FC Barcelona News: 5 February 2020

Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images

The FC Barcelona squad for the trip to Bilbao | FC Barcelona
Midweek fixtures continue a pace for Barça with the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey on Thursday in San Mamés against Athletic Club. The blaugranes face a one off tie against the side from Bilbao which sees the two most successful teams in the competition’s history come together.

Athletic Club v FC Barcelona: Classic Copa del Rey clash | FC Barcelona
When the draw last week brought together Athletic Club and FC Barcelona, it brought together two giants of the Copa del Rey. The Catalan club and the club from Bilbao in the Basque Country have won the competition 53 times between them, 30 for Barça and 23 for Athletic yet it will be the first time that they meet in a one off tie with the exception of the final.

Barcelona holding talks with Eric Abidal following Lionel Messi row | Sky Sports
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has called a meeting with Eric Abidal to discuss the sporting director’s future at the club following a public disagreement with Lionel Messi. On Tuesday, Messi asked Abidal to “give names” after the latter criticised the club’s players over their work ethic.

Lionel Messi playing through injury for Barcelona | Football Espana
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has been playing with a thigh injury for the club in recent weeks, according to ESPN. It is claimed by the report that club officials are aware of the situation and know that while the Argentine can not operate his full fitness or power due to the injury, he is fit enough to be involved.

No Barcelona regrets despite Messi-Abidal row - Setien | ESPN
Quique Setien said he has no regrets about accepting the coaching job at Barcelona after the club descended into crisis on Tuesday. Club captain Lionel Messi took to Instagram to respond to sporting director Eric Abidal, who had earlier said that some of the players were not happy under former boss Ernesto Valverde and were not working very hard.

Messi hits back at Abidal: Don’t criticise without naming players | ESPN
“I honestly don’t like doing these things but everyone has to be responsible for their job and take responsibility for their decisions,” Messi wrote on Instagram alongside a screenshot of Abidal’s interview with Diario SPORT.

Barcelona star Umtiti facing court date over €183k worth of damages to rented villa | Goal
Samuel Umtiti will attend a trial in Barcelona on Thursday over alleged damages to a rented villa, before flying to Bilbao for Barca’s game with Athletic Club the same evening. The France international defender, 26, will appear in court in Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona after a civil lawsuit was filed against him by the owners of the property.

Barcelona can win Champions League - Frenkie de Jong | Football Espana
Frenkie de Jong insists Barcelona can win the Champions League this season and put recent traumas in the competition behind them. The Dutchman only joined the Blaugrana this summer while in each of the past two seasons, the club have suffered harrowing exits from the tournament.

Barça boss Setien: Dembele’s injury is unfortunate, he’s a great person | Sport
Barcelona coach Quique Setien had placed a lot of hope in the return of Ousmane Dembele, so his injury setback has come as a huge blow.Dembele had recently returned to training from a hamstring injury but tore a tendon in his thigh on Monday and is unlikely to play again this season.

Barcelona hopeful of signing Getafe star Angel outside of transfer window in bid to replace Dembele and Suarez | Goal
La Liga clubs can sign players outside the transfer window if a member of their squad suffers a long-term injury during the season, but must receive dispensation from the Spanish FA (RFEF) to do so. LFP discipline code article 124.3 states that the expected absence for the injury must be five months or more for approval to be given.

Official: Ramos Mingo joins Barcelona B | Marca
Barcelona B have signed Santiago Ramos Mingo from Boca Juniors on a free transfer. The 18-year-old centre-back has already passed medicals and put pen to paper on a three-year contract, before being presented at the Estadio Johan Cruyff.

Barcelona’s U.S. starlet Konrad de la Fuente to sign contract extension | ESPN
United States youth international Konrad de la Fuente is set to sign a contract extension with Barcelona following drawn-out negotiations with the Catalan club, sources have told ESPN. De la Fuente, 18, looked set to leave in December when talks over a new deal stalled. With his terms due to expire this summer, he had drawn interest from a number of German clubs, notably Hertha Berlin.

Hiroki Abe tears hamstring in right thigh | Marca
Barcelona B forward Hiroki Abe will undergo surgery in Finland next Tuesday, February 11, after tearing his hamstring in his right thigh against El Prat on February 2. The Japanese player had featured in 20 league games for Francesc Xavier Garcia Pimienta’s side, scoring four goals.

Source: barcablaugranes.com