AUGUST 23 • GOAL.COM
BARCELONA 11-1-2 · 1ST IN LALIGA · CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
11-1-2 · 1ST IN LALIGA · CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Next Match vs Stade Brestois 29 (H) · Tue 8:00PM
BAR -690 TOTAL 3.5
Ilkay Gundogan is back! Man City re-sign midfielder from Barcelona on free transfer after just one season away | Goal.com US Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer, bringing him back from Barcelona just a year after he left.
Ilkay Gundogan returns for his second spell at Man City after just a year at Barcelona
Ilkay Gundogan is back at Manchester City for a sequel few could have expectedAUGUST 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Man Utd and Spurs to do battle! Premier League duo eye deal to sign Andreas Christensen from Barcelona in cut-price €25m deal before transfer deadline | Goal.com US Manchester United will battle with Tottenham to sign Andreas Christensen from Barcelona in a reported cut-price €25m deal before deadline da...
AUGUST 22 • GOAL.COM
Barcelona to continue hacking away at their wage bill? Blaugrana considering selling ex-Chelsea centre-back Andreas Christensen | Goal.com US Barcelona are considering offloading centre-back Andreas Christensen as they look to cut their wage expenses before the transfer window clos...
AUGUST 21 • GOAL.COM
Ilkay Gundogan set for Man City return after reportedly agreeing to leave Barcelona
Manchester City and Ilkay Gundogan look set to be reunitedAUGUST 21 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Barcelona getting rid of Ilkay Gundogan is just another sign that Joan Laporta's lever-pulling hasn't worked | Goal.com US Barcelona forcing Ilkay Gundogan out of the club for financial reasons, just a year after signing the German from Manchester City, shows lit...
AUGUST 21 • GOAL.COM
Robert Lewandowski's best moments: The prolific goalscorer turns 36
FOX Sports Research breaks down the best moments of Robert Lewandowski's prolific career as the superstar turns 36.AUGUST 21
Barcelona make shock Ilkay Gundogan decision as midfielder edges closer to sensational Manchester City reunion with Pep Guardiola | Goal.com US Barcelona have reportedly made a decision on Ilkay Gundogan's future which paves the way for a sensational Manchester City return.
AUGUST 20 • GOAL.COM
Pep Guardiola's stance on potential Ilkay Gundogan return to Man City revealed as Barcelona star eyes sensational summer move | Goal.com US Ilkay Gundogan is reportedly in talks with Manchester City over a potential return to the Etihad just a year after leaving for Barcelona.
AUGUST 19 • GOAL.COM
Oscar Urena - Transfers to Barcelona Urena has completed a transfer to Barcelona from Girona, according to his former club.
Impact Urena will be making a move within La Liga this campaign, as he has been sent to Barcelona after joining Girona in 2021. He didn't feature for Girona at all last season, instead serving on a season-long loan with newly promoted Leganes. He likely won't see much time with Barcelona this campaign, being more of a player for the future.
AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE
Robert Lewandowski scores twice as Barcelona beats Valencia 2-1 in debut of coach Hansi Flick
Robert Lewandowski scored late in the first half and early in the second to give Barcelona a winning start in coach Hansi Flick’s Spanish league debutAUGUST 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
LEWANDOWSKI SHOWED OUT 🔥 Valencia vs. Barcelona | LALIGA Highlights | ESPN FC
AUGUST 17 • YOUTUBE
Robert Lewandowski - Brace to begin season Lewandowski scored two goals with four shots (two on goal) and one chance created during Barcelona's win Saturday at Valencia.
Impact Now that the 2024 European Championship has passed, Lewandowski can get back to what he does best, setting himself up for club-team goals in domestic games. The veteran striker got himself open for Barcelona's first, and Raphinha getting fouled resulted in his Polish teammate successfully scoring a penalty kick. Already, Lewandowski is on pace to surpass his goal tally from the 2023-24 La Liga, when he logged 19 goals across 32 games started.
AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE
Raphinha - Many attempts from flank Raphinha logged six crosses (two accurate) and six corners during Barcelona's 2-1 win Saturday at Valencia.
Impact The 2024-25 La Liga is expected to include Raphinha playing from a lot of positions except Barcelona's right flank, which Lamine Yamal will take over after his excellence for Spain this summer. Even so, the Brazilian should have room for his own greatness, as proven Saturday. Being the Catalans' center attacking midfielder then did not prevent him from attempting many crosses. Regardless of position, Raphinha is expected to attempt many corners, though he will aim for way more than 50 during his 2024-25 season.
AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE
Lamine Yamal - Logs assist to begin season Yamal logged one assist with three chances created during Barcelona's 2-1 win Saturday at Valencia.
Impact After logging four assists across seven games Spain played en route to winning the 2024 European Championship, Yamal likely entered Barcelona's first game post-tournament with lofty expectations. However, he has immediately continued his excellence from the Euros. One of Alex Balde's two accurate crosses was sent back his way by Yamal, whose touch found its way to eventual goalscorer Robert Lewandowski. Including the 2023-24 La Liga, Barcelona's most promising youngster has three goals across his last six appearances for the Catalans.
AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen - Concedes goal at Valencia Ter Stegen logged one save but conceded one goal during Barcelona's 2-1 win Saturday at Valencia.
Impact Ter Stegen's first game half of the 2024-25 La Liga was bad, as he conceded a goal to Hugo Duro and would have allowed another off an error had Pau Cubarsi not cleared it in time. A more focused ter Stegen bounced back during the second half, though he should put forth a better output overall when Barcelona's team hosts Athletic on Aug. 24.
AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE
Ilkay Gundogan has asked to leave Barcelona after being left out of squad for La Liga opener as Jose Mourinho plans to 'do everything possible' to bring ex-Man City star to Fenerbahce | Goal.com US Ilkay Gundogan has reportedly asked to leave Barcelona and is attracting interest from Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce, as well as Saudi Arabia.
AUGUST 17 • GOAL.COM
Alejandro Balde - Leaves injured Saturday Balde was forced off in the 64th minute of Saturday's match against Valencia due to an apparent injury.
Impact Balde had his season opener cut short, with the wing-back leaving the field due to an apparent injury. He has yet to undergo testing with the exact nature of the issue unknown, as well as a return date if he were to miss time. This will be something to monitor, as he is set to receive starting time again this season. He was replaced by debutant Gerard Martin.
AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE
Ilkay Gundogan - Out for opener Gundogan is out for Saturday's match against Valencia due to injury, according to Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens of ESPN.
Impact Gundogan has no prior concerns of an injury heading into Saturday but just hours before the match, it was announced he would miss out due to an injury he picked up in a friendly a week ago. However, this may not be the case, as recent rumors have emerged that the midfielder has asked for a shocking move out of the club, also possibly being a reason for his absence. More should be released in the coming days, with Marc Bernal taking his spot to face Valencia.
AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE
Pedri - Earns bench spot Pedri (knee) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Valencia.
Impact Pedri was expected to be back with the team for their season opener and that has come to fruition, with the midfielder earning a bench spot to face Valencia. This is great news for the club following two straight seasons filled with injuries for the player, now just hoping he can remain fit from here on out. He will likely see some time off the bench to test his legs, looking to get back in the starting XI in their next contest.
AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE
Ansu Fati - Out Saturday Fati (foot) will not be an option for Saturday's trip to Valencia, according to manager Hansi Flink.
Impact Fati is continuing to recover from a foot injury suffered during preseason and is not ready for the first few games of the season. After a disappointing loan spell with Brighton, he is expected to remain low on the depth chart until the forward return to his full potential, especially with Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres options in the attack for Flink's side.
AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE
Dani Olmo - Not fit for Saturday Olmo will not be an option for Saturday's trip to Valencia, confirmed manager Hansi Flink. "Dani Olmo is not in the right physical condition for tomorrow's game at the moment. He...
Impact Olmo started preseason late following his involvement at the Euros with Spain and his move to Barcelona, therefore is not fit to make the trip to Valencia. He is expected to maintain an important role for the team, with his arrival boosting the depth of the team's attack. Because of this, he is expected to compete with Pedri and a fit Gavi for a starting role, while already having the edge over Andreas Christensen on the depth chart.
AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE
Pedri - Option against Valencia Pedri (knee) is expected to be an option off the bench for Saturday's trip to Valencia. Per manager Hansi Flick, "Pedri is a special player and he changes the team by himself. Per...
Impact Pedri is set to make his season debut after spraining his knee at the Euros. He is only fit to come off the bench as he continues to work back into full match fitness. While the midfielder works on that, Raphinha will likely move up to the midfield, alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Andreas Christensen.
AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE
4th man arrested in connection with stabbing of Lamine Yamal’s father
The father of Spain soccer star Lamine Yamal remained hospitalized Thursday after being the victim of a stabbing, but said on social media t...AUGUST 15
Police arrest 4th man accused of participating in stabbing of Lamine Yamal's father near Barcelona
Police in Barcelona have detained a fourth man accused of participating in the stabbing of the father of 17-year-old Spain soccer star Lamine YamalAUGUST 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
