Toothless Real fail to pounce on Barca slip

January 4, 2010

Real Madrid spurned the chance to replace Barcelona at the top of the Spanish first division on Sunday firing blanks in a frustrating 0-0 draw against Osasuna in Pamplona.

Barcelona had dropped two points as they lost their 100-percent home record with a 1-1 draw against Villarreal on Saturday but Real could not capitalize and stay two points behind the champions in second.

It was only the second time Real had failed to score in the league this season – the other occasions being a 1-0 loss at Barcelona and a 0-0 draw with Sporting Gijon – and it was a golden opportunity missed.

Real coach Manuel Pellegrini was without Kaka as the Brazilian recovered from a groin injury so Rafael van der Vaart continued as the attacking midfielder behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain.

With Pepe out injured for the season, Argentine Ezequiel Garay joined Raul Albiol in central defence although they were largely untroubled until the 41st minute when a Javad Nekounam header stirred goalkeeper Iker Casillas into action.

Higuain, with five goals in his last three matches, had Real’s best chance on 65 minutes but a strong hand from goalkeeper Ricardo Lopez denied the Argentine. Real replaced Higuain with captain Raul in a last throw of the dice but it was to no avail.

While Barcelona have a last 16 Kings Cup match against Sevilla on Tuesday, Real can rest up as they have already been eliminated by minnows Alcorcon.

Osasuna have now held champions Barcelona (1-1) and Real at their Reyno de Navarra stadium and beat them both last season in the final two games of the campaign.

Osasuna needed to beat Real on the final day of last season to stay in the league but this season they are comfortably in mid-table lying 12th.

Real Mallorca are Real’s next opponents and they moved above Sevilla into fourth place with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao as they maintained their perfect home record with an eighth successive home victory.

“We are fourth but we face Real Madrid on their patch in the next league game and it will be difficult to get points there,” said Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano.

Julio Alvarez scored the Mallorca opener on 49 minutes to open the scoring before Aritz Aduriz netted his eighth goal of the season against old club Bilbao after 67 minutes.

Mallorca are now in the final Champions League spot and turn their attention to the Kings Cup as they travel to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday for the first leg of the last 16 tie.

New Almeria coach Juanma Lillo enjoyed a winning start as his side clinched a crucial 1-0 win over relegation rivals Xerez.

Substitute Jose Ortiz Bernal netted an 89th minute winner just three minutes after coming on to gift Lillo a debut win after taking over from axed Mexican Hugo Sanchez.

“I am not bothered about the fact that it was my debut but more that we won the match. That was the most important thing,” said Lillo.

“The three points help us make a good leap in the table and see things a bit differently.”

Almeria move three points above the relegation zone while basement boys Xerez slide towards relegation lying eight points from safety with just one win all season.

Struggling Malaga were left frustrated as they twice surrendered the lead to be pegged back 2-2 at Sporting Gijon and stay third from bottom.

At the other end of the table Deportivo La Coruna missed the chance to move level on points with fourth-placed Sevilla, who lost 2-1 at Atletico Madrid on Saturday, with a 0-0 draw at Real Zaragoza.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: Argentine, athletic bilbao, Barcelona, Bernal, Bilbao, captain Raul, Casillas, central defence, Gonzalo, groin injury, home victory, Hugo Sanchez, javad nekounam, Jose, Julio Alvarez, kings cup, la coruna, MADRID, Malaga, manuel pellegrini, mid table, Navarra, osasuna, Rafael, rafael van der vaart, raul albiol, real madrid, real mallorca, reyno, ricardo lopez, ronaldo, SEVILLA, spanish first division, sporting gijon, throw of the dice, van der vaart, xerez, Zaragoza

Messi display worthy of Ballon d´Or

November 30, 2009

Lionel Messi is poised to collect the Ballon D’Or accolade on Tuesday and the Argentine showed why with a mesmerising display to help Barcelona defeat Real Madrid 1-0 in a sizzling ‘El Clasico’ at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the winning goal on 56 minutes but with the world watching on Messi stole the show with his his mazy runs, clever turns and incredible close control all the more impressive given that he was a doubt for the match with a thigh injury.

Messi, still only 22, scored in the previous two Clasicos – which finished 2-0 and 6-2 in Barca’s favour – but could not cap his stellar display with a goal with Iker Casillas denying him with a wonder save in the closing stages.

“I came off against Athletic Bilbao as a precaution but came back tonight and fortunately we got the right result,” said the softly-spoken Messi.

“We couldn’t find space in the first half but in the second half we got better and the result we wanted.

“The win over Inter Milan (2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday) was important for us to stay in the competition and now we have beaten Real Madrid who are a top side.”

Champions Barca now lead Real by two points at the summit and can stretch that to five points with victory over Xerez on Wednesday in a match brought forward due to Barca’s World Club Championship commitments in Abu Dhabi in mid-December.

Treble winners Barca are unbeaten in the league since the penultimate day of last season and lie top of the table but goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who produced a crucial save from Cristiano Ronaldo, said there was no room for complacency.

“Real played on the counter attack at times but with real quality,” said Valdes.

“The Spanish league is the best in the world and complicated to win. It is not just Real Madrid there are other such as Sevilla.”

Midfielder Xavi, one of four Barca players shortlisted for the Ballon D’Or, paid tribute to Real and saluted his team-mates for a determined defensive display.

“It was a physical game but a great spectacle,” said Xavi. “Real have a great team as well and a lot of talent up front.

“Madrid are always a competitive team. In all my years in football they have always had a team that can compete at the highest level.

“It was a great defensive display from the whole team to keep them out and get a very important win.”

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: abu dhabi, accolade, Argentine, athletic bilbao, Barcelona, Bilbao, camp nou, Casillas, clasicos, close control, complacency, five points, inter milan, lionel messi, MADRID, mazy, Milan, real madrid, ronaldo, SEVILLA, spanish league, team mates, thigh injury, treble winners, victor valdes, world club championship, xerez, zlatan ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic volley gives Barcelona bragging rights

November 30, 2009

A Barcelona-Real Madrid game that veered from the brilliant to the banal, as is pretty much always the case in these contests, was settled 1-0 in favour of the Catalans by a great finish from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, following an even better pass from Dani Alves.

Real will go back to the capital content with their performance in all areas … apart from in front of goal. They will rue missing six or seven good chances to get something from a game that was pretty even, although that was partly to do with the sending-off of Busquets for a daft handball.

The result took Barcelona back top of La Liga but it obviously didn’t settle anything. What it did confirm is that Real have become a much tougher team to play against with all that new talent and that coach Pellegrini is on the right track. So they couldn’t get the ball off the Barcelona midfield at times? I can’t think of a single team that wouldn’t have had problems at Camp Nou against Iniesta, Xavi, Messi and the rest.

The Ballon d’Or will be announced on Tuesday and you can bet it will go to Messi, but after watching that match I was reminded that Iker Casillas and Carles Puyol deserve to be up there as well.

But what did you make of the game? And who do you think should be named Player of the Year?

PHOTO: Barcelona’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts after scoring a goal during their Spanish first division soccer match against arch rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona November 29, 2009. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino

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Tags: arch rivals, ballon, Barcelona, barcelona real madrid, bragging rights, busquets, camp nou, camp nou stadium, carles puyol, Casillas, catalans, daft, division soccer, favour, gustau, MADRID, messi, midfield, pellegrini, reuters, spanish first division, volley, zlatan ibrahimovic

Barca edge past Real in ‘El Clasico’

November 30, 2009

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s superb second-half volley was enough to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Real Madrid in the Primera Division’s first ‘El Clasico’ of the season at the Nou Camp and move the Catalans back to the top of the table.

Ibrahimovic replaced Thierry Henry early in the second half and fired Barca in front less than five minutes later as he volleyed home Dani Alves’ cross.

Barcelona were reduced to 10 men with almost half an hour left, when Sergio Busquets was sent off for a second bookable offence.

But Madrid, who had earlier missed a fantastic chance to take the lead when the unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo – in his first ever ‘Clasico’ – shot straight at Victor Valdes with only the Barca keeper to beat, failed to take advantage and themselves had Lassana Diarra dismissed late on.

Ronaldo went off with 25 minutes left and Barca should have made things easier with two minutes to go, when Lionel Messi found himself alone with only Iker Casillas to beat, but the Argentina winger shot straight at the Madrid keeper, who deflected the ball over with his feet.

Barca looked the more fluid of the two sides early on, but Madrid proved to be just as dangerous on the break.

Marcelo and Xavi both blasted over the bar in the opening 10 minutes as both sides began brightly.

Casillas had to be alert to gather Thierry Henry’s cross after a trademark Messi run and the Madrid keeper also intercepted well moments later as Iniesta tried to set up Xavi.

Barca were edging it on possession and play, but Madrid had the best chance of the half after 19 minutes.

It fell to Ronaldo and the former Manchester United forward should have scored after he was brilliantly set up by Kaka, but his shot was too close to Valdes and the Barca keeper made a smart save.

Marcelo then got into a great position eight minutes later, but Carles Puyol intercepted the Brazilian’s shot with a perfectly-timed block.

At the other, Casillas did well to cut out Iniesta’s low cross as half-time approached and the Spain keeper also pushed Henry’s cross-shot over the bar moments later.

With the score still goalless, the rather ineffective Henry was replaced by Ibrahimovic six minutes into the second half.

And the Sweden striker was quickly involved in the build-up as Xavi found a great position in the box, but the Spain midfielder hesitated and saw his effort deflected wide for a corner.

From the resulting centre, Madrid raced forward and Gonzalo Higuain looked certain to score after turning Eric Abidal in the area, but Puyol once again appeared from nowhere with another majestic block.

Madrid were certainly having their chances, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side soon found themselves behind when Ibrahimovic smashed home Alves’ looping cross with a thumping left-footed volley at the far post which gave Casillas no chance.

Barca’s joy turned somewhat sour six minutes later, though, when Busquets – who had already been booked – was shown the red card for a cynical handball.

Ronaldo then headed just over the bar from Marcelo’s cross as Madrid immediately threatened to draw level.

But the Portugal winger, perhaps feeling the effects of his recent injury, departed straight after that.

His replacement, Karim Benzema, was quickly involved.

The France striker saw one effort blocked by the impressive Puyol and then flashed another wide moments later as Madrid looked for a way back into the game.

Raul also came on as Pellegrini rolled the dice once more in an attempt to make the most of his side’s numerical advantage.

But Barca still looked dangerous on the break and Abidal drilled an angled drive just wide of Casillas’ far post with 14 minutes left.

And Guardiola’s side should have made sure of the points with two minutes left, but Messi shot straight at Casillas from point-blank range.

Diarra was then dismissed a minute later for scything down Xavi as frustration got to Madrid, who are now two points behind leaders Barca.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: bookable offence, carles puyol, Casillas, catalans, diarra, half volley, kaka, nou camp, Primera Division, real madrid, ronaldo, take the lead, thierry henry, victor valdes, winger, xavi

Supersub Ibrahimovic wins Clasico for 10-man Barca

November 30, 2009

Swedish supersub Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the hero as 10-man Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in an enthralling ‘El Clasico’ at Camp Nou to move top of the table by two points on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who was exceptional, both started but it was Ibrahimovic, back from injury, who stole the limelight volleying in a 56th minute winner just five minutes after coming on.

“It is such a great feeling especially after just coming back from injury,” beamed Ibrahimovic. “The cross from Dani (Alves) was brilliant and I just slotted it in.”

Barca were reduced to 10 men when Sergi Busquets stupidly handballed just after the hour mark and needed some heroics from captain Carles Puyol

Real missed some clear-cut chances with Ronaldo spurning a glorious chance to put Real ahead after just 19 minutes.

“We had so many chances so I don’t think 1-0 is a fair result,” said Real captain Iker Casillas. “I don’t really care about the image we portrayed I care about winning games but the luck wasn’t with us tonight.”

It was a third successive Clasico win for Barca who are still unbeaten this season and nudge Real off the summit holding a two-point lead over their rivals.

Ronaldo started for the first time since the end of September with his ankle holding up. Karim Benzema dropped to the bench and was joined by captain Raul.

Barcelona started with Messi who shrugged off a thigh strain but Ibrahimovic was on the bench with a thigh strain of his own so Thierry Henry kept his place in attack.

It was touted as the Clasico between Real’s ‘Galacticos’, the most expensive team on the planet, and the homegrown talent of Barca’s ‘cantera’ who the most successful team on the planet last season when they won a unique treble.

Real were second best in terms of possession and Messi looked match fit as he thrust at the Real defence twisting Pepe inside out but Henry’s poor low shot ended the danger.

Barca were passing like they can do but Real were looking the more dangerous.

On 19 minutes Ronaldo should have scored after Kaka cut inside before sliding the ball across goal but Ronaldo’s side-footed shot was saved brilliantly by Victor Valdes using his trailing foot.

It was then Puyol’s turn for a heroic block to deny Marcelo on 29 minutes.

Ibrahimovic came on for Henry minutes into the second half and had an immediate impact on his Clasico debut scoring the opener five minutes after coming on.

Dani Alves curled a delightful ball across the face of goal and Ibrahimovic arrived on cue guiding a left-footed volley past Casillas.

Barca looked in control but Busquets was then sent off for handball just after the hour mark and Pep Guardiola was furious with his midfielder.

Real threw on Benzema but Barca should have made it 2-0 only for Gerard Pique to head wide.

Down to ten men Barca still attacked although Real had chances with Ronaldo heading over and Puyol producing another great block to thwart Benzema.

Real substitute Raul skied from right in front of goal while Casillas pulled off a wonder save to deny Messi at the death.

Madrid’s Lass Diarra was sent off in the closing stages for hacking down Xavi after Barca pinged the ball about like they were in training.

Earlier former Real Madrid striker Roberto Soldado scored his second hat-trick of the season as Getafe heaped more misery on bottom side Xerez with a 5-1 thrashing on Sunday.

Xerez took the lead but Soldado equalised on 44 minutes and then netted his second 60 seconds later from the penalty spot.

To make matters worse Xerez had David Prieto sent off for giving away the penalty.

Getafe exploited the numerical advantage scoring three times in as many minutes with Soldado wrapping up his hat-trick.

It was a second treble for the striker following his hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Racing Santander.

In other matches, Deportivo La Coruna moved level on points with Valencia in fourth thanks to a 1-0 win at Racing Santander.

Atletico Madrid are also in action later when they host Espanyol at the Vicente Calderon.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: camp nou, cantera, carles puyol, Casillas, cristiano ronaldo, galacticos, homegrown talent, Karim Benzema, limelight, lionel messi, minute winner, rivals, ronaldo, successful team, supersub, thierry henry, thigh strain

Real look CR9 dependent as Sevilla heed cry for challengers

October 6, 2009

One swallow does not make a summer, but Sevilla’s bristling 2-1 victory over Real Madrid on Sunday offers hope that the answer to the question posed in Thursday’s blog is ‘no’.

Three teams can challenge for the La Liga title this year.

Manolo Jimenez’s side inflicted a first defeat on Real with a vibrant, attacking display that was reminiscent of their performances under Juande Ramos when they won back-to-back UEFA Cups.

Sevilla are now level on 15 points with Real, though third due to their inferior goal difference. Barcelona are top with 18 points from six games.

Wingers Jesus Navas and Diego Perotti did the damage at the Sanchez Pizjuan, truly testing Real Madrid’s defence for the first time this season, but it was a strong all-round team performance.

They have strength in depth, are solid at the back and club president Jose Maria del Nido boasts: “the best strike force in Europe” with Frederic Kanoute, Luis Fabiano and Alvaro Negredo. They have now won seven on the trot in all competitions.

Real were without top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo due to an ankle strain, but it was the absence of first choice left back Alvaro Arbeloa that may have been more telling as Navas made a fool of his replacement Marcelo.

Once again, Real lacked fluidity in their play and it was the familiar figure of Iker Casillas who was their outstanding player, pulling off a couple of magnificent saves.

“Real reveal their shortcomings in the first serious test of the year. They have CR9 dependency. They continue to rely excessively on their stars,” Marca wrote on Monday.

Barcelona remain unbeaten after shaking off Almeria 1-0, but the Andalucians made life extremely difficult for them at the Nou Camp with their man-marking of midfield creators Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

“It wasn’t marking, it was an obsession,” Xavi said of Almeria midfielder Chico’s work on Saturday. “All he did was watch me. I felt very important. I told him ‘Why don’t you go and mark Messi?’”

It may not be pretty but it was effective, and as Espanyol and Chelsea showed last year an asphyxiating pressure on the midfield can throw Barca off their game.

“I hope it is a blueprint for a way to play against a team as powerful as Barcelona. I hope they respect my patent,” Almeria coach Hugo Sanchez said.

After six rounds of matches, La Liga could be about to get a bit more interesting with both Real and Barca showing chinks in their armour. Maybe it won’t be the most boring league in Europe after all…

PHOTO: Real Madrid’s Kaka (top) falls over Sevilla’s Didier Zokora during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville October 4, 2009. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

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Tags: Andres Iniesta, ankle strain, arbeloa, Barcelona, Casillas, Chico, club president, Diego Perotti, Europe, fluidity, frederic kanoute, goal difference, Hugo Sanchez, Jesus, jesus navas, Jose Maria, juande ramos, luis fabiano, nou camp, perotti, Ramon Sanchez, real madrid, ronaldo, six games, team performance, top scorer, uefa cups, wingers, xavi

Quick Report: Spain 3-2 South Africa

June 29, 2009

Spain have won the match for third place at the 2009 Confederations Cup, beating hosts South Africa 3-2 after extra time. A free kick from Xabi Alonso led Vicente del Bosque’s side to victory.

Spain struggled in the first half but seemed to be doing better in the second. However, a disallowed goal from Llorente took away some of their motivation and South Africa took advantage as Katlego Mphela received the ball near the goal after an incisive attack, and slammed it past keeper Casillas for 1-0.

The South African fans had already begun to celebrate their imminent victory when Daniel Guiza levelled in the 89th minute, to even put Spain ahead with a magnificent chip one minute later.

But there was more to come at Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng stadium, and significant amounts of home fans would have wished that they hadn’t left the venue prematurely.

A foul from Riera earned South Africa a free kick two minutes into additional time, and Mphela’s powerful effort left Casillas stranded, 2-2.

But in the second half of extra time, the Spanish had the final say. A free kick from Xabi Alonso curled in at the far post, as both teammates and opponents failed to get their head to it. The keeper came too late as well, with the winning goal as result.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Alonso, bafokeng, Casillas, confederations cup, Daniel Guiza, extra time, far post, free kick, hadn, home fans, Jonathan Roorda, kick two, LA Liga, match, opponents, royal bafokeng stadium, South Africa, south african fans, Spain, stranded 2, teammates, two minutes, vicente del bosque, WC Qualifying South-Africa, xabi alonso

Real Madrid, Barca to face off in ´El Clasico´

May 2, 2009

MADRID (AFP) – The stakes could not be higher as double champions Real Madrid host leaders Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday in a duel that could determine the fate of this season?s Spanish championship.

Barcelona hold a four-point cushion over Real going into ?El Clasico? so victory would virtually secure the title with just four games left, however, if Real win they would be just a point behind cranking up the pressure on Pep Guardiola?s side.

“For Real it is their last chance but we have no need to worry because whatever happens we will still be on top,” said Barca striker Samuel Eto?o.

“All the pressure is on them.”

For Barcelona it is the second tough game inside five days having faced Chelsea on Tuesday in the Champions League semi-final first leg which finished 0-0.

A similar result would probably suit Guardiola fine but Real, who are well rested after no European commitments, will hope their rivals have heavy legs.

“Real may be the favourites with home advantage but Barca are the league leaders and not so long ago people were talking about them coming here to win the title,” said Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

“We want the fans to get excited but we are not a point behind Barcelona yet and we also have a more difficult run-in than them.”

It will be a contrast of different football style as the flair and panache of Barcelona come up against the robot-like efficiency of Real.

Real have gone 18 league games unbeaten – with 17 wins and one draw – to get back in the title race and their last loss came in mid-December with a 2-0 reverse against Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Barca had a 12-point gap over Real back then but now that is down to four points as they struggle to get across the finish line.

If both sides finish level on points the head-to-head record decides the league – as it did for Real in 2007 when Barca and Real had equal points – so Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Real gives them a slight edge.

Guardiola’s side have to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final and Lionel Messi believes a win over Real could aid their European aspirations.

“If we win, we’ll be able to go to Chelsea (next week) feeling more relaxed,” said Messi. “We are a very close team and are all very motivated to win a title for Barca after two years without one.”

Last season Barcelona had to do the guard of honour at the Bernabeu to salute Real as champions and then lost 4-1. Real will hope for a repeat performance and captain Raul goes into the game full of confidence after scoring a hat-trick in a 4-2 win over Sevilla last weekend.

Coach Juande Ramos has to do without the suspended Pepe while Guti is out after picking up an ankle injury in training. Dutch winger Arjen Robben is back in training but it is unsure whether he will be risked for the Barcelona game.

Barcelona have lost defender Rafael Marquez who sustained a knee injury against Chelsea and will be out for the rest of the season but otherwise have a clean bill of health.

While the spotlight is on Real-Barca there is another crucial match on Saturday as Sevilla travel to Villarreal.

Sevilla have lost their last four matches and are clinging to third place with Valencia now just one point behind.

On Sunday Valencia travel to in-form Espanyol who have collected 13 points from 15 to move out of the relegation zone.

Villarreal are two points back from Sevilla in fifth making the match at El Madrigal a must-win game for both sides.

“We don?t like it when Manolo Jimenez (the Sevilla coach) or the players are getting criticised but at this stage we just have to focus on winning,” said Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop.

Elsewhere Getafe sacked coach Victor Munoz on Monday and former Real Madrid midfielder Michel has five games to save the troubled club, one point above the relegation places, from the drop starting with Sunday?s trip to Real Mallorca.

Fixtures

Saturday

Real Madrid v Barcelona 1800 GMT, Numancia v Malaga 1800 GMT, Villarreal v Sevilla 2000 GMT

Sunday – all 1500 GMT unless stated

Real Mallorca v Getafe, Osasuna v Recreativo Huelva, Deportivo La Coruna v Valladolid, Racing Santander v Almería, Sporting Gijon v Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol v Valencia 1700 GMT

Real Betis v Atletico de Madrid 1900 GMT

Tags: Andres Palop, barca, Barcelona, Bilbao, camp nou, captain Raul, Casillas, CHELSEA, difficult run, double champions, finish line, four games, heavy legs, home advantage, la coruna, LA Liga, league games, league leaders, lionel messi, MADRID, Malaga, Michel, panache, pep guardiola, point cushion, point gap, rafael marquez, real madrid, samuel eto, samuel eto o, santander, Santiago, santiago bernabeu, SEVILLA, spanish championship, stamford bridge, Valencia, valladolid, Victor Munoz

Do or die for Real in Barca title decider

May 2, 2009