Where will the "Special" or newly self christened "Only One" be coaching next season? Many in Madrid believe they can convince the Portuguese coach to remain at what they consider to be the World's greatest club. However, the evidence would appear to be piling up to a move away and the destination may be very familiar one to all involved in his entourage. Reports are emerging that Jorge Mendes, the coaches agent, had a dinner meeting with his client and Roman Abramovich recently at the super agents Madrid residence. … [Read more...]
Barça Rest Key Players With Bayern In Mind
FC Barcelona will go into Sunday's match away at Real Zaragoza missing a number of 1st team regulars. With the semi-finals of the Champions League in just under two weeks, a number of stars will be rested and rotated in the matches before the two clashes against Bayern Munich. The highest profile absentee is Lionel Messi. The Argentine was on the bench for Wednesday's 2nd leg of the quarter final against Paris Saint-Germain, but was required to make an appearance in the 2nd half with the Catalans losing 0-1 and looking to be on their way out of the tournament. … [Read more...]
Champions League Semi Final Draw Keeps Favourites Apart
Today's UEFA Champions League draw paired Bayern Munich against FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Semi Finals. The draw is what many in Spain had hoped for with the prospect of a Clásico Final at Wembley still very much alive. A similar situation was presented at the same point of the last campaign, with Barça being drawn against Chelsea and Madrid facing the Bavarians. Unfortunately for the fans of the two Liga giants, their dreams were shattered by the English and German sides who went on to contest the Final at the Allianz Arena. … [Read more...]
Five Star Barça Shine Without Messi
At half time at the Parc des Princes in Paris in midweek, the alarm bells were ringing for all who viewed F.C. Barcelona as a one man team. After sending an effort just past the top corner of the PSG goal, Lionel Messi pulled up and started rubbing his right knee and then hamstring. An innocuous knock on his standing leg as he shot had left the 4 time Ballon D'Or winner looking human. At the start of the second half, Barça took to the field with Cesc Fàbregas having replaced the mercurial Messi. The Catalans would take a 2-2 draw from the game, conceding a last kick of the game Matuidi goal … [Read more...]
Málaga Buoyant For Birthday Bash With Borussia
On the 3rd of April, 1904, the Málaga Football Club was formed. 109 years later to the day, the latest incarnation of football in the city, Málaga Club de Fútbol will take to the Rosaleda pitch in the biggest match of the clubs history. The name has changed over those 109 years as have the owners, but never has such success been witnessed in the city and many still believe it is all a dream. The journey began on a warm August evening with a final qualifying round tie against Panathinaikos of Greece to decide who would play in the competition proper. Panathinaikos are an historic name in … [Read more...]
San Iker No Longer Worshipped By “The One” And All
Iker Casillas finds himself at the centre of most of the media talk in the Spanish capital this week, but for reasons he would rather not be concerned with. All of the talk in the press, radio and TV is about why Casillas is not in Mourinho's plans and might he not even feature again this season? The rumours have created many a heated debate and the Madrid faithful appear to be worryingly split down the middle. With the medical green light for him to start training having been given a couple of weeks ago and the doctors and technical staff allegedly having given him the go ahead to start … [Read more...]
Messi, The Perfect 10, Sets Yet Another Record
Lionel Messi completed the perfect personal half of a la Liga season on Saturday evening, in the process setting another record, by scoring against all 19 Primera opponents in consecutive matches (coincidentally, 19 was his squad number before being given the coveted number 10 shirt on Ronaldinho's departure from the Camp Nou). Cristiano Ronaldo scored against all 19 opponents in Madrid's record breaking last season, but not in consecutive matches. … [Read more...]
FIFA Virus Affects Barça Plans For Vigo
F.C. Barcelona go into today's clash in Vigo against a Celta side that have been making noises in the Spanish media claiming it is the perfect time to face the League Champions elect. As much as the Catalans may see this as a lack of respect from the Galician outfit, circumstances going into the game would appear to back their claims up. … [Read more...]
Falcao to follow Mou to the Bridge
Radamel Falcao started the Spanish season in spectacular goalscoring fashion for Atlético Madrid and was the centre of much transfer speculation. He was initially linked with a move to cross town rivals Real Madrid and even a big money move to Paris Saint-Germain. Recently, however, stories have emerged of a possible switch to the English Premiership and particularly with a move to current European Champions Chelsea, a side he scored a hat-trick against in the European Super Cup Final in Monaco, catching the eye of owner Roman Abramovich. … [Read more...]
Franco-Hispanic Battle Crucial In World Cup War
The current World and European Champions, Spain, will face France in the Stade de France (Saint Denis) in Paris tonight knowing only a win will do to guarantee them qualification for next year’s World Cup in Brazil. La Roja go into the titanic clash having dropped 2 vital home points, in a 1-1 draw at el Molinón in Gijón, against an un-fancied Finland on Friday evening conceding the leadership of Group I to France, who have a two point advantage after their 3-1 win over Georgia. … [Read more...]