It will be Adios, Old Trafford as Wayne Rooney swaps Manchester for Madrid in 2014. The only question remaining is whether it will be in the summer or within the next nine days. With strike partner Robin Van Persie injured for large swathes of the season, Manchester United have been more reliant than ever on the England forward's goals. He has scored 9 goals in 16 games, a worse strike rate than potential replacement Danny Welbeck, but of course there is so much more to Rooney's game than goals. It is Rooney's energy and determination that have caught the eye of Carlo Ancelotti. He sees Rooney … [Read more...]
Row between Perez and supporters rages on
The animosity between members of the now defunct Ultras Sur and Real Madrid President Florentino Perez looks set to continue as the fan group relent in their quest to return to the Bernabeu. The Ultras Sur, Real Madrid's fervent supporters formerly housed in the South stand at the Bernabeu, remain upset about their treatment after 500 season tickets were rescinded after an altercation before a match with Real Sociedad. The fans are angry with how Perez has dealt with the situation as the club welcomed a new section to replace the Ultras made up of young fans. … [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...]
It’s Real Madrid 3, Barcelona 0
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...]
Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid clinched a vital victory over Espanyol last night to move to within three points of La Liga pacesetters Barcelona and Atletico, but they made hard work of it at the Cornella El Prat stadium. With Atleti and Barcelona playing out a goalless draw on Saturday it presented a real opportunity for Madrid to drag themselves back into the title race. Espanyol are either quite decent or very bad, there's no in-betweens for Javier Aguirre's side. Unfortunately for Madrid they met Espanyol on one of their better nights. Espanyol were resolute at the back, goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was on top … [Read more...]
Barcelona’s Sanchez makes our La Liga team of the week
Enough of Santa’s gifts and all the celebrations that comes with the festive period, the league resumed over the weekend and clubs hit the ground running immediately. At the top, there was certainly no margin for error, and that was very evident in the way Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid dispatched their opponents. … [Read more...]
Ferdinand Begged Ronaldo To Join Manchester United
Manchester United's veteran defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he begged Cristiano Ronaldo to re-join Manchester United during the summer. United had just appointed a new manager in David Moyes and they were desperate to make a marquee signing. A last minute move to hijack the Gareth Bale to Real Madrid transfer failed but it does show that the Old Trafford club had the money to make a serious splash in the summer market. Ronaldo is still a legend at Manchester United, having scored 84 goals in 196 appearances for the Red Devils. Earlier in 2013 Ronaldo had said that he felt unhappy at … [Read more...]
Morata Close To Signing For Arsenal
Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Real Madrid's exciting young striker Alvaro Morata – but only until the end of the season. Morata is a 21 year old with huge potential. He has found his chances limited at the Bernabeu, scoring four goals in twenty-four appearances, but he has shone in is his appearances for the Spanish under 21 team – netting twelve goals in eleven outings for his country. Carlo Ancelotti had earlier rebuffed interest from both Arsenal and Liverpool, insisting that the youngster was not for sale at any price, but Morata has been pushing for a move. He expected to be … [Read more...]
Fabio Coentrao Agrees Manchester United Terms
Confusion reigns over the future of Real Madrid left back Fabio Coentrao. Reports from the North West of England suggest that Coentrao has agreed personal terms to join Manchester United but Carlo Ancelotti is unwilling to let his versatile defender leave. Coentrao has been a peripheral figure at the Bernabeu, injuries have hampered his progress this season and he has made just a handful of La Liga appearances. His frustration has been evident as he accused Madrid fans of being against him since he signed and practically begged for a transfer. Chelsea and Inter Milan have also been linked … [Read more...]