LaLiga

PSG Coach Luis Enrique Lambasted Barcelona First Team Star

In a new documentary where the former Spain and current Paris Saint-Germain coach is the protagonist, Luis Enrique is seen taking what has been perceived as a dig at FC Barcelona center back Ronald Araujo.

The documentary in question chronicles Luis Enrique’s first season in the dugout at the Parc des Princes, with a particular focus on a Champions League quarterfinal clash against his former club Barca, who were led by his ex-teammate and player Xavi Hernandez at the time.

There is a section of the three-parter where Luis Enrique discusses Barca stalwart Araujo in preparation for the showdown.

“Araujo is a top player, but he is the one who has the most problems with coming out with the ball. Every time he receives the ball, we block a passing line and we are in,” Enrique says.

As things turned out, it was the Uruguayan’s decision making which proved to be the death of the Blaugrana on the continent in 2023/2024.

Xavi’s men achieved a heroic 2-1 win away in the first leg of the last eight meeting, and then went 1-0 up early in Montjuic in the return fixture through Raphinha.

Shortly after, however, Araujo went lunging into a rash challenge on Bradley Barcola as the last man and was shown a straight red card.

With 10 men, Barca succumbed to their visitors and were thrashed 4-1 on the night resulting in a 6-4 aggregate score overall.

Since-departed Barca midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was particularly vocal and critical about Araujo’s moment of madness, saying post-match that “in these kind of crucial moments you need to be sure to get the ball”.

And if you don’t get it – and I don’t know again if he touched the ball or not – you have to stay away,” the German added, in remarks that reportedly led to tensions in the locker room.

As for Luis Enrique, these freshly-emerged comments join others about Xavi’s team who he said “are not a good team defensively” and “are not dominant”.

“They wouldn’t have beaten us with eleven or twelve [men]”, he also quipped, while further scoffing that the defending La Liga champions of the era “play like Eibar”.

– Forbes

LaLiga

I Don’t Like Bellingham’s Behaviour, Disrespectful – Barcelona Coach

Jude Bellingham was “disrespectful” after he was sent off for dissent during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Osasuna on Saturday, says Barcelona boss Hansi Flick.

The England midfielder was shown a straight red card in the 39th minute for something he was adjudged to have said to referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero.

The 21-year-old later said the incident was a “misunderstanding” and he did not insult the referee, an explanation supported by his manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Asked for his reaction to the incident, Flick said: “It is disrespectful but I’m not the one who should comment on it.

“And that’s what I’ve always told the players. Why waste time and energy arguing with the referee regarding the decisions he makes?

“There is a player, who is the captain, who has the right to argue with the referee.

“I don’t like the behaviour I saw. It’s a weakness when you get a red card.”

Bellingham’s only previous dismissal for Real came after the final whistle in a 2-2 draw at Valencia in March 2024, when he received a second yellow for complaining to the referee.

After Saturday’s game, the former Birmingham City player said he was expressing his frustration at himself.

“He’s believed that I’ve said [something insulting] to him,” added Bellingham. “There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult, and for that reason I think you can see there was a misunderstanding.”

Ancelotti said Bellingham had used an expletive in English, but the referee mistakenly thought it was directed at him.

The draw meant Real Madrid remained one point clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid in the table.

But Flick’s Barcelona side can go top on goal difference if they beat Rayo Vallecano on Monday.

LaLiga

Ancelotti Issues Stern Warning to Players After Madrid Derby Draw

Madrid ‘lacked courage’ against City, says Ancelotti before rematch

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti reportedly tore into his players during halftime of their 1-1 LaLiga draw against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, according to Marca.

Julian Alvarez’s penalty had put Los Blancos behind at the break. However, Kylian Mbappe netted the equalizer within five minutes of the restart, securing a point for the Spanish champions.

The result keeps Real Madrid at the top of the table with 50 points, just one ahead of Atletico Madrid’s 49.

During the first half, Ancelotti was visibly frustrated as Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr often crowded the same spaces, leading to disjointed attacks.

The Italian tactician threatened to substitute his forwards if they did not change their approach. He specifically instructed Vinicius to stay wide on the left flank rather than drifting into central areas already occupied by Mbappe and Bellingham.

Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments appeared to pay off, with Madrid salvaging a valuable point in the tightly contested derby.

LaLiga

Florentino Perez Lauds Marcelo’s Legendary Real Madrid Career Following Retirement

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has paid tribute to club legend Marcelo following the Brazilian’s retirement announcement on Thursday.

Marcelo, 36, revealed his decision in a heartfelt social media video, bringing an illustrious 19-year playing career to an end.

“My story as a player ends here but I still have much to give to football,” Marcelo stated.

During his time at Real Madrid, Marcelo secured five Champions League titles and six LaLiga crowns, leaving the Bernabeu as the club’s most decorated player with 25 trophies—a record later surpassed by Nacho, Luka Modric, and Dani Carvajal.

Perez described Marcelo as a legend of world football, saying:

“One of the greatest left-backs in Real Madrid and world football history, and we had the privilege of watching him for a long time. He is one of our greatest legends and Real Madrid is and always will be his home.”