Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has issued a warning to their Champions League rivals as his team continues to improve after their 4-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund. The Catalans dominated the first leg and are now one step closer to the semi-finals, thanks to their top scorer Raphinha, who now equals Lionel Messi's record for Barcelona with 19 direct goal contributions this season. While Flick acknowledges the team's impressive performance, he believes there is still room for improvement. Meanwhile, Dortmund's coach Niko Kovac admits it was a well-deserved defeat for his team and their chances of advancing to the next round are minimal.
In a thrilling match, Barcelona emerged victorious with a 1-0 home win over in-form Rayo Vallecano on Monday, moving them from third place to top of the La Liga standings. Despite Rayo's nine-match unbeaten streak, Barca managed to secure the win thanks to a controversial penalty decision by the referee and a brilliant performance from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. The match was filled with intense moments and heated exchanges, leaving Rayo players fuming over several decisions they felt went against them.
In a wild Champions League match between FC Barcelona and Benfica, Raphinha of Barca scored one of the most bizarre goals ever seen. After a comedic error from Benfica's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, Raphinha was able to take advantage and score Barca's second goal of the evening. But that wasn't the end of the strange moments, as Benfica's Anatoliy Trubin also made a costly mistake while under pressure from Robert Lewandowski, solidifying Barcelona's victory.
Despite Barcelona missing key player Dani Olmo, whose playing license was revoked, young talents Gavi and Yamal stepped up to secure a 2-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals.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.
Atletico Madrid secured a thrilling last-minute win over Barcelona to take control of the top spot in La Liga. The game looked to be heading towards a draw, with Barcelona in the lead in the first half and Atleti struggling to produce shots on goal. However, a late substitute, Alexander Sorloth, scored the winning goal in the 96th minute, pushing Atletico Madrid three points clear at the top of the league. This marks a significant achievement for Atleti, who have transformed from a defensively-focused team to a strong attacking force this season. The victory also puts pressure on their rivals, Real Madrid, who sit four points behind, with a game in hand.
Chelsea have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Raphinha, with reports claiming Barcelona have set a massive asking price of €100 million for the Brazilian winger. The 27-year-old has been in sensational form this season and has caught the attention of multiple top clubs, including Chelsea. However, the Blues will have to splash the cash if they are to secure his services, as Barca are unwilling to budge on their steep demands.
After a resounding 5-1 victory against Mallorca, FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal's comment in a post-match interview with Esport3 has many dubbing him as a video game-like player. The 17-year-old's fantastic performance led to his coach Hansi Flick admitting the team's dependence on him. With Lamine in the starting lineup, Barca has a significant lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table, showcasing his undeniable talent as a player. His impressive assist with the outside of his foot further solidified his skills, earning him the Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy awards. In a humorous exchange, Esport3 reporter Francesc Latorre even asked Lamine for tips on how to make such a pass in the popular FIFA soccer video game.
In a thrilling match, Barcelona triumphed over Mallorca with a 5-1 victory, led by two goals from captain Raphinha. Despite a quick equalizer from the hosts, Barcelona dominated in the second half with a penalty goal from Raphinha and additional goals from teammates Yamal, De Jong, and Victor. With this win, Barcelona solidifies their top spot in the LaLiga standings.
In a thrilling match against Crvena Zvezda, Robert Lewandowski's two goals have brought him within one goal of joining an elite group of players who have scored 100 goals in the Champions League. Despite a momentary lapse and a goal from the Serbian champions, Barcelona's superior quality ultimately secured them a convincing 5-2 win. With seven consecutive victories and impressive domestic form, Barcelona is proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the UCL once again.
UEFA-appointed inspectors have concluded that FC Barcelona should be prohibited from playing in the Champions League for one season due to their involvement in the 'Caso Negreira' referee payments scandal. The inspectors, Jean Samuel Leuba and Mirjam Koller Trunz, believe that Barca violated UEFA's laws and attempted to influence match outcomes. The final decision rests with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who may wait for the Spanish court's ruling or act on the recommendations of the inspectors.