FC Barcelona News: 1 September 2018

The definitive shirt numbers for FC Barcelona’s 2018/19 season | FC Barcelona
With the sumer transfer window officially closing at midnight this past Friday, the FC Barcelona squad for 2018/19 has been set and the shirt numbers allocated. The majority of the players retain the same numbers that they wore last season, with a few exceptions: Philippe Coutinho switches from no.14 to no. 7, and Thomas Vermaelen swaps no. 25 for no.24.

FC Barcelona’s four new faces | FC Barcelona
The summer transfer window in Spain was closed at midnight on Friday, concluding several months of business. FC Barcelona made their signings early, with four new arrivals for 2018/19: Arthur, Lenglet, Malcom and Vidal are the quartet taking part in their first campaign for the Blaugrana this season.

Ernesto Valverde: ‘It’s a difficult group’ | FC Barcelona
Ernesto Valverde assessed the Champions League group stage draw exclusively for the Club’s media. The coach suggested it was a tough group but that it was also “attractive” because, as he pointed out, “they are historic rivals. Tottenham have great physical and technical potential, and were one of the most difficult rivals in pot 2,” Valverde explained.

12 called up for international fixtures | FC Barcelona
The upcoming first international break of the season sees players representing their respective countries in various fixtures, including the new UEFA Nations League competition for European sides. Spain will be taking part in the inaugural edition, and new La Roja coach Luis Enrique has called up both Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto for the two games played on 8 and 11 September.

Pique arrested after driving without a valid licence | Marca
On Friday, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was arrested by police for driving without a valid licence. A patrol stopped the player’s vehicle at three in the afternoon and asked for the required documentations, in which the officer soon discovered the Blaugrana man had been driving illegally due to previous offences.

Barça pay Liverpool an extra €5m for Philippe Coutinho | Sport
FC Barcelona had to make their first additional payment to Liverpool over Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona. The midfielder’s transfer cost €120m plus another €40m in add-ons. The first add-on to the English club, €5m in total, is because Coutinho has completed 25 official matches for Barcelona. His 25th match came against Real Valladolid last weekend.

Cucurella is loaned to Eibar | Marca
Barcelona have loaned Marc Cucurella to Eibar for a season. Los Armeros will have a purchase option, but Barcelona also have a repurchase option if the Basque club decide not to execute theirs.

FC Barcelona Legends to play in Kolkata | FC Barcelona
On Friday, September 28 the Barça Legends will play the Mohun Bagan AC Legends in the Indian city of Kolkata. The match, to be held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan at 7.00pm local time, will be the eighth match for Albert Ferrer as coach of the team of former Barça players. The match is organized by the Football Next Foundation.

Source: barcablaugranes.com