LaLiga

“Nobody Gave Me Anything In Life” – Barcelona Star Delighted At Bounce Back From La Masia Exit

Last summer, Dani Olmo returned to Barcelona in a transfer that has proven to their fairly controversial, given the club’s registration efforts.

However, he has made a promising start back in Catalonia, where he spent the early stages of his youth career before a move to Dinamo Zagreb in 2015.

Olmo had to work his way back to the top after leaving La Masia, and during an interview with Adri Contreras, he expressed his life at being able to return to Barcelona.

“Nobody gave me anything in life. Everything I have achieved in football has been through my own effort and hard work, and it wasn’t easy. But thanks to those experiences, I became the person I am today.”

Olmo also addressed the topic of pressure at Barcelona, which is something that many players have struggled with during his respective spells in Catalonia.

“People see me as if I were back home, but in reality, this is where I have to prove myself again. I knew this place was the best for my style of play. I know Barcelona can get the best out of me, and I’m here to help the team.

“The goal is always the same: to win. Barcelona is a big club and we are here to compete for everything.”

Olmo was also asked about his idol as a playmaker, which is the role that he typically plays for Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

“Leo Messi is the best player in history, I know he’s not a playmaker in the traditional sense, but he can play anywhere on the pitch. I’ve always watched him since I was a kid, I used to watch all his games and try to learn.”

Olmo, who will miss Barcelona’s match against Alaves on Sunday as he has yet to recover from a recent injury, is determined to prove himself, and he will need to do so given the large outlay that the club made last summer amid their financial crisis.

LaLiga

Wojciech Szczesny Ready For Contract Renewal With Barcelona

Wojciech Szczesny joined FC Barcelona following Marc Andre Ter Stegen’s serious injury that was expected to keep the German goalkeeper out till the end of the season.

The Pole had already retired at the end of the last season but came back from retirement to join the Blaugrana side. However, for several months after his arrival, it looked like he would not have an important role in the squad as Inaki Pena continued to be a starter.

However, Szczesny was working behind the scenes to regain the sharpness that he had lost because of the months spent in retirement. He got his first opportunity to don the Blaugrana jersey only after the turn of the year, but since then, he has never looked back and is currently the fixed starter for Hansi Flick over Inaki Pena.

Owing to his importance in the team, there has been speculation of a contract renewal for the Pole. Both Deco and Flick were reportedly ready to extend his stay at the Catalan team, but previously, the goalkeeper had made it clear that he would make a final decision in this regard only at the end of the season.

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Szczesny has already given his go-ahead for a contract renewal with Barcelona. With this new contract, he will remain for another season at the Blaugrana club, while also having another optional year.

Thus, both parties agree that they should continue working together beyond the length of this season, and have already got down to work to make the renewal a reality. However, there are still some details on which the two sides need to agree before the new contract can be finalised.

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.