#barcelona

#barcelona

The return of Joan Garcia earlier this month has been quite a blessing for Barcelona. After a period of Wojciech Szczesny struggling to provide security in between the sticks, the Spaniard returned from injury after the international break, and Barcelona have never had to look back since. In the three matches he has played so far after returning, Garcia has been flawless, to say the least, with his most recent display coming against Alaves.

There were many positives to take from coach Hansi Flick, including Dani Olmo's superlative performance, as well as Raphinha and Pedri getting more action on the pitch. Although Flick wasn't too happy with Barcelona's performance and consistency, the German tactician had one more reason to be upset with the game. Barcelona and Flick outraged by referee's performance According to SPORT, the Barcelona coaching staff is very angry about the refereeing during Saturday's match.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was reportedly back in training at the Ciutat Esportiva on Sunday morning and is expected to be available for Tuesday's match against Atletico Madrid. The Netherlands international missed the game against Alaves due to personal reasons, but AS say he is now back in action and should feature against Diego Simeone's side. However, it looks like Ronald Araujo will be missing again in midweek.

Dani Olmo: The return of a champion? As reported by SPORT, Olmo was one of the best performers for Barcelona in the win over Deportivo Alaves, and his performance has been backed by numbers as well. Playing the full 90 minutes, the Spaniard registered a decisive brace, scoring his first league goals since September. His second goal, coming deep into stoppage time, sealed the victory after Lamine Yamal's earlier equaliser.

Frankie de Jong will miss Barcelona's clash with Alaves at Camp Nou on Saturday after being left out of the squad by Hansi Flick. The Dutchman had been expected to start the game but was a surprise omission seemingly at the last minute. Marc Bernal will take over in midfield and make his first start of the season. There's been no official word on why De Jong is missing today, but multiple outlets are reporting it's for "family reasons" and not due to injury.

FC Barcelona are scouring the market for a new centre-forward to succeed Robert Lewandowski at the club next year. The veteran Pole is out of contract at the end of the season and a renewal appears unlikely at this point, with the Catalans already looking for possible replacements. With the likes of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez considered out of reach, the La Liga champions are looking at more financially viable options.

The result leaves Hansi Flick's side with seven points from their first five games and knowing they can't really afford any more slip-ups if they are to progress. In the new format, the top eight teams qualify automatically for the knockouts, and the teams finishing between ninth and 24th will go on to compete in a two-legged knockout play-off for the chance to join them.

They keep on getting done time and time again. Nothing more than Chelsea deserve. They time it to perfection again,