Gareth Bale's statistics are highly impressive for somebody who has to play second fiddle to another player. He already has ten league goals this season. The fact, he's rarely afforded opportunities to take free-kicks and penalties mean his goal tally is automatically impeded. His defensive work rate also leads me to regard him in high esteem. Does Ronaldo ever track back? The answer is no, yet nobody in Madrid seems to mind. Bale covers more blades of grass in one match than Ronaldo does in three, the statistics reinforce this. … [Read more...]
La Liga Title Race: Mid-Season Check-in
With half of the La Liga season completed, the table is shaping up to look exactly what everyone thought it would. Currently Real Madrid (with a game in hand) sits atop of the table, one point ahead of their rivals Barcelona and 4 points ahead of last year’s winners, Atletico Madrid. All three teams are still alive in the Champions League and after next week’s Copa Del Rey matchup between Barca and Atletico, only one team will remain in that competition. Therefore, with 19 more games to be played (20 for Real Madrid) all three teams are more or less on even ground and can control their own … [Read more...]
Arsenal Transfers: Illarramendi a target
Asier Illarramendi is reportedly a target for Arsenal, but the midfielder may have to wait until the summer to complete a move to the Emirates Stadium. Illarramendi has been linked with a number of clubs after struggling to break into the team this season, with Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Inter Milan leading the chase to sign him. However, Marca has today reported that Arsenal are monitoring the 24-year-old's situation, but won't be signing him until the summer. This is because Arsene Wenger is focussed on bringing in a defender rather than any other player, making steady progress in … [Read more...]
Man Utd Transfer News: De Gea agent sparks Madrid rumours
David De Gea's agent Jorge Mendes has been quoted in a Spanish newspapers saying that the goalkeeper's situation could change with Real Madrid keen on him. There has been plenty of speculation that Madrid want to negotiate a swap deal involving Gareth Bale, and Mendes has not denied the prospect of this happening. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Mendes said, "I do not know the future, things change every five minutes. We all know that in football nothing is impossible. "David is a Manchester United player and has a contract. You have to respect that." De Gea has one year left to run on his … [Read more...]
No Bale To United Deal According To La Liga Expert
Gareth Bale will not be moving from Real Madrid to Manchester United in January if you believe the views of Spanish football expert Graham Hunter. Bale has been in Spain for little over a year now, and whilst he appears to have settled in the Spanish capital, he has yet to reach the levels of his illustrious team mates. Hunter, a regular pundit for Revista de La Liga on Sky Sports says that these are just stories at the moment and that Bale and his family are settled. “They (Man Utd) have the budget, they tried to sign him, he turned them down when joining Real Madrid," Hunter said on Sky … [Read more...]
Reaction to the Champions League Draw for Spanish Sides
The top three in Spain are all in left in Europe’s elite competition, and today at 11am (GMT), they found out who their opponents would be for the round of 16 stage in the competition. After all 3 teams finished top of their group, the available teams they could face where Manchester City, PSG, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco, Porto, Shalke 04, Juventus or Shakthar Donetsk. The first Spanish team to come out of the draw where 4 time winners Barcelona, who face Manchester city in the last 16. This will be a difficult task for Barca, who haven’t got the greatest of defensive records this season, … [Read more...]
Real Madrid set record in Champions League win over Ludogorets
Real Madrid made it six wins out of six in the Champions League Group B against Ludogorets and set a Spanish record for consecutive victories. Already through to the last 16 as group winners, Real, who are the holders, eased to a 19th straight victory in all competitions, surpassing the record of 18 they jointly held with Barcelona. … [Read more...]
James Says Ronaldo Should Win the Ballon d’Or with “99% of Votes”
Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez believes teammate Cristiano Ronaldo should win the Ballon d’Or by a landslide. "It is an award all players dream of, but the Ballon d'Or is Cristiano's right now," the Colombia international told Marca. "He'll win it again this year because he deserves it, simple as that. He should win with 99 per cent of votes.” … [Read more...]
Sergio Ramos praises Ballon D’or Favourite and Luis Enrique admits his El Clasico Rivals have ‘Better Players’
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has hailed his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming that there are no words left to describe the superstar, according to Sports Mole. The 29-year-old has been breaking records since joining the Spanish giants in 2009 and has now claimed his 23rd La Liga hat-trick. His three goals secured the 3-0 win over Celta Vigo at the weekend for his side’s 18th consecutive victory and he has now overtaken Telmo Zarra and Alfredo Di Stefano in all-time La Liga trebles. … [Read more...]
Why Real Madrid Defence Deserves Credit in Cristiano Ronaldo-Inspired Record Run
After yet another Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick led Real Madrid to victory for an 18th consecutive occasion on Saturday, CarloAncelotti wasn't hesitant to say that the presence of his main marksman makes the club's weekly task appreciably easier. "Having Cristiano gives us a great advantage," the Italian said in the wake of Los Blancos' 3-0 victory over Celta Vigo, per Inside Spanish Football. "He is in incredible form, he is extraordinarily motivated and he's at his physical peak." … [Read more...]