FC Barcelona News: 24 July 2019

Photo by Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images

Barça 1-2 Chelsea: Blaugranes get feet wet as new faces debut | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona opened the 2019-20 preseason on Tuesday evening outside Tokyo, where they fell to Chelsea, 2-1, before a crowd of 51,126 at Saitama Stadium. Despite being defeated in an exhibition match, there was some good news for Barça fans, who got to see the two new stars Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong take the field for the very first time wearing their new colors.

Three debuts and a hopeful start | FC Barcelona
Antoine Griezmann, Frenkie de Jong and Neto Muraro all made their first appearances in a Barça shirt on Tuesday in the game against Chelsea. Despite the defeat, all three showed signs of their undoubted quality in the game in the Saitama Stadium 2002.

The good and bad from Barcelona’s first pre-season outing | Marca
Barcelona began their pre-season fixtures with a defeat against Chelsea in Japan on Tuesday, but there were positives to take from the performance. The match saw the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong make their first appearances for the Blaugrana.

Evening workout in Kobe | FC Barcelona
Just a few hours after arriving here from Tokyo via high-speed train, FC Barcelona were out on the training pitch at Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium to take part in their first workout since Tuesday night’s friendly versus Chelsea.

Riqui Puig: I’m more mature but I’m still a Barca B player | Sport
Riqui Puig had an impressive first half in Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat by Chelsea. Despite the loss, he said it “was a good game to find our feet” and he also said that the Blues were in better shape. “It told that they arrived fitter and that cost us,” added Puig.

Atletico Madrid ask La Liga to block Antoine Griezmann’s Barcelona registration | Sky Sports
Atletico Madrid have asked La Liga to block Antoine Griezmann’s registration at Barcelona following their dispute over his release clause, according to president Javier Tebas. Barcelona confirmed the signing of the French World Cup winner last week, saying in a statement they had met the 28-year-old’s £108m buyout clause.

Sources: Barcelona eye €150m in player sales | ESPN
Barcelona still hope to bring in another €150 million in player sales this summer as they continue to seek exits for Philippe Coutinho, Malcom and Rafinha Alcantara, sources at the club have told ESPN FC. Bids would also be considered for Ivan Rakitic, Samuel Umtiti and Arturo Vidal, but Barca are not actively looking to move any of those players on at the moment.

Barca lose Dutch youngster Xavi Simons to PSG | ESPN
Highly rated midfielder Xavi Simons has announced he is leaving Barcelona and will join Paris Saint-Germain after failing to reach an agreement with the Catalan club over a new contract. PSG announced the signing of the 16-year-old on Tuesday to a deal through 2022. Barca will only receive €130,000 in development rights as the player’s terms expired last month.

Source: barcablaugranes.com