When Luis Enrique steps out onto the pitch tonight for the first leg of the Champions League Semifinal he may as well be invisible. With Pep’s return to Nou Camp, the semi-final re-match with Bayern Munich, and the players involved in the game most will not spare a thought for the Barcelona manager. Yet, amongst all who will have a hand in deciding the game, nobody has more invested in the outcome than Luis Enrique. … [Read more...]
Real Madrid 4-0 Ludogorets: 3 Records Achieved
In a match that saw not one, not two, not three, but four different records at stake, you knew that Real Madrid would actually play for something, yet that still didn't change the fact that with mostly fringe players and never leaving 3rd gear, the reigning European champions easily dismantled the Bulgarian champions. The first record on the line was of course the most consecutive wins by a Spanish club which until last night, Real Madrid shared with Barcelona. But with their 19th consecutive win in all competitions, Real Madrid are now officially the club with the most consecutive wins in the … [Read more...]
Carlos Tevez vs Diego Godin: Why this key battle could decide Juventus vs. Atletico Madrid
Juventus know that a defeat to La Liga champions Atletico Madrid leaves them in a precarious position in Group A of the Champions League, so their main man in attack – Carlos Tevez – will have to be on top form to send the Italian giants through. … [Read more...]
Real Madrid vs Ludogorets: Preview & Stats
The Santiago Bernabeu will play host to the final group stage match for Real Madrid in the Champions League this season vs Ludogorets, a match that might see the reigning European champions set not 1, but 2 records with a win vs the team at the bottom of Group B. The first record is becoming the Spanish club with the most consecutive wins in all competitions in history, a record they currently share with Barcelona as both clubs have 18 straight wins. Beating Ludogorets would push Real Madrid towards their 19th consecutive win and make them outright holders of the coveted record. The second … [Read more...]
Spaniards in the Prem – Mata omitted as Michu stars
The Barclays Premier League has seen a recent rise in Spanish players, especially during the summer transfer market. Here we provide a round-up of their performances over the weekend. Of all of the Spaniards who played on Saturday and Sunday, the one who made the most headlines was someone not even selected on the bench. Juan Mata found himself out of Chelsea's squad for their game against Fulham which has caused quite an uproar. The diminutive playmaker has all the attributes which has helped Chelsea to two European titles but is being frozen out by Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge. … [Read more...]
Camp Nou clamours for another epic night of pride
The dream of an all Spanish Champions League final ended last night with Real Madrid’s elimination from the competition by 4 goals to 3 on aggregate to Borussia Dortmund. Real Madrid had a good opening 15 minute spell and an heroic last 8 minutes that would have seen them through with one more goal. Alas it wasn’t to be and apart from those short spells at either end of last night’s 90 minutes, Dortmund were the better side over the two legs and deserved to go through. F.C. Barcelona will face an even harder task this evening in the 2nd leg of their semi final against the newly crowned … [Read more...]
Amazing Abidal set to start at the Allianz Arena
Éric Abidal is set to start tonight's Champions League semi-final clash for F.C. Barcelona against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in Germany. A defensive injury crisis at the Catalan club has thrust the Frenchman back into Tito Vilanova's plans much sooner than expected. Injuries to captain Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano, along with the lack of European playing time at the heart of defence of Marc Bartra and Alex Song has placed Abidal, with his wealth of experience, at the forefront of the coaching staff's thoughts. … [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...]
Malaga lose late on as Chairman screams of ‘racism and injustice’
If Tuesday's Champions League quarter final second leg wasn't dramatic enough, the response to the defeat from Malaga's Qatari chairman gave fans some added action to follow on twitter after the game. Sheikh Abdullah N Al Thani, who has funded Malaga for the past couple of years, posted several farcical tweets to the social networking site blaming racism and UEFA for targeting the Spanish club from the beginning of the season, clearly irked by the substandard officiating during the game and Malaga's impending ban from European competition. … [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...]