Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty Images The Mexican is now the favorite to take over Barcelona’s exit from the Champions League has prompted a fresh wave of speculation over who will replace Xavi as manager. Rafa Marquez’s name keeps on cropping up as a potential option, and the rumor mill now seems convinced he is the chosen one. Diario Sport are reporting that Marquez is the most “realistic option” if Xavi does not continue and even had a piece on who he’ll use as his coaching staff. ESPN are also talking about the Barcelona Atletic boss and claim there is “growing suppo ..read more

Photo by Adria Puig/Anadolu via Getty Images Despair, disappointment and a Clasico up next Barcelona players have been reacting to Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to PSG by posting messages on social media. Xavi’s side were dumped out of the tournament 6-4 on aggregate after blowing a two-goal lead against Luis Enrique’s side. Lamine Yamal teed up an opening goal for Barcelona but was sacrified after Ronald Araujo’s red card and was spotted in tears after the final whistle. However, the youngster is already looking to the future and the chance of revenge. He wrote on Instagram: “There’s alwa ..read more

Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images Plenty to ponder... A second-leg that promised so much from a Barca point of view ultimately ended in abject disappointment - again. It’s becoming a recurring theme of late. So near yet so far. However, one can’t really legislate for the amateur error made by Ronald Araujo which arguably cost the Catalans the game. Our ‘Uruguayo’ has been excellent for the most part this season, but in that one moment all of his good work was forgotten. Why did he even need to lay a hand on Bradley Barcola? He was beaten for pace for a change, so eithe ..read more

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images The defender has posted a message on social media Ronald Araujo has sent out a heartfelt message after being sent off for Barcelona against Paris-Saint Germain in the Champions League. The hosts were leading 4-2 when Araujo saw red for a tug on Bradley Barcola who was through on goal. The sending off changed the match with PSG going on to win 6-4 on aggregate. Araujo had now broken his silence on the incident, admitting he’s been hit hard by the blow and he’s “very sorry” not to have delivered a place in the semi-final for fans. “Football that gave me so much ..read more

Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images A round-up of the latest Barcelona news and rumors FC Barcelona 1-4 Paris Saint-Germain: Heartbreaking exit - FC Barcelona FC Barcelona’s Champions League campaign has fizzled out to a thoroughly frustrating end. Already a goal up from the first leg and quickly two-up after Raphinha’s early goal, what had looked like a confident march into the semi-finals has ended up being a night of most bitter disappointment. Raphinha scores FC Barcelona's 600th goal in the Champions League - FC Barcelona The new Champions League format was introduced 32 years ago, a ..read more

Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images There were no easy answers for the manager Everything was going Barcelona’s way, just as it had in the first leg. PSG came out attacking, but the Blaugrana were patient and organized, allowing nothing through. And with each passing minute, as Parisian frustrations grew, Barcelona came closer to the opening goal. Again, it was Raphinha to get on the score sheet off of a darting run down the right flank by Lamine Yamal. At 4-2 on aggregate, the Blaugrana were in the driving seat. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images This was not your typical Barcelona performa ..read more

Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images The midfielder spoke after the game Frenkie de Jong spoke of his disappointment at seeing Barcelona go out of the Champions League to PSG on Wednesday. The Dutchman said his team tried their hardest to progress but made it clear the loss of Ronald Araujo to a red card was key to the tie going in PSG’s favour. “We scored to go 1-0 up and we already have an important advantage but in Europe when you play with ten men against a team like PSG, you know you’re going to suffer. We tried but in the end we couldn’t do it anymore,” he said. “I had the feeling that Ba ..read more

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images Another nightmare in Europe More European misery for Barcelona Barcelona were dumped out of the Champions League by PSG on Wednesday on another really painful European night for the Catalan giants. The game had started so well with Lamine Yamal brilliantly teeing up the opener for Raphinha to put Barcelona 4-2 up on aggregate and in great shape to progress. Raphinha is the THIRD Barcelona player to score 3+ goals in a 2-leg #UCL knock-out, from quarter-finals and above Messi: 4 goals vs Arsenal, 2010 (quarters) Neymar: 3 goals vs PSG, 2015 (quarters) Neymar ..read more

Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images The coach is not happy Xavi Hernandez did not hide his frustration and anger after seeing Barcelona dumped out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by PSG. Barca had looked set to go through after Raphinha put the hosts 1-0 up in the second leg and 4-2 ahead of the visitors on aggregate. However, the game turned after Ronald Araujo was handed a red card and PSG were able to launch a comeback and progress to the semi-finals. Here’s what Xavi made of it all: “Disgruntled, angry because I think that the play marks the tie ..read more

Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images A truly brutal way to say goodbye to Europe Barcelona’s journey in this season’s Champions League has come to an end at the quarter-final stage thanks to a painful 4-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday’s second leg at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. Barça started the game with a strong team performance and took the lead early on, but a controversial red card after 30 minutes completely changed the game and the tie, and a 10-man Barça side fought hard but couldn’t hold off the visitors as PSG got the goals needed to complete the comeback and a ..read more