FC Barcelona News: 7 January 2019

Getafe CF 1-2 FC Barcelona: Winning start to 2019 | FC Barcelona
Barça have gone five points clear at the top of Liga table thanks to Atlético Madrid and Sevilla drawing and, more to the point, a hard-worked 2-1 victory against an opponent that proved to be every bit as tough as Ernesto Valverde had hinted in the build-up.

Winter champions! | FC Barcelona
The 2-1 defeat of Getafe on Sunday night means that FC Barcelona not only hold onto the league lead, by a clear five points after Atlético Madrid were held in Seville, but are also guaranteed to win the honorary title of ‘Winter Champions’, which is claimed by the team that tops the table at the half-way stage of the competition.

Messi back on top of the Golden Shoe table | FC Barcelona
Multiple Golden Shoe winner Lionel Messi is back at the top of this season’s ranking for the prestigious prize, thanks to his 16th goal of the season in the win against Getafe. The Argentine now has 32 points in the chart, one more than second placed Liliu from Estonian side Kalju.

Ter Stegen’s clean streak ended at 410 minutes by Mata | Sport
Marc-Andre ter Stegen collected the ball from the back of his net for the first time in 410 minutes as Barcelona beat Getafe 2-1 on Sunday. The Barça goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Getafe striker Jaime Mata tapping home from close range after a good cross from Antunes.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde: “Getafe made us suffer” | Football Espana
Early goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez seemingly put the Catalan giants in control but Jaime Mata pulled one back for the hosts before the break before Los Azulones spurned a number of excellent opportunities in front of goal.

Coutinho told he has Barcelona future despite regular bench duty | Goal
Philippe Coutinho has been assured that he has a long-term future at Barcelona despite finding himself stuck on the bench of late. The Brazil international is just a year into his career at Camp Nou.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Rabiot agrees terms with Barcelona - source | ESPN
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot has agreed terms with Barcelona ahead of a future move but a January transfer is not likely, a source has told ESPN FC. Rabiot’s mother and agent, Veronique, has been in talks with Barca since the start of this month -- the beginning of the final six months of the 23-year-old’s PSG contract.

Jean-Clair Todibo ‘signs pre-contract agreement with Barcelona’ | Football Espana
Last week, El Mundo Deportivo claim Barca were in ‘pole position’ to sign the player who has not featured for the Ligue 1 club since November, when negotiations over a new deal broke down. The report claims negotiations will now centre around if Barca can sign him for a cut-price fee in January and then loan him out, rather than leave him at a club where is not featuring.

Barça B 1-1 CD Castellón: Bittersweet start to 2019 | FC Barcelona
Barça B have collected their first point of 2019 with a 1-1 draw against CD Castellón at the Miniestadi, but will feel somewhat short-changed judging by events on the field.

Source: barcablaugranes.com