Barcelona round-up: Guardiola’s futile attempt to sign Neymar and Suarez, Aguero’s praise for Messi and more

BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 13: Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebreates scoring his third and his sides fifth goal with team mates during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between FC Barcelona and Celtic FC at Camp Nou on September 13, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

A round-up of all the important stories pertaining to defending La Liga Champions Barcelona to keep you abreast with the latest developments and news about the club.

Full-backs Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba available for clash against former manager Pep Guardiola

BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 21: Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Angel Correa of Club Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium on September 21, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Manager Luis Enrique will have the luxury of selecting his best possible XI on Wednesday night against Manchester City after both Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba recovered from their injuries and returned to training. Barcelona’s only casualty going into the game is second choice keeper Jasper Cillessen, who has been ruled out with an ankle injury which will keep him out till early November.

Striker Luis Suarez backs new signing to come good

GIJON, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 24: Paco Alcacer of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Real Sporting de Gijon and FC Barcelona at Estadio El Molinon on September 24, 2016 in Gijon, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

New signing Paco Alcacer has revealed team-mate Luis Suarez comforted him after the 4-0 thrashing of Deportivo in a game where the former Valencia striker spurned as many as four glorious chances to find the back of the net.

Alcacer, who’s yet to open his Barcelona account, has been doing all the rights things on the pitch, making the right movements but it’s his final shot that’s letting him down.

Speaking to Sport, he said, “When the game ended (against Deportivo) Luis Suarez told me that he went through a similar streak (when he signed for Barca).” Now Suarez has more than just made up for that ‘streak’, so hopefully Alcacer will do the same.

Pep Guardiola tried to woo four Barcelona stars in the summer

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at Etihad Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Mundo Deportivo has sensationally claimed Manchester City tried to sign not one, not two but four Barcelona players – Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Busquets in the summer.

The Barcelona mouth-piece also reported there was an approach for Dr Ricard Pruna from the medical staff by the Manchester based club, an offer which Dr Ricard flatly refused.

Without commenting on the authenticity of the news, the timing of the report does seem peculiar considering the background of the clash which awaits on Wednesday.

Aguero heaps praise on international team-mate and friend, Messi

Argentina’s footballers Lionel Messi (L) and Sergio Aguero walk during a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, on March 25, 2016 ahead of their March 29 Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Bolivia.(Photo: EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images)

Sergio Aguero has rarely shied away from expressing his admiration for his friend Lionel Messi, and on the backdrop of their clash, it wasn’t much different. Speaking to Sports, the striker echoed the opinion for many, claiming Lionel Messi, is the best player in the world; and further adding how it will be a special occasion clashing with his international team-mate in club colors.

In his words, “All we can hope is that he has a bad day and our defense plays the game of its life. It’s that difficult because Leo is the best in the world. Playing against Messi will be special because we are from same nationality and we are friends too. For that reason I didn’t want to to get Barcelona in the draw but sometimes fate plays a part and there’s nothing you can do.”

A round-up of all the important stories pertaining to defending La Liga Champions Barcelona to keep you abreast with the latest developments and news about the club.

Full-backs Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba available for clash against former manager Pep Guardiola

BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 21: Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Angel Correa of Club Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium on September 21, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Manager Luis Enrique will have the luxury of selecting his best possible XI on Wednesday night against Manchester City after both Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba recovered from their injuries and returned to training. Barcelona’s only casualty going into the game is second choice keeper Jasper Cillessen, who has been ruled out with an ankle injury which will keep him out till early November.

Striker Luis Suarez backs new signing to come good

GIJON, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 24: Paco Alcacer of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between Real Sporting de Gijon and FC Barcelona at Estadio El Molinon on September 24, 2016 in Gijon, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

New signing Paco Alcacer has revealed team-mate Luis Suarez comforted him after the 4-0 thrashing of Deportivo in a game where the former Valencia striker spurned as many as four glorious chances to find the back of the net.

Alcacer, who’s yet to open his Barcelona account, has been doing all the rights things on the pitch, making the right movements but it’s his final shot that’s letting him down.

Speaking to Sport, he said, “When the game ended (against Deportivo) Luis Suarez told me that he went through a similar streak (when he signed for Barca).” Now Suarez has more than just made up for that ‘streak’, so hopefully Alcacer will do the same.

Pep Guardiola tried to woo four Barcelona stars in the summer

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at Etihad Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Mundo Deportivo has sensationally claimed Manchester City tried to sign not one, not two but four Barcelona players – Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Busquets in the summer.

The Barcelona mouth-piece also reported there was an approach for Dr Ricard Pruna from the medical staff by the Manchester based club, an offer which Dr Ricard flatly refused.

Without commenting on the authenticity of the news, the timing of the report does seem peculiar considering the background of the clash which awaits on Wednesday.

Aguero heaps praise on international team-mate and friend, Messi

Argentina’s footballers Lionel Messi (L) and Sergio Aguero walk during a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, on March 25, 2016 ahead of their March 29 Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Bolivia.(Photo: EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images)

Sergio Aguero has rarely shied away from expressing his admiration for his friend Lionel Messi, and on the backdrop of their clash, it wasn’t much different. Speaking to Sports, the striker echoed the opinion for many, claiming Lionel Messi, is the best player in the world; and further adding how it will be a special occasion clashing with his international team-mate in club colors.

In his words, “All we can hope is that he has a bad day and our defense plays the game of its life. It’s that difficult because Leo is the best in the world. Playing against Messi will be special because we are from same nationality and we are friends too. For that reason I didn’t want to to get Barcelona in the draw but sometimes fate plays a part and there’s nothing you can do.”

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