FC Barcelona News: 11 January 2019

Levante 2-1 Barça: Down but not out | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona suffered a rare defeat in Thursday’s Copa del Rey round of 16 visit to Levante. But in seven days from now, they will have the chance to make amends and continue their quest to win an unprecedented fifth consecutive title when the two sides meet again at Camp Nou.

Barça almost always go through after 2-1 reverses in the Cup | FC Barcelona
This Thursday, in spite of the 2-1 defeat at the Ciutat de Valencia Stadium, FC Barcelona’s fans have reason to believe in a comeback at the Camp Nou next Thursday at 9.30pm CET. On seven of the eight occasions that this result occurred in the first leg of a two-legged Cup tie, Barça have qualified.

Carles Alena: “Rotations can be no excuse for Barcelona defeat” | Football Espana
Barcelona midfielder Carles Alena admits the team ‘cannot use rotations as an excuse’ following their Copa del Rey defeat at Levante. Ernesto Valverde’s experimental side went down 2-1 on Thursday night in a surprising result, with Barca’s much-changed line-up failing to click.

Manchester City earn 800,000 euros from Denis Suarez appearance | Marca
While it seems as though Denis Suarez’s days as a Barcelona player are numbered, the midfielder’s appearance in the Copa del Rey on Thursday against Levante has earned Manchester City a sizeable sum. Barcelona managed to claw their way back into the game, halving their two-goal deficit late on.

Thomas Vermaelen and Sergi Samper return to full training | Sport
Ernesto Valverde took control of FC Barcelona’s training session this Friday, a session which was noticeable for the return of Sergi Samper and Thomas Vermaelen to the main group. The players involved in the Copa del Rey match against Levante had a post-match recovery session.

Five conclusions from The Best Goal Ever | FC Barcelona
The Best Goal Ever, the contest launched at the end of 2018 to decide the greatest goal in Barça history, has reached the halfway mark of its first stage. A total of 16 goals have already secured their place in the second round, while another 32 will be up for the vote from Friday.

Chelsea reject Barcelona’s €45m plus Malcom offer for Willian | Football Espana
Chelsea have rejected a €45m offer plus Malcom from Barcelona for their forward Willian, according to reports. The Catalan giants had a series of offers for the Brazilian international rejected over summer, culminating in a €60m bid.

FC Barcelona are interested in Alvaro Morata | Sport
Barça are debating whether they should sign a striker or not in the January transfer window. As of yet, a decision hasn’t been made either way as it’d depend on a variety of factors but a shortlist is being made up just in case. One of the names on that list is Alvaro Morata.

Arsenal close in on loan move for Barcelona winger Denis Suarez | Goal
Arsenal are closing in on a loan deal for Denis Suarez after head coach Unai Emery convinced the wideman to join the Gunners, Goal understands. Emery confirmed in a pre-match press conference on Thursday that Arsenal will not be making any permanent signings during the January transfer window , but admitted that loan signings are possible.

Neymar has ‘prayed and begged’ for Barcelona return | Football Espana
Neymar has personally phoned Barcelona five times as he has ‘begged to return to the club’, according to a report in El Mundo. The report outlines how this began in the closing stages of last season and the player’s father has now taken control of the discussions, which have been ongoing since.

Source: barcablaugranes.com