Barcelona, Bayern hamstrung by more virus cases
Pedri González and Ferran Torres have joined Barcelona’s list of players with COVID-19JANUARY 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
JORDI ALBA #18 - DEFENDER - INTER MIAMI CF
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0.2 SPG
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Barcelona's COVID-19 outbreak swells, Leicester-Norwich off
The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the Barcelona squad has swelled to 10 and it potentially jeopardizes the team’s return to league play after Spain’s winter break...DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
COVID outbreaks at Madrid, Barca; Arsenal's Arteta positive
Eleven players across the Barcelona and Real Madrid squads are isolating after contracting the coronavirus ahead of the resumption of the Spanish league this weekendDECEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Takes three shots in draw Alba took three shots (one on target) and created two chances in Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Sevilla. He also won two of two tackles and made an interception in the match.
Impact Alba played well on both sides of the ball against Sevilla, and of course he drew the foul that got Jules Kounde sent off on Tuesday. He will return after the winter break to face 14th-placed Mallorca on Jan. 2.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
10-man Sevilla held 1-1 by Barcelona, Kounde sent off
Sevilla has drawn 1-1 at home with Barcelona in a match the hosts finished with 10 men after defender Jules Kounde was sent off with a direct red card for throwing the ball into an...DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Available against Elche Alba (hamstring) is available and in the squad list for Saturday's match against Elche.
Impact Alba has only been out 10 or so days, so this return is a bit surprising. He's dealt with a couple more injuries the past season and rushing back from a hamstring injury may not be the best idea before the winter break.
DECEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Hamstring injury confirmed Alba suffered a right hamstring injury during Wednesday's 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich, his club confirmed Thursday.
Impact It's safe to expect that Alba will be out until 2022, though there may be a chance he returns in two weeks against Sevilla after suffering an early injury in a decisively bad game. Oscar Mingueza replaced Alba in Wednesday's loss and didn't look too convincing, so Nico Gonzalez can be seen as a natural alternate for Sunday's trip to Osasuna and beyond.
DECEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Barcelona out of Champions League in loss to Bayern Munich
Barcelona will not play in the knockout rounds of the Champions League for the first time in 18 years after a 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich ensured the Catalan club was eliminated from...DECEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Comes off injured against Bayern Alba was subbed out of Wednesday's Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich in the 31st minute after suffering an apparent hamstring injury. He took a shot on target and made...
Impact Mingueza replaced Alba at left back on Wednesday, but the severity of his injury is unknown as of yet.
DECEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Creates two chances in loss Alba took a shot and created two chances in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Real Betis. He also made two clearances and won one of two tackles in the match.
Impact Alba was solid going forward from left back on Saturday, but his team lost its first game under new manager Xavi against Betis. On Wednesday is a key Champions League clash against Bayern, where Barcelona will want to win in order to ensure advancement to the knockout rounds.
DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Stays in starting XI Alba (quad) is in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Betis.
Impact Alba picked up a calf issue last match, but it looks like it was a minor one and he's again in the starting XI Saturday. He's been fairly fit this season, starting every match since early October, and he'll hope to keep that streak until the winter break.
DECEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Suffers minor quad injury Alba's injury is expected to be a short term one, and he should be available for next weekend's clash against Real Betis, according to Javi Miguel of Diario AS.
Impact Alba was subbed out of Saturday's victory against Villarreal in the 71st minute with a quad injury, but he is expected to make a full recovery in the next 48 hours.
NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Comes off injured Alba was brought off with a knock 71 minutes into Saturday's 3-1 win over Villarreal.
Impact Alba was in discomfort when coming off the pitch at 71 minutes, though it wasn't clear what was causing the pain. The full-back is one to watch in training ahead of a clash with Betis next time out.
NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Keeps clean sheet in draw Alba kept a clean sheet and put one shot on target during Tuesday's scoreless draw with Benfica.
Impact Alba has recorded 10 crosses and two clean sheets over his last two starts and is tied for fifth in total crosses in the UCL following Tuesday's game. He'll next face Villarreal, which have conceded the sixth-fewest crosses to defenders in La Liga.
NOVEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Six crosses in win Alba sent in six crosses (none accurate) during Saturday's 1-0 win over Espanyol.
Impact Alba was forward constantly from left-back, but in the end failed to get anything dangerous going. The left-back has plenty of fantasy upside with his aggressive style, but his lack of finishing touch has left him as a mediocre option. He will likely be in the starting XI on Tuesday, against Benfica.
NOVEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Xavi coaches 1st Barcelona game in derby against Espanyol
Xavi Hernández will coach his first match for Barcelona in a derby against an Espanyol team that will arrive at Camp Nou in its best form in yearsNOVEMBER 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Spain facing injury battle ahead of decisive qualifiers
Spain enters its decisive World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Sweden without some key players because of injuriesNOVEMBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Xavi passed up Brazil chance in order to return to Barcelona
Thousands of fans were at the Camp Nou for the official presentation of Xavi Hernández as Barcelona coachNOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Barcelona squanders lead in 3-3 draw before Xavi takes over
Barcelona has squandered a three-goal lead in a 3-3 draw at Celta Vigo in its last game under a caretaker coach before Xavi Hernández takes overNOVEMBER 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pair of assists in draw Alba provided two assists on two chances created during Saturday's 3-3 draw with Celta Vigo.
Impact Alba put together a vintage performance, bombing down the left side of the attack and sending in four crosses in the draw. The defender looked excellent and well-earned both of his assists. He will be a top attacking full back after the international break.
NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Ansu Fati returns for Spain's decisive World Cup qualifiers
Spain coach Luis Enrique has called up Barcelona teenager Ansu Fati for the national team’s decisive World Cup qualifiers against Greece and SwedenNOVEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Xavi Hernández to return to Barcelona as its new coach
Barcelona has announced that former midfielder Xavi Hernández will become its next coachNOVEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Provides five crosses in win Alba created one chance from five crosses (two accurate) in addition to keeping a clean sheet during Tuesday's 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev.
Impact Alba has amassed two assists from 40 crosses over his last six starts and didn't get nearly as much time on the ball in Tuesday's match as he did over the weekend against Deportivo Alaves (108 passes completed. Up next is a trip to Celta Vigo, which have conceded the third-fewest crosses to defenders in La Liga.
NOVEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Logs assist in draw Alba provided one assist from one chance created on seven crosses (one accurate) during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Deportivo Alaves.
Impact Alba has logged at least seven crosses and as many as 10 in three of his last four starts across all competitions, to go with two assists provided. As he also completed the second-most passes of any player on the pitch, Alba's involvement should bolster his chances to keep up his value. Up next are trips to Dynamo Kyiv in the UCL and to Celta Vigo.
NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Koeman gone, Barcelona names Sergi Barjuan caretaker coach
Barcelona has named reserve team coach Sergi Barjuan its caretaker coach following the firing of Ronald KoemanOCTOBER 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
