FC Barcelona News: 10 September 2019

Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images

Sergio and Jordi Alba join the group | FC Barcelona
A rainy day in Barcelona, but that didn’t stop the first team training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. A few minutes before 11 in the morning, heavy rain suspended the workout for a while, but after the storm had passed the players that were available could train without a problem on Pitch 2.

Messi and Suarez still aren’t training with their teammates | Marca
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez continue to work on the sidelines, separate from the main group. Both players are recovering well, though, and they could be available for the meeting with Valencia after the conclusion of the international break if they respond well to the gradual increase in workload.

Umtiti with right foot injury | FC Barcelona
Tests carried out on Monday at the Ciutat Esportiva have shown that the Barça first team player Samuel Umtiti has a bruised foot and his recovery will dictate when he returns. Umtiti picked up the injury with the French national side meaning that he was unable to play a single minute in the team’s 4-1 win over Albania in their Euro 2020 qualifying game.

Valverde blocked Alena loan to Real Betis | Marca
Ernesto Valverde personally intervened to prevent the release of Carles Alena on loan to Real Betis. The young Barcelona midfielder came close to moving to the Andalusians just days before the end of the summer transfer window.

Real Betis director: There is no clause for Barcelona to sign Emerson before 2021 | Marca
Jose Miguel Lopez Catalan, the Real Betis managing director, has spoken about the contractual situation of Brazilian full-back Emerson. The 20-year-old’s rights were purchased by Barcelona for 12 million euros from Atletico Mineiro earlier in the year and half of these rights were sold to Real Betis.

Samuel Eto’o retires as one of his era’s most outspoken, volatile and unstoppable players | ESPN
Now that Samuel Eto’o has retired from football, debate will rage about whether or not he was the greatest African footballer of all time. In short, he was and by some margin. What shouldn’t be debated was that “Samu” (as most of his teammates knew him) was one of the most contrary, stubborn, volatile, fiercely competitive, determined, talented, agile and unstoppable footballers in living memory. Perhaps even all-time.

Premier Sports confirm La Liga UK deal | Football Espana
Premier Sports have confirmed they have secured the rights to show La Liga in UK and Ireland across the next three seasons. The broadcaster currently has rights to Serie A matches in the UK and Ireland while it bought packages from broadcaster Eleven Sports for Spanish football last campaign.

20th anniversary of the death of Oriol Tort | FC Barcelona
Born on January 31, 1929, Oriol Tort was an amateur player for FC Barcelona during the 1946-47, 1947-48 and 1948-49 seasons. Later he played for U. E. Vilassar de Mar (1949-51), C.D. Sarrià (1951-54) and F.C. Bonanova (1954-56). After retiring from football, he obtained the title of regional coach on August 19, 1958, and joined FC Barcelona on September 29, 1959, in the days of Helenio Herrera. Between 1959 and 1977 he was coach of the Barça Infant team.

Source: barcablaugranes.com