Real Madrid raced to a 3-0 victory at local rivals Getafe on Sunday. It's as you were, with a three way tie at the top of La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti had seen co-leaders Atletico and Barcelon turn in impressive victories the day before. Barcelona's 6-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano was particularly impressive, especially when goal difference could play an important part in the outcome of the championship race. His side weren't going to allowed their rivals to get away. Young hotshot Jese opened the scoring on 5 minutes. It was his third goal in as many games, and he is looking increasingly … [Read more...]
Record Breaking Messi Puts Barcelona Top
Barcelona destroyed Rayo Vallecano 6-0 on Saturday, to move back above Atletico Madrid on goal difference. Barca, and Lionel Messi in particular, are now moving back into top gear at just the right time of the season. It was an abject performance from Valladolid, who find themselves above only the already doomed Real Betis. Adriano scored the opening goal of the first half after only two minutes. Messi scored the second half an hour later. A superb long pass from Cesc Fabregas found Messi in space, and he wasted no time in lobbing Vallecano keeper Martinez. A two goal lead didn't do justice to … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid 3-0 Real Valladolid
Atletico Madrid said adios to a poor run of form, with a 3-0 home victory over Real Valladolid, that returned them to the top of La Liga for a brief period. Atletico had endured a torrid seven days. Surprise defeat by Almeria had seen them drop from first to third, and they had been humbled by city rivals Real in the Copa Del Rey. To cap it all they were fined for the behaviour of their fans in that game. Diego Simeone had urged his players to get their season back on track, and they responded. Their intent was obvious from the kick off. Slick play, and all out attack. It took just three … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid Get A Slap On The Wrist
Atletico Madrid were today handed a €600 fine after Cristiano Ronaldo was struck on the head by a cigarette lighter as he walked off the Vicente Calderon pitch on Tuesday. The incident happened as the teams walked off at half time in their Copa Del Rey semi-final. It was a tempestuous atmosphere. Atletico were being humbled by their biggest rivals, and the always lively Atleti crowd were in no mood to contain their anger. Ronaldo, as always, was the target of the fans abuse. This time, it went much too far. RFEF explained the paltry nature of the fine by saying that it had been an isolated … [Read more...]
Barcelona Ease Through To The Copa Final
Barcelona drew 1-1 at Real Sociedad last night, to set up a mouth watering final against Real Madrid in April. Barcelona held a 2-0 lead from last week's first leg, and never looked likely to relinquish it. Barca could have been forgiven for taking it easy, but their goalscorer isn't one to do things by halves. Lionel Messi scored another wonder goal to add to his collection. He ran from the half way line, beat four Sociedad players on a mazy dribble and then slammed the ball past Zubikarai. The goal gave Tata Martino's men the freedom to express themselves. They passed the ball brilliantly, … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid Humbled By Real
It's been a bad week for Diego Simeone. After a weekend 2-0 defeat by Almeria, his side lost by the same scoreline at home to Real Madrid. Bettors at sportsbook sites such as Sportsbettingonline.ag no doubt would have had this Copa del Rey tie down as a Los Galacticos win but next to no one would have predicted for them to destroy their fierce rivals in the manner that they did. Real's 2-0 victory gave them a 5-0 aggregate win over their city rivals, in the Copa Del Rey semi-finals. Barcelona are expected to progress from tonight's semi-final, to set up a mouth-watering final. Both Real goals … [Read more...]
Martino Jumps To Messi’s Defence
Barcelona boss Tata Martino has jumped to the defence of star player Lionel Messi, saying that recent criticism had affected his confidence. Messi has experienced, by his incredibly high standards, a crisis of late. Famed for his dribbling and finishing, he hadn't scored a La Liga goal from open play since September of last year. A recurrent hamstring injury accounted for two of those months, but some fans, from Barcelona and beyond, were questioning if he would get back to his best. A double blow came last month, when Messi missed out on the Ballon D'or to his arch rival Cristiano Ronaldo, … [Read more...]
Barcelona Go Top Of La Liga
There is a three way tie at the top of La Liga. Barcelona now lead by virtue of goal difference in the most exciting championship race of the century. Atletico Madrid had been top by three points, their first time on top in eighteen years, but their form has dipped since the new year. On Saturday, they slumped to a shock 2-0 defeat at lowly Almeria. Goalkeeper Dani Aranzubia saw red with four minutes left. Midfielder Gabi put the gloves on but couldn't keep out the penalty from Verza. It was a brace from the Spanish midfielder that sunk Diego Simeone's men. Real Madrid had earlier gained a 4-2 … [Read more...]
Bale Caps Great Week For Real Madrid
Gareth Bale scored yesterday in Real Madrid's 4-2 victory over plucky Villareal. It capped a great week Los Blancos. They beat Atletico 3-0 in the Copa Del rey semi-final and have now overtaken their local rivals, to go top of La Liga. Bale returned from injury to replace the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo. It took just seven minutes for him to open the scoring, a delicate chip over Asenjo. Karim Benzema scored Madrid's second after 25 minutes, before Villareal full back Mario pulled a goal back before half time. It could have been so much more, Real Madrid are full of confidence. It's now 23 … [Read more...]
Espanyol 1-0 Granada
Espanyol were reduced to ten men, but still managed a 1-0 victory over Granada at the Cornella-El Prat stadium last night. Espanyol are an enigmatic team this season. Their defence is solid, but they just don't score enough goals. In an unusually tight Primera Division, they must have been looking over their shoulders. Friday's three points lifts them up to 8th place. Javier Aguirre will be sleeping sounder at night from now on. Things didn't start well for the Barcelona side. Defender Victor Alvarez was dismissed after half an hour for a reckless challenge on Granada striker El-Arabi. … [Read more...]