FC Barcelona News: 20 January 2020

Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

Barça 1-0 Granada: Solid start for Setién | FC Barcelona
Quique Setién has got off to a winning start as FC Barcelona boss. He’s been ringing the changes all week, and it showed as the team registered season high tallies for both possession and passes. He’s been heralded as a ‘Cruyffista’ in the local press, and today we got to see just how true that is.

Work continues | FC Barcelona
Following a 1-0 win over Granada in his first game in charge, FC Barcelona manager Quique Setién was back with his players on pitch 2 at the Ciutat Esportiva on a very cold and windy Monday morning. The main focus was on post-game warm-down, with Barça B’s Iñaki Peña, Riqui Puig, Carles Pérez, Ansu Fati, Saverio and Marqués also involved as the team prepared for a trip to UD Ibiza on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey.

Season highs for possession and passes | FC Barcelona
The stats from Quique Setién’s first game as Barça manager leave plenty of room for optimism. Granada were beaten 1-0, while setting season highs for both possession (82.6%) and passes (1,005). It was only the third time that a Liga team has made 1,000+ passes in a single match since 2005/06.

Busquets refuses to criticise Valverde after Setien enjoys debut victory | Goal
Sergio Busquets refused to compare Barcelona under Ernesto Valverde and Quique Setien after the Catalans made a winning start to life under their new head coach. Barca returned to the top of La Liga with a 1-0 win over a dogged Granada at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Riqui Puig: Setien likes to play football, the Barcelona players are very happy | Marc
Riqui Puig has praised the impact Quique Setien has made since taking over from Ernesto Valverde at Barcelona. Setien is known for his tendency to give young players a chance and Puig benefitted from that against Granada, playing the final 20 minutes of the match.

The last game with 1,000+ passes | FC Barccelona
With Tito Vilanova as manager, Barça won 4-0 at Levante that day with goals from Leo Messi (2), Andrés Iniesta and Cesc Fábregas. Of the 1,035 passes, Xavi made 139, Fábregas 124 and Sergio Busquets 116. That was also the famous day when all eleven of the Barça team had come from La Masia.

‘Decisions are always in favour of Barcelona’ - Granada fume after red card | Goal
Granada defender Dimitri Foulquier has hit out at Barcelona claiming they often benefit from referee decisions after seeing his side beaten 1-0 on Sunday. Despite being on the back foot for much of the game, Granada looked poised to frustrate the Catalans at Camp Nou only for German Sanchez to be sent off for a second yellow card in 69th minute.

Ousmane Dembele is now running again at the training ground | Sport
Ousmane Dembele was a protagonist on Monday. The French winger was seen running at Barca’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training ground, continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Barcelona and Manchester City do battle over Alessandro Bastoni | Football espana
Barcelona are set to be rivalled by Manchester City in the race for Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni. The highly rated centre back is back with Antonio Conte’s side for the 2019-20 season, following loan spells at Serie A sides Atalanta and Parma in the last two years.

Tickets for Ibiza v Barcelona stolen from box office | Sport
Barcelona’s Copa del Rey last 32 clash with Ibiza, in Spain’s third tier, has created a lot of excitement on the island. However, with tickets sold out, some went too far to get theirs. Some fans broke into the club offices at Can Misses last night and stole tickets reserved for season ticket holders, sponsors, institutions and more.

Nàstic de Tarragona 1-0 Barça B: Slim defeat on the road | FC Barcelona
Barça B fell to defeat at the hands of Nàstic on Sunday afternoon, with the home side triumphing 1-0 in Tarragona through a goal from Pol Ballesteros. Whilst Barça B dominated possession and enjoyed clear chances, they were not able to find the net and fell to their fourth loss of the Segunda B campaign.

Barcelona make U.S. youth Konrad ultimatum over new deal - sources | ESPN
Barcelona have made United States youth international Konrad de la Fuente an ultimatum, sources have told ESPN, as negotiations continue over a new contract. The Spanish club have made De la Fuente an improved offer, with his terms up in the summer, but have told him if he doesn’t accept it he risks being sidelined for the rest of the season.

Source: barcablaugranes.com