The Irish Times

Xavi getting to grips with massive challenge at Barcelona

Legendary former star’s young tyros will have nothing to lose when they face great rivals Real

Sat Mar 19 2022 - 06:00

Ken Early: Don’t make players pawns in sad and bitter Covid culture war

Victor Lindelof breathing issues latest in line of incidents incorrectly linked to vaccines

Mon Dec 13 2021 - 05:39

What are Messi’s options if he can force a Barcelona exit?

If he does leave the Catalan capital, Messi may surprise everyone with his next move

Wed Aug 26 2020 - 08:34

Michael Walker: Pressure mounts on Barcelona to stop slide

It’s been five years since they conquered Europe and are increasingly reliant on Messi

Sat Aug 08 2020 - 08:00

Andrés Iniesta: ‘Football is a part of society, it can’t escape that’

Barcelona legend on life in Japan, pining for football and the troubles facing his old club

Fri Apr 17 2020 - 11:14

Barcelona turn sacking of Ernesto Valverde into a public pantomime

Everyone seems to know the head coach is leaving but nobody will come out and tell him

Mon Jan 13 2020 - 17:29

PES 2020: Mastery on the pitch, but frustrating off it

Review: Some issues will leave PES veterans with tinge of disappointment

Fri Sept 13 2019 - 16:01

Sergio Busquets: Beating heart of Barcelona recalls ‘highest point’ against United in 2011

‘That was the best performance of Pep’s era, where our success, our superiority, was most overwhelming’

Mon Apr 08 2019 - 09:20

Barcelona invests in preparing for the players of the future

Innovation hub works on nutrition, training regimens, injury management and even sleep patterns in search of an edge on the pitch

Fri Mar 01 2019 - 16:37

Gareth Bale cuts an increasingly detached figure at Real Madrid

Bale doesn’t look happy, doesn’t speak Spanish and his teammates call him ‘the golfer’

Tue Feb 26 2019 - 07:00

Pragmatism could be key if Man City are to defend their title

Pep Guardiola sides are rarely used to chasing like they must chase Liverpool

Thu Jan 03 2019 - 09:10

Ken Early: A draw now feels like defeat for teams chasing City

For Liverpool, the need to win every game to cling on to Guardiola’s leaders is wearying

Mon Dec 03 2018 - 07:00

Pellegrini defends Wilshere as West Ham lose their midfield mojo

Wilshere returns to Emirates Stadium for the first time since transfer from Arsenal

Thu Aug 23 2018 - 23:00

Barcelona off to a winning start against Alaves

Lionel Messi scores brace as champions begin title defence in fine style at Nou Camp

Sun Aug 19 2018 - 12:20

Spain’s Andres Iniesta tasting new success with wine-making

Minuto 116 is named after the minute of the 2010 World Cup final in which Iniesta scored

Fri Jul 20 2018 - 08:37

Paulinho is heading back to China after just one season at Barcelona

Brazilian was arguably the Catalan club’s best player in early stages of last season

Sun Jul 08 2018 - 21:01

Iago Aspas earns Spain top spot after dramatic Morocco draw

Spanish come from behind twice in Kaliningrad to set up last-16 clash with Russia

Mon Jun 25 2018 - 21:37

Ravenous, disconnected, introverted, a leader: the enigma of Messi

He functions best in a well-oiled machine, a concept that’s difficult to match with Argentina

Fri Jun 15 2018 - 19:15

Ken Early: Spain become victims of managerial fiasco

Real mess as Madrid end up with national pariah Julen Lopetegui at the helm

Thu Jun 14 2018 - 06:00

World Cup 2018: your guide to Group B

Spain and Portugal likely to progress at the expense of unlucky Morocco and Iran

Sat Jun 09 2018 - 02:00

Andrés Iniesta: ‘Football is my life, I want to feel close to the grass’

Spanish midfielder is making his final World Cup bow shortly after leaving Barcelona

Fri Jun 08 2018 - 18:33

Group B: Spain looking like serious contenders again

Andrés Iniesta readies himself for last waltz while David de Gea could be the difference

Fri Jun 01 2018 - 00:00

Andres Iniesta has signed for Japanese side Vissel Kobe

The 34-year-old left Catalan club Barcelona after winning his ninth La Liga title

Thu May 24 2018 - 09:35

Real not to give unbeaten champions Barcelona guard of honour

Zinedine Zidane defends decision not to respect tradition against the Catalan club

Sat May 05 2018 - 18:57

Why has Barcelona’s unbeaten double been so low-key?

Ernesto Valverde’s side failed in Europe but domestically have been very impressive

Mon Apr 30 2018 - 15:12

Iniesta announces Barcelona departure as Guardiola expresses gratitude

Cultured midfielder gives tearful press conference to call time on his glittering career at the Camp Nou

Fri Apr 27 2018 - 20:38

Andres Iniesta confirms he will leave Barcelona in the summer

Spain midfielder: ‘I have said I will never play against Barca, so I won’t play in Europe’

Fri Apr 27 2018 - 13:38

‘Last Emperor’ Iniesta hailed after stunning Copa del Rey showing

Playmaker shines in demolition of Sevilla as attention turns to his future

Sun Apr 22 2018 - 13:45

Mooy’s Terrier-like spirit helps Huddersfield confound the sceptics

Maintaining their Premier Division status would be a remarkable achievement for Town

Sat Apr 21 2018 - 09:00

Controlling the zones is key to City’s success – and downfall

Guardiola’s tactics disrupted opposition’s defence structure, but not always their attack

Mon Apr 16 2018 - 21:34

Barcelona’s meek capitulation to Roma exposes a deeper malaise

Warning signs were there during Champions League campaign as star players look to have reached the end of the line

Wed Apr 11 2018 - 22:30

Barca players distraught after ‘toughest blow’ in Rome

‘It’s a very big disappointment after great season we've had.’

Wed Apr 11 2018 - 08:10

Visionary Pep Guardiola still has something new to say

Style and substance the mark of a coach who has guided Man City to the cusp of the title

Sat Apr 07 2018 - 06:00

Barcelona sweep past Roma to put one foot in the last four

Lionel Messi kept quiet but Giallorossi left to rue two own goals

Wed Apr 04 2018 - 22:04