FC Barcelona News: 17 April 2018

Match Preview: Celta Vigo vs FC Barcelona | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona heads to Galicia for a midweek encounter with middle-of-the-table Celta Vigo and a chance to extend the its brand new, all-time La Liga record undefeated streak to 40 games. More importantly, however, with six games to play and an 11-point lead over second-place Atlético Madrid, a victory in Vigo will bring Barça to within two games of clinching the league title.

Squad announcement for trip to Vigo | FC Barcelona
The blaugranas need seven points to secure the league title and a victory in Balaídos will bring it closer. The match is the start of a important week with the Copa del Rey final against Sevilla at the Wanda Metropolitano at 9.30pm CET on Saturday. For the game against Celta, Ernesto Valverde won’t be able to call on the injured Piqué, Sergio and Iniesta.

Ernesto Valverde: Changes planned for Celta | FC Barcelona
The blaugrana coach described the Galicians as “important opponents” who “usually play well against the top sides.” The boss also revealed that he would be making changes in the team given that “we have a week of intense and we have to manage the players.”

Barcelona would get more credit for topping La Liga in closer race - Valverde | ESPN
Ernesto Valverde says Barcelona’s success in La Liga would be given more credit if there wasn’t such a big gap between his side and the chasing pack. Barca remain unbeaten in the league this season and sit 11 points clear of Atletico Madrid going into Tuesday’s game at Celta Vigo. They need just seven points from their final six fixtures to secure their seventh title in 10 years.

When and where to watch Celta - FC Barcelona | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona visit Balaídos to play Celta on Tuesday, April 17 (9.00pm CEST), in a match that can potentially bring them to within four points of the league title and continue their streak of unbeaten games in the domestic competition.

Valverde and Unzué, from team mates to rivals 30 years later | FC Barcelona
Valverde and Unzué both arrived at FC Barcelona during the same season, 1988. The signings were made when Johan Cruyff was on the bench, and the attacker and goalkeeper played two campaigns together; 1988/89 and 1989/90. After winning a European Cup Winners Cup and a Copa del Rey, Valverde and Unzué were separated.

Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele vows to stay and prove himself at Camp Nou | ESPN
Since returning to fitness, the France international has struggled to establish himself in Ernesto Valverde’s starting XI. Just seven of his 12 La Liga appearances this season have been starts, while the 20-year-old has started on the bench for three of his team’s last four competitive outings, including both legs of the Champions League quarterfinal exit at the hands of Roma.

Argentina ‘can relax’ on Lionel Messi’s fitness worries - Barcelona coach | ESPN
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has told Argentina the country does not need to worry about Lionel Messi’s fitness going into the World Cup this summer. Messi, 30, missed Argentina’s friendlies against Italy and Spain in March with a hamstring injury but has featured in all five of Barca’s games since he returned from international duty, starting four of them.

SD Huesca v FC Barcelona B: Fighting until the end (2-1) | FC Barcelona
The second half saw all the goals of the game. It started with a penalty that Carles Aleñá coolly dispatched, for his tenth of the season, to give the blaugranes the lead in the 57th minute. However, three minutes later Huesca managed to level the scores through Melero. They soon completed the turnaround with the second from Ávila (2-1).