It was Real Madrid 3 Barcelona 0 today as UEFA announced their official team of the year for 2013. The dream team is voted for by ordinary football fans through social media and via the UEFA website, but they failed a recognise a single Barcelona player, despite their runaway success in La Liga last year. There was another snub for Lionel Messi, who finished 13th in the votes, after losing out to Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or on Tuesday. Even with his injury problems it seems absurd to leave him out of a European league 11. Ronaldo himself made, the squad, of course and it marked the … [Read more...]
Atletico Progress To Quarter-Finals
Atletico Madrid progressed to the round of 8 in the Copa del Rey last night, keeping alive their hopes of glory on three fronts. I was in Spain to witness their 2-0 victory over Valencia, and was impressed by their composure and ability to move up a gear when needed. Last week's first leg had ended 1-1 thanks to a late Valencia equaliser from Helder Postiga. With another draw against Barcelona last Saturday it was imperative that they returned to winning ways, but Valencia had set out their stall to frustrate Atleti. They look a stronger, more organised team under new coach Juan Antonio … [Read more...]
Arrasate hoping for instant retribution after Villarreal hammering
Real Sociedad boss Jagoba Arrasate has labelled the 5-1 defeat to Villarreal on Monday night as 'his worst day as coach of the club'. The good news for the recently appointed boss however is that his side have the chance to get revenge over Villarreal this Thursday in the Copa del Rey. Sociedad slumped to the uncharacteristic defeat after previously enjoying a series of games without defeat. … [Read more...]
Ronaldo Or Messi: Who Is The Greatest?
Cristiano Ronaldo was overjoyed at winning his second Ballon D'or in Zurich last night, in the process beating Lionel Messi – the record breaking four times winner of the most coveted prize for individual footballers. So who is the greatest, and where doe they stand on the list of all-time greats? Goalscoring The most incredible thing about both players phenomenal goal scoring records is that neither player is a conventional centre forward. Ronaldo is often found out on the wings whilst Messi sits in the centre of midfield or operates as a 'false number 9'.Just look at their stats: Ronaldo … [Read more...]
Liverpool Player Linked With Granada
Liverpool's young Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori is being linked with a transfer window move to La Liga with Granada. I understand that the move will initially be a loan until the end of the season with the option to make this permanent before the start of the next season. Ilori had been talked of as one for the future at Anfield, when Brendan Rodgers signed him at the beginning of the 2013-14 season for a fee of £7M. He has composure on the ball and likes to play the ball from the back rather than looking for the long ball forward. With Jamie Carragher having retired from the game, it had … [Read more...]