Matchday 26 in La Liga is certainly cooking us up a treat with a host of games that could have critical permutations at both the top and bottom of the table. We have selected three of the best well worth catching up on over the weekend including the biggest of them all. Real Madrid v Barcelona Well, it had to be, didn’t it? The gigantic pull of both these two sides won’t just be big news in Spain, but eyeballs across the world will be tuning in. To sweeten the deal even further, only two-points separates the two at the top of La Liga (in Barca’s favour) and a win for the visitors … [Read more...]
La Liga Self Destructs as Barcelona Wrap up the Title
As Dani Carvajal saw red and Lionel Messi slammed in the resulting penalty to put Barce 2-0 up at the Bernabeu, you could see the whole of Spain outside of Catalonia’s shoulders slump and raise the white flag. Aleix Vidal added a third in injury-time to leave Zinedine Zidane’s men to face the baying home support as his side slipped to fourteen points behind their great rivals with the season not even at the half way stage. Catastrophe This week has been a catastrophe for Barcelona’s rivals but a triumph for the Blaugrana as the quartet of Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Real Madrid and … [Read more...]
Barcelona Need Neymar to Find Best Form Ahead of Man City and Madrid Clashes
Barcelona's win over Eibar on Saturday night was down to the one and only Lionel Messi, however the player it seems most interesting to focus on is his strike partner Neymar. We know all about the Argentinian and his propensity to bewitch, dazzle and destroy opponents, with the Basque minnows his latest victims and the quality of his two goals, a penalty and a header from a corner, does little to reflect the majesty of his overall display. … [Read more...]
Exclusive: Ronaldo hoping for United European return
Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping that Manchester United can end their European exile and qualify for the Champions League this season. The Red Devils face Manchester City on Sunday, hoping their late draw with Chelsea last week will spur them on against their out of form rivals. Whilst 9 points off of leaders Chelsea, United are looking to firstly step back into Europe, having invested heavily during the summer. Under David Moyes, United missed out on European qualification last season and now find themselves in the unusual position of watching Europe's elite on TV every fortnight. Ex-United man … [Read more...]
El Clasico Preview
Barcelona's trip to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday needs little introduction. The La Liga leaders travel to Real Madrid with a four-point lead over their fiercest rivals, and boasting an unbeaten record in the league so far this season. Adding to the intensity of this already fraught fixture is the prospect that Luis Suarez could make his debut for the Catalan club, following a lengthy ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay's World Cup win over Italy way back in June. … [Read more...]
Neymar outshines Bale in Clasico
The Brazilian striker cost roughly half of what Real Madrid spent on Gareth Bale in the summer but the difference on the pitch was staggering. Neymar opened the scoring and gave the Real defence a horrid evening at the Nou Camp during Barca's 2-1 win whilst Bale was subbed late on after making a minimal impact. The two have endured contrasting periods since signing for their clubs with Bale yet to properly settle in in Madrid. Bale's battle with injury has been well documented as he awaits his first chance to play for Los Blancos as a fully fit member of the squad - a squad he has yet to … [Read more...]
Can the ghosts of the past inspire a Real Madrid fightback?
After their defeats at the hands of the top two in Germany last week, the Spanish big two must produce comebacks of epic proportions if they are to realise their dreams of a Clásico final at Wembley in the Champions League showpiece event. For tonight’s match against Borussia Dortmund, a communication went out to all Real Madrid club members asking them to wear their white shirts and have their Madrid scarves at the ready to create as much of a hostile atmosphere in an attempt to intimidate their teutonic opponents. The current Spanish champions will rely on memories of great battling … [Read more...]
Classic hangover or a need for change for Barcelona?
Tuesday night’s result was one that leaves another hangover for the Catalan club, not long after the Milan disaster, but as with all hangovers they will hope it will pass. After Iniesta’s comments to the media at the conference yesterday, many would say that Tito Vilanova’s absence is now truly being felt by the entire squad. Should Barça act in the interim and bring in someone to cover his absence. Luis Enrique, ex Barça B and Roma coach has been suggested, as has Eusebio Sacristain, the current B incumbent. … [Read more...]
Could Laudrup take over the Bernabeu Hotseat?
Having defeated their greatest rivals on Tuesday, you would be forgiven for thinking that everything was rosy at the Bernabeu and Spain’s self proclaimed greatest club would be celebrating victory. However, the win came in the Copa del Rey and doubts still weigh heavy amongst the Madrid faithful and the special one, or only one as he has re-christened himself, has seen his stock diminish at the capital club. More so in a year when Florentino Pérez wishes to prevail at the polls and have himself re-elected as Madrid President, yet finds his side having been beaten 5 times in the league and 16 … [Read more...]
El Clasico, let the battle commence
Tonight sees the renewal of hostilities between the big two in Spain, el clásico, between Futbol Club Barcelona and Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. Many in the country itself believe that they are the two biggest clubs in the world, many more around the world would find it hard to disagree. Vicente del Bosque, Spain's National Coach and a former Real Madrid player and coach, yesterday received a medal of honour from the autonomous community of Castille and Leon for his services to the game. The great man himself couldn't split the big two and only hopes for a match that will promote the high … [Read more...]