Barcelona take de Jong boost despite Clasico defeat
Barcelona were beaten 2-1 as Mbappe scored twice, including a late winner, to reach 100 Real Madrid goals. He said the victory mattered more than the milestone.
Barcelona full-back Xavi Espart suffered a right ankle syndesmosis injury in the 1-2 Clasico defeat and could be out for up to seven weeks.
Barcelona believe Lamine Yamal may miss out on the Ballon d'Or, with Harry Kane seen internally as the frontrunner ahead of the London ceremony.
After Barcelona's 2-1 Clasico defeat, suspended Vinicius mocked the result on Instagram with laughing emojis as Madrid cut the gap at the top to three points.
After Barcelona's 2-1 defeat, Mourinho singled out Andriy Lunin as 'unbelievable' after the stand-in keeper's key saves, including one from Gerard Martin's header.
Barcelona's 2-1 Clasico defeat sparked another Mourinho flashpoint, with the Madrid coach celebrating Mbappe's 87th-minute winner on his knees in front of the benches.
Raphinha scored, but Mbappe's double gave Barcelona a 2-1 home defeat. Pedri created the leveller, while late substitute Gabriel Jesus lost the ball for the winner.
After Barcelona's 2-1 Clasico defeat, captain Raphinha sought out Jude Bellingham at full-time to calm tensions and congratulate him on his performance.
Pedri admitted Barcelona were too slow and made 'naive mistakes' in the 2-1 Clasico defeat, saying they paid for poor first-half circulation and a costly counter-attack.
Barcelona dominated possession and shots, but Flick's high line and turnovers were punished as Madrid won 2-1 on transitions. Raphinha scored, Mbappe struck twice.
Frenkie de Jong returned after 155 days out in Barcelona's 2-1 Clasico defeat, giving Hansi Flick a timely midfield boost despite Mbappe's late winner.
Barcelona are linked with Manchester City's Jeremy Doku and Fiorentina full-back Dodo, while a sell-on clause on Ez Abde could help fund a move for Castello Lukeba.
Barcelona conceded from a slick Madrid move before Mbappe's deflected opener in a 2-1 Clasico defeat, with the focus on Mourinho's uncharacteristically patient build-up.
Barcelona's 2-1 defeat cut their lead over Madrid to three points, with the piece questioning the title race, Vinicius's role and Mourinho's revived impact.
Barcelona's nine-game winning run ended in a 2-1 Clasico defeat as Raphinha cancelled out Mbappe's opener, only for Mbappe to finish Camavinga's 87th-minute counter.
Mourinho said Barcelona's 2-1 defeat only matters if Madrid build on it, and claimed VAR was 'asleep' over Joao Cancelo's challenge on Yan Diomande.
Lamine Yamal was kept quiet as Mbappe's brace beat Barcelona 2-1. Yamal missed a big first-half chance and failed to register a shot on target at Camp Nou.
Hansi Flick said Raphinha asked to come off late in Barcelona's 2-1 Clasico defeat because he 'couldn't play anymore' after running out of energy.
Barcelona's Liga match against Atletico Madrid has been moved from February 7th to the week of December 2nd-4th 2026 because of the 2027 Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul.
Barcelona expect Jules Kounde to have a strong chance of facing Alavés after his ankle sprain, easing Flick's defensive injury problems.
Raphinha said discipline and hard work must match talent, recalling childhood hunger in Brazil and insisting technical ability is useless without sacrifice.
Hansi Flick has given Barcelona's players two days off after defeats by PSG and Real Madrid, hoping rest will restore energy before Alavés.
