SETTABLOID

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.”

Paris saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has revealed that he took considerable enjoyment from the ovation afforded to Barcelona talent Lamine Yamal earlier this week.

The name of Barca sensation Lamine, of course, took its place front and centre in the headlines across world football this past Tuesday.

This came owing to his exploits on the international front, with Spain.

Afforded a starting berth in La Roja’s friendly meeting with Brazil, the winger, still just 16, lit up his country’s right flank, courtesy of a frankly remarkable performance.

So impressive was Lamine, in fact, that upon his number flashing across the 4th official’s board as the full-time whistle approached, he was afforded a standing ovation by the crowd.

As much would of course come as an impressive feat for a player of such tender years at any stadium, but making Lamine’s particularly special, was the fact that it came at the home of his club’s fiercest rivals.

The ground in question? The Santiago Bernabéu.

Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s upcoming Champions League double-header against Barcelona, the subject of ongoings in his home country on Tuesday night was in turn put to the aforementioned Luis Enrique.

And, in his response, PSG’s headmaster went on to reveal his take that the ovation marked a ‘very nice’ gesture:

“I liked it, that the Madrid fans applauded a Barcelona player while he was with the Spanish team,” Enrique began, as cited by Mundo Deportivo. “It was very nice. A very nice and hopeful detail, that they applauded a 16-year-old player from the eternal rival.”

Barcelona are back from the international break and will be hoping to keep up their form from before it as they take on Las Palmas for gameweek 30 of La Liga.

This game is not only important to maintain the pressure on Real Madrid, but it will also serve as the appetiser for what might be in store for the fans when Barça travel to France to take on PSG in the Champions League.

While there were reports claiming that Vitor Roque will start this game, Xavi has gone for Robert Lewandowski once again, perhaps in anticipation of the PSG clash.

The La Masia forward will be armed by Raphinha to his left side, and Lamine Yama to his right while Ferran Torres returns to the bench after a couple of months.

In midfield, then, Ilkay Gundogan has been forced to start another game with Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong injured. Sergi Roberto will form a double pivot with him, while Fermin Lopez get the nod to start as the attacking midfielder.

Ronald Araujo has been left out of the team for this game, so Inigo Martinez gets the nod to start as the left-sided central defender, partnering Pau Cubarsi in the heart of the backline.

Jules Kounde retains his spot as the right-back after a series of impressive performances, while Joao Cancelo returns to the team after missing the Atletico Madrid game due to precaution.

This back-four will be given the responsibility to guard Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who had a rather successful international break with Germany.

La Liga giants Barcelona have this afternoon unveiled the club’s latest matchday squad.

As much, of course, comes ahead of the Blaugrana’s imminent return to action.

After welcoming the club’s star performers back from the final international break of the season this week, Xavi and his staff will guide Barca into a La Liga meeting with Las Palmas on Saturday night.

An eventual victory would see the Catalans close the gap on table-topping arch rivals Real Madrid, at least temporarily, to just five points.

So, just who will be responsible for leading the charge towards as much later tonight?

As alluded to above, as much was made official a short time ago.

In a post across the club’s website and social media platforms, Barcelona announced a 23-man panel of stars, including a pair of injury returnees, in the form of Ferran Torres, and Marcos Alonso.

Also called up is up-and-coming defender Mika Faye, who could well be afforded his senior bow amid a fine recent stretch of individual form.

On the other hand, long-term absentees Gavi, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong will all miss out, as will Andreas Christensen, amid the Dane’s ongoing efforts to recover from an Achilles issue.

According to reports, FC Barcelona are ‘in danger’ of losing Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo in the summer amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Cancelo was a key player for Man City before a fallout with Pep Guardiola led to him leaving the Premier League club during the 2023 January transfer window.

Barcelona ‘in danger’

The Portugal international spent the end of last season on loan in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich before he joined Barcelona during last summer’s transfer window.

The full-back struggled at Bayern Munich but he has fared much better in La Liga. He has four goals and four assists in his 32 appearances across all competitions.

Given how important he has been this season, it is hardly surprising that Barcelona are keen to keep Cancelo beyond the end of his current loan.

But Barcelona are still struggling financially and Spanish outlet Sport claims they are ‘in danger’ as the Cancelo ‘operation could become very complicated’.

To add to Barcelona’s issues, Cancelo is said to have received an ‘offer’ from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal with Man City ‘prioritising a definitive sale for close to 50 million euros (£42m)’.

An insight into some of the leading factors behind the recent uptick in form being enjoyed by Barcelona star Jules Koundé has today been forthcoming.

The info comes courtesy of Diario Sport, and points towards the coaching staff in Catalunya’s capital as having played a pivotal role in as much.

The subject of Koundé’s contributions, of course, has proven one of the headline talking points at Barcelona across the season to date.

This comes after the France international was responsible for an alarming dip in performance, for an altogether extended period.

So prolonged were Koundé’s woes, in fact, that they even culminated in suggestions that Barca were ready to move the former Sevilla man on in the summer.

Recent weeks, however, have seen the 25-year-old look back to his brilliant best.

Koundé has looked completely reinvigorated both in and out of possession, shoring up the right of the Blaugrana’s backline in impressive fashion.

And, as alluded to above, this weekend, an insight into the role played by Xavi and his staff in aiding this turnaround has been forthcoming online.

As per Sport, in the days immediately following matches, Koundé, for some time now, has not joined the rest of Barcelona’s starting XI in recovery sessions.

Instead, he has worked with the substitutes at full pelt, in an effort to improve his physical condition.

Turning attentions towards the tactical side of the game, the defender has also been urged to direct more shots at goal, a directive which has improved his confidence.

Most notable of all, though, has been Koundé’s utilisation in a new position in training.

‘At the initiative of Xavi and his assistants, he has become accustomed to playing as a pivot to gain ease and fluidity with the ball.’