Latest news with #CampNou
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Andreas Christensen picks his ultimate Barcelona XI full of icons and heroes
Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen recently took some time to reflect on the rich history of the club by revealing his all-time favourite Barça starting XI. Speaking to the club's official media, the Danish centre-back picked a star-studded line-up filled with iconic players who have left a lasting impact on the Camp Nou. Advertisement His choices were a mix of footballing royalty, personal favourites, and teammates he's had the honour of sharing the pitch with. From rock-solid defenders to creative midfielders and game-changing forwards, Christensen's XI is a tribute to the club's greatest talents. Solid at the back, magic in the midfield In goal, Christensen had no doubts, as Victor Valdes was his pick. The Dane praised the legendary goalkeeper as a key figure in one of the greatest club teams ever. 'He was part of one of the best teams that has ever existed,' he said. His backline included Dani Alves, Carles Puyol, Ronald Koeman and Jordi Alba. Each player, in Christensen's eyes, brought something unique to the team. 'Puyol's passion for football was incredibly important for the team,' he added. On Alba, whom he played alongside at Barça, he remarked, 'I saw how incredibly good he is, his assists and how he always pushed forward.' In midfield, Christensen selected Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and Michael Laudrup. He spoke highly of Busquets' composure under pressure: Advertisement 'It was an honour to play with him. I don't know how, but he always turned in the right direction, never feeling the pressure.' Iniesta, his personal favourite, and Laudrup, his fellow Dane, completed a midfield full of elegance and intelligence. A front three that needs no introduction Up front, Christensen went with the legendary trio of Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, and Ronaldinho. The defender did not feel the need to explain this choice, simply stating that their inclusion 'needs no explanation.' All three changed the way football is played and helped shape the identity of FC Barcelona.
Free Malaysia Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Villarreal beat Barca to secure Champions League place
Barcelona's Pedri (centre) dribbles past Villarreal players' challenge at Lluis Companys Olympic stadium. (AP pic) BARCELONA : Villarreal qualified for next season's Champions League with an entertaining 3-2 win at newly-crowned La Liga champions Barcelona on Sunday. Elsewhere Kylian Mbappe struck as Real Madrid won 2-0 at nine-man Sevilla, while Leganes gave themselves a chance of survival with a win at Las Palmas. Barcelona stars celebrated their 28th league title on an open-top bus on Friday but Hansi Flick warned that 'those who party, can work' and selected a strong side. However the visitors took the lead through in-form striker Ayoze Perez, who slotted past Marc-Andre ter Stegen after Nicolas Pepe set him up. Lamine Yamal, who scored a vital goal as Barca clinched the league on Thursday at Espanyol, scored another stunner to level. The 17-year-old breezed past two defenders and arrowed a shot into the far bottom corner. Yamal hit the bar before Fermin Lopez sent Barca ahead, walloping home from the edge of the box. Santi Comesana lofted over Ter Stegen to equalise for the visitors, who nosed in front through Tajon Buchanan in the 80th minute. Barca fell to their first home defeat of 2025 and also their first league reverse this year, but chants of 'champions' rang around the Olympic stadium, on potentially the team's last game there before a return to the renovated Camp Nou next season. The domestic treble winners were presented with the league trophy at the end of the game. Villarreal booked their return to Europe's top competition as they opened up a big gap on Real Betis, sixth, as they were thrashed 4-1 at Atletico Madrid. Julian Alvarez scored two and created another as Diego Simeone's side, third, ran out comfortable winners. French superstar Mbappe netted his 29th league goal of the season to help Real Madrid to a narrow win over nine-man Sevilla in coach Carlo Ancelotti's penultimate match at the helm. Loic Bade's 12th minute red card for a professional foul on Mbappe set back the hosts, and then Isaac Romero was dismissed at the start of the second half for a high tackle on Aurelien Tchouameni. Eventually the division's top scorer Mbappe drilled home Madrid's opener from range and Jude Bellingham nabbed a second from close range late on. At the bottom of the table Leganes took their fight for survival to the last day of the season with a 1-0 win at downed Las Palmas, thanks to Dani Raba's early strike. The Madrid minnows, 18th, are two points from safety and face relegated Real Valladolid in their last game. Espanyol's 2-0 defeat by Osasuna leaves them in danger of the drop and the Catalan side, 17th, welcome Las Palmas next weekend knowing a win would keep them up. Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss. Book your seat now at before they're gone!
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Barcelona set August target for matchday return to Camp Nou stadium
BARCELONA: Barcelona aim to return belatedly to their Camp Nou stadium after two years of reconstruction work for a preseason friendly on Aug. 10. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Club president Joan Laporta set the date for the traditional season-opening Joan Gamper Trophy game when he spoke in a television interview late Monday. Barcelona have played in the city's Olympic Stadium for two years — and won La Liga this season — during the massive overhaul to create a 105,000-capacity home that would be the biggest soccer stadium in Europe. I can not wait to return to the modern Camp Nou — Barça Spaces (@BarcaSpaces) May 19, 2025 The original target was a November 2024 return to a partially finished venue, then Barcelona said in February they hoped to play games in Camp Nou before the end of this season with 60,000 spectators. The February update also detailed plans to complete the project by adding a roof at the end of the 2025-26 season. The Camp Nou is a potential candidate to stage the 2030 World Cup final which Spain will co-host with Portugal and Morocco. The more likely options are Real Madrid's renovated Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and a 115,000-seat venue planned in Casablanca, Morocco.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona sets August target for matchday return to Camp Nou stadium
Barcelona's Raphinha lifts the trophy during celebration of winning the La Liga after the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Villarreal at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona aims to return belatedly to its Camp Nou stadium after two years of reconstruction work for a preseason friendly on Aug. 10. Club president Joan Laporta set the date for the traditional season-opening Joan Gamper Trophy game when he spoke in a television interview late Monday. Advertisement Barcelona has played in the city's Olympic Stadium for two years — and won La Liga this season — during the massive overhaul to create a 105,000-capacity home that would be the biggest soccer stadium in Europe. The original target was a November 2024 return to a partially finished venue, then Barcelona said in February it hoped to play games in Camp Nou before the end of this season with 60,000 spectators. The February update also detailed plans to complete the project by adding a roof at the end of the 2025-26 season. The Camp Nou is a potential candidate to stage the 2030 World Cup final which Spain will co-host with Portugal and Morocco. The more likely options are Real Madrid's renovated Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and a 115,000-seat venue planned in Casablanca, Morocco. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Barcelona sets August target for matchday return to Camp Nou stadium
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona aims to return belatedly to its Camp Nou stadium after two years of reconstruction work for a preseason friendly on Aug. 10. Club president Joan Laporta set the date for the traditional season-opening Joan Gamper Trophy game when he spoke in a television interview late Monday. Barcelona has played in the city's Olympic Stadium for two years — and won La Liga this season — during the massive overhaul to create a 105,000-capacity home that would be the biggest soccer stadium in Europe. The original target was a November 2024 return to a partially finished venue, then Barcelona said in February it hoped to play games in Camp Nou before the end of this season with 60,000 spectators. The February update also detailed plans to complete the project by adding a roof at the end of the 2025-26 season. The Camp Nou is a potential candidate to stage the 2030 World Cup final which Spain will co-host with Portugal and Morocco. The more likely options are Real Madrid's renovated Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and a 115,000-seat venue planned in Casablanca, Morocco. ___ AP soccer:
