SETTABLOID

The nine-day gap between Barcelona’s win against Las Palmas and their next game against PSG in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League has created intense anticipation around the tie.

It has also been a blessing in disguise for the Catalan giants, who are trying to recover several injured players ahead of the clash, including an entire starting midfield.

Pedri and Frenkie de Jong were the first to pick up injuries, hurting their hamstring and ankle, respectively against Athletic Club early in March.

Interestingly, the third midfielder to pick up an injury was Andreas Christensen. He has been nursing an Achilles discomfort since ahead of the game vs Atletico Madrid. He did not travel with the Danish National Team for the international break either.

Can Christensen make it back in time?

According to an update issued by Mundo Deportivo, Christensen will undergo tests tomorrow to determine his availability against PSG.

He has not joined team training yet but is expected to be available for the first-leg clash and is even in contention to start.

The Dane has been suffering from discomfort in his ankle for a few months now, with Xavi often resorting to substituting him ahead of other players during games.

Christensen has been playing as a holding midfielder for the last couple of months and has done exceedingly well in that position. The team are, so far, unbeaten with him playing in midfield.

What about De Jong and Pedri?

There have been a ton of contrasting updated on Frenkie de Jong and Pedri’s injuries so far.

Both players were expected to return to the squad, at least, ahead of the game, but it seems only De Jong will be given that medical green light.

The 26-year-old participated in team training recently, but only partly. His fitness levels are said to be at 99%.

If things go according to plan, it seems he could form the starting midfield alongside Gundogan and Christensen.

Lamine Yamal is the clearly one of the biggest stars at FC Barcelona right now, having showcased his talents at the highest levels at only 16 years of age.

The youngster has been key for Xavi this season, and has also gotten the affection of Barcelona fans as he continues to shine whenever he steps on the pitch, defying opposition defenders vastly more experienced and proven than him.

Being one of the stars of the team, fans are eager to get to know the player more deeply, and the player responded to this desire as he embarked on an interview with Mundo Deportivo, in which he talked about the biggest influences in his career, and how his rapid growth has led to changes in his lifestyle.

Talking about Xavi’s announcement to leave the club, Yamal was clear that the team was playing more freely after that event:

Few days remain between now and the fateful clash between FC Barcelona and PSG over in Paris. The Catalan giants, in the hunt for Champions League glory, wait to face their Ligue 1 opponents. However, the grand encounter between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain has its complications.

Most of these complications are going to be troublesome for Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez. The Spaniard will have much of his squad healthy and fit to face PSG, and the inclusion of Frenkie De Jong has become quite likely. However, it is precisely due to the Dutchman’s return that the Barcelona coach has a massive dilemma.

As highlighted by SPORT, De Jong’s return would now force Xavi to make a huge bet in his midfield. Expected to be fully fit by the game, and having already trained with his teammates ahead of the match, the Barcelona star is a massive asset for Xavi and was considered practically untouchable before he got injured.

However, others have also risen to the occasion in his absence. Both Sergi Roberto and Fermin Lopez showcased their individual brilliance and showed what exactly they provided to Barcelona. The verticality, directness, control, and explosiveness they offered became a savior of sorts for Barcelona in key encounters.

In terms of what the final midfield could look like, there are already certain guarantees. Ilkay Gundogan, a veteran of the Champions League and Xavi’s commander in the midfield, is basically immovable. Alongside him, as the pivot, Andreas Christensen could return to take back his experimental role.

That leaves the final place in the midfield up for grabs. Both Roberto and Lopez may feel like they have earned a spot, and De Jong’s quality is already unquestionable. While SPORT claims Roberto has a bit of an edge over his fellow Spaniard, De Jong’s presence makes the final decision all the more difficult.

Other areas of the field also seem to be more or less settled for Barcelona. The defense already seems sorted with the likes of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, and Joao Cancelo ready to take their places.

Even the attack, with Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and possibly Raphinha, seems like a defined unit. It is perhaps only the midfield where the biggest question marks arise.

As much as Barcelona’s finances continue to be a thorn in the side, the Catalan giants will be on the lookout for new signings this summer.

Not only are Barcelona aware of the fact that they must raise the level of the squad; but new arrivals will also potentially help Barça convince Xavi to stay put.

And Girona’s Aleix Garcia remains an exciting market opportunity. He was tipped to join the club last winter, but due to financial complications, the move failed to materialize.

Barcelona like Aleix Garcia for three reasons

Heading into the summer transfer window, Barcelona have revived their interest in the Spanish midfielder and are expected to make a more concrete effort to sign him.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona values Garcia for three primary reasons, which are his talent, price, and age.

Garcia thrives as a versatile operator, capable of seamlessly slotting in any of the three or four midfield positions.

With injuries to Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Gavi this season, Garcia could have softened the blow of Barcelona’s injury crisis.

Moreover, at the age of 26, the Spaniard is considered to be in his prime years. Barcelona would not have to run the risk of acquiring a declining asset with his recruitment.

Finally, Aleix Garcia is a bargain hunter’s dream, as his reported fee of €14-15 million, which Barcelona are confident of paying, would not take a huge toll on the Blaugranes‘ finances.

The report further adds that it cannot be ruled out that Aleix Garcia enters a swap deal with Eric Garcia, who is one of Barcelona’s loanees at Girona.

Many other players can enter the fray, though, such as Pablo Torre, Oriol Romeu, Pau Victor, and Mikayil Faye, which could help lower Garcia’s price.

Time will tell how Barcelona opts to carry out the operation, but the club’s interest in Garcia appears to be gaining ground.

FC Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamil used an interview with Mundo Deportivo to register his interest in inheriting club legend Lionel Messi’s iconic number 10 shirt.

Comparisons between the 16-year-old and a figure viewed by many as being the best player of all time began in preseason.

Coming off the bench in the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Tottenham Hotspur, Lamine single-handedly mounted a comeback for the Catalans as part of a devastating cameo in the traditional fixture which many felt was its best individual performance since his fellow La Masia graduate dazzled Juventus in 2005.

Back then, in August, Lamine was still a fringe player and given the number 27. In the months that have followed, however, as the 2023/2024 campaign has progressed, the Mataro native has taken advantage of the opportunities afforded to him with Raphinha out injured to nail down the starting berth on the right wing.

Viewed as the future of the club to the extent that president Joan Laporta confirmed he rejected a $216 million bid for the teenager from Barca’s Champions League quarterfinals foes Paris Saint-Germain, Lamine is a possible candidate to don the ’10’ one day and was pushed to discuss the topic by Mundo Deportivo.

Lamine pointed out that the jersey still has an owner in Ansu Fati, who is currently out on loan at Brighton. But he also said that “if in the end he is not still here”, being awarded such an honour “would be a source of pride”.

It would be a dream for any child to be Barcelona’s number 10. Nobody in this world would say no, but it’s something that the club has to manage,” he added.

Irrespective of what shirt he wears, Lamine above all wants to “be a Barca legend”.

Young Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has made a bold prediction ahead of the Blaugrana’s away match against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

The 16-year-old, speaking in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, has predicted a 1-0 win for his side, with the scorer being himself.

In a composed manner, Yamal discussed the upcoming match between Barcelona and PSG, sharing his dream of reaching the final at Wembley. “It’s my first quarterfinal tie and it’s a dream to be able to play in them,” he said.

 

Barcelona are one of a number of teams around Europe that will be looking for a new manager this summer.

A few weeks ago, just as Jurgen Klopp did at Liverpool, Xavi Hernandez publicly announced that he’d had enough.

That he was fed up with not being able to please everyone and he was to resign at the end of the season.

Whilst the Catalan outfit haven’t been at their best for long periods this season, they’ve done remarkably well since Xavi’s announcement, perhaps evidencing that there is a team there worthy of salvaging.

Indeed, they’re still in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and a win in El Clasico in a few weeks time would put them in touching distance of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

It’s perhaps to that end why Sport are reporting that the club are going out on a limb to try and persuade Xavi to reconsider.

Furthermore, they have discarded the possibility of hiring Sporting’s well-respected manager, Ruben Amorim, who was believed to be the favourite to replace Xavi.

Given that to this point Xavi has stuck steadfastly to his guns, Barca are playing a dangerous game by waiting until the end of the season to see if they can get him to change his mind.

 

 

 

 

Lamine Yamal is one of many players who could be on the radar of the Spanish team, not only for the European Championship but also for the Paris Olympics.

However, there are concerns in the Barcelona camp over the youngster’s workload if he is asked to play in both competitions.

The Catalans do not want a repeat of 2021 where playing in multiple international competitions in one summer took a toll on Pedri’s fitness.

Lamine Yamal on playing Olympics & Euros this summer

Amid growing uncertainty over Yamal’s participation in international competitions this summer, the player has recently addressed the issue himself.

Speaking to the media, Yamal has admitted it would be illogical to compete in both the Euros and the Olympics.

“It wouldn’t be logical to participate in the Olympics after the EURO. I have been trying to have control over my playing time. It wouldn’t make sense to participate in both tournaments,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

This is a significant development, especially considering the fact that Yamal himself had stated last month that he would be open to playing in both competitions.

Yamal reiterated the focus on the European Championship, though, adding, “It also depends on how the Euro Cup goes but I think the most important thing would be to be in the Euro Cup.”

When asked about the Pedri factor, the youngster replied, “It’s an example of what can happen because it’s the only one I remember doing it.“

Spanish Football Federation, for their part, has reportedly assured Barcelona that their youngsters won’t be overloaded with minutes this summer.

But the assurance is unlikely to help Barcelona’s case and the Catalans are likely to take every step possible to prevent their players from competing in both tournaments.

Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid have already taken a strong stance and have barred their players from competing in two competitions this summer.

We will have to wait and see whether Barcelona come up with such stringent measures.

An insight into the plans of the powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona for Andreas Christensen over the seasons ahead has on Thursday been provided.

Former Chelsea man Christensen, of course, has taken his place front and centre in the headlines in Catalunya’s capital for several months now.

As much comes after the Dane, amid a crisis at the heart of Barca’s midfield, was pushed forward into a deep-lying ‘pivot’ role by head coach Xavi.

Christensen, for his part, has since largely gone on to impress in the position, overtaking Oriol Romeu, a specialised deep-lying midfielder, in the engine room pecking order at the club.

What does this mean, though, for the 27-year-old’s long-term prospects at the Camp Nou?

Is Christensen now considered a full-time member of Barcelona’s midfield ranks?

An insight into as much has today been provided, by Mundo Deportivo.

And the news will no doubt come as a welcome relief to those hopeful of the Danish international returning to his more natural spot at the heart of defence.

With the signing of a new pivot at the top of Barcelona’s to-do list this summer, Christensen, it is assured, is not viewed as a midfield option long-term.

Instead, in the case of staying put into next season, the stopper will slot back into a defensive role.