Latest news with #Catalans'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WATCH: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen responds to Barcelona critics with incredible double save for Germany
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has been strongly linked with a move away from Barcelona this summer, with the club set to sign Joan Garcia to be the new first-choice goalkeeper. But the veteran stopper is determined to fight for his place, and on Wednesday, he showed that he is still capable of being the Catalans' number one. Ter Stegen has been at Barcelona for over a decade, and for the vast majority of that period, he has been the club's starter. But that looks set to change with Garcia's impending arrival, which would see him drop to third-choice in the pecking order (also behind Wojciech Szczesny). Image via Getty Images In recent days, Ter Stegen has made it clear that he has no desire to leave Barcelona, and he still sees himself as being more than capable of the starting spot in Hansi Flick's team. And he put those words into action when playing for Germany in their UEFA Nations League semi-final against Portugal. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen makes big saves for Germany Late on in Munich, Ter Stegen produced an excellent double save to deny Portugal attackers Diogo Jota and Francisco Conceicao. There has been a lot of doubts about Ter Stegen's level over the last few years, with many Barcelona supporters urging the club to move on from the 33-year-old. And while it appears that they will get their wish this summer, it is far from guaranteed that Garcia will come in and take the jersey right away – especially if Ter Stegen refuses to leave. But it is clear that Ter Stegen will want to play regular football in order to ensure that he is Germany's starter for next summer's World Cup. And if he cannot get that at Barcelona, he may have to accept defeat and move to another club.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wojciech Szczesny makes decision on Barcelona future
Barcelona have been doing a lot of important business in 2025. Specifically, contract renewals have been worked on, and one more important agreement looks set to be finalised in the coming weeks. In the last couple of weeks, Barcelona finalised a one-year contract renewal for Hansi Flick, and imminently, they will also announce Lamine Yamal's new deal. And on top of this, there are also plans for things to be finalised with the likes of Jules Kounde, and possibly Eric Garcia too. Advertisement And one more arrangement that sporting director Deco will be working on involves goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Barcelona have been keen for the Polish veteran, who signed back in October, to extend his stay, which was confirmed by the man himself earlier this month. And after taking some to decide, he is now said to have decided to remain at the La Liga champions for at least one more season. Wojciech Szczesny decides to commit future to Barcelona Image via NurPhoto As reported by GOAL Polska (via MD), Szczesny has decided to sign a new contract with Barcelona, despite the fact that he could end up with significant less playing time next season due to Marc-Andre Ter Stegen being fully fit – and also the possible arrival of another goalkeeper. Szczesny could remain at Barcelona for another two years According to the report, Szczesny will accept a one-year contract offer that is on the table, with the agreement also including the option to extend his stay by an additional 12 months until the summer of 2027 – at which point, he would be 37. Szczesny had a rocky start to his time as Barcelona's starting goalkeeper back in January, but after a few weeks, he justified Flick's decision to bring him in over Inaki Pena. He played a big part in the Catalans' run to the La Liga and Copa de Rey titles, and he will hope for similar success next season now that he appears to be staying.
France 24
25-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Lewandowski passes century as champions Barca sign off in style at Athletic
The veteran Polish forward, 36, reached 27 league goals for the season, although he finished behind Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe on 31. Barcelona wrapped up a domestic treble with Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cups wins, while fourth-place Athletic also had a fine season and returned to the Champions League for the first time in 11 years. Athletic defender Oscar de Marcos made his 570th and final appearance for the club, behind only Jose Angel Iribar, a goalkeeper who played 614 times in the 1960s and 70s, in the club's history. Even Iribar might not have saved Lewandowski's opener after the striker was fed by Fermin Lopez, brilliantly scooping over current Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon to put Barca ahead and rack up the Catalans' 100th league goal of the season. It also brought up a century of goals for Lewandowski in a Barcelona shirt since joining in 2022 from Bayern Munich, and another was soon to follow. Three minutes later Lewandowski nodded in at the back post after a corner was flicked into his path. "I am very happy, very proud to be part of this team, this club, it's been something amazing," Lewandowski told Barca One. "I try to do my best, not only with goals but my attitude on and off the pitch -- and there are so many young players we have to take care of them. "We did something great (this season) but we know we can still do a lot (more) things." Lewandowski missed two good chances in the second half as Barca tried to stretch their lead and sign off in style. In the Barcelona goal, Inaki Pena showed sharp reactions to tip a ball against the bar as a Pau Cubarsi deflection headed towards his own goal. Barcelona's 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal forced a smart save at his near post from Simon. The Catalans got their third when Dani Olmo won and then converted a penalty in stoppage time. After the game De Marcos gave a speech to fans at the San Mames and was thrown into the air by his team-mates. "I just want to thank everyone who has been there on (my) path," said the 36-year-old defender, who played 16 seasons at the club.
France 24
25-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Lewandowski passes century as champions Barca sign off in style
The veteran Polish forward, 36, reached 27 league goals for the season, although he finished behind Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe on 31. Barcelona wrapped up a domestic treble with Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cups wins, while fourth-place Athletic also had a fine season and returned to the Champions League for the first time in 11 years. Athletic defender Oscar de Marcos made his 570th and final appearance for the club, behind only Jose Angel Iribar, a goalkeeper who played 614 times in the 1960s and 70s, in the club's history. Even Iribar might not have saved Lewandowski's opener after the striker was fed by Fermin Lopez, brilliantly scooping over current Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon to put Barca ahead and rack up the Catalans' 100th league goal of the season. It also brought up a century of goals for Lewandowski in a Barcelona shirt since joining in 2022 from Bayern Munich, and another was soon to follow. Three minutes later Lewandowski nodded in at the back post after a corner was flicked into his path. "I am very happy, very proud to be part of this team, this club, it's been something amazing," Lewandowski told Barca One. "I try to do my best, not only with goals but my attitude on and off the pitch -- and there are so many young players we have to take care of them. "We did something great (this season) but we know we can still do a lot (more) things." Lewandowski missed two good chances in the second half as Barca tried to stretch their lead and sign off in style. In the Barcelona goal, Inaki Pena showed sharp reactions to tip a ball against the bar as a Pau Cubarsi deflection headed towards his own goal. Barcelona's 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal forced a smart save at his near post from Simon. The Catalans got their third when Dani Olmo won and then converted a penalty in stoppage time. After the game De Marcos gave a speech to fans at the San Mames and was thrown into the air by his team-mates. "I just want to thank everyone who has been there on (my) path," said the 36-year-old defender, who played 16 seasons at the club. "Next season I will be in the stands, as just another Athletic fan. "And I am sure that someone who is watching today, will be here on the pitch, representing us as Athletic." Sorloth super-sub Earlier Alexander Sorloth showed once again why he is such a dangerous option off the bench for Atletico Madrid as he came on to score a hat-trick in under half-an-hour in a 4-0 win at Girona. Diego Simeone's side continued their Club World Cup preparations in a dead rubber league match at Montilivi, with Atletico locked into third place and Girona safe from relegation. Introduced in the 62nd minute for Antoine Griezmann, Sorloth broke the deadlock after 68 minutes. Clement Lenglet extended Atletico's lead before Sorloth struck two more late on to reach 20 La Liga goals, 12 of those as a substitute. Sorloth hit four goals earlier this month against Real Sociedad, with the first three of those scored by the 11th minute, making it the earliest hat-trick in La Liga history. "La Liga is over but not the season," said Simeone, looking ahead. "We will rest now and from June 2 get back to training to focus on the Club World Cup." © 2025 AFP
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
How ‘calm' Arsenal dethroned Women's Champions League giants Barca
LISBON – Few gave Arsenal much chance of overthrowing Barcelona in the Women's Champions League final on May 24, but the Gunners insisted it was possible and proved it in Lisbon with a gargantuan performance. Stina Blackstenius' second-half strike on the counter-attack was just reward for Arsenal's superb display at the Jose Avalade stadium as they kept their heads in sweltering heat to win 1-0. Leah Williamson excelled at the back and veteran Kim Little and former Barca midfielder Mariona Caldentey in particular helped shut down the Catalans' star-studded engine room, featuring two-time Ballon d'Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas. 'It was fairly calm (in the dressing room) and that was one of the key things when you get to these big games,' explained Little, who joined the club a year after Arsenal's only previous triumph, in 2007. '(Renee Sleger's team talks were) task-focused, about what we were executing... small details on how we can stop them and some details around set pieces. 'I think that showed in our performance that how we approached the game was very controlled, with little pointers of the belief that we have and the courage we wanted to show.' Slegers was in Arsenal's youth academy as a player in 2007 when they won the competition – back then the Uefa Women's Cup – and said she had spoken to some important figures from that team, including coach Vik Akers and his assistant Emma Hayes, now manager of the United States' women's team. The selfless Dutch coach highlighted the impact of several figures who have been helping the Arsenal women's team to grow over the past 18 years since they last won the trophy. 'I was at the club in 2007 so I have a little bit of an idea of where the club comes from, and I had lunch with Vic Akers this week, and it was fantastic to see him bring the perspective,' she said. 'There's so many people who have been investing for such a long time, I'm just a very small part of it... If you achieve something by yourself that's great, but if you achieve something together that's much greater.' Former Chelsea coach Hayes' side failed to get the better of Barcelona over two semi-final ties in 2023 and 2024, but did win one and draw one of the four matches. They did a good job of shutting down Putellas, Bonmati and Patri Guijarro, and Sleger said that was similarly important in Lisbon. 'They are the conductors, the engine... it's a really big challenge to stop them,' she explained, saying Arsenal's other players chipped in to flood the midfield and help their own central trio. '(I'm) super proud, because you can have all these ideas in your head, show videos, use your tactics board, do it in training, but when the moment is actually there against an opponent that is so good, to then execute in the Champions League final, it says so much about the players.' Slegers was only appointed permanently in January after replacing Jonas Eidevall in October on an interim basis. 'Things weren't going well, but to pick us up as a team and get us to a Champions League final alone, never mind win it, it's pretty incredible,' said Arsenal winger Beth Mead. 'It's exciting, obviously, moving forward to see what we can do next season now with her.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
