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Tag: Barcelona

  • Los angeles Liga: Barcelona regain scoring contact with 4-0 rout of Osasuna

    It didn’t take lengthy for Barcelona’s offense to regain its scoring contact.

    After being held to a disappointing scoreless draw with Galatasaray within the first leg of the spherical of 16 of the Europa League, Barcelona scored 3 targets in not up to half-hour Sunday en path to a comfy 4-0 win over Osasuna within the Spanish league.

    Ferran Torres discovered the online two times and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Riqui Puig added a purpose every to stay the Catalan membership in 3rd position. It has the similar 51 issues as Atletico Madrid however leads at the head-to-head tiebreaker. Barcelona additionally has a recreation in hand in comparison to the protecting champions.

    Barcelona and Atletico path second-place Sevilla through 5 issues. League chief Actual Madrid, which visits relegation-threatened Mallorca on Monday, is 12 issues forward of Barcelona and Atletico.

    Madrid hosts Barcelona subsequent Sunday on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

    Barcelona had scored 14 targets in its final 4 suits in all competitions sooner than the 0-0 house draw in opposition to Galatasaray on Thursday.

    “We didn’t do a just right process the opposite day and we comprehend it,” Torres mentioned. “However as of late the staff replied properly. Whilst you stay developing probabilities, the ball will stay stepping into.”

    Torres opened the scoring Sunday through changing a 14th-minute penalty kick and added to the lead seven mins later from within the house after a pleasing thru ball through Ousmane Dembele.

    Dembele additionally arrange the 3rd purpose through Aubameyang within the twenty seventh, creating a well-placed move into the field from the correct flank, and the fourth through Puig within the seventy fifth.

    Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, making his 600th look with the membership, had a purpose disallowed for offside within the fifty fifth.

    Xavi Hernandez’s staff is unbeaten in 10 directly video games, since a loss at Athletic Bilbao within the spherical of 16 of the Copa del Rey in January.

    “We had a letdown in depth in opposition to Galatasaray and paid for it,” Xavi mentioned. “As of late it used to be other. It used to be one in all our highest suits and it offers us extra self assurance going ahead.”

    Barcelona ladies’s staff, which clinched its 3rd directly league name previous within the day, used to be commemorated sooner than the fit on the Camp Nou Stadium.

    SEVILLA HELD

    Sevilla used to be held once more in its pursuit of Madrid with a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, and is seven issues off the lead.

    It used to be the second one consecutive league draw for Sevilla, and 6th in its final 8 suits within the pageant. Julen Lopetegui’s staff prolonged its unbeaten streak within the league to fourteen suits, since a loss at Madrid in November. It hasn’t received in 4 in an instant video games, drawing they all.

    Bebe put the hosts forward early in the second one part and Thomas Delaney equalized for Sevilla within the 63rd.

    Sevilla had a penalty awarded in the second one part nevertheless it used to be reversed through video evaluation. It additionally had a purpose disallowed through VAR early within the first part.

    Rayo, sitting in thirteenth position, hasn’t received in its final 9 league suits, with seven losses in that run.

    Veteran Colombia striker Radamel Falcao overlooked its 3rd directly recreation with Rayo on account of an harm.

    BETIS REBOUND

    Betis ended a five-game winless streak in all competitions with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Athletic.

    The house win stored Manuel Pellegrini’s staff in 5th position, two issues in the back of Barcelona and Atletico.

    Borja Iglesias scored a Twentieth-minute winner for Betis, which performed the overall mins with 10 males as Nabil Fekir used to be despatched off with a directly crimson card within the eightieth.

    It used to be the 3rd loss in 5 league video games for Athletic, which stayed in 8th position and extra in the back of the Eu qualification puts.

    SOCIEDAD WIN AGAIN

    Martin Zubimendi scored a Seventieth-minute winner as Actual Sociedad beat Basque Nation rival Alaves 1-0 at house for its 3rd win in 4 suits to stick in 6th position and in competition for the Eu puts.

    Sociedad used to be coming off a 4-1 loss at league chief Madrid.

    Alaves, winless in 4 suits, stayed second-to-last, 3 issues from protection.

  • The metaverse stole the display on the international’s greatest cellular tournament — and issues were given bizarre

    SK Telecom’s “4D Metaverse” journey at Cellular Global Congress 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

    Ryan Browne | CNBC

    BARCELONA — Cellular Global Congress made a gigantic comeback this 12 months — however the time period on everybody’s lips wasn’t “smartphones” or “5G.”

    As a substitute, it used to be the “metaverse,” a imprecise thought used to explain huge virtual worlds wherein customers can paintings, play video games and even celebration.

    The time period has been the debate of the tech international ever since Fb modified its title to Meta, a rebrand in large part geared toward drumming up hype for Mark Zuckerberg’s imaginative and prescient for the digital universe.

    And at MWC, the sector’s greatest business display for the cell phone trade, the phrase used to be again and again dropped into keynote speeches and splashed throughout exhibition stands.

    “The metaverse is the buzzword of the instant,” CCS Perception Leader Analyst Ben Picket instructed CNBC on the display, stressing that it is nonetheless moderately a nebulous time period.

    Issues were given bizarre

    But when the metaverse is already a hazy thought, issues appeared to get even much less transparent at MWC.

    SK Telecom’s stand at Cellular Global Congress 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

    Ryan Browne

    South Korean company SK Telecom had a “4D Metaverse” journey at its sales space right through the week. Attendees sat down at the journey and wore digital fact headsets. They have been then lifted up and carried round a virtual illustration of house.

    The catch? It used to be simply some other variation of the similar “4D VR” rides firms like Samsung have confirmed off at MWC in earlier years. In truth, most of the metaverse reviews at MWC have been VR-based.

    At HTC’s stand, guests have been invited to place at the Taiwanese corporate’s Vive headsets and stroll round a digital museum. They may additionally stroll round in a small pen whilst exploring a desolate tract panorama in VR.

    Over at the Qualcomm sales space, it’s essential get cooking courses or swat massive three-D bugs. Orange used to be inviting other folks to climb the Notre-Dame Cathedral in VR with Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 headset.

    “There is the unusual, wacky and the fantastic on display right here at MWC, all looking to soar at the bandwagon that’s the metaverse” Paolo Pescatore, tech, telecom and media analyst at PP Foresight, instructed CNBC.

    “It nonetheless feels very a lot some distance fetched. And it does virtually really feel roughly ‘Wild West’ at the moment.”

    Child steps

    Telecom firms have begun taking child steps into the metaverse, with Spain’s Telefonica even appointing anyone as its “leader metaverse officer.” Yaiza Rubio will lead a department geared toward bringing the provider’s metaverse technique to lifestyles, the corporate stated. What that technique will probably be is unclear.

    “We’re interested by [what] will have to be the position of a telco like Telefonica on this new evolution,” Chema Alonso, Telefonica’s leader virtual officer, instructed attendees at MWC.

    “We do not know but. However evidently, we’re going to be examining this very sparsely … as a result of we imagine that this motion is unstoppable.”

    Against this, BT stated it hasn’t employed a “leader metaverse officer.”

    “This present day, you’ll put the phrase metaverse in maximum issues with activity titles or tasks and it form of makes one thing that isn’t but that transparent appear very fashionable and thrilling,” Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s client manufacturers, instructed CNBC.

    The Orange stand at Cellular Global Congress 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

    Ryan Browne

    Allera described the metaverse as a herbal evolution of the web, including that some sides of the metaverse exist already. “Blended fact reviews are being created as of late and they’re going to evolve” he stated.

    Having a look forward

    Mockingly, Fb-parent Meta — which fired the beginning gun on chatter in regards to the metaverse — did not have a lot of a presence at the exhibition ground at MWC. However the corporate had so much to mention on its construction.

    Zuckerberg put out a observation pronouncing its metaverse ambitions may not be conceivable until there are drastic enhancements in telecoms infrastructure. Dan Rabinovitsj, Meta’s vp of connectivity, stated as of late’s fixed-line and cellular networks are not but in a position.

    “We are operating carefully with our colleagues to take into consideration what is the next move in the case of innovation,” Rabinovitsj instructed CNBC, including that Meta could also be operating with telecoms companies.

    Every other factor that may require extra funding going ahead is chips. Semiconductor massive Qualcomm, as an example, says chips will want to get smaller, sooner and no more power-hungry if the metaverse goes to paintings.

    HTC’s Vive Center of attention 3 digital fact headset on show at Cellular Global Congress 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

    Ryan Browne | CNBC

    “Just about everybody who’s creating a metaverse software at this level is the use of our chip,” Akash Palkhiwala, Qualcomm’s leader monetary officer, instructed CNBC — together with Meta.

    Regardless of the metaverse does in the end finally end up taking a look like, analysts imagine it is right here to stick.

    “We are in the beginning of an extended adventure,” Picket stated. “We have now already had a captivating step in the fitting route with the pandemic as a result of we are beginning to are living extra combined lives.”

    “There will probably be parts of that which can lend themselves to a metaverse-like revel in,” he added. “Then again, it’ll be an extended, very long time.”

  • Folding telephones may quickly be mainstream, with Apple idea to have one within the works

    The Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G telephone is gifted on the corridor of Samsung on the IFA shopper tech honest in Berlin, Germany, September 6, 2019.

    Hannibal Hanschke | Reuters

    BARCELONA – Nearly all of new smartphones on show at this 12 months’s Cellular International Congress — an match that tech giants use to show off their newest handsets — seemed remarkably very similar to the oblong slabs we are acquainted with. However there have been a handful with a distinction.

    Those have been folding telephones — or turn telephones — which seem to be making one thing of a comeback kind of twenty years after the way first hit the marketplace.

    “We are beginning to see the emergence of foldable gadgets,” CCS Perception Leader Analyst Ben Wooden instructed CNBC, including that extra are at the means. “There is all shapes, all sizes, loads of experimentation, and for me, that is a thrilling time.”

    South Korea’s Samsung and China’s Oppo have been amongst a number of smartphone makers appearing off gadgets that may fold in more than a few tactics, frequently doubling a consumer’s display measurement straight away. Samsung had its Galaxy Z Fold vary on show, whilst Oppo was once appearing off its Fold N.

    Apple subsequent?

    One glaring omission from the folding instrument marketplace is Apple, however it is only an issue of time ahead of the iPhone maker launches one of these product, consistent with Wooden. “I’ve each and every self assurance that Apple has had versatile show generation of their labs for greater than a decade,” he mentioned.

    Apple does not love to rush, he added; “They’ll wait and spot how the marketplace evolves.” Apple didn’t straight away reply to a CNBC request for remark.

    Apple’s iPhones and iPads are such a success that the corporate does not want to deviate at this day and age, Wooden mentioned. When the time is true for Apple to release a versatile product, Wooden expects there to be “some kind of convergence” between the iPhone and iPad.

    Remaining Might, famend Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reportedly mentioned in a word to buyers that Apple was once making plans to release a foldable iPhone with an 8-inch show in 2023.

    Anshel Sag, main analyst at Moor Insights and Technique, instructed CNBC that Apple will most likely release a versatile instrument when when sturdiness is now not a subject matter and the show applied sciences have come down in value.

    “I feel we are most definitely nonetheless a 12 months or two clear of that time presently, even if we are in reality seeing Samsung and others fixing lots of the ache issues that used to exist,” Sag mentioned.

    He added: “If Apple have been to come back to marketplace with a versatile instrument I feel it will very a lot seem like a ‘turn’ moderately than a ‘fold’ instrument, as it improves the portability of the instrument and turns out a lot more focused against shopper.”

    Extra of the similar

    Past the folding telephones, on the other hand, Wooden mentioned stressed out that “now not so much has modified” in the case of the vast majority of handsets on show at MWC.

    “The oblong black touchscreen is the dominant shape issue. It is a sea of sameness,” he mentioned.

    One of the vital new gadgets at MWC had a moderately higher digicam or quicker charging, however {hardware} updates at the complete were somewhat incremental, Wooden added.

  • 30-year-old Barcelona superstar may seal MLS switch this summer time if he fails to signal contract extension: Reviews

    Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto may reportedly be shifting to the MLS if he fails to signal a brand new maintain the Los angeles Liga giants.

    Roberto, 30, has hardly featured this season with simply 9 appearances in Los angeles Liga. He has been plagued with accidents in recent times at Barcelona.

    The Spanish midfielder has been locked in contract negotiations with the Catalan giants together with his present deal on the Nou Camp set to run out in June. However will have to the negotiations stall, the Spaniard isn’t wanting suitors, together with from the MLS.

    Spanish journalist Toni Junamarti claimed at the Siempre Positivo Podcast that Roberto was once attracting hobby from MLS facet LA Galaxy.

    LA Galaxy are concentrated on extra high-profile signings following the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    On this regard, Junamarti mentioned (by the use of The Exhausting Take on):

    “Sergi Roberto, his camp and a few of his shut pals are operating on placing a maintain an MLS membership. Roberto has a large number of other folks dwelling in the USA, and a few years again, he instructed them he desires to visit the United States on the finish of his profession.”

    Juanmarti endured:

    “However given the present issues of Barcelona, he hasn’t prolonged his contract but and his agent has nice doubts whether or not Barcelona intend to supply an extension. If so, Roberto has made up our minds to turn on the choice of shifting to the MLS facet LA Galaxy.”
    May Sergi Roberto go away Barcelona for another league?

    Sergi Roberto may sign up for up with former Barca boss Guardiola

    Along the reported hobby from MLS facet LA Galaxy comes hobby from the Premier League.

    Arsenal are mentioned to be preserving tabs at the Los angeles Masia academy product. His versatility may well be key for Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with the midfielder in a position to play plenty of midfield roles and at right-back for Barca.

    The north London facet’s Premier League competitors Manchester Town also are reportedly fascinated by Roberto will have to he go away Barcelona.

    Former Barca boss and present Town boss Pep Guardiola may use the Spaniard in plenty of roles. With veteran Fernandinho getting into the twilight of his profession, the signing of Roberto may well be used to fill the void left through the Brazilian.

    Sergi Roberto’s contract renewal turns out very tough. Xavi desires to stay him, however the wearing team of workers do not suppose the similar.

    — @mundodeportivo

    Sergi Roberto’s contract renewal turns out very tough. Xavi desires to stay him, however the wearing team of workers do not suppose the similar.— @mundodeportivo https://t.co/FIKBS7Bgzb

    As for staying on the Nou Camp, Roberto can have a difficult time keeping down a spot in Xavi’s beginning XI. Frenkie de Jong continues to provoke underneath the previous Barca participant.

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    The membership are monitoring AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie with a deal for the 25-year-old Ivorian mentioned to be shut.

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  • “All the time sought after him to stick” – Barcelona president Joan Laporta hopes Manchester United and Chelsea goal will rethink the membership’s be offering

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has expressed his want to retain the products and services of Ousmane Dembele amid pastime from Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea. The previous Borussia Dortmund participant’s present contract with the Blaugrana runs out in June, which means he’s now allowed to barter with different golf equipment.

    After failing to tie Ousmane Dembele right down to a long-term contract, the Blaugrana made up our minds to place the participant up on the market in January. The ahead reportedly attracted many suitors however in the end made up our minds to stick installed Catalonia, which put a pressure on his dating with the membership.

    Over the previous few weeks, then again, now we have noticed mutual indicators of recognize between the participant and Barca. Xavi has used him continuously over the previous few video games and the France world has repaid his religion by way of pitching in with decisive performances.

    Barça president Joan Laporta tells Cadena Ser: “Ousmane Dembélé is aware of our proposal and we at all times sought after him to stick”. ?? #FCB“We are hoping that on the finish of the season he’s going to rethink his resolution”, he stated. https://t.co/B87LAlr5Vp

    Amid the blossoming dating between the 2 events, Barcelona president Laporta has prolonged an olive department, hoping to retain his products and services past the summer season. The 59-year-old has admitted that he desires to peer Dembele lengthen his keep on the Camp Nou, urging him to rethink Barca’s be offering.

    On the Cell Global Congress, Laporta stated (by means of Sportsmole):

    “Dembele is aware of our be offering and that we have got at all times sought after him to stick. We are hoping that on the finish of the season he’s going to rethink it.”

    Since his botched go out in January, Dembele has featured in 3 Los angeles Liga video games for Barcelona, pitching in with one purpose and 3 assists. The participant scored a purpose and equipped two assists in his ultimate league trip towards Athletic Bilbao. His season-best efficiency helped the Catalonians to a 4-0 win on the Camp Nou.

    Chelsea and Manchester United may just each have the benefit of Barcelona right-winger’s products and services

    Chelsea and Manchester United don’t have any scarcity of attackers, however now not they all were firing on all cylinders this season. Whilst Chelsea have had a troublesome time with Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United have struggled with Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford’s performances.

    Signing Dembele for a considerable rate from Barcelona would were a chance for both membership, because the Frenchman isn’t an instantaneous substitute for his or her suffering forwards. On the other hand, as a loose agent, the danger is much more contained.

    Ousmane Dembélé scored this night, Xavi says: “Can Dembélé keep? It isn’t my trade, I’m now not gonna speak about it. It’s as much as Ousmane and the membership”. #Dembele

    “He’s very skilled and I’ve at all times defended him. Nowadays we noticed the Dembélé we at all times need to see”.

    Ousmane Dembélé scored this night, Xavi says: “Can Dembélé keep? It isn’t my trade, I’m now not gonna speak about it. It’s as much as Ousmane and the membership”. ? #Dembele“He’s very skilled and I’ve at all times defended him. Nowadays we noticed the Dembélé we at all times need to see”. https://t.co/iSMJoaoKRf

    At Chelsea, Dembele shall be reunited with Thomas Tuchel – a trainer he thrived beneath at Borussia Dortmund. At Manchester United, then again, he would be able to develop into the crew’s first-choice right-winger and hyperlink up with Jadon Sancho.

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    If he can stay himself have compatibility, the 24-year-old is usually a hit within the Premier League. On the other hand, given his newfound mojo at Barcelona, convincing him to return might not be as simple as it could’ve been in January.

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  • Russia will get the chilly shoulder on the international’s greatest cell phone display amid Ukraine warfare

    Attendants pour into the Cell International Congress tech display in Barcelona, Spain, because it kicks off on Feb. 28, 2022.

    Nurphoto | Getty Pictures

    BARCELONA — Russia were given an icy reception at Cell International Congress, the arena’s biggest industry display for cellular era.

    GSMA, the business frame that runs MWC, put out a observation over the weekend condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It mentioned the Russian Pavilion, a stand the place international locations showcase their native tech scene, can be barred from the development.

    “The GSMA strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Mats Granryd, director common of GSMA, mentioned in his opening keynote Monday.

    The group mentioned “the placement is fast-moving,” however that it might apply “all executive sanctions and insurance policies due to this example.”

    “Safety for the development is repeatedly reviewed and changed as knowledge emerges,” the GSMA mentioned.

    Nick Reed, CEO of Vodafone, additionally voiced improve for the ones suffering from the Russian invasion of Ukraine: “Our ideas move out to everybody suffering from the warfare.”

    “With the backdrop of the Ukraine warfare, it is a convention like this that strikes a chord in my memory of the significance of worldwide sectors and communities like ours running in combination to advance society,” Reed informed MWC attendees Monday.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started on Thursday, and was once unexpectedly condemned by means of executive leaders internationally. The U.S. and its allies have introduced punitive sanctions focused on Russia’s banking machine or even President Vladimir Putin himself.

    “GSMA needed to reply and needed to take decisive motion,” Paolo Pescatore, tech, media and telecom analyst at PP Foresight, informed CNBC Monday. “They no doubt did that as a place to begin.”

    The CEOs of China Cell, China Telecom and China Unicom had been particularly silent at the subject of Ukraine Monday, although their keynotes gave the look to be pre-recorded. Neither the Chinese language telecoms companies nor the GSMA had been straight away to be had for remark when contacted by means of CNBC.

    China’s International Ministry remaining week refused to name the Russian assault on Ukraine an “invasion,” as an alternative deflecting the blame to the U.S.

    Eu telco pros had been a lot more vocal at the subject.

    “Probably the most urgent factor is obviously the warfare in Ukraine,” Vodafone’s Reed mentioned. “This provides to the arena dealing with political, financial, social and environmental turmoil all on the identical time. We’re all going to must dig very deep to lend a hand triumph over those demanding situations.”

    Telefonica CEO Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete Lopez didn’t point out the Russia-Ukraine disaster particularly, however mentioned “this isn’t a time for warfare.”

    “This isn’t a time for war of words, nor for warfare,” he mentioned. “That is time for collaboration.”

    MWC kicks off

    Most sensible telecom leaders descended on Barcelona this week for MWC, the place smartphone makers, cellular community operators and tech giants are appearing off their newest devices and inventions.

    Telecom leaders spent a good portion in their opening remarks urging for higher funding into growing economies and spaces the place other people lack get admission to to the web and smartphones.

    The development has in large part been overshadowed by means of the Ukraine warfare, on the other hand, particularly as the rustic faces a heightened danger of cyberattacks from Russia and incorrect information campaigns.

    Fb father or mother corporate Meta on Sunday mentioned it had exposed a incorrect information community that was once concerned about spreading faux information concerning the warfare.

    “It is going to turn, in gentle of what is taking place, how tough and resilient verbal exchange must be, Pescatore mentioned. “We don’t need any faux information. We would like unbiased information via in the best approach.”

    “Shifting ahead it puts even nice focal point at the relevance of communications, and no longer simply cellular however cellular as a set of answers that may lend a hand cater to attach the unconnected.”

    — CNBC’s Sam Shead contributed to this file

  • Barcelona Switch Information Roundup: Chelsea fail of their makes an attempt to resume contract of Barca switch goal, Joan Laporta discusses attainable Erling Haaland signing and extra – 26 February 2022

    Barcelona need to fortify their midfield and defence in the summertime switch window and feature already drawn up a shortlist of a number of best avid gamers.

    The Catalans beat Napoli 4-2 on the San Paolo Stadium on Thursday evening in the second one leg in their Europa League knockout playoff conflict. Barcelona have carried out smartly in fresh weeks and a way of optimism has returned to the membership underneath new supervisor Xavi Hernandez.

    With out additional ado, let’s check out the highest tales involving Barcelona from 26 February 2022.

    Philippe Coutinho says he does not be apologetic about Barcelona transfer
    Newcastle United v Aston Villa – Premier League

    Philippe Coutinho secured a dream transfer to Barcelona in January 2018. The Catalans signed him for €135 million. Alternatively, the Brazilian global failed to provoke on the Camp Nou and is lately on mortgage at Aston Villa. Coutinho is prone to pass down in historical past as the largest switch flop in Barcelona’s historical past.

    Alternatively, the 29-year-old has now published in an interview with ESPN that he does no longer be apologetic about swapping Liverpool for Barcelona.

    “No. At positive occasions we need to make choices, and one in all my giant goals was once to play for Barcelona.
    “At that second I made up our minds to make that call, however all the time with nice affection, recognize and gratitude for Liverpool and for the friendships over time I have been within the membership.
    “At that second I had a choice to make and I do not be apologetic about it.”
    Joan Laporta says signing Erling Haaland might be ‘very tough’
    TSG Hoffenheim v Borussia Dortmund – Bundesliga

    Barcelona are some of the golf equipment that experience registered an pastime in Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland. The 21-year-old is sort of positive to go away the Bundesliga outfit in the summertime with a number of Ecu giants vying for his signature.

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has now known as for the Camp Nou trustworthy to mood their expectancies via revealing that signing Haaland this summer time might be ‘very tough’.

    Responding to a fan’s query at the streets, Laporta stated:

    “Glance, we’re doing the most efficient factor for Barça.
    “We’re doing the whole thing imaginable to reach that. We need to deliver the most efficient avid gamers to Barça. The item is, you’re asking me for one thing this is very tough.”

    Chelsea hit useless finish with Andreas Christensen’s contract renewal
    Chelsea FC v Lille OSC: Spherical Of 16 Leg One – UEFA Champions League

    Chelsea centre-back Andreas Christensen has entered the overall few months of his present contract. He’s set to go away the West London membership as a loose agent in the summertime. Barcelona had been closely connected with the Danish global.

    In keeping with more than one studies, Chelsea have hit a useless finish so far as contract renewal discussions with Christensen are involved. The 25-year-old isn’t pleased with the phrases introduced via the Blues and until there’s a dramatic twist within the story, he’s going to depart the membership on the finish of the season.

    Barcelona need to usher in a ball-playing centre-back in the summertime and Christensen suits the profile they are searching for. Bayern Munich also are reportedly thinking about signing the Chelsea centre-back.

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    ? (CHRISTENSEN): Barcelona are lately main the race to signal Andreas Christensen on a loose switch. Bayern Munich also are acutely aware of this.• A freelance renewal with Chelsea turns out most unlikely nowadays.#FCB ??By way of (?): @SPORTBILD https://t.co/Bg4yTUCGRD

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  • Chinese language upstart Realme seems to be to tackle Apple, Samsung because it launches its first high-end smartphone in another country

    Chinese language smartphone logo Realme is about to release its first high-end smartphone in another country subsequent week in a bid to develop marketplace proportion in Europe and proceed its speedy enlargement.

    The transfer will pit the corporate, which started in 2018, in opposition to the likes of Apple and Samsung which dominate the high-end section, in addition to Chinese language rival Xiaomi which has grown temporarily in another country.

    The GT 2 and GT 2 Professional smartphones will release on Monday at the once a year Cell Global Congress in Barcelona, Spain. It’s the corporate’s first look on the international’s largest cellular industry convention, underscoring its want to develop marketplace proportion out of doors of China.

    “In China and the Eu marketplace, we need to center of attention at the leap forward to the high-end marketplace,” Realme CEO Sky Li stated in an unique interview, in step with a CNBC translation of his Mandarin remarks.

    “Within the Eu marketplace, in addition to some other marketplace, we place ourselves as offering inexpensive telephones with exceptional efficiency and stylish design. Within the Eu marketplace, now we have the similar technique.”

    Lofty objectives

    Realme will not be well known to customers in Western Europe or the U.S. but it surely has been rising temporarily. Within the fourth quarter, Realme shipped 20.65 million smartphones, up 48% year-on-year, in step with information from Counterpoint Analysis. Apple in the meantime noticed a decline whilst Samsung noticed simply 8% enlargement.

    Alternatively, Realme is relatively small with a world marketplace proportion of simply 6%. Apple shipped round 81.5 million smartphones within the December quarter, for instance, Counterpoint Analysis information displays.

    The Realme GT 2 Professional smartphone is pictured. The Chinese language smartphone maker hopes its first high-end tool will lend a hand it achieve marketplace proportion in Europe and different areas.

    Realme

    However Realme has made headway in markets with extra price-conscious customers the place its decrease priced, but excessive spec telephones have discovered attraction. It’s the second-largest smartphone participant in India.

    CEO Li is hoping to take care of that wholesome enlargement this yr.

    “In 2021, we controlled 50% enlargement. Prior to now 3 years, we saved excessive enlargement. In 2022, we would like stay the expansion fee, at 40% or 50%,” Li advised CNBC, including the corporate desires to promote greater than 85 million telephones globally.

    Apple, Samsung problem

    Realme faces a lot of demanding situations in its push to realize proportion within the high-end marketplace, maximum particularly looking to persuade customers to shop for their units as an alternative of from established avid gamers like Apple, Samsung or even Xiaomi.

    The GT 2 will retail for round $600 whilst the GT 2 Professional will get started at round $800.

    “Its subsequent problem will probably be to persuade shoppers who’re used to buying established logo names to pay an identical costs for Realme,” Harmeet Singh Walia, senior analyst at Counterpoint Analysis, advised CNBC.

    “On this regard, whilst it’ll face some problem from Samsung and Apple, it’ll additionally face a problem from distributors similar to Xiaomi and OnePlus that promote units in a an identical or its desired payment vary.”

  • L. a. Liga: Scramble to signal Aubameyang begins to repay for Barcelona

    The last-minute scramble to safe the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has began to repay for Barcelona.

    Aubameyang scored his first two targets since becoming a member of from Arsenal on the finish of the iciness switch window, main the Catalan membership to a powerful 4-1 win at Valencia within the Spanish league on Sunday.

    Ousmane Dembele, whom Barcelona sought after to go away however ended staying after rejecting a few provides on the switch time limit, made his first get started since then and arrange Frenkie de Jong’s objective within the first part. Pedri Gonzalez additionally scored as Barcelona ended a two-game winless run in all competitions.

    The outcome moved Xavi Hernandez’s workforce again into fourth position within the ultimate Champions League qualification spot within the Spanish league. Protecting champion Atletico Madrid, which received 3-0 at Osasuna on Saturday, is 5th. Barcelona trails league chief Actual Madrid through 15 issues with a recreation in hand.

    It was once the 5th loss within the final seven league video games for Valencia, which sits in twelfth position. It’s winless in seven immediately fits within the festival.

    Barcelona was once coming off a 1-1 draw with Napoli within the first leg of the Europa League playoffs on Thursday. The five-time Champions League winner is again in the second one tier of Eu football after failing to get previous the crowd degree of the Champions League for the primary time in just about 20 years.

    Barcelona signed the 32-year-old Aubameyang after effectively delivering his documentation to the Spanish league within the final minute of the switch time limit. He had made his first get started within the draw in opposition to Napoli after coming off the bench in the second one part of league fits in opposition to Atletico and Espanyol.

    Aubameyang’s first objective got here when he frivolously hit the higher nook in a one-on-one scenario within the twenty third minute, and his 2nd got here from shut fluctuate within the thirty eighth after a cross through Gavi Paez.

    De Jong had added to Barcelona’s lead from throughout the house through finishing Dembele’s right-flank cross within the thirty second, and Pedri sealed the victory with a long-range strike within the 63rd which ahd a slight deflection.

    Valencia had pulled one nearer within the 52nd with a header through Carlos Soler off Bryan Gil’s go.

    Valencia, enjoying within the Copa del Rey semifinals this season, had two targets disallowed within the first part — one through offside within the twenty sixth and some other within the forty first after video overview made up our minds the ball had long gone around the sideline within the buildup.

    Lots of the just about 40,000 Valencia fanatics at Mestalla Stadium once more protested in opposition to Singaporean proprietor Peter Lim with banners that mentioned “Lim Pass House.”

    SEVILLA FALTERS

    2nd-place Sevilla stumbled in its pursuit of Madrid after being held 1-1 at Espanyol, transferring to 6 issues off the lead.

    Madrid beat Alaves 3-0 at house Saturday and Sevilla wanted a win to stay handiest 4 issues again.

    Sevilla performed a person down from the 76th after defender Jules Kounde was once despatched off with a immediately crimson card after complaining to the referee.

    Rafa Mir opened the scoring for the guests within the thirty sixth after an lend a hand through Papu Gomez, who had come into the fit about 10 mins previous to interchange the injured Anthony Martial.

    Espanyol equalized early in the second one part with a close-range header through Sergi Darder.

    Sevilla is unbeaten in six immediately fits in all competitions. Espanyol, in 14th position, is winless in six consecutive league fits.

    Later Sunday, third-place Actual Betis can get inside of 5 issues of rival Sevilla with a house win in opposition to relegation-threatened Mallorca. Within the final fit Sunday, eighth-place Athletic Bilbao hosts seventh-place Actual Sociedad within the Basque Nation derby.

  • Barcelona held by way of Napoli in Europa League whilst Rangers surprise Dortmund

    Barcelona have been held 1-1 at house by way of Napoli within the first leg in their Europa League knockout level playoff tie on Thursday, whilst Scottish facet Rangers surprised Borussia Dortmund with a 4-2 win in Germany. Barca ruled complaints however discovered themselves a objective right down to the Italians after Piotr Zielinski completed off a counter-attack within the twenty ninth minute.

    Barca ahead Ferran Torres equalised in a while prior to the hour mark from the penalty spot after the video assistant referee had noticed an overly delicate Juan Jesus’ handball from a Adama Traore go throughout the house. Barca have been at the entrance foot all the way through with their emblem new attacking trident shaped by way of new signings Torres, Traore and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, however neglected a number of possibilities to take the lead.

    Napoli hung on as they have been bombarded within the remaining ten mins, with Torres and substitutes Luuk de Jong and Ousmane Dembele lacking probability after probability in entrance of Alex Meret’s objective. The second one leg shall be performed at Napoli subsequent week.

    Barcelona’s head trainer Xavi Hernandez, left, talks to Barcelona’s Gerard Pique throughout the Europa League fit between Barcelona and Napoli in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photograph/Joan Monfort)

    “I’m dissatisfied in regards to the outcome, no longer about our sport,” trainer Xavi Hernandez advised a information convention. “That is the best way, we performed neatly and deserved a lot more. The end result may be very unfair.”Somewhere else, Actual Betis defeated 3-2 Zenit St Petersburg after scoring two times within the first 20 mins thru Guido Rodriguez and Willian Jose. However the Russian facet fought again to equalise with two objectives in 3 mins scored by way of Artem Dzyuba and Malcom.

    On the other hand, veteran midfielder Andres Guardado discovered the winner for Betis proper prior to halftime, because the LaLiga facet hung on at hand Zenit their first house loss since October 2021. Sheriff Tiraspol beat Braga 2-0 at house in Moldova due to objectives from Sebastien Thill and Adama Traore. On the other hand, the surprise of the evening got here in Germany as Rangers beat Bundesliga’s second-placed facet Borussia Dortmund 4-2.

    Later, Porto fought again to get a 2-1 house win towards Lazio due to a brace from Spanish striker Toni Martinez. Atalanta additionally got here again from a objective down to overcome Olympiakos Piraeus 2-1 at house. In Germany, Leipzig rescued a 2-2 draw towards Actual Sociedad due to a past due Emil Forsberg penalty.

    In Spain, LaLiga second-placed facet Sevilla gained 3-1 towards Dinamo Zagreb, with French ahead Anthony Martial scoring his first objective for the Spanish facet, and are one step nearer to advancing in a contest they’ve gained a report six occasions.”Our lovers know the Europa League in reality neatly they usually find it irresistible,” Sevilla captain Ivan Rakitic advised journalists.

    “We need to experience it step-by-step. I really like our possibilities right here and in LaLiga too.”