Spain offer Barcelona a ‘helping hand’ as three U21 stars leave La Roja camp
Barcelona have been given some shock support from the RFEF ahead of their incoming La Liga return against Osasuna on March 27.
The joint decision by La Liga and the RFEF to reschedule Barcelona’s home game with Osasuna on that date has been met with frustration by both clubs.
Objections were sent from Catalonia and Pamplona as the new date did not meet FIFA’s rules on players requiring at least 72 hours of rest in between games for club or country.
However, the tightness of the calendar dictated otherwise, and both calls were rejected as the game remains in place.
Barcelona will have the majority of their squad back from international duty – with the exceptions expected to be Ronald Araujo and Raphinha – travelling back from South America – but Hansi Flick’s team will have little time to prepare.
Flick will assess his squad in the coming days, but reports from Marca confirm the RFEF’s call to release three Barcelona players early from U21 duty, ahead of their friendly in Germany.
Fermin Lopez, Pablo Torre and Gerard Martin will all head back to Barcelona with the latter earmarked as a possible option to cover for Pau Cubarsi’s injury.
Lopez and Torre could be given some game time with a host of midfielders playing two successive games with their national teams including Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.
Lopez and Martin both completed 75 minutes in the U21s 2-2 friendly draw against Czechia last week, with Torre coming on for the closing stages, but they are not needed for a non-competitive game in Germany.
Santi Denia’s team have already secured their spot in this summer’s UEFA Euro U21 tournament with his side looking to avenge their 2023 final loss to England.
La Rojita have been placed in Group A alongside host nation Slovakia, Italy and Romania.
-
Barcelona receive major boost as three U21 stars return early for Osasuna showdown
As Barcelona prepare for their crucial La Liga clash against Osasuna on March 27, manager Hansi Flick has finally received some positive news amid a hectic international break. The Spanish U21 ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Barcelona offered mixed Pau Cubarsi update ahead of Osasuna battle
Barcelona will leave a final fitness decision on Pau Cubarsi until just before their La Liga clash with Osasuna on March 27.La Blaugrana return to action in their rearranged game on home soil ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Barcelona ‘refuse’ date for rescheduled Osasuna clash as two players would miss out
The brass at La Liga giants Barcelona have made clear their unhappiness with the proposed date for their rescheduled clash with Osasuna.Barca’s planned league meeting with Osasuna earlier this ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
RFEF reject Barcelona and Osasuna appeal over game with stars to miss game
Barcelona and Osasuna will be played within 48 hours of some of their players being on international duty, after the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rejected an appeal from both sides to ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Barcelona defender desperate to make return against Osasuna
Barcelona take on Osasuna next Thursday in a rearranged La Liga fixture, and they could do so without several key players. There are doubts about whether Raphinha and Ronald Araujo will be able to ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Opponent watch: Key Osasuna star ruled out ahead of Barcelona clash
Earlier today, it was confirmed by the RFEF that the Barcelona – Osasuna game which was postponed due to the demise of Barça’s first-team doctor, will be played on March 27.That’s roughly a wee...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Barcelona star suffering with discomfort, unlikely to start against Osasuna
It will be an unusual international break for Barcelona, who round it off by playing their rearranged La Liga fixture against Osasuna on Thursday evening at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. Due ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
‘Would like to play there’ – Barcelona target openly confesses La Liga dream
Barcelona target Jonathan David has once again expressed his strong desire to play in La Liga, making it clear that Spain’s top division remains his preferred destination. The Lille forward has bee...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Barcelona star rejected 4 offers to leave in January
A member of the attacking ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona knocked back a number of proposals to depart the club during the winter transfer window.That’s according to transfer insider Fabrizio ...Yahoo Sports - 6d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Leonard Floyd addresses media for first time since signing with Falcons
Leonard Floyd addresses media for first time since signing with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agentYahoo Sports - 8m -
UFC books Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber main event
A key women's flyweight matchup will headline a UFC event this spring. At a UFC Fight Night card scheduled for May 31, top contenders Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber will clash in a long-awaited ...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
March Madness draws highest viewership numbers since 1993 in tournament's first weekend
The 2025 NCAA tournament averaged 9.4 million viewers through the second round, despite a relative lack of upsets or Cinderellas.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Backup grass will be at the ready for ballpark shared by Athletics, Giants’ Triple-A club
Given the unique circumstances of a major league club sharing its ballpark with a minor league affiliate from another franchise — the Sacramento River Cats — contingency plans are in place to ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Cam Ward dazzles at pro day: Is QB the perfect match for Titans at No. 1?
Quarterback Cam Ward had a successful pro day at the University of Miami. Does that mean the Titans will take him with the first pick in the draft?Yahoo Sports - 16m
More in Sports
-
Leonard Floyd addresses media for first time since signing with Falcons
Leonard Floyd addresses media for first time since signing with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agentYahoo Sports - 8m -
Source: Chelsea can return Sancho for $6.5m
Chelsea will have to pay Manchester United a fee of £5 million if they back out of the deal to sign Jadon Sancho permanently this summer, a source has told ESPN.ESPN - 9m -
Alajuelense blasts Concacaf for backing León
Costa Rican team Liga Deportiva Alajuelense condemned Concacaf president Victor Montagliani after he expressed his full support for Club León in their legal fight against FIFA for being removed ...ESPN - 9m -
NWSL condemns alleged abuse of Pride's Banda
The NWSL and NJ/NY Gotham FC are investigating "hateful language" directed from a fan toward Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda during a match on Sunday.ESPN - 9m -
MLB season mega-preview: Power Rankings, playoff odds and everything you need for all 30 teams
Whether your team enters Opening Day as a favorite or hoping to be 2025's big surprise, we've got you covered.ESPN - 11m