Spanish Laliga

LaLiga: Joan Laporta says he wants Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona manager during his presidency

But Laporta refused to confirm Xavi will succeed Ronald Koeman, who was sacked on Wednesday night, and maintained Barca have "other options".

LaLiga: Real Madrid beat struggling Barcelona but Real Sociedad stay top

Barca have now lost a fourth consecutive Clasico for the first time since 1965 and drop to ninth in LaLiga, five points behind Madrid, who trail Real Sociedad by one.

Barcelona allowed to fill Camp Nou to capacity as key games, including El Clasico, on horizon

The measure comes at a time when COVID-19 cases in Spain have dropped to their lowest level since July 2020.

LaLiga: Espanyol beat Real Madrid in match Carlo Ancelotti brands their 'worst game of season'

Espanyol had won just once in seven games this season but they hung on grimly in five minutes of added time to take all three points.

LaLiga: Ronald Koeman will not be sacked as manager after Atletico Madrid game, says Joan Laporta

Koeman’s future has been in serious doubt after Barca were beaten 3-0 by Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday, a defeat that leaves them bottom of the group.

Nations League: Luis Enrique calls up 17-year-old Gavi to Spain squad for semi-final

Barcelona’s 18-year-old Pedri also made a return to the Spain team, while Enrique deemed it too soon for Ansu Fati, the 18-year-old who's made only two appearances for Barca after 10 months out with an injury.

LaLiga: Ronald Koeman's job in danger before Barcelona travel to Atletico Madrid

Barcelona are in last place of Group E and at risk of not making the knockout rounds for the first time in 20 years.

LaLiga: Ansu Fati returns in Lionel Messi shirt to help Barcelona ease pressure on Ronald Koeman

Fati, wearing the number 10 shirt previously belonging to Messi, came on to a raucous reception at Camp Nou, 323 days after his last appearance. The 18-year-old scored to complete a much-needed victory for Barca.

LaLiga: Atletico Madrid fail to go on top of league after being stunned by last-placed Deportivo Alaves

Victor Laguardia scored with a header off a corner four minutes into the match, giving Alaves their first points of the season and preventing Atletico from regaining the league lead.

LaLiga: Under-fire Ronald Koeman refuses to answer questions in Barcelona presser

Koeman's position is fragile, after Barca followed up a 3-0 defeat by Bayern in the Champions League last week with a 1-1 draw at home to Granada in LaLiga, with the team's tactics and style coming under scrutiny.