FC Barcelona News: 1 May 2019

PREVIEW: Barça - Liverpool | FC Barcelona
Fresh from mathematically clinching the 2018/19 LaLiga title with a 1-0 win against Levante last Saturday, FC Barcelona have their focus firmly on the Champions League this week. Wednesday night sees them play the first leg of the semifinals, meeting Premier League title contenders Liverpool at the Camp Nou (9pm CEST).

The squad to face Liverpool | FC Barcelona
The first leg of the semifinals of the Champions League are upon us, and Ernesto Valverde has selected 18 players for the match against Liverpool FC on Wednesday (kick-off 9.00pm CEST). They are: Ter Stegen, N. Semedo, Piqué, I. Rakitic, Sergio, Coutinho, Arthur, Suárez, Messi, O. Dembélé, Cillessen, Malcom, Lenglet, Jordi Alba, S. Roberto, Vidal, Umtiti and Aleñá.

The ABC of Barça v Liverpool | FC Barcelona
The Alphabet Challenge is back with the focus this time the semifinals of the Champions League. Try our 26 questions, one for each letter, but be warned, you can only move onto the next question if you get the previous one right!

Messi to receive the ‘Creu de Sant Jordi’ | FC Barcelona
Lionel Andrés Messi will receive the ‘Creu de Sant Jordi’ award. The first team captain and FC Barcelona player since the age of 13 will receive the award from the Catalan regional government, one of highest distinctions given out annually by the ‘Generalitat de Catalunya’.

Ivan Rakitic wants Barcelona stay amid Manchester United, Inter Milan speculation | Sky Sports
The Croatia midfielder intends to see out the remaining three years on his contract amid speculation there is interest from Manchester United and Inter Milan. But Rakitic suggested his future is out of his hands, following reports in Spain earlier this year that Rakitic maybe for sale as the La Liga champions look to refresh their team.

Barcelona cult figure ‘The Observer’ finally opens up on Mourinho’s infamous eye poke on Tito Vilanova | ESPN
The name of Barcelona club suit Francesc Satorra may not be familiar to you, but you’ll almost certainly recognise him. Satorra, better known as “The Observer,” has retired after 41 years at Barcelona, finally freeing him up to talk about the incident which helped give him fame and cult status: Jose Mourinho’s eye poke on Tito Vilanova.

Liverpool take 5,000 fans to Barcelona | Marca
The city of Barcelona has seen an influx of Liverpool fans this week with close to 5,000 making the trip to Spain for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Camp Nou. There will be 4,610 in the away section at the stadium, with another 200 distributed around the ground.

Six Liverpool fans arrested in Barcelona | Marca
Police in Barcelona arrested six Liverpool supporters on Tuesday evening near the Plaza Real due to public disorder. The English side’s fans were involved in a number of altercations in the city centre, and even threw objects at the local police officers.

Albert Riera: Philippe Coutinho was right to leave Liverpool | Sport
Former Liverpool winger Albert Riera, spoke to Goal about Philippe Coutinho’s situation at Barcelona. Riera thinks that despite his inconsistent season, he should not regret leaving Anfield to come to the Camp Nou.

Source: barcablaugranes.com