Luis Saurez stepped up in the absence of Lionel Messi to score a hat-trick in Barcelona’s emphatic 5-1 win over Real Madrid at the Camp Nou. BARCELONA, Spain — Gerard Pique says Barcelona are “better than ever” after a Luis Suarez hat trick helped them thump Real Madrid 5-1 and leave Julen Lopetegui on the brink of the sack.
Barca made light work of their Clasico rivals despite missing Lionel Messi, whose broken arm forced him to watch the game from the stands.
Philippe Coutinho and Arturo Vidal were also on target for the home side, with Madrid replying through Marcelo as they briefly threatened a comeback after the break.
“We scored…
ESPN FC’s Alejandro Moreno explains how Barcelona’s defensive frailties are impacting all aspects of their game.
VALENCIA — Gerard Pique told his critics to “come out of their caves and enjoy the sun” as Barcelona’s winless run in the league extended to four games with a 1-1 draw at Valencia on Sunday.
Ezequiel Garay took advantage of some poor defending at Mestalla to give Valencia a first-minute lead, only for Lionel Messi to earn a point for Barca.
Garay’s goal was the ninth Barca have conceded in eight league games this season, which is the same amount they leaked in their first 20 matches last year and…
Pique’s woeful form extended into the midweek clash at Leganes, with the veteran defender at fault for both goals.
Barcelona fell to a shocking first league defeat of the season at minnows Leganes, with two second-half goals in the space of a minute condemning the Catalans 2-1 on Wednesday.
Philippe Coutinho broke the deadlock but Nabil El Zhar and Oscar Rodriguez struck in the 52nd and 53rd minutes to turn the game on its head, and La Liga leaders Barcelona could not fight their way back in.
Positives
Few, although Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba getting an hour’s rest is a good thing despite it playing a part…
ESPN FC’s Alejandro Moreno explains how Ernesto Valverde’s player selection played a major role in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw against Girona.
Playing a man down for most of the match, Barcelona only manage a 2-2 draw with Catalan rivals Girona at home. BARCELONA — Gerard Pique rescued Barcelona against Girona as the La Liga champions were held to a 2-2 draw on Sunday, dropping points for the first time this season.
Lionel Messi gave Barca the lead in the first half but the game swung on Clement’s Lenglet’s red card in the 35th minute. The French defender was dismissed after VAR was used to determine that he’d caught Pere Pons with his elbow.
With a numerical advantage, Cristhian Stuani scored twice after two Pique errors to give Girona the lead…
MADRID, Spain — Luis Enrique bundled his players into three black vans with tinted windows and without a word, he drove them to a secret location where he locked them in a room with a serial killer.
Spain’s new manager has a reputation for extreme discipline and this was the week when everyone seemed preoccupied with punishment, but this was different. This was role play: an Escape Room game on Gran Vía in central Madrid, where the national team players had exactly 60 minutes to get away from…
Lionel Messi talks about one day leaving Barcelona, their aims for this season and rates the new signings.
Barcelona’s Ernesto Valverde laughed off talk that Atletico Madrid and Valencia already dropping points is crucial in the title race.
Lionel Messi is not a finalist for FIFA’s world player of the year award for the first time since 2006. The FC crew explain why he should be.
Spain’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DGT) has confirmed that Gerard Pique was aware that his driving licence was invalid when he was pulled over last week.
Barcelona defender Pique was stopped by local police on Friday and a routine check revealed that he was driving without any points on his licence — drivers in Spain start with 12 points and points are then deducted for any traffic offences.
Amid doubts over whether or not Pique knew he was driving with an invalid licence, a Catalan…
Lionel Messi scored twice in a game where Barcelona found the net eight times to remain perfect.
Barcelona are the clear favourites in Group B of the Champions League, but the FC crew think Tottenham could struggle to finish ahead of Inter Milan. BARCELONA — Ernesto Valverde says a potential punishment for driving without a valid licence will not affect Gerard Pique’s performances for Barcelona.
Pique was stopped by police in the Catalan city on Friday and a routine check reportedly revealed that he was driving without any points on his licence (points are deducted in Spain from a starting base of 12 for traffic offences).
La Vanguardia say that the possible punishments for the offence vary from a €288,000 fine or 90 days of community…
As the drama between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho continues, Mark Ogden assesses Pogba’s role at Manchester United and whose side the fans are on.
Alejandro Moreno and Shaka Hislop delve into Man United’s performance against Brighton and Paul Pogba’s post-match comments regarding his attitude.
Shaka Hislop and Stewart Robson explain what Jose Mourinho’s positive comments about Paul Pogba mean in the big picture for Manchester United.
The FC crew assess the seemingly deteriorating state of the relationship between Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba.
Gerard Pique has given his backing to a potential Barcelona move for Paul Pogba, either this summer or in the future, saying it would be good if the Manchester United midfielder joined him at the Camp Nou.
Barca have been linked with Pogba throughout the summer and, with the transfer window open in Spain until Friday, president Josep Maria Bartomeu has refused to rule out a move for the France international.
There have been reports of a souring of the relationship between Pogba and United coach…
New Barcelona captain Lionel Messi made clear his side’s desire to bring the UEFA Champions League trophy back to the Camp Nou this season.
Malcom, Lionel Messi and Rafinha found the back of the net for Barcelona as they cruised to victory over Boca Juniors in the annual Gamper Trophy match.
Following their 3-0 victory over Boca Juniors in the Joan Gamper Trophy match, the FC crew share their impressions of Barca’s new-look side.
La Liga is back! Lionel Messi and Barcelona are heavy favourites to win the league, but can anyone challenge them and lift the trophy in 2019?
Ernesto Valverde praises Ousmane Dembele’s impact in the Spanish Super Cup, amid speculation about the Frenchman’s future at Barcelona.
The International Tennis Federation were in favour of Gerard Pieque’s ideas to revamp the Davis Cup which, could turn the competition into World Cup-style event.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique flew to Orlando on Thursday to attend the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) AGM, where his suggested reforms for the Davis Cup were passed.
Ernesto Valverde’s side kick off their defence of the La Liga title on Saturday against Alaves at Camp Nou but Pique was granted permission to travel to the United States for the meeting.
The ITF board voted in favour of the defender’s proposal to overhaul the Davis Cup in a bid to revive the competition, which will see…
ESPN FC’s Gab Marcotti questions if Atletico Madrid would have much of a case against Barcelona for approaching Antoine Griezmann.
The ESPN FC crew share their thoughts on whether Mexico’s Hirving Lozano would suit Barcelona and how he would fit in the side.
Barcelona’s sporting director Eric Abidal insists he belongs to the club and will do all in his power to help them improve.
Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu discusses his visit to Harvard University to explain what the club represents on and off the field.
Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu sits down with ESPN FC to discuss Barca’s loss to Roma, winning two titles and more. Barcelona will speak with Gerard Pique about his involvement in a documentary which saw Antoine Griezmann reject an offer from the La Liga champions, but Victor Font believes it is the type of innovative thinking the club should embrace themselves.
Font, who hopes to succeed Josep Maria Bartomeu as president at the Barcelona’s next elections, says the club need to seek new ways to keep up with the ever-richer world of football.
Looking at the Pique situation from different perspective, Font…