Tag: Barcelona

2026 Champions League Power Rankings: Initial ranking of every team in the quarterfinals
18Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

2026 Champions League Power Rankings: Initial ranking of every team in the quarterfinals

The 2025/26 Champions League season's Round of 16 is now done and dusted, so with the quarterfinals up next, it's time to rank all eight teams that are moving on to the next round of European football's biggest club competition. 8. Sporting CP Sporting CP pulled off a comeback for the ages, annihilating underdogs Bodo Glimt in a second leg twist that few saw coming, because Bodo Glimt were playing as well as any team in the competition. Maybe we are all sleeping on Sporting too much. The OTHER Luis Suarez is playing the ball of his life and looks even better than Viktor Gyokeres. Sporting have a good team, but they just don't have the firepower of the true European giants. 7. Atletico Madrid In truth, Atletico Madrid are lucky to even be in the quarterfinals, because if it were not ...
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Barcelona fans get heartwarming Joao Cancelo transfer news
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Barcelona fans get heartwarming Joao Cancelo transfer news

FC Barcelona reunited with versatile fullback Joao Cancelo this winter transfer window, signing the veteran Portuguese international on loan from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal. Already, Cancelo is usurping Alejandro Balde on the left side, potentially even pushing Deco to transfer the left back. His ability to play on both sides of the formation is exactly what Barca needed as an experienced, more attacking option on the flanks. The path to making him a permanent signing is now easier. According to a report from Diario Sport, Cancelo is pushing to convince the Barcelona decision makers to make his loan move from Saudi Arabia permanent. Cancelo reportedly wants to forego a large portion of his current salary with Al-Hilal in order to facilitate a permanent transfer to Catalunya,...
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2026 Champions League picks, score predictions for Round of 16 second leg
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

2026 Champions League picks, score predictions for Round of 16 second leg

The Champions League Round of 16 definitely delivered on the drama and the goals in the first leg, and the second leg promises to be even better. Here are the full score predictions for each of the eight games. Chelsea 2-2 PSG Chelsea will rue Liam Rosenior's decision to give Filip Jorgensen the nod, and the most laughable part of that whole ordeal is that the manager's reasoning was that Jorgensen would be better on the ball. Whoops. At home, Chelsea will have a point to prove and will go into this game with no fear, but they just do not have the quality to turn the tie around against a PSG side that is finally starting to play to its talent level when it matters most. Liverpool 2-1 Galatasaray Trips to Istanbul are never easy, and while Liverpool have major issues with their squad...
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Manchester United fans will be annoyed with Barcelona’s latest Marcus Rashford transfer plan
14Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Manchester United fans will be annoyed with Barcelona’s latest Marcus Rashford transfer plan

Manchester United are hoping to find a permanent solution for their players out on loan, shining in new sceneries after falling out of favor at Old Trafford, and the most high profile overall departure is that of Marcus Rashford. The England international has really kicked on in that left wing role at Barca, and whlie even the likes of Robert Lewandowski are pointing out the frustrating fact that he cannot show enough intensity to match his prodigious talent, he has still been a rousing success as a rotational piece for the La Liga leaders. Man United and Barcelona are busy finagling over a purported 30 million euro transfer to make his loan deal permanent, but now the Blaugrana have thrown another wrench in the plans. Per a report from transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Barcelona sport...
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Arsenal leading Barcelona in race for dream striker transfer target
14Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Arsenal leading Barcelona in race for dream striker transfer target

Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres for big money in the summer, but they are still after another potential striker with a more all around style to replace Gabriel Jesus, who has declined badly. Enter Julian Alvarez. According to a new report from Spanish newspaper Diario Sport, Arsenal, not Barcelona, are now the frontrunners to sign Alvarez from Atletico Madrid. Los Rojiblancos's best player, Alvarez has been high on Barca's list for a while, and the former Manchester City man is the Blaugrana's dream target to replace Robert Lewandowski at striker alongside his former Man City teammate Erling Haaland. While Haaland is certainly not on the move this summer, Alvarez's status is more uncertain. Though his reps and the club will deny anything is brewing, perhaps the right offer can coax...
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Barcelona set to rest 3 key players vs. Sevilla
13Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
News

Barcelona set to rest 3 key players vs. Sevilla

Barcelona defeated Athletic Club and Villarreal in their last two La Liga matchups, but they are coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw against Newcastle United. This weekend, Barca will return to La Liga action to take on Sevilla, who love to steal points off the Big 3 in Spain. Per a report from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are looking to make rotations and rest key players for this game with the Champions League's crucial second leg on the horizon. Striker Robert Lewandowski, star winger Raphinha, and center midfielder Marc Bernal are three vital players the Blaugrana are looking to rotate. While fans are hoping for additional rest for Lamine Yamal and Pedri, though it is possible Barca do not want to underestimate Sevilla with the title race with Real Madrid still on despite the Blaug...
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Barcelona are putting disappointing defender on the transfer market
13Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Barcelona are putting disappointing defender on the transfer market

Barcelona left back Alejandro Balde looked like he was going to be the best player in the world in his position when he broke out for Xavi during the 2022/23 campaign in which a suddenly elite Blaugrana defense led them to the title over 2021/22 double winners Real Madrid. But Balde's play has seriously regressed in recent seasons, dropping to its lowest point this year. He is even getting benched by veteran Joao Cancelo from the Saudi Pro League, as his attacking development has been non existent. Now, MARCA's Matteo Moretto is reporting that Barcelona sporting director Deco no longer considers Balde unsellable. In fact, he is going to be considering selling the 22 year old left back, as Barca are now willing to listen offers from other clubs for the U23 talent. Balde is still yo...
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2026 Champions League Power Rankings after the first leg of the Round of 16
12Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

2026 Champions League Power Rankings after the first leg of the Round of 16

After blowout losses for Chelsea and Manchester City, the Champions League field is starting to narrow even before the second leg of the 2025/26 Round of 16 begins. Here are the top five contenders now, ranked in order, after an eventful first leg of the real beginning of the knockout stages. 5. Barcelona Barcelona are the leaders of La Liga and a juggernaut with their midfield talent and Lamine Yamal, but they were quite powerless against Newcastle and lucky to have drawn the game, much like Arsenal were. Newcastle outplayed Barca, and with how shaky the Blaugrana look at times defensively, it is hard to give them the nod over other teams that are either more solid defensively or, in Real Madrid's case, simply better at elevating their games in the Champions League spotlight. 4. Ars...
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Barcelona fans officially get a huge Erling Haaland transfer blow
12Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Barcelona fans officially get a huge Erling Haaland transfer blow

With the Barcelona presidency up for grabs right now, there have been promises made of big splashes to shake up the team, and since the biggest need the club have is for a new No. 9 to help out Lamine Yamal, there have been rumblings of another major play for the club's No. 1 obsession, Erling Haaland. But for any Barcelona fan actually dreaming of the Norwegian leaving Manchester City for Catalunya, they have been dealt a rather definitive blow by his agent Rafaela Pimenta, who told this to El Chiringuito, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano: “We have a lot of respect and admiration for Barcelona, but there hasn't been any contact whatsoever — with Erling Haaland or with Barcelona's management, regarding potential transfer targets. Also, because the player renewed his contract a few month...
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2025/26 Champions League Team of the Season before Round of 16 begins
9Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

2025/26 Champions League Team of the Season before Round of 16 begins

Before the first Champions League Round of 16 matches take place on Thursday night, let's hand out Team of the Season honors for the 2025/26 campaign so far to help preview the big stars that will be in action this week. GK David Raya, Arsenal David Raya is unquestionably the Goalkeeper of the Tournament thus far with an outrageous save percentage of 90 and a clean sheet in nearly three out of every four of his games. Arsenal have a tremendous back line, obviously, but Raya deserves a lot more praise internationally for his goalkeeping. LB Alejandro Grimaldo, Bayer Leverkusen Alex Grimaldo is 30 years old and still going strong, and you wonder if Real Madrid maybe regret not signing him along with Alvaro Carreras. What he offers offensively as a left back is so unique, as he has scored...
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