-
)
Serie A
03 Feb 21:45
)
Bologna
)
ACMilan
0 3 -
)
Bundesl
06 Feb 21:30
)
UnionBerli
)
EintrachtF
- - -
Serie A
06 Feb 21:45
)
HellasVero
)
Pisa
- - -
)
Ligue 1
06 Feb 21:45
)
Metz
)
Lille
- - -
)
Premier
06 Feb 22:00
)
LeedsUnite
)
Nottingham
- - -
)
LaLiga
06 Feb 22:00
)
CeltaVigo
)
Osasuna
- - -
Premier
07 Feb 14:30
)
Manchester
)
TottenhamH
- - -
LaLiga
07 Feb 15:00
)
RayoVallec
)
RealOviedo
- - -
Bundesl
07 Feb 16:30
)
Freiburg
)
WerderBrem
- - -
Bundesl
07 Feb 16:30
)
FCHeidenhe
)
HamburgerS
- - -
Bundesl
07 Feb 16:30
)
Mainz05
)
Augsburg
- - -
Bundesl
07 Feb 16:30
)
St.Pauli
)
VfBStuttga
- - -
Bundesl
07 Feb 16:30
)
Wolfsburg
)
BorussiaDo
- - -
Premier
07 Feb 17:00
)
Burnley
)
WestHamUni
- - -
Premier
07 Feb 17:00
)
Arsenal
)
Sunderland
- - -
Premier
07 Feb 17:00
)
AFCBournem
)
AstonVilla
- - -
Premier
07 Feb 17:00
)
Fulham
)
Everton
- - -
Premier
07 Feb 17:00
)
Wolverhamp
)
Chelsea
- - -
LaLiga
07 Feb 17:15
)
Barcelona
)
Mallorca
- - -
Ligue 1
07 Feb 18:00
)
Lens
)
Rennes
- -
BARCELONA BOSS FLICK PLANS BOLD NEW POSITION FOR RASHFORD
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick plans a major tactical shift, with reports indicating Marcus Rashford will be trialled as the new central striker following recent poor results against Sevilla and PSG.
According to reports, Marcus Rashford will play a significant new role at Barcelona as Hansi Flick looks to implement a tactical shift following losses to Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain. From Premier League exile to Barcelona's next big hope, the English forward was once written off and loaned out of Manchester United. His career appeared to be in ruins after Ruben Amorim dumped him and sent him fleeing to Aston Villa in January. But after a few months, everything has changed due to a new supervisor and a renewed feeling of purpose.
Flick's strategy for Rashford following the two catastrophes
Mundo Deportivo claims that the German coach has been analysing every aspect of his team's performance over the international break because he is incensed about their lack of pushing and intensity. The strength and accuracy of the French champions intimidated Barca against PSG. In contrast, they were just outworked by Sevilla. Reimagining Rashford as Barcelona's centre-forward is his audacious solution.
Rashford leads the assault in Flick's plan, with Raphinha to the left, Lamine Yamal to the right, and Fermín Lopez to the rear. However, all three of them have been recovering from injuries, and when the new method is implemented will depend on how well they are. The manager is already considering Barcelona's upcoming games as a trial run. First up might be Girona at Montjuic on October 18, followed by a pivotal Champions League matchup with Olympiacos on the 21st. The main test, El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, will take place a week later, if everything goes according to plan.
Rashford's opportunity to contribute as a No. 9
It has long been Flick's intention to deploy Rashford as a No. 9. Rashford seemed like a man reborn during preseason, scoring in a 5-0 friendly thumping of Daegu FC and winning Flick over with his energy and mobility. He took Lewandowski's position in that game and was instructed to lead the line in the second half. Flick has been motivated to try new things again in the midst of the campaign because the forward did not let him down.
Flick stated, "He can play at No. 9 or No. 11." "We had to exercise caution with Ferran, so we made the change. We were interested in how he adjusted to the role.
Rashford has consistently stated that he scores the majority of his goals throughout his career by cutting inside onto his right foot from the left flank. Flick, on the other hand, sees a strong runner who can stretch the backline, press defenders, and finish calmly. The manager thinks that with Rashford up front, Barcelona can regain the fierce intensity that propelled them to a domestic treble the previous season, as their current lack of pushing has cost them dearly.
Deco makes a shocking transfer announcement about a new No. 9.
Additionally, the tactical change is in line with the club's overarching goals. Deco, the director of Sporting, has stated unequivocally that Barcelona would not pursue a well-known striker to take Robert Lewandowski's place. Lewandowski turned 37 this year and still has a contract with the team through 2026. Given the rumours that Barca is linked to Serhou Guirassy and Erling Haaland, Deco's position implies that Flick's new strategy is a long-term development rather than a temporary solution.
He stated, "We should not be fixated on signing a number nine." You might be able to get by without one. Now is not the time to discuss signings. Torres' Ferran can play as a nine. Without a player in the penalty area, PSG won the Champions League. While some players are good, discussing a "9" is a bit of a mistake.
The Polish icon is being gradually removed from a full-time position. This season, he has alternated starts with Torres. Flick is prepared to provide youth and speed to the front line while preserving his experience. Rashford, who mixes Premier League explosiveness with Champions League credentials, is the ideal match in this situation. He might succeed Lewandowski as the long-term heir if the experiment is successful.
JOAN LAPORTA TO CALL BARCELONA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ON FEBRUARY 9TH OFFICIALLY
President Laporta is "excited and energised" for the March elections. See his comments on Real Madrid’s controversial win here.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta didn’t hold back after Real Madrid’s recent win over Rayo Vallecano, taking aim at the refereeing and calling out what he sees as double standards. He’s also moving ahead with plans for Barcelona’s next elections, which he says will be called next week.
Real Madrid edged out Rayo 2-1 with a dramatic 100th-minute penalty from Kylian Mbappe. The match dragged on with nine minutes of added time, something that left Rayo fans fuming. To make matters worse for them, Pathe Ciss and Pep Chavarria both got sent off. Ciss later admitted his red card was fair, but frustration still lingered over how the game played out.
Laporta zeroed in on Real Madrid TV, accusing them of hypocrisy. While Madrid had their own penalty shouts turned down, Rayo’s players complained about how easily Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Brahim Diaz hit the turf. Talking to Diario AS, Laporta didn’t mince words.
“I watched the Real Madrid-Rayo game, and honestly, I have no idea where those nine or ten minutes of extra time came from. Some players are getting really good at diving in the box, pretending to get fouled. That should be a yellow card. Rayo Vallecano got the short end of the stick.”
He pointed out how Real Madrid TV usually goes after referees hard, especially when Madrid thinks they’ve been wronged. But after this match? Silence.
“We’re dealing with a club that has a TV channel always claiming the referees are out to get them. Now, when things go their way, what do they have to say? Nothing? Have they even looked at what happened? They need to get their act together.”
Laporta said he isn’t against mistakes happening—sometimes calls even go in Barcelona’s favour—but he wants to see more balance.
“These things happen, but when it keeps going one way, it’s a problem. Hopefully, it gets fixed, because some situations are just too obvious. I’m saying this constructively. Mistakes can help us, too, sometimes.”
Switching gears, Laporta confirmed Barcelona will hold elections in mid-March, and he’s running again. He’ll dissolve the board next Monday so the election process can begin, with a temporary board stepping in.
“We’ll publish the call for elections on February 9th. As the rules say, some board members will need to resign to run, and we’ll take care of that at our meeting on Monday.”
Laporta sounded upbeat about his chances for another term, even with challengers lining up.
“I’m excited and full of energy. It’ll be a model process, with lots of participation, with every candidate putting their ideas forward. That’s how it should be.”
MARCUS RASHFORD’S SECRET: WHY FLICK VALUES THE MAN UTD LOANEE OVER LA MASIA STARS
Dro Fernandez signs for PSG until 2030! Joan Laporta slams the move as Hansi Flick urges La Masia kids to emulate Marcus Rashford.
_1769468513.webp)
Barcelona president Joan Laporta didn’t hold back—he called Dro Fernandez’s departure “unpleasant”. All this happened just as Hansi Flick pointed to Marcus Rashford’s drive as exactly what Barcelona’s young players should aim for.
Fernandez, just 18, forced his way out with a transfer request and ended up at Paris Saint-Germain. He apparently triggered his own £5.1 million release clause to make it happen this month.
He joined Barcelona at 14 and made his Champions League debut last October, even setting up a goal when Barca thrashed Olympiacos 6-1. Now he’s signed with PSG through 2030.
Flick, clearly frustrated, tried to keep his cool when asked about the situation before the deal was done. “Sometimes you just have to accept it. They're 18, they can make their own choices, and they’ve got people advising them,” he said.
He started to say more, then cut himself off: “Of course, when I see like... no, no, I don’t want to talk anymore; it’s enough.”
Flick had much kinder words for Rashford, who’s on loan from Manchester United and hoping for a permanent move. “Marcus has been fantastic so far. We need to manage things, but Deco, our sporting director, will handle next season,” Flick said. “We’ve got time. Marcus is top level, and I really value his commitment—he wants to be here.”
He didn’t miss the chance to send a message to the club’s young players: “This is what I want to say to La Masia’s kids. We’re Barça, one of the best clubs in the world. We give you the chance to train and grow with the best. If you want to play here, you need to give everything—100%. These colours, you have to live for them. If you’re not all in, I’m not interested.”
Laporta, still clearly annoyed, spoke again after the deal: “We’ll talk when everything’s finalised. It’s been an unpleasant situation,” he told Catalunya Radio. “We’ll resolve it as planned, but honestly, it was a shock. We’d already agreed on a new deal with Dro when he turned 18, then suddenly his agent said he couldn’t go through with it.”
After the move, Fernandez explained his choice: “I’m very happy and proud to join Paris Saint-Germain. This is a huge moment for my family. PSG is a massive club I’ve followed since I was a kid, where legends have made history. I’m excited and ready to give everything for this shirt.”
Read More News