FC Barcelona News: 10 April 2019

Dembélé fit to face Man Utd | FC Barcelona
Having overcome the muscle problem in the femoral biceps of his left thigh which occurred against Lyon, Ousmane Dembélé is fit to play against Manchester United and will therefore be available for selection again for Ernesto Valverde.

Semedo is the only Barça player walking the suspension tightrope | Sport
Nelson Semedo has picked up two bookings over the course of the competition and another at the Theatre of Dreams would see him miss the return leg at Camp Nou. His previous bookings came against Tottenham in the group stages and Lyon in the round of 16.

Gerard Piqué: ‘I’m excited to be going back to Old Trafford’ | FC Barcelona
The centre back was a United player between 2004 and 2008, perfectly positioned to give a balanced view of the tie before the press on Tuesday in Manchester. “We are in good form with the league title close and in the final of the Copa del Rey. We are doing well and we are excited, not under pressure. We want to take a good result back to Camp Nou but it’s a ground where the fans get on top of you,” reflected Piqué.

Pique: Players like Luis Suarez are vital, but you’d hate them as an opponent | Marca
Barcelona are looking for a first Champions League title since 2014/15, but Gerard Pique has dismissed the notion the players feel extra pressure to lift the trophy after seeing Real Madrid win it in each of the previous three seasons. The centre-back pointed to the fact that several of the Barcelona players have won the tournament before and insisted that they’re not motivated by what Los Blancos have achieved.

Manchester United can make Barcelona suffer, warns Ernesto Valverde | Football Espana
Ernesto Valverde believes his Barcelona side are “in a good moment” but is wary that Manchester United can make his side “suffer.” United eliminated Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16 and now face a Barcelona side who were defeated by Roma at the same stage of the competition last season.

Solskjaer: ‘The tie will be decided at Camp Nou’ | FC Barcelona
“We know that we have to be at our best,” said Manchester United coach Ole Gunner Solksjaer on Tuesday in his appearance before the press ahead of the first leg of the quarter final tie against FC Barcelona at Old Trafford. “All will be decided at Camp Nou and we have to do our best tomorrow to get a good result ahead of the return leg,” added the Norwegian.

Chris Smalling says ‘bring it on’ to Lionel Messi challenge | Sky Sports
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling says “bring it on” when asked about the prospect of facing Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. United will host Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday with the Catalan giants looking to reach the semi-final stage for the first time since the 2014-15 season, when they went on to win the competition.

Rexach: I would not sign Antoine Griezmann for Barcelona | Sport
Speaking on El Larguero on Cadena SER, he said: “I said that they should not whistle Griezmann but I wouldn’t sign him either. He’s a player who fits Barca’s style but you ask me why, I didn’t like the ‘I’m going, I’m staying’ business and footballing wise, he plays where Messi is.”

Barcelona eye Wolves full-back Ruben Vinagre | Football Espana
Barcelona are extensively scouting Wolves full-back Ruben Vinagre with a view to a summer transfer, according to reports. Portuguese outlet O Jogo claim the Catalan giants have been sending a team of scouts to monitor the 20-year-old’s progress and are monitoring the potential of a deal.Pique: Players like Luis Suarez are vital, but you’d hate them as an opponent