FC Barcelona News: 27 January 2019

PREVIEW: Girona – FC Barcelona | FC Barcelona
Barça will be looking to avenge the 2-2 draw between the teams at the Camp Nou earlier this season, to maintain a healthy lead over the chasing pack. They meet a Girona side who currently find themselves in 12th place and on a run of nine games without a win in all competitions.

Barça’s squad for Girona trip | FC Barcelona
La Liga is back, and Barça head north to Girona for a Week 21 Catalan derby at the Estadi de Montilivi. Here’s the full list: Ter Stegen, N. Semedo, Piqué, I. Rakitic, Sergio, Denis Suárez, Coutinho, Arthur, Suárez, Messi, Cillessen, Malcom, Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Prince, S. Roberto, Aleñá, Vidal, Vermaelen.

Messi absence from Barcelona vs. Sevilla for good of the team - Valverde | ESPN
Ernesto Valverde has said he rested Lionel Messi for the good of the team after restoring the forward to Barcelona’s squad for Sunday’s Catalan derby against Girona. Messi, 31, didn’t even travel to Sevilla in midweek as Barca were beaten 2-0 at the Sanchez Pizjuan in their Copa del Rey quarterfinal first leg.

In the car with Kevin-Prince Boateng | FC Barcelona
“My best goal, I think it was against Barça. It was very important, because it was in the Champions League and everybody saw it,” admitted Kevin-Prince Boateng. The striker, who debuted on Wednesday as a starter against Sevilla, in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Cup (2-0), is immersed in a Blaugrana dream.

Barcelona’s Jordi Alba ‘confident’ of contract renewal | Football Espana
Barcelona defender Jordi Alba remains confident of agreeing a new contract with the club, with his current deal expiring in June 2020. Alba has won nine major honours since signing rejoining the club, from Valencia in 2012, and he has been a key player under each manager since then.

Barcelona optimistic of completing Jean-Clair Todibo deal this month | Sport
Barcelona are moderately optimistic of movement before the end of the month. Negotiations with Toulouse continue to look for a way to strike a deal which would satisfy all parties. It’s hard to believe the Ligue 1 side would let pass the opportunity to bring in some cash for the sake of pride.

Barcelona keen on De Ligt move | Football Espana
Barcelona are looking at bringing in Dutch defender Matthijs De Ligt from Ajax, just days after signing team mate Frenkie De Jong. The 19 year-old central defender has earned rave reviews following his debut in 2016, becoming a mainstay of their defence in the last two seasons in the Eredivise.

Barça B 5-1 CE Sabadell: Raining goals at the Miniestadi | FC Barcelona
The match began with intensity from both teams, and after only four minutes, Arturo put the visitors into the lead (0-1). Despite the early goal, García Pimienta’s players didn’t allow their heads to drop, and the magical Riqui Puig was instrumental in the equaliser, lofting a spectacular pass to Carles Pérez who controlled the ball before firing home (1-1, min 10).