It was stalemate at the Vicente Calderon last night as co-leaders Atletico and Barcelona fought out a nil-nil draw in front of a vociferous crowd. Some nil nil draws can be boring fare but this had excitement and flair, it was like a game of chess being played out by grandmasters Diego Simeone and Tata Martino. Barcelona boss Martino surprised many pundits, myself included, by leaving both Neymar and the back from injury Messi on the bench. This news seemed to galvanise Atletico and it was they who took the game to Barca in the early stages. Atleti's Turkish winger Arda was pulling the … [Read more...]
Results Round-Up
There have been five matches in La Liga so far this weekend, with significant results for clubs at both the bottom and top of the Primera Division. Here is the Sunday morning round-up. Athletic Bilbao 6-1 Almeria Ernesto Valverde's Athletic side continued their impressive campaign with a thumping victory over UD Almeria. Bilbao were three goals to the good within half an hour thanks to goals from Rico, Herrera and Laporte. Almeria pulled one back on 34 minutes through on loan midfielder Helder Barbosa but it was a brief respite. Aduriz and Ibai Gomez added further goals after the break before … [Read more...]
Ferdinand Begged Ronaldo To Join Manchester United
Manchester United's veteran defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he begged Cristiano Ronaldo to re-join Manchester United during the summer. United had just appointed a new manager in David Moyes and they were desperate to make a marquee signing. A last minute move to hijack the Gareth Bale to Real Madrid transfer failed but it does show that the Old Trafford club had the money to make a serious splash in the summer market. Ronaldo is still a legend at Manchester United, having scored 84 goals in 196 appearances for the Red Devils. Earlier in 2013 Ronaldo had said that he felt unhappy at … [Read more...]
Match Preview: Atletico Madrid v Barcelona
Tonight sees the most hotly anticipated game of the La Liga season so far – El Clasico has been knocked, temporarily, off its perch as the eyes of Spain and the footballing world turn to Atletico Madrid v Barcelona. Barca and Atleti sit on top of the La Liga table this morning, five points in front of Real Madrid. They have identical records: both sides have an identical record having won 16, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their games so far. Barcelona are on top thanks to a slightly superior goal difference but that could all change tonight as they travel to the Vicente Calderon. Barcelona are in … [Read more...]
Alonso Denies Chelsea Rumours
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has denied reports that Chelsea had approached him about a move to west London. The Madrid string-puller's contract was into its final six months, but he has ended speculation by signing a new contract that will keep the 32 year old at the Bernabeu for at least another two years. Alonso signed from Liverpool in 2009 for a fee of £30m and has since become a regular in a central midfied position, despite stiff competition. He has made 140 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring four goals in the process. His true value, however, lies in his ability to break up … [Read more...]
Lionel Messi: “I’m Barcelona For Life”
Lionel Messi gave Barcelona fans a late Epiphany present by saying that he intends to spend the rest of his career at the club. The global superstar returned from injury in spectacular style on Wednesday night, jumping off the bench to score two goals in a four-nil Copa del Rey win over Getafe. Speaking at a press conference yesterday the mini maestro said: “I want to retire here. While people want me I want to spend my whole career at FC Barcelona.” This is music to the ears of the Barcelonistas. It seems incredible but there had been talk of a rift between the club and their star player, … [Read more...]
Morata Close To Signing For Arsenal
Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Real Madrid's exciting young striker Alvaro Morata – but only until the end of the season. Morata is a 21 year old with huge potential. He has found his chances limited at the Bernabeu, scoring four goals in twenty-four appearances, but he has shone in is his appearances for the Spanish under 21 team – netting twelve goals in eleven outings for his country. Carlo Ancelotti had earlier rebuffed interest from both Arsenal and Liverpool, insisting that the youngster was not for sale at any price, but Morata has been pushing for a move. He expected to be … [Read more...]
Pepe Mel Takes Charge At West Bromwich Albion
Former Real Betis manager Pepe Mel has today become the new head coach of Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion. Steve Clarke had performed wonders with Albion on a limited budget before being sacked on December 14th following a barren start to the season. This is remarkably similar to Mel's record who was himself sacked by Betis in December after eight games without a win despite performing miracles to win them promotion and then gaining them Europa League football. Mel was tipped for the job from the very start but in a strange twist WBA had announced in late December that they … [Read more...]
Copa Del Rey Round-Up
There were four matches in the Copa del Rey last night and La Liga Blog, your first stop for all the latest Spanish football news, brings you the details here. AD Alcorcon 1-0 Espanyol The Madrid based minnows Alcorcon made light of their Segunda Division form, they are currently in a lowly sixteenth position, by taking a one nil victory over Espanyol in the first leg of this round of 16 match. The goal was scored by second half substitute Dani Pacheco, once of Liverpool, but they will have it all to do on their return leg in Barcelona next week. Real Betis 1-0 Athletic Bilbao Real Betis, at … [Read more...]
Liverpool Interested In Barcelona Defender
Could Barcelona right back Martin Montoya be on his way to Liverpool? The young defender made a rare start for Barcelona last night in their four nil victory over Getafe, even managing to tee up Lionel Messi for his comeback goal in the process, but could it be the last appearance that he makes for the Blaugrana? Montoya is a great prospect, sure on the ball, full of energy and able to play at left back as well as right, but he isn't going to force his way past Dani Alves any time soon. Brendan Rodgers has seen a steady improvement from his Liverpool side this season but improving the Red's … [Read more...]