Catalonia are set to field a star-studded line-up when they take on Venezuela in a friendly next week.
Girona’s Estadi Montilivi hosts the encounter on March 25, which will be Catalonia’s first match to be played within an official FIFA window for international friendlies.
3
Gerard Pique retired from international football after last summer’s World Cup
As the autonomous community is not registered with either FIFA or UEFA it can only take part in friendlies, and they are usually played outside the official fixture schedule.
However, Venezuela visit next Monday, and manager Sergio Garcia is set to field a team including Barcelona legends Gerard Pique and Xavi Hernandez, both of whom have come out of international retirement for the match.
It will be a particularly special occasion for Xavi, the midfielder, who currently plays for Al-Sadd in Qatar.
3
Xavi won 133 caps for Spain as well as representing Catalonia
The 39-year-old is set to retire from playing entirely at the end of the season, meaning this will be the final time he represents Catalonia.
It will be his 13th cap for the team.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
Pique is set to win his 10th cap for Catalonia having first debuted in 2004, and the legendary duo will be joined in the starting line-up by the likes of Marc Bartra, the former Barcelona defender, Sevilla full-back Aleix Vidal, and striker Sergio Garcia of Espanyol.
LIVE on talkSPORT
There are seven live commentaries across the talkSPORT network this week. Find out what they are and where to hear them, below...
- Kazakhstan vs Scotland (Thursday) – talkSPORT 2
- England vs Czech Republic (Friday) – talkSPORT
- Walsall vs Barnsley (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
- Shrewsbury vs Portsmouth (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
- Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
- San Marino vs Scotland (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2
- Netherlands vs Germany (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2
There will also be representation from English football in the Catalonia squad, with Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu and Bojan, the Stoke forward, given permission by their clubs to play against Venezuela.
Gerard Deulofeu could also be a late addition to the squad having put in a request to Watford’s management to be allowed to feature.
3
Deulofeu has been one of Watford’s standout players this season
It is understood permission will be granted to the 25-year-old forward.
However, some Spanish clubs have denied their players the chance to play for Catalonia, with LaLiga sides Rayo Vallecano, Huesca and Valladolid all refusing to release their players as they attempt to fight off relegation from Spain’s top flight.
Bolton Wanderers's players have gone on strike for the second time in a year, this time for 48 hours, after the latest failure by the club to pay their staff.Gordon Taylor, the head of the PFA
Bolton players go on strike over unpaid wages - mirror.co.uk
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock has likened Mohamed Salah to Olympic diver Tom Daley after his side's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday. Gini Wijnaldum opened the scoring for Liverpool in the second half before James Milner sealed the win with a late penalty after Sean Morrisson fouled Salah in the box.
Laurence Bassini completes takeover of Bolton Wanderers and vows to 'sort out the mess' he has inherited by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 17 Apr Laurence Bassini has completed his takeover of Bolton Wanderers, talkSPORT's Jim White has revealed.
Laurence Bassini completes takeover of Bolton Wanderers and
'Never question Jordan Henderson again' - Liverpool captain
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey did not know what a Nazi salute was when he was charged with making the gesture in an Instagram post, an FA panel has decided. The 32-year-old Welshman will face no punishment after the charge was found not proven - and the regulatory commission has published its written reasons for the decision.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey too 'ignorant' to
Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu has told the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool where Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt will end up. After s stunning few seasons with Ajax, De ligt has transformed into one of the bets young central defenders in world football and his performances for the Dutch giants have helped Ajax reach the
Transfer news: Is Matthijs de Ligt Barcelona bound? Josep
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will return to his hometown as Manchester United's men's and women's team announce pre-season friendlies in Norway. The first match will see Solskjaer's Reds take on his
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri makes remarkable claim that
Alfredo Morelos slammed by Steven Gerrard over red card as Rangers boss also takes aim at Kyle Lafferty after Aberdeen defeat Jump directly to the content The Sun, A News UK Company Close
The 2019 Champions League final will take place in Madrid at the newly renovated Wanda Metropolitano as Liverpool and Tottenham battle it out for the right to be crowned kings of the continent. It
Uefa warns Liverpool and Spurs fans of 'ticket scam' at Wanda
Giroud confirms he is to meet Chelsea over future. There certainly seems to be some mixed messages coming from Olivier Giroud compared to Maurizio Sarri. Sarri has claimed that the Blues are set to take up the option to extend his deal for another season, however the 32-year-old states that he needs some assurances over his playing time.
Chelsea striker Giroud admits he was annoyed - news.yahoo.com
Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana keen on summer transfer return to Southampton. Lallana could be set for a move back to the Saints having signed for Liverpool from them five years ago
Transfer News: A Southampton return on the cards for Adam
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has delivered his verdict on how Manchester United's squad stacks up against that of the Catalan giants. Xavi compares Barcelona and Manchester United squads
Lionel Messi: Man Utd legend reveals what WON'T happen to
Everton secured the season-long loan signing of Barcelona wonderkid Gerard Deulofeu, who is tipped for big things at the Nou Camp. Will he be the next Lionel Messi, or Bojan Krkic?
Skydiver plummets towards Egypt's ancient pyramids - CHOCHILINO
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urged to reunite with nine goal sensation Erling Haaland. The Norway starlet, 18, scored NINE goals in a single game at the U20 World Cup Erling Haaland.
Manchester United team news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains
Brentford vs Leeds United live on talkSPORT: Full commentary, free stream and confirmed teams for Championship clash All you need to know to tune into the action from Griffin Park By talkSPORT
Brentford vs Leeds United live on talkSPORT: Full commentary
No comments:
Post a Comment