SETTABLOID

The Barcelona and Xavi Hernandez exit drama has taken another twist amid reports of player unrest.

Xavi’s decision to change his stance on leaving Barcelona this summer appeared to have placed the squad on a solid footing.

However, the picture has changed in recent days, with Xavi now potentially facing the sack following his controversial remarks over Barcelona’s transfer power.

As situation evolves, Xavi is expected to hold crunch talks with club president Joan Laporta in the coming days, to resolve his future.

Some of his squad are reportedly open to Xavi leaving next month amid rumours of them feeling mistreated by the former Spanish international.

The latest chapter in the saga claims Raphinha insulted Xavi’s brother, and assistant coach Oscar Hernandez, after being substituted against Valencia on April 29.

The Brazilian international was withdrawn with the score tied at 2-2, and as per Twitch channel Jijantes, Raphinha reacted furiously, and was told he would not start the next game.

Xavi followed up his threat by benching Raphinha for the 4-2 loss at Girona and the situation remains tense between the pair.

Rayo Vallecano scored twice at Estadio de Vallecas when they faced Barcelona earlier this season, albeit on two different ends of the field.

An own goal from Florian Lejeune cancelled out Unai Lopez’s opener in the 82nd minute to give the Catalans a draw, but the match left fans with an understanding of just how threatening Rayo can be when in full flow.

Come Sunday, the two teams will meet again in La Liga, this time in the penultimate round of the competition with not much remaining to fight for.

The game will still be hard-fought, nevertheless, with Inigo Perez’s side desperate to earn at least a more respectable finish on the league standings.

Barça Universal bring you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano.

Tumultuous politics

The past 48 hours in Catalonia have seen a serious escalation of internal politics in the Barcelona offices, and the sequelae spoken of could detrimentally impact the team’s planning ahead.

Jolted by Xavi’s recent comments in a recent press conference, the club president and his board are furious and are said to be close to sacking the manager very soon.

Considering that the manager’s continuity was only announced less than a month ago, the sudden change in the club’s stance can only be termed as a hellish situation that serves no party any good.

Twelve hours ago, it was uncertain if Xavi would even oversee the Catalans’ clash against Rayo Vallecano with an immediate sacking spoken of.

No conclusion was reached in yesterday’s meeting, however, and the Spanish tactician will live to see another match from the sidelines.

With such uncertainty looming over the managerial position in Catalonia and multiple forces aligned against the coach, tomorrow could well be one of, if not the last game Xavi oversees for Barcelona.

Sealing the spot

Heading into the clash of the season, there is not much left for Barcelona to fight for except the second spot in La Liga. That in itself, however, is vital for the Blaugranas for reasons that transcend the mere sporting aspect of the project.

With the summer transfer window just around the corner, the Catalans are still strapped for cash and far from stable in a financial sense. At such a juncture, every penny that enters the club’s coffers is valuable making it a non-negotiable for the Catalans to finish second.

A sum of €8 million, a place in the Spanish Super Cup and a direct slot in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey awaits the team to finish behind Real Madrid in the league standings.

Barcelona took a big step towards the same with their win over Real Sociedad and can seal their place as the runners-up with a win tomorrow.

With two games remaining, Xavi’s men are placed in second place on 79 points with Girona closely behind on 75 points. A win tomorrow will take Xavi’s side to 82 points which will be enough to guarantee second-place given that Girona can achieve a maximum of 81 points.

A night of uncertain farewells

Sunday’s clash will be Barcelona’s final game of the season at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, signifying the end of the team’s campaign at home.

It thus goes unsaid that the game will be the last time the Barcelona faithful at Montjuic will get to witness some players in the Blaugrana colours. With the upcoming transfer window expected to be explosive, it is not ruled out that it could be the case for some mainstays as well.

For starters, the likes of Marcos Alonso and Oriol Romeu will certainly say their goodbyes to the Barcelona fans as their departure next month is all but confirmed. It thus becomes a dilemma for Xavi to decide if he must give them minutes on the night.

Beyond the certainties, however, is a long list of players who ‘could’ leave the team. Given that very few players at this point are untransferable at this point leaves the door wide open.

Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix, whose loan renewal status is uncertain, are higher up on the list of potential departures while Ronald Araujo, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Vitor Roque are some of the others on the list.

It will thus be a bizarre night for the fans in attendance. There will be some big farewells to say, but the identity of the players in question is still unknown.

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.