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
JORDI ALBA #18 - DEFENDER - INTER MIAMI CF
5 G •
9 A •
0.5 SPG
5 G
9 A
0.5 SPG
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
Creates two chances Alba created two chances on three crosses (two accurate) during Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Rayo.
Impact Alba actually created the most chances in what was an abysmal game by his standards. The team looked disjointed and the players didn't look anywhere up to their usual level. Alba, and Barcelona as a whole will look to bounce back Saturday, against Alaves.
OCTOBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Busy in El Clasico Alba made four tackles and created two chances during Sunday's 2-1 loss to Real Madrid.
Impact Alba was excellent for the full 90, providing defensive value as well as tacking on some offensive plays. The defender isn't quite the world beater he was in season's past but he still has value, and as Barcelona get's healthier he should gain some offensive production.
OCTOBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Koeman: Barcelona can't be afraid of Madrid in 'clásico'
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman says his team can’t be afraid of Real Madrid in the first “clásico” of the season on SundayOCTOBER 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Piqué scores, keeps Barcelona alive in Champions League
Gerard Piqué’s goal has equaled a Champions League scoring mark for defenders and helped Barcelona defeat Dynamo Kyiv 1-0 to end its losing streak and get back in position to advan...OCTOBER 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gets assist in win Alba provided one assist from three chances created on 10 crosses (five accurate) during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev.
Impact Alba recorded the kind of all-action stat line that's been missing from his game in recent seasons but came to the fore Wednesday night. Given some of the other turmoil that surrounds Alba and his team, he's shown plenty of motivation ahead of a major fixture against Real Madrid on Sunday.
OCTOBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Medically cleared for Atleti Alba (hamstring) is in the preliminary squad for Saturday's clash with Atletico Madrid.
Impact Alba will travel to Madrid and has been given the medical green light to play the match. In such a big game it's unlikely that Alba starts, though he could come off the bench, in his place Sergino Dest is likely to get the start.
OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Spain calls up Barcelona teenager Gavi for Italy semifinal
Luis Enrique has called up 17-year-old midfielder Gavi Páez for Spain’s semifinal against Italy next weekSEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Barcelona loses again in CL with 3-0 defeat to Benfica
Benfica has routed struggling Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League to end a 60-year winless streak against the Catalan clubSEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Not traveling to Benfica Alba (hamstring) is in not in the traveling squad for Wednesday's match against Benfica.
Impact Alba will remain out with his hamstring injury, which isn't overly surprising. The left-back has been out for roughly two weeks and if it's indeed a minor issue, he could be an option Saturday at Atletico. Barca will once again likely turn to Sergino Dest at left-back Wednesday.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Back in training ahead of UCL Alba (hamstring) returned to training ahead of Wednesday's trip to Benfica, reports Reshad Rahman of SB Nation.
Impact Alba has missed the last three matches with this injury and while in training, it's hard to see him starting Wednesday. Hamstring injuries aren't easy to return from and it's more likely Barca will take their time with his return to the pitch.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Koeman under direct attack for no 'tiki taka' at Barcelona
There were no signs of Barcelona’s famous “tiki-taka” style of ball possession in the team’s 1-1 draw against Granada in the Spanish league on MondaySEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Barcelona held by winless Granada at Camp Nou in Liga
Barcelona needed a 90th-minute equalizer by defender Ronald Araújo to salvage a 1-1 home draw against Granada in the Spanish leagueSEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MATCHDAY: Barcelona tries to rebound from big loss to Bayern
Barcelona hosts winless Granada in the Spanish league and hopes to rebound from the demoralizing 3-0 home loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions LeagueSEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Grim future: Loss to Bayern exposes Barcelona's new reality
Barcelona needs to brace for some tough times ahead while adjusting to the post-Lionel Messi eraSEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Picks up hamstring problem in loss Alba suffered a hamstring injury during Tuesday's 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich, his club announced Wednesday.
Impact Alba had been injured in the lead up to this game and probably shouldn't have played after missing Monday's training with stomach problems. With a disastrous match now behind Alba and his teammates, he'll hope his absence sticks to the two-week range for a minor issue but is initially expected to miss a month by some speculators. In his absence, there aren't any established options who can back Alba up at left-back, so this may dump a lot of responsibility onto Alex Balde over the coming weeks with five games to play before the October international break.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
