After a successful away start against Valencia, FC Barcelona is set to play their first home game against Athletic Club. With new signing Dani Olmo yet to be registered, Barcelona will have to rely on attacking players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski. On the other side, Athletic Club will be facing their former target Nico Williams and Mexican goalkeeper Alex Padilla. With a strong start and support from fans, FC Barcelona is expected to come out with a win against Valverde's team.
Dani Olmo's Barcelona Debut Delayed Amidst LaLiga Match against Athletic Club
FC Barcelona is poised to make their home debut in LaLiga against Athletic Club on Sunday, but the highly anticipated appearance of new signing Dani Olmo will have to wait.
Background
Olmo, a 24-year-old winger, joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig in a €20 million deal earlier this month. The move was seen as a significant boost to Barcelona's attacking options, but the club is still awaiting Olmo's registration with La Liga due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
Athletic Club, meanwhile, has a storied history with Barcelona. The two clubs have met 255 times, with Barcelona holding a slight edge with 120 wins compared to Athletic Club's 79.
Match Preview
Despite Olmo's absence, Barcelona remains a formidable opponent. They boast a star-studded attack led by Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Ousmane Dembélé. Athletic Club, under the guidance of former Barcelona player Ernesto Valverde, will be looking to cause an upset with the support of their passionate fans.
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Prediction
Barcelona is expected to come out with a win against Athletic Club on Sunday. However, Athletic Club is capable of causing an upset, especially if Barcelona misses the presence of Olmo in attack.
In a recent interview, FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal expressed his excitement for the Spanish Super Cup final after scoring a crucial goal in the semifinals against Athletic Club. The 17-year-old had just returned from an ankle injury and was instrumental in securing his team's spot in the final. He also shared his happiness in seeing teammates Dani Olmo and Pau Victor being cleared to play and hopes they will join him in the final against either Real Madrid or RCD Mallorca.
In a thrilling semifinal match against Athletic Club, Barcelona secures its place in the Spanish Super Cup finals. A long pass from Raphinha leads to a chance for Athletic to score, but a timely intervention from goalkeeper Simon denies them. Subscribers of Sportstar can catch the highlights of the intense match at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
Despite Barcelona missing key player Dani Olmo, whose playing license was revoked, young talents Gavi and Yamal stepped up to secure a 2-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals. Olmo was temporarily cleared to play, but unfortunately not in time for the game. Barca's opponent in the final will be determined in the match between Real Madrid and Mallorca, with the outcome being held in Saudi Arabia. Barca coach Hansi Flick expressed his joy over the decision to allow Olmo and Pau Victor to play again, and the players were also thrilled to contribute to the win and reach the final.
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Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong has raised doubts about his future at Barcelona, revealing that he may not stay at the club for the entirety of his contract. This admission comes as a surprise, given the player's constant assurances of his commitment to the club in the past. However, de Jong's revelation could signal a potential move to another top European club, as speculation surrounding his future intensifies. As he faces fitness and form challenges this season, de Jong's performance against UD Barbastro will be closely watched as he vies for a more prominent role in the team.
Young superstars Gavi and Lamine Yamal put on a show in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as they scored a goal each to secure a 2-0 victory for Barcelona against Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal. The team was unable to field Spanish playmaker Dani Olmo and Pau Victor due to delayed clearance, but it did not stop the young guns from shining on the field. This win takes Barcelona one step closer to lifting the trophy and adds to their impressive run of form under new manager Xavi Hernandez.
As the transfer window opens, Premier League clubs are already hard at work securing new signings and making major changes. Manchester United is looking to offload players and bring in fresh talent with Ruben Amorim leading the way. Meanwhile, Liverpool is fighting to keep key players as their contracts near expiration. Across the league, teams like Arsenal and Bayern Munich are also looking to bolster their squads for a strong second half of the season. Stay updated with all the latest news and rumors throughout the day.
In a rain-reduced match, New Zealand's strong bowling attack led by Will O'Rourke and Jacob Duffy proved too much for Sri Lanka as they collapsed to 142 all out, losing by 113 runs. Sri Lanka's top order once again failed to produce, with only Kaminu Mendis scoring above 30. Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka acknowledged their poor play in the power play as a major factor in their loss. With a 2-0 lead in the series, New Zealand looks poised for a clean sweep in the upcoming third match in Auckland.
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