Barcelona

Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona won 4-1 at Real Sociedad. Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembélé also scored for Xavi Hernández's side.

Morata almost scored a beauty when he sent a thunderous strike in from inside the area that Rulli stopped. Rulli made the stop of the match in the 70th minute when he denied what looked like a certain goal from Matheus Cunha with a one-handed reflex move from close range. Than Fati was part of a beautiful team effort to assist Lewandowski for the third.

Happy birthday, Robert Lewandowski. Barcelona swept aside Real Sociedad with a stunning display of attacking prowess, and the Polish striker bagged a brace.

Just two minutes later, Ansu Fati was at it again, passing to Lewandowski for the striker to score his second. He also claimed a jaw dropping assist for Ansu Fati to score his goal, a move that brought me jumping out of my seat. Barcelona swept aside Real Sociedad with a stunning display of attacking prowess, and the Polish striker bagged a brace on his 34th birthday.

It's critical Xavi gets it right for Barcelona on the pitch, and let's just say he did it this weekend. PLUS: talking points galore around Europe.

But it looks like Napoli have managed to reload on the fly between Kvaratskhelia, Gio Simeone and [Giacomo Raspadori](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/271679/Giacomo-Raspadori) up front and Leo Ostigaard and Min-Jae Kim at the back, while also cutting the wage bill and bringing in some much needed transfer funds. [Sadio Mane](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/169797/Sadio-Mané) who is, you know, pretty good. From Atletico's point of view, there were some disappointing individual performances (Joao Felix, [Marcos Llorente](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/206474/Marcos-Llorente) and [Nahuel Molina](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/164826/Nahuel-Molina), with his silly red card, above all) and the result obviously stings (Villarreal are a direct opponent in the race for top four), but there were also encouraging signs that the back three can hold up. [Erling Haaland](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/253989/Erling-Haaland) hit the post and forced a tremendous one-on-one save from the excellent [Nick Pope](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/161715/Nick-Pope) before he scored to make it 2-1. [Monza](/soccer/team?id=4007), and you expect Neapolitan schoolchildren to learn both the pronunciation and the spelling of his name. Martin Odegaard, who scored twice, has found his feet and [Oleksandr Zinchenko](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/217482/Oleksandr-Zinchenko), playing fullback the Pep Guardiola way -- coming inside and playmaking -- offers a different dimension entirely. And if Leeds' forwards weren't running north-south at every occasion, [Kalidou Koulibaly](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/150312/Kalidou-Koulibaly) likely wouldn't have gotten two yellow cards for pulling back opponents. Stones didn't have a great game and [Ruben Dias](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/234878/Rúben-Dias) has been inconsistent in recent weeks. [Manchester City](/soccer/team?id=382) were 3-1 down against [Newcastle United](/soccer/team?id=361) at a rocking St James' Park, and it could have been worse, if the referee had given a penalty or [John Stones](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/157974/John-Stones)' collision with [Fabian Schar](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/179233/Fabian-Schär). And yes, [Kyle Walker](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/129358/Kyle-Walker) had a torrid afternoon against [Allan Saint-Maximin](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/193281/Allan-Saint-Maximin), but the good news is he only plays him twice a year. [Ferran Torres](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/265869/Ferran-Torres) started in his place) and especially Ansu Fati, effectively moving to a 3-3-4 formation. At this stage, you assume he's going nowhere because with Nico having joined [Valencia](/soccer/team?id=94) on loan, there's nobody else to provide an alternative to Busquets (and no, [Franck Kessie](http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/194711/Franck-Kessié) would have to reinvent himself to play that role.)

Barcelona are in a race against time to offload some of the club's fringe players before the summer transfer window shuts in a few days; Samuel Umtiti, ...

[Jules Koundé saga continues to play out](https://sportsbrief.com/football/barcelona/22382-xavi-extremely-disappointed-by-fc-barcelonas-inability-register-signing-jules-kounde/#:~:text=frustrated%20at%20having%20to%20sit%20on%20the%20sidelines%2C%20and%20so%20is%20Barca) as the end of the transfer window draws closer. Barcelona are now desperate to sell Frenkie de Jong and five other first-team squad players as they scramble to raise funds before the end of the transfer window, Barcelona have just 9 days to the end of the summer transfer window to register Jules Kounde and will be desperate to offload all players to be able to raise the funds for the French defender’s registration.

After Barcelona's thrilling 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad on Sunday evening Pete Sharland gets in touch with Jorge Ordas from Eurosport Spain.

“Without a doubt it is one of the plays that decides the game,” Ordas replies. “But, behind it, there is a gesture that did not sit well with the club. The decision looked to pay off pretty much straight away as it was his assist for Lewandowski’s blistering opener. But it was Ansu Fati coming off the bench who really caught our eyes. This performance looked a lot more like what people expected when they saw Barca’s aggressive spending in the window. There was certainly a lot of schadenfreude last weekend when Barca couldn’t get past Rayo despite all the millions they had spent, especially with Jules Kounde still unable to be registered.

For that, however, they still need to sanction a few sales (Aubameyang, Memphis Depay, Sergino Dest, Martin Braithwaite, Samuel Umtiti). In case Barcelona ...

In case Barcelona manage to bring on a new left-back, Jordi Alba may lose his spot due to excessive competition. First, [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Chelsea is in jeopardy](https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-strikers-transfer-to-chelsea-could-fall-through-romero/) and Alonso was expected to be a part of the package. Taking into account the mentioned numbers, it will be relatively easy for Barcelona to ‘lighten the wage bill and register players’.

Xavi's Barcelona side are 'desperate to offload players' as they look to raise the '£17 million needed to register new signing Jules Kounde'.

He has trained very well, I see him in good spirits, but we need to sell players to be able to register him.' leaving them to offload Aubameyang, Depay, Umtiti, Dest and Braithwaite before the window shuts Catalans STILL 'need to bring in £17m before they can register Jules Kounde'...

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele caught Real Sociedad defender Aihen Munoz in the face with his left elbow during Sunday's La Liga clash but did not receive ...

The winger has played just 104 La Liga games since joining Barcelona from German side Borussia Dortmund five years ago, a deal that cost a whopping £135.5million. We need departures to register him." "We have to have humility. Jules Kounde was again left out of Barcelona's team as they are yet to register him as a player. He is a centre-back with a lot of class and experience even though he is 23 years old. After that, Barcelona face Sevilla, Cadiz and Elche, with their The Poland international needed just 45 seconds to score the opener, poking in a low cross from Alejandro Balde. In the player's defence, he was not looking at Munoz when his elbow made contact with his face, although he did seem to know the 25-year-old Spaniard was just behind him. I see him more as a centre-back, but in an emergency he can play as a full-back. "We are still waiting," added Xavi before the game. Sociedad equalised moments later through Alexander Isak, with the hosts finding the net again in the second half. Dembele went on to score Barcelona's second goal before

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Lewandowski needed just 45 seconds to score on his 34th birthday but it was the magic of 19-year-old Ansu Fati that powered Barcelona ...

Injuries have slowed his young career down but he is up and running once more and he was too much for Real Sociedad. Lewandowski repaid Fati for the fourth. Lewandowski was keen to finish what he started and he scored from close range after a fine close-passing move from Barcelona.

According to Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona transfer chief Mateu Alemany is yet to create space in the club's salary bill for Alonso, even though the ...

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been told to pay the £25m fee Barcelona are after for Aubameyang in full, with Alonso set to be a separate transaction. Alonso joined Chelsea from Fiorentina six years ago and has gone on to bag 29 goals and 23 assists in 212 appearances for the west Londoners. Alonso has waited all summer to make his move to Barcelona a reality after asking Chelsea chiefs to sanction a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Discussions between Chelsea and Barcelona are ongoing and there is a willingness from both clubs to get a deal done; the deal under discussion is thought to ...

You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News. Negotiations between Chelsea and Barcelona have been ongoing for the past few days and there is an agreement in place between Chelsea and Aubameyang. Discussions between Chelsea and Barcelona are ongoing and there is a willingness from both clubs to get a deal done; the deal under discussion is thought to be worth between £15m and £25m; one source has told Sky Sports News an agreement is close

Negotiations for Marcos Alonso have stalled. Barcelona have not taken the final step to close the deal and Chelsea could decide to end the operation because ...

[Marcos Alonso](https://www.besoccer.com/player/m-alonso-33522) has a promise from Barcelona that they will eventually sign him. [Chelsea](https://www.besoccer.com/team/chelsea-fc) have already warned them that it is now or never. [La LigaStar+,SKY Sports,LaLiga TV Bar,DAZN,ESPN 3ElcheAlmería22 Aug 2022](https://www.besoccer.com/match/elche/almeria/202349317) UtdLiverpool22 Aug 2022](https://www.besoccer.com/match/manchester-united-fc/liverpool/202318249) [La LigaStar+,SKY Sports,LaLiga TV Bar,LaLiga por M+,LaLiga 1 por M+GironaGetafe22 Aug 2022](https://www.besoccer.com/match/girona-fc/getafe/202349315) The Spaniards want Marcos Alonso, but they will not be rushed.

While Robert Lewandowski scored a brace against Los Txuri Urdin, one player who made a notable impact on the proceedings was Ansu Fati, scoring a goal and ...

They have no intention to replicate the mistake from last year. As things stand, the forward is fit enough to start in the upcoming game against Real Valladolid. [Radio Catalunya](https://twitter.com/totcosta/status/1561767230404173825), the attacker is on the verge of returning to his full fitness and could soon be in contention to start.

Pep Guardiola's side have arrived in Barcelona ahead of Wednesday's friendly match for charity. The squad flew straight out after their 3-3 draw against ...

Pep Guardiola and Barcelona president Joan Laporta have a good relationship, but no approaches are expected to be made towards Bernardo Silva ahead of Wednesday. Pep Guardiola's side have arrived in Barcelona ahead of Wednesday's friendly match for charity. Nathan Ake was today ruled out of the trip due to an injury he sustained in the game with Newcastle today.

Manchester City's hopes of keeping Bernardo Silva at the club are growing stronger as the end of the transfer window approaches, and Barcelona now feel time ...

Bernardo Silva showed no signs of distraction yesterday, and he scored a goal and contributed to an assist on the way to a 3-3 draw for Manchester City. Barcelona may be able to afford the fee if Frenkie De Jong leaves the club, but that is also looking increasingly unlikely. [ Jose Alvarez](https://twitter.com/10JoseAlvarez), Barcelona feel time is running out in their pursuit of Bernardo Silva.

Barça TV + is showing live coverage of the charity game promoted by Juan Carlos Unzué to raise funds for ALS research.

New Zealand (7.30 AM) Sydney (5.30 AM) Korea, Japan (4.30 AM) India (1.00 AM) Thailand, Jakarta (2.30 AM) [@fcbarcelona_jp](https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona_jp)& [www.fcbarcelona.jp](https://www.fcbarcelona.jp/ja/)Indonesian: [@fcbarcelona_id](https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona_id) [fcbarcelona.cn](http://www.fcbarcelona.cn/) Uzbekistan, Pakistan (12.30 AM) Denver (1.30 PM) [@fcbarcelona_tr](https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona_tr) [@fcbarcelona_ara](https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona_ara) [@fcbarcelona](https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona) & [www.fcbarcelona.com](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/)Catalan: [@fcbarcelona_cat](https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona_cat)& [www.fcbarcelona.cat](https://www.fcbarcelona.cat/ca/)

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will be playing a friendly on Wednesday evening against Xavi Hernadez's new-look Barcelona side, with all proceeds going to ...

"We want to thank Barca for inviting us to this wonderful venue. Guardiola has also said he will be taking his Manchester City stars to be part of this showcase despite a long season due to the Fifa World Cup in Qatar bringing the season to a halt in November and December. I am very happy to come."