FC Barcelona News: 7 January 2020

Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Barça head for Saudi Arabia | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona are on their way to Saudi Arabia, venue for the new-look Spanish Super Cup from January 8 to 12. Barça face Atlético Madrid in the second semi-final on Thursday, and should they win, will meet Real Madrid or Valencia in Sunday’s final.

FC Barcelona squad for the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia | FC Barcelona
Barça travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the revamped Spanish Super Cup in which they face Atlético Madrid in the semi finals with a possible final against either Real Madrid or Valencia. Coach Ernesto Valverde has named a 24 man squad for the tournament.

The new-look Spanish Super Cup | FC Barcelona
This week brings the first edition of the revamped Spanish Super Cup. With a new date, a new format and a new venue, a lot has changed to what has, since it was created in 1982, traditionally been a two-legged pre-season encounter between the reigning Liga and Copa del Rey champions.

Barcelona’s ‘Messi dependence’ is a problem | ESPN
Barcelona’s 2-2 away draw to Espanyol ought to be the umpteenth wake-up call for Ernesto Valverde. It’s not just the fact that they failed to beat a team that are dead last in the table and have not won at home in La Liga since last season. It’s the listlessness of their play, the way they only come to life for brief moments and only down to individual quality rather than sustained buildup.

Barcelona want Brazilian midfielder Matheus Fernandes | Football Espana
Barcelona are interested in signing Brazilian midfielder Matheus Fernandes from Palmeiras, according to Globoesporte. The 21-year-old only joined the club a year ago in a €3.5m deal from Botafogo but was unable to help prevent the Brazilian club’s first ever relegation from the top division last month.

Arda Turan to leave Istanbul Basaksehir but he won’t return to Barcelona | Marca
Barcelona’s January transfer window surprise has taken just seven days to arrive as Arda Turan has cut short his loan spell with Istanbul Basaksehir, which was due to expire in the summer, however he will not return to the Blaugrana.

Barcelona to report those involved in offensive chanting in B team derby | Marca
The Estadi Johan Cruyff hosted the Catalan derby between the B teams of Barcelona and Espanyol over the weekend, but it produced ugly scenes with insults being shouted and some claims of Nazi slogans being used. Between 20 and 25 people were reportedly behind the insults, with Barcelona taking swift action against them.

Source: barcablaugranes.com