Barcelona drew 1-1 at Real Sociedad last night, to set up a mouth watering final against Real Madrid in April. Barcelona held a 2-0 lead from last week's first leg, and never looked likely to relinquish it. Barca could have been forgiven for taking it easy, but their goalscorer isn't one to do things by halves. Lionel Messi scored another wonder goal to add to his collection. He ran from the half way line, beat four Sociedad players on a mazy dribble and then slammed the ball past Zubikarai. The goal gave Tata Martino's men the freedom to express themselves. They passed the ball brilliantly, … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid Humbled By Real
It's been a bad week for Diego Simeone. After a weekend 2-0 defeat by Almeria, his side lost by the same scoreline at home to Real Madrid. Bettors at sportsbook sites such as Sportsbettingonline.ag no doubt would have had this Copa del Rey tie down as a Los Galacticos win but next to no one would have predicted for them to destroy their fierce rivals in the manner that they did. Real's 2-0 victory gave them a 5-0 aggregate win over their city rivals, in the Copa Del Rey semi-finals. Barcelona are expected to progress from tonight's semi-final, to set up a mouth-watering final. Both Real goals … [Read more...]
Martino Jumps To Messi’s Defence
Barcelona boss Tata Martino has jumped to the defence of star player Lionel Messi, saying that recent criticism had affected his confidence. Messi has experienced, by his incredibly high standards, a crisis of late. Famed for his dribbling and finishing, he hadn't scored a La Liga goal from open play since September of last year. A recurrent hamstring injury accounted for two of those months, but some fans, from Barcelona and beyond, were questioning if he would get back to his best. A double blow came last month, when Messi missed out on the Ballon D'or to his arch rival Cristiano Ronaldo, … [Read more...]
One to Watch – Paco Alcacer
Valencia have long been a selling club, making huge profits on the likes of Juan Mata, Roberto Soldado, David Silva, Jordi Alba and David Villa - and Paco Alcacer could be the latest to join that elite group. The 20-year-old forward has been on fire since the end of January and is one of the reasons as to why Valencia could form a powerful push for European football this season. … [Read more...]
Barcelona Go Top Of La Liga
There is a three way tie at the top of La Liga. Barcelona now lead by virtue of goal difference in the most exciting championship race of the century. Atletico Madrid had been top by three points, their first time on top in eighteen years, but their form has dipped since the new year. On Saturday, they slumped to a shock 2-0 defeat at lowly Almeria. Goalkeeper Dani Aranzubia saw red with four minutes left. Midfielder Gabi put the gloves on but couldn't keep out the penalty from Verza. It was a brace from the Spanish midfielder that sunk Diego Simeone's men. Real Madrid had earlier gained a 4-2 … [Read more...]