It was five and easy for Barcelona, as they crushed Levante 5-1 to move into the Copa Del Rey semi-finals 9-2 on aggregate. The match was as good as over after their 4-1 victory in Valencia last week. Certainly, that was the way the Catalan fans felt. The stadium was barely a quarter full to watch what amounted to little more than a practise match. Tata Martino rested key players like Lionel Messi but it made little difference as Levante were put to the sword yet again. Surprisingly, it was the away side that took the lead. Vyntra headed the goal on 9 minutes, although it had a suspicion of … [Read more...]
Atletico set up mouth watering semi-final
Atletico Madrid won a close encounter with Athletic Bilbao 2-1 to progress into the Copa Del Rey semi-finals. There was little to separate the teams on paper. Atletico are still joint-top of La Liga, but it is Athletic who have been in the better form. Atletico held a 1-0 win from last week's first leg but as Athletic had never been beaten at their new Sam Mames arena, it was the Bilbao team who were favourites in many people's eyes. Athletic started the match full of confidence. Atletico's on loan keeper Thibault Courtois keeping them in the game against a tide of aggression. Diego Simeone … [Read more...]
Record Breaking Real Into Copa Semi-Finals
Real Madrid continue to break club records as they progressed to the Copa Del Rey semi-finals. A hard fought 1-0 home victory over Espanyol was enough to see them progress 2-0 on aggregate. It was expected to be a comfortable win for Los Blancos, but Espanyol sensed an upset. They are a team full of inconsistencies, either good or awful, but they have saved some of their better performances for this competition. Espanyol defended with passion, goalkeeper Kiko was their star man keeping out Ronaldo time after time. They were undone early on, however. In only the seventh minute, Xabi Alonso … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
Atletico created the chances but failed to capitalise on their superiority, as they take a 1-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey. Diego Simeone rested players in this first leg encounter, but his side were still hot favourites to take a convincing lead over Athletic. Despite a strong opening from Atletico, it was Athletic who should have taken the lead after ten minutes. Herrera sliced wide with the goal invitingly before him. It was a miss that would prove costly. Athletic goalkeeper Iago Herrerin was the man of the match, producing fine saves throughout the game. Two particularly … [Read more...]
Levante 1-4 Barcelona
Cristian Tello grabbed a hat-trick as Barcelona romped to a 4-1 away victory over Levante in last night's Copa Del Rey quarter final first leg. Arsenal target Tello may have persuaded Arsene Wenger to prise open his purse strings as he put on a fine display, ably assisted by Lionel Messi. It sounds strange to say after a team mate scores three, but the mercurial Mess was my man of the match. He tore the home side apart at every opportunity and laid on all three goals for Tello. It was Levante who took the lead. Nabir El Zhar scored after 31 minutes to have Levante fans dreaming of victory. … [Read more...]
Real Madrid Make It Six In A Row At Espanyol
Real Madrid grabbed a one goal advantage over Espanyol last night, in the first leg of their Copa Del Rey quarter final. Madrid had smashed five past Real Betis at the weekend, a result that saw Juan Carlos Garrido lose his job, but they were made to work much harder by an improving Espanyol side Carlo Ancelotti's side also ran out one nil victors at the Cornella-El Prat in La Liga just nine days ago, but the fact of the matter is that Madrid have now won six games in a row and could yet win the domestic double this season. Cristiano Ronaldo went closest for Madrid in the earlier stages, a … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Copa Del Rey Round-Up
There were four matches in the Copa del Rey last night and La Liga Blog, your first stop for all the latest Spanish football news, brings you the details here. AD Alcorcon 1-0 Espanyol The Madrid based minnows Alcorcon made light of their Segunda Division form, they are currently in a lowly sixteenth position, by taking a one nil victory over Espanyol in the first leg of this round of 16 match. The goal was scored by second half substitute Dani Pacheco, once of Liverpool, but they will have it all to do on their return leg in Barcelona next week. Real Betis 1-0 Athletic Bilbao Real Betis, at … [Read more...]