Valladolid sack Mendilibar, promote Sanchez

February 1, 2010

Real Valladolid have sacked coach Jose Luis Mendilibar following a string of poor results and replaced him with reserve team coach Onesimo Sanchez, the Spanish club said Monday.

Valladolid drew 1-1 against Almeria on Sunday, leaving it 17th in the standings and just one point above the relegation zone, and they have won only three times in their last 31 league games.

“The club have decided to look for a drastic solution to a negative run of results that has gone on too long,” it said in a statement.

Mendilibar, 49, led Valladolid back to the top flight in 2007 during his first season with the club.

He is the seventh La Liga coach to lose his job this season following coaching changes at Atletico Madrid, Almeria, Racing Santander, Real Zaragoza, Xerez and Villarreal.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: almeria, atletico madrid, coaching changes, drastic solution, job, Jose Luis, league games, MADRID, real valladolid, real zaragoza, relegation zone, santander, spanish club, team coach, three times, top flight, valladolid, Villarreal, xerez, Zaragoza

Surprise packages Deportivo and Real Mallorca clash

January 17, 2010

Valencia host rivals Villarreal on Sunday as both sides aim to bounce back from their midweek cup exits to Deportivo La Coruna and Celta Vigo respectively.

Villarreal have been climbing towards the European spots after a horrid start and Valencia will be keen to move further away from a side that finished league runners-up two seasons ago.

Fresh from their thrilling cup win over Valencia, Deportivo travel to Real Mallorca on Sunday in a clash between the two surprise packages of the season.

Depor are fourth while Mallorca are a point behind in sixth going into the game at the Ono Stadium.

Mallorca have a perfect eight wins at home which has been the platform for their impressive season while Depor’s miserly defence has been at the heart of their success with just 16 goals conceded in 17 matches.

A relegation battle takes place on Sunday when Real Zaragoza and Xerez, the bottom two sides, lock horns at the Romareda.

Xerez sacked their manager Jose Angel Ziganda this week after the club won just one of their first 17 matches and technical secretary Antonio Poyatos takes charge of first team affairs on an interim basis.

Zaragoza’s new coach Jose Aurelio Gay has only been in charge three games himself and has collected just one point from nine as he waits for a first win.

Fixtures

Sunday – all 1600 GMT unless stated

Malaga v Getafe, Racing Santander v Valladolid, Almeria v Tenerife, Real Zaragoza v Xerez, Real Mallorca v Deportivo La Coruna, Atletico Madrid v Sporting Gijon (1800 GMT), Valencia v Villarreal (2000 GMT)

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: Antonio Poyatos, atletico madrid, aurelio, depor, deportivo la coruna, getafe, impressive season, interim basis, jose angel, Jose Aurelio, jose aurelio gay, la coruna, MADRID, Malaga, Ono Stadium, racing santander, real mallorca, real zaragoza, santander, sporting gijon, surprise packages, technical secretary, valladolid, Vigo, xerez, Zaragoza

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

Atlante fails to hold early lead, overwhelmed by Barcelona 3-1

December 17, 2009

Atlante failed to hold an early lead and was overwhelmed by Barcelona 3-1 Wednesday in the semifinals of the Club World Cup.

Lionel Messi scored in the 54th, a minute after entering the match, to give Barca the lead and send it to Saturday’s final against Estudiantes of Argentina. Atlante will play the Pohang Steelers o Korea Republic earlier in the day in the third-place match.

Guillermo Rojas capitalized on a defensive lapse to put Atlante ahead in the fifth minute, but Barcelona quickly gained control of the match and dominated to the end.

Sergio Busquets equalized in the 35th minute, and goals by Messi and Pedro in the 67th assured the victory as the CONCACAF champion struggled to create chances.

Barcelona started with eight of the 11 players that began Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Xerez in its most recent Spanish league contest. But Atlante exploited the early nonchalance when goalkeeper Federico Vilar launched a free kick from deep in his own half and Rojas outraced Xavi to a ball that bounced once.

With the Barcelona defense chasing, Rojas got around keeper Victor Valdes at the right post and touched it past with the outside of his left foot.

The goal motivated Barcelona, which immediately began to control the possession and pin Atlante in its own half. Keeping eight players in its own defensive third, Atlante largely limited the European champ to shots from distance.

At times the defense was desperate, with Vilar coming off his touchline to the far touchline to challenge for the ball in the 24th minute.

Barcelona equalized when Xavi’s corner kick was redirected by Yaya Toure’s head to Busquets, who from the back top corner of the six-yard box one-touched the ball under Vilar.

Barca, which is unbeaten in 15 games in the Spanish league this season, continued to dominate at the start of the second half, but took the lead immediately after manager Pep Guardiola inserted Messi for Toure and Gerard Pique for Mexican national team defender Rafael Marquez.

Andres Inestia began Messi’s scoring effort with a wide ball to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who moved central before feeding the diagonally darting Argentine. Messi one-touched past Jose “Chepe” Guerrero before beating Vilar from 10 meters with a left-footed shot.

Inestia set up Pedro for his goal 13 minutes later, sending a short ball between the Atlante defense for an unmarked opportunity.

Rafael Marquez Lugo had a rare opportunity to pull Atlante within a goal in the 75th, running in unmarked against Valdes, but his shot from the right side was knocked away by the Barca keeper.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates

Tags: abu dhabi, Andres Inestia, Argentina, Argentine, Barcelona, champ, club world cup, corner kick, defender rafael marquez, defensive lapse, free kick, gerard pique, Guillermo Rojas, Jose, korea republic, league contest, left foot, lionel messi, nonchalance, Pedro, pep, pohang steelers, rafael marquez, Sergio Busquets, spanish league, touchline, united arab emirates, victor valdes, xerez, yaya toure, zlatan ibrahimovic

Atletico Madrid, Villarreal match-up

December 13, 2009

Atletico Madrid host Villarreal at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday in a match-up between two sides recovering from horrid starts.

Both these sides harboured top four aspirations in pre-season but Atletico had their worst league start in 56 years while Villarreal had their worst start in the club’s history.

“Both teams are in a similar situation and we have the squads to be much higher in the table,” said Villarreal’s Diego Godin.

Villarreal are two points better off than Atletico, down in 13th place, and neither side can afford many more slip-ups or risk missing out on Europe altogether.

After surrendering third to Valencia, Sevilla travel to Sporting Gijon looking to resurrect their title charge.

Sevilla have drawn their last two home matches to fall nine points behind Barcelona although they have a game in hand.

Elsewhere high-flying Real Mallorca go in search of their first away win of the season at Osasuna on Sunday.

Mallorca have won all seven of their home matches to climb to sixth but remarkably have yet to win on their travels.

Fixtures

Sunday – all 1600 GMT unless stated

Valladolid v Malaga, Getafe v Tenerife, Racing Santander v Xerez, Almeria v Deportivo La Coruna, Osasuna v Real Mallorca, Atletico Madrid v Villarreal (1800 GMT), Sporting Gijon v Sevilla (2000 GMT)

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: AFP, almeria, aspirations, atletico madrid, Barcelona, deportivo la coruna, diego godin, Europe, la coruna, MADRID, Malaga, osasuna, racing santander, real mallorca, santander, SEVILLA, sevilla 2000, slip ups, sporting gijon, Tenerife, Valencia, valladolid, Vicente Calderon, xerez

Barca go five clear with Xerez win

December 3, 2009

Barcelona and their new Ballon D’Or victor Lionel Messi moved five points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish league with goals from Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sealing a 2-0 win at Xerez on Wednesday.

Barca built on their 1-0 win over foes Real in Sunday’s ‘Clasico’ and piled more pressure on their rivals in a rearranged league fixture to accommodate their participation in the FIFA World Club Cup in Abu Dhabi in mid-December.

France international Henry headed the opener 58 seconds into the second half before substitute Ibrahimovic scored his ninth goal of the season with a delightful chip in the final minute.

Messi, basking in lifting the Ballon D’Or 24 hours ago, came on as a substitute and hit the post before setting up Ibrahimovic’s goal.

Champions Barca are also in league action this Saturday at Deportivo La Coruna while Real host Almeria.

The Xerez game had been brought forward due to Barca’s participation in the FIFA World Club Cup in Abu Dhabi and coach Pep Guardiola rang the changes with Ballon D’Or winner Messi, who won the award on Tuesday at a canter, starting on the substitutes’ bench.

Messi was joined by first teamers Andres Iniesta, Ibrahimovic, Gerard Pique and captain Carles Puyol while Sergi Busquets was suspended following his stupid dismissal against Real.

Nevertheless there was enough quality on show with Thierry Henry, Dani Alves and Xavi, voted third in the Ballon d’Or, to test a Xerez side that had been thrashed 5-1 by Getafe last time out to leave them rooted to the bottom of the table.

With key inventive players missing Barcelona struggled to create chances and it was not until the 25th minute that they looked like scoring with Frenchman Henry shooting over the bar from an acute angle.

Two set-pieces provided the best first half opportunities with Cote D’Ivoire midfielder Yaya Toure, who recently expressed his disappointment at not being in the first team, wasting a golden chance as the ball ricocheted off his chest to goalkeeper Renan Brito.

Barca had drawn their last three league matches but Guardiola didn’t panic with the score 0-0 at the interval and 59 seconds into the second half the breakthrough came.

Brazilian left back Maxwell broke down the flank and stood a cross up for Henry to glance a header in off the underside of the crossbar.

It was Henry’s first goal since his controversial handball helped France eliminate Ireland in the World Cup play-off and he celebrated wildly.

Xerez were frustrated at conceding so early and then had to deal with the sight of Messi warming up on the touchline.

Messi replaced Pedro Rodriguez on 55 minutes to give Barca more trickery going forward but Xerez recovered well from the goal setback and a fantastic counter attack almost provided the equaliser just after the hour mark but a poor touch from striker Mario Bermejo saw the move break down.

Xerez had only scored four goals in the league but were looking threatening and Guardiola threw on Ibrahimovic – the hero against Real with his winning volley – for Bojan Krkic.

Messi showed why his regarded as the best player on the planet with a great run and back heel to wow the crowd and set up Alves but the Brazilian’s cross was scrambled to safety.

Messi hit the post late on and Iniesta missed an unbelievable chance but they didn’t prove costly for the champions as Ibrahimovic chipped in a late second.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: acute angle, Andres Iniesta, busquets, carles puyol, cote d ivoire, dani alves, deportivo la coruna, fifa world club cup, france international, gerard pique, golden chance, inventive players, league fixture, lionel messi, ninth goal, pep guardiola, real madrid, xerez, yaya toure, zlatan ibrahimovic

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

Nilmar at the double for resurgent Villarreal

November 23, 2009

In-form Brazilian forward Nilmar scored a brace to help slow-starting Villarreal climb into mid-table with a 3-1 home win over Valladolid on Sunday.

Nilmar had scored in both of Brazil’s last two international games – against England and Oman – and continued his purple patch with two more goals.

Argentine Damian Escudero centred for Nilmar after just six minutes and the Brazilian headed a second two minutes after the break for his third goal of the season as he begins to repay his club record 11 million euro fee.

Villarreal had their worst ever start to a season in the top-flight with just three points from the first six matches but have bounced back to push up the standings plundering 14 goals in their last four games.

“Despite the result it wasn’t easy,” said Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde.

“I liked what I saw of my team and think we were better so we are happy with how we played as well as the result.”

Elsewhere Real Mallorca maintained their perfect home record making it six wins from six at their Ono Stadium with a late 3-1 victory over Almeria.

Substitute Victor and Gonzalo Castro both scored in the final two minutes as Mallorca closed to within two points of the top four.

“We took our chances and they didn’t take theirs – that’s what made the difference,” said Mallorca manager Gregorio Manzano.

In other matches, goal-shy Xerez drew 0-0 with Sporting Gijon to stay second from bottom of the table while Sporting are a creditable seventh.

Malaga continue to prop up the table after a heated 1-1 draw with Real Zaragoza which saw both teams reduced to ten men.

Zaragoza went in front through a highly-disputable 49th minute penalty after Angel Lafita went down theatrically and Brazilian Ewerthon converted the spot-kick.

The game got ugly in the second half and there were two expulsions in as many minutes with Zaragoza left back Javier Paredes awarded a second yellow on 58 minutes for a robust challenge.

Two minutes later Malaga’s Weligton got a straight red for lashing an arm at Raul Goni as he jostled for space in the penalty area.

Malaga equalised to set up a frantic finale containing yellow cards, diving and complaining before Lafita almost won it hitting the post in the final minute.

Later Valencia hope to reclaim fourth place from Deportivo La Coruna, 2-1 victors over Atletico Madrid on Saturday, when they travel to Osasuna.

On Saturday Barcelona were supplanted by Real Madrid at the top with the latter now holding a one-point advantage over Barcelona ahead of next Sunday’s ‘El Clasico’ at Camp Nou.

Real defeated Racing Santander 1-0 at home to move to the summit and Barcelona failed to respond drawing 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao to surrender top spot ahead of the biggest league fixture of the season.

Both teams have important Champions League commitments prior to the Clasico with holders Barcelona hosting Inter Milan on Tuesday and Real entertaining FC Zurich on Wednesday.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: angel lafita, ernesto, ewerthon, expulsions, four games, gonzalo castro, gregorio manzano, international games, mid table, nilmar, perfect home, purple patch, real mallorca, real zaragoza, six minutes, sporting gijon, top flight, two minutes, valladolid, xerez

U.S. shocks Spain 2-0 in Confederations Cup semifinals

June 25, 2009

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa – The United States ended Spain’s 15-game winning streak with a 1-0 victory on Wednesday, upsetting the European champion with goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey to reach the final of the Confederations Cup for the first time.

The result was the Americans’ first victory in four attempts against the op-ranked Spanish, which also saw its record 35-match unbeaten streak ended.

The United States played an inspired first half, creating several chances. But it played nearly the second half in its own end, finishing with 10 men, and survived with a collective defensive effort highlighted by key performances by central defender Oguchi Onyewu and goalkeeper Tim Howard, and Dempsey’s goal against the run of play.

Onyewu constantly anticipated passes and diffused danger while Howard made several saves that looked like sure goals.

“We played as hard as we could. That’s what it took,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. “We’ll take a few hours to regroup. We’re so excited about this.”

The victory puts the United States into Sunday’s final against either host South Africa or a rematch against Brazil. Brazil beat the Americans 3-0 in the first round.

The United States took nearly four minutes before it gained any meaningful possession, but then started looking dangerous beginning with a bicycle attempt by Charlie Davies in the seventh minute that went wide left.

Fernando Torres and Sergio Ramos troubled the U.S. defense, but Spain also found itself tested with a shot from distance by Landon Donovan in the 21st minute.

Altidore, who plays in Spain for Xerez, converted in the 27th minute, taking a ball from Dempsey at his feet, muscling off Joan Capdevilla at the top of the penalty area, turning and shooting. Diving Spain keeper Iker Casillas managed to get his right hand to deflect the ball, but it only slightly altered the path as it bounced in off the left post.

It was the first goal allowed by Spain in the tournament.

The United States continued to create chances in the first half, but appeared overwhelmed by Spain after the break. The Spanish created no fewer than five chances in the first 11 minutes of the second half, and the Americans looked ready to break.

The U.S. gave away the ball cheaply in the middle third, inviting repeated attacks. But it occasionally broke free and in the 74th, Donovan worked open down the right side, and his cross was slightly deflected by Gerard Pique before Ramos’ stopped it. Dempsey was positioned at the left post, turned and struck the ball under Casillas for the insurance.

The Americans played the final four minutes down a man after Michael Bradley was ejected for a physical foul, the third time in four games the U.S. had man red carded.

The victory probably comes as one of the biggest in U.S. soccer history, along with its victory over England in the 1950 World Cup, its win over Trinidad to qualify for the 1990 World Cup, and its victory over Brazil in the 1998 Gold Cup.

Go to Source