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Barcelona Criticizes Fixture Scheduling
FC Barcelona, ahead of their match against Celta Vigo this afternoon, has publicly expressed concern regarding the scheduling of their matches. The club asserts that governing bodies within Spanish football should show greater consideration for teams like Barcelona, which are competing in multiple tournaments during this critical phase of the season.
This issue is not new to the club. While acknowledging the complexities of organizing a busy fixture list, FC Barcelona remains committed to advocating for its interests to ensure that the sporting calendar aligns better with player welfare and availability.
To this end, the club plans to formally address the regulatory authorities of football, aiming to prevent circumstances that could adversely affect the players, who are seen as the true stars of the sport.
Match Results Update
Final Score: Arsenal 1-2 Lyon
Arsenal’s ambitions to reach the Champions League final for the first time since 2007 are dwindling following their home defeat to Lyon in the semi-final first leg. A critical late goal from Melchie Dumornay has placed Lyon in a strong position ahead of the return leg next weekend.
Final Score: Hearts 1-1 Aberdeen
The Scottish Cup semi-final has gone to extra-time after Hearts managed to secure a draw despite being a man down since the first half. Their resolute defense has held Aberdeen at bay, setting the stage for a tense finish.
Team News: Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Martin; Pedri, De Jong; Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, Torres; Lewandowski.
Substitutes: Araujo, Christensen, Fati, Fort, Garcia, Gavi, Kochen, Olmo, Pena, Torre, Victor, Yamal.
Celta Vigo (3-4-2-1): Guaita; Rodriguez, Lago, Alonso; Duran, Beltran, Moriba, Carreira; Losada, Swedberg; Iglesias.
Substitutes: Alvarez, Aspas, Cervi, Dominguez, Gonzalez, Jailson, Lopez, Mingueza, Rustic, Rodriguez, Sotelo, Villar.
86 min: Hearts 1-1 Aberdeen James Penrice, one of two non-Old Firm players recognized in the PFA team of the year, almost put Hearts in front with a stunning curling effort that went just wide of the target.
Champions League: Arsenal vs. Lyon
A third goal has been scored at the Emirates Stadium. Fans eagerly await further updates on who netted the pivotal strike.
82 min: Hearts 1-1 Aberdeen Hearts, currently playing with ten men, have shown remarkable defensive prowess throughout the second half. Extra time appears imminent.
Team News: Crystal Palace vs. Bournemouth
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta.
Substitutes: Turner, Lerma, Nketiah, Franca, Clyne, Kamada, Esse, Chilwell, Devenny.
AFC Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Arrizabalaga; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Scott, Adams; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson.
Substitutes: Dennis, Cook, Senesi, Brooks, Tavernier, Soler, Jebbison, Araujo, Hill.
Referee: Sam Barrott (West Yorkshire)
Additional Updates
In relation to the Champions League semi-final at the Emirates, another goal has been logged. Xaymaca Awoyungbo is on-site for real-time updates.
Team News: Everton vs. Manchester City
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Broja.
Substitutes: Virginia, Patterson, Keane, McNeil, Beto, Young, Coleman, Alcaraz, Iroegbunam.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gundogan, Gonzalez; Silva, De Bruyne, Savinho; Marmoush.
Substitutes: McAtee, Lewis, Foden, Khusanov, Akanji, Doku, Grealish, Kovacic, Carson.
Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)
Team News: West Ham vs. Southampton
West Ham (4-2-3-1): Areola; Coufal, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson Palmieri; Soler, Ward-Prowse; Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Kudus; Fullkrug.
Substitutes: Fabianski, Cresswell, Mavropanos, Luis Guilherme, Rodriguez, Soucek, Ferguson, Irving, Scarles.
Southampton (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Walker-Peters, Downes, Fernandes, Ugochukwu, Manning; Onuachu, Sulemana.
Substitutes: McCarthy, Aribo, Smallbone, Stewart, Bree, Wood-Gordon, Archer, Dibling, Welington.
Referee: Andrew Kitchen (Durham)
Updated at 15:06 CEST
Brentford vs. Brighton Team News
Brentford (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Yarmolyuk; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa.
Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Henry, Pinnock, Jensen, Mee, Ajer, Konak, Janelt, Nunes Gomes.
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Wieffer, Baleba, Minteh, O’Riley, Joao Pedro, Welbeck.
Substitutes: Steele, March, Gruda, Adingra, Cashin, Mitoma, Gomez, Ayari, Tasker.
Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex)
PFA Scotland Team of the Year Listing
After some oversight in previous communications, here is the full PFA Scotland team of the year:
SPFL XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel (Celtic); Johnston (Celtic), Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Souttar (Rangers), Penrice (Hearts); McGregor (Celtic), Hatate (Celtic), Rankin (Rangers); Kuhn (Celtic), Maeda (Celtic), Dalby (Dundee United).
67 min: Hearts 1-1 Aberdeen
Further updates indicate that the match remains tightly contested. The implications of a potential Celtic vs. Aberdeen Scottish Cup final would allow fifth place in Scotland to secure a European competition spot, potentially leading to a European adventure for Dundee United.
Fans can also access an insightful podcast discussing Dundee United’s semi-final experience back in 1984.
Final Score: West Ham 0-0 Manchester United
The match concludes with neither team finding the back of the net, a result posing significant challenges for Manchester United in their title chase, now trailing Chelsea by five points with one more match played.
Updated at 14:56 CEST
Heidenheim vs. Bayern Munich Team News
Heidenheim (3-1-4-2): Muller; Busch, Gimber, Mainka; Schoppner; Traore, Beck, Dorsch, Kratzig; Pieringer, Conteh.
Substitutes: Eicher, Fohrenbach, Keller, Kerber, Niehues, Schimmer, Scienza, Siersleben, Wanner.
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Laimer, Dier, Stanisic, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Gnabry, Olise, Coman; Kane.
Substitutes: Boey, Karl, Kim, Kusi Asare, Muller, Palhinha, Peretz, Sane, Vidovic.
Aaron Ramsey Takes Over at Cardiff
In a notable development in the Championship, Cardiff has parted ways with manager Omer Riza. In a move indicative of the urgency in their season, Aaron Ramsey has been appointed as the interim manager for the final three matches.
Updated at 14:36 CEST
WSL Update: West Ham 0-0 Manchester United (71 min)
Manchester United is struggling to break the deadlock as they reach the final stretch of the match at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Rachel Williams is poised to enter the field to potentially shift the momentum.
Scottish Cup Update: Hearts 1-1 Aberdeen (HT)
The first half of the Scottish Cup semi-final concluded with a dramatic turn of events including an unfortunate own goal, a quick equalizer, and a red card that has set up an exciting second half.
Preamble
Welcome to another thrilling Saturday of top-flight football. Today’s focus will be on elite matchups, showcasing the intense competition within the leagues, especially as several clubs vie for critical positions.
Four Premier League matches are set to kick-off, with three pertinent to the race for European slots. At the same time, La Liga leaders Barcelona and Bundesliga frontrunners Bayern Munich will also be in action, underlining the day’s high stakes.
Currently, Barcelona holds a four-point lead over rivals Real Madrid with just seven games remaining, while Bayern aims to secure ten points in their last five outings to clinch the Bundesliga title for the first time since 2023.
Featured matches for the day include:
Premier League
Not exclusively the Premier League
West Ham 0-0 Manchester United (WSL, 12pm)
Hearts 1-1 Aberdeen (Scottish Cup semi-final, 12:30pm)
Heidenheim vs. Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, 2:30pm)
Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo (La Liga, 3:15pm)
A live blog will also cover the first leg of the Women’s Champions League semi-final featuring Arsenal against Lyon. Stay tuned for continuous updates.
Source
www.theguardian.com