Ronaldo continued his award winning week with a bizarre goal to help Real Madrid win 2-0 against Osasuna and march into the quarter finals of the Copa Del Rey. Madrid were already two up from the first leg so it was a damage limitation exercise for the home side in Pamplona. They created some chances but never looked like scoring against much classier opposition. The breakthrough cam on 22 minutes and who scored – of course it was the new world footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is famed for his wonderful free kicks, but this wasn't one of them. The ball was heading straight to … [Read more...]
It’s Real Madrid 3, Barcelona 0
It was Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 0 today as UEFA announced their official team of the year for 2013. The dream team is voted for by ordinary football fans through social media and via the UEFA website, but they failed a recognise a single Barcelona player, despite their runaway success in La Liga last year. There was another snub for Lionel Messi, who finished 13th in the votes, after losing out to Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or on Tuesday. Even with his injury problems it seems absurd to leave him out of a European league 11. Ronaldo himself made, the squad, of course and it marked the … [Read more...]
Atletico Progress To Quarter-Finals
Atletico Madrid progressed to the round of 8 in the Copa del Rey last night, keeping alive their hopes of glory on three fronts. I was in Spain to witness their 2-0 victory over Valencia, and was impressed by their composure and ability to move up a gear when needed. Last week's first leg had ended 1-1 thanks to a late Valencia equaliser from Helder Postiga. With another draw against Barcelona last Saturday it was imperative that they returned to winning ways, but Valencia had set out their stall to frustrate Atleti. They look a stronger, more organised team under new coach Juan Antonio … [Read more...]
Ronaldo Or Messi: Who Is The Greatest?
Cristiano Ronaldo was overjoyed at winning his second Ballon D'or in Zurich last night, in the process beating Lionel Messi – the record breaking four times winner of the most coveted prize for individual footballers. So who is the greatest, and where doe they stand on the list of all-time greats? Goalscoring The most incredible thing about both players phenomenal goal scoring records is that neither player is a conventional centre forward. Ronaldo is often found out on the wings whilst Messi sits in the centre of midfield or operates as a 'false number 9'.Just look at their stats: Ronaldo … [Read more...]
Liverpool Player Linked With Granada
Liverpool's young Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori is being linked with a transfer window move to La Liga with Granada. I understand that the move will initially be a loan until the end of the season with the option to make this permanent before the start of the next season. Ilori had been talked of as one for the future at Anfield, when Brendan Rodgers signed him at the beginning of the 2013-14 season for a fee of £7M. He has composure on the ball and likes to play the ball from the back rather than looking for the long ball forward. With Jamie Carragher having retired from the game, it had … [Read more...]
Ronaldo’s Emotional Moment
Cristiano Ronaldo was the deserved winner of the Ballon d'Or in Zurich last night. As he fought back tears, the Real Madrid wizard described it as “a very emotional moment.” Fifa had produced a very strong shortlist this year: Ronaldo, Barcelona's Lionel Messi (winner on the last four occasions), and Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich. Despite this high quality opposition Ronaldo had been as short as 100 to 1 ON to win the award, and it's not hard to see why. Ronaldo scored an incredible 66 goals in 56 appearances for club and country during 2013, and picking up his second Ballon d'Or cements … [Read more...]
Ballon d’Or: Ronaldo v Messi?
The two greatest players in Spanish football, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, go head to head tonight to see who will be crowned the greatest player in the world. It's an El Clasico being held in Zurich. The Ballon d'Or (or golden ball) is given to the player who has been the world's best player during the previous calendar year. Ronaldo was distraught at missing out to his arch rival Lionel Messi last year, but could this be the year that he snatches it back? La Liga blog assesses the contenders. Ronaldo is the heart beat of the Real Madrid side. He is a formidable striker of the ball, … [Read more...]
Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid clinched a vital victory over Espanyol last night to move to within three points of La Liga pacesetters Barcelona and Atletico, but they made hard work of it at the Cornella El Prat stadium. With Atleti and Barcelona playing out a goalless draw on Saturday it presented a real opportunity for Madrid to drag themselves back into the title race. Espanyol are either quite decent or very bad, there's no in-betweens for Javier Aguirre's side. Unfortunately for Madrid they met Espanyol on one of their better nights. Espanyol were resolute at the back, goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was on top … [Read more...]
Manchester United Lead Race For Niguez
Saul Niguez is the hottest prospect in Spanish football at the moment, and it seems that Manchester United have taken the lead in a three way race to secure his signature. The 19 year old midfielder is currently plying his football on loan at Rayo Vallecano, having been sent there to gain first team experience by Atletico manager Diego Simeone. Niguez has grabbed the chance with both hands and has been the outstanding player in a Vallecona side struggling at the foot of La Liga. Niguez has scored one goal in his sixteen appearances for the Vallecanos, but it his passing vision and composure … [Read more...]
Osasuna Sign Acuna from Watford
As always in early January there are lots of transfer rumours but little firm action. I have it on very good authority that at least one big name player will be joining an English Premier League club next week – be sure to read www.laligablog.com every day for the confirmation. In the meantime we can reveal a done deal – Javier Acuna has joined Osasuna on loan from Watford. Acuna is a 25 year old Paraguayan who has represented his country at under-20 level. He can pay either as a conventional centre forward or as a winger and has notched 33 goals in 148 career appearances. Acuna … [Read more...]