Latest news with #InigoMartinez
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Official: Barcelona squad list to face Villarreal
Barcelona have officially released their squad list for the final home fixture of the 2024/25 La Liga season against Villarreal. This match will not only mark the closing chapter of another successful league campaign under Hansi Flick but will also be an emotional farewell to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, which has served as Barça's temporary home for the past two seasons. Advertisement As the club looks forward to moving back into the Spotify Camp Nou next season, at least partially, depending on the progress of ongoing renovations, there is a sentimental weight attached to this encounter at Montjuic. The stadium has grown into a fitting, if temporary, fortress for the Catalans. Flick's side have played 18 home games this La Liga season, winning 14, drawing once, and losing just three times. Beyond the results, the club has also reconnected with its supporters during their stay at Montjuic. The rise in average match attendance this season reflects a renewed enthusiasm and emotional bond between the fans and the team. Advertisement Meanwhile, Manager Hansi Flick is expected to rotate his squad for this fixture, with the La Liga title already secured. The most notable return is that of Inigo Martinez, who is back in the squad after serving a suspension in the derby against Espanyol. His presence in the starting XI seems likely given Ronald Araujo's ongoing absence due to injury. Also included is young defender Sergi Dominguez, and fans could catch a glimpse of the academy product in action if Flick follows through with his plan to rotate and give opportunities to emerging talent. These changes, combined with the backdrop of a celebratory home send-off, suggest that this match will be as much about emotion and appreciation as it is about the football itself.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Barcelona star suffers heavy FALL on party bus roof during LaLiga title celebrations - and takes a Man City target down with him!
A Barcelona star took a tumble on the roof of the club's party bus during their LaLiga title trophy parade on Friday night. Inigo Martinez slipped from a ledge and managed to drag Manchester City target Dani Olmo with him. Barca celebrated reclaiming the title from Real Madrid in front of 670,000 fans during their festivities in the city streets on Friday. It is not yet clear if the pair were hurt but fortunately they fell back into the interior of the bus as opposed to off the edge. Martinez, 34, has since posted a joyful recount of the day on Instagram in a series of photos and videos, with no mention of his accident. The defender was shirtless and had been waving his scarf around like a showman moments before he lost his footing as he tried to descend from the platform. Cae la noche en la Ciudad Condal y siiiiigue la fiesta barcelonista — MARCA (@marca) May 16, 2025 Inigo Martinez lost his feeling as the bus took off and he slipped off a ledge into the interior Barca confirmed their league title, and indeed a domestic treble, at the home of their city rivals Espanyol on Thursday with a 2-0 win. Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez were on the scoresheet at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat as they reached an unassailable lead over Madrid. Oddly, La Blaugrana have actually had the title confirmed at Espanyol's ground more times this century than they have had at their own. It capped off a stellar first season in the dugout for Hansi Flick, who has also brought home the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup. His men were knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals in that breathless 7-6 tie by Inter Milan, but they'll have plenty of confidence for the future. Flick once won six trophies in a nine-month period at Bayern Munich, including the Champions League. In fact, he only managed 86 games with the German giants but still lifted seven trophies, so if there's one thing he's used to, it's winning. Barcelona are good value for their success this campaign, having scored 97 in the league and 167 in 58 games in all competitions. This season has been marked by the true breakout of Lamine Yamal, who became a regular last season but has excelled this time around. The 17-year-old has bagged 17 goals and assisted 21 in all competitions to put himself in contention for the Ballon d'Or. His performance in the first leg against Inter Milan, in which he scored once but could have had a few, will go down as one of the most memorable in recent years for his fearlessness and skill. Robert Lewandowski has continued to be prolific with 40 goals at the age of 36. Former Leeds star Raphinha, meanwhile, has also been instrumental, with 34 goals and 22 assists. Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who came out of retirement as cover for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, has played a big part.
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘We're doing well': Hansi Flick says Barcelona are focussed on El Clasico against Real Madrid after UCL defeat to Inter Milan
Manager Hansi Flick on Saturday said that Barcelona are ready to move on from their Champions League semifinal defeat against Inter Milan and concentrate on their upcoming clash against La liga title rivals Real Madrid. Barcelona will be keen for a win here as a victory against Real and then another win next week will ensure that they win the La Liga title for the 28th time. 'We're doing well. After the defeat in Milan, everyone knows it's not easy… but we're doing things right. We've talked about what we want to do in these two weeks. There are four more games to go. El Clasico is important, we have to show how well we can play. We have to show confidence. The players are doing very well… We've been talking about what they are thinking, what they are feeling' Flick said. 'We had to talk about it as a group. Everyone knows that in a Clasico you have to give 100%. You have to be active, intense, dominant. Real Madrid is a very good team, and we need the fans,' he added. Flick also addressed the criticism his side often face due to the use of a high line while defending. 'When we started, I was clear about the philosophy… There have been games, especially at the beginning, where we saw doubts, but the team has adapted well. They have also been improving and are happy with the style and how we want to play. When you see the quality of the players you are happy.' The German also praised defender Inigo Martinez while also adding that striker Robert Lewandowski, returning from a hamstring injury, and full back Alejandro Balde would not start against Real. 'He likes to play deeper, and it's unbelievable to see how he's adapted. He's a leader and focuses on winning every game. He works hard in every training session. He shares his positive feelings with his teammates and he is a fighter. A great leader,' he said about Inigo Martinez. 'Gerard Martin and the rest of the players are doing very well. After this match, we have three more games left. Maybe they (Lewandowski and Balde) will get minutes in the second half, I think Balde is ready for that,' he added.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Video Emerges Showing Barcelona Defender Spat At Inter Milan Star Acerbi During Champions League Clash
New Video Emerges Showing Barcelona Defender Spat At Inter Milan Star Acerbi During Champions League Clash New video has emerged showing that Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez spat at his Inter Milan opposite number Francesco Acerbi. This according to Italian outlet FCInter1908. They highlight that the Spaniard should have received a straight red card had the incident been spotted by referees. Advertisement Tuesday's Champions League semifinal second leg between Inter Milan and Barcelona was a match that boiled over at times. Tempers flared from both sets of players. And there was one incident in particular which looked to have crossed the line. New Video Shows Barcelona Defender Martinez Spat At Inter Milan's Acerbi MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by) In one confrontation, Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez looked to have spat at Inter's Francesco Acerbi. The two veteran defenders are both no strangers to the dark arts. And it had appeared that Martinez had finally had enough of Acerbi, and spat at the 37-year-old. After the match, the former Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad defender did admit that he had spit. However, Martinez had claimed that he did not intend to spit at Acerbi. However, according to FCIN1908, video in fact shows that there was clearly a deliberate action by the 33-year-old.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona's Inigo Martinez denies spitting at Inter rival during Champions League semi-final
Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has denied spitting at Inter Milan rival Francesco Acerbi during the gripping Champions League semi-final second leg. Following the Italian side's second goal on Tuesday night at the San Siro, the pair clashed leading to the Barcelona star's angry reaction. Advertisement Inter, who would eventually win the epic contest 4-3 after extra time to advance 7-6 on aggregate to the Munich final, moved 2-0 up thanks to Hakan Calhanoglu's penalty. Acerbi could be seen running past Martinez in celebration before shouting in his direction. And after speculation over Martinez's reaction, the defender has moved to clarify the situation from his perspective. "He celebrated in my ear after the goal," Martínez told reporters. 'My reaction to that was unnecessary but at no moment have I aimed for him. "The spit was a metre away from him. If that was not the case, I would have been sent off, absolutely no doubt about that." Advertisement Acerbi was left furious after the incident with Inter colleagues forced to intervene and prevent him from reaching Martinez as he waved his finger in his direction. Inter's Acerbi reacts after an alleged spit from Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez (Getty Images) At the same time, the TV broadcast indicated the VAR was checking for a potential red card, but it was quickly cleared, meaning referee Szymon Marciniak was not sent for an on-field review. Barcelona's players were frustrated at the decision to award Inter a penalty following an intervention from VAR, with Pau Cubarsi ruled to have fouled Lautaro Martinez with a sliding challenge in the box. Marciniak had waved play on after seeing the initial challenge on the pitch. Inigo Martinez reacted angrily after the defeat to Inter (Getty Images) Martinez could well face disciplinary action if he is ruled to have spat towards an opponent. Advertisement Wayne Rooney said on Prime Video: "You certainly don't want to see that in a football game or anywhere. If he has spat, then he'll get a punishment that he'll deserve.' While Daniel Sturridge added: "Absolutely right. If he's done that, then it's not good - it's not necessary, it's not needed. We'll let the people do their job and see if he's actually done it.'
