SETTABLOID

In a recent report, Marca revealed that Barcelona are keeping tabs on Valencia midfielder Pepelu this summer. It has been stated that the Catalan club have identified the Spanish midfield ace as a target for the upcoming transfer window.

Heading into the summer, there are some genuine uncertainties within FC Barcelona. The Catalan giants know that they must reinforce themselves, but they need to do so in a stable fashion. Yet, to achieve that stable means of operating, Barcelona may have to make some sacrifices.

From among the potential sacrifices that can be made by La Blaugrana, the sale of star players is right at the top of the list. This includes players from across the squad, but some Barcelona stars understandably would generate more financial leverage in favor of Barcelona.

One such star is Uruguayan defender and Barça captain Ronald Araujo. Already one of the world’s very best in his specific position, the 25-year-old is sought by many of the elites of European football.

This included German giants Bayern Munich, but it also includes a certain English side which is gaining gradual momentum in their pursuit of the Barcelona defender.

After a painful El Clásico defeat to end their defense of the La Liga title last weekend, Barcelona now focus on securing second place when they welcome Valencia to the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium for a rare Monday night game.

The full week of rest and training brought big news off the pitch as Xavi Hernández reversed his decision to leave in the summer and will remain the first team manager next season, and his job now is to ensure Barça finish above Girona in the table to earn extra prize money that will help the coach shape the squad in his image for the 2024-25 campaign.

Valencia are looking for a strong finish to the season and are still dreaming of a place in Europe, and an upset in the Catalan capital will be a major boost for one of Spain’s most traditional clubs.

Here’s how we think Xavi will line up his troops for Monday’s battle.

Defense

Sadly there are no Champions League commitments in the next two weeks and Barça had seven full days to recover from a demanding Clásico, so the coach can field his strongest possible lineup in this one.

Even though João Cancelo’s form has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks the Portuguese full-back is likely to remain in the starting lineup for this one, starting at left-back with Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsí completing the back four. Cancelo wants a permament move to Barça next season, and the final six games will be a big audition for João as he looks to convince the club to spend considerable money to sign him this summer.

Midfield

The season-ending injury to Frenkie de Jong in Madrid makes the midfield selection for this one pretty simple: Andreas Christensen and Pedri will form the double pivot in possession, with Ilkay Gündogan playing further forward as a number 10 in this three-midfielder setup.

Fermín López — who scored in the Clásico to continue his excellent form — and captain Sergi Roberto are the two main options in midfield off the bench, but they’re unlikely to start this one.

Attack

At this point of the season there are very little doubts about Barça’s starting front three: Lamine Yamal on the right, Raphinha on the left and Robert Lewandowski through the middle. It is true that Lewandowski has not played well in the last couple of games, but the Pole is still the best goalscorer in the team and will likely start every match until the end of the season.

The attack is pretty healthy at the moment with Ferran Torres, João Félix, Vitor Roque and Marc Guiu all available and ready for a chance, but it’s unlikely we see any of them starting on Monday.

Possible XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo; Christensen, Pedri; Yamal, Gündogan, Raphinha; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)

How do you think Barcelona should line up against Valencia? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!

Chelsea are keen on signing the Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga at the end of the season.

The 21-year-old joined the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli at the start of the season, but he is thought to be keen on a return to European football. A report from Fichajes claims that life in Saudi Arabia has not been as expected for the Spanish midfielder and he is willing to return to Europe at the end of the season.

Chelsea are keen on securing his services, but they will face competition from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City.

The Blues are reportedly preparing an initial offer of €40 million to sign the player and it remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done. The 21-year-old is capable of operating as a central as well as an attacking midfielder. He could prove to be the ideal acquisition for Chelsea.

They will need to add more creativity and control in the middle of the park, and Veiga could form a quality partnership with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. He will add creativity and goals to their midfield.

The 21-year-old has four goals and four assists in all competitions this season. He is highly rated across Europe and he could develop into a quality Premier League midfielder with the right guidance.

Mauricio Pochettino has a proven track record when it comes to nurturing young players, and he could play a key role in the development of the Spanish playmaker. The opportunity to return to Europe and join a big club like Chelsea will be quite tempting for the midfielder.

Real Madrid and Barcelona want Gabri Veiga

Meanwhile, Real Madrid could use more craft in the middle of the park and the 21-yea- old would be a superb long-term investment for them as well. Similarly, Barcelona need more depth in the side and Veiga seems like an exciting prospect.

The opportunity to return to his homeland and join clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona will be an attractive proposition for the player, and it remains to be seen where he ends up eventually.

Without a shadow of a doubt, FC Barcelona wants to rebuild their dynasty on the foundations of youth. Just as they did in the past, La Blaugrana continues to have faith in their young pearls. However, primarily due to financial restrictions, even that objective has its complications for Barcelona.

As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, there is some confusion about the potential future of Vitor Roque at the club. The Brazilian striker, despite his inconsistent distribution of minutes, remains one of the absolute bets of Barcelona for the future, as proven by the price tag attached to his arrival.

Chelsea’s hopes of winning a first Women’s Champions League title have been ended as champions Barcelona overturned a first-leg deficit to win 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and progress to the final.

Fridolina Rolfo fired home from the penalty spot with 15 minutes to play to complete Barca’s fightback and seal a 2-1 aggregate victory, after Emma Hayes’ side had been made to endure the final half hour on Saturday with 10 players following the sending off of Kadeisha Buchanan.

Hayes, who’s leaving Chelsea to take up the US national job, called the sending-off decision the “worst in Women’s Champions League history”.

“We didn’t have the opportunity to lose it,” she said. “It was taken away.”

Barca had levelled the tie via a fine finish from Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati by the time the Chelsea defender saw red.

Reaching for a loose ball inside the centre circle, she landed a foot on the ankle of Patri Guijarro and referee Iuliana Demetrescu did not hesitate in showing the Chelsea player a second yellow card.

“The second half we were coming on top. Then when you get such a shocking officiating decision, there’s nothing you can do about it,” Hayes said.

“It’s hard when you’ve got 11; when you’ve got 10, it’s virtually impossible.”

Chelsea battled gamely to give its outgoing manager the chance to depart on a high in next month’s final in Bilbao, but they sorely missed the cutting edge of injured Australian superstar striker Sam Kerr.

Despite Barca being camped in its own half, time ran out on the home side who bowed out in the last four for the second season running.

The first 20 minutes passed almost entirely without incident before Hannah Hampton was finally forced into a save, dropping low to gather Caroline Graham Hansen’s tame right-foot volley from the edge of the box.

The game needed a moment of skill and fortune to crack it open, and on 25 minutes it got one.

The ball was played into the feet of Bonmati, who with a clever stepover outfoxed Niamh Charles before hitting a shot that deflected against the outstretched leg of Buchanan and beyond Hampton’s reach to level the aggregate score.

Chelsea almost hit back immediately. Catarina Macario slipped a pass through the left channel to Lauren James, who cut the ball back from the byline for the unmarked Melanie Leupolz.

Six yards out and with the goal at her mercy, the German midfielder sent a left-foot effort crashing against the crossbar.

Sjoeke Nusken’s shot on the slide spun agonisingly against the outside of the post as Chelsea came close to going ahead, but after Buchanan’s dismissal came the penalty award – Jess Carter putting an arm in the back of Bonmati, who tumbled over Ashley Lawrence.

VAR checked and saw nothing wrong with the decision, and up stepped Rolfo to send Hampton the wrong way and ensure Hayes leaves without the European trophy she had coveted for so long.

LONDON (AP) — Aitana Bonmati scored and won the penalty for the second goal to help Barcelona beat 10-woman Chelsea 2-0 in the semifinal second leg of the Women’s Champions League and 2-1 on aggregate on Saturday.

Barcelona became the first team since Frankfurt and Potsdam in 2005 to advance after losing the semifinal first leg at home. Chelsea won 1-0 in Spain a week ago.

Defending champion Barcelona has reached the final for the fifth time in the last six seasons, missing out only in 2020.

Chelsea was let down by its finishing and poor discipline.

In the rain, Stamford Bridge was sold out for the first time for a women’s game. In front of a noisy crowd of 39,398 spectators, Chelsea looked to shut out Barcelona with a compact shape and an aggressive press like in the first leg.

Barcelona initially struggled but grew into the game as winger Caroline Graham Hansen tested Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton with a low shot in the 22nd minute.

Bonmati, the world’s best player, leveled the tie in the 25th by rounding Niamh Charles to fire in a low strike that took a deflection off Kadeisha Buchanan.

Striker Catarina Macario led Chelsea’s response with a dipping half-volley that goalkeeper Catalina Coll palmed away in the 36th.

The hosts had a golden chance to equalize before halftime. Chelsea midfielder Sjoeke Nusken intercepted an underhit back pass from Irene Paredes and squared the ball back for Lauren James, who couldn’t make contact.

Chelsea was wasteful again in the 57th when James picked out Nusken, whose sliding effort hit the post.

Things became worse for Chelsea when Buchanan received a second yellow card in the 59th for stamping on Patri Guijarro’s foot. The defender was also booked in the 54th for a poor tackle on Salma Paralluelo.

Barcelona winger Fridolina Rolfo sealed the victory by converting a penalty in the 75th after Ashley Lawrence tripped Bonmati.

Chelsea and Emma Hayes’s Champions League dream was ended at a sold-out Stamford Bridge this evening. The Blues, who played 30 minutes with ten players, were beaten 2-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate by Barcelona in the semi-finals.

Chelsea came into the second leg with a one-goal lead thanks to Erin Cuthbert’s strike in Catalonia. But the tie was level by the interval at the Bridge – sold out for the first time for a women’s game – after Aitana Bonmati struck.

Unfortunately, decisions went against us in the second half. Two yellow cards in quick succession saw Kadeisha Buchanan dismissed and Fridolina Rolfo later converted a penalty after Bonmati tumbled under pressure from Jess Carter and Ashley Lawrence.

That goal coupled with our player disadvantage proved too much for us to overcome

A solid start

Emma Hayes was forced into one change with Mayra Ramirez ruled out through injury. She was replaced in the frontline by Catarina Macario. The 3-4-1-2 shape used in the first leg was maintained.

The onus was on Barcelona to score. Fail to do so and the reigning champions would be eliminated. Jonatan Giraldez’s side started well and moved the ball across the pitch neatly, but Chelsea kept them at bay in the opening ten minutes.

As in the first leg, Chelsea carried a threat in transition and also through spells of possession. Our first effort on goal came via the latter as a well-constructed attack ended with Erin Cuthbert driving over from a distance.

Barcelona, as expected, controlled the ball and started to push the Blues back into our defensive third. Chances were then created. The first fell to Caroline Graham Hansen, who forced Hannah Hampton into a good stop with a shot from distance.

The second resulted in the opener. After a Barcelona cross was recycled, the ball was punched into the feet of Bonmati. She shifted it onto her right foot, fired toward goal, and watched as her shot deflected off Buchanan and beyond Hampton.

The right response

It was a setback the Blues had to react to. They did so well and came close to retaking the lead in the tie on the half-hour mark. Lauren James did excellently down the right to hold up the ball and exchange passes with Macario.

The England international pulled a cross back into the area which fell perfectly for Melanie Leupolz. But our German midfielder’s effort was too high and clipped the crossbar on its way over.

Chelsea took confidence from the chance and fashioned another soon after. This time Macario produced a sublime touch touch and then volleyed goalward from 20 yards. The ball was headed for the corner but Cata Coll saved.

Another opportunity passed the Blues by after Sjoeke Nusken raced onto a short back pass and squared for James. She couldn’t make content six yards out and the chance ended with Cuthbert drilling over.

As the half approached its end, momentum swung back toward Barcelona and Fridolina Rolfo twice threatened the Chelsea goal. Yet neither of her attempts troubled Hampton and the tie was level with 45 minutes to play.

Barcelona looked to change that soon after the restart. The Catalans started the second period at pace and some last-ditch defending was required from the Blues. Ona Batlle also guided a shot from 20 yards high and wide.

Five crucial minutes

Then came what proved to be a pivotal five minutes of the contest.

It started with Buchanan being shown a yellow card for a foul on Salma Paralluelo. Chelsea then struck the woodwork again after Sjoeke Nusken guided the ball against the post after excellent work in the build-up from both James and Ashley Lawrence

Moments later, Buchanan produced a strong challenge on Patri Guijarro. There was contact on the ball and contact on the player. Referee Luliana Demetrescu called the tackle and foul and showed Buchanan a second yellow card and then a red.

Thirty minutes remained. Hayes reacted. She shifted Nuksen to the right of the back three, kept Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Lawrence as wing-backs, and introduced Guro Reiten as a third midfielder for Macario. James was our lone attacker.

Barcelona attempted to ramp up the pressure. Paralluelo fired over, Hampton denied Ona Batlle. Chelsea’s attacks were sporadic and were the result of quick counters. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd ended one with a shot that Coll held well.

The minutes ticked down and Barcelona continued to probe. One attack saw Bonmati spin away from Jess Carter and then fall under pressure. The referee awarded a spot kick and VAR did not overturn the decision. Rolfo stepped up and converted.

Chelsea had to find a goal to have hope of progressing, but Barcelona kept us at arm’s length. Hayes introduced Eve Perissett, Millie Bright and Fran Kirby with seven minutes to play. Off went Lawrence, Rytting Kaneryd and James.

The Blues did what they could to make it difficult for Barcelona. Crosses were put into the box, direct passes forward to Bright, deployed as an emergency centre forward, were well contested. The ball just didn’t fall for us in the visitor’s penalty area.

The game ended in a painful defeat – and Hayes didn’t get the perfect farewell at Stamford Bridge. But there is still a Women’s Super League title to contend for. A chance of silverware remains.

Controversial officiating sadly stole the show as European champions Barca qualified for the UWCL final, to play Paris Saint-Germain or Lyon

Three up-and-coming members of the youth ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona were afforded a chance to impress as part of the club’s first-team setup on Saturday.