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

What To Look Out For As Barcelona Take On Atletico Madrid In Huge La Liga Clash

La Liga’s best attack vs La Liga’s best defence

Saturday’s match sees La Liga’s best attack go up against the division’s best defence in a huge match between Hansi Flick’s wobbling Barca and a red-hot Atletico.

The Catalans giants have bagged 50 goals in just 18 games this season – making them La Liga’s most prolific attack – but they were surprisingly kept out by Leganes last time out.

Atletico will hope to do the same on Saturday as La Liga’s best defence – which has conceded just 11 goals – comes to Montjuic.

Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha will be the main goalscoring threats for Barcelona and will come up against a defence that may well include a familiar face.

Clement Lenglet is being tipped to start against his parent club as there’s no fear clause in his contract.

The Frenchman has made eight starts this season for Simeone’s side in La Liga, including last time out in the win over Getafe, and is enjoying life in Madrid at the moment.

The Yamal Factor

Barcelona will be without Lamine Yamal for the game which is a tremendous blow, particularly when you consider their poor record without the teenager this season.

The teenager is out with an ankle problem, giving manager Hansi Flick something of a headache ahead of the game when it comes to his line-up.

Yet it’s a game Flick really can’t afford to lose if his team are to go on and challenge for the title this season – as the stats show.

Ferran Torres currently seems to be the most likely option to come into the team after scoring four goals in five games since returning from injury. The only thing is, he seems much better as an impact sub than a starter.

The stats show that Atletico are currently the most in-form team in Europe after winning their last 11 games in a row, but they head to Barcelona with a terrible record. They have not won any of their last 18 away games against Barcelona and have not even scored in their last four games.

Watch out for Griezmann & Sorloth

Antoine Griezmann will take on his former club in spectacular form after scoring seven goals in his last six matches for Atletico. And some of those have been pretty special you have to say.

The Frenchman has never scored against his former team and will want to put that right on Saturday. In fact he’s scored against 29 of the 30 opponents he’s faced as an Atletico player in La Liga – with Barca the only team missing from that list.

Alexander Sørloth will also pose a threat, albeit most likely off the bench. The Norwegian has scored 24 goals in La Liga in 2024 – only Robert Lewandowski has more – and has netted more headed goals than anyone else in La Liga over the last 12 months.

Barca’s defence has looked a little insecure recently with Flick’s famously highline having been found out a little bit by opponents. Fatigue also appears to be an issue – but Barca know this is just one last push before a period of rest over Christmas.

LaLiga

Jules Kounde Sets Incredible record As Barcelona Star Prepares For 70th Appearance Of 2024

Jules Kounde has had an incredible year for club and country and has barely missed a minute for either Barcelona or France.

A new study by the CIES Sports Observatory has revealed he’s played more than anyone else in the biggest leagues in the world in 2024.

Kounde has actually played an eye-watering 5,872 minutes in total and has featured in 69 matches in total.

The Barcelona defender also still has one more game to play. He’s due to feature for Barcelona against Atletico on Saturday which will be appearance No. 70.

Kounde tops the charts ahead of Fluminense’s Jhon Arias (on a mere 5,599 minutes) and Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde who has mustered just 5,573 minutes.

It’s an extraordinary set of stats and made even more interesting when you realise that Kounde has admitted he goes in for extra training sessions.

LaLiga

Barcelona Handed Boost After Fresh Tests On Lamine Yamal’s Ankle Injury

Barcelona have reportedly been handed a boost after fresh tests on Lamine Yamal’s ankle injury suffered against Leganes.

There have been concerns raised that the injury may be more severe than first thought, but Barcelona are optimistic that it is just a simple sprain.

Diario AS are reporting that tests revealed that the injury has not affected the external lateral ligament of the ankle and Yamal “only has a part of the membrane that covers the fibula and tibia affected.”

The upshot is that this makes “rehabilitation work and the time off much easier” and Yamal will hopefully return as originally scheduled.

Barca said in an initial statement that he would miss the next “3-4 weeks” and there is now “high optimism” he will be fit to face Athletic Cup in the Spanish Super Cup.

Yamal has also sounded positive about his latest injury setback and told fans he will be “back soon” after picking up the Golden Boy award.

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