Barcelona youngster Brian Farinas has described his first-team debut as the fulfilment of a lifelong dream following a standout performance in the 6-1 win over Deportivo Alaves. The 20-year-old was thrust into the starting line-up by Hansi Flick, completing the full 90 minutes in an unfamiliar defensive role to help the Blaugrana return to winning ways.
Barcelona bounced back from their Clasico defeat in emphatic fashion, as braces from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha powered a 6-1 win over Deportivo Alaves at the Spotify Camp Nou and sent Hansi Flick's side back to the top of La Liga.
The Basque Country representative team will return to international action next month after confirming a special friendly fixture against South American opposition in Bilbao. Euskal Selekzioa are set to welcome Venezuela to Athletic Club's iconic home ground on November 14 for a contest steeped in cultural significance.
Hansi Flick has lauded the burgeoning talent within Barcelona's youth ranks following a surprising 1-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Deportivo Alaves. Although the result officially ends the newly-crowned La Liga champions' ambitions of reaching a historic 100-point milestone, the German coach remained upbeat regarding the development of his squad's fringe players.
Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste has delivered a blistering response to Florentino Perez, labelling the Real Madrid president’s recent corruption allegations as "pathetic." The war of words between the Clasico rivals has escalated following Perez's sensational claims that numerous trophies have been "stolen" from the capital club.
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has jumped to the defence of Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian forward successfully navigated a hostile atmosphere at the Bernabeu to score the winning goal against Alaves in La Liga on Tuesday. Despite the tension following a disappointing Champions League exit, the winger proved to be the difference-maker as Los Blancos secured a vital victory in their pursuit of catching Barcelona.
Liverpool have emerged as one of only three elite clubs capable of triggering a secret release clause in Nico Schlotterbeck's new Borussia Dortmund contract. The German international recently committed his future to BVB until 2031, but the deal includes specific provisions that could see him head to Anfield or the Santiago Bernabeu as early as this summer.
Birmingham City's new signing Carlos Vicente has revealed that a phone call with NFL icon and Blues minority owner Tom Brady helped make his mind up to complete a marquee transfer from La Liga side Deportivo Alaves to the Championship. Vicente joins up with the ambitious West Midlands side as they aim to push for promotion to the Premier League, sitting just five points off the play-off places as we enter February.