Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Real Madrid's vital game against Villareal on Saturday, after losing his appeal against the red card he received last weekend against Athletic Bilbao. Real Madrid sit just three points behind Atletico, but in a tight three way race they can't afford to drop any more points. Ronaldo will be a big miss, but Gareth Bale may well be back after the latest in a string of injuries. Ancelotti insists that Bale will play tomorrow, but Los Blancos fans have heard that all too often. The red card was a farcical one. Ronaldo brushed Iturraspe's forehead, and he promptly went … [Read more...]
Real And Barcelona Take Commanding Leads
Real Madrid and Barcelona both took commanding leads last night, in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-finals. Real Madrid won 3-0 at home to cross city rivals Atletico. This wasn't the flowing match that I'd expected. Ancelotti's side took a much more pragmatic approach. They marked Atletico's danger men closely. It was a rough and tumble match, with the home side in particular testing the referee's patience. Diego Costa was kicked at every opportunity. Finally losing his temper, he kicked back, and received a yellow card that will keep him out of the return. An injustice at every … [Read more...]
Pochettino Interesting Real Madrid
Surprising news is coming from the Bernabeu today. Reliable sources say that Real Madrid are considering replacing Carlo Ancelotti with Mauricio Pochettino. Managing Real Madrid is never the most stable of jobs. The manager receives huge financial support, and inherits a world class squad, but in return he has to deliver. The prize that the Real Madrid want, year after year, is not the La Liga title, but the Champions League. Ancelotti is likely to win some silverware this year. They are three points behind Atletico in the league, but in better current form despite a weekend defeat. They also … [Read more...]
Semi-final Showdowns With Added Spice
It's semi final first leg week in the Copa Del Rey, and both games promise to be exciting, and difficult to predict. Wednesday evening will see Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona v Real Sociedad. Barcelona are red hot favourites to progress through to the King's Cup final, but Sociedad were a team in form prior to their thumping by Atletico at the weekend. Sociedad were unlucky to lose the fixture 4-0, and it may be that their players had one eye on this game and next week's return. Tata Martino's side were distraught at losing to Valencia on Sunday. The result leaves them in a poor … [Read more...]
An Emotional Night As Atletico Go Top
Atletico Madrid stormed to the top of La Liga with a 4-0 thrashing of Real Sociedad on Sunday. It was a night their former manager and player Luis Aragones would have been proud of. The scoreline is a little flattering, Sociedad are an in-form side and more than held their own in the first half. A David Villa goal, from a Diego Costa cross, on 38 minutes was all that separated the teams. Simeone's team were much better after the break. It was Costa himself who scored the second on 72 minutes. The naturalised Spaniard is finding his goal scoring touch again after a mini drought. Miranda headed … [Read more...]
Ronaldo Sees Red As Real Are Rocked
Cristiano Ronaldo received a farcical red card last night, as Real Madrid were held 1-1 by in form Athletic Bilbao. It was a cagey first half, Madrid had more attacking intent but lacked the killer touch in front of Iraizoz's goal. Benzema and Ronaldo both looked out of sorts. Gareth Bale was missing again, despite Ancelotti having indicated that he should be fit for the match. Bilbao seemed determined to hang on to their proud home record. They are yet to lose in the league at their new San Mames home. The match was becoming increasingly tetchy. Madrid knew that a win would take them into … [Read more...]
Shock Defeat For Barcelona
Barcelona suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at home to Valencia last night, and threw the La Liga title race wide open. Barcelona went into the game on top of the league, but on a sticky run of form. They had won just one out of three in the Primera Division, but were still red hot favourites against a mid table Valencia side. It seemed like business as usual on 7 minutes when Alexis Sanchez scored what only be described as a fortuitous goal. Valencia refused to lie down, they equalised just before half time through Parejo. Three minutes after the break, Los Che took the lead, Piatti outjumping Dani … [Read more...]
Luis Aragones, 1938-2014
Spain, and the world of football, is today mourning the loss of the legendary Spanish coach Luis Aragones. Aragones died in Madrid this morning, at the age of 75. He had suffered a short illness, and his passing took many by surprise. His loss will be particularly felt by fans and former players of Atletico Madrid. He managed Atleti on four occasions, winning them the La Liga title and lifting the Copa Del Rey three times. Atletico will be holding an emotional minute's silence before their game against Real Sociedad on Sunday. As a player, Aragones made nearly 400 appearances for Atletico. A … [Read more...]
Breaking Transfer News – West Bromwich Albion Sign Thievy
It has been a remarkably quiet transfer deadline day in La Liga. The deadline has just passed but news is coming through that West Bromwich Albion have signed Thievy from Espanyol. Thievy Bifouma is a 21 year old French forward who has spent his career at the Barcelona club and at Las Palmas. He hasn't set the world alight yet, scoring 15 goals in 70 games over three years. He is known, if anything, more for his fluctuating hairstyles than his goalscoring prowess. Pepe Mel, however, was impressed by him whilst he was manager of Real Betis. He has taken the young striker on loan until the end … [Read more...]
Racing Santander Banned After Copa Protest
Racing Santander have been banned from next season's Copa Del Rey, after their protest saw last night's quarter final abandoned. Racing were the lowest placed team left in the competition, but their story wasn't to have a happy ending. Racing are a club in financial turmoil. As recently as 2008 they were La Liga big hitters, fighting for a European spot. It's been a tale of mismanagement, on and off the pitch, since then. They now languish in the third tier of Spanish football. The Santander players and staff haven't been paid in seven months. Last night,with the spotlight on their big match … [Read more...]