Metallica has confirmed that its record-breaking M72 World Tour will likely be prolonged into a 3rd yr, with the announcement of 21 North American reveals spanning April, Might and June 2025.

Two-night tickets for the newly introduced No Repeat Weekends and tickets for the single-night engagements will likely be on sale September 27 at 10am native time. Fan membership pre-sales start September 23 at 10am native time. For additional info, enhanced experiences, journey packages and extra, go to https://metallica.lnk.to/M72WorldTour2025.

Since opening April 2023 in Amsterdam, M72 has seen Metallica play to some three million followers. Variously hailed as “an altogether life-affirming expertise”(Billboard), “unattainable to go away unhappy” (Austin Chronicle), “a stone-cold stunner of a present” (Detroit Information), “the mom of all summer season concert events” (Worcester Telegram Gazette) and “as tight and livid as Metallica has sounded in ages” (Los Angeles Occasions), M72 continues to amaze followers and critics alike. The tour will conclude its triumphant 2024 run with 4 nights at Mexico Metropolis’s Estadio GNP Seguros, the place Metallica will play to greater than 250,000 followers over the course of two No Repeat Weekends.

The M72 World Tour’s 2025 itinerary will proceed the hallowed No Repeat Weekend custom, with every night time of the two-show stands that includes solely completely different setlists and assist lineups. These will embrace the band’s first Nashville reveals in 5 years on Might 1 and three at Nissan Stadium, in addition to Metallica’s return to Tampa after 15 years on June 6 and eight at Raymond James Stadium. M72 has additionally confirmed its a lot anticipated Bay Space hometown play, to happen June 20 and 22 with the band’s debut performances at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

In a brand new twist, M72 2025 will function a number of single reveals bringing the tour’s full manufacturing, with its large in-the-round stage, to venues together with two faculty soccer stadiums: JMA Wi-fi Dome in Syracuse, New York on April 19, and Metallica’s first ever go to to Blacksburg, Virginia, dwelling of the Virginia Tech Hokies.  The Might 7 present at Lane Stadium will mark the end result of 20+ years of “Enter Sandman” enjoying because the Hokies take the sector.

Along with enjoying soccer stadiums throughout the nation, the M72 World Tour’s 2025 itinerary may also embrace two pageant headlines—the primary being the opening night time of the run April 12 at Sick New World on the Las Vegas Competition Grounds. Might 9 and 11 will then mark a pageant/No Repeat Weekend combo as Metallica performs two headline units at Sonic Temple at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Assist on M72’s 2025 North American run will come from Pantera, Limp Bizkit, Suicidal Tendencies and Ice 9 Kills. See beneath for specifics.

Moreover, M72 2025 will see Metallica’s long-awaited return to Australia and New Zealand. Keep tuned to https://www.metallica.com/ for additional bulletins.

M72’s 2025 North American leg is produced by Dwell Nation and introduced by new sponsor inKind. inKind rewards diners with particular presents and credit score again once they use the app to pay at 2,000+ top-rated eating places nationwide. The corporate offers progressive financing to taking part eating places in a method that permits new ranges of sustainability and success. Metallica followers can study extra at inkind.com.

Citi is the official card of the M72 tour. Citi cardmembers could have entry to presale tickets starting Tuesday, September 24 at 10am native time till Thursday, September 26 at 10pm native time by the Citi Leisure program. For full presale particulars go to www.citientertainment.com.

Verizon will provide an unique presale for the M72 tour within the U.S by Verizon Entry, only for being a buyer. Verizon Entry Presale tickets for choose reveals will start Tuesday, September 24 at 10am native time till Thursday, September 26 at 10pm native time. For extra particulars go to Verizon.com/Entry.

* Citi and Verizon presales is not going to be obtainable for Sick New World, Sonic Temple or the Toronto dates. Verizon presale is not going to be obtainable for the Nashville, Blacksburg or Landover reveals.

As all the time, a portion of proceeds from each ticket bought will go to native charities through the band’s All Inside My Palms basis. Established in 2017 as a solution to give again to communities which have supported Metallica over time, All Inside My Palms has raised over $15 million – offering $8.2 million in grants to profession and technical education schemes together with the ground-breaking Metallica Students Initiative, now in its sixth yr, over $3.6 million to fight meals insecurity, greater than $3.5 million to catastrophe aid efforts.

METALLICA M72 WORLD TOUR – North America 2025

April 12 Las Vegas, NV Sick New World @ Las Vegas Competition Grounds

April 19 Syracuse, NY JMA Wi-fi Dome *

April 24 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre *

April 26 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre +

Might 1 Nashville, TN Nissan Stadium *

Might 3 Nashville, TN Nissan Stadium +

Might 7 Blacksburg, VA Lane Stadium *

Might 9 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple @ Historic Crew Stadium

Might 11 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple @ Historic Crew Stadium

Might 23 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Monetary Discipline +

Might 25 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Monetary Discipline *

Might 28 Landover, MD Northwest Stadium *

Might 31 Charlotte, NC Financial institution of America Stadium *

June 3 Atlanta, GA Mercedes-Benz Stadium *

June 6 Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium +

June 8 Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium *

June 14 Houston, TX NRG Stadium *

June 20 Santa Clara, CA Levi’s Stadium +

June 22 Santa Clara, CA Levi’s Stadium *

June 27 Denver, CO Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive +

June 29 Denver, CO Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive *

* Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies assist

+ Limp Bizkit and Ice 9 Kills assist

Because the #MeToo motion took off, a large number of male celebrities have been accused of sexual misconduct, however solely a handful of these within the music and movie industries who’ve really confronted legal prices.

Sean “Diddy” Combs has now joined that quick checklist of prosecuted stars.

Here’s a checklist of a few of the most distinguished males to face legal prices in recent times and the result of these circumstances:

The ex-movie mogul was prosecuted in each New York and California after dozens of ladies got here ahead to publicly accuse him of sexual assault.

Within the Los Angeles case, a jury convicted Weinstein in 2022 of raping and sexually assaulting one in all 4 girls he was charged with abusing. The three responsible counts concerned an Italian actor and mannequin who stated Weinstein appeared at her resort room, uninvited, throughout a Los Angeles movie pageant in 2013.

Weinstein, 72, was later acquitted of a sexual battery allegation made by a therapeutic massage therapist who handled him at a resort in 2010. The jury was unable to achieve a choice on counts involving two different accusers. A mistrial was declared on these counts.

Within the New York case, Weinstein was initially convicted in 2020 of raping one lady and sexually assaulting one other, adopted weeks of harrowing and graphic testimony from a string of accusers. However his 23-year jail sentence and conviction was overturned earlier this 12 months, with New York’s highest court docket saying the trial decide unfairly allowed testimony primarily based on allegations that weren’t a part of the case.

A retrial has been scheduled and Manhattan prosecutors this week introduced a brand new indictment with extra allegations from one other lady. The trial had been scheduled to begin in November however is now unlikely to start till 2025.

Weinstein, who additionally faces a number of civil lawsuits introduced by girls accusing him of sexual misconduct, denies sexually assaulting anybody and is interesting his California conviction.

The previous “Cosby Present” star was the primary movie star to go on trial within the #MeToo period.

He was arrested in 2015 when a district lawyer armed with newly unsealed proof — Cosby’s damaging deposition in a lawsuit introduced by Temple College sports activities administrator Andrea Constand — filed prices in opposition to him simply days earlier than the 12-year statute of limitations was about to expire. Constand accused Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting her.

The AP doesn’t sometimes establish sexual assault victims with out their permission, which Constand has granted.

Jurors could not attain a unanimous verdict when Cosby was placed on trial in 2017. At a second trial in 2018, he was convicted and sentenced to as much as a decade in jail. However the Pennsylvania Supreme Courtroom in 2021 stated the district lawyer who made the choice to arrest Cosby was obligated to face by a predecessor’s promise to not cost Cosby, although there was no proof that settlement was ever put in writing.

Cosby, now 87, has been accused of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment by greater than 60 girls. He has denied all allegations involving intercourse crimes.

Federal juries in Chicago and New York convicted Kelly, now 56, of crimes that embody producing little one sexual abuse supplies and federal intercourse trafficking prices.

Born Robert Sylvester Kelly, he was sentenced to 30 years within the New York case final 12 months and a largely concurrent 20-year sentence in February within the Chicago case.

The 57-year-old was accused of utilizing his fame to sexually abuse younger followers, together with some who had been simply youngsters, in a scientific scheme that went on for many years.

The Grammy-winning, multiplatinum-selling songwriter additionally was accused of utilizing his entourage of managers and aides to satisfy women and preserve them from talking out, an operation that prosecutors stated amounted to a legal enterprise.

Attorneys for R. Kelly are interesting his convictions.

The hip-hop mogul was arrested in New York on Sept. 16 and was accused in an indictment of utilizing his “ energy and status ” to induce feminine victims and male intercourse staff into drug-fueled sexual performances dubbed “Freak Offs.”

Prosecutors stated he used violence and threats of blackmail to maintain folks from talking out. Combs, 54, faces federal racketeering conspiracy and intercourse trafficking prices that might put him in jail for a minimum of 15 years if he’s convicted on all counts.

A decide Wednesday rejected the hip-hop mogul’s proposal that he await his intercourse trafficking trial within the luxurious of his Florida mansion as an alternative of a federal jail in Brooklyn.

Final 12 months, a London jury acquitted the Oscar-winning actor of sexual assault prices stemming from allegations by 4 males courting again 20 years.

Three males accused Spacey of aggressively grabbing their crotches, describing him as “vile” and a “slippery, snaky” predator. Spacey stated he was a “massive flirt” who had consensual flings with males and whose solely misstep was touching a person’s groin whereas making a “clumsy move.”

The court docket victory in England got here after Spacey additionally efficiently defended himself in opposition to a civil lawsuit in New York in 2022 introduced by “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Anthony Rapp.

The Oscar-winning “Jerry Maguire” star pleaded responsible in 2022 to forcibly kissing a employee at a New York nightclub in 2018 — and in return prosecutors dropped prices involving two different girls that might have led to a attainable jail time period if the case had gone to trial and resulted in a conviction.

Gooding additionally publicly apologized for the primary time to 2 different girls who accused him of comparable habits in separate encounters, calling himself a “movie star determine” who meant no hurt. His admissions had been a part of a plea deal that got here almost three years after Gooding was arrested.

Gooding instructed the decide he “kissed the waitress on her lips” with out consent.

“That ’70s Present” star is serving a sentence of 30 years to life in jail for raping two girls.

After an preliminary jury failed to achieve verdicts on three counts of rape in December 2022 and a mistrial was declared, prosecutors retried Masterson on all three counts.

At his second trial, a jury discovered Masterson responsible of two of three rape counts on Might 31. Each assaults happened in Masterson’s Hollywood-area residence in 2003, when he was on the top of his fame.

They might not attain a verdict on the third depend, an allegation that Masterson additionally raped a longtime girlfriend.

Prosecutors alleged that Masterson used his prominence within the Church of Scientology — the place all three girls had been additionally members on the time — to keep away from penalties for many years after the assaults, and the ladies blamed the church for his or her hesitancy in going to police about Masterson.

Sean “Diddy” Combs is at present incarcerated in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Heart, awaiting trial on racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking, and interstate transportation to have interaction in prostitution costs. The beleaguered mogul is dealing with 15 years to life in federal jail for allegedly heading a legal enterprise of people that enabled him to drug and coerce girls to take part in intercourse periods he referred to as “Freak Offs” with male intercourse staff he procured. His bail was denied twice, with New York’s Southern District citing his repeated witness tampering makes an attempt. (His subsequent courtroom look is a Sept. 24, convention listening to.)

In response to a number of legal protection attorneys and different authorized specialists, SDNY prosecutors have a powerful case towards Combs primarily based on appreciable bodily proof and quite a few witnesses set to testify about his alleged hurt. In addition they expressed that Combs being the only particular person arrested from his alleged enterprise hints at the potential of his co-conspirators testifying towards him.  

Rolling Stone spoke to former federal prosecutors and authorized specialists who echoed SDNY attorneys’ comparability of Combs’ RICO case to singer R. Kelly’s federal trial. In 2022, Kelly was sentenced to 30 years for racketeering predicated on legal conduct, together with sexual exploitation of kids, compelled labor, and Mann Act violations involving the coercion and transportation of girls and ladies in interstate commerce to have interaction in unlawful sexual exercise. He nonetheless faces intercourse crime costs in Illinois and Minnesota. Throughout Combs’ second bail listening to, a federal prosecutor famous that Kelly “was detained on all three grounds: Hazard, obstruction, and danger of flight. Like this case, there was a sample of obstruction that had occurred, and like this case, the sexual abuse that was alleged was violent and repeated.“ When Kelly’s indictment was unsealed in EDNY, it had 5 Jane Does. Throughout Combs’ first detention listening to, his protection divulged that they have been bracing for 12 victims, together with potential Jane Does.

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Throughout a Tuesday afternoon press convention, US Lawyer Damian Williams advised the press that they’re nonetheless investigating Combs in a case that legal professional and former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani tells Rolling Stone is already “sturdy.”

“You’re speaking about intercourse acts and intercourse trafficking involving power and duress,” he says.“ Now we have the Cassie Ventura video that was mentioned within the indictment. Damian Williams spent loads of time speaking about [the seized “Freak Off” videos]. There’s additionally allegations that [Combs] tried to make use of power, drug these intercourse staff, [and] tried to dissuade them from testifying and coming ahead.” 

The indictment alleges that Combs’ legal enterprise consisted of his enterprise entities in addition to staff and associates who helped facilitate his coercive intercourse periods and maintain girls ensnared by Combs for a interval starting in 2008. 

Kenya Davis, a accomplice with Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and former Assistant U.S. Lawyer, says that the Southern District’s option to assemble the case as a racketeering group permits them to effectively lay out the total scope of the community’s alleged misdeeds. Her agency at present represents journalist and former file government Drew Dixon, who filed a sexual assault and harassment swimsuit towards music government L.A. Reid and a defamation swimsuit towards Russell Simmons. (The agency additionally represents a Jane Doe who filed a separate sexual assault swimsuit towards Russell Simmons). All three instances are open; Reid and Simmons have denied all allegations. 

“You’re seeing extra of those sorts of instances get a RICO cost on prime of it as a result of there are such a lot of completely different parts which can be at play that we are able to’t seize with one single rely of trafficking or transportation,” she says, noting the complicated community of people that allegedly enabled Combs’ conduct. She provides that Combs’ standing as a music government provides a definite wrinkle to the alleged enterprise: “The truth that he [allegedly] ties the file offers or the discharge of 1’s data, within the case of Cassie, to their participation in these intercourse acts [is a unique element of this case]. [As a victim], you actually are having to resolve whether or not or not you’re going to take part, and he’s capable of maintain that over your head.” Cassie’s November 2023 civil criticism alleges that after escaping Combs’ grasp, Dangerous Boy Administration President James Cruz “tracked” her down and “advised her that her single wouldn’t be launched if she didn’t reply Mr. Combs’s telephone calls.”

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Lauren Hersh is the pinnacle of the advocacy group World With out Exploitation and a former prosecutor who served as Chief of Brooklyn’s Intercourse Trafficking Unit. She says that in the case of Combs and Kelly’s instances, “the rules are actually the identical. You will have an individual who has super energy, super entry, and the flexibility to prey on weak folks.” 

Davis says, ”You’re seeing loads of the identical parts by way of coercion, using a recording profession as a possible strategy to encourage folks to take part, [as well as] having personnel round [as] bodyguards and the like to assist the enterprise alongside as a result of no one can do that by themselves.” She additionally observes that each instances evoke the Mann Act, which she calls a “low-hanging fruit” of a cost as a result of “all it’s a must to present there may be transportation for the needs of some illicit sexual act.”

The US Lawyer’s workplace efficiently pushed to disclaim Combs bail. On Tuesday, they deemed him a “harmful” flight danger who “poses an ongoing menace to the protection of the group.” Throughout his preliminary bond listening to and subsequent enchantment, Southern District attorneys revealed that Combs repeatedly reached out to victims and witnesses within the case: he contacted one witness 14 instances, referred to as one other and recorded it on an confederate’s machine, and contacted Diddy-Soiled Cash singer Kalenna Harper 58 instances after their former groupmate Daybreak Richards filed a civil swimsuit towards him on Sept. tenth. Quickly after, Harper made a public assertion asserting, “Whereas I totally respect Daybreak’s proper to recount her experiences, I need to emphasize that her account displays her private perspective and shouldn’t be interpreted as a common fact relevant to everybody concerned.”

Davis says that Combs contacting witnesses “hit my coronary heart as a former prosecutor” as a result of “while you’re coping with somebody who’s highly effective, individuals are reluctant to be part of these instances. They don’t need to take part. And the management comes from this stage of affect.” She provides, “It represents for us who do that work a consciousness of guilt. Why are you calling any person 50 instances if you happen to didn’t do something? If they are saying one thing about you that’s not true, you may declare defamation.”

The tip of the Combs indictment comprises a “forfeiture” part. Whereas some readers speculated that it meant Combs’ financial institution accounts and belongings had been instantly frozen, Rahmani clarifies that this isn’t the case, and the part is supposed to disclose the prosecution’s want to grab any belongings that they’ll show funded his legal enterprise. Davis says that there are two causes that prosecutors search forfeiture: to maintain a defendant from giving freely the proceeds of their enterprise to different folks and to reroute the funds for potential restitution to victims. 

However each Rahmani and Davis say Combs’ huge portfolio of enterprise pursuits would make it tough to hint the funds or how he probably profited from his enterprise. “Was he capable of get albums out of individuals and never pay a good worth for them as a result of he had tapes to blackmail them with?” Davis asks. “We don’t know the way he was ready to make use of the enterprise to get these proceeds.”

In the course of the U.S. Lawyer’s press convention, Williams was coy about a number of features of the investigation and advised reporters, “I’m not taking something off the desk” with regard to additional costs. Rahmani says that he feels Williams’ name for “anybody with data to return ahead” could encourage extra potential witnesses to achieve out to prosecutors. “Each month, it looks like we’re getting a brand new lawsuit,” Rahmani says. “So these those that perhaps have been hesitant to return ahead…I wouldn’t be stunned if we begin listening to extra, particularly now that legal costs have been filed.” Throughout Combs’ second bail listening to, Choose Andrew Carter revealed that the courtroom had begun receiving calls from potential witnesses after the mogul’s arrest. 

Some have speculated on why the six weapons Homeland Safety retrieved throughout their raids of Combs’ properties (together with three AR-15s with scratched serial numbers) weren’t charged within the indictment. Elizabeth Geddes, a former federal prosecutor in Brooklyn who delivered the closing arguments within the EDNY R. Kelly trial, explains that these weapons are out of the Southern District’s jurisdiction. “Possession of a defaced weapon, whereas that may be a federal crime, and so they might have charged that federally if it occurred of their district, it isn’t a predicate racketeering act, so they might not have charged it as a part of the racketeering case,” Geddes says. “Not all federal crimes will be included as racketeering acts. It’s a reasonably restricted variety of crimes, and weapons possession just isn’t amongst them.”

Geddes additionally says that she discovered it “somewhat stunning” that the Combs indictment didn’t “extra particularly describe different victims.” She notes that SDNY prosecutors crafted their case to resemble a “Glecier-format” RICO conspiracy, a extra succinct indictment that permits them to withhold sure case particulars and has the good thing about affording extra safety to witnesses. “By continuing that manner, they don’t need to listing out each single completely different predicate racketeering act that they’re planning to show up at trial. They’ll simply listing broad classes of crimes [without] alleging the actual cases, or the actual victims,” she stated. This “offers confidence to their witnesses, and future witnesses,” that they’ll be protected.

Davis says that Combs’ alleged obstruction of justice could have brought on the prosecution to return ahead earlier than that they had completed their grand jury testimony and gotten ample proof for sure costs. She additionally contends that different folks talked about within the indictment as a part of Combs’ alleged legal enterprise could also be within the strategy of cooperating towards him. “What you’re going to see is loads of cooperating witnesses, both individuals who have are available and rolled over or individuals who have determined to cooperate with the federal government as they begin to consider their very own publicity and legal responsibility within the case.”

The prosecution can add further costs in a later superseding indictment, and so they even have the latitude to supply Combs a plea deal for the present costs and inform him that they may add in different costs if he refuses the deal.

And because the case sprawls, it might rope in additional defendants. Rahmani says that “Diddy’s events have been the worst stored secret,” and there’s a chance that different distinguished folks could also be held to account in the event that they have been concerned in his intercourse acts. “Sadly, wealthy and highly effective males making the most of girls [is] one thing that’s far too frequent,” he says. “If I participated within the intercourse acts, I’d be particularly involved. That judgment day could also be coming.”

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Each Hersh and Davis agree that the Combs case might symbolize a reckoning for the leisure world. Davis says that the trade as a complete must be extra accountable in calling out their friends. “I hear folks say stuff like, ‘I used to be round. I noticed a black eye. I noticed this, I noticed that.’ However you didn’t say something. And now you need to inform your story and perhaps even revenue from it,” she laments. “This doesn’t need to be a defining a part of our tradition for hip-hop or for Black folks. It’s not how nearly all of us function on this world. There are many artists who’ve had nothing to do with this type of stuff, and so they’ve been profitable. So this notion that it’s a must to pay this worth as a way to be part of the trade…I pray that that notion ends with a case like this.”

Hersh says that “when highly effective folks function with full impunity, they have an inclination to prey on our most marginalized.” However she additionally notes that “we’re lastly in the intervening time the place there may be accountability for actually highly effective folks. And we’re additionally in a second the place, though the highly effective folks have lengthy advised victims that they won’t be believed, society and the justice system is saying, ‘I imagine you.’ I believe that’s very highly effective.”

A particular night time for Sergi Domínguez and Gerard Martín with each younger gamers making their debuts within the Champions League for the FC Barcelona first staff. 

The Stade Louis II in Monaco was the venue for the 2 defenders who have been each final season enjoying within the Primera Federación, the third tier of Spanish Soccer. Each entered the fray within the eightieth minuet in opposition to Monaco however have been helpless to stop a 2-1 defeat for Hansi Flick’s staff. 

The primary look within the Champions League comes after Gerard Martín made his league debut on 17 August in opposition to Valencia and Sergi Domínguez two weeks later within the win over Valladolid. 

Martín has made 5 appearances now for the primary staff, one within the Champions League and 4 in La Liga. Centre again Domínguez has a Champions League look to go together with his league debut final month. 

Barça haven’t acquired the UEFA Youth League off to the most effective of begins. They misplaced a seven-goal thriller towards Monaco, a merciless blow after issues had start so nicely with two targets to no reply within the first 36 minutes. Coach Juliano Belleti was handled to a nice opener from Arnau Prades, after which the participant who had supplied the help, Hugo Alba, acquired his personal title on the scoresheet from the penalty spot.

Issues have been shaping up very properly, however by half-time the perimeters have been again stage. Tincres headed in after 41 minutes and a strong strike from Buabre meant it could be 2-2 when the groups headed to the dressing rooms.

Barça have been eager to rapidly make amends, and after a lot of shut calls, substitute Pedro Fernández thundered the ball goalward from the sting of the world.

It seemed like Barça have been again in enterprise, and additional targets appeared doubtless. They have been certainly, however sadly for the unsuitable group. Monaco refused to lie down and within the ultimate section began producing their finest soccer of the afternoon. Tincres nabbed his second aim of the day to sq. issues up but once more, after which Carvalho put the house facet forward for the primary time.

Frustratingly, a recreation that Barça seemed on good course to win ended with out even a comfort level to take again to Catalonia.

MATCH STATS

AS MONACO, 4
FC BARCELONA, 3

Monaco: Stawiecki, Mokabakila, Ninombe, Kiwa, Coudour (Guerchi, min. 75), Cabral, Benama (Dembaga, min. 85)), Bamba (Toure, min. 65), Michal (Carvalho, min. 75), Tincres, Bouabre (Boura, min. 85).

Barça: Yaakobishvili, Xavi Espart (Guillem Victor, min. 46), Kospo, Leo Saca, Walton, Pedro Soma (Tomas Marques, min. 58), Jan Virgili, Quim Junyent (Brian Fariñas, min. 58), Hugo Alba, Juan (Pedro Fernandez, min. 58), Arnau Pradas (Marcos Parriego, min. 72).

Objectives: 0-1, Arnau Prades (min. 17); 0-2, Hugo Alba (min. 36); 1-2, Tincres (min. 41); 2-2, Baubre (min. 44), 2-3, Fernandez (min. 57); 3-3, Tincres (min. 65); 4-3, Carvalho (min. 80)

Referee: Bence Csonka. Yellow playing cards for Bamba (Monaco), Cabral (Monaco), Víctor (Barça) and Walton (Barça)

A calamitous begin — from Barcelona’s goalkeeper, one in all their midfielders and the referee — created an eventful encounter on the Stade Louis II on Thursday as one of many biggest American sportsmen watched on.

Eric Garcia was despatched off early on, regardless of initially receiving a yellow card having introduced down Takumi Minamino following a hospital cross from Marc-Andre ter Stegen. A crimson card was ultimately confirmed (regardless of the referee Allard Lindhout at first displaying a yellow) and Garcia walked.

Monaco swiftly took the lead earlier than 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, in entrance of NBA legend Michael Jordan, who watched on from the stands, introduced 10-man Barca stage and have become the second-youngest goalscorer within the Champions League.

Nonetheless, taking part in with 10 males took its toll on Barcelona, and Monaco secured the three factors when 18-year-old George Ilenikhena scored the winner to turn out to be Monaco’s youngest Champions League goalscorer, breaking a file set by Kylian Mbappe.

Right here, Thom Harris and Laia Cervelló Herrero break down the motion.

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A comedy of errors: Ter Stegen, Garcia — and the referee

It’s troublesome to not really feel for Garcia. Following a stellar season on mortgage at Girona, the 23-year-old returned to Barcelona in the summertime, the place it has by no means fairly clicked.

He was given an surprising alternative tonight — stepping right into a defensive midfield function to permit Marc Casado to step ahead within the absence of Dani Olmo — but it surely was one fraught with danger. Monaco led the best way for top turnovers in Ligue 1 final season, not afraid to push excessive and apply strain when the opposition tried to play out from the again, they usually instantly recognized an out-of-position centre-back on the base of Barcelona’s midfield as an space to pounce.

Garcia was not helped by his goalkeeper Ter Stegen, whose indecision meant that the straightforward cross to both Pau Cubarsi or Inigo Martinez was closed down. Minamino caught to Garcia like glue within the opening moments and darted ahead as quickly as he sensed the hesitation on Ter Stegen’s thoughts.

Garcia positions himself to let the cross roll throughout his physique and into midfield, shielding the ball from Minamino on his again, however the ball lacks tempo and permits the previous Liverpool man to nip in forward.

Desperately attempting to get better, a tangle of legs and a subsequent journey denied a transparent goalscoring alternative.

Initially, the referee raised the yellow card. Earlier than later revealing a crimson. There have been no complaints from Garcia, aside from these certainly to be geared toward his keeper.

At 9 minutes and 26 seconds, it grew to become the earliest dismissal in Barcelona’s Champions League historical past, simply 5 months after Ronald Araujo was despatched off after 29 minutes in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain for the same tangle of legs.

It left Barcelona uncovered for an alarming spell within the quick aftermath, as Monaco discovered actual pleasure attacking Alejandro Balde’s flank with further help from rampant full-back Wilfried Singo, capable of double up on that facet with the person benefit.

Garcia simply can’t appear to flee the highlight; after a leap ahead final season, this was one other unlucky step again.

Thom Harris

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Is Yamal Barca’s talisman at 17?

The moments are merely coming too thick and quick for Yamal for this to simply be a flash within the pan. Barcelona’s 17-year-old winger is a real game-breaker, and this was one other contest that he nearly tilted on its head.

Issues had been trying shakey after the early crimson, as Monaco threw males ahead and trapped Barcelona in their very own defensive third. Simply weathering the storm would have been a constructive, however a floated cross excessive from Casado to present Yamal a run at his full-back was all that was required to get again into the sport.

The subtleties of the objective confirmed expertise effectively past his age: a sudden change of tempo to carry off a back-tracking defender, permitting him to latch immediately onto the bouncing ball, in addition to a fast chop again inside to place Mohammed Salisu on the again foot, and the crisp end again throughout objective and into the underside nook.

Already his fourth objective this season, on high of 4 assists, he’s making fairly the behavior of stepping up. Extra typically, Yamal’s assurance in possession gave Barcelona a dependable outlet to flee strain, holding the width down the right-hand facet, at all times obtainable for the raking swap of play.

As his passes-received map beneath illustrates, Flick’s facet weren’t afraid to make use of that cross, already putting a lot belief in his capability to deliver the ball down, drift inside, and create hazard with out the necessity for an excessive amount of help.

The statistics again up Yamal’s affect to this point this season, not solely the participant with probably the most touches within the opposition half in La Liga but additionally with probably the most ball-recoveries and tackles within the remaining third. Though not Barcelona’s night time, this was one other recreation that illustrated not solely the potential, the power that’s already there.

Thom Harris

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No luck for Pedri

The crimson card for Garcia didn’t solely frustrate the centre-back, who has had a tough time getting minutes, but additionally Pedri.

The midfielder appears to have absolutely recovered from the assorted accidents he has suffered in latest seasons and has discovered his greatest type able nearer to the penalty space.

One of many doubts earlier than the sport was how Hansi Flick was going to make up for the absence of Dani Olmo. The pinnacle coach determined to line up with two gamers nearer to the bottom of the field: Garcia and Casado.

This would go away extra freedom for Pedri, on the left flank, to get ahead and make extra forays into the opposition field. Nonetheless, with Garcia’s sending off, Pedri needed to transfer again a bit of extra, leaving Raphinha as a link-up participant.

Due to a really unlucky scenario — not of his making — Pedri was unable to play within the place by which he shines probably the most. Nonetheless, he was nonetheless intense in urgent and recovering balls.

Laia Cervelló Herrero

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What did Hansi Flick say?

Speaking to CBS Sports after the match, Flick mentioned: “I advised them to maintain their heads up, we tried to get a end result with one participant much less. We got here again to 1-1, we defended with a number of ardour. However you may see they’ve a number of velocity, Monaco, they usually deserved the win.

“An important factor now’s to get better as a result of we have now two days to get our vitality again earlier than Sunday once we play Villarreal, which shall be a troublesome match.

“We now have seven matches to go. We misplaced however I’m constructive about this as a result of as we speak I noticed a number of good issues from the group but additionally conditions the place we are able to do higher.

When requested about Yamal, Flick mentioned: “Lamine is a incredible participant, the objective he scored was nice and he gave us confidence again. However we even have to guard these gamers in La Liga and the Champions League.”

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What subsequent for Barcelona?

Sunday, September 22: Villarreal (A), Competitors, 17:30 (GMT), 12:30 (ET)

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Beneficial studying

(Prime picture: MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP through Getty Pictures)

Arsenal shared the factors with Atalanta on Thursday night time as they kicked off their Champions League marketing campaign with a 0-0 draw on the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

Neither aspect created a lot in the way in which of probabilities within the first half, with Bukayo Saka’s effort from a free-kick one of the best of the opening 45 minutes, whereas Gabriel Martinelli’s strike that flashed over the bar from contained in the field was by no means threatening the goalkeeper. The hosts virtually obtained in entrance when Thomas Partey conceded a penalty early within the second half, just for David Raya to supply a formidable double save towards Mateo Retegui to maintain the rating even.

Juan Cuadrado was subsequent to come back near scoring with two efforts from outdoors of the field, earlier than Arsenal’s greatest probability of the second half fell to Martinelli, who missed the goal after being performed in by substitute Raheem Sterling.

Not a lot urgency was proven after that effort, with the Gunners wanting blissful to take some extent as they secured a well-deserved clear sheet amid a robust defensive efficiency.

Positives

A degree away towards the Europa League winners is one thing to construct on for Arsenal within the league section, throughout a efficiency wherein they defended excellently all through except for making a gift of a penalty.

Negatives

The Gunners may must have extra innovative going ahead as they struggled to create a daily movement of probabilities. Martinelli had one of the best one and may have performed higher with it within the second half, however too usually the ultimate ball was over hit and led to a turnover of possession.

Supervisor score (1-10)

Mikel Arteta, 6 — Timed his substitutions properly and was unfortunate to not see an instantaneous influence after Sterling created the most important probability of the sport shortly after approaching. A affected person strategy additionally meant Arteta’s aspect was tough to interrupt down, with Atalanta solely capable of threaten from outdoors of the field except for their missed penalty.

Participant scores (1-10; 10: greatest. Gamers launched after 70 minutes obtain no score)

GK David Raya, 8 — Acquired some data from the sidelines earlier than saving the penalty from Mateo Retegui, after which reacted excellently to disclaim the rebound try. The clear distinction on the night time.

DF Ben White, 6 — Usually in the fitting place and obtained ahead on the proper occasions to assist the assault. Unfortunate with a cut-back that went throughout the Atalanta field after some optimistic link-up play with Bukayo Saka.

DF William Saliba, 7 — Handled conditions when known as upon and selected the fitting moments to go tight to an opponent and take cost throughout one-on-one duels. A vital deal with late within the recreation was required to disclaim Ademola Lookman a shot at purpose.

DF Gabriel, 7 — Clever positioning meant Gabriel was by no means too removed from Atalanta playmaker Charles De Ketelaere, and he made it tough for the hosts’ talisman to make an influence on the sport. Dominant when difficult within the air.

DF Jurriën Timber, 6 — The 23-year-old stored issues easy and by no means appeared like being crushed down the flank. Appeared composed in possession when serving to transition the ball ahead.

MF Kai Havertz, 6 — The 25-year-old stretched the play to offer a protracted ball choice for his aspect and led quite a few assaults, however his finish product may have been higher.

MF Thomas Partey, 5 — Partey helped keep Arsenal’s construction in the course of the pitch, however he may have been extra correct together with his passing at occasions. Had Raya to thank after making a gift of a penalty within the second half.

MF Declan Rice, 7 — The England worldwide was fast to identify the hazard and ensured he was at all times in the fitting areas to clear it. Offered a robust hyperlink between midfield and assault, as one of many standouts for the Gunners on the night time.

FW Bukayo Saka, 5 — The winger compelled a save from the goalkeeper with a properly positioned free-kick however was in any other case quiet for Arsenal on the fitting aspect. Changed by Raheem Sterling within the second half.

FW Gabriel Jesus, 5 — Gabriel Jesus labored onerous whereas main the road however struggled to make a significant influence earlier than being changed by Leandro Trossard within the second half.

FW Gabriel Martinelli, 5 — Flashed an effort over the bar with one in every of few probabilities created by Arsenal. Martinelli additionally labored onerous when serving to out Timber. Had Arsenal’s greatest probability of the second half however missed the goal once more.

Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes = no score)

Leandro Trossard (On for Jesus, 58″), 6 — Trossard tried to get Arsenal transferring in the fitting path by carrying the ball down the left flank earlier than enjoying easy passes inside.

Jorginho (Partey, 58″), 6 — On for Thomas Partey earlier than the hour mark and stored issues ticking in midfield, although he may have taken extra care with possession at occasions.

Raheem Sterling (Saka, 72″), N/R — An look tonight noticed him turn out to be the primary participant to characterize 4 completely different English groups within the Champions League. Created an opportunity shortly after approaching when selecting out Martinelli, who smashed over the bar.

Riccardo Calafiori (Timber, 72″), N/R — A optimistic efficiency by the summer season signing, who seamlessly tailored to the match, caught to his activity properly defensively and supplied a spark when driving with the ball by means of midfield.

Lyle and Erik Menendez had been convicted of murdering their dad and mom in Beverly Hills in 1989. The second installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Netflix anthology sequence, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, revisits the notorious true crime story. Learn on to be taught the place the Menendez brothers at the moment are and the brand new proof that would set them free.

On Aug. 20, 1989, Jose and Kitty Menendez had been discovered shot a number of instances at shut vary within the household room of their Beverly Hills mansion. Police initially suspected that the mob was concerned as a result of ugly nature of the murders. Lyle and Erik, who had been 21 and 18 on the time, informed investigators they discovered their dad and mom shot to dying once they arrived dwelling.

After their dad and mom’ deaths, the Menendez brothers gave the impression to be spending their inheritance extravagantly on Rolex watches, actual property, and enterprise ventures. A serious breakthrough within the case occurred when Judalon Smyth, the mistress of Erik’s psychologist, Jerome Oziel, tipped off authorities. She revealed that Erik had confessed to the murders throughout remedy classes, and there have been audiotapes of the confessions.

Why Did Lyle And Erik Menendez Kill Their Mother and father?

In March 1990, the brothers had been arrested for first-degree homicide of their dad and mom. The case led to a extremely publicized multi-year authorized battle involving two juries, two trials, and one mistrial. The Menendez protection workforce argued that the brothers killed their dad and mom in self-defense. Each brothers testified that they had been abused by the hands of their mom and father.

Nevertheless, prosecutors argued that cash was the motive. They alleged that the brothers wished management of their dad and mom’ $14.5 million property. The brothers reportedly spent as much as $700,000 of their inheritance on luxurious gadgets, enterprise ventures, and journey.

The primary trial ended on Jan. 13, 1994, in a mistrial. Jurors could not agree on whether or not the brothers must be convicted of manslaughter due to the alleged abuse or first-degree homicide.

In the end, on the finish of the second trial, the jury discovered Lyle and Erik Menendez responsible of first-degree homicide. The brothers had been sentenced to 2 consecutive life jail phrases with out the opportunity of parole.

The place Are Lyle And Erik Menendez Now?

Erik and Lyle Menendez are serving out their life sentences on the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California, based on the California Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The brothers should not eligible for parole.

After their conviction, the 2 males had been transferred to separate prisons. The final time they noticed one another was in 1996, once they might see one another throughout the jail yard however couldn’t talk. Separate transports took them to completely different amenities.

Over time, Lyle repeatedly requested a switch nearer to his brother. On February 22, 2018, he was moved from Mule Creek State Jail in Northern California to San Diego’s Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, the place Erik had been incarcerated since 2013.

On April 4, 2018, the brothers had been lastly reunited when Erik moved to Lyle’s unit. Journalist Robert Rand informed ABC Information that when the guard opened the door, Lyle noticed his brother, they usually each “burst into tears instantly.”

“They only hugged one another for a couple of minutes with out saying any phrases to one another,” Rand added. “Then the jail officers allow them to spend an hour collectively in a room.”

In January 2017, Lyle informed ABC Information that he had come to phrases along with his actions. “I’m the child that did kill his dad and mom, and no river of tears has modified that and no quantity of remorse has modified it,” he defined. “I settle for that. You might be usually outlined by just a few moments of your life, however that’s not who you’re in your life, . Your life is your totality of it…You may’t change it. You simply, you’re caught with the selections you made.”

Lyle nonetheless claims that they skilled abuse by their father, which he mentioned bonded him and his brother Erik by means of secrets and techniques. “It’s so painful and sophisticated and complicated,” he mentioned. “We’ve got an intimacy associated to that shared expertise… [and] the bond turn into very nice and intense.”

“I’m the older brother so I discover myself making an attempt to guard Erik fairly a bit by means of childhood, however just about making an attempt to outlive,” Lyle continued. “It was fairly crushing to in the long run to understand that I had not been capable of shield to or save him from such horrible abuse as I assumed. I assumed we had form of survived early childhood fairly properly and that turned out to not be true.”

Whereas Erik declined to be interviewed by ABC Information in 2017, he informed ABC’s Barbara Walters in a 1996 interview that he felt “super regret” for the killings. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t take into consideration what occurred and want I might take that second again,” he mentioned on the time.

What Is The New Proof Supporting Lyle and Erik Mendendez’s Allegations of Abuse?

The query now isn’t whether or not Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their dad and mom however quite whether or not they did so in concern and self-defense after enduring a lifetime of abuse. New proof might assist this declare, and the brothers’ protection legal professional, Cliff Gardner, is hoping to safe their launch.

The newly surfaced proof features a letter Gardner claims was written by Erik Menendez to his cousin, Andy Cano, in December 1988 — about eight months earlier than the crime — based on CBS Information.

A part of the letter reads, “I’ve been making an attempt to keep away from dad. It’s nonetheless occurring, Andy, nevertheless it’s worse for me now. … Each evening I keep up pondering he would possibly are available. … I’m afraid. … He’s loopy. He’s warned me 100 instances about telling anybody, particularly Lyle.”

Andy Cano testified on the brothers’ trials and mentioned that Erik informed him — years earlier than the killing — that his father was touching him inappropriately. Nevertheless, prosecutors at trial instructed that Cano was mendacity, CBS Information reported.

On April 2023, Roy Rosselló, a former member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, alleged that Erik and Lyle’s father, Jose, sexually assaulted him as a youngster.

In a sworn affidavit filed in 2023, Rosselló mentioned that he visited Jose Menendez’s dwelling within the fall of 1983 or 1984 as a youngster. He mentioned he drank “a glass of wine” after which felt like he had “no management” over his physique. He alleged that Jose took him to a room and raped him. Rossello additionally said within the affidavit that Jose sexually abused him in two different cases.

“I do know what he did to me in his home,” Rosselló mentioned within the Peacock docuseries Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed, based on Individuals. “That’s the person right here that raped me… That’s the pedophile.”

Erik responded to Rosselló’s declare in a cellphone name with Rand, the journalist who has saved in contact with the brothers. “It’s unhappy to know that there was one other sufferer of my father. I at all times hoped and believed that at some point the reality about my dad would come out, however I by no means wished for it to come back out like this – the results of trauma that one other youngster has suffered,” he mentioned.

In Might 2023, Gardner filed a habeas petition, presenting the letter and Rossello’s affidavit as new proof that argues his purchasers’ convictions must be overturned. The Los Angeles County District Legal professional’s Workplace informed “48 Hours,” that it’s investigating the claims made within the habeas petition, per CBS Information.

Watch the official trailer for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story under.

“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is an ominous retelling of the notorious crime. Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the second of their “Monster” anthology for Netflix follows brothers Lyle (an unimaginable Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Erik (an impressive Cooper Koch). Having endured emotional, bodily and sexual abuse — the collection argues — by the hands of their father, José (Javier Bardem) and mom, Mary Louise, aka “Kitty” (Chloë Sevigny), the pair homicide their dad and mom in chilly blood. Chronicling the brothers’ upbringing, the murders and the whole lot thereafter, the collection is overlong and exhausting. The present makes an attempt to unpack the circumstances that led to the crime whereas highlighting Erik and Lyle’s trauma. However in the long run, the narrative feels futile and weird. 

“Menendez” opens in October 1989, two months after Kitty and José’s deaths. Driving in a limo as Kenny G’s “Songbird” performs on the radio, Lyle and Erik head to their dad and mom’ memorial service. Lyle, the older brother, appears unbothered and managed, however Erik begins sobbing uncontrollably, seemingly out of nowhere. The scene instantly illustrates who the boys are. One brother is emotional and all-feeling, and the opposite is tightly wound and rageful. 

From there, the narrative oscillates forwards and backwards in time. It unpacks the reign of terror that permeated the Menendez family, and pushed the brothers to parricide. Bardem is terrifying and vile as José, whereas Sevigny portrays a compassionless, pathetic girl. For his or her half, Erik and Lyle are a grotesque mix of entitlement and prey. 

The killings are rendered in extremely graphic and gory element, and the plot recounts numerous police mishaps, which initially allow the brothers to keep away from suspicion. Within the months following the murders, deeply suicidal and tortured by photographs of his lifeless dad and mom, Erik confesses to his therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel (Dallas Roberts), which finally results in his and Lyle’s detainment. Judalon Smyth (a wonderfully forged Leslie Grossman) delights as Dr. Oziel’s mistress and former affected person who performs a pivotal position within the brothers’ arrest and 1993 trial. The collection additionally introduces protection lawyer Leslie Abramson (Ari Graynor), whose tenacity and expertise are pigeonholed by the misogyny within the authorized area, the courtroom system and her fondness for Erik. 

The primary half of “Menendez” is great, however Episode 5, “The Damage Man,” is the standout. Although no sexual abuse is explicitly depicted, Erik speaks to his lawyer Leslie at size and in vivid element in regards to the lifetime of rape and abuse he endured by the hands of his father. The episode is cleverly shot in a single lengthy take because the digicam slowly zooms in on his face.

Sadly, following its fifth episode, the present falls into the deep finish. The unwieldy tone, which teeters between ominous and lightweight camp (there’s a stunning toupee and overdone homoeroticism), implodes on itself, and the remainder of the episodes are a repetitive slog. 

Episode 6, “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” remembers José and Kitty’s relationship, from their courtship by way of their more and more tense marriage. Whereas this chapter exhibits the couple’s respective childhoods (each marred by abuse), and permits Bardem and Sevigny to showcase their sturdy abilities, it does little so as to add to the stress or texture of the collection total. The overloaded episode ought to have been edited out totally, integrating these flashbacks into the primary half of the collection. 

The remaining episodes are equally taxing. Along with the Menendez household, simply as they did in “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” Murphy and Brennan platform some main gamers orbiting the brothers and their trials. Vainness Truthful reporter Dominick Dunne (Nathan Lane) fixates on the case’s particulars. After shedding his solely daughter to an act of violence, he turns into consumed with ensuring Erik and Lyle are punished, particularly within the courtroom of public opinion. Episodes 7, “Showtime,” and 9, “Hold Man,” reimagine Kitty and José’s murderers by way of Dominick’s perspective. He additionally narrates how the brothers navigate jail, together with their relationships inside and out of doors the jail partitions. Although Lane is nice, his character provides little to the story total.

Within the collection, as in actual life, the brothers have two trials spanning seven years — and the courtroom scenes in “Menendez” are tiresome and grating. As a result of the tone is already so off-kilter, these sequences are an odd, endless train boasting innumerable witnesses, authorized maneuvering and testimony. 

Los Angeles within the late ’80s and early ’90s was a definite place. Rodney King’s beating, the ensuing riots, California’s dying penalty and even O.J. Simpson’s arrest and acquittal all swirled across the brothers’ time within the highlight. Nonetheless, as a substitute of subtly infusing these plot factors, Murphy and Brennan insist on clobbering the viewers over the pinnacle with these info. At one level, Erik even speaks to Simpson from his adjoining jail cell, suggesting that the accused former soccer participant take a plea cut price. 

Regardless of the gripping material and the excellent performances, “‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” has no thought what it desires to be. Subsequently, it simply dissolves right into a retelling of unspeakable abuses and grotesque crimes. Nonetheless, the larger problem is who and the place we’re as a society. Once we have interaction within the platforming of murderous and unwell folks, regardless of how heinous their upbringings might have been, we lean into our personal unchecked monstrosities. 

“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is now out there to stream on Netflix. 

Flick no lo sabe, pero hay una sorpresa si se compara su situación con la del equipo del Barça de Rijkaard que estaba en camino de convertirse en campeón europeo contra el Arsenal en París

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Hansi Flick admite que el momento “¡eureka!” en el que prometió que nada le impediría convertirse un día en entrenador del Barcelona fue la noche del 21 de marzo de 2006. Él y otras 67,000 personas asistieron al Camp Nou a la victoria por 3-1 del equipo de Frank Rijkaard contra el Getafe, mientras el público cantaba el “cumpleaños feliz” a Ronaldinho, que ese día cumplía 26 años.

Ahora, el equipo notablemente joven de Flick lidera LaLiga con un récord del 100% y se prepara para su debut en la Champions League como entrenador del Barcelona en Mónaco, este jueves (más sobre eso más adelante).

Flick no lo sabe, pero hay una sorpresa si se compara su situación con la del equipo del Barça de Rijkaard que estaba en camino de convertirse en campeón europeo contra el Arsenal en París. El contexto es el siguiente.

Flick vio cómo Getafe se adelantaba 1-0 en el Camp Nou esa noche gracias a un extremo que había sido el Lamine Yamal/Pedri/Gavi/Pau Cubarsí/Marc Casado de su época. Su nombre completo period Fernando Macedo Da Silva Rodilla, conocido como Nano.

Mientras estuvo en la academia del Barcelona, Nano vivió en La Masia (la academia justo al lado del Camp Nou, donde leyendas como Pep Guardiola y Andrés Iniesta se alojaron de niños) y recibió clases individuales en secundaria junto a un chico llamado Mikel Arteta.

¿Qué habrá sido de ese melancólico centrocampista vasco? (Pista: su equipo ganó el derbi del norte de Londres el fin de semana).

En 1999, Louis van Gaal le dio a Nano la oportunidad de debutar en la Supercopa de España, LaLiga y la Champions League, convirtiéndose en el más joven en vestir la famosa camiseta del Barça en esas competiciones. Con poco más de 17 años y seis meses, Nano pudo jugar.

Cuando Flick fue al Camp Nou hace 18 años como invitado especial de Nike, se inspiró en un XI del Barcelona que solo contenía tres españoles (en comparación con los siete que había contra el Girona el domingo). El más joven en el equipo de Rijkaard esa noche period un brasileño de 23 años, Thiago Motta, y el resto rondaban los 20. Nada que ver con la variedad de adolescentes de Flick.

Cuando Nano period el “niño prodigio” de 17 años del Barcelona, el membership le aseguró su futuro con un contrato multimillonario de cinco años, frente a una gran oferta del Arsenal. El adolescente gallego se gastó parte de ese dinero en un Mercedes descapotable y se compró una propiedad en la ciudad. Pero la noche en que Flick le vio provocar al Getafe de Bernd Schuster, los catalanes y el Atlético de Madrid ya le habían dejado marchar.

Las comparaciones entre aquella versión del Barcelona y la precise no podrían ser más marcadas.

Rijkaard, allá por 2006, tenía a Iniesta y a Lionel Messi despuntando, pero utilizaba a cada uno de ellos de forma conservadora. No te preocupes… en ese entonces parecía una locura, no ahora. Rijkaard no sentía la necesidad de jugársela. Así que no lo hizo.

En el caso de Iniesta, el entrenador del Barcelona llevó a la desesperación a uno de los mejores futbolistas españoles y, esa misma temporada, lo dejó en el banquillo en la last de la Champions League. Por no hablar de la furia absoluta de Messi al descubrir que Rijkaard le había dejado fuera de la convocatoria para aquella last.

Por aquel entonces, en la reserva, el membership contaba con veteranos como Xavi, Edmilson, Henrik Larsson, Sylvinho y Rafa Márquez. Rijkaard veía a los chicos de la cantera como un lujo.

Al last de la victoria por 4-1 del Barcelona ante el Girona el domingo, entre los suplentes no utilizados por Flick había un portero de 18 años nacido en Miami, un defensa de 19 años y un centrocampista ofensivo que cumplió 16 años el mes pasado. El seleccionador ya había convocado a un lateral de 18 años y a otros dos jugadores que sólo habían jugado tres partidos con el primer equipo. Eso en un contexto en el que el as soon as inicial ya contaba con Yamal (17 años), Pedri (21), Cubarsí (17), Alex Balde (20) y Casadó (que cumplió 21 la semana pasada).

Flick promovió a Guille Fernández, ese chico de 16 años del banquillo que he mencionado, al primer equipo contra Girona en gran parte porque su primo Toni Fernández, un delantero zurdo de 16 años al que la mayoría de la élite futbolística europea quería arrebatar del Barcelona este verano, sufría una pequeña lumbalgia. De lo contrario, Toni, que ha marcado un gol por partido con el Barcelona B esta temporada, habría sido el Fernández de aquella plantilla.

Las tres preguntas principales que esto inspira son: ¿cómo sigue la cantera del Barcelona encontrando y desarrollando tales joyas cuando La Masía sufre recortes y constantes cambios de entrenador? La clave está en un buen trabajo de scouting y en el atractivo de la marca. Pero los resultados siguen siendo fenomenales.

Siguiente pregunta: ¿por qué, entonces, el membership gasta, algunas veces, tan mal en el mercado de fichajes que tiene una deuda de más de 1,000 millones de dólares? Codicia, vanidad y estupidez, en mi opinión.

Y, ¿cuánto se puede esperar realmente de una plantilla tan joven esta temporada? Lo veremos el jueves en Montecarlo y el domingo en Villarreal.

Ahora mismo, desde la última parte del reinado de Ronald Koeman en el Barcelona, pasando por la enorme confianza que Xavi depositó en Gavi, Pedri y los debuts de Lamine, Balde y Cubarsi, parece que si tienes más de 14 años, puedes patear el balón recto y mides más de 1,65 metros, tienes posibilidades de entrenar con el primer equipo, e incluso de jugar.

No todos los jóvenes talentos que actualmente visten la camiseta del primer equipo del Barcelona lo harán a largo plazo. Pero la mayoría sí y, fíjate lo que te digo, dentro de poco estarás admirando a los Fernández, Unai Hernández, Orian Goren y Pedro “Dro” Fernández. Cinco talentos muy especiales, todos ellos de 16 años, excepto Hernández, de 19.

La experiencia de Nano en el Barcelona es una metáfora de Arteta, Sergio García, Bojan Krkic, André Onana, Cesc Fábregas, Gerard Piqué, Dani Olmo y Xavi Simons, los cuales, en su día, abandonaron su membership de origen ridículamente pronto porque creían, o les dijeron, que no se les daría suficiente confianza o tiempo de juego.

Notable.

Creo que Fábregas, una superestrella de la cantera del Barcelona, que levantó varios trofeos en equipos con Messi y Piqué, y que abandonó el barco rumbo al Arsenal porque a los 16 años ya había perdido la fe en que lo ascenderían al primer equipo del Barça con la suficiente rapidez, lo explica mejor que nadie.

La semana pasada declaró a la BBC: “Los problemas económicos del Barcelona lo obligaron a empezar a jugar con todos los jóvenes. Míralos ahora… ¡unos cuantos años después! Los jugadores jóvenes siguen llegando. Flick sigue poniendo dos o tres más. Y después de que Xavi pusiera a Lamine Yamal en el equipo hace dos años, con 15 años, ¿quizá ahora vale 120 millones de euros?

“Los clubes y los jugadores adquieren experiencia en este proceso, pero a veces son los entrenadores quienes pagan el precio. Cuando se prohibió al Chelsea fichar jugadores, [Frank] Lampard empezó a jugar con juveniles como Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham y Reece James. ¿A quién se sacrificó por los resultados? Frank Lampard. La clase de tiempo que se le permitió a Arsene Wenger mostrarme… eso no existe ahora. Sólo cuando un membership se ve obligado como el Barcelona. Entonces, de repente, hay 10 jugadores jóvenes de 16 o 17 años que pueden jugar en el primer equipo y todo el mundo cube ‘qué bien lo están haciendo’.

“¡Pues no! Si el Barcelona tuviera cientos de millones, probablemente invertiría en el nuevo Neymar o Ronaldinho. Creo que hay mucho más potencial para los jugadores que empiezan cada vez más jóvenes y que están mucho más preparados de lo que yo estaba a su edad”.

Todos estamos en un viaje de descubrimiento. Es extraordinariamente raro que uno de los clubes de élite de Europa dependa tanto incluso de futbolistas jóvenes de sensacional talento. Y, las oportunidades de revancha, y las de volver a medirse, no suelen darse con sólo semanas de diferencia. Pero eso es lo que está a punto de ocurrirle a Flick y a su equipo.

En el partido amistoso del Torneo Gamper, el Mónaco venció al Barcelona por 3-0 y les hizo parecer un equipo inexperto. Según el técnico alemán, el jet-lag y el cansancio tras la gira por Estados Unidos y los vuelos transatlánticos de vuelta a casa fueron los principales responsables.

Ahora, 38 días después, Barcelona vuelve a enfrentarse al equipo de la Ligue 1. Un campo horrible en el estadio Louis II, un rival de calidad y tantos problemas de lesiones en la plantilla del Barcelona… ¿qué pueden conseguir los chicos de Flick? ¿Los chicos están bien? Su aprendizaje, y el nuestro, continúa.