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Post by Bismarck on Dec 17, 2007 13:31:18 GMT
MADRID, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will be out of action for up to five weeks after tearing a thigh muscle in his left leg.
The Argentina international had to be substituted on Saturday just before halftime of his side's 3-0 victory away to Valencia in the Primera Liga, having helped set up the first two goals for Samuel Eto'o.
Tests by club doctors on Sunday confirmed the original diagnosis, which rules him out of the top-of-the-table clash with league leaders Real Madrid next weekend.
Barca are second a point behind their arch-rivals, who play Osasuna at home later on Sunday.
Messi is Barca's top scorer in the league with eight goals, and could miss up to seven league and King's Cup matches before returning, the club said.
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Post by Bismarck on Dec 17, 2007 13:33:14 GMT
Real Madrid's four-point cushion over Barcelona at the top of the Primera Liga leaves them free to take risks when they travel to face their arch-rivals next weekend, said striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Second-placed Barca had closed the gap to just one point with their 3-0 win in Valencia on Saturday, when returning Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o struck two first-half goals.
But the champions responded with an unimpressive, though ruthlessly efficient, 2-0 win over Osasuna at home on Sunday.
'It was important to win so that we can go to the Nou Camp with a four-point advantage,' said Van Nistelrooy, who scored the opening goal.
'With this we can go there to attack, without fear. It will be a tough game and it is better to go secure in the knowledge that whatever happens we will remain leaders.'
Barca put on one of their best away performances of the campaign to beat free-falling Valencia, but were dealt a major blow when Lionel Messi picked up a thigh injury that rules him out for around a month.
The Argentine international is their top scorer in the league with eight goals, and notched a hat-trick against Real in last season's 3-3 draw at the Nou Camp.
'The loss of Messi is very important for Barca because he's a key player in fantastic form, but they have recovered Eto'o who has proven beyond doubt he is well again,' said Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Barca coach Frank Rijkaard agreed with Casillas's assessment in an interview with Com Radio when he praised Eto'o, who was sidelined for the first three months of the season with injury, as something akin to Barca's missing link.
'The victory against Valencia was very important psychologically,' the Dutchman said.
'Eto'o's quick touch and penetration created problems for Valencia. It's what we want great goals and attitude. Now we have the chance for a good season.'
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Post by Bismarck on Dec 18, 2007 14:38:42 GMT
43rd minute at the Mestalla on Saturday night. FC Barcelona are winning against Valencia CF 2-0 and are in cruise control. Then a cruel thing happens: Lionel Messi pulls a hamstring and is escorted off the pitch.
Then a doubly cruel thing happens: Ronaldinho, who is on the substitute’s bench for yet another La Liga game, has almost hopped out of his seat on the dug-out in eager anticipation of trotting onto the pitch, but his manager doesn’t see him (or possibly refuses to) and throws Giovanni Dos Santos into the mix.
Ronaldinho sinks back into his seat, the gleam of light darkening on his face and he is perhaps waiting for another chance to seep into the action. But unfortunately for Ronaldinho, that Second Coming never comes.
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock…..the countdown has begun. Not for El Clasico to storm into center-stage, not for the onrushing Christmas break, but for the departure of a certain Ronaldinho Gaucho from Camp Nou. Rarely do you make it through a day without stumbling across the words Barcelona, Ronaldinho and AC Milan all stringed into one sentence. Since the summer, the Brazilian ace has been the focus of much attention in the transfer market and that medley of speculation claims and counter-claims has not faded away. Far from it, it has only increased in density and intensity.
The Spanish press and the Italian press both seem to be in a fierce competition to rumble on the rumor mill on Ronaldinho. While reports from Italy have all but confirmed that Milan supreme Silvio Berlusconi has struck a deal with Ronaldinho’s brother-cum-agent Roberto de Assis, the Spanish scribes are treading with one step wrapped up in a shoe called caution. Pro-Madrid Marca, Spain’s highest selling sports daily, says that Ronaldinho is packing his bags for the San Siro at the end of the season while Catalan sports daily Sport.es doesn’t exactly deny the claim but do add a clause—that Ronaldinho will move to AC Milan and only AC Milan if and when he leaves Camp Nou and that the move won’t take place in January.
One and a half season ago, you would have been labeled a madman, a fit-only-for-the-asylum lunatic had you conceived the idea that Ronaldinho as to leave the Camp Nou cathedral ever. At the time he was the God of the religion of football in Catalonia. If, as Sir Bobby Robson once so famously observed, “Catalonia is a nation and FC Barcelona its army,” then Ronaldinho was its adopted general—a man who led by example and always with a cheeky grin playing on his lips, a man who was Catalonia’s Savior.
It was Ronaldnho’s extremely good form intertwined with his undeniable high class that Barca scaled the mountain to gallop from a UEFA Cup spot to second place in La Liga in the 2002-2003 season it was this man considered as “too ugly to sell shirts” by the then Real Madrid president Florentino Prerez who played the multiple character roles of an architect, a craftsman and a poet to lead Barca by the hand to their first Spanish title in six heavily limping years; it was Ronaldinho who sparked a suspicion of hope for the traveling Barcelona supporters at Stamford Bridge in 2005 when he scored an outrageously ridiculous chip against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League, last 16, second leg match.
Even last season, with a dip in form but a reported upturn in body mass, Ronaldinho was one of Barcelona’s most efficient players. As an attacking midfielder, Ronaldinho’s tally of 23 goals in all competitions appears as much as astounding as heartening. Ronnie’s form had been fluctuating all of last season but it was he who in the absence of Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi had transformed himself into a goal scorer for a club that prefers good football to winning at all cost. Ronnie wasn’t the best even in La Liga last season but he exhibited that he still was one an amazing sorcerer. Remember that overhead kick against Villarreal? Yes, that one, the goal that even Marca acknowledges as a top draw, a goal at doesn’t lose any credit even if the defender marking Ronaldinho was a certain Pascal Cygan and everyone knows how good, or bad, a defender he is, right?
But this season is different. The suspicion that Ronaldinho is no longer the player hat he was once was and that he can be no longer reach his old ghost from the yesteryears has ballooned into an over-fed confirmation. It’s not so much a surprise as sad to discern Barca fans booing their old and favorite hero off the pitch. Ronaldinho’s fling with poor performance has metamorphosed into a dreadful love affair to such a degree that even 5 goals in 11 matches and a few scintillating tricks are not enough to convince Frank Rijkaard to reward him with a regular place in the starting line-up. Ronaldinho missed Barca’s big night out against Sevilla FC where he wasn’t even inside the stadium as Barca comfortably beat the Andalucians and he watched Saturday’s 3-0 humiliation of Valencia from the uncharted territory of the bench.
Impossible as it may seem but Barcelona do not appear to miss Ronaldinho. Barca might not lead La Liga but after a so-called mini crisis at the start of the season when the Catalan giants were held to draws by Racing Santander and Osasuna, they have stepped on the accelerator, improved their enthralling playing style and are now second in the league table, 4 points behind leaders and reigning champions Real Madrid. Gabriel Milito is a rock in central defense, and is more than capable of covering up for the often comically erratic but world class Carles Puyol, Andrei Iniesta has developed into a marvelous midfielder whose ball possession is better than anyone else, Xavi is now Pep Guardiola II and much more and Samuel Eto’o has returned to the side after missing three months with injuries and has already started banging in goals, right, left and center and nothing-good-enough-can-be-said-for Lionel Messi is the new heartthrob.
And it is Messi’s rise over the past couple of seasons that could just open the door for Barca to walk out Rnaldinho. Not that Messi wants it to be that way— the Argentine international hardly ever speaks and at 20 has a mature and humble head on a young and nimble body. Messi is still the wonder kid, a humble boy who loves and is loved by everyone inside the Barcelona camp and his genius to win matches almost single-handedly has convinced the Camp Nou that he’s Catalonia’s very own Messiah. That was something that was solely the right of Ronaldinho not so long ago.
The Barca fans have already shifted their embrace from Ronaldinho to Messi and it is clear that Ronaldinho’s exodus from Camp Nou wouldn’t so much entice them to dig out the handkerchiefs and dab at the corners of the eyes as play an acknowledging smile on their faces and wave a hearty goodbye with a resounding Adios. President Joan Laporta et al are doing all they can to eclipse the swelling doubts on Ronaldinho’s future at the club but the crack are evident on the wall. Ronnie’s brother’s de Assis too is waving off any transfer rumors hovering over the player but is often betraying himself. That Ronnie is sticking to the Camp Nou till the end of the season is certain but after that it will be a free-for-all.
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Post by arover on Dec 18, 2007 16:50:34 GMT
When I saw Messi play against Chelsea a couple of years back at Stamford Bridge, the game where, I think it was Del Horno got sent off, Messi was
a) Magnificent b) 18
I thought at the time this lad could be the future of football.
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Post by arover on Dec 19, 2007 15:12:20 GMT
This is how its looking now;
| Home | Away Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS 1 Real Madrid 16 8 0 0 21 7 4 2 2 15 7 22 38 2 Barcelona 16 8 0 0 22 4 2 4 2 10 8 20 34 3 Atletico Madrid 16 6 1 1 23 11 3 3 2 7 6 13 31 4 Villarreal 16 5 1 2 13 10 5 0 3 16 13 6 31 5 Espanyol 16 5 2 1 8 4 3 4 1 16 14 6 30 6 Racing Santander 16 5 2 1 10 4 2 3 3 6 11 1 26 7 Valencia 16 3 0 5 9 18 5 1 2 11 8 -6 25 8 Mallorca 16 3 3 2 14 10 2 3 3 11 14 1 21 9 Sevilla 16 5 0 3 19 9 1 2 5 9 13 6 20 10 Real Zaragoza 16 4 3 1 18 10 1 2 5 7 16 -1 20 11 Almeria 16 3 2 3 6 5 2 2 4 8 13 -4 19 12 Recreativo Huelva 16 3 3 2 6 6 2 1 5 6 13 -7 19 13 Athletic Bilbao 16 1 5 2 6 7 3 1 4 9 10 -2 18 14 Getafe 16 4 2 2 10 6 1 1 6 7 15 -4 18 15 Murcia 16 3 3 2 7 7 1 3 4 6 12 -6 18 16 Osasuna 16 2 4 2 11 10 2 1 5 6 10 -3 17 17 Valladolid 16 2 4 2 9 10 2 1 5 12 17 -6 17 18 Real Betis 16 3 2 3 12 12 1 3 4 5 11 -6 17 19 Deportivo La Coruna 16 1 2 5 6 14 2 3 3 9 10 -9 14 20 Levante 16 2 1 5 9 14 0 0 8 2 18 -21 7
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Post by Bismarck on Dec 21, 2007 19:13:12 GMT
Valencia's January Sale...
With Ronald Koeman seemingly ready to discard a number of his first-team squad following a recent poor run of results, some established international players could become available in January and there are a number of Premiership clubs already lining up the victims of Koeman’s cull.
Here we look at the three players confirmed to be leaving Valencia in January and three more who according to the Spanish press are also definitely on the chopping board, and assess where their futures may lie.
Santiago Canizares
Canizares is reaching the end of his playing days and has indicated to the Spanish media that he will probably retire from the game following Koeman’s decision. Even if he does decide to continue playing, a move to England this late in his career seems unlikely and it is difficult to pin-point a Premiership club where he would fit in.
Otto's Note for Stealth: Perhaps Tottenham would fancy him?
David Albelda
As Valencia’s current captain and a fixture in the Spanish national team, there will be no shortage of suitors for Albelda in January. He has already stated that he has to be playing first team football between now and the summer as he is desperate to be involved in Spain’s Euro 2008 campaign.
At thirty years old he still has a few decent years left in him and is thought to have attracted the attention of Everton and Portsmouth. However, with Juventus also interested in obtaining his signature, English clubs may find it hard to persuade Albelda to turn down a move to the Italian giants in favour of the Premiership.
Miguel Angulo
Angulo has been out injured for most of this current season; only playing in two games. He has previously been linked with Arsenal, but at thirty years of age would not really fit with Wenger’s current philosophy of quick attacking football.
If he is to move to the Premiership, his most likely destinations would either be Portsmouth or maybe even West Ham if he fancies a move to the capital.
Manuel Fernandes
Fernandes was close to joining Everton in the summer before he pulled out of the move at the last minute to join Valencia. The Portugese youngster has not endured the best of times at the Mestalla; only making five first team starts.
With the Everton bridge comprehensively burnt, Portsmouth may be a good bet, as many on the South Coast were impressed with his performances whilst on loan at Fratton Park in 2006.
If they are not interested then Sven Goran Erikkson could possibly make a move, as he continues to search for a long-term successor to Dimi Hamann in the centre of Manchester City’s midfield.
Rodriguez Vicente
Vicente has fallen from grace in the last couple of years after being consistently touted as one of the best left-wingers in the world during Valencia’s success in the early millennium. He has struggled more than most since Pablo Aimar left the club and has seen his starting eleven place taken by David Silva.
He is still only 26, so should just be coming into his prime. He presents an ideal candidate for Sam Allardyce to do the sort of rejuvenation job he did on plenty of players whilst at Bolton and should be available at a price which Newcastle United can afford (assuming that Newcastle United’s new owner loosens the purse strings).
Another possible destination for Vicente is White Hart Lane, with Tottenham desperate to sign a quality left-winger and possessing a number of Spanish staff that could help him settle in London.
Nikola Zigic
Zigic was signed from Racing Santander in August for 15million Euros, but has failed to recreate the form he showed in Northern Spain last season.
Blackburn Rovers were interested in signing Zigic in the summer, but with Roque Santa Cruz on top form it is unlikely they will want to sign another striker.
Manchester City were thought to be preparing a swap deal with Rolando Bianchi in January, but with Bianchi’s recent up-turn in form up front for Manchester City and interest from Werder Breman that agreement is very much up in the air.
Others
As well as the six players already mentioned, other Valencia players such as Ruben Baraja and Carlos Marchena have also been mentioned for potential moves away from the east coast. Ronald Koeman seems determined to start afresh with a new batch of players and this could result in a frenzied January transfer window across Europe.
It is only usually when a big team is relegated that such an exodus of players is commonplace, so there will certainly be plenty of managers ready to make an unexpected dip into the January transfer market with the sudden availability of such a talented group of players.
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Post by Bismarck on Dec 22, 2007 22:30:33 GMT
Ronald Koeman's Valencia came from two goals down to scramble a 2-2 Primera Liga draw at Real Zaragoza on Saturday to put the brakes on their slump in form.
Getafe, who qualified for the last 32 of the UEFA Cup in midweek, climbed to 10th in the table with a 2-0 win at Almeria who had Albert Crusat sent off with 13 minutes to go.
Valencia were in trouble after a penalty from Argentine striker Diego Milito and an own goal by keeper Juan Luis Mora put Zaragoza 2-0 up at the break.
Serbian striker Nikola Zigic headed one back 14 minutes from time before winger David Silva earned his side their second point in five outings.
Dutch coach Koeman, who controversially omitted three experienced players from the first team this week, had to watch most of the second half from the stands after he was sent off for losing his cool on the touchline.
Koeman's new-look side made a bad start at La Romareda, third-choice keeper Mora giving away a penalty after clattering into striker Ricardo Oliveira.
Milito took his tally for the season to nine goals when he sent Mora the wrong way from the spot.
Mora, preferred to Santiago Canizares, committed another error in the 30th minute when he palmed a swirling cross from Sergio Garcia into his own net.
Valencia were lucky not to concede a third before the break and their luck changed when Koeman threw on Zigic at the start of the second half, the giant Serb scoring their first league goal in five outings in the 76th minute.
Silva then weaved his way past two players and sent a curling shot into the far corner with eight minutes to go.
Valencia lie seventh on 26 points while Zaragoza are ninth on 21.
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Post by JoeLatics on Dec 23, 2007 19:48:30 GMT
It'll be close this year i reckon...
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Post by arover on Dec 24, 2007 8:28:15 GMT
This is how they now stand, note the position of Espanyol the second Barcelona team.
| Home | Away Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS 1 Real Madrid 17 8 0 0 21 7 5 2 2 16 7 23 41 2 Barcelona 17 8 0 1 22 5 2 4 2 10 8 19 34 3 Espanyol 17 5 2 1 8 4 4 4 1 18 15 7 33 4 Villarreal 17 5 2 2 14 11 5 0 3 16 13 6 32 5 Atletico Madrid 17 6 1 2 24 13 3 3 2 7 6 12 31 6 Racing Santander 17 5 2 1 10 4 2 3 4 7 15 -2 26 7 Valencia 17 3 0 5 9 18 5 2 2 13 10 -6 26 8 Sevilla 17 6 0 3 23 10 1 2 5 9 13 9 23 9 Real Zaragoza 17 4 4 1 20 12 1 2 5 7 16 -1 21 10 Mallorca 17 3 3 2 14 10 2 3 4 12 17 -1 21 11 Getafe 17 4 2 2 10 6 2 1 6 9 15 -2 21 12 Osasuna 17 3 4 2 14 11 2 1 5 6 10 -1 20 13 Recreativo Huelva 17 3 3 2 6 6 2 2 5 7 14 -7 20 14 Athletic Bilbao 17 1 6 2 7 8 3 1 4 9 10 -2 19 15 Almeria 17 3 2 4 6 7 2 2 4 8 13 -6 19 16 Murcia 17 3 3 2 7 7 1 4 4 7 13 -6 19 17 Valladolid 17 2 5 2 9 10 2 1 5 12 17 -6 18 18 Real Betis 17 3 2 3 12 12 1 4 4 5 11 -6 18 19 Deportivo La Coruna 17 1 2 5 6 14 3 3 3 10 10 -8 17 20 Levante 17 2 1 6 9 15 0 0 8 2 18 -22 7
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 1, 2008 20:27:34 GMT
Deco desperate to leave Sunday Dec 30 2007 13:46 Portugal international Deco looks set to leave Barcelona at the end of the season after growing disillusioned with life at the Nou Camp.
The former FC Porto midfielder has hinted that Manchester United would be his preferred destination if he were to leave the Catalan giants.
"If we don't win anything this year I will be off," said Deco. "Playing for Barcelona is a dream that I have realised.
"This is my fourth season and it has been a fantastic period in my career but if things don't go well I will be leaving.
"The English league is somewhere I'd like to play. You can compare Manchester United to Barcelona."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 5, 2008 2:35:40 GMT
Ronaldinho will miss Barcelona's La Liga match at Real Mallorca today with tendinitis in his left knee. The Brazilian, who came under fire after a poor performance in the recent 1-0 defeat against Real Madrid, also missed the King's Cup match against Alcoyano.
With two wins in eight away games, Barcelona need to reproduce their home form on the road. Striker Samuel Eto'o suggests that they might need to drop their passing game and adopt a more practical approach.
"It doesn't matter how we play," the Cameroon striker, who spent five seasons at Mallorca, said. "What I want is to win at all cost. What we need now is to win at every stadium."
Thierry Henry is available after recovering from headaches that prevented him from training earlier in the week.
Real Zaragoza's leading striker Diego Milito will miss tomorrow's match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu after being sent off in the final minute of his side's King's Cup win over third division Pontevedra.
Real's Arjen Robben, who scored his first goal for the club against Alicante in midweek, hopes that the new year will see him rejuvenated after he missed much of the first part of the season because of injury.
"I'm ready to play more," the Dutchman said. "I need to play more and more and that's the only way I will become the sort of player
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 5, 2008 16:12:19 GMT
Whilst the English papers continue to link all and sundry with transfers, grappling with the particularly persistent rumours of Berbatov and Anelka’s moves to Manchester United or Chelsea, here in Spain the transfer talk is somewhat calmer.
This is for various reasons. Firstly, a rule of which most foreign commentators are ignorant states that no player may move between Primera Liga clubs if he has played in more than five competitive domestic matches (league and cup).
This leaves the vast majority of La Liga players untransferable domestically, ruling out the situations we have alluded to above, in which big clubs swarm around big-name players at smaller clubs (e.g. Anelka), thereby hitting hard the survival hopes of relegation candidates.
This rule also results in clubs having to leave out players in the last couple of weeks of action before the Christmas break, in order to preserve their transfer eligibility – a type of extension of the “let’s not cup-tie him” craze that irrevocably occurs at the beginning of each season with the Champions League qualifiers.
The few big names still available for domestic transfer tend to be recovering from injuries (for which reason they have not participated in the “magic” five official games), such as Samuel Eto’o or Edu, and are therefore fairly unlikely to be the subjects of large transfer bids. Expensive signings tend to be flown in from abroad, particularly from South America; the first example of this came yesterday with news of the near completion of the transfer of Boca Juniors’ midfielder Ever Banega to a Valencia side in need of whitewashing and renovation, a move which mirrored the expensive capture of Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuaín by Real Madrid last season.
However, interim moves from one continent to another, or between two leagues with very different styles (think from Serie A to the Premiership), are inherently risky, as players invariably need time to acclimatise and cannot be expected to be fully incorporated into their new clubs’ squads in a matter of weeks. Signings who are thrown into the deep end and fail to adapt often suffer from a lack of confidence, and end up unable to show their true potential until the beginning of the next season: the case of Patrice Evra here comes to mind.
The “big domestic catches” in this winter transfer window are Barça’s Santi Ezquerro and Edmilson (recovered from injury but likely to be retained as Touré’s replacement), Real Madrid’s Michel Salgado and the unfortunate Roberto Soldado, along with Depor’s injury-hit Valerón and Valencia’s Iván Helguera. It is interesting to note that of the nearly one hundred players eligible for top-flight domestic transfer, a vast amount are in their first season at their respective clubs; as is the case of Getafe goalkeeper Oscar Untari, whose early season howlers saw him unable to upend compatriot Abbondanzieri, whose form has hardly been much better.
The “big two” have few players in their sights, although Real Madrid are likely to field enquiries for several fringe players, and are, in true Merengue style, being linked with a multi-billion pound deal for world-beater Christiano Ronaldo, a transfer which would take more than the auspices of the Reyes Magos to go through. More likely, and more necessary, could be the signing of some defensive back-up, since Pepé, Heinze and Metzelder are currently in the treatment room, as well as a central midfielder to cater for the absence of Diarra during the ACN. Diego has been heavily linked to the club, particularly due to his link-up with Robinho, but the Brazilian does not really fit the Diarra mould, and would serve rather as competition for Baptista and Guti. David Albelda’s name has also been bandied about, but the Valencian would not be eligible domestically or on the European stage this side of July. The Madrid club, meanwhile, are expected to sign young Peruvian forward Sebastián Pinto , who will in all likelihood see little first-team action this season.
Barcelona, on the other hand, are on the look-out for a new reserve goalkeeper, following the injury of Albert Jorquera. Possible loan candidates are Kasper Schmeichel, Oscar Untari and even Jens Lehmann, whilst many culé fans have called for the club to take the opportunity to sign a big-name goalkeeper to replace the unpredictable, if vastly improved, Victor Valdés. Sebastian Frey has been mentioned as a possible capture. Signings in other positions are not terribly likely, since Barça are well equipped in all positions (with a surplus of talent up front and in the middle of the park), albeit with their defensive line a tad depleted.
Valencia are likely to be the big movers in the Christmas transfer stakes, with a new goalkeeper, midfielder (Banega) and forward player, replacements for the three “black sheep” (Albelda, Cañizares and Angulo), the minimum requirements. Van der Vaart continues to be linked with a move to his favourite Spanish club, but Valencia will face competition for his signature from Juventus and Real Madrid, amongst others.
So far, the transfer window has opened with barely a creak, and things have been quiet on the signings front. However, relegation candidates are expected to get out the cheque book Harry Redknapp-style in a fight to aid the cause, although the desperate rush of signings by struggling clubs does not exist to the same extent as in the UK, since the financial gap between the Primera Liga and the BBVA Segunda División is by no means as astronomical, nor is it as difficult to straddle. Almería have been the first to make their move, adding to their ranks swiftly by snaring exciting young Brazilian forward Guilherme; the former Vasco de Gama player has been deemed one of the “pearls of Brazilian football”.
Who do you think your club should sign? Which La Liga player would you like to see in the Premiership? Leave your thoughts below.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 5, 2008 23:11:20 GMT
Copa del Rey Fixtures Matches will be played on January 9th and 16th
Real Madrid - Sevilla Valencia - Barcelona
Getafe - Zaragoza Villarreal - Atlético
Betis- Racing Santander Recreativo- Bilbao
Espanyol - Levante Valladolid - Mallorca
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 6, 2008 2:23:01 GMT
BARCELONA, January 5 (Primera Liga) - Espanyol blitzed fellow high-fliers Villarreal with a stunning first-half display on Saturday night to continue their remarkable run of form.
Third-placed Espanyol came into the match on the back of a 15-match unbeaten streak in the league and cup, and there was little chance of that record coming to an end after they netted three times in the opening 36 minutes against shellshocked Villarreal.
It took last season's UEFA Cup finalists just nine minutes to open the scoring when a quick one-two between strike duo Raul Tamudo and Luis Garcia carved open the Villarreal defence, allowing Tamudo to storm through before slotting a low shot into the far corner or the net.
Luis Garcia was involved again five minutes later as rampant Espanyol doubled their lead through former Real Madrid youngster Valmiro Valdo.
Luis Garcia was unlucky not to score himself as his 25-yard free-kick struck the crossbar with Villarreal goalkeeper Sebastian Viera beaten, but the ball rebounded back out to Valdo near the penalty spot and the winger did well to divert his shot home from an awkward height.
Tamudo had the chance to make it 3-0 soon after when he was put in on the left-hand side of the box by Ivan de la Pena, but the Spain striker fluffed his shot with only Viera to beat.
The Villarreal goal continued to come under fire as Espanyol broke through almost at will, and Luis Garcia came close with a delicate chip from outside the box which drifted just wide.
Giuseppe Rossi tried to reduce the arrears during a rare Villarreal attack but his deflected close-range shot was comfortably collected by home goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.
The action switched back to the other end after that though, and the unmarked Valdo wasted a half-chance for the hosts before Espanyol did manage to make it 3-0 in the 36th minute.
The same faces were involved again, with Luis Garcia's right-wing corner flicked on by Valdo at the near post before captain Tamudo added the finishing touch at the far post for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Despite seeing his side ripped apart in the first half, Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini opted against making any changes at half-time.
And while it was still mainly Espanyol doing the running in the second period, the home side found it much harder to cut through the visiting defence as Villarreal sought to salvage a little pride.
The Yellow Submarine, who started the match a point behind their hosts in fourth place, also came close to pulling a goal back with 20 minutes remaining through Rossi.
However, his curling free-kick from just outside the box crashed against the Espanyol post with Kameni struggling to get across his line.
That was about as good as it got for the visitors though, and they almost shipped a fourth goal late on when Fabricio Fuentes cleared a shot from Tamudo off the line, denying the Espanyol captain his hat-trick.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 6, 2008 2:24:51 GMT
MALLORCA, January 5 (Primera Liga) - Barcelona ensured they did not start 2008 by losing more ground on league leaders Real Madrid by picking up a vital 2-0 win over Mallorca.
Rafael Marquez gave Barca the lead in the second half when he converted a Xavi corner, before Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o completed the win with a screaming 30-yard shot in injury time.
Having won all eight fixtures against Mallorca since the start of Frank Rijkaard's reign at the club, and with the Catalan side sitting seven points adrift of Real Madrid after their 1-0 defeat in December's Clasico, victory was both expected and essential for Barca in the Ono Estadi.
But in a low-key first half with few clear chances the visitors struggled to find their rhythm.
With Lionel Messi still injured, Thierry Henry slowly regaining his fitness and Ronaldinho also on the treatment table, Barcelona initially lacked the spark to break down a resolute Mallorca side who have now gone three months without a home win in the league.
In fact Gregorio Manzano's side looked the most likely to take the lead at times, as they created some good chances on the break while Barca wasted what opportunities they had at the other end - the worst of the bunch coming seven minutes from half-time when Xavi blazed over when presented with a great chance inside the area.
To find that missing spark Rijkaard introduced young star Bojan Krkic for the ineffective Eidur Gudjohnsen at the break, and with his arrival Barca stepped up a gear and added more pace to their play.
Mallorca still threatened on the break and nearly took the lead just past the hour mark when the visitors' defence had trouble dealing with a Jonas Gutierrez effort.
But the threat did not last long as, from the clearance of that chance, Barcelona broke away themselves and, when Andres Iniesta won a corner, the Mallorca defence finally caved in as Xavi swung the ball into the near post and nobody in a red shirt got near Marquez.
With the advantage gained Rijkaard took the opportunity to give a much needed run out to the recovering Henry, who twice nearly repaid his manager with the game-killing second goal.
The former Arsenal man had the ball in the net within 10 minutes of his introduction, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
Then a minute later the France ace showed some of the magic he regularly produced in the Premier League by picking the ball up outside the area to the left of the Mallorca goal and skipping past three defenders before unleashing a fierce shot that was well kept out by Lux.
Despite a late scare when Valdes needed two attempts to hold on to a shot from Guillermo Pereyra, Barca were not made to pay for their missed chances and in injury time Eto'o made the points safe after some great build-up play that showed the Catalan side still have the ability to impress in flashes.
Youngster Bojan twisted and turned his way down the left before playing the ball into Henry on the edge of the box.
With his back to goal the Frenchman tapped the ball back into the path of Eto'o, and the Cameroon star made no mistake with the finish from all of 30 yards to make sure Barca keep touch with their bitter rivals.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 8, 2008 12:20:14 GMT
Barcelona and Spanish attacking midfielder Andres Iniesta reported to keep stay in Barca team until 2014 after months discussions with president Joan Laporta. Iniesta will earn 5 million euros per annum and 150 million euros release clause. Iniesta happy with his new contract, “I’ve never wanted to leave Barcelona; I want a longer contract, with 2014 the goal.”
Iniesta generally deployed by coach Frank Rijkaard in a central midfield role and is a favourite amongst the Barca fans.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 8, 2008 12:33:10 GMT
YAOUNDE, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Cameroon's Football Federation has called on Barcelona to immediately release striker Samuel Eto'o so he can join the national squad for the African Nations Cup, which kicks off in Ghana on January 20.
Federation spokesman Abdouraman denied statements in the media by Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard that a deal had been reached with the club to release Eto'o on Jan. 12.
'We were surprised by Rijkaard's declaration because we've not reached such an agreement with Barca,' he said late on Monday. 'This is unacceptable. We want Eto'o released immediately so that he joins the rest of the squad.'
National coach Otto Pfister needed Eto'o in training to be able to make a final squad selection by the Jan. 10 deadline, Abdouraman said.
Eto'o was the only member of the 28-man shortlist not to have confirmed his attendance at a training camp in Burkina Faso and Abdouraman called on Barcelona to release the player by Tuesday.
'We hope they do not put us in a situation of considering some action against them,' he said.
Abdouraman said Barcelona contacted them last month to request Eto'o remained with the Spanish club till Jan. 16, but Pfister replied that this was impossible because of the essential role the striker plays in the squad.
Barcelona were also reminded of the FIFA rules for continental championships stating clubs must release players two weeks before the start of the tournament, Abdouraman said.
'But, surprisingly, last Saturday night we received a message instead from Barca's medical doctor, not the club management as expected, stating that releasing Eto'o would jeopardise his re-education after a prolonged period of absence from the pitch due to a knee injury,' said Abdouraman.
Eto'o returned to action for Barcelona last month after a long-term injury that required surgery.
Four-times Nations Cup winners Cameroon are drawn in group C alongside Egypt, Sudan and Zambia. The Indomitable Lions play their first game against Egypt on January 22.
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Post by stealth1039 on Jan 10, 2008 12:53:13 GMT
Anybody see Sevilla vs Barcelona last night? 1 - 1 draw but a very good game of football.
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Post by arover on Jan 10, 2008 13:47:17 GMT
No I didn't.
I thought La Liga was on a break?
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Post by stealth1039 on Jan 10, 2008 17:34:22 GMT
Not quite sure why it was on actually as Real Madrid vs Sevilla quarter final was scheduled for Jan 9th.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 13, 2008 20:31:46 GMT
MADRID, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci scored twice to help Villarreal to a 4-3 comeback win at home against Deportivo Coruna in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
Struggling Depor took a 2-1 lead before Nihat poached an equaliser midway through the second half and then curled a superb shot in the top corner two minutes later.
Danish forward Jon Dahl Tomasson made it four from the penalty spot while Depor finished with 10 men and a late goal from Mexican Andres Guardado.
Villarreal went fourth with 35 points, one behind Espanyol who lost their first game in 15 outings after falling 1-0 away to promoted Almeria.
Later on Sunday, leaders Real Madrid, on 44 points, can restore their seven-point cushion over second-placed Barcelona with a win away at bottom club Levante.
Fifth-placed Atletico Madrid, with 34, host troubled Valencia in the late game.
The goalkeeping performance of the day came from Portugal's Ricardo Pereira who denied Getafe a hatful of goals as Real Betis stole a 3-2 home win.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 14, 2008 12:29:24 GMT
MADRID, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Leaders Real Madrid needed two late goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy to beat basement club Levante 2-0 away in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
The Dutchman scored with a penalty and a long-range effort in the last 15 minutes to end a spirited display from the home side, and restore Real's seven-point lead at the midway point of the season.
Barcelona are second with 40 points following their 4-0 hammering of Real Murcia at the Nou Camp on Saturday.
Levante had one goal and one point to their name from their previous five outings but took the game to Real, causing the visitors problems at every set piece.
Julio Baptista and Raul had shots blocked on the line in a double chance at a corner in the 22nd minute, but offered little before the break.
Soon after the restart, Baptista failed to put away another scrappy chance as the ball bobbled on to a post and Robinho lashed a shot against the post in the 70th.
A handball in the 75th minute gave Van Nistelrooy the chance to break the deadlock from the penalty spot, and with two minutes to go he fired in a low shot from outside the area to seal the win.
Atletico Madrid climbed to third on 37 points after riding their luck to secure a 1-0 home win over Valencia.
Argentine Sergio Aguero scored the game's only goal following an error from German goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand in the first half, but Valencia twice hit the woodwork in a storming second half assault on the home goal.
Espanyol slipped to fourth on 36 after their 14-match unbeaten run ended in a 1-0 defeat in Almeria.
Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci scored twice to help Villarreal to a 4-3 comeback win at home against Deportivo Coruna that put them fifth on 35.
Struggling Depor took a 2-1 lead before Nihat poached an equaliser midway through the second half and then curled a superb shot in the top corner two minutes later.
Danish forward Jon Dahl Tomasson made it four from the penalty spot while Depor finished with 10 men and a late goal from Mexican Andres Guardado.
The goalkeeping performance of the day came from Portugal's Ricardo Pereira who denied Getafe a hatful of goals as Real Betis stole a 3-2 home win.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 14, 2008 13:58:01 GMT
Thierry Henry played his best game so far for Football Club Barcelona in Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Murcia. Henry didn’t get on the scoresheet but he set up goals for 17-year-old Bojan Krkic and for Samuel Eto’o who marked his last game for Barça before joining up with the Cameroon national team with a brace. Frank Rijkaard rested some players with an eye on Tuesday second leg cup match with Sevilla, so there was a start for some of the less used players such as Zambrotta, Thuram and Sylvinho.
Barça struggled to take control of the game but Eidur Gudjohnsen opened the scoring in the 27th minute, sidefooting a volley past Notario after Zambrotta’s cross. In the second half Barça were far more dominating and Henry was dazzling on the left side of attack, creating the second and third goals. Eto’o scored the fourth after good work on the right from Giovani dos Santos who came on as a sub for Bojan. For a full report on the game click here.
Real Madrid completed an excellent first half of the season with a 0-2 victory over bottom club Levante. There wasn’t as much difference between the sides as might have been expected but Madrid do have Ruud Van Nistlerooy who scored another two goals to take his season’s tally in La Liga to eleven goals.
Iker Casillas overcame stomach problems to play his 58th consecutive game in goal. As reserve keeper Dudek had a slight calf strain Madrid were in the unusual position of having two goalies on the subs bench: Dudek and Codina. Bernd Schuster left Guti on the bench again and preferred to play Gago in place of Diarra; however, Madrid’s midfield failed to click and chances were few and far between in the first half.
Madrid improved after Guti replaced Baptista in the second half. Robinho came close after 70 minutes when he hit the post, but the leaders had to rely on a gifted penalty with 15 minutes remaining to take the lead when Serrano handled Higuain’s cross. Ruud stepped up and made no mistake from the spot. Then in the dying minutes the Dutchman produced a fine shot from outside the area that went just inside the post.
There was a first defeat in 14 league games for Espanyol who lost 1-0 at Almeria. Raul Tamudo was playing his 300th game for Espanyol but will want to forget a disappointing performance. Almeria deservedly won but had to wait until the 87th minute when Bruno’s free kick was knocked back across the goalmouth by Negredo for Kalu Uche to score his second goal of the season.
Atletico Madrid took advantage of Espanyol’s defeat to move into third place beating Valencia 1-0 in the Vicente Calderon. Kun Agüero scored Atletico’s goal after 27 minutes and Valencia had several chances to equalize in the second half including two attempts from Zigic that hit the woodwork. Valencia showed signs of improvement but have still only one league victory since Ronald Koeman took over.
One of the most talked about incidents this week happened on Friday when Deportivo’s two main goalkeepers clashed after training. According to Israeli keeper Dudu Aouate, his rival the Uruguayan Gustavo Munua came over to him asking “What are you looking at?” Munua then punched Aouate leaving him needing eight stitches around his eye. Munua has not yet made any comment on the incident.
After the incident neither keeper was chosen to play this weekend: stand-in Fabri conceded four as Depor went down 4-3 at Villarreal. Depor twice took the lead through a Sergio penalty and Pablo Amo, but Villarreal hit back through Rossi and then Nihat who scored twice before Tomasson made it 4-2 from the penalty spot. Guardado scored with an exquisite chip in the last minute but it was too late to salvage anything. Villarreal stay in fifth place but are now just a point behind Espanyol.
Racing stay sixth after their 0-2 win at Osasuna, and they are now five points clear of seventh place Valencia. Osasuna were on top in the first half but couldn’t find the net. Racing reacted in the second half and gradually took control of the game. Two goals in the 81st and 82nd minutes from Colsa and Pablo Alvarez sealed the three points for the visitors. Osasuna now find themselves in trouble in the relegation zone.
Sevilla’s topsy-turvy season continued with a poor performance at Athletic Bilbao. Yeste and Susueta scored the goals in a 2-0 win to give Athletic only their second league win this season at San Mames. Sevilla were without several first-teamers and to make matters worse Escude was sent off at the start of the second half for using his elbow when jumping for a high ball with Aduriz; he will now miss the trip to Camp Nou on Tuesday.
Sevilla’s rivals Betis fared better beating Getafe 3-2. Pavone scored twice and Edu once to put Betis into a commanding 3-0 lead after an hour, but Getafe hit back with goals from De La Red and Manu Del Moral and in the last ten minutes they came close to an equalizer, but Betis held on thanks to a good performance from goalkeeper Ricardo. Betis now move out of the relegation zone and are level on points with Getafe.
Zaragoza and Mallorca shared four goals at La Romareda. Varela put the visitors in front after 17 minutes before Diego Milito scored twice to put Zaragoza 2-1 up. Dani Güiza, on as a second half substitute, scored his ninth goal of the campaign to make the final score 2-2. Both teams are now on 22 points, only two points above third from bottom Osasuna. Zaragoza coach Victor Fernandez was sacked after the game as Zaragoza have now gone nine games without a victory.
Finally, Joseba Llorente put in the performance of the week, scoring a hat-trick in Valladolid’s 3-1 win over Recreativo. Camuñas got Recreativo’s consolation goal. The victory takes Valladolid up to ninth place in the table.
Top Six: Real Madrid 47 points, Barcelona 40, Atletico Madrid 37, Espanyol 36, Villarreal 35, Racing Santander 32.
Top Scorers: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) 12; Diego Milito (Zaragoza) 11; Van Nistlerooy (Real Madrid) 11; Tamudo (Espanyol) 10; Nihat (Villarreal) 10.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 15, 2008 15:53:32 GMT
Coming in from the cold? Erm, probably not. Valencia's wretched form continues, and the wonder of it is that they still lie seventh, in grasping distance of Europe if only they could get their season on-line. With lawsuits flying around the club like hospital superbugs, the atmosphere is hardly one of peace and harmony, and Koeman seems to have upset just about everyone apart from himself.
The return of Baraja is good news, but where is the next win coming from? Next week at home to Villarreal is hardly an easy fixture, but a restoration of self-belief is the first thing on the menu. If they can get that back, they might arrest the slide. If not, they're looking at mid-table for the first time since 1996.
Ready for a recovery? Much more likely. Despite the weekend's set-back at Bilbao, most observers see Sevilla climbing up through the table in the 2nd half of the season and continuing where they left off for the last few campaigns. Too many upheavals at the same time have had an inevitable effect, but the squad is still strong and the will to win seems as fervent as ever. Fenerbahce shouldn't cause them too many nightmares in the next round of the Champions. Watch them climb and watch them do ok in Europe too.
Chasing the pack or packing in the chase? Valladolid must be pretty chuffed to be inside the top ten for their half-term report. Then again, their utter dominance of Segunda 'A' last season rather suggested that they would do ok for themselves, once they'd settled down. In José Luis Mendilibar, they have one of La Liga's brightest managerial prospects, fully recovered now from the scandalous lack of confidence shown in him by Athletic Bilbao two years ago. Europe might be behind them, but they'll certainly stay up. There's something resonant about Valladolid, and something attractive about their ground and their weird colours. The top flight seems more complete with their presence, if only because it feels really good to make 'Vall-a-do-lid' roll off your tongue. I never tire of it.
Neither hell nor heaven Almería tried to give Valladolid a run for their money last season in the Second Division, but ended up below them - a lot further in terms of points than now. Also inspired by a bright young Basque manager (Unai Emery) they have done just fine in their first adventure in the top flight, using a mixture of experienced heads and young pretenders. The second half of the season is difficult to predict, but there seem to be plenty of sides more likely to go down. Their main problem is a lack of goals, despite Diego Negredo's efforts - but they've been solid enough at the back, like last year.
No-Man's Land Well that's how it might look in the trenches for Athletic Bilbao, but only two points separate them from the comfy-looking position of 11th and the barbed-wire relegation position that their cousins Osasuna presently occupy. The win over Sevilla should give them confidence, since their home record has again been poor, but doubts remain as to the depth of the young squad. Manager Joaquín Caparros has given them the aggression that he normally supplies to his teams, and last season's defensive jitters seem to have been calmed by new keeper Iraizoz, but they still find goals hard to come by. Expect a struggle. Eleventh flatters them somewhat, although they can hardly be accused of not trying. Expect them to fall, but they should have enough spirit to escape the drop again.
Disappointing: Everything seemed to go right for Zaragoza last season, culminating in a top six finish. But immediate elimination from the UEFA and the departure of Gabi Milito to Barça seem to have taken the wind from their sails. A run of nine games without a win resulted in this weekend's departure of Victor Fernández, who was actually on his second spell with the club. His first period in the 1990's was much more successful, and had many observers predicting that he would be Spain's manager after Javier Clemente. Now only England would have him, and he's too late for that.
13th - unlucky for some: Mallorca always seem to be in the middle of life's table, and are another team on their second spell with a manager, the schoolmasterish-looking Gregorio Manzano, famous for his foul mouth and his ability to maintain teams in mid-table. The usual yawn in San Moix then, with Ibagaza looking half-decent and Arango, their other decent mucker, apparently in talks with Liverpool. Güiza has done ok, but shone more when he was at Getafe.
Staying up this time? They only lasted a season back in 2003/04, but Murcia have put in some hardy performances, notably against Real Madrid and Atlético, and seem to have the work ethic necessary for staying alive. Ok at home, they've only won once away, and it seems a bit of a risk to rely on the fading Baiano for goals. But I reckon they'll stay up.
On the slide: The same might not be said for Getafe, despite beginning to look last season like a veteran campaigner in the top flight, in only their second year there. Their epic campaign ended in a cup final and a more than decent 9th position, but also culminated in the departure of big Bernd to the Bernabéu. His replacement, Michael Laudrup, does a good line in fine wines and elegant suits, but so far has not quite convinced as a manager. Getafe suddenly look unconvinced at their approach, trying to play good football but without the resources to carry it out. Güiza has gone, and neither Uche nor Kepa have really looked the part in his place. One point from the bottom three, I smell relegation.
Definitely iffy: Another side with a weaker look to them this season, Recreativo have found goals horribly hard to come by. Fifteen goals in nineteen games is the stuff relegation is made of, and manager Victor Muñoz, despite his experience, seems to be on the verge of the sack every week. Definite candidates for the drop.
Not so Healthy: After the euphoria of 2006 and a top four finish, things haven't been quite the same for Osasuna ('Health' in Basque). Too many good players left in the summer, and although Portillo was a good addition to the ranks, the losses of Webo, Valdo, David López, Iñaki Muñoz and Raúl Garcia have ripped the heart out of the side. Manager Cuco Ziganda is suddenly beginning to have a slightly hapless look to him. On few resources, Osasuna have managed to remain in the top flight since the millennium, but it's looking dodgy now.
The only way is down, baby: Deportivo - oh dear. But after five fantastic seasons which followed on from their league win in 2000, the decline has been a steady one. Caparrós saw the way the wind was blowing and escaped to Bilbao, but the hang-dog nice bloke of La Liga, Miguel Angel Lotina, has saddled himself with yet another relegation issue - something in which he is becoming an expert. But good bloke or not, in the end you have to wonder if it's just a coincidence or if he's basically a bad manager.
Last week's scrap between the two first team goalies, ending in a whopping shiner for Israeli Aouate and a possible police investigation for Gustavo Munua, is simply an indication of the fact that Lotina has lost control. There's nothing there. They're going down, after one league title and four runners-up places in the last fifteen seasons. It's a shame, but it's on the cards.
Looking up at the stars: But definitely from the gutter. Poor Levante - but they should really have gone down last season. Ask relegated Real Sociedad, who muttered darkly about refereeing favours and a few 'suitcases' during the final weeks of the season. Now they're definitely on their way, having garnered a mere eight points and scored only eleven goals in the first term. The fact that the players haven't been paid for a couple of months hardly helps the situation. Mustapha Riga looks a decent player, and will probably stay in the top flight when Levante go down, but it's looking a bit miserable with regard to the second term. Expect a slight improvement, but no miracles.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 15, 2008 16:12:54 GMT
MADRID, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Former player Ander Garitano was appointed coach of Real Zaragoza on Monday following the dismissal of coach Victor Fernandez.
Garitano, who had been in charge of one of the club's youth sides, was confident he could turn the team around after their recent run of poor form.
'I haven't the slightest doubt that I'm up to the job, I'm in good spirits and I'm confident that the team we've put together will be able to take this club forward,' the 38-year-old told a news conference.
Garitano, who made his name as a midfielder at Athletic Bilbao, played for Zaragoza for six seasons between 1996 and 2002 before retiring and moving on to the coaching staff.
Club president Eduardo Bandres said Garitano was not an interim appointment.
Earlier, his predecessor Fernandez said he understood the club's decision to dismiss him given the team's failure to live up to expectations in the first half of the season.
'They got rid of me because the results were a long way from meeting the ambitious objectives the club set for itself and that is a legitimate and respectable reason,' the 47-year-old told a news conference.
'I'm relaxed and calm but hurt by the fact I couldn't deliver what they wanted.'
Zaragoza slipped to 12th in the table after a 2-2 home draw with Real Mallorca on Sunday, their ninth consecutive Primera Liga game without a win.
'I felt I could turn things around as we were only halfway through the season,' said Fernandez, who was coach when Zaragoza won the 1994 King's Cup and the 1995 European Cup Winners' Cup and returned to the club in 2006.
'Two stints at Zaragoza are enough,' he said. 'I won't be coming back as coach that's for sure. I would only return as sporting director or president.' (Reporting by Simon Baskett, Editing by Alison Wildey)
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 17, 2008 16:38:43 GMT
I’m out for presidents to represent me; I’m out for dead presidents to represent me” - When the rapper Nas wrote these lines in the early ‘90s, lyrics later popularized by the ironically more commercially successful Jay-Z, he was talking, of course, about money.
However, looking at the lines from the perspective of football, and Spanish football in particular, it is easy to see why dead presidents can be preferable to living ones.
Presidents are the bane of Spanish football. With every ostentatious gesture, every farcical intervention, every wilted code of conduct, each galáctico signing pledged by a presidential candidate, I become more convinced that the role of president at a big Spanish club bears more resemblance to a soap opera than to the effective running of a club. In the breeding ground of Spanish football, rampaging Romanovs and dastardly David Pinkneys, selling players without informing the manager and the like, sprout like mushrooms.
Think of doughty Jésus Gil, stubbornly firing the gun at manager after manager at Atlético Madrid, trading them like top trumps until he had found the recipe for relegation. Think Ramón Calderón, from whose mouth spills daily a stream of malapropos and broken promises. Think Gaspart’s sabotage scheme, Laporta’s lacklustre, Pepe León’s shamelessness, or Dmitry Piterman’s crass megalomaniacal insanity.
The latest victim of the presidential scythe is Welshman Chris Coleman, who resigned today, citing irreconcilable personal and professional conflicts with Real Sociedad’s new chairman, Iñaki Badiola. Coleman, who after a rocky start had led Sociedad up to fifth position in the table, and was extremely popular with most of the Basque club’s fans, was initially signed under the recommendation of John Toshack, equipped with a four-year plan to return a club who had almost won the league title just three years before, to greatness. However, with the departure of Juan Larzabal Castilla and Salva Iriarte, and the subsequent arrival of Badiola, up in the air went the team-building efforts attempted Coleman and his assistant Steve Kean over the previous six months.
News of Coleman’s resignation comes on the same day that Toshack had written an article entitled “Todo está patas arriba” (it’s all upside down/overturned) in which he criticised the club for getting rid of sporting director Iriarte – an article which perhaps enraged the forceful Badiola and ironically forced Coleman’s hand, since one week ago Coleman had declared that he was ready to stay at the club for the benefit of the players.
Several possible replacements for Coleman have been touted, including ex-Valencia manager Quique Sánchez Flores, ex-Depor frontman Javier Irureta (Jabo), Juan Carlos Oliva (currently in charge of the Villareal “B” side), although it is widely suspected that Pako Ayestarán, Rafa Benítez’s former assistant at Liverpool, Valencia and Tenerife, will eventually take charge of the club. The club is full, once more, of whispers and politics.
Badiola had announced with pomp and splendour that he wished to make a series of signings (including the unrealistic prospect of netting Serb Nikola Zigic), without running through the plan with Coleman and, furthermore, disregarding the Welshman’s later objections, born of a desire to stick with a unit that had begun in recent weeks to cohere as a committed and passionate team. Having already endured speculation about his training style, in addition to the criticism of his personal life, Coleman sought reassurances from Badiola that nothing would be done in his spite; the result being that the “four-year” plan originally conceived was hacked down to a demand for immediate ascension to the Primera Liga These Newcastle-like orders caused Coleman to reconsider his position and, eventually, to step aside.
The fact is that Coleman’s tenure at Sociedad was always on a knife’s edge because of his status as a foreigner (Toshack is an honorary exception), a problem accentuated by the fact that the one player brought in by Coleman from the United Kingdom, Welsh defender David Vaughan, got injured early and has spent most of the time in the treatment room, leading many fans and columnists to label him a “cancer” (this despite his good performances at the season’s outset). Hardly a solid base on which to build fan support. A night out at a club the evening before a game, and his subsequent media embarrassment, only worsened this condition of “outsider”, compounded by the removal of the men who had first deposited faith in his ability.
However, Coleman’s strength as a manager seems in my view to lie in his motivational skills (his acquisitions at Fulham were not always shrewd – although he did manage to sell the club to the likes of Montella). A Real Sociedad club stricken with instability and incoherence in recent seasons, a club stripped of many of its better players over the summer – Turk Nihat a prime example – was transformed under Coleman’s mandate into a well organized, battling outfit, qualities exemplified in recent wins away to Granada and at home to Alavés (of whom Liverpool fans with have fond memories). What’s more, Coleman’s approach was built on the use of the cantera (youth set-up), with Coleman giving regular games to Elustondo (scorer of the winning goal against Alavés), Ansotegi, Castillo and Diaz de Cerio. Will Coleman’s replacement be able to do such a patient job, under the scrutiny of Badiola?
In short, Coleman has proven, at least to a certain extent, that language and cultural barriers are no necessary obstacles to man management, uniting a team heading upwards who pleaded with their manager to stay at the club. Sociedad fans have much to be grateful for, and may well find that accepting Badiola’s money and vacuous promises turns out to be another turn for the worse. All that is left to do is to thank Coleman for his work and to say agur! (goodbye!).
And, since Coleman has renounced the possibility of claiming compensation for the remaining 30 months of his contract (something admirable, considering the fact that many managers prolong their stays at clubs in order to negotiate a better financial settlement), we can be sure enough that his wish for dead presidents is not of a financial nature.
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Willis
Reserves Player
THERES ONLY ONE TEAM IN ESSEX
Posts: 400
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Post by Willis on Jan 23, 2008 21:26:26 GMT
madrid will win la liga this year. they have all round better players than barca. also barca have got to big for there boots and think they were the best in the world.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 26, 2008 16:25:22 GMT
Real Madrid are threatening to make the title race a title stroll. They lead arch-rivals Barcelona by 7 points.
The next nearest challenger is 12 points adrift so basically only two sides are in with a shout. The duopoly of the 'Big 2' in Spain is back with a vengeance.
Valencia have slipped away this season after being a consistent thorn in the side of the Big 2 in recent years and Deportivo Coruna are now strugglers near the foot of the table.
The expected bid for the top from Sevilla hasn't materialised after losing Juande Ramos to Spurs. It leaves Villarreal in third spot, punching above their weight but unable to threaten a realistic title assault.
Real have now stopped trying to be the Harlem Globetrotters and play serious football. No one illustrates that better than Ruud Van Nistelrooy, a striker short on finesse and flair but a genius at converting chances.
He got both goals to win the Madrid derby last weekend. Real Madrid and Barcelona don't meet again until 7th May by whch time the contest for the La Liga title could be settled in favour of the side from the capital.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 28, 2008 11:55:30 GMT
Barcelona's title hopes were dealt a crushing blow on Sunday as Athletic Bilbao stormed back to claim a point at the Estadio San Mamés. Real Madrid's thrilling 3-2 win against Villarreal means Los Blancos stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to nine points. Two goals from Robinho and a 77th minute winner from substitute Wesley Sneijder gave Barcelona a mountain to climb.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 4, 2008 14:43:29 GMT
La Liga: Nervous Barca claim last gasp victory
MADRID, Feb 3 (Reuters) - A superb late strike from midfielder Xavi earned Barcelona a nerve-racking 1-0 win at home to Osasuna on Sunday that allowed them to close to within six points of leaders Real Madrid at the top of the table.
The Catalans seemed to be running out of ideas as they struggled to break down the dogged Osasuna defence but two minutes from time Xavi popped up on the edge of the area and sent an unstoppable first-time shot flying into the net.
Real, who dropped their first points in nine games when they went down 2-0 at Almeria on Saturday, lead the standings on 53 points from 22 games, while Barcelona follow on 47.
Espanyol were the only other side in the top six to win but they had to stage a desperate rearguard action to edge a 1-0 victory at Getafe that lifted them into third spot in the table eight points behind city rivals Barca.
Villarreal, who drew 1-1 at home to Real Mallorca, are in fourth, level on 39 points with Espanyol and one ahead of Atletico Madrid who were also held at their own stadium, drawing 1-1 against Real Murcia at the Calderon.
Ronald Koeman's Valencia ended their miserable run in the league when they recorded their first win in 10 outings with a 2-0 victory at Valladolid.
A well taken goal from midfielder Juan Mata on the hour and a simple tap-in from striker David Villa 12 minutes later were enough to end Valencia's three-match losing streak and push them up into ninth place.
Sevilla continued their revival with a 2-1 win at Recreativo Huelva, Primera Liga leading scorer Luis Fabiano taking his tally for the season to 16 with a two classy strikes, one at the end of each half.
The Andalucians are now just two points behind Racing Santander in seventh place in the table.
Barcelona were held 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao last weekend and their anxiety to make up for that setback appeared to get the better of them at the Nou Camp.
Despite creating a host of scoring opportunities in the first half they failed to get the ball in the net, Andres Iniesta, Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic all guilty of missing clear chances.
Barca grew increasingly frustrated after the break and Frank Rijkaard brought on Ronaldinho and Giovani dos Santos for Lionel Messi and Henry in the hope they would liven up the attack.
But it was midfielder Xavi who finally came to the rescue, blasting home his first-time shot after an Iniesta effort had rebounded into his path in the 88th minute.
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