Browsing: Barcelona

Referee, Jesus Gil Manzano, shows a red card to Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Girona FC (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Substitute Ronald Araújo snatched Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Girona in stoppage time in La Liga on Saturday and ended a mini losing streak before the clasico at Real Madrid next week.The central defender made the move of a striker when he slid in front of his marker as they raced to the near post and skilfully redirected a low pass from Frenkie de Jong and ignited the home crowd.Araújo’s last-gasp goal came moments after Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was sent off with two quick yellow cards apparently for complaining that the referee had not added more than four minutes of injury time.The sending off means Flick won’t be on the sideline for the first clasico of the season.Before the international break, Barcelona lost to Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the Champions League and was stunned at Sevilla 4-1 in La Liga.Pedri González gave Barcelona the lead with an exquisite goal in the 13th, sliding an angled ball back across the area and inside the near post without looking at the target.But Barcelona’s control collapsed after Axel Witsel equalized seven minutes later with an acrobatic bicycle kick to whip a loose high ball off the turf and past Wojciech Szczesny.Only Szczesny’s saves and some poor marksmanship by Girona kept the visitors from taking the lead before halftime after it was able to mount repeated counterattacks after Barcelona lost possession.Girona then needed goalie Paulo Gazzaniga to turn back shots by Fermín López and Marcus Rashord before Araújo´s clinched the result.With Barcelona missing strikers Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres and playmaker Dani Olmo to injury, Flick gave a La Liga debut to 17-year-old forward Toni Fernández. He was substituted for Fermín at halftime.Barcelona moved into the league lead with a one-point advantage over Madrid before it plays Getafe on Sunday.

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• Sam Marsden

• Moises Llorens

Oct 18, 2025, 01:30 PM ET

Barcelona players began Saturday’s home match against Girona with a 15-second pause after kickoff in protest against LaLiga’s decision to hold their regular-season match against Villarreal in Miami.

Barça were due to play away at Villarreal on Dec. 20, but the league has relocated the fixture to the Hard Rock Stadium on the same date, with tickets due to go on sale next week.

The Spanish Footballers’ Association [AFE] announced Friday that a protest would be carried out by players this weekend aimed at the league’s “lack of transparency, dialogue and coherence” in staging the Miami game.

The AFE didn’t say what the protest would be, but on Friday, in the first LaLiga game of the weekend — Real Oviedo vs. Espanyol — the two teams paused for the first 15 seconds.

The AFE said Barça and Villarreal players would not be forced to join in the protest, given it could put them in an uncomfortable position with their clubs, but confirmed that they were in support of the action.

However, as Girona kicked off and then paused for 15 seconds at the Olympic Stadium, Barça’s players did the same, remaining still until the away team started to play.

A late strike from Ronald Araujo saw Barcelona beat Girona 2-1 as Hansi Flick’s team moved to the top of LaLiga before Real Madrid play on Sunday.

Barcelona and Girona players stood still for the first 15 seconds of their LaLiga match on Saturday. David Ramos/Getty Images

LaLiga has been trying to take a game to the United States since 2017, but now looks to be in a position to finally pull it off after receiving approval from the Spanish Football Federation [RFEF], which already stages the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia, and UEFA.

While Barça and Villarreal as clubs have agreed to participate, other teams in LaLiga are against the plans.

Real Madrid have been the fiercest critics, saying it will “give an undue sporting advantage” to the teams involved and “sets an unacceptable precedent.”

Even Barça midfielder Frenkie de Jong has said he does not support the plans, acknowledging Madrid’s concerns that it helps Barça as they get to play an away game on neutral territory.

– Madrid’s Alonso: Protests over Miami LaLiga game ‘positive’
– LaLiga players pause game to protest Barcelona match in Miami
– Will Real Madrid’s Mbappé, Barcelona’s Yamal be fit for Clásico?

Barça coach Hansi Flick has also said that he is “not happy” about it but that he would respect the decision made by the league and the clubs involved.

Following the on-pitch protests this weekend, it is unclear what steps the AFE could take next.

In theory, the union does not have to support the game for it to go ahead, but AFE president David Aganzo has said he has spoken with political parties about subsequent actions.

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Oct 13, 2025, 04:00 PM ET

Levante’s Karl Etta Eyong has been identified as Robert Lewandowski‘s successor at Barcelona, while Manchester United have joined the clubs wanting to sign Mexico’s rising star Gilberto Mora. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

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Karl Etta Eyong has made a big impact in LaLiga since signing for Levante from Villarreal. Pedro Salado/Getty Images

TRENDING RUMORS

– Robert Lewandowski is increasingly likely to leave Barcelona at the end of this season rather than renewing his contract, Diario Sport reports. This is said to be down to the 37-year-old striker’s age, a decline in form and an inability to press at the same pace as his teammates. The Blaugrana are already looking for replacements with Levante’s Karl Etta Eyong being identified as somebody who can compete with Ferran Torres for a starting berth up front — the 21-year-old Cameroon international has already scored four goals and registered one assist in five LaLiga matches since signing from Villarreal in the summer. Lewandowski could look to move elsewhere or retire, but he doesn’t want to go to Saudi Arabia.

– Real Madrid and Manchester United are among the clubs who want to sign Tijuana midfielder Gilberto Mora, according to Calciomercato. The report adds that Inter Milan and Juventus have included the 16-year-old on their list of possible options after scouting him at the Under-20 World Cup. This attention comes despite the fact that the Mexican won’t be allowed to move to Europe until he turns 18. He has already represented Mexico at senior level, winning the Gold Cup.

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– Liverpool’s Joe Gomez is the priority for AC Milan as they aim to sign an experienced centre-back in January, according to Corriere dello Sport. The 28-year-old wants to get more minutes and Igli Tare and Giorgio Furlani will try to make a move happen, but they will move on if a solution can’t be found. The Rossoneri are also looking to renew forward Christian Pulisic‘s contract as “the eyes of half of Europe could soon turn on him”, while Premier League clubs are enquiring about goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Milan will look to renew the contracts of Fikayo Tomoriand Alexis Saelemaekers.

РReal Madrid and Valencia are showing the greatest interest in signing Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, reports Diario Sport, but Barcelona, Atl̩tico Madrid, Villarreal, Paris FC and Premier League clubs are also keeping track of the 20-year-old. This comes with Mendoza having impressed for Spain in the Under-20 World Cup after making the step up to La Liga having helped his side earn promotion last season.

– Juventus could reignite their interest in Girona right-back Arnau Martínez in January with full-back being seen as an important position to strengthen in, reports Tuttosport, who add that the Bianconeri have also been closely monitoring Genoa’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Monaco’s Jordan Teze. Juventus have also made enquiries about Bayern Munich left-back Raphaël Guerreiro and are considering a move, as the 31-year-old is unlikely to renew his contract with his current deal expiring in the summer.

EXPERT TAKE

OTHER RUMORS

– Inter Milan see Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi as a possible long-term successor to Yann Sommer. (Rudy Galetti)

– Juventus are looking at Matias Siltanen, but DjurgÃ¥rden want €20m for the 18-year-old midfielder with Bayer Leverkusen and Premier League clubs also interested. (Tuttosport)

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– Piotr Zielinski could leave Inter Milan in January, although his salary of €4.5m-per-season could be a stumbling block. (Corriere dello Sport)

– Atlético Madrid are happy with loanee Nico González and plan to make his move from Juventus permanent. They have an option worth €32m plus €1m that becomes an obligation if the winger plays at least 45 minutes in 21 La Liga matches. (Nicolò Schira)

– Negotiations are underway between Juventus and Kenan Yildiz for a contract that could run until 2030. (Calciomercato)

– Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is set to sign a new contract. The Toffees are also looking to extend the deals of James Garner and Vitaliy Mykolenko. (The Times)

– Inter Milan don’t want to let Francesco Esposito leave and are prepared to double the 20-year-old striker’s salary. (LGazzetta dello Sport)

– Bologna are planning to extend 28-year-old winger Riccardo Orsolini‘s contract to 2030. (Corriere dello Sport)

– Crystal Palace chief Steve Parish has admitted that Adam Wharton will want to play Champions League football at some point, whether that is at Selhurst Park or elsewhere. (talkSPORT)

– Inter Milan are closely monitoring Santos teenage forward Robinho Jr., who is the son of former Brazil and AC Milan star Robinho. The Italian club is expected to make an offer in the next transfer window to sign the 17-year-old, whose contract with Santos runs until 2027. (TNT Brasil)

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed the club want to reestablish links with UEFA and rejoin the European Football Clubs (EFC) in a move which will come as a blow to the European Super League project.

Relations between UEFA and Barcelona broke down in 2021 when the Catalan club emerged as one of 12 founder members of the Super League, a rival competition to the UEFA-organised Champions League.

Barça also left the EFC, known as the European Club Association (ECA) until this week, at the same time.

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However, after attending an EFC event in Rome on Wednesday, Laporta said the Spanish champions want to improve relationships with both organisations again.

He stopped short of saying that means Barça will leave the Super League project, which also still includes Real Madrid, but a renewed relationship with UEFA and the EFC would complicate the club’s involvement.

“We are committed to building bridges between the Super League and UEFA,” Laporta said at an event in Barcelona on Thursday.

Joan Laporta (left) is seeking to rebuild ties with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (centre) and PSG president and EFC chair Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

“Barça’s position is clear. Those affected and those concerned are already aware of that. We are in favour of pacification because there is a way forward for the clubs in the Super League to return to UEFA.

“We feel very close to UEFA and the EFC. It is important that we are there and that we implement everything that can be improved, both in UEFA and in the EFC.”

Asked if this week’s developments would eventually end the Super League, a source at Barça insisted the idea is to find a way to move forward which is beneficial for all parties.

The Super League quickly unravelled after its launch four years ago. The six English teams withdrew, followed by Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus, leaving just Madrid, whose president Florentino Pérez fronts the project alongside the company A22, and Barça.

It rebranded itself as the Unify League in 2024 but has received little support following the restructuring of the Champions League last season.

UEFA, whose president Aleksander ÄŒeferin has met with Laporta several times in recent months, is the governing body for European football and, in addition to the Champions League, also administer the Europa League and the Conference League.

The EFC is an organisation that is officially recognised by both UEFA and FIFA as the sole, independent body for football clubs within Europe.

It is chaired by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who met with Laporta this week, and includes around 800 clubs from around the continent.

Barça were among the 16 clubs in the ECA when it was founded in 2008, but left the organisation on the back of the failed Super League launch in 2021.

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Barcelona on Tuesday reported post-tax losses for the second successive year after registering a deficit of €17 million ($19.8m) for the 2024-25 season.

It takes the shortfall for the last two seasons to €108m ($125m) after the club posted €91m ($106m) in post-tax losses in ’23-’24.

However, after revenue increased to €994m, ($1.16 billion) up €100m ($116m) on the previous year, Barça said the results continue the “consolidation of the club’s economic recovery” following years of financial struggles.

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The main factors for the rise in turnover are attributed to a new agreement with Nike, a boost in merchandising sales, improved results on the pitch and higher attendances at the Olympic Stadium.

Barça expect that trend to continue next season, with revenue predicted to top €1bn ($1.1bn) thanks to the imminent return to Spotify Camp Nou — claimed to be worth an additional €50m ($58m) to the club this season — and post-tax losses forecast to turn into profits.

Barcelona have yet to return to Spotify Camp Nou. David Ramos/Getty Images

Financial results have been up and down since Joan Laporta was elected as president in 2020.

At the end of his first campaign in charge, 20-21, Barça posted losses of €481m ($560m), largely due to the Covid pandemic, but also because of the board’s decision to write off or devalue certain assets.

Barça then posted profits of €98m ($114m) and €304m ($354m) in the following two seasons, although those gains primarily came after the sale of a percentage of future earnings from domestic television rights.

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It’s the second international break of the 2025-26 season and Lamine Yamal has a week off. That’s good news from the perspective of the 18-year-old really needing it, but the bad news for the Barcelona and Spain forward is that he will spend it recovering from injury after suffering a groin issue during the Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain last Wednesday.

Lamal’s groin injury could simply be down to bad luck and the rigors of top-level football, but when the teenager’s incredible appearance numbers are factored in — 130 senior games and 8,158 minutes on the pitch by his 18th birthday — the shadow of burnout and the danger of football running its bigger young star into the ground becomes a worrying possibility.

No other elite footballer has registered anywhere close to the appearances and minutes clocked up by Yamal by the age of 18 and his workload has led to FIFPRO, the global players’ union, using his game-time for club and country as a case study in a 51-page report on the 2024-25 season titled “Overworked and Underprotected — Player Heath and Performance Impact.”

“The modern game’s rising intensity is challenging enough for established professionals, but for young players aged 16 to 20, the risks are even greater,” Dr Darren Burgess, Chair of FIFPRO’s High-Performance Advisory Network said. “At a stage when their bodies and minds are still developing, the demands of congested schedules and high-intensity training can have lasting consequences for both performance and career longevity.”

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So how much more active has Yamal been than his contemporaries? The answer to that is staggering, and perhaps alarming.

Yamal’s 130 appearances for Barcelona and Spain prior to his 18th birthday are almost twice as many as the second player on the list of current players among those two teams: Pau Cubarsí, the 18-year-old defender, registered 69 appearances, with midfielders Gavi (60) and Pedri (49) next.

Beyond Barcelona and Spain, Yamal’s numbers continue to be off the scale in comparison to those playing at a similar level.

Yamal’s sensational performances last year saw him named as the 2024 Golden Boy — the award presented by Italian newspaper Tuttosport to the most outstanding Under-21 footballer in Europe — and he did so having clocked up 8,158 minutes by his 18th birthday.

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None of the three most recent winners — Jude Bellingham (2023), Gavi (2022) and Pedri (2021) — come close. Bellingham was nearest, with 6,216 minutes by his 18th birthday, while Gavi (4,195) and Pedri (3,811) both had significantly lower minutes.

Bellingham’s workload has often been cited as a concern, with the Real Madrid and England midfielder having been a regular at club level since breaking through as a 16-year-old at Birmingham City, but the now-22-year-old did not make his 100th senior appearance until he was 18 years and 10 months old.

Guess what? Yamal became the youngest player ever to reach 100 games by hitting the mark aged 17 years and seven months — eclipsing previous record holder Romelu Lukaku by four months.

So far in his prodigious career, since making his Barcelona debut aged just 15 years, nine months and 16 days against Real Betis in April 2023, Yamal has been relatively untroubled by injury, missing just 18 games for Barca and Spain in that time, including Sunday’s LaLiga clash against Sevilla, but according to Transfermarkt, his injuries have already amounted to 133 days out of action since his club debut.

Lamine Yamal is key for both club and country, but how do they balance his minutes? David Ramirez/Soccrates/Getty Images

And if Barcelona’s worst fears are confirmed, Yamal’s latest injury could keep him out of action for up to a month, ruling him out of Spain’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria over the next week and putting his participation in El Clasico against Real Madrid on Oct. 26 in doubt.

“We don’t know when Lamine will return because with this injury,” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said on Friday. “It’s not easy to say since it’s not a muscle injury. We don’t know if he’ll be back in two, three, or four weeks, so I don’t know if he’ll be ready for the Clasico. We have to manage his minutes. He’ll take it step-by-step.”

There is already clear tension between Barcelona and Spain over the national team’s handling of the player, however. Flick, who coached Germany between leaving Bayern Munich in 2021 and joining Barcelona in 2024, was pointed in his criticism of Spain’s use of Yamal during the September World Cup qualifiers.

“It’s a shame,” he said. “He [Yamal] went to the national team in pain, played and was given painkillers to play. He played 79 minutes and 73 — that’s not taking care of the players.

“Spain has the best players in every position. It would be worth taking care of the young players. I’m sad about the situation, but it’s like they are doing this [to them].”

In response, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente questioned Flick’s comments, saying he “was surprised, given that he [Flick] is a manager who has also coached a national team and I thought he would have had more empathy.”

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Hislop: Yamal will compete for the Ballon d’Or every year

Shaka Hislop believes it’s only a matter of time before Lamine Yamal claims his own Ballon d’Or trophy.

Yamal isn’t the first young player to himself at the center of club versus country tension.

Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, two players who shot to international stardom at major tournaments with England at the age of 18, constantly found themselves in the starting XI for club and country, and both have since admitted to rushing back into action too soon for the national team following lengthy injury battles.

Owen and Rooney were also well past their best and discarded by England by the age of 30, so there are warning signs for Yamal to heed.

“Physically, exposing teenagers to repeated match and training loads designed for fully mature players increases the risk of overuse injuries,” Burgess, who is also a former high-performance director at Arsenal and Liverpool, said. “Growth plates, tendons, and ligaments remain vulnerable during these years, and excessive high-speed running or short recovery windows can lead to long-term structural damage.

“What might begin as a minor issue — a recurring hamstring strain, a stress fracture — can quickly become a pattern that follows a player throughout their career. Perhaps the greatest cost of all is lost potential. A player rushed into the spotlight too soon, without adequate protection and progressive development, may see their career shortened before it ever truly begins.”

Barcelona and Spain, therefore, have a huge responsibility to Yamal and other youngsters who pull on their iconic jerseys. At 18, Yamal has the world at his feet and could be the natural heir to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but he won’t have a chance if he burns out before he hits 30.

“If the sport is serious about nurturing the next generation, it must prioritize development over exploitation,” Burgess said. “Only then will today’s young talents have the chance to become tomorrow’s enduring stars.”

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Sevilla thrashed Barcelona 4-1 on Sunday, ending the champions†unbeaten start in La Liga and denying them an opportunity to return to the top of the table.

Hansi Flick, Barcelonaâ€s manager, said: “Today, I have to accept this defeat, and Iâ€m looking positive, in a way. We also see the negative points in our game, which we have to change. The first half wasnâ€t good … we had no solutions to play out, it was really not good. But in the second half, the reaction, I appreciate a lot. What we did, how we played, it was really good to see.

“With this defeat, this emotion … itâ€s important that we keep it, and when we start again after the break, we will fight. We will fight for every title.â€

Sevilla took the lead in the 13th minute, after Isaac Romero went down while jostling for the ball with Ronald Araújo near Barcelonaâ€s six-yard box. Alexis Sánchez sent former Arsenal teammate Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way to convert the spot kick.

Romero doubled Sevillaâ€s lead in the 37th minute, but Marcus Rashford scored from Pedriâ€s lobbed pass to make it 2-1 just before half-time.

Barcelona had a chance to equalise when Adnan Januzaj brought down Alejandro Balde, but Robert Lewandowski fired wide from the spot in the 76th minute before José Ãngel Carmona and Akor Adams scored two late goals, as the visitors remained two points behind the leaders, Real Madrid.

“Itâ€s one of the happiest days of my life. We deserved to win from start to finish,†said José Ãngel Carmona, who scored Sevillaâ€s third goal.

The Barcelona midfielder Pedri said: “We lacked intensity, we couldnâ€t get the ball out of our half, we didnâ€t know what to do with the ball … we were never at our best. We need to improve a lot of things so that we can start winning games again after the break.â€

Celta Vigo and Atlético Madriddrew 1-1 in the late game. Atléticoledthrough a sixth-minute own goal from Carl Starfelt before Clément Lenglet was sent off five minutes before half-time. The hosts took advantage midway through the second half when Iago Aspas equalised but Celta could not find the winner.

Christian Pulisic missed a penalty as Milan had to settle for a 0-0 draw away to Juventus on Sunday, denying the visitors a return to the top of the Serie A standings.

After Napoli and Roma, along with Inter, all registered wins over the weekend, the pressure was on Milan and Juventus to keep pace at the top, leading to a cagey game.

Massimiliano Allegri was back at Juventus as an adversary, taking on the club where he won five league titles in his eight seasons in Turin, but there was no happy return for the Milan manager.

The first half brought little in the way of entertainment, but both sides did manage to create scoring opportunities, with the hosts let down by the struggling striker Jonathan David.

David had the goal at his mercy when set up by Pierre Kalulu in the box but lost his footing at the crucial moment while for Milan, Santiago Giménez continued his Serie A scoring drought.

A corner shortly after the break gave Juventus a gilt-edged chance to take the lead but the Milan keeper Mike Maignan spread himself to keep out Federico Gattiâ€s shot from point-blank range. Minutes later, Milan had their golden opportunity when Lloyd Kelly bundled over Giménez in the box but Pulisic blazed his penalty over the bar.

Second-half goals from André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Rasmus Højlund helped Napoli battle back to earn a 2-1 home win over Genoa.

Napoliâ€s perfect start to the league campaign was ended by a 2-1 loss at Milan last weekend, and Antonio Conteâ€s side risked a second successive defeat before a spirited fightback.

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Conte opted to rest Kevin De Bruyne, for the first 50 minutes at least, after the Belgian midfielder had started all seven games this season, bringing in winger David Neres, but it was Anguissa who proved vital to Napoli.

Napoliâ€s Rasmus Højlund (centre) celebrates scoring the winner against Genoa to cap a spirited comeback. Photograph: Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse/Shutterstock

Genoa took the lead with an audacious piece of magic from Jeff Ekhator in the 33rd minute. Brooke Norton-Cuffy rounded Mathias Olivera, took the ball into the area and squared a pass which 18-year-old Ekhator finished off with a deft back-heel strike from just inside the six-yard box.

Leonardo Spinazzola also came on and it was his cross which led to Napoliâ€s equaliser 12 minutes after the break with their first effort on target.

Genoaâ€s Johan Vásquez got to the cross ahead of Højlund but the loose ball bounced kindly for the unmarked Anguissa to pounce with a header. Then, 15 minutes from time, Anguissaâ€s shot was parried away by the keeper and this time Højlund was there to capitalise with a low strike from the edge of the six-yard box.

Roma fell behind early but came away with a 2-1 win at Fiorentina, to leave the hosts waiting for their first league win of the season.

Gian Piero Gasperiniâ€s Roma had conceded just one goal in their five league outings but it was Fiorentina who were in front in the 14th minute when a ball over the top by Hans Nicolussi Caviglia found Moise Kean. Kean twisted and turned his way towards the area before rifling a shot from outside the box into the far top corner to net his first goal of the season.

The lead lasted all of eight minutes before Artem Dovbykâ€s backheeled flick from inside the box ended with Matías Souléâ€s first-time cannoned shot from the edge of the area which left Fiorentina keeper David de Gea with no chance.

Roma took the lead on the half-hour mark from a corner. Bryan Cristante lost his marker and powered a bullet header from outside the six-yard box.

Kean had another chance before the break but this time his effort smashed off the upright and in the second half Fiorentina substitute Roberto Piccoli saw his strike from distance bounce off the crossbar.

In Ligue 1 on Sunday night, Paris Saint-Germain were held 1-1 at Lille. Nuno Mendes put the visitors ahead in the 66th minute before Ethan Mbappé scored an equaliser against his former club five minutes from time. PSG stay top with 16 points while Lille climb to seventh.

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Max Aarons’ career path took something of a left turn back in January, when the right-back swapped the Bournemouth bench for La Liga side Valencia.

After impressing in his first season at Bournemouth following his £7million move from Norwich City in August 2023, injury issues began to derail his progress that had previously seen him rated as one of the Championship’s best defenders and earned him 27 England Under-21 caps.

Aarons’ performances in the English second tier had clearly left an impression on former Huddersfield Town and West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, who came calling shortly after he landed the Valencia job in December 2024.

Aarons was signed on a six-month loan deal in the January transfer window and although his time at the Mestella was mainly restricted to the bench, he turned out four times in La Liga and once in the Copa del Rey.

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Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique could only admire the spectacle on display Wednesday night at the Olympic Stadium.

What he saw was his PSG side rally for victory against his former team Barcelona to secure a 2-1 win and a perfect record in the Champions League after two matches of the league phase.

Gonçalo Ramos capped the comeback in second-half stoppage time in front of a stunned home crowd, who saw their team lose its first match of the season and for the third time in a row at home to PSG following defeats in the 2021 and 2024 Champions League knockout rounds.

“We’ve seen an excellent game,” Luis Enrique said. “When you see two teams who don’t kick each other, who go out to play and to do damage with the ball, you get a really good spectacle. [Barcelona] were better until their goal. We recovered well. We were better in the second half.

“We played really well. It was difficult at first. Barcelona have a lot of quality. We made mistakes in the first 20 minutes. We were better after the break, we deserved it. It’s a big win. It’s always hard playing against Barça. It’s an important win for confidence. Last year, we struggled in the league phase.”

The game also highlighted the stellar play of PSG outside backs Achraf Hakimi, who set up Ramos for the winning goal, and Nuno Mendes, who assisted on PSG’s opening goal and largely shut down Barça star Lamine Yamal in the second half.

Yamal got off to a promising start Wednesday, awing the crowd with a great run just minutes into the match at Montjuic stadium. But he couldn’t do much more after that, with the 23-year-old Mendes containing him most of the time.

“I’m very pleased to see the younger players thriving in this match; learning, playing well, impressing our fans,” Luis Enrique said after the match. “We consistently play rivals of a really high level. The most important thing for me is our DNA, our attitude — as a squad and as a club — and that’s what we saw today.”

The 18-year-old Yamal made his first start for Barcelona since August because of an injury sustained while playing with Spain’s national team during the international break in September. He came off the bench for the Catalan club in its 2-1 win against Real Sociedad in LaLiga on Sunday.

PSG is the the first team to win three straight road games against Barcelona in major European competitions, while Hansi Flick’s side was looking to win a sixth consecutive match across all competitions.

Luis Enrique did not want to read too much into the result with just two rounds of the Champions League played thus far, and a good chance his team will see Barcelona at some point down the line as the tournament progresses.

“This is just one result so in no case [does it prove anything],” Luis Enrique said. “Barça are among the candidates to win the Champions League. They play really well. They are a top level side. This is just the start of the competition. There are six games left; we will see what happens.

“But I have no doubts because I like how they play. There are not many teams with a clear identity like theirs. Barça are clearly among the favourites with us. But it’s just getting started. Let’s see how everyone arrives to the knockout rounds.”

ESPN’s Sam Marsden and The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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Substitute Gonçalo Ramos struck a last-minute winner as Paris Saint-Germain became the first team to win three times away to Barcelona in European competitions with a 2-1 victory at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Ramos sealed a Champions League comeback victory to the delight of PSG’s former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique after Achraf Hakimi had exposed the hosts’ high defensive line.

Ferran Torres had put Barcelona ahead inside 20 minutes to establish a club record by scoring in 45 consecutive games.

But the reigning European champions were level by halftime as Senny Mayulu, 19, converted in fine fashion.

This was a heavyweight clash between two teams that had won their opening Champions League ties and could conceivably contest the Budapest final in May.

Both sides were without key players as Barcelona lined up minus goalkeeper Joan García, Gavi, Fermín López and Raphinha.

PSG’s casualty list included captain Marquinhos, Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé, and there was more frustration before kickoff as João Neves reported a problem in the warmup and was not risked.

Lamine Yamal almost skated his way through the PSG defense in the opening moments, and Barcelona did all the early running.

But Illia Zabarnyi nearly gave the visitors the lead after rising unchallenged from a Nuno Mendes corner.

PSG players celebrate after scoring a goal against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Defender Zabarnyi was in more familiar territory two minutes later with a goal-line clearance, Yamal’s pass splitting the defense and Torres skipping past PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.

Barcelona went ahead after 19 minutes as Vitinha’s wayward pass was pounced on by Yamal, who fed Pedri.

The ball was quickly moved wide to Marcus Rashford and his pass was matched by the sliding finish of Torres.

Dani Olmo saw an effort deflected wide, but Luis Enrique’s side grew in confidence as the first half developed.

Rashford conceded a needless free kick for Hakimi to test Wojciech Szczesny, and the Parisians leveled seven minutes before the break.

Mendes showed little effects of a kick on the Achilles moments earlier to stride forward with purpose.

Pau Cubarsi’s weak interception attempt allowed Mayulu, a scorer off the bench in last season’s 5-0 Champions League final demolition of Inter Milan, to equalize with a confident left-footed finish.

It should have got better for the French visitors, but the unmarked Bradley Barcola lifted the ball over the crossbar three minutes from halftime.

Barcola bypassed Gerard Martín after the restart to warm Szczesny’s gloves, but Barcelona almost regained the lead as Hakimi rushed back to block Olmo’s goal-bound effort.

Lee Kang-in cannoned a shot against the woodwork with seven minutes left, and PSG’s strong finish was rewarded by the clinical Ramos.

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