Barça News
Papers: Barcelona are heading towards glory in the Champions League
Barcelona are adamant on taking back the trophy.
Today, the Catalans will travel to Lisbon in preparation for their clash against Bayern Munich. But more so than that, Barcelona are also heading towards glory in the Champions League, the papers are convinced.
Sport say it’s one of their challenges to reclaim the long-lost title that was last won in 2015 under Luis Enrique. His successor, Ernesto Valverde, was unsuccessful and now Quique Setién faces the same difficult task once again.
The players are also quite optimistic and Antoine Griezmann says they have all the tools to win the competition. Ousmane Dembélé will also travel with the squad but is yet to officially receive the medical green light.
On the other hand, Bayern might lose Alphonso Davies for the big clash. Needless to say, while unfortunate for them, it would be a boost for their opposition.
Mundo Deportivo have gone in a slightly different direction. Of course they mention Griezmann, Dembélé and even Jean-Clari Todibo who has tested positive for Coronavirus, but they also talk about Neymar.
Yesterday, his Paris Saint-Germain needed two stoppage time goals to advance past Atalanta. The Brazilian was breathtaking on the pitch but also quite wasteful in front of goal.
If Barcelona are heading towards glory in the Champions League, chances are they will meet the Parisiens along the line.
Their meeting, however, is only possible in the grand final.
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Fabrizio Romano has broken huge news as part of Neymar’s contract situation with Paris Saint-Germain, which all but officially announces that the Brazilian will be staying in France, contrary to what has been reported recently. The report suggests that that he will sign his extension soon, which is bound to include a massive UCL bonus.
Neymar’s entourage have confirmed his decision to stay with the Paris outfit in conversation with France Football, saying, “Neymar wants to stay at PSG. He sees that the club is growing. He likes the project.”
Neymar is expected to sign soon his new contract with Paris Saint-Germain until June 2026, huge UCL bonus confirmed too. His entourage just announced to France Football: “Neymar wants to stay at PSG. He sees that the club is growing. He likes the project”. 🇧🇷 #PSG https://t.co/LMnrpctSkx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 12, 2021
PSG have, in fact, actually enjoyed success in Europe in the recent past. They reached the Champions League final last season, crumbling only to the unstoppable Bayern Munich by a mere one goal to nil. Since then, they have fired Thomas Tuchel, and hired Mauricio Pochettino, who inspired an incredible victory against Bayern in this season’s Champions League quarters. Spearheaded by Neymar and Mbappe, the capital-side hit the defending champions for three goals, conceding two.
Despite their lead in the UCL, they do not have a stronghold on the trophy with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, and Real Madrid still in the running. It becomes a lot more problematic when you realise their situation in Ligue 1.
PSG look far from comfortable in the league, which is a shocker to say the least. As it stands, Pochettino’s mean are in second place with 66 points, three adrift of Lille who top the table with one of the most impressive defensive records in Europe.
A season without either of the big trophies might force Neymar to have a change of mind, with the Barcelona project looking much more comprehensive under Joan Laporta. In fact, the new President might look at the Brazilian as the key that will allow Lionel Messi to stay at the club. We do the same rumours annually, so it is only fair if any of these ‘confirmations’ are turned on their head in the coming weeks.