Barcelona - Almería summary: Sergi Roberto, score, goals & highlights | LaLiga EA Sports

That's all, folks!

Thankyou for following the action at Montjuïc! We'll leave it there for the day.

Make sure you check out AS USA for all the latest sports news over the festive period.

Joe

Full-time thoughts:

Barcelona survived a potential banana skin after eventually beating Almería in anervygame that needed a late goal from Sergi Roberto to give the home side all three points.

Barcelona dominated possession throughout and could have been well ahead at various points in the game, but a lack of a scoring touch saw them fail to kill off Almería, who chose their moments wisely to attack.

Raphinha put the home side ahead before a VAR checked goal from Baptistão levelled things before half time.

After the break, Sergi Roberto put his side back in the lead with a fantastic header but a calamitous error between Iñaki Peña and Araujo gifted Almería with a goal.

From then on, it was all Barcelona, who pushed the away side back as the clock ticked on. But Sergi Roberto stepped up once again, getting on the end of a chipped ball behind the defence to slot the ball in the net and give Xavi's side all three points.

Full-time!

Barcelona take all three points in a crazy game!

Akieme sees his name in lights and thrashes a wild leg at the dropping ball that flies high into the stands behind the goal.

Almería have a free-kick in a central area, around 45 yards from goal.

SERGI ROBERTO OFF THE CROSSBAR!

Balde burst through the middle and played left to Roberto, who took a touch a struck a lightning bolt towards goal that thundered off the bar!

Embarba is pulled back for a handball as he looks to break into the Barcelona box. Almería are still showing signs of life...

5 added minutes.

CHANCE FOR BARCELONA

Lewandowski's close-range shot is blocked at the last second by Mendes!

Araujo, who looks in terrible form, is booked for a silly challenge on Arribas.

The fans inside the Barcelona stadium are certainly behind Oriol Romeu: everything he has done with the ball has been met with cheers and applause.

WHAT A SAVE FROM IÑAKI PEÑA

A stunning save. The ball is crossed in from the right and is met firmly by Baba, who sees his header scooped up and parried away by an acrobatic Peña in the Barcelona goal!

Back underway in this crazy game...

The ball is chipped over the Almería defence and SergiRoberto, who had made a devastating run through the middle, latches onto the ball and slides under Maximiano!

Lázaro fires wide after being played through Barcelona's defence but the flag is raised once the ball whizzes out of play.

Fantastic strength and skill from Akieme who holds Lamine Yamal off for 7 yards as he sees the ball roll out for a goal kick.

Barcelona have Almería pinned back into their own defensive half as they push for goal number three.

Ten to go...

How did they miss that?!

The ball is played from the right to left where it's met by Lewandowski and headed back across goal.

Gündogan is there, one yard out with nobody around him and he manages to miss the ball and watch it bounce past the goal! Incredible!

BARCELONA MISS A GOLDEN CHANCE

Embarba & Lázaro ON

Ramazani & Baptistão OFF

Lamine Yamal ON

Raphinha OFF

Fifteen minutes to go...

CHANCE FOR BARCELONA

Araujo heads a Sergi Roberto cross just wide!

It's an absolutely horrendousmistake from Barcelona, a nightmare!

The long free kick is sailed into the box. Iñaki Peña and Ronald Araujo both go for the ball, with neither of them connecting properly.

It falls to Edgar who only has to tap in from close range and out of nowhere, Almería are right back in this!

Arribas is fouled by Oriol after the winger sends him for a Christmas pudding, spinning and squirming past the ex-Girona midfielder.

Maximiano gets out well to stop Raphinha connecting with a long ball over the top from left to right.

In other news...

I've just seen a replay of the corner for Barcelona that led to the goal from Sergi Roberto. Without wanting to stir things, the ball definitely touches Balde last before going out.

Almería fans will not be happy to see those images.

Oriol Romeu ON

Fermín OFF

CHANCE FOR BARCELONA

The home side race forward and a low pass across goal is cleared by Montes - just as Lewandowski looked to tap in from close range!

Oriol Romeu is about to come on for the home side.

Mendes ON

Pozo OFF

CHANCE FOR BARCELONA

The home side break with Cancelo on the right who plays left to Lewandowski. The Pole takes the ball on his weaker foot and hits astrong effort at Maximiano from inside the box.

Back underway.

It's a fantastic header from the midfielder, who gets on the ball at the front post and flicks a header past Maximiano into the far side of the goal.

Barça push Almería back and João Cancelo skips past a couple of challenges before going down on the right side of the box. The Barcelona players want a penalty but the referee says no.

Ramazani is played in behind and fires wide before the linesman raises his flag. The replays show it was tight, but we all saw what happened in the first half. A let off for Barça.

The PA system announces that there are 34,471 fans at Montjuïc today.

Fermín brings down Baba for the second time in the second half and the referee, who is delighted at the prospect, gets to use his brand new can of spray. How exciting.

CHANCE FOR BARCELONA

Lewandowski finds an inch on the edge of the box and goes for goal, crashing a shot towards goal that's saved.

Xavi has just sent more players to warm up. I suggest strong words were had at half-time after that late Almería goal really hit Barça hard.

The referee has just asked to change his free-kick spray, as he's finished one full can of it. I've never seen that before, so I thought I'd let you know.

ANOTHER BIG CHANCE FOR BARÇA

It's Ferran again, who has started brightly. Thewinger drives inside from the left and hits a low effort towards goal that is, once again, well saved.

BIG CHANCE FOR BARCELONA

Lewandowski played Ferran through with a lovely flick and the Spaniard's shot from the tight angle on the right is well saved low down by the goalkeeper!

Cancelo sends a speculative pass through the lines towards Lewandowski, but Maximiano, after taking his time and waiting to be closed down, collects.

Second half underway!

Xavi, obviously not happy, has made two changes for the second half as Barcelona kick-off.

Kounde & Ferran ON

Christensen & João Félix OFF

Half-time stats: FCB-ALM

xG: 1.68 - 0.59

Shots: 15 - 6

Shots on target: 5 - 3

Possession:64 - 36

Big chances: 2 - 1

Clearances: 3 - 15

Opta with the goods:

The Brazilian has been lively, but Barça need to show more of a finishing touch if they want to put the game to bed.

Half-time thoughts:

Well, that game was only going one way until Almería looked up and realised that there was another goal at the other end of the pitch. The home side had pressed well, challenged well and created chances.

Almería looked down and out and when Raphinha scored, it felt like it would perhaps be a long night for the away side.

But they came right back into the game, taking advantage of Barcelona's chaos at the back, and a simple ball through the lines saw Léo Baptistão chip over Iñaki Peña. A VAR check made sure he was onside and the scoreline was back level. 

After the goal it was all Almería: they pressed Barcelona and forced mistakes out of them, even getting chance to go ahead right at the end of the half. 

Half-time!

Whistles from the home crowd as Barcelona slump off down the tunnel.

CHANCE FOR ALMERÍA

They have grown 300 sizes as Barcelona have collapsed!

Ramazani makes space inside the box and lays off to Baptistão. The striker has time and space to shoot before firing a low effort just wide of goal!

3 added minutes.

CHANCE FOR ALMERÍA

It's an easy save in the end but Almería smell blood.

Baptistão wiggles on the edge of the box and plays in Arribas, but his shot is weak and easily saved from the right.

We're back underway and the entire stadium is in shock.

THE GOAL IS GIVEN!

BAPTISTÃO WAS ONSIDE

That's goal number 4 of the season for the forward.

VAR are taking a long look...

Arribas played in Baptistão past the Barcelona defence. The striker took the ball forward and chipped over Iñaki Peña, but the linesman raised his flag.

ALMERÍA SCORE... BUT IT'S OFFSIDE!

The noise levels in the ground have increased significantly since the goal...

It's a colossal error from Almería who play the ball right across the box to Lewandowski. He skips past Montes and fires low and hard towards goal, but his shot is somehow stopped by the goalkeeper who gets a huge hand to the effort!

WHAT A SAVE FROM MAXIMIANO!!!!!!

We're back underway and Barcelona are attacking again.

A corner is swung in and met by Araujo, who sees his header well saved. The rebound is met by Raphinha who only has to smash the ball in from a yard out.

Half an hour gone...

We're still goalless as CésarMontes dives in to stop Raphinha from having a shot inside the box. Sensational defending.

Sergi Roberto finds wiggle room on the edge of the box, pulls his leg back and cracks a wild effort over the bar.

I think Almería have just flipped the Barcelona armadillo over to reveal the squishy bottom part, where you can tickle: they've decided that attacking and pushing Xavi's side back actually works, and Arribas almost gets in behind as the culés in the stands get restless.

Panic stations at Barcelona as all of a sudden Almería turn into Sarri's Napoli and attack at pace in light blue, with Araujo forced to kick the ball out of play after Ramazani was sent in behind by Arribas.

Almería launch a few tentative attacks that Barcelona sweep up effortlessly.

That's something I haven't been able to say about the home side all season, which probably paints a picture of how Almería are attacking. A kitten with a lighter.

Barcelona, from 45-50 yards out, are probing different doors in Almería's defensive block as the team in blue sit in a 5-3-2 with Ramazani tucked in next to Lopy and Baba.

When they get it right and Barcelona's centre-backs have the ball, it looks like a strong unit from the away side.

Christensen is booked for a foul on halfway after the referee had initially played on.

Twenty minutes in and it's been pretty much all Barcelona. The home side have had all the possession and - barring Ramazani's effort - all the chances.

Almería are trying to close the lines and keep together in a solid structure but their defensive unit is a sandcastle made out of pebbles - it's collapsing instantly Barça advance into the final third.

Barça arrive in the Almería box yet again, and this time it's well cleared. It feels like a matter of time before one of these chances gets past Maximiano.

Baptistão is having a great opening to this game: he's holding up the play well, using his wingers and even dropping to provide midfield support. Barcelona's centre-backs need to keep an eye on him.

CHANCE FOR ALMERÍA

Baptistão opens for Arribas down the right. The winger crosses in and Barcelona can't clear the simple ball, falling over thin air. Ramazani tries a first-time shot but the bodies in front of him block the effort.

Barcelona are attacking with ease: Almería couldn't defend a kitten holding a lighter right now. It's chance after chance for the home side.

Arribas can't get on the end of Baptistão's pass across the box and Almería's attack breaks down. Barcelona counter but Akieme gets a foot in before Raphinha can cross.

HUGE CHANCE FOR BARCELONA

Sergi Roberto is all alone at the corner and smacks a driven header towards goal. It's a fantastic save from Maximiano to stop the shot from just a few yards out!

A nice one-two between João Félix and Gündogan sees the ex-Atlético player get the ball on the left and drive towards goal before seeing his shot deflected wide.

The Portuguese takes the shot and the ball spins well over the bar. Not even worth a replay in my book.

João, Raphinha and Gündogan are all over the ball on the left corner of the box...

Balde goes down on the edge of the box and Pozo, who tripped the advancing full-back, sees an early booking.

Araujo must be stood on a hole in the fabric of spacetime. Either that or he's still a little bit sleepy from his siesta.

After the earlier scare, the next thing he does is send a lofted ball towards the left... where João Félix is 5 yards offside and already telling him it's too late.

Eek. Araujo almost gets caught out by a through ball and needs to sweep up as Baptistão chases him down.

CHANCE FOR BARCELONA

Raphinha gets on the end of a long ball and fires across goal from the right. Almería have enough bodies back to cover and clear the danger.

Barça win the ball back after an Almería long ball and the home side begin their possession game.

And we're off!

Ramazani's injury was just a scare and he's on the pitch as the away side kick us off.

Here come the players!

The tunnel is filling up with the CLACK, CLACK of boot studs which means the players are on their way!

Countdown to kick-off!

The players are all jogging down the tunnel for the final motivational team-talks ahead of kick-off, which is less than 10 minutes away!

INJURY UPDATE:

Almería's Ramazani has suffered an injury during the warmup and we're not sure if he's going to make the starting XI.

A reminder of the starting XIs:

If you've just joined us, here is how the two sides line up today:

BARCELONA:

GK: Iñaki Peña

DEF: Cancelo - Araujo - Christense - Balde

MID: S Roberto - Gündogan - Fermín

ATT: Raphinha - Lewandowski - Félix

ALMERÍA:

GK: Maximiliano

DEF: Pozo - Chumi - Edgar - Montes - Akieme

MID: Baba - Lopy

ATT: Arribas - Baptistao - Ramazani

Will Barcelona sign in January?

It's a team in construction, Vitor Roque will help a lot.

We are working to see what the biggest need is that we have due to Gavi's absence. We're working on it.

Will Lewandowski get on the scoresheet tonight?

A lack of efficiency, as Xavi mentioned yesterday, "happens with Robert [Lewandowski], João [Félix], Raphinha, it’s everyone’s issue, as well as my own. We have 9 points less than last season and that means we’ve not done things correctly."

Lewandowski was Barcelona's - and LaLiga's - top scorer last season with 21 goals. He had 13 before the World Cup, but dropped off after the tournament. So far this season, he has 8 goals, which has led many to believe that Vitor Roque's inclusion in the squad is a necessary one.

Warmups underway!

Iñaki Peña, the Barcelona goalkeeper has made his way out onto the pitch ahead of his outfield teammates. The warmups have begun and that means we've only got 30 minutes to go before kick-off!

Xavi to Spanish TV:

We can never have excuses, and even less so today. We are favourites, but everything is tough. 

We have gone 3 without a win and we need to win and convince. We are playing well without being effective in the two areas.

We are not decisive and we need to improve in a lot of areas. Hopefully we do it today.

Style and winning go together. We want to play well and win and have a complete game. 

We notice the absences, of course, but it's not an excuse and we want the three points.

I'm very calm, the titles will be in play in 2024, we have it in our hands. Hopefully we can do the same as last season.

45 minutes to go!

Here's a round-up of what we've seen in the build-up so far:

· Xavi keeps Romeu out; Sergi Roberto and Fermin in

· Almería start with full-strength attack

· Pedri injured, De Jong suspended

· Kochen, US national, on Barça bench

And the answer is...

Diego Kochen!

Did you get it? Yes, the US national is on Barcelona's bench today, given the amount injuries and suspensions that the Catalan team have to deal with.

While we're here...

Speaking of the internet creation destroyed by a wannabe Spaceman, we've got a little Twitter poll going on, where you can cast your vote and share your thoughts on how you think the game will go. 

Quiz time!

Without looking, which US national is on the bench for FC Barcelona for today's game?

Answer in 5 minutes... if you know, let me know @English_AS

The dressing rooms are ready!

Both sides are at the ground and the away dressing room is now ready for the players ahead of the game.

Barring a late change, a dodgy washing machine or some apocalyptically petty trolling from the Almería Twitter account, we've also got pretty good confirmation that they will indeed be playing in their blue kit. 

How things look for Almería:

If you're an Almería fan, maybe it's time to go make a cup of tea. Get yourself a biscuit as well, it's nearly Friday.

The coastal side are dead last in LaLiga, and signs of life are hard to come by. The team, led by Gaizka Garitano, are on 5 points after 17 games and are yet to win a single fixture so far in the season.

Sporting Gijón, a team from the other end of the country, have the record of 24 games without a win in the first division, but Almería are doing a very good job of making their fans sweat with every passing week.

Barça's XI is here!

Sergi Roberto is the surprise inclusion as he fills in where he thought Oriol Romeu might have done.

Almería starting XI revealed!

Here's how Garitano has chosen to start the game: his back 5 with Mexico's Montes is there behind a midfield duo of Baba and Lopy. Ramazani, Baptistao and Real Madrid product Arribas all start up top.

Barça's recent results:

A huge grey cloud has followed Xavi around all season, with occasional lightning bolts crashing down and frying his head, making his hair all spiky.

A run of slim wins after the Clásico loss caused many to ask questions of whether or not he had the dressing room together. However, getting through in the Champions League against Porto on match day 5 was seen as a huge step and something that Xavi valued greatly. 

But the fun didn't last for long: Barcelona's style of play has not convinced all season long and a run of wobbly games - Girona, Antwerp and Valencia - have caused people to once again ask questions. Xavi, meanwhile, remains positive. 

Barcelona have arrived at the stadium!

As usual, it's Joules Koundé who is the most fashionably dressed. 

Xavi's press conference highlights:

Who's the ref?

Guillermo Cuadra Fernández is the lucky man with the whistle for today's clash in Cataluña.

The 39-year-old from Madrid has been a FIFA referee since 2020 and is now a common face up and down LaLiga.

Starting off in the lower divisions, Cuadra Fernández was originally a teacher before moving into the world of football.

Almería: Injuries & suspensions

Garitano has a fair few injury issues heading into this game.

Kone, Melero, Pubil and Suárez are all unavailable and on top of that, Lucas Robertone is serving a suspension.

The dressing room is ready to go!

The players' kits are in order as we count down to kick-off with the home side of course set to wear their famous red and blue striped kit. We expect Almería to play in their light blue away strip.

Here's how the top of the table looks:

The table, after 17 games played, is still as shocking as it has been all season long. Girona’s 3-0 win over Alavés on Monday means they’re top of the Christmas tree with Real Madrid - who beat Villarreal at the weekend and have Alavés tomorrow - second.

Barcelona slipped to 4th position after Atlético drew 3-3 with Getafe last night on points and now the Catalans are being chased by a very hungry Basque pair of Athletic and Real Sociedad.

BARCELONA

Barcelona predicted XI & injury update against Almería in LaLiga match day 18

So, given that injury news, here's how the Catalan side are expected to line upagainst their coastal opponents in LaLiga.

FC Barcelona: injuries & suspensions

The newsforXavi goes from bad to worse on the injury front as now he has to deal with the absence of Pedri, after the midfielder was forced off the training ground yesterday with muscle pain.

He joins Gavi, TerStegen, Iñigo and MarcosAlonso in the physio room.

Frenkie de Jong is also out of today’s game due to suspension, so if you know any midfielders in your area, give Xavi a call.

Live blog up and running!

Hello and a warm welcome to match day 18 in LaLiga EA Sports.

It’s the LaLiga Christmas fixtures for you today and tomorrow, and right now we’ve got an intriguing tie between Barcelona and Almería.

We will be kicking off in around 90 minutes from now, so stay tuned for all the pre-game build-up.

It's Joe here to guide you through the fun and games at Montjuïc.