SETTABLOID

The return of Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been one of the key triggers for Barcelona’s return to form in recent weeks.

The German, who had to spend a few months on the sidelines owing to a back injury, has offered both strength and leadership in Barcelona’s backline.

The result? Barcelona have appeared a lot more resilient and have often managed to pick up clean sheets.

Ter Stegen could win Zamora trophy

As a matter of fact, Ter Stegen might be in a position to retain the Zamora trophy if he can continue his current performances and play all the remaining matches in La Liga this season.

The Zamora trophy is the most prestigious trophy for goalkeepers in Spain. The award is given to ‘keepers who record the lowest ‘goals-to-games’ ratio.

However, there is one huge catch – goalkeepers must play at least 28 league matches in order to qualify for the ultimate prize.

Ter Stegen was the undisputed winner of the Zamora trophy last season, as he conceded only 18 goals in 38 matches.

In a video that has gone viral today, FC Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez was seen getting angry at a young fan and reprimanding him for something that was said to him.

The incident happened after today’s training session when the veteran defender was driving out from Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

The fan and his friend appeared to have said something ‘insulting’ to Martinez, who did not take it kindly.

Stopping his vehicle and stepping out, the former Athletic Club defender hit out at the fan, angrily saying:

“This is the last time you call me a fool, the last time. The last time you insult me. And your friend the same. Did you hear or not? The last time. And don’t be cocky.”

Since his breakthrough towards the end of the last season, Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has broken several records.

After having made his debut for the Barcelona first team and Barça Atletic just at the age of 15, the La Masia wonderkid became the youngest-ever player to feature for both teams.

However, this past weekend, Yamal had one of those records taken away from him.

Guille Fernandez breaks Yamal’s Barça Atletic record

Indeed, during Barcelona Atletic’s 3-2 comeback win over Osasuna B on Sunday, a 15-year-old Guille Fernandez made his debut for Rafa Marquez’s side.

In the process, he beat Yamal to the record of becoming the youngest-ever player to debut for the Blaugrana’s reserve team.

Lamine made his debut for Barça Atletic on 6 May against Eldense (2-2). He was 15 years and 297 days old at the time, beating Alejandro Grimaldo (15 years and 349 days) and Haruna Babangida (16 years and 53 days).

Guille Fernandez made his debut with the Barça reserve team at the age of 15 years and 287 days and, by just 10 days, took the record for the youngest player to play for the second team away from Lamine Yamal.

Guille Fernandez came on against Osasuna B at Tajonar in the 80th minute to replace Marc Guiu, when Marquez’s side were losing 2-1, but went on to win 3-2, with Mika Faye scoring a goal.

Who is Guille Fernandez?

Guillermo ‘Guille’ Fernandez Casino is a 15-year-old midfielder at La Masia. A footballer who is in the Cadete age group, the teenager already plays in Oscar López’s Juvenil A team.

The youngster’s main factor is his ability to get forward thanks to his great physical strength. Endowed with great vision, he also excels in distributing assists to his teammates.

On 19 September 2023, Guille Fernandez played his first minutes in the Youth League, replacing Noah Darvich in the 66th minute against Antwerp (2-1).

The La Masia gem soon caught the eye of Xavi, who called him up for the first time last October to train with the senior team and has since asked him to join up on several other occasions.

Barcelona are extremely impressed with Guille Fernandez’s development and progress and have great hope for him.

The past few weeks have been quite eventful for Barcelona youngster Mika Faye.

The 19-year-old, signed in the summer, has grown into a permanent fixture for Rafa Marquez’s Barça Atletic, for whom he scored a match-winning goal last night.

A senior debut is just around the corner for the centre-back, who was in the squad for the game against Las Palmas this past weekend.

Furthermore, Faye made his national team debut for Senegal in the last international break, even scoring a wonder-goal on his maiden appearance.

Barcelona have received offers for Faye

The teenage jewel’s explosion has not gone unnoticed, with SPORT reporting that Barcelona have already received several offers for Faye.

Clubs across Europe, particularly from England and France, are understood to be showing a keen interest in the Senegalese defender.

It must be remembered that RC Lens from Ligue 1 had a €9 million bid rejected in January, but are expected to return with an improved offer for him.

Even though FC Barcelona won their last two matches against Atletico Madrid and UD Las Palmas without Andreas Christensen, there is no denying that the Dane is a key player for Xavi Hernandez.

The 27-year-old has been a revelation playing in the defensive midfield role in the past couple of months, providing the Blaugrana with at least a temporary solution to a long-running problem.

But an Achilles tendon issue has kept him out for the last two matches against Atletico and Las Palmas.

Barcelona pampering Christensen ahead of PSG clash

Barcelona will not play again until 10 April against PSG in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.

Until then, the medical services will look after Christensen with extra care, so that he is fully recovered, as his participation is very important for Xavi, reports SPORT.

Christensen has been struggling with these problems for most of the season. They became prominent in the warm-up for the match against Atletico and did not ease sufficiently during the international break for the Dane to be called up against Las Palmas.

Barcelona were able to maintain pressure on Real Madrid at the top of the league table thanks to a 3-1 victory over Las Palmas on Saturday.

For the Catalans, though, the focus now will shift to the UEFA Champions League, with the team slated to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the quarterfinal on April 10.

Having dealt with a series of injuries throughout the season, Barcelona may have some luck heading into the PSG encounter.

Christensen to be available vs PSG

In fact, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez may have a majority of his first-team stars available on April 10, with Andreas Christensen becoming the latest player to be available for the tie.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Christensen will be available in the upcoming game against PSG. The defender trained at the Ciutat Esportiva on Sunday and is progressing well, as far as his recovery is concerned.

Raphinha was one of the most influential players for FC Barcelona last night as the Catalans got a 1-0 victory over Las Palmas in La Liga. It was the Brazilian’s goal from a header that broke the deadlock well into the second half, and this goal was enough to get the Blaugranes the full three points.

Although he has not been as important for Barcelona as he was in the last match, his numbers have been consistent since he has arrived at the Catalan club. This season, he already has accumulated six goals and nine assists, despite spending a considerable time on the sidelines because of his two injuries.

But despite these satisfactory performances, his future at Barcelona is far from certain. This has been confirmed by SPORT, which claims that the Catalan club is willing to listen to offers for him in the coming summer, even though the player himself has no intentions of leaving.

After Ousmane Dembele left for PSG in the last summer transfer window, Raphinha was expected to be the first choice for Xavi on the right-wing. However, Lamine Yamal’s spectacular emergence and Ferran Torres good form relegated him to the third spot for this position.

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez was full of praise for Raphinha after seeing the Brazilian score the only goal of the game against Las Palmas.

Raphinha also had a goal harshly chalked off in a bright performance which saw the Catalan giants maintain their current unbeaten run.

Here’s what Xavi made of it all:

“He is so dynamic that he can participate in four or five positions up front. He is the player who best takes advantage of the spaces and that is how the goal came: perfect timing and a great pass from Joao. His acceleration gives us a lot and he understands what the interior position requires,” he said.

Xavi also spoke about the team’s performance in general and felt missed chances have been a problem all season long.

“The team has played well , with high circulation. We have missed more goals than normal and it is a summary of the season, that lack of effectiveness that makes us suffer more than necessary,” he added.

Barcelona will now start preparing for the Champions League and their quarter-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona will be without Inigo Martinez, Robert Lewandowski and Joao Cancelo for their next La Liga clash against Cadiz.

The three players all picked up their fifth bookings of the campaign during the win, earning a one-match suspension and the night off against Cadiz.

The situation does at least mean that all three will get a rest between the two Champions League ties against PSG, as the game at Cadiz falls between the two legs of the quarter-final.

Yet Martinez’s absence may just be a blow to the defender who has seen his debut campaign at Barcelona interrupted by injury.

Yet Martinez will now sit out Barcelona’s next La Liga clash at a time when there’s growing speculation about his future.

It’s been reported that Barca could let him go after one season due to financial issues and an overbooking of center-backs.

Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste has on Saturday provided a fresh insight into the club’s hopes of keeping hold of head coach Xavi.

As things stand, Xavi, of course, is primed to call time on his stint on the bench in Catalunya’s capital this summer.

As much comes after the former midfielder came to the decision this past January that both parties would benefit from a parting of ways with a view to next season.

And yet, whilst Xavi has remained adamant over the months since that his decision is a definitive one, the Barcelona brass have continued to reaffirm their hopes that, come the term’s close, their beloved tactician will change his mind, and stay put.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Blaugrana’s post-international break return to action against Las Palmas this evening, it therefore came as little surprise when the situation on the club’s bench, once more, was put to the aforementioned Rafa Yuste.

And, in his response, Barca’s vice president went on to reveal that he and the board at the Camp Nou have drawn up ‘long-term’ plans with Xavi at the helm:

“I hope and wish that he continues here because we are talking about a long term project with him, not a season or two. We’re going to try to convince Xavi, [but] it’s up to him.”