SETTABLOID

It’s been an interesting week for the Catalan club. First, beating Benfica in a thrilling champions league match and now the confirmation of the continuity of Ronald Araújo. According to the club’s website, the Uruguayan defender have come to an agreement to extend the player’s contract until the summer of 2031. The news comes after rumors surfaced that Italian side Juventus were close to reaching a deal with Araújo.

The 25-year-old’s prior contract was set to expire in 2026 and had a release clause of 1 billion euros. While the full details of the new deal have not yet been released, reports claim that the new release clause will be lower to allow the possibility for a future transfer. The two parties agreed to a new contract that will expire in June 2031.

The Uruguayan first joined Barcelona in 2018 and made his senior debut in 2019 in a LaLiga match against Sevilla. He’s logged a total of 155 club appearances adding 8 goals and 6 assists to his résumé. During his time in Barça he’s had the misfortune of picking up multiple injuries including a hamstring injury that held him out for nearly 5 months in the beginning of this season. However, he is still considered to play a key role in Hansi Flick’s project at Barcelona for the future years to come as he was recently rewarded by being named second captain for the team.

Barcelona returned to winning ways in La Liga in an emphatic fashion as they secured a thumping 7-1 victory over Valencia.

Fermin Lopez was the star of the show as he bagged two goals and two assists, starring in Barcelona’s biggest win of the season so far.

Speaking to the media after the game, Hansi Flick was delighted with the team’s performance, as he notably hailed the likes of Fermin and Alejandro Balde.

Hansi Flick’s post-match thoughts

When asked about Fermin’s performance, Flick admitted that he wishes to give more game time to players such as him.

Another star performer on the night was Ferran Torres, who was a live wire in the entire match and even scored a goal in the first half.

Flick was also asked about Alejandro Balde, with reporters asking him about similarities to Alphonso Davies.

Flick went on to heap praise on his players for producing a strong show despite all the changes made in the starting eleven.

Flick went on to address the future of two key players who have been linked with a move away from Barcelona this month: Eric Garcia and Ansu Fati.

While Garcia started against Valencia, Fati was an unused substitute. Flick, to that end, confirmed that he wants Garcia to stay while remaining coy about the latter’s future at the club.

Barcelona’s win over Valencia also meant that the team has now reached 100 goals for the season. Flick, though, is not concerned about the statistics.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick hailed his side’s commitment as they ended a four-match LaLiga winless streak with a 7-1 hammering of Valencia on Sunday.

Goals from Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, a double from Fermin Lopez and an own goal saw Barcelona demolish Valencia, with the German coach stressing the importance of the depth of his squad.

“The players showed fresh legs. They were in the game and did a great job. I liked my team’s performance,” Flick told a news conference.

“It’s not a problem for me to have so many quality players to choose from. It’s good. Everyone was impeccable and very committed throughout the game,” added the coach, who made five changes in the match.

He also hailed Lopez, whose brace and two assists were key to the win. “He played a fantastic game, he was very good on the ball and he finished very well.”

The Barcelona manager praised Wojciech Szczesny after the Polish goalkeeper was again preferred to Inaki Pena after also starting in their stunning 5-4 win at Benfica that booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Supporters of La Liga giants Barcelona have taken to social media in numbers on Sunday, to sing the praises of one member of Hansi Flick’s squad.

Amid efforts to close the sizable gap to arch rivals Real Madrid atop the Spanish top-flight table, the Blaugrana have welcomed Valencia to Catalunya’s capital.

And, as things stand, a three-point haul is precisely what Hansi Flick’s troops find themselves headed towards.

The aforementioned Frenkie de Jong, for his part, has played a starring role in as much, opening the scoring amid what has been a superb individual display.

And, safe to say, such endeavours on the part of the Dutchman have not gone at all unappreciated on the part of the Barca faithful.

Barcelona are currently locked in La Liga action with Valencia, where the home side are in possession of a dominant lead, giving a real thrashing to Valencia who are struggling.

The goals have been well spread across Barcelona’s players, with Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Fermin Lopez and Robert Lewandowski all getting on the scoresheet.

Valencia’s Hugo Duro managed a consolation goal around the hour mark, but overall it was a pretty embarrassing night for Valencia.

One of the moments of the match was caught on camera when Lamine Yamal managed a nutmeg on Valencia’s Diego Lopez.

In footage caught by a fan, Fermín Lopez was caught putting his hands on his head in disbelief in response to Lamine Yamal’s incredible skill.

Barcelona needed to make a statement in La Liga and did exactly that last night against Valencia at Montjuic.

The Catalans had a ball against Carlos Corberan’s side and were explosive from start to finish, burying the result in just the opening half hour.

Frenkie de Jong opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute on the night before Ferran Torres doubled the lead five minutes later.

Raphinha made it three for Barcelona and a Fermin Lopez brace took their lead to five goals before the half-time whistle.

Robert Lewandowski’s clinical finish made it six for Barcelona, but only after Valencia pulled one back via Hugo Duro. An own goal from Cesar Tarrega then ruthlessly made it 7-1.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Barcelona 7-1 Valencia.

Wojciech Szczesny: 7

The Polish goalkeeper was barely tested against Valencia as Barcelona retained complete control of the proceedings and barely gave the visitors any chance to hold on to the ball.

Made a rash advance in the box and gave away a penalty once again but was lucky to have it ruled out for a previous foul on Kounde.

Alejandro Balde: 7.5

The left-back continues to grow and impress in his niche and is only looking more dangerous in attack with every passing game. Balde was a potent threat on the left, always looking to push forward in attack and exhibiting great positional awareness.

Got an assist for Ferran Torres’ goal on the night with a perfectly weighted pass into the box.

Pau Cubarsi: 8.5

The youngster has become Flick’s most trusted resource at the back, and rightly so given his maturity and positional awareness at just 18 years of age.

Dished out a defensive masterclass against Valencia and safeguarded Barcelona’s penalty area largely. Also racked up a sensational assist for Fermin’s first goal of the night.

Eric Garcia: 7.5

The Spanish defender started against Valencia ahead of Ronald Araujo and showed clearly what he brings to the table – elite ball-playing skills.

While Garcia was decent with his defensive contributions, it was his ability to play out from the back that stood out and shone.

An insight into the plans of the coaching staff at La Liga giants Barcelona, in the case of Marcus Rashford arriving at the club this month, has on Sunday been provided.

The name of frontman Rashford has of course proven a prominent one in the headlines in Catalunya’s capital for several weeks now.

As much comes amid the understanding that the England international has been identified as a leading mid-season transfer target by Barcelona.

Available on loan this month, Rashford is seen as a viable option to reinforce the attacking ranks in Hansi Flick’s squad.

The understanding, until now, was that the 27-year-old was being eyed as a signing for the left wing, to back up and provide competition to Raphinha.

If the latest word stemming from the media this weekend is anything to go by, however, then Flick and co. appear to have other plans

Amid concern regarding the ongoing form of Robert Lewandowski, Rashford is considered a potential difference-maker for the centre-forward role in Catalunya.