FC Barcelona News: 4 May 2019

The squad for Vigo | FC Barcelona
Ernesto Valverde has decided to rest all of Ter Stegen, Piqué, Suárez, Messi, Jordi Alba and S. Roberto for Saturday’s Liga game at Celta Vigo (8.45pm CET), with the title already secured and a big trip to Anfield coming up a few days after. He’s also travelling without I. Rakitic and Sergio, both suspended, and the injured Rafinha, and has included three members of the Barça B squad in his list of 18 players.

Match Preview: Celta v Barça | FC Barcelona
In between the first and second leg of Barça’s Champions League semi-final with Liverpool comes the third-to-last game of the Liga campaign. As far as points are concerned, the game is a mere formality. The 1-0 defeat of Levante last week was enough to lay to rest any chance of Atlético Madrid closing the gap on the leaders.

Valderde: Motivation no issue for Barcelona against Celta Vigo before Liverpool tie | Goal
La Liga champions Barcelona will not be lacking any motivation when they take on Celta Vigo, according to Ernesto Valverde. Barca claimed their second successive title by overcoming Levante last time out, and followed that triumph up with a 3-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.

When and where to watch Celta v Barça | FC Barcelona
Barça return to Liga action, with the title already in the bag, for a trip to Vigo. It’s an 8.45pm kick-off local time, and this guide will help you to work out what time it will be starting in your part of the world. We also list the different broadcasters that hold the rights in each country. However, we cannot guarantee that any of these are actually showing the game, so please check their listings to be sure.

Barça midfielder Arthur Melo has been struggling with fitness issue | Sport
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde revealed in Friday’s press conference that midfielder Arthur Melo “has been suffering physical discomfort for a while.” The manager didn’t go into details of what the problem is plaguing the Brazilian, who was an unused substitute against Liverpool on Wednesday.

Arturo Vidal is more than a wild haircut or bold tattoos: he’s the ‘pure fire’ Barcelona and Chile need | ESPN
The ball reached Sadio Mane and he brought it down on the chest, inside the area. The position was good and for a moment it looked like the ball would sit up nicely for the shot. Suddenly, there was Vidal, throwing himself forward, full length and fully committed. Risky, too. But he reached the ball first, taking it off Mane’s toe. He got up and stood there, shirt ripped, chest out, tattoos everywhere, that look.

Collado, La Masia’s next great hope called up for Celta Vigo clash | Marca
With Ernesto Valverde set to rest a number of first team players during Barcelona’s visit to Celta Vigo, there are a number of youngsters who could get their chance to shine at Balaidos on Saturday. One of those called up for the trip is 20-year-old Alex Collado after impressing under Garcia Pimienta with Barcelona B.

Valverde backs retiring Xavi for Barca coaching role | Goal
Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has no doubt that Xavi has the potential to take the top job at Camp Nou in the future. Xavi confirmed on Thursday he will retire from playing at the end of the season and move into coaching, having left Barca at the end of the treble-winning 2014-15 campaign to join Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League.

Barcelona vice-president Mestre: De Ligt hasn’t signed | Marca
Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre has insisted that a deal to bring Matthijs De Ligt to the Camp Nou is far from being done. The Ajax defender has been linked with all of Europe’s top clubs, but the Catalan side are leading the race for his signature.

The casting for Cillessen’s replacement is open: Onana, Sommer and Pau Lopez | Marca
With Jasper Cillessen expected to leave Barcelona in the summer after a playing a secondary role to Marc-Andre ter Stegen during the last three seasons, the club is looking for the ideal replacement for the Dutch goalkeeper. Despite limited first team opportunities, the impressive displays from Cillessen means that the club will likely receive a healthy transfer fee for the 30-year-old.

Source: barcablaugranes.com