Liverpool representatives were in Vallecano last night, but transfer target Saul Niguez scored an own goal as Rayo Vallecano lost 4-2 at home to Atletico Madrid. It was a welcome return to winning ways for Atleti, after two La Liga draws in a row. The win put them level on points with Barcelona at the top, one point above a resurgent Real Madrid. The three way battle should continue until the last round of the season. Atletico were full of attacking intent from the start. Turkish international Arda, having a fine season on the opposite flank to Koke, was menacing Vallecano at every … [Read more...]
Messi ‘not for sale’, but the vultures are circling
After a turbulent week for Barcelona, new club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has had to publicly announce that Lionel Messi is not for sale. Bartomeu stepped into the void when previous president Sandro Rossell resigned over a forthcoming court appearance relating to the misappropriation of funds from the Neymar transfer deal. Rossell denies all charges, but now a larger shadow is looming – could Barca be on the brink of losing their star player? Last summer, Messi was linked with the champions of Europe, Bayern Munich. Any interest was quickly slapped down, but the German giants lay waiting … [Read more...]
Barcelona Back On Top
Barcelona pulled off a three nil victory at home to Malaga yesterday, to return to the summit of La Liga. It is very much a three horse race now, with Barca holding the slenderest of leads. It has been a turbulent week for Barcelona following the resignation of club president Sandro Rossell. Rossell is strenuously fighting allegations that he profited from the signing of Neymar, but the club will be glad to be concentrating on passing on the field rather than passing the buck. Messi, as always, was the architect of the win. His dazzling dribbles caught Malaga out time after time, and he set up … [Read more...]
Athletic Romp To Victory Over Osasuna
Athletic Bilbao eased to a superb 5-1 victory at Osasuna, cementing their place in the fourth Champion's League spot. Athletic's previously off-form striker Aritz Aduriz regained his scoring touch. He grabbed two goals and set up another for substitute Ibai Gomez. A man of the match performance. Osasuna are only three points from the drop zone now. Their problem all season has been scoring goals, but when Armanteros scored a tenth minute free-kick equaliser to cancel out a fourth minute goal from Athletic's Susaeta, things were looking promising. Little did they know that the floodgates were … [Read more...]
Almeria 1-0 Getafe
Almeria secured a vital 1-0 victory at home to Getafe today, a win that lifts them above Real Valladolid and out of the La Liga bottom three. A win looked unlikely in the first half. Getafe had more possession, and looked more of a threat when they had the ball. They were particularly unlucky in the twentieth minute when midfielder Michel had the ball in the net, only for it to be wrongly ruled offside. By half time, Almeria were hanging on. A Lopez header that cannoned back of the crossbar was just one of the efforts that should have given the away side a lead. Getafe seemed dejected to go in … [Read more...]