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

Argentinian and former Manchester City icon, Sergio Agüero has filed a lawsuit against his last club FC Barcelona for almost £3 million over money owed as part of his 2021 contract termination.

After a trophy-laden spell with Manchester City, including one of the most famous goals in Premier League history as his last-gasp winner sealed City’s first title 43 years in 2012, Agüero joined Barcelona on a 2-year deal. Unfortunately for the Argentinian, a heart problem suffered against Alaves in a La Liga match after just five appearances ended that relationship.

In what many at the time considered a classy move, Agüero, agreed to forgo the salary for his second year under contract with Barcelona, as his retirement came just months into his two-year deal. He also did not publicly discuss contract disputes. His focus was on his health and following medical advice.

In his retirement announcement, Agüero said: “I did everything possible to see if there was any hope but there wasn’t. I am very proud of my career.” He also stated, “I’d like to stay here and keep helping my teammates, but things happen for a reason”. At that time, it did seem as though both club and player had parted on good terms.

The money Aguero is seeking is from the first year of the deal and has come to light after a report detailing Barcelona’s financial accounts for the 2023-24 season.

“On May 29, 2024, ex-player Sergio Agüero filed a claim for €3 million that, according to him, he is owed as part of the resolution agreement to end his working relationship with the club,” the report states.

“As of June 21, 2024, there was no conciliatory agreement between the parties. The club is now waiting for the claim to be processed by a local court for the next step in the procedure.”

Rayo Vallecano picked up their second win of the season on Monday night with a comeback victory over Osasuna, who are level with Los Madrilenos on 7 points, but separated by five places. Rayo now sit in sixth, while Los Rojillo are in 11th.

The home side started on the front foot, but were struggling to break down Osasuna, who grew increasingly confident on the break. Raul Garcia de Haro had a penalty appeal turned down, and Bryan Zaragoza began to trouble Andrei Ratiu at right-back. His slaloming run from midfield ended with the ball narrowly past the post.

Then a ball cleared high into the air was brought down by Garcia de Haro, beating the defender with his touch before firing the ball into the top corner for the best goal of his Osasuna career.

After the half, Rayo came out with renewed purpose, and sought out Osasuna aggressively, with a tempo to their play, and plenty of crosses. Defender Abdul Mumin was certainly in a crossing position when he thumped the ball in off the near post close to the top corner, for the equaliser before the hour-mark.

Their ambition did not decline at that point though, and when a ball from Pep Chavarria found Ratiu on the edge of the box, his effort was deflected into the corner. For the final 10 minutes, Rayo fans were treated to their first sight of James Rodriguez, who came on for his debut, and contributed a nice pass to the far post.

⚡️ Primer partido, primera victoria.

❤️ ¡Debut soñado de @jamesdrodriguez en el #RayoOsasuna!#insideLALIGA | #LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/bwMQrlOGWY

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) September 16, 2024

It was Unai Lopez that came up with another excellent goal though, as Los Rojillo came forward looking for a late point. He drove forward until five yards before the box, and with four teammates alongside him, fired into the corner anyway, sealing the match. Ruben Pena had the best late chance for Osasuna, heading narrowly wide at the far post, but they could not set Rayo on the backfoot in the final moments.

Inigo Perez will be content to get his first win since the opening day of the season, with Atletico Madrid and Girona on the way. Osasuna host winless Las Palmas next, before a trip to Valencia, as Vicente Moreno looks for a third win from four home games.