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Tonight, on the luscious Spotify Camp Nou grass that has seen countless historic European encounters, FC Barcelona and Manchester United face off in the first leg of the Europa League play-off round. In what feels like a bonus Champions League tie for neutrals, Spain’s league leaders and England’s third-best team find themselves squaring off far away from Europe’s elites.
On Tuesday night, Barça came back with 10 men against an industrious Osasuna side to win 2-1, courtesy of goals from Pedri and a late winner from Raphinha. In a game characterized by physicality, aggression, and refereeing incidents, the tactical maturity of Xavi’s side in dealing with the well-drilled team of Jagoba Arrasate was put on display.
Elche hosted Barça today in a tense affair in the 27th Matchday of LaLiga Santander. Barça came out 2-1 victors, with goals from Ferran & Memphis sealing the comeback. Xavi, ter Stegen, and Ferran Torres spoke after the game.
Barça came agonizingly close to beating Napoli on several occasions in the first leg of the Europa League playoff round, but luck was not on the Catalan outfit’s side. Xavi, Piqué, and Eric Garcia spoke after the game of the stadium’s atmosphere, the team’s performance, and the return leg in Naples next Thursday.
According to SPORT’s Toni Juanmartí, Barça will soon inform Samuel Umtiti that he absolutely has to leave the club. The Frenchman had requested minutes in the preseason to prove he has recovered, and the club honoured his request, but their stance has not changed: he cannot stay under any condition.
Despite the seeming recent proximity in the positions of the parties in the negotiation, talks between the club and Ilaix Moriba’s representatives have cooled down again, according to Mundo Deportivo’s Ferran Martinez, and an ending to this saga does not appear to be in sight.
Ilaix Moriba’s contract situation has garnered a lot of attention recently in Catalan media, as his agency’s insistence on a pay rise has alienated the board and furthered an agreement between the concerned parties.
This morning, the Koeman Cup, a friendly golf tournament, was held, with Pep Guardiola, Riqui Puig, and others in attendance. Ronald Koeman spoke to the attending media about the Messi contract situation, Griezmann’s continuity, Pedri’s participation in the Tokyo Olympics, among other topics.
According to Cataluyna Ràdio, Mateu Alemany has presented a contract extension with more favourable terms for the club to Sergio Busquets’ representative, as part of the club’s attempt to reduce the wage bill for the coming fiscal year.
Barça B’s squad is undergoing a wholesale replanning, as part of Joan Laporta’s pledge to remodel grassroots football in Barça. As part of this effort, Jandro Orellana and Oriol Busquets have been offered contract renewals, according to SPORT’s Albert Rogé.
