The international break has shown its face for the last time until March (thank goodness!) with plenty of celebration for the La Liga contingent in the World Cup qualifiers. Victory was around in abundance, none more so than in the Portugal camp where Cristiano Ronaldo was once again the shining light, after his late goal in Lisbon he grabbed a hat-trick in the second leg in Stockholm sending Portugal to the World Cup finals in Brazil. Pepe and Ronaldo’s Real team-mate Fabio Coentrao also played a part in the thrilling match which finished 3 – 2, seeing Portugal victorious by a 4 – 2 … [Read more...]
Chelsea and Manchester United interested in Xabi Alonso
Both Chelsea and Manchester United are monitoring the situation of Spanish international Xabi Alonso as he looks set to become a free agent next summer reports Give me Sport. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti remains adamant however, that Alonso will put pen to paper on a new deal very soon, claiming the holding midfielder is still very much a 'vital' player for the club. In spite of this, both United and Chelsea are reportedly putting together offers of their own in attempt to coerce the ex Liverpool player back to the Premier League next year. … [Read more...]
Real Madrid face battle with Chelsea to sign Benfica star, Nemanja Matic
Both Chelsea and Real Madrid are in competition to sign Benfica's talented playmaker Nemanja Matic in the January transfer window reports the Correio da Manha. The Serbian's footballing stock has risen dramatically over the past twelve months after a string of impressive displays for the Portuguese giants both domestically and in Europe. … [Read more...]
Ronaldo blasts Blatter’s ‘lack of respect’
Cristiano Ronaldo and FIFA President Sepp Blatter have been involved in a heated exchange during the past few days after Blatter made derogatory remarks about Ronaldo whilst giving an interview in England. Blatter has since apologised via twitter after the Portuguese striker used social media to vent his anger at the 'joke' whilst also suggesting FIFA have preference for Barcelona over Real Madrid. … [Read more...]
The season ahead for Bale – an analysis
"He is calm and ready, waiting to play on Saturday. Everyone knows that, because he didn't have a good pre-season, he suffered from muscle fatigue in the thigh.” That was the confirmation every Real Madrid fan-and neutral-who desperately wanted to see the world’s second most expensive player back on the pitch wanted. After the report by Spanish paper, Marca, last week that the Welshman had a slipped disc, it was a relief to hear Real President Florentino Perez give that assuring statement. Through the week, the speedy former Spurs man has gone on to participate in training without any fuss, … [Read more...]