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.’

The 2023/24 season will be long-remembered by FC Barcelona fans as the one during which a 16-year-old homegrown talent, Lamine Yamal, enjoyed his breakthrough.

In a very short career, the La Masia graduate has made it a habit of breaking record after record, be it with Barça or the Spanish national team.

With such a rapid rise to stardom, pressure and expectations are also bound to grow. But, so far, the teenage prodigy has shown no signs of being overawed by the biggest stage, displaying great maturity.

A special ovation

Already a regular for Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona, the 16-year-old Yamal is also carving out a spot for himself in the Spain starting XI under Luis de la Fuente.

The biggest indicator of that came this past Tuesday when the teenage sensation weaved his magic and danced around the Brazil defence during an international friendly.

Played at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid’s home, Yamal stood out as the best player on show on the night as Spain and Brazil played out a 3-3 draw.

The Barcelona wonderkid had a hand in each of the three goals that La Roja scored and when the time came for him to be taken off in the 93rd minute, the entire Santiago Bernabeu rose and gave him a grand ovation, a thunderous applause.

Achieving what very few have done

Even though he was playing for Spain on the night, it is not a normal occurrence for a Barcelona player to receive such an ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu.

In fact, in history, only three Barcelona players – absolute legends of the game – Diego Maradona (1985), Ronaldinho (2005), and Andres Iniesta (2015) have managed to achieve such a feat.

And now, Yamal has forever etched his name alongside those greats by earning a well-deserved ovation at the home of the rivals.

With the La Liga El Clasico only a few weeks away at the Santiago Bernabeu, it is highly unlikely that Yamal might receive the same treatment.

But the Tuesday night of March 26, 2024, will always remain a special one for a 16-year-old who is very much in the nascent stages of his career and is bound for the top.

A recent report from Diario SPORT has highlighted Barcelona’s plans for the attacking department in the years to come.

While there were initial doubts about the continuity of Robert Lewandowski, it appears the player will stay at Barcelona, especially after rejecting a ‘triple-your-salary’ offer from Saudi Arabia.

Barcelona’s plan to sign Erling Haaland

As per the report, Lewandowski’s continuity is sought so that the club can have more time to prepare for the ‘dream signing’ that is Erling Haaland.

Barça have been linked with a move for Haaland in the past, but have been unable to make a strong case due to the club’s poor finances.

But it appears Joan Laporta has plans to sign the Man City forward in the summer of 2025, as he looks to counter Real Madrid’s purchase of Kylian Mbappe.

Barcelona are aware that Real Madrid cannot be allowed to have both Mbappe and Haaland in the same team. With that in mind, the club will do everything it can to secure the services of the Norwegian in 2025.

What about Lewandowski and co?

Everything suggests Lewandowski will continue at Barcelona next season. But it seems Laporta has plans to sell the Polish hitman in the summer of 2025.

With Lewandowski having a contract until 2026, offloading the player next summer could help the club bring in fresh revenue while also freeing up space in the wage bill.

By having Lewandowski as part of the team next season, Barcelona can also buy Vitor Roque enough time to adapt to the conditions and become a trusted option in the first team.

Between now and then, though, Barcelona must make serious efforts to balance their finances if they are to truly sign Haaland in 2025.

The player is reportedly keen on plying his trade in Spain, but without proper financial resources, the club can barely hope to compete with Real Madrid, for the pursuit of the Norwegian.

After a two-week-long international break, FC Barcelona will be back in action this Saturday as they face Las Palmas in La Liga matchday 30. The Catalans will be facing a familiar face in this tie, as Garcia Pimienta will be returning to the club where he spent a considerable time as the head coach of Barcelona Atletic.

Pau Cubarsi also made his international debut at only 17 years of age, while Lewandowski was able to lead his Poland side to the EURO 2024.

Now, all these players have returned to Barcelona, and will be available for Xavi to face the Canary Islanders, and then train for the monumental tie against PSG in the Champions League semi-finals.

However, the Catalans will be still without some key players like Andreas Christensen, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Balde, and Gavi, who all remain sidelined due to injuries.

FC Barcelona have officially announced the squad that will be representing the club in this upcoming match, and the players who will be available to Xavi are as follows:

Official Barcelona Squad List:

Goalkeepers:

• 1: Marc Andre Ter Stegen
• 2: Inaki Pena Sotorres
• 3: Diego Kochen

Defenders:

• 1: Jules Kounde
• 2: Ronald Araujo
• 3: Joao Cancelo
• 4: Inigo Martinez
• 5: Marcos Alonso
• 6: Pau Cubarsi
• 7: Hector Fort
• 8: Mikayil Faye

Midfielders:

• 1: Ilkay Gundogan
• 2: Fermin Lopez
• 3: Oriol Romeu
• 4: Sergi Roberto
• 5: Marc Casado

Forwards:

• 1: Robert Lewandowski
• 2: Lamine Yamal
• 3: Raphinha
• 4: Joao Felix
• 5: Ferran Torres
• 6: Vitor Roque
• 7: Marc Guiu

Rested:

• None

Suspended:

• None

Injured:

• 1: Gavi
• 2: Alejandro Balde
• 3: Pedri
• 4: Frenkie de Jong
• 5: Andreas Christensen

It is in the best interests of FC Barcelona to secure their future beforehand. The Catalan giants do not have the luxury of waiting and then getting to decide what their spontaneous plans will be. Instead, Barcelona need to act timely and accordingly to ensure their sustainability.

However, his continuity for the Blaugranes is still not a guarantee in the long term. For this reason, as Fabrizio Romano has confirmed and SPORT has highlighted, Barça have already sent their proposal to the entourage of the player. Previously, there was no confirmation about when such a proposal would be sent, but it has now been confirmed.

It would also see Cubarsi’s salary increased, and would be reflective of the great performances he has had. The young academy product has essentially taken Barcelona on his back and become a mainstay in the team already. Despite his age, his importance to Xavi’s team is crucial.

For now, Cubarsi continues to focus on and help Barcelona remain competitive this season. He seems to be improving himself with every passing game, while also simultaneously being praised by all those who witness him playing. Now also a representative for the Spanish National team, the Barcelona defender is ascending rapidly.