Sam and Rik go through this week's Barca news, including Ansu Fati to Madrid rumours, Marc-Andre ter Stegen about to pen a new deal, the potential line up for Cadiz after Araujo's injury, why so few fans are taking Barca season tickets and more. Plus, looking ahead to Sunday's Women's World Cup final: England vs Spain, with a strong Barca presence.
2023-08-19 13:45:53 +0000 UTC View PostLaLiga is back... although not quite with a bang. There were plenty of talking points, though, as Barcelona were held to a goalless draw at Getafe for the third season in a row. Both teams ended a feisty affair with 10 men, while Xavi Hernandez was also dismissed. The Barça coach then let the referees know exactly what he thought after the game.
Sam and Rik take you through the major talking points (Toni's still Instagramming bears and moose in Canada, apologies), including: ...
2023-08-14 21:25:38 +0000 UTC View Post*Fantasy Liga/Fantasy PL*
Hi everyone!
Here are the codes to join the La Liga fantasy game and official FPL one too, if you aren’t already in there.
La Liga: https://fantasylaliga.onelink.me/k6nG/jv9mjo2m
League code: gul8w5ro
FPL: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-jo...
2023-08-10 09:45:58 +0000 UTC View PostLamine Yamal came off the bench to help Barcelona beat Tottenham 4-2 in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Tuesday. Sam and Rik look back on Barça's first game in their new home in Montjuic and also look ahead to the 23-24 season, which kicks off this weekend! Xavi takes his side to Getafe for a tricky opener. How are Barça looking going into the new campaign? Who can challenge them for the title? Predictions?
2023-08-09 22:21:03 +0000 UTC View PostThe reunion podcast! Sam, Rik and Toni are back to discuss a little bit of everything... but mainly Ousmane Dembele. In the latest Q&A, get Toni's thoughts on the Frenchman's departure and what it means for Barcelona's transfer plans.
Also taking questions on: Cancelo, Fresneda, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Doku, a midfield four, a falling palanca? And much more.
2023-08-04 01:26:02 +0000 UTC View PostWe will be back after the Milan game. Anything you want answering? Comment below or on the Discord.
2023-08-01 10:34:23 +0000 UTC View PostSam and Rik discuss Ousmane Dembele's probable transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, which appears to be moving ahead. It is not done yet but there is pessimism at Barcelona about the chances of keeping the French winger. What does it mean for Barça's summer and season? Also: Barça beat Real Madrid 3-0 on Saturday. Is Fermín Lopez a new star? And why Sam has had a tough few days in New Zealand...
2023-07-31 01:17:09 +0000 UTC View PostSam and Rik discuss Barcelona's first friendly of their tour of the United States, a 5-3 defeat to Arsenal in Los Angeles. There were debuts for Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu, goals from Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Ferran Torres and, according to Xavi, a bit too much intensity from the Premier League side.
Sam, Rik and Toni get stuck into one of the great seasons in Barcelona's history. The foundations are in place, a couple of arrivals strengthen the team (vrroooom, vrroooom) and the Champions League title is the goal. Revenge on Chelsea and the Del Horno battle with Messi is a flashpoint along the way...
2023-07-19 08:30:01 +0000 UTC View Post'It's all about the money, money, money...'
Toni tackles the transfer market in this special solo podcast, providing updates on everything going on at Barcelona in terms of incomings and outgoings.
From Romeu to Thiago, Dest to Ferran and Abde to Kessie, no stone is left unturned as Barça attempt to give Xavi the squad he wants to compete on all fronts next season.
2023-07-14 10:13:59 +0000 UTC View PostBarcelona have got their house back in order and Sam, Rik and Toni go through an interesting year for the Catalan giants.
Giuly, Belletti, Larsson, Deco and Eto'o are among the signings and a long wait is ended... although Toni is angry about a robbery in Europe
2023-07-12 14:29:33 +0000 UTC View PostSam and Toni take your questions on transfer, finances and expectations for 2023-24, taking in but not limited to:
-- What Xavi wants from a pivot
-- Oriol Romeu latest
-- Deco's power at Barça
-- Arda Güler disappointment
-- Marquee signing in 2024?
-- Bartomeu worse than Gaspart?
-- Expectations for next season
Sam and Toni will record a Q&A on Friday. Anything on your mind?
2023-07-06 11:38:59 +0000 UTC View PostThe SEASONS series continues with the 2003-04 campaign.
Booze-soaked cigar-toting Joan Laporta arrives as Barcelona president, Beckham pledge, Rijkaard appointed, Cristiano Ronaldo links, gazpacho at midnight...
2023-07-05 07:36:24 +0000 UTC View PostSam and Rik spoke to the excellent Tom Sanderson (@TomSandersonBCN) about Vitor Roque, the young, talented Brazilian striker Barcelona are chasing. His style, mentality, physique, and much more. Also, we discuss Raphinha and other Barca and Brazil angles.
2023-07-03 08:16:04 +0000 UTC View PostSam Lee of The Athletic and Let Me Talk pod (@LMTpod) gives Rik and Sam the lowdown on Ilkay Gundogan after his move on a free from Man City. Can he really play in the pivot role? Is his age a problem? What will he bring to Barca? We also talk about Joao Cancelo. Plus Rik and Sam discuss La Liga's latest financial rules tweak...
2023-06-28 16:51:12 +0000 UTC View PostThe SEASONS series continues with the 2002-03 campaign.
Louis van Gaal is at the helm, Riquelme the marquee signing turns young Toni's head, another Copa shambles, Pep leaving room for Xavi, white handkerchiefs aplenty, how bad was Gaspart? and much more...
2023-06-26 11:17:47 +0000 UTC View PostSam, Toni and Rik have a go at being Mateu Alemany and Deco -- spoiler: it's not that easy! With Barcelona's financial restrictions, compiling a squad for next season proves a difficult challenge. Sign a right-back? A low-cost pivote? A backup for Lewandowski? Sell Dembele?! Raphinha? All that and more!
PLUS: The fixtures were announced foe the 23-24 LaLiga season on Thursday. Barça start away at Getafe. The podcast looks at some of the key dates.
2023-06-22 14:22:42 +0000 UTC View PostWelcome back for the second episode of SEASONS, our series looking back at Barcelona's 21st-century campaigns. Sam, Rik and Toni go through Carly Rexach's campaign at the helm, with an exciting summer arrival from Argentina.
2023-06-19 08:30:01 +0000 UTC View PostIn the latest Q&A, as Toni disconnects in Menorca, Sam and Rik take questions on issues as varied as:
Will Messi come back to Barcelona on loan?
What's the difference between registering Messi and Zubimendi?
Will Vitor Roque sign?
Are Fresneda and Arda Guler options?
What's the deal with Barça's wage bill?
How much will the move to Montjuic hit?
+++ more
Hey everyone, fire over any Q's you've got. We'll answer them, maybe even as soon as Thursday afternoon Europe time, although as ever tbc when we find a slot. Thanks!
2023-06-14 16:41:54 +0000 UTC View PostHere we go! This is the launch of our SEASONS series, starting with Barcelona's 2000-01 campaign.
Pep Guardiola is captain, Rivaldo is leading the line, Marc Overmars the star signing… Sam, Rik and Toni chat about Barcelona's first full campaign of the millennium.
2023-06-14 07:01:00 +0000 UTC View PostSam, Rik and Toni discuss their Barca awards for this season. Really fun episode. Excuse the two mins of Messi chat near the start... this was originally supposed to be published last week, but Inter Miami happened and we went with a Messi bonus instead.
Join in and post yours below:
Player of the season:
Signing of the season:
Young player of the season:
Breakout player of the season:
Goal of the season:
Under performer:
Moment of the season...
2023-06-12 07:31:20 +0000 UTC View PostThe decision has been made. Lionel Messi announced this week that he will join Inter Miami when his Paris Saint-Germain contract expires this month. In an interview, he revealed why he was not prepared to wait for Barcelona's guarantees over registering his contract with LaLiga.
Sam and Rik discuss Messi's decision, Barça's 'salty' statement, whether Joan Laporta ever really wanted him, Messi's legacy and what comes next for Barça in the transfer market.
2023-06-08 12:55:31 +0000 UTC View PostSam and Rik talk about Barcelona Femeni's Champions League final victory over Wolfsburg in Eindhoven. Then Toni joins to explain his world exclusive on Jorge Messi's visit to Joan Laporta's house, and we take a quick look at Barca's 2-0 win over Andres Iniesta's Vissel Kobe.
2023-06-06 16:28:51 +0000 UTC View PostSam and Toni -- Rik is celebrating his birthday -- discuss Barcelona's 2-1 defeat at Celta Vigo which brought the 2022-23 season to a close, a year which ended with Xavi Hernandez's side lifting the title for the first time since 2019.
There was not much to be gleaned from Balaidos, where Ansu Fati moved on to double figures for the season and Sergi Roberto (right-back) and Eric Garcia (pivote) failed to make strong cases for continuing in the positions they played.
Al...
2023-06-05 09:51:21 +0000 UTC View PostBarcelona's women are in a fourth Champions League final in five years, chasing a second European trophy when they take on Wolfsburg in Eindhoven on Saturday. Sam and Rik preview the game with input from Barça's England internationals Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze.
2023-06-02 08:41:08 +0000 UTC View PostRik and Sam (and a bit of Toni) go through your questions on all things great and small. Back tomorrow with a UWCL final preview ft. Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh.
2023-06-01 15:46:05 +0000 UTC View PostHey everyone, will get another Q&A done this week so send over any Qs you fancy. Cheers!
2023-05-29 23:37:43 +0000 UTC View PostSunday's penultimate round of fixtures was an emotional one for Barcelona, who said farewell to Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Camp Nou. Busquets and Alba will leave the club this summer, while Camp Nou will undergo a revamp, forcing Barça to move to Montjuic until November 2024.
Alba's tears and Busquets' smile characterised the two players as they said goodbye, while on the pitch Ansu Fati scored twice and Gavi was on target as LaLiga champions Barça beat 10-man Mallorca 3-0....
2023-05-29 12:34:22 +0000 UTC View Post