FC Barcelona News: 26 May 2019

FC Barcelona 1 – 2 Valencia: The Cup slips away | FC Barcelona
Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo Moreno scored in the first half to lead Valencia CF to a 2-1 victory over FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday night at the Estadio Benito Villamarín in Seville, Spain. Lionel Messi pulled one back for Barça in the second half, and the Catalans made a furious push for a late equalizer, but the Valencia defense held out to deliver their first Copa del Rey title since 2008.

Gerard Pique: Copa del Rey defeat gives bittersweet end to 2018-19 season | Football Espana
”Congratulations to Valencia. It has been a good season, as it always is when you win the league. But we end the campaign with a bittersweet taste as things could have gone much better.”

Ivan Rakitic’s ugly gesture after being subbed in Copa final | Sport
On top of the bad image the team offered in their 2-1 defeat by Valencia in the Copa del Rey final, Ivan Rakitic offered one of his own when he was taken off for Carles Alena. The Croatian was very angry and kicked over a pack of water bottles he found on his way to the bench.

Barca’s Valverde unfazed by Copa loss: ‘I feel fine’ | ESPN
“I feel fine,” Valverde said in a news conference. “When you win, obviously you feel much better, much happier -- but this is a different feeling to [Liverpool], even though we’ve lost again.

Josep Bartomeu: Valverde’s not to blame, players will leave | Sport
We’ve been thinking about next season for a while now, but it’s not the moment to explain what will happen. I have to thank the fans that have come down to Sevilla today. The season ends with the La Liga title. It wasn’t to be in the Copa del Rey and we keep moving forward. There are always new signings, but now is not the moment to talk about it.

From a possible treble to the end of a cycle for Valverde? | Marca
Barcelona were very much fancied to win the treble this campaign but the demise at Liverpool in the Champions League followed by their Copa del Rey capitulation against Valencia raise concern as to whether the team has reached the end of a cycle.

Barca fans arrested in clashes with Seville police | ESPN
Twenty-three football fans were arrested in Seville on Friday following disturbances which left five police officers injured ahead of Saturday’s Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Valencia, Spanish police have confirmed. The majority of those detained were members of the Boixos Nois, a group of Ultras associated with Barca. The supporters clashed with police in the Nervion area of the city, where Sevilla play their home games.

Barcelona legend Rivaldo advises Rakitic to snub Man Utd move as he once did | Goal
Ivan Rakitic has been urged by Barcelona legend Rivaldo to snub any interest from Manchester United, as he once did when at the peak of his playing career. Ahead of the summer transfer window, the Croatia international is once again generating exit talk.

Sources: Utd see Barca winning De Ligt chase | ESPN
Manchester United expect top summer target Matthijs de Ligt to resist their advances and complete a move to Barcelona, with Old Trafford sources having told ESPN FC they believe the Spanish champions struck an agreement with the Ajax captain two months ago.