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Barcelona Boss Flick Hopeful Gundogan Will Stay This Season

Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia and FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (AP)
Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia and FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (AP)
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Barcelona Boss Flick Hopeful Gundogan Will Stay This Season

Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia and FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (AP)
Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia and FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (AP)

New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said he expects Ilkay Gundogan to stay this season after reports linked the midfielder with a move away from the LaLiga club.

The 33-year-old Germany international is in the final year of his Barcelona contract, having joined from Manchester City in 2023.

Gundogan is one of the top earners at the club, and Spanish media reports suggested he might leave after the signing of midfielder Dani Olmo.

Gundogan missed Barcelona's opening league match, a 2-1 win at Valencia on Saturday due to a minor injury. "(Gundogan) hurt his eyebrow on Monday and that's why he's staying at home," Flick told reporters after the game.

"I appreciate what kind of player he is and what he is like as a person. I've talked to him a lot, but it's something between me and him, we have a good relationship. I know him well. I have the feeling that he will stay."

Barcelona host Athletic Bilbao next in LaLiga on Saturday.

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Alcaraz Apologizes on Social Media for Destroying Racket

Aug 16, 2024; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain smashes his racket during his match against Gael Monfils of France on day five of the Cincinnati Open. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2024; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain smashes his racket during his match against Gael Monfils of France on day five of the Cincinnati Open. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
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Alcaraz Apologizes on Social Media for Destroying Racket

Aug 16, 2024; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain smashes his racket during his match against Gael Monfils of France on day five of the Cincinnati Open. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2024; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain smashes his racket during his match against Gael Monfils of France on day five of the Cincinnati Open. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Alcaraz has apologized for his behavior during Friday afternoon’s loss to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open.
During the third set, Alcaraz destroyed his racket by repeatedly smashing it on the court in a rare show of frustration for the four-time Grand Slam winner. The No. 3 player in the ATP rankings lost 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 to the 37-year-old Monfils.
Posting in Spanish on X on Saturday, Alcaraz said his attitude was not correct, and his actions should not have been done on the court, The Associated Press reported. The 21-year-old added that it's difficult to control yourself when your heart rate is high, and he will work to ensure it doesn't happen again.
Alcaraz was playing his first match since earning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics after losing to Novak Djokovic, who also beat him last year in the Cincinnati final.
“I felt like it was the worst match that I’ve ever played on my career,” Alcaraz said Friday. “I’ve been practicing really well. I was feeling great. But I couldn’t play. I want to forget it and try to move on to New York.”