are working very well, the club most of all, to change this situation.”

In January, with the team struggling badly, the coach said he would leave at the end of the season. He changed his mind in April after the team had gone on a strong run, despite being knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals.

For Barcelona it is a trophyless season but the Catalans are close to securing second place, ahead of upstarts Girona, third and now four points behind.

Fermin Lopez reached 10 goals for the season in his breakthrough campaign on a night Barcelona struggled but eventually overcame their already-relegated opponents

Young Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez struck twice to secure his team a hard-fought 2-0 win at Almeria on Thursday in La Liga. The 21-year-old reached 10 goals for the season in his breakthrough campaign on a night Barcelona struggled but eventually overcame their already-relegated opponents. In the hours before the game Spanish media reported Barcelona president Joan Laporta did not travel to the match in Almeria because he was unhappy with coach Xavi Hernandez’s pre-match comments.

Xavi had highlighted the club’s financial difficulties in comparison to the strength of new Spanish champions Real Madrid.

“They haven’t told me anything personally… we travelled with the sporting vice-president, more directors, all normally,” Xavi told reporters.

“I said what I think is real, that we will fight for all the trophies, with a lot of hope, with ambition, but that the situation is not easy.

“We are working very well, the club most of all, to change this situation.”

In January, with the team struggling badly, the coach said he would leave at the end of the season. He changed his mind in April after the team had gone on a strong run, despite being knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals.

Los Blancos took the title back out of Barcelona’s hands without breaking a sweat, suffering just one defeat and winning with four games to spare, while reaching the Champions League final.

For Barcelona it is a trophyless season but the Catalans are close to securing second place, ahead of upstarts Girona, third and now four points behind.

Lopez’s goals did the job in the south-east of Spain but it was far from a vintage performance from Barcelona against their relegated, rock-bottom opponents.

They took the lead after 14 minutes, with Lopez showing his knack for arriving in the area with perfect timing to reach Hector Fort’s cross and nod home.

‘Fight for second’

Leo Baptistao missed the hosts’ best chance of the first half, firing wide when well placed.

Lamine Yamal threatened as Barcelona sought a second, while Adri Embarba fired against the upright at the other end.

Anthony Lozano fired off-target with the goal at his mercy, demonstrating some of the issues Almeria have had this season.

Lopez doubled Barcelona’s lead after 67 minutes with a well-taken finish from Sergi Roberto’s cut-back and that was enough to kill off Almeria’s hopes of taking anything from the game.

“I’m happy to help the team with goals but above all for the win,” Lopez told Movistar.

“We will fight for second until the end, it’s our objective now.”

Earlier Betis and Las Palmas shared the spoils in an entertaining battle which finished 2-2, with a point not entirely pleasing either side.

The Canary Islanders, 14th, are six points clear of the relegation zone and if Pejino had scored a last gasp chance, they would now be safe.

Betis lost two points in the tussle for Europa League football against Real Sociedad and had key playmaker Isco hobble off after taking a knock to the calf.

Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto tonight made use of the opportunity to lavish deserved praise on teammate Fermín López.

Some players simply have instinct in front of goal.

Fermin Lopez is one of those players. And it’s a quality that Barcelona will need going into next season.

Robert Lewandowski has done his job this season. He’s right there in the middle of the Pichichi race down the stretch of the season.

Raphinha has proven to be more proficient of late as a creator, rather than a goal scorer. Lamine Yamal on the opposite flank continues to come into his own, and could soon break out as a finisher. Meanwhile, Ferran Torres continues to be a cautionary tale for future Barcelona signings.

Of the midfielders, Pedri and Gavi, who will certainly both be back next season, and penciled in as starters, have goals in them. Frenkie de Jong as well if he returns. But none of them has the natural killer instinct that Fermin has.

From the beginning, that had to be the quality that Xavi saw in preseason that persuaded him to offer Fermin a surprise spot on the roster.

As a viewer, that’s certainly one of the first things I noticed. Fermin doesn’t hesitate. He does the work through the midfield, and is hungry to get into the box.

Against Almeria, I loved seeing him play alongside Pedri. Together, you have an on the ball midfielder, with a player who thrives with work rate off the ball.

Thunder and lightning.

Fermin also makes Lewandowski a better player. Opposing teams are starting to realize that when Fermin plays, you have to mark him.

Once again, he made a decisive run into the box, and showed perfect technique with the goal by putting the header into the ground. Fermin is an aerial threat.

On a side note, Hector Fort keeps proving he can provide service, in addition to being strong defensively. Fullbacks don’t grow on trees, so Barcelona should recognize they really have a good one on their hands.

On the second goal, Fermin demonstrated again that he does things his teammates simply don’t do. Movement off the ball, and timing out a run in the box.

This is not an anomaly.

Even when Fermin isn’t scoring, he provides danger with his movement. In any given game you find him in, he is a creator of opportunities.

Most Barcelona players want the ball at their feet, and often times it becomes a predictable game of struggling to pass your way through a well organized defensive wall.

In the future, Barcelona will need dynamism and unpredictable players, who do the hard work with their feet off the ball.

Fermin is one of those players.

A reminder of the importance of having an eye for hidden talent, especially given the financial straits Barcelona find themselves in.

How many more players like Fermin Lopez are out there in the second and third divisions, just waiting to be discovered?

It’ll be an interesting summer transfer window for Barcelona.

I don’t expect them to make a big splash.

But under the surface, whether it be the players in the academy, or someone out on loan, maybe there is a solution hiding in plain sight.

It’s refreshing to see hard work pay off.

Fermin Lopez is the feelgood story of the season.

Playing against bottom-placed Almeria at the Estadio del Mediterraneo on Thursday night, Barcelona were clear favourites to extend their lead over Girona to four points and claim on second place in the league standings.

Fermin Lopez’s early goal gave the Catalans the perfect start against Pepe Mel’s side, but the energy soon fizzled out. Barcelona were dominant in possession, but their play was largely lethargic and uninspired.

Not much changed in the second half, but Fermin Lopez’s second goal of the night gifted the team a comfortable cushion. The team’s play even moderately livened up after Xavi’s substitutions after the hour mark.

Eventually, Barcelona held onto the two-goal cushion and took home all three points, moving to 79 points with two games to go.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from the team’s win over Almeria.

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen: 8/10

The Barcelona goalkeeper was significantly busier than one would have fathomed as he was forced into three saves in the first half alone including two from inside the box. Did well to stand his ground and maintain a clean sheet on the night.

The 21-year-old scored twice in a slightly uneasy victory for Xavi’s side against La Liga’s bottom side.

Barca’s opener was made in La Masia. Hector Fort, in for the inconsistent Joao Cancelo, whipped a cross to the back post, which Lopez dutifully nodded home.

Xavi’s side were hardly secure in their led, though. Pau Cubarsi was called on to make a number of last-ditch tackles, while a better effort from Leo Baptistao in a one-on-one would have given the home side an equaliser. Adrian Embarba followed his effort by cracking a shot off the post on the stroke of half time. The Blaugrana fortune continued after the break. Anthony Lozano opened the second half by missing a sitter.

And they were made to pay, with Lopez making an impact again. The Barca youth product darted into the box to meet a Sergi Roberto cross in stride to double the Blaugrana advantage.

It was an otherwise comfortable night for Xavi’s side, who have admittedly little to play for at this point.

GOAL rates Barcelona’s players from the Estadio Mediterraneo…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):

Made a couple of impressive stops in the first half. Was lucky that Almeria missed a lot. A very strange clean sheet to keep.

Jules Kounde (8/10):

Impressive at the back; made his challenges and won his duels. Much better going forward, too, creating a handful of chances. Looked tired after an hour.

Pau Cubarsi (8/10):

Threw in some impressive – if rather reckless – tackles. Played some outrageous – if rather risky – passes.

Inigo Martinez (6/10):

Given another look, and turned in a mixed showing. His far younger partner looked more comfortable.

Hector Fort (7/10):

Played a wonderful cross to set up the opener, and was steady throughout. Probably deserves more minutes going forward.

Midfield

Sergi Roberto (6/10):

Can’t be faulted for his effort, but didn’t hold down the middle very effectively. Looked much better when going forward, and produced a nice assist for Lopez.

Pedri (5/10):

Floated around, played some lovely passes, but was rather lackadaisical on the ball at times. Not the kind of shift you’d expect from a player who will want to start at Euro 2024 for Spain.

Fermin Lopez (8/10):

Took the opening goal well. Made the second look even better. Wasn’t on the ball a lot, but he patrolled space with aplomb.

Attack

Lamine Yamal (7/10):

Did some outrageous things with the ball, and was a threat – as usual. His impact waned as the game wore on, though.

Robert Lewandowski (5/10):

Had three shots, but none of them were particularly clear. Puzzling that he started; Barca have nothing to play for here.

Ferran Torres (5/10):

Didn’t do much to take advantage of the opportunity afforded to him on the left. Better off the bench.

Subs & Manager

Joao Felix (4/10):

Given 30 minutes to impress. Missed an easy chance and was overall disappointing.

Andreas Christensen (5/10):

Held down the centre and kept it simple.

Vitor Roque (5/10):

Surprising that he’s alive. Ran a lot, got booked, looked generally frustrated.

Joao Cancelo (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Oriol Romeu (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Xavi (7/10):

Rotated a bit, giving Fort a look, and also offering chances to Torres and Lopez. Barca were really leaky for some stretches, but scored some good goals and will take the win.