F.C. Barcelona went through a light training and preparatory session at lunchtime today at the Camp Nou in advance of the return leg of their last 16 Champions League tie against A.C. Milan this evening. However, the Blaugrana know that their attitude and approach to the game once the match has kicked off can be anything but light as they seek to overturn a first leg deficit. … [Read more...]
Real Sociedad Revival in Race for Fourth
After a weekend when the duopoly at the top of La Liga has been given an untimely boost by the defeat of Atlético Madrid at the Vicente Calderón, Real Sociedad's rise up the ranks makes the fight for fourth, and a Champions League berth, the big story of round 27. … [Read more...]
Messi rises from the bench to revive Barça morale
F.C. Barcelona tonight recorded a 2-0 win against Deportivo la Coruña, a result that leaves them further ahead of their league rivals before they have had a chance to play and with the peace of mind now to think about the task ahead against AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening at the Camp Nou. … [Read more...]
Paris St-Germain v Valencia Preview
Valencia go into the 2nd leg of their UEFA Champions League match with Paris Saint Germain declaring their confidence in being able to overturn the 2-1 deficit in the tie. The defeat at the Mestalla was a hard one for Los Ches to take, but the side believe the overall tie is not beyond them. … [Read more...]
Manchester United v Real Madrid preview
After two clásicos in a little under a week, the pressure doesn't relent for Los Blancos with their Champions League return against Manchester United at Old Trafford this evening. With the 1st leg having ended 1-1 at the Bernabeu, one would expect it to be an open game with everything to play for. However, with so much at risk it could well turn into a cagey affair with neither side wishing to take the initiative and play an expansive game. Both will likely set-up with formations that are designed to soak up pressure and break quickly on the counter-attack. … [Read more...]
How can Barca get back to their best?
It all started last year, on 27th April, that fateful day no Barca fan will ever forget. It had been a horrible 2 weeks for the Catalan giants, first losing in El Clasico to arch rivals Real Madrid, who eventually went on to win La Liga, and then their shock elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Chelsea. Despite their attacking qualities, it was not enough to break down a much criticised display of resilient defending from their opponents. Barca only had themselves to blame. The tie should’ve been over after the 1st leg. Disappointment followed. Their League and Champions … [Read more...]
One Clasico to Mourinho ahead of intriguing second encounter
Jose Mourinho has claimed one Clasico victory this week ahead of the league game at the Bernabeu on Saturday, an emphatic 3-1 win at the Nou Camp in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday evening. Revelling in the aftermath of a famous and boisterous win at the home of their fiercest rivals, it may come across that Real revealed their priorities this week. The 16 point gap between themselves and Barcelona gave the Copa clash a fierce ultimatum that could have all but signalled a majorly unsuccessful season for Madrid. However, the result has invigorated a volatile side who have underperformed greatly … [Read more...]
Barcelona struggling to meet their standards without Tito
Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova's treatment for cancer has been well documented and having led the team to the summit of La Liga with a record points total, he departed the club in a dominant position. However, since Vilanova left for America in late January it has been clear that the standard of Barcelona's play has dropped, culminating in the disastrous 2-0 loss in Milan which has made an exit from the Champions League in the round of 16 a real possibility with three pivotal games against Real Madrid and Milan coming up quickly. … [Read more...]
FC Porto v Málaga CF preview
Not satisfied with their recent success, Málaga set their sights on a quarter-final berth. … [Read more...]
Video: Brilliant strike from Duda maintains Malaga’s unbeaten Champions League run
Duda's fantastic first half finish was the main highlight in Malaga's 2-2 Champions League draw against Anderlecht this evening. The winger's brace extended his side's unbeaten run in the competition and with qualification to the knock-out stages already done and dusted, Manuel Pellegrini's side can take heart from this well-earned draw at La Rosaleda tonight. … [Read more...]