Valverde has picked the squad which will face Liverpool in the first leg of UEFA Champions League 2018-19 Semi Final. All the usual suspects make the squad.
May 1, 2019
FC Barcelona Squad announced to Face Liverpool
Apr 30, 2019
FC Barcelona Faces Liverpool in a Must Win Match at Camp Nou
Despite the tie being two legged, the first leg result is paramount for Barcelkona considering thier not so great away form.
Barcelona Football Club would be heading into the Semi-Final of UEFA Champions League 2018-19 with the disadvantage of playing the second leg away from home. Considering our troubles of the past in Europe, especially away from home; this match more or less have become a must-win situation.
Barcelona goes into the first leg in a triumphant mood, winning another La Liga title; their 8 in last eleven season. On the other hand, Liverpool is in a tough dogfight for the title in England and we have to see how that pressure acts by the time of the second leg.
Apr 15, 2019
FC Barcelona Looking for a Perfect Night at Camp Nou against Manchester United
Barcelona would be looking to produce a perfect Night at Camp Nou after a very sub-dued performance in the first leg.
Barcelona holds a definite advantage against Manchester United when they line out for the second leg of Champions League Quarter Final at the Camp Nou. Despite the lackluster display in the first leg, Barcelona looked pretty solid in defense. That is a welcome change for a side which has shown some defensive fragility in recent past.
Barcelona fans would be hoping for a better display from their big match players in the second leg. Even though he created the goal in the first leg, Lionel Messi had a very average night at Old Trafford. Everyone is hoping a big night from him in the Quarter Final. He hasn't shown in Quarter Finals for some time!
Apr 11, 2019
Barcelona Holds the Advantage with a not so Convincing Victory at Old Trafford
Despite getting a favourable victory, there is a feel that a repeat of last season can't be discounted out.
In the end, that nervous feeling never really left, despite the valuable 1-0 victory. One of the main reason was the unconvincing nature of the result. In a nutshell, we did achieve our goal for securing a valuable away win and a valuable away goal. But at the same time, it left that feeling that Manchester United is very much in the tie!
Maybe we are harsh on the team, discounting the magnitude of the task in hand! This was Barcelona's first victory against Manchester United at the Old Trafford in Europe. Comparing to the Lyon visit, we should feel ourselves to be in a better position when we face 'Red Devis' again in a week's time.
Apr 9, 2019
Barcelona looks to Messi for Inspiration against Manchester United in the Quarter Finals
After Falling down twice at this stage, Barcelona will be looking to script a new Champter in Europe when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorro night.
At the start of the season, Lionel Messi made it clear what is the priority of Barcelona this season. And without any surprise, it was the UEFA Champions League. After falling twice at the Quarter-Final stages, Barcelona could not afford to take one more failure in the competition. Especially, when their arch-rivals won it thrice in a row!
The disappointing nature of last season's exit is still hurting the majority of the fans and players out there. When we lost to Juventus, it was somewhat understandable; as we suffered at the hands of a very organized team. But against Roma, it was all down to an uninspiring coach, demotivated team and total complacency all across.
Barca Squad for Travel to Manchester Announced
All the attention now shifts to Manchester where Barcelona will face Manchester United in the Quarter Finals of Champions League 2018-19. UEFA Champions League was Barcelona's primary focus and the first leg away from home will be really crucial.
Barcelona Club has announced the list of players who would make the squad to travel to Manchester.
Mar 19, 2019
LIONEL MESSI WONDER Performance against Real Betis in GIF Photos
Lionel Messi did what he normally does, scored a hat-trick, created tons of chances and destroyed the opposition. Nothing else needs to be explained!
Enjoy Lionel Messi's wonder performances in GIF photos below:
Mar 14, 2019
Can Barcelona make it six for six in the Copa del Rey?
Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona side stormed into the Copa del Rey final after a very satisfying semi-final win over old rivals Real Madrid. Although many Barça fans would accept that the team were not in top form in the second leg of the semi-final, Valverde’s men still banged home three goals to come out with a 4-1 aggregate victory. This is, of course, much sweeter coming at the expense of Los Blancos!
This semi-final win sees Barça march on into the final on May 25, 2019 at the Estadio Benito Villamarín in Seville against Valencia. This will in fact be the Catalan side’s sixth consecutive appearance in the Copa del Rey final in six years, which begs the question, can Valverde lead them to another cup final victory?
Mar 7, 2019
Real Madrid and PSG Exit shows Why Barcelona should Take Lyon Extremely Seriously!
The Unexpected Exits of both Real Madrid and PSG shows why Barcelona's progress to next round is not a a foregone conclusion.
At the end of the first round of the first knockout stage of this year's UEFA Champions League tournament, Real Madrid's and PSG's progress was more or less a foregone conclusion. Many considered Barcelona's chances as a tricky one, but one the current Spanish Champions was expected to go through.
But all those Foregone conclusions were torn apart by a combination of extreme complacency and a determined opponent. In this background, it is safe to say that Barcelona's progress to the next round may not seem simple as I have thought earlier.
Mar 1, 2019
3 Reasons Why Barcelona Struggled Defensively against Real Madrid?
Despite the 3-0 drubbing handed out to their arch-rival, Barcelona has to introspect why they had to suffer so much in defense.
Santiago Bernabeu has been one of the toughest arenas to visit as a team in the whole of Europe unless you are the current Barcelona team. Somehow FC Barcelona appears to have mastered the art of taming Santiago Bernabeu. In recent seasons, we have seen more success at the Bernabeu than in Camp Nou when it comes to Clasicos.
So when the match ended 3-0 in Barcelona's favor on Wednesday night, none was surprised. After all, Barcelona has been the better team in this season, and they were playing at their favorite training ground! But the scoreline shouldn't mask the problems which were on display, especially concerning tactics involved.
Feb 28, 2019
Clinical Barcelona makes the most of their Chances to Defeat Real Madrid
Barcelona may not have been the better team on the night, but they were clinical in taking their chances to dump Real Madrid out.
Barca - 3 | Real Madrid - 0 - Copa del Rey SF 2nd Leg
Barcelona Football Club booked their sixth consecutive appearance in Copa del Rey final by dumping Real Madrid out in the semi-final. They secured a 3-0 victory at Santiago Bernabeu, a stadium which evokes fear in Europe; but for some reason appears like a training ground for our boys.
Luis Saurez who was much maligned recently regarding his form emerged as the 'Hero of the Match' as he scored twice and played a decisive part in the other one. He along with Dembele scripted the victory for Barcelona, in a match in which they were the second best side for most of the time. This will Barcelona's sixth consecutive appearance in final, and they will be gunning for a record five consecutive titles.
Barca vs Real Madrid Copa Highlights | Barca - 3, Real Madrid - 0
FC Barcelona won 3-0 away from home at the Santiago Bernabeu to book their place in a fifth consecutive Copa del Rey Final. They will be now chasing a record creating a fifth consecutive title in the final. Luis Saurez once again was the main protagonist at Bernabeu scoring two and playing his part in the other goal, which incidentally was an own goal.
Check out the Highlights below:
Feb 27, 2019
Who all Made it to the Barcelona Squad traveling to Madrid for Copa? Two Surprise Inclusion!
There were some surprises in the squad announced to travel to Madrid for the second leg of Copa del Rey semi-final. Barcelona needs at least a victory or a better than one goal draw to proceed into the final. What is at stake for Barcelona, is the opportunity to win a fifth consecutive title. No team has ever done that in the history of the competition.
Check out the squad details below:
Feb 26, 2019
All Eyes on LIONEL MESSI's Teammates ahead of Copa del Rey Clasico
Do Messi have to do it all alone against Real Madrid, or will his teammates stand up? That's the real question in the buildup.
FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Copa del Rey Preview
Lionel Messi was playing with GOD mode ON against Sevilla, singlehandedly winning the match, scoring thrice and assisting the other. In spite of the magical performance, many questioned his teammates' commitments and performance. So when Barcelona lineup tomorrow at the Santiago Bernabeu, all focus will be on his strike partners.
Real Madrid had a brilliant outing in the first leg, especially considering the lack of confidence displayed abundantly this season. And they do start the 2nd Leg at home on the front foot, courtesy of the valuable away goal.
Feb 24, 2019
LIONEL MESSI Brilliance against Sevilla in GIF Photos
Lionel Messi was in sensational form against Sevilla. He scored three and assisted the other goal, the match simply turned into Messi vs Sevilla.
Check out GIF Photos of Messi in action against sevilla below:
MESSI saves BARCELONA with an Out of the World Performance
Lionel Messi produced a masterclass act scoring his 50th Career hattrick and assisting the other in a hard-fought victory against Sevilla.
Barca - 4 | Sevilla - 2 ( Messi - 4 | Sevilla - 2 )
In the end, this battle was all about one man, Lionel Messi. And that's a familiar feel for Sevilla fans as they are his favorite opponents. We have lost count of the number of times Lionel Messi has become the tormentor for Sevilla - even at the Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
In reality, Barcelona didn't do much to win this match, apart from having the World's Best Player; or the fifth Best player as per FIFA. Sevilla was the better team throughout the match, especially in the first half. But then Barcelona had Messi and that decided everything!
Feb 23, 2019
Barca vs Sevilla Match Highlights | Barca - 4, Sevilla - 2
Lionel Messi saved Barca once again as we are all used to to script a 4-2 victory against Sevilla at one of the toughest grounds in Spain. Messi scored three and assited the other one to secure Barca the victory.
Check out the Highlights below:
Feb 13, 2019
3 Reason Why Barcelona should not Use Messi on the Right!
Why Barcelona should look to move Lionel Messi from the right, and how it could improve their chnaces in Champions League!
Majority of the fans, who watched the performance against Bilbao are left wondering whether things have actually improved from our last season's Champions League exit? We felt toothless for most of the game. Even though the second half was a better affair, we failed to break down a resolute defense.
And that's the worry for Barcelona as this season was more or less is about Champions League. Athletic Bilbao gave us a clear glimpse of what awaits us at the later stage of the Champions League rounds. And our performance at San Mames doesn't inspire much confidence in that pursuit.
Feb 9, 2019
Arthur Out for 4 Weeks, Complicating Barcelona's February Schedule
Arthur Melo Sidelined for almost 4 Weeks
Barcelona Football Club is set to face another injury crisis-laden month, following a similar last month. Barcelona's emerging midfield maestro, Brazilian Arthur Melo has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. The Brazilian is expected to miss action for three to four weeks now. That may further complicate Barcelona's already complicated Clasico plans.
Feb 8, 2019
Has Semedo Silenced all his Critics with Stunning Effort against Real?
Such was the impact of the performance of Nelson Semedo against Real Madrid, many now claim we have found the perfect replacement for Dani Alves. And what does it mean for Sergi Roberto?
Nelson Semedo's Barcelona career has been going in an On-Off fashion for some time. The Portuguese were acquired to replace Barcelona stalwart, Dani Alves who left on a free transfer. That was no small shoes to fill, and the Portuguese had struggled to fill those so far.
Despite the early promises, he had to face tough competition from Sergi Roberto for the Right back position. And it was extremely disappointing, especially for the player to see him being relegated to the bench by a player who was predominantly a defender.
Feb 7, 2019
Real Madrid holds Barcelona to a One All Draw at Camp Nou in Copa
Barcelona was held to a one all draw by Real Madrid at home, and the team from Spanish Capital starts on the front foot in the 2nd Leg.
FC Barcelona - 1 | Real Madrid - 1
This result didn't come to me as much of a surprise. I warned about this in my earlier article - Why Barcelona should be vary of the Real Madrid threat?. Sometimes, you get a different kind of vibe from the events and enrgy surrounding a match, and this match I felt the same. That's the reason why I came up with that earlier article, just to warn about the folly of taking Real Madrid lightly.
Did we pay dearly for the mistake of taking an opponent lightly? Only we will come to know after the second leg. But it's safe to say now that Barcelona in a third time in a row is starting on the back foot going into the Copa second leg. We turned it around against Levante and Sevilla, will we be able to do it at the Santiago Bernabeu?
FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid Copa Highlights | FC Barcelona - 1, Real Madrid - 1
FC Barcelona was held to a one all draw at home by Real Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey Semi-Final. Malcom equalized for Barcelona in the second half after Lucas Vasquez gave Real Madrid an early lead. Now all is to play for when the team meets again for the second leg on the 27th of this month.
Check out the Highlights from the match below:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
