Barcelona to join Catalan strike

BARCELONA: Barcelona will join a strike called across Catalonia on Tuesday in protest at a violent crackdown by police of an independence referendum called by pro-separatist politicians for the region on Sunday.

“FC Barcelona joins the country wide strike called for by Table for Democracy and therefore the club will be closed tomorrow,” Barca said.

“None of the professional teams or the youth teams at FC Barcelona will train tomorrow.”

DEFENDING SERIE A

TITLE EASIER: CONTE LONDON: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes that retaining the league title is an easier task in Italy than it is in the English Premier League due to the transfer policies of the leading clubs.

After Chelsea won the league last season their main rivals have made significant investment in their squads.

“It is very difficult for every team in this league. To defend – it is very difficult to win two titles in a row,” Conte said.

“We won the title with Juventus and I was expecting a really strong challenge from AC Milan, but instead they sold players, so they became weaker. It wasn’t simple second time, but it was easier.”

WENGER FRUSTRATED BY TIMING OF BREAK

LONDON: Arsene Wenger lamented on Sunday that Arsenal’s recent upturn in form will be interrupted by next week’s international break. “I would have loved to be able to continue to play, but we cannot do anything about that,”

Wenger said.

“Our last break was a nightmare, but this is one is a bit better. Let’s hope the players come back in a good shape. I knew that after the game at Liverpool, everybody did write us off. It just depends on us how much we

respond.”