Netherlands-Croatia, Spain-Italy in Nations League SF draw
January 25, 2023 GMTNYON, Switzerland (AP) — Host nation Netherlands will play Croatia in the UEFA Nations League semifinals after the draw was made Wednesday.
The Dutch, under new coach Ronald Koeman, will face World Cup semifinalist Croatia on June 14 in Rotterdam at the De Kuip home stadium of Feyenoord.
Koeman vows attacking play on return as Netherlands coach
January 23, 2023 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Ronald Koeman pledged Monday to take the Netherlands back to playing attractive, attacking soccer as he began his second stint in charge of the national team that lost in the World Cup quarterfinals to eventual winner Argentina.
Koeman’s next in Dutch bench after World Cup exit
December 10, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Now it's Ronald Koeman's turn to hop on the Netherlands' coaching merry-go-round.
A day after Louis Van Gaal's third stint as Oranje coach ended with a penalty shootout defeat to Argentina in the World Cup quarterfinals, Koeman's second term began Saturday.
Barça extends Nico’s contract, loans midfielder to Valencia
August 13, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona said Saturday that Nico González has agreed to a contract extension, but that the promising midfielder will play this season on loan at Valencia as he seeks ensured playing time.
Barcelona clears more cap room, sells Mingueza to Celta
August 2, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona cleared more salary cap space Tuesday by selling defender Óscar Mingueza to Celta Vigo.
Barcelona is trying to meet the Spanish league’s financial fair play rules and register newly signed players Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Koundé.
After season to forget, Barcelona faces difficult rebuild
May 12, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — It's been a long, long season for Barcelona.
Lionel Messi left in tears before it started. Ronald Koeman was soon fired. The team dropped out of the Champions League and into the Europa League, and then couldn’t even come close to winning it.
Ronald Koeman to retake helm of Dutch team after World Cup
April 6, 2022 GMTAMSTERDAM (AP) — Ronald Koeman will retake the helm of the Dutch national team after the World Cup following a disappointing stint at Barcelona.
Louis van Gaal will coach the Netherlands through the World Cup but had already said he would not go beyond the tournament in Qatar, which ends on Dec.
With Benzema doubtful, Real Madrid hosts new-look Barcelona
March 17, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The last time that Real Madrid played Barcelona in the Spanish league, it brushed aside a team struggling to find its way after being orphaned by Lionel Messi.
Madrid's 2-1 win in October ignited ugly scenes of furious Barcelona fans banging Ronald Koeman’s car as the beleaguered coach sped away from Camp Nou.
Improved Barcelona takes on Real Madrid in Super Cup clásico
January 11, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — The last time Barcelona faced Real Madrid, the team was still coping with the departure of Lionel Messi and one of its worst financial crises ever.
Ronald Koeman was still at the helm, and the Catalan club struggled on and off the field.
Xavi starts as Barcelona coach by beating Espanyol
November 20, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Xavi Hernández needed a penalty to start his return to Camp Nou as Barcelona coach in winning fashion.
Barcelona’s 1-0 win against Espanyol on Saturday began the way Xavi wanted, with his team dominating the ball like the Spain great had when he joined Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta to forge one of soccer’s greatest sides as its midfield maestro.
MATCHDAY: Xavi among coaches taking 1st game in charge
November 19, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:
SPAIN
Xavi Hernández makes his coaching debut at Barcelona when it hosts Espanyol in a derby at Camp Nou. Xavi has had little time to work with his full squad since taking over from Ronald Koeman two weeks ago with many players having been away with their national teams.
Xavi Hernández to return to Barcelona as its new coach
November 6, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Xavi Hernández, the player who personified the attacking style made popular by Barcelona and Spain’s national team, is returning to Camp Nou as the new coach of his struggling boyhood club.
MATCHDAY: Struggling Barca in Kyiv; Man United at Atalanta
November 1, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in the Champions League on Tuesday:
GROUP E
Coming off a three-match winless streak in the Spanish league with an interim coach, Barcelona will head to Ukraine to face Dynamo Kyiv without two of its veterans because of health issues.
Barcelona without manager, fighting to avoid early CL exit
November 1, 2021 GMTThe main talking points ahead of the fourth round of games in the Champions League group stage:
BARCA'S PROBLEMS
Barcelona is still without a replacement for fired manager Ronald Koeman going into the Group E match at Dynamo Kyiv — and Gerard Piqué and Sergio Aguero will be missing through injury.
Barcelona: Health issues set to sideline Piqué and Aguero
October 31, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona’s problems continue to compound ahead of its Champions League match at Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday, with Gerard Piqué and Sergio Aguero not likely to make the trip to Ukraine because of health issues.
Barça draws in Barjuan debut; Vinícius brace as Madrid wins
October 30, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — New coach, similar disappointment for Barcelona.
Barcelona was held to a 1-1 draw at home by lowly Alavés in the debut of caretaker coach Sergi Barjuan, while Real Madrid and Sevilla both won on Saturday to leave the Catalan club even further behind in the Spanish league.
Laporta says Barcelona has other options besides Xavi
October 29, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona is considering other possible coaches besides former player Xavi Hernández to take over for the fired Ronald Koeman, the club's president said Friday.
Joan Laporta faced a barrage of questions about the widespread speculation linking Xavi to the position.
MATCHDAY: Man U visits Spurs; Barjuan debuts as Barca coach
October 29, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:
ENGLAND
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is fighting to keep his job heading into an away match at Tottenham in the Premier League.
Barjuan gets 1st and possibly only chance to lead Barcelona
October 29, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Sergi Barjuan will get his first chance to lead Barcelona from the Camp Nou dugout when it hosts Alavés on Saturday.
It might also be his last chance.
The reserve team coach was promoted to act as caretaker coach for the first team following the firing of Ronald Koeman.
Koeman gone, Barcelona names Sergi Barjuan caretaker coach
October 28, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — With its coffers depleted and a critical Champions League match right around the corner, Barcelona was looking for a new coach on Thursday after it named a caretaker coach following the firing of Ronald Koeman.
Barcelona fires coach Koeman after poor start to season
October 28, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — After another poor performance and yet another loss, Ronald Koeman couldn’t hang on any longer as Barcelona coach.
It took less than three months after Lionel Messi's departure for Koeman to finally succumb as the pressure kept increasing and the Catalan club's struggles continued.
Koeman: Barcelona can’t be afraid of Madrid in ‘clásico’
October 23, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona can't be afraid of Real Madrid when the teams meet in the first “clásico” of the season this weekend, Ronald Koeman said Saturday.
“We have to play without fear,” the Barcelona coach said.
Barcelona hosts Madrid, Sociedad at Atlético on super Sunday
October 21, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona faces another test of its post-Messi era when Real Madrid visits Camp Nou on an action-packed Sunday that also features a clash between the Spanish league leader and its defending champion.
MATCHDAY: Newcastle plays its first game under new ownership
October 16, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:
ENGLAND
Newcastle plays its first game under new ownership when Tottenham travels to St. James’ Park in the Premier League. Newcastle was bought out last week by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, whose vast resources are likely to turn the northeast club into one of the biggest in the country within a few years.
Barcelona starts critical 3-game home stint for Koeman
October 14, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Ronald Koeman got a reprieve. Now he needs to make it last.
A visit from Valencia on Sunday kicks off a three-game home stint that the Barcelona coach said must mark a turnaround for his beleaguered team.
Atlético deals Koeman’s Barcelona another blow with 2-0 loss
October 2, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Ronald Koeman will keep his job despite the latest humbling defeat for the once mighty Barcelona.
Atlético Madrid dealt Barcelona another harsh helping of life without Lionel Messi when Diego Simeone’s well-honed team easily won 2-0 in the Spanish league on Saturday.
Laporta says Koeman will keep job as Barcelona coach
October 2, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — In an unexpected move, Barcelona’s club president quashed reports of the imminent firing of Ronald Koeman on Saturday when he said that the Dutch coach will keep his job.
“Koeman will continue being the coach of Barcelona,” Joan Laporta said hours before Barcelona’s match at Atlético Madrid that many reports in the Spanish media speculated could be Koeman's last.
MATCHDAY: Koeman under pressure as Barcelona visits Atlético
October 1, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:
SPAIN
Ronald Koeman could be facing his last game in charge of Barcelona when it faces a challenging trip to defending champion Atlético Madrid.
Barcelona coach Koeman says rumors of firing ‘probably true’
October 1, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Ronald Koeman said Friday that Barcelona’s leadership has not spoken to him about his future, but that he has "eyes and ears” to catch the rumors swirling about his possible firing.
Spain calls up Barcelona teenager Gavi for Italy semifinal
September 30, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — The 17-year-old Barcelona midfielder Gavi Páez has been summoned for Spain's Nations League semifinal against Italy next week.
If Gavi plays, he will become Spain’s youngest debutant, breaking the record held by Ángel Zubieta of 17 years, 284 days set in 1936.
Koeman’s job in danger before Barcelona visits Atlético
September 30, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Ronald Koeman needs his Barcelona side to win big when it visits Atlético Madrid to have a shot at saving his job.
That is, if he makes it to Saturday.
Two embarrassing losses to start the Champions League have left the Dutch coach under extreme pressure before a trip to the capital to face the Spanish league’s titleholder.
MATCHDAY: Barca, United under pressure in Champions League
September 28, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in the group stage of the Champions League on Wednesday:
GROUP E
Benfica hosts struggling Barcelona while enjoying an unbeaten start to its season with 10 wins in 12 matches overall.
Koeman gets 2-match ban for complaining after draw at Cádiz
September 24, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — The troubles for Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman keep piling up.
Koeman received a two-match ban on Friday for complaining at the end of Barcelona's 0-0 draw at Cádiz in the Spanish league the day before.
Struggling Barcelona held to draw again in Spanish league
September 23, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona's ongoing crisis keeps getting worse, with the team unable to win on the field and the club's players, coach and president growing increasingly at odds.
Barcelona was held to a 0-0 draw by Cádiz in the Spanish league on Thursday, extending its winless streak to three matches and adding pressure on coach Ronald Koeman.
MATCHDAY: Barcelona looks to rebound, Napoli eyes win streak
September 22, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Thursday:
SPAIN
Still in crisis, Barcelona visits Cádiz in the Spanish league as it tries to rebound from consecutive setbacks — a draw against Granada in the league and a loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Barca’s Koeman surprises with statement, calls for patience
September 22, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman surprised journalists at a news conference on Wednesday by reading a prepared statement that called for patience and practically dismissed the team's chances of achieving any significant results this season.
Koeman under direct attack for no ‘tiki taka’ at Barcelona
September 21, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Desperately trying to break through the Granada defense, Barcelona sent more than 50 crosses into the area in its search for a goal.
There was none of Barcelona’s famous “tiki taka” — passing the ball around patiently until finding the right space near the opponents' goal — against Granada in the Spanish league on Monday.
Barcelona held by winless Granada at Camp Nou in Liga
September 20, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Less than a week after a demoralizing loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Barcelona faltered at Camp Nou again, being held by winless Granada 1-1 in the Spanish league on Monday.
MATCHDAY: Barcelona tries to rebound from big loss to Bayern
September 19, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Monday:
SPAIN
Barcelona hosts winless Granada in the Spanish league and hopes to rebound from the demoralizing 3-0 home loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Grim future: Loss to Bayern exposes Barcelona’s new reality
September 15, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona needs to brace for some tough times ahead while adjusting to the post-Lionel Messi era.
That message was clear after the 3-0 loss at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday, the team’s first defeat since Messi left amid the club's financial struggles.
MATCHDAY: Chelsea opens title defense in Champions League
September 13, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in the Champions League on Tuesday:
GROUP E
Barcelona’s ability to compete in Europe without Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann will be put to the test when it hosts the team that dealt the Spanish side its most humiliating defeat in recent memory.
Depay’s 1st goal for Barcelona earns 1-1 draw at Bilbao
August 21, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Memphis Depay showed just why coach Ronald Koeman urged Barcelona for months to sign the Netherlands striker after scoring with a blistering strike Saturday to help his team avoid its first defeat of the post-Messi era with a 1-1 draw.
MATCHDAY: Man City chases its first EPL points of the season
August 20, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:
ENGLAND
Manchester City looks for its first points of the new Premier League season in a home match against promoted Norwich. City opened its title defense with a 1-0 loss at Tottenham.
Messi’s future up in the air as Barcelona contract ends
July 1, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Lionel Messi’s contract with Barcelona is coming to an end Wednesday with no news from the player or the club about his future.
The expectation is that the 34-year-old Messi, who is playing with Argentina at the Copa America, will stay at the Catalan club.
Barcelona signs Netherlands striker Memphis Depay
June 19, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona added Netherlands striker Memphis Depay to its attack on Saturday as a free agent from Lyon.
The Spanish club said the 27-year-old Depay agreed to a two-year contract.
Koeman to stay on as Barcelona coach for next season
June 3, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona's doubts about Ronald Koeman are gone.
After taking some time to analyze Koeman's performance last season, Barcelona announced on Thursday that it will keep the Dutch coach in charge for another year.
Spanish league ends with title finale, possible farewells
May 20, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Two of Spain's most modest stadiums are set to offer scenes of joy and sorrow on Saturday.
Atlético Madrid can ensure it clinches its first Spanish league title in seven years with a win at Valladolid, while Lionel Messi and Ronald Koeman could participate in their last game for Barcelona when they visit the already relegated Eibar.
Nerve-racking race: Barcelona tries to take the lead again
May 10, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone planned to have dinner with his family to avoid watching the match between Real Madrid and Sevilla, which could have dropped his team out of first place in the Spanish league with three matches to go...
Messi strikes twice in 2nd half to keep Barcelona near top
May 2, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Lionel Messi came through for Barcelona again on Sunday, keeping the Spanish league's title race wide open...
Barcelona, Bilbao meet in 2nd Copa del Rey final in April
April 16, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — When Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao face off on Saturday, they will be playing for more than the Copa del Rey trophy...
Dembele recalled by France after more than 2 years away
March 18, 2021 GMTPARIS (AP) — Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele was recalled to the France squad on Thursday after an absence of more than two years, with coach Didier Deschamps keen to use his speed and versatility in attack for upcoming World Cup qualifiers...
Pedri makes it to Spain’s senior national team for 1st time
March 15, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Young Barcelona playmaker Pedri was called up for Spain's senior national team for the first time on Monday...
Quarterfinal streak ends as Messi, Ronaldo both eliminated
March 11, 2021 GMTBack before iPhones, Twitter and Instagram even existed, there was Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo — or both — in the Champions League quarterfinals...
Barcelona’s turmoil deepens after Messi contract leak
February 1, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona has finally put together a good run of matches to give fans hope of some success this season...
Messi doubtful as Barça plays Bilbao in Super Cup final
January 16, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi is doubtful for the final of the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday, when his Barcelona will face Athletic Bilbao...
Barcelona rests Lionel Messi again in Champions League
December 1, 2020 GMTMADRID (AP) — Lionel Messi will get some time off for the last time this season in Barcelona's Champions League match on Wednesday.
Messi, Marc-André ter Stegen and Philippe Coutinho will be rested by coach Ronald Koeman at Ferencváros in Group G...
MATCHDAY: Barca plays Real Madrid; Man United hosts Chelsea
October 23, 2020 GMTA look at what’s happening around European soccer on Saturday:
SPAIN
Barcelona and Real Madrid meet in the season’s first clásico after both lost in the league last weekend...
After 2 losses, Madrid reeling before trip to Barcelona
October 22, 2020 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — After being humbled by a recently promoted club and a Ukrainian side playing with reserves, Real Madrid faces a trip to Camp Nou...
Koeman drops Suárez, Vidal for Barcelona friendly
September 12, 2020 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — With Lionel Messi still around, Ronald Koeman looks ready to make some brave decisions to rejuvenate Barcelona...
Lionel Messi back training with rest of Barcelona squad
September 9, 2020 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lionel Messi rejoined the rest of his Barcelona teammates at practice on Wednesday...
Suárez, Rakitic, Vidal and Umtiti could be leaving Barcelona
August 25, 2020 GMTMADRID (AP) — With or without Lionel Messi, incoming Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman seems to be clear about who won't fit into his squad next season...