FC Barcelona News: 22 December 2019

Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

FC Barcelona 4-1 Alavés: Winning end to 2019 | FC Barcelona
Barça powered to 4-1 victory over Alavés in the final game of 2019 to give the players plenty to smile about as they head off for a well-earned Christmas break. The Catalans were very much the superior side, and despite a few moments of uncertainty when the visitors got back to within a goal they eventually cruised to a comfortable three points.

Messi scores 50 goals for sixth year in a row | FC Barcelona
Leo Messi’s goal against Alavés means he ends 2019 with 50 goals for Barça and Argentina, the ninth time in the last ten calendar years that he has reached a half century. In 2013 he missed out by scoring ‘only’ 45 times, but he has now completed a sixth year in a row with 50+ goals

‘He makes you a goal from anywhere’ - Valverde praises Messi display in Barcelona win | Goal
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde paid tribute to Lionel Messi for his innate ability to make a decisive impact following a wonderful goal in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Deportivo Alaves. Other than having an early goal disallowed, Messi had been unusually subdued by his standards at Camp Nou.

Barça to return to training on 29 December | FC Barcelona
The first team squad head into the festive break with their homework done. After the 4-1 win against Alavés at Camp Nou on Saturday, Ernesto Valverde’s team have a week off before returning to training on Sunday 29 December to begin preparations for the Catalan derby against Espanyol on 4 January.

Alba: Barcelona must improve a lot to win all the trophies available | Marca
Jordi Alba has made clear that Barcelona have to improve their performances, should they want to grab all the trophies they are competing for. The Blaugrana are top of LaLiga Santander and have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League, but they have yet to impress on the pitch this season.

Tribute to the Sextet winning side | FC Barcelona
Before Saturday’s 4-1 win against Alavés at Camp Nou, the six trophies were gathered together along with representatives from the team. Captain in 2009 Carles Puyol was present as were former Barça players Gaby Milito, Seydou Keita, José Manuel Pinto, Éric Abidal and Xavi Torres.

Source: barcablaugranes.com