With an exciting week of Copa Del Rey football over, La Liga action returned at La Rosaleda last night where Malaga and Valencia played out an entertaining nil nil draw. Malaga manager Bernd Schuster will have been pleased with his sides efforts but they are now winless in three games and looking anxiously over their shoulders on 21 points. The home team started well, with Valencia, much improved under new manager Juan Antonio Pizzi, slow out of the blocks. Samu and Ignacio Camacho both came close but Malaga could not find the early goal that their play deserved. Valencia wakened from their … [Read more...]
Copa Del Rey Round Up: Sociedad Gain Revenge
This week's Copa Del Rey action witnessed a remarkable turn around for Real Sociedad. They were beaten four one at Villareal on Monday night, see the report here on La Liga Blog: http://laligablog.com/?p=3590 but they managed to regroup in time for Thursday night's clash at the same ground. Villareal won 1-0 at El Madrigal thanks to a goal from Javi Ros and progressed through to the quarter finals after a goalless first leg. Villalreal had a great chance to equalise from the penalty spot, after a dubious decision, but Perbet's attempt was dreadful - high, wide and not at all handsome. Surely … [Read more...]
Barcelona Progress But Neymar Is Out
Lionel Messi scored twice at the Alfonso Perez stadium, to give Barcelona a 2-0 victory that sends them through to the quarter finals of the Copa Del Rey six nil on aggregate. With Barca already 4-0 up from last week's first leg (in which Messi alsco scored twice after climbing from the substitutes bench), it seemed that victory was a formality. Getafe had some hope, however, in that they previously beat Barcelona by four goals in the Copa in 2007. The fans in the south Madrid suburb didn't seem to expect a repeat – it was a disappointingly sparse crowd. Tata Martino named a strong side with … [Read more...]
Ronaldo Abused By Fans
It's been a remarkable week for Cristiano Ronaldo, he has won his second Ballon D'Or, been named in the UEFA team of the year (at the expense of Lionel Messi), and last night he scored one of the goals that sent Real Madrid into the Copa Del Rey round of eight. But it seems that not everybody is feeling the love for CR7. Ronaldo had been the red hot favourite to win the Ballon D'Or, despite facing stiff opposition from Messi and Franck Ribery, and footballers from across the globe rushed to offer their support for him on the social networks. Former tem-mate Rio Ferdinand tweeted that he would … [Read more...]
Osasuna 0-2 Real Madrid
Ronaldo continued his award winning week with a bizarre goal to help Real Madrid win 2-0 against Osasuna and march into the quarter finals of the Copa Del Rey. Madrid were already two up from the first leg so it was a damage limitation exercise for the home side in Pamplona. They created some chances but never looked like scoring against much classier opposition. The breakthrough cam on 22 minutes and who scored – of course it was the new world footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is famed for his wonderful free kicks, but this wasn't one of them. The ball was heading straight to … [Read more...]