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Post by Bismarck on Feb 6, 2008 17:22:41 GMT
Real Madrid were set back by their first league defeat since the start of November, losing 2-0 at Almeria on Saturday evening. After a run of eight straight victories this loss proves the Madrid players are human and breathes new life into the race for the title. Barcelona almost missed their chance to reduce differences but a goal from Xavi Hernandez three minutes from time gave them a 1-0 win over Osasuna to narrow the gap to six points.
It was a great performance from Almeria who never allowed Madrid to settle. The midfield’s constant pressurizing gave Guti and Sneijder no space to create and Raul and Van Nistlerooy received little service. Almeria took the lead after fifteen minutes when Cannavaro slipped and tried to head the ball clear from the floor, the ball only went as far as Juanito whose shot crossed the line before Casillas could get to it.
The hard work from Unai Emery’s men left Madrid without time, and they were reduced to sending long balls towards Raul with little effect. Van Nistlerooy got injured and had to be replaced at half time by Higuain, and then straight after the restart Almeria were awarded a penalty when Cannavaro needlessly brought down Negredo inside the area. Negredo took the kick himself to make it 2-0. Madrid did make some chances to try and get back in the game but Diego Alves in the Almeria goal was equal to everything.
Barcelona knew they had to beat Osasuna to take advantage of their rival’s slip. However, despite creating chances in the first half, Messi, Henry and Bojan could not find a way past Ricardo. In the second half Frank Rijkaard took off Messi and Henry for Giovani and the out-of-form Ronaldinho; the chances dried up and it wasn’t until the 88th minute when Xavi made the most of a fortunate rebound that Barça finally found the net. With Samuel Eto’o at the African Cup, Barça are struggling in front of goal and have now only scored four goals in the six games that Eto’o has missed. Click here for a full report on Barça-Osasuna.
Atletico Madrid missed a chance to go third when they failed to beat lowly Murcia at El Calderón. Murcia took a surprise lead after 50 minutes when a penalty was given for Eller’s foul on Ivan Alonso, Jofre made no mistake from twelve yards. Atletico equalized after a tremendous counter attack led by Agúero ended with Luis Garcia shooting home past Notario. Agüero had to go off a few minutes later with an injured ankle and he will be out for about ten days. Atletico failed to find a winner and the game ended 1-1. Despite the point Murcia now slip down into the bottom three.
Honours were shared at El Madrigal where Villarreal who are also fighting for a Champions League place, only managed a 1-1 draw with Mallorca. Rossi put Villarreal ahead from the penalty spot after the ref blew for an inexistant foul on Cazorla. The visitors also received a dodgy penalty before half time which Basinas converted.
Espanyol put an end to their three-match losing run by winning 0-1 at Getafe. Coach Ernesto Valverde surprised by leaving Albert Riera on the bench along with new signing Ewerton. Valverde chose to play home-grown Jonathan Soriano as a lone striker; Jonathan paid back his coach’s faith with the only goal of the game after seven minutes. Espanyol move back into third place above Villarreal and Atletico.
Sixth placed Racing Santander travelled to bottom of the league Levante, and were lucky to come away with a point. Levante took a deserved lead after 57 minutes when a corner arrived at the feet of Riga who shot home from near the penalty spot. Fifteen minutes from the end Duscher ran into the Levante penalty area before shooting wide, the referee, Paradas Romero, surprised everyone by awarding a penalty. Duscher powered home from 12 yards and the game ended all square at 1-1.
Sevilla moved closer to a Uefa Cup spot with a 1-2 victory at Recreativo. Despite being reduced to ten men when Mosquero was sent off before half time, Sevilla took the lead in the 45th minute when Luis Fabiano chipped keeper Sorrentino. Ten minutes from the end Recreativo also had a man sent off when substitute Ersen saw red for kicking Poulsen. Luis Fabiano then scored his sixteenth of the season before Beto got a late consolation goal for Recre.
Valencia completed a good week by winning at Valladolid. Having reached the Copa Del Rey semi finals on Wednesday night, the victory may give some much needed breathing space to beleaguered coach Ronald Koeman. Mata gave Valencia the lead on the hour when he shot low past Alberto. Then in the 71st minute David Villa made it 0-2 after good work from Arizmendi.
Deportivo secured their second successive win with a 0-1 victory at Betis. Pablo Amo scored the only goal of the game after 35 minutes and with the three points Depor move out of the relegation zone.
Finally, Zaragoza got their first win under new coach Javier Irureta, beating Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in La Romareda. Oliveira volleyed in the goal after a good cross from the right by Diego Milito. In the second half both Milito and Sergio Garcia hit the bar, and Athletic ended the game with ten men when Aitor Ocio received his third red card of the season.
Top Six: Real Madrid 53 points, Barcelona 47, Espanyol 39, Villarreal 39, Atletico 38, Racing 34.
Top Scorers: Luis Fabiano 16, Diego Milito 14, Van Nistlerooy 12, Nihat 11, Güiza 11.
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Post by arover on Feb 8, 2008 12:55:19 GMT
| Home | Away Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS 1 Real Madrid 22 10 0 0 26 9 7 2 3 20 9 28 53 2 Barcelona 22 11 0 1 28 5 3 5 2 13 9 27 47 3 Espanyol 22 6 2 2 12 6 5 4 3 20 18 8 39 4 Villarreal 22 7 3 2 22 15 5 0 5 18 19 6 39 5 Atletico Madrid 22 7 2 3 26 16 4 3 3 10 7 13 38 6 Racing Santander 22 6 3 1 13 6 3 4 5 10 17 0 34 7 Sevilla 22 8 0 3 28 11 2 2 7 13 19 11 32 8 Almeria 22 6 2 4 10 7 3 3 4 10 14 -1 32 9 Valencia 22 3 1 6 9 19 6 2 4 15 14 -9 30 10 Real Zaragoza 22 6 5 1 26 15 1 3 6 9 20 0 29 11 Mallorca 22 4 3 3 15 12 2 6 4 17 22 -2 27 12 Valladolid 22 4 5 3 14 14 3 1 6 16 20 -4 27 13 Getafe 22 5 2 4 13 12 3 1 7 14 19 -4 27 14 Real Betis 22 4 3 4 16 16 2 4 5 7 15 -8 25 15 Athletic Bilbao 22 2 7 2 10 9 3 1 7 9 14 -4 23 16 Osasuna 22 4 4 3 16 13 2 1 8 7 15 -5 23 17 Deportivo La Coruna 22 2 2 6 9 18 4 3 5 14 15 -10 23 18 Murcia 22 4 3 3 11 10 1 5 6 9 21 -11 23 19 Recreativo Huelva 22 3 4 4 9 12 2 3 6 9 18 -12 22 20 Levante 22 2 3 7 12 20 1 1 8 5 20 -23 13
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 8, 2008 14:03:43 GMT
MADRID, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Barcelona cut Real Madrid's advantage at the top of the Primera Liga to six points last weekend, prompting a surge in belief they can give the leaders a run for their money.
However, to maintain the momentum they face the difficult task of taking all three points from Sevilla in the Sanchez Pizjuan to keep the pressure on Real, who are at home to Valladolid on Sunday.
Although they are not playing well, Barca have won four of their last five league games, conceding just one goal in that time, and knocked holders Sevilla out of the King's Cup last month.
They drew 1-1 away in the first leg, thanks to a Thierry Henry strike, and held on for a scoreless draw in the return to go through on the away goals rule.
Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez is expecting a different approach from the Catalans on Saturday.
'I think they were very intelligent in the Cup second leg. They defended very well,' he said.
'On this occasion, I don't think they will come out to defend but they may be forced to by us as happened in the first leg,' he said.
Barca's new-found defensive resilience will be put to the test by the Primera Liga's top scorer Luis Fabiano, who has taken his tally to 16 with four goals from his last three matches.
Sevilla, who beat Real 2-0 at home in November, have climbed to seventh in the table with back-to-back wins and are now just two points below the UEFA Cup qualification places.
Real will be seeking to reassert their dominance in the league after slipping to a surprise 2-0 defeat away to promoted Almeria last weekend.
They receive another promoted side Valladolid at the Bernabeu where they have won every game this season. They have not lost there in the league since going down 1-0 to Levante almost exactly a year ago.
The main threat to Iker Casillas's net will come from in-form Valladolid striker Joseba Llorente who has notched 12 goals in the campaign.
Real have problems in defence with Pepe, Christoph Metzelder and Gabriel Heinze injured, and have a doubt over leading scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Third-placed Espanyol host a Recreativo Huelva side hoping for a reaction under new coach Manolo Zambrano. Victor Munoz was sacked on Monday after their seventh game without a win saw them slip to 19th in the 20-team standings.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 9, 2008 13:46:24 GMT
I was going to write a type of homage to Diego Milito during the transfer window as I anticipated that a move to a bigger club was imminent for the Zaragoza striker.
Milito was heavily linked with Tottenham and Manchester City (who, strangely in my opinion, opted for Benjani) during the January sales. Since no transfer has materialized, I thought I’d have a crack (of the whip) at the Henry move to Barça, whilst demonstrating that Milito represented over the summer and continues to represent a far finer prospect for the culé ranks.
Please note: I am not suggesting that Milito is a better footballer than Henry, and it would be preposterous to attempt to do so. However, I do believe that Milito would have been a much better investment on the part of the Catalan giants.
1. Age
Whilst Thierry Henry has lived more than three score ten years, Diego Milito is only 28 and can be expected to be firing on all cylinders for at least another two to three years. Henry’s career is arguably in decline, whilst Milito continues to flourish: what’s more, the age difference of two years assumes especial importance when we consider that Milito’s game is not dependent on pace in the same way that Henry’s is, for which reason the Frenchman is likely to be less valuable as a goalscorer (not as a playmaker, however) than the Argentine over the coming years.
2. Fitness
Parallel to a downturn in form, Thierry Henry has increasingly suffered from injury problems. In his final season at Arsenal, Henry took part in just 17 matches and missed over 3 months of the season, whilst his debut season with Barcelona has been marred by a series of niggly injuries which have prevented his form from taking off and made consistency hard to come by. Henry has not completed 35 games in a season since the 2003/04 season. In contrast, one has to go back to the 2001/02 campaign for the last time Diego Milito played fewer than 34 games in a season (for Zaragoza he has played 36 and 37 respectively), and this despite the strain of playing the odd international fixture in Argentina.
3. Hunger
For many, Thierry Henry’s move to Barcelona, just a season after he had guaranteed that he was a Gunner for life, was a matter of a financial jackpot and a convenient exit door for Henry following a messy break-up with English wife Nicole Merry. Henry has won almost everything there is to win in the game – although the counter-argument would be that the one trophy for which he yearns so dearly, the Champions League, is far more likely to be won at Barça. Diego Milito, however, would be hungry to prove himself at the highest level, having never played in the Champions League and still chasing his first major trophy in European football.
4. Henry move was inopportune
When news spread at the end of the 2005-6 season of Barça’s plans to sign Henry, I was all for the move. This was, I argued, a chance to see two of the greatest players of our generation (Ronaldinho and Henry, in case you need me to specify) playing together in a team that were at the top of the[ir] game. One year on, this was no longer the case. Henry and Ronaldinho were in types of slump, Barça were a club in mini-crisis requiring the acquisition of certain characters, and of team unity, in order to pull through. Henry’s purchase could only rock an already creaky boat, and simply didn’t make sense on a footballing level: at that juncture, it smacked of a publicity stunt designed to further boost shirt sales, especially since the (badly needed, I might add) signings of Abidal and Milito lacked the “wow” factor. Equally, the enormous success enjoyed by Henry at Arsenal meant that the larger-than-life shadow of his Gunner days would always hang over the new “Barça model”, not an ideal situation for a new club fleeing from its last-season demons.
5. Ego and lifestyle
Diego Milito is the consummate professional, a team player who eschews the headlines and keeps out of trouble on and off the pitch – a factor which is important when tongues are already wagging about your players’ off-field antics (Ronaldinho, Deco, Messi etc.). Even during a turbulent season such as this one for Zaragoza, in which two coaches have already left the club, Milito has shied away from the media and kept his head down, Paul Scholes-like. Incidentally, Milito is happily married (to an Aragonese, no less, so he has proper links to Zaragozan soil). Milito is an excellent leader and as club captain has held together a Zaragoza squad threatened by mutiny throughout the season with pride and class.
Thierry Henry, however, courts publicity, is involved in a number of high-profile advertising programs, and is known for his arrogance and self-presence; these are not unenviable qualities in themselves, but are not necessarily the best ones when one is attempting to forge a team with a bunch of talented by disunited individuals, including the already formidable egos of Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho (the former had reputedly been upset by having to remain in the latter’s shadow). Milito’s lack of ego also means that he would have been much happier to sit on the bench and effectively operate as a squad player than Titi ever could be.
Equally, Milito’s low media profile (there are almost 30 times as many hits on Google for Henry than for Milito) would have permitted him a little slack in terms of adapting to his new environment, whereas the Henry hype and media myth meant that as soon as the former Arsenal forward pitched up in Barcelona, nothing short of 10 goals in 10 games would be enough to satisfy the ruthless Spanish (and Catalan) media and save Henry a roasting.
6. Style of play
Barça’s purchase of Henry was baffling on footballing terms, since the club already had a surplus of striking talent, and particularly of forwards in the Henry mould: that is to say, unorthodox strikers who like to play up the wings and cut in (Ronaldinho, Messi) and a wealth of talent from direct set pieces. What’s more, Barça had a pair of young forwards in Gio and Bojan knocking on the door of first-team action, neither of whom needed to find another “mega-star” blocking their path (although Henry’s relationship with Bojan is one of the few strong-points of his arrival).
What Barça didn’t, and do not have – indeed, have not had for some time – is a traditional number 9 who is not only a natural striker (as is Eto’o, for example), but can also hold the ball up superbly (I can think of few strikers over the world who do a better job: only Drogba and Van Nistelrooy spring immediately to find) and is a massive threat from set pieces. How many goals do Barça’s strikers score from headers, either through in-play crossing or from set-pieces? Whilst it is unlikely that Milito’s arrival would have signalled a change in the team’s traditional style of play, which revolves around intricate midfield passing and through balls, the Argentinian’s presence on the bench would have provided the azulgrana with an entirely different option when things weren’t working too well.
7. Brotherly love and symmetry
Not a major factor, but who doesn’t love a bit of sibling love and symmetry? Gabi Milito was one of FC Barcelona’s major transfer targets this summer, and the brothers Milito, who are very close, performed excellently in tandem for Zaragoza. Signing both Diego and Gabi might have lowered the overall expenditure (hardly buy one Milito, get one free, but Zaragoza surely would have been willing to throw in some type of discount!) and would surely have facilitated the integration and adaptation of both (in)to the Barça set-up. That said, Gabi has hardly had a problem settling in to his new home.
I was always one of those who loved to pair up brothers on Championship Manager – I especially enjoyed being Juventus in the 1998-9 version and purchasing Simone Inzaghi from Lazio, giving me the unstoppable frontline of Inzaghi (S) and Inzaghi (P). Since Kolo and Yaya don’t seem to want to play together and the two Nevilles have been wrenched apart, it would be rendering a service to football to have united the Militos under the cupula of the Camp Nou. What’s more, if Joan Laporta really wants to create a “family” atmosphere in a divided dressing room, what better way than to bring two brothers into the squad? (I’m only half joking here).
8. La Liga experience
Diego Milito has two terrific La Liga seasons under his belt, including an excellent last campaign in which he took the fight for the Pichichi to the last weekend before losing out (23 goals to 25) to Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Milito has continued in the same vein this season, and is currently one place beneath Luis Fabiano at the top of the goalscoring charts (14 goals to 16), whilst being part of the most fruitful attacking partnership in the league – he and Ricardo Oliveira have together contributed 23 goals to the Zaragoza cause. As such, Milito would have been able to slot seamlessly into Barça’s line-up with no adaptation period. Henry, on the other hand, had been playing in the Premier League for the previous 8 seasons, and would need careful insertion into the Barça line-up in front of an impatient and impetuous local crowd. Eto’o’s injury, impossible to predict of course, denied Titi this luxury, and following a slow, off-the pace start for Henry it’s been downhill (a rollercoaster downhill, but downhill nevertheless) ever since.
9. Language
As well as having formidable La Liga experience, Milito is a native Spanish speaker, a factor which should not be underestimated when considering the speed with which players can adapt to new environments. Henry, a non Hispanophone, could call upon the support of compatriots Abidal (also a newcomer) and Thuram, but his insertion has certainly been harder than Milito’s might have been.
10. Milito’s popularity amongst culés
Signing both Milito brothers would have been the equivalent of the Real Madrid higher-ups turning up to work naked and realizing that it wasn’t just a bad dream. Real had pursued both players and to see the duo turn up at Barcelona would have been a serious kick in the teeth – especially since Milito has already etched his name somewhat into Catalan folklore, having accounted for 4 of the 6 goals in Zaragoza’s amazing 6-1 Copa del Rey demolition of Real Madrid in 2006. Henry, on the other hand, was a popular choice due to his media presence, his savvy personality and his footballing skill – all in the Barça tradition – but had come in for some stick from Barça fans for his actions in the Champions League final, as well as for having turned his nose up at a move to the Camp Nou just one year before.
Conclusion
Although “What if’s” are a penny a dozen in football, and hindsight is a wonderful thing, I truly believe that the acquisition of Thierry Henry was a major mistake on the part of the Barcelona hierarchy. With the (admittedly very laughable) news today that Kevin Keegan may attempt a raid on Barça for Henry (okay, I know that it’s the media inflating a non-story, since all Keegan stated was that Henry would be the one player he would sign if he could), alongside the continued reports that the ex-Arsenal frontman is unsettled in Barcelona, perhaps it may not be too late to wave adieu to Titi and amend last season’s mistake.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 10, 2008 18:38:53 GMT
Recreativo Huelva stunned Espanyol as Atletico Madrid moved into fourth with a win over Racing Santander.
Elsewhere, Levante's misery continued, Osasuna defeated Real Zaragoza and Real Mallorca and Almeria played out a stalemate.
Recreativo Huelva, 19th in the table prior to Sunday's fixture, secured their first victory in eight attempts to climb out of the relegation zone.
Former Liverpool forward Florent Sinama-Pongolle (17, 26) netted a brace for the visitors, with Espanyol failing to mount a comeback despite hitting back through Ewerthon on 40 minutes.
Atletico ended a run of three games without a win as Diego Forlan (56, 74) struck a second-half double to sink Racing Santander.
Levante remain bottom of the table as they slumped to a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao, with Ferbabdo Llorente netting the only goal of the game (55).
Osasuna ended Real Zaragoza's unbeaten run of four games, with Jaroslav Plasil striking just after half-time.
Neither side managed to break the deadlock as Mallorca's encounter with Almeria at ONO Estadi ended goalless.
Individial match summaries
Athletic Bilbao 1 Levante 0
Espanyol 1 Recreativo Huelva 2
Mallorca 0 Almeria 0
Osasuna 1 Real Zaragoza 0
Racing Santander 0 Atletico Madrid 2
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 11, 2008 19:18:18 GMT
Guillermo Franco snatched a goal in added time for Villarreal to give them a 1-0 victory away to lowly Real Murcia in the Primera Liga on Saturday. FC Sevilla 1-1 Barcelona Murcia 0-1 Villarreal Deportivo La Coruña 1-1 Getafe February 10, 2008
Valencia 3-1 Real Betis Real Madrid 7-0 Valladolid Racing Santander 0-0 Atlético Madrid Osasuna 1-0 Real Zaragoza Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Levante Espanyol 1-2 Recreativo Huelva
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 11, 2008 19:21:42 GMT
Having spent most of the week hanging out (ok, working) in Venice, as you do, the closest I got to football was on Saturday night when I watched a bit of Roma v Reggina on the telly, in a bar down some dark street off the Piazza San Marco.
GettyImages Robinho celebrates Real's rout at the weekend.
Last week's column was based on the fact that I'd seen a whole host of games at the weekend, but arriving back in Spain on Sunday meant a quick catch-up on Saturday night's events and a few clips of the goals from the various summary programmes that proliferate on Spain's main football evening.
No problem in coming to some conclusions though, the chief one being Almería's win over Real Madrid last week - the one that had supposedly opened up the league - was a theory found a little wanting, seven days down the line. The leader's startling 7-0 win over Valladolid, coupled with Barça's 1-1 draw at Sevilla, means that the chasm is yawning once again, as the punters may be in a few weeks time. One can only hope that the Champions League spices matters up a little, always assuming that all three Spanish representatives do not fall foul of the fact that they're having to play away.
Real Madrid's opponents, Roma, didn't have to break much sweat to beat Reggina on Saturday from what I could observe, and it was odd to see Panucci still playing (and scoring). He faces some of his old mates, one of them being Raúl, again absent from Spain's line-up in their 1-0 friendly win over France last Wednesday (which I didn't see either), but certainly present in the media's tittle-tattle over Luis Aragones' sticking to his guns by not picking him.
What a strange result in the Bernabéu. As the Spanish saying goes, Valladolid were paying for Madrid's 'broken plates' from the previous week - so often the case when one of the big two loses and is then expected to put their troubles in their old kit bags by the following week, to show their character and to re-establish the national hierarchies with which everyone is so acquainted. Well they certainly did that.
Valladolid have shown themselves capable of beating anyone on their day this season, but it seems that when they lapse, they lapse big time. Add to that their historical kindness to the team that has been, on and off through history, an unofficial nurturer and purchaser of any talent that has come through the ranks, and Valladolid's record against Madrid is hardly one to boast about. Indeed, the last time they visited the Bernabéu shrine, back in 2003 with Carlos Quieroz newly installed, they lost 7-2. Raúl scored a hat-trick and he managed two on Sunday, meaning that Valladolid are now officially the team that he has scored most goals against (14).
But Valladolid just don't like visiting Madrid in general. 7-0 is the worst result in their history, but it's not the first time. The previous occasion was in 1959 when they lost to a fine Atlético side. However, the last time Real Madrid won 7-0 I was there in person, as opposed to lounging around Venice, and it was against Las Palmas. Morientes scored five and missed a penalty, and Steve McManaman won the game of keepy-ups with the other substitutes at half-time.
Funny the things you remember. But these kind of scores, rare as they tend to be, do set off a process of nostalgic thoughts and number crunching. Real Madrid's biggest-ever win in the league was 11-2 against Elche in the 1959-1960 season, but that was the season they stuffed everyone, Eintracht Frankfurt included (at Hampden). But 11-2 is a kind of ugly score. 7-0 has a certain cleanliness about it, a certain imperious conviction, as does 3-0. It's a subjective view, but 4-0 and 6-0 make me uncomfortable, as if both scores were somehow prevented from going any further. 7-0 is lovely, as long as you're not on the end of it.
Valladolid will bounce back one suspects, but it remains ironic that this column last week suggested that they were one of the teams that had understood how to play against the leaders. Manager José Luis Mendilibar, remembering how his side went for the throat so effectively back in September, forgot that he was going to the Bernabéu, where Real Madrid have now won eighteen consecutive games. Sigh.
“ 7-0 is lovely, as long as you're not on the end of it. ”
It's one of those weekends when the stats are rolled out, but you'll excuse the indulgence. If I'm not wrong, Real Madrid's best consecutive run at home was 24 wins, so there's still some way to go - but it's odd that a team shorn of its galácticos is now recovering its age-old tendency to rub other teams' collective noses in the dirt.
It's all a part and parcel of the mercilessness of 'Madridismo' in its crudest form, but one to which Valladolid contributed almost recklessly. By trying to play them at their game, they allowed Guti to have one of those days where he was left supremely alone, a situation to which he responded by playing havoc with his opponents. Last week Almería never let him get the ball.
The other thing worthy of note, apart from the tedious observation in every Spanish paper that Raúl's two goals are further proof, if any were needed, that he should be restored to the national side, was that Van Nistlerooy was out injured. As Barcelona face the coming week eight points adrift and seriously in need of a game plan to take to Glasgow with them on Wednesday, this fact will hurt the most.
All week the press had been muttering darkly about the effect this might have on the side, only for the myth (if that is what it is) of Van Nistlerooy dependency to be kicked into touch. Raúl was restored to the position he allegedly prefers, up front as the main striker, with Baptista tucking in just behind. It worked a treat, with even Guti helping himself to a brace, and four assists. As 'Marca' commented on Sunday morning after Barça's limp draw in Sevilla - 'Who said the league was opening up?'
Mind you, a draw in Seville under any other circumstances might have been seen as a good result, but anything less than a win these days just won't do. And despite nine first-choice(ish) players being injured for the game, Rijkaard still failed to put Ronaldinho into the starting line-up. He came on for Edmilson in the second half, but he contributed absolutely nothing. Xavi again saved the bacon, but you get the distinct feeling that things could unhinge against Celtic on Wednesday. The Scots have beaten both Benfica and AC Milan this season already, so Barça would make a nice hat-trick of major scalps. It could get messy - no pun intended - for the Catalans.
But back to Raúl et al. All the clamour for his restoration to the national side is a clamour mixed in with the complex situation regarding Luis Aragones' own position. His lack of a relationship with Angel Villar and his new right-hand man Fernando Hierro was evident in the lack of communication between the three before and after the match in Málaga on Wednesday. All three of them got onto the train after the game, but all separated discreetly by about ten metres. Now Aragones wants them to sack him, annoyed as he is with the filtering of the news that Del Bosque will probably be his successor after the summer tournament. If they were to sack him, then of course Raúl (Hierro's and Del Bosque's buddy) would be back, but more importantly so would Guti.
You have to say that someone of Guti's talent should at least be considered for a recall to the side, since games against sides who do not close the midfield down would be ripe for his inclusion. Arteta, over at Everton, wouldn't be a bad idea either, but Aragonés doesn't seem to be interested in him. If Spain fail in Austria, then it will be this that condemns Aragonés, rather than his troublesome tendencies to mouth off to all and sundry, and to adopt facial gestures that suggest he is about to commit suicide. Inspiring it probably isn't, but players are alleged to find him amusing and informative.
Finally, spare a thought this week for bottom club Levante. The players held a press conference the day before their game at Athletic Bilbao (which they lost) in which they announced their intention to 'take measures' if they weren't paid the money they are owed. It seems that several of them are still owed big chunks of last season's wages, and most of the present campaign's. Hardly surprising, therefore, that they are anchored to the bottom of the table. They are also angry with the local council for refusing to allow a Valencian bank to re-value the stadium, so that collateral could be raised against the payment of their wages.
One player has apparently sold his car to pay the domestic bills. I'm not aware of the make of the car he sold, although I read yesterday that Manchester United's Ronaldo has just put his name down for the purchase of a £825,000 Bugatti. Funny old world, football nowadays. Levante and Manchester United are theoretically equal partners, members of the two most potent leagues in the world at present, and yet several of the Spanish team's players cannot even pay for the gas bills and a set of crockery. A different case of broken plates, and no-one can afford the superglue.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 12, 2008 10:34:15 GMT
MADRID, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Robinho is likely to miss the first leg of his side's Champions League last 16 tie at AS Roma because of a torn stomach muscle.
Real, who play Roma on February 19, said on their website that the winger would be out of action for between 10 and 15 days.
The 24-year-old, one of Real's stand-out players this season, sustained the injury in the opening minutes of his side's 7-0 thrashing of Valladolid at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
He will also miss Saturday's league match at Real Betis.
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Post by arover on Feb 12, 2008 11:41:11 GMT
Home | Away Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS 1 Real Madrid 23 11 0 0 33 9 7 2 3 20 9 35 56 2 Barcelona 23 11 0 1 28 5 3 6 2 14 10 27 48 3 Villarreal 23 7 3 2 22 15 6 0 5 19 19 7 42 4 Atletico Madrid 23 7 2 3 26 16 5 3 3 12 7 15 41 5 Espanyol 23 6 2 3 13 8 5 4 3 20 18 7 39 6 Racing Santander 23 6 3 2 13 8 3 4 5 10 17 -2 34 7 Sevilla 23 8 1 3 29 12 2 2 7 13 19 11 33 8 Almeria 23 6 2 4 10 7 3 4 4 10 14 -1 33 9 Valencia 23 4 1 6 12 20 6 2 4 15 14 -7 33 10 Real Zaragoza 23 6 5 1 26 15 1 3 7 9 21 -1 29 11 Mallorca 23 4 4 3 15 12 2 6 4 17 22 -2 28 12 Getafe 23 5 2 4 13 12 3 2 7 15 20 -4 28 13 Valladolid 23 4 5 3 14 14 3 1 7 16 27 -11 27 14 Athletic Bilbao 23 3 7 2 11 9 3 1 7 9 14 -3 26 15 Osasuna 23 5 4 3 17 13 2 1 8 7 15 -4 26 16 Real Betis 23 4 3 4 16 16 2 4 6 8 18 -10 25 17 Recreativo Huelva 23 3 4 4 9 12 3 3 6 11 19 -11 25 18 Deportivo La Coruna 23 2 3 6 10 19 4 3 5 14 15 -10 24 19 Murcia 23 4 3 4 11 11 1 5 6 9 21 -12 23 20 Levante 23 2 3 7 12 20 1 1 9 5 21 -24 13
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 15, 2008 0:23:15 GMT
Focus falls on also-rans in La Liga title race
MADRID, Feb 14 (Reuters) - With the Primera Liga title race a straight battle between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the scrap for the two Champions League qualification places and two UEFA Cup berths offers the most intriguing match-ups this weekend.
Three points separate third from fifth in the standings - Villarreal (42), Atletico Madrid (41) and Espanyol (39) - while sixth-placed Racing Santander (34) have only a one-point advantage over Sevilla, Almeria and Valencia.
Third-placed Villarreal, who are six short of Barca and 14 adrift of leaders Real, are at home to a Racing side punching above their weight this season.
Marcelinos Racing are a well-organised, hard-working outfit constructed upon a solid defence. They have made the Kings Cup semi-finals for the first time but stumbled in the league of late and have not won in four games.
Villarreal display the inconsistency that characterises so many sides in the league and have only one victory from their last three.
Atletico are waiting in the wings to make the most of dropped points when they host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday after getting back to winning ways in Santander last weekend.
Below them, fifth-placed Espanyol host a resurgent Sevilla in a re-run of last year's UEFA Cup final, on Saturday.
Sliding Espanyol have lost four of their last five matches whereas Sevilla looked back to their best as they battled Barca to a 1-1 draw last weekend.
Another side who look to be turning the corner are Valencia.
Ronald Koeman's side have won back-to-back league games for the first time since November, are in the Kings Cup semi-finals, and travel to face Getafe on Sunday.
Michael Laudrup's team, along with Barca, are the only clubs left in the Primera Liga competing on three fronts.
At the top, Real are in confident mood after their 7-0 thrashing of Valladolid and visit struggling Real Betis with a comfortable eight-point cushion over their arch-rivals.
They have a doubt over top scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy and have lost forward Robinho to injury but have more than enough firepower in reserve to trouble Betis, who are only kept out of the relegation places by goal difference.
Barcelona travel to face 10th-placed Real Zaragoza in need of a radical improvement in their away form.
They have only won three games on their travels and in Zaragoza face a strike-partnership of Argentine Gabriel Milito and Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira who have 23 goals between them.
Barca have an injury doubt over Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 17, 2008 11:31:26 GMT
MADRID, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Real Madrid slipped to their second defeat in three games after surrendering an early lead to lose 2-1 at struggling Real Betis on Saturday.
And title rivals Barcelona closed the gap to just five points after a debatable penalty helped them beat Real Zaragoza 2-1.
Juanfran was harshly adjudged to have handled in the area but the ball seemed to conme off his shoulder.
Ronaldinho netted the spot kick with just six minutes of the game remaining.
Real Madrid Midfielder Royston Drenthe put the Primera Liga pacesetters in front in the sixth minute but Betis struck two quickfire goals before the break, Brazilian forward Edu heading the first and winger Mark Gonzalez nodding the second.
Improving Sevilla moved up to sixth with a 4-2 victory in an entertaining match at Espanyol.
Brazil striker Luis Fabiano took his tally for the season to 17 when he fired Sevilla's opening goal while African Footballer of the Year Frederic Kanoute added the second.
Christian Poulsen and Diego Capel were also on target for the visitors.
Espanyol, who had Pablo Zabaleta sent off after 65 minutes, have lost five out of six games but remain fifth, three points clear of Sevilla.
Real Madrid got off to the perfect start at the Ruiz de Lopera when Drenthe angled a shot in at the far post after fellow Dutchman Arjen Robben cut the ball across the area.
The visitors had two good chances to extend their advantage as Raul fired straight at Portugal keeper Ricardo and Robben lashed over with his weaker right foot.
Just as Madrid looked to be at their most comfortable, Betis hit back with two goals in four minutes.
Edu got in between Madrid defenders Marcelo and Sergio Ramos to power in a header at the far post from a cross by Mariano Pavone.
The second was an almost exact replica, except this time it was former Liverpool winger Gonzalez who outjumped Ramos and Marcelo to head in after Edu had turned fullback Michel Salgado inside out before crossing.
Madrid coach Bernd Schuster planned to rest Ruud van Nistelrooy before Tuesday's Champions League match against AS Roma but threw on the striker with half an hour to go.
The Dutchman almost equalised when he hit the post before Betis went on to claim their first points in three games to move four points clear of the drop zone.
Barcelona were fortunate to beat Zaragoza at the Estadio La Romareda.
Barca took the lead at Real Zaragoza when Thierry Henry received a lovely chipped Deco pass and struck past César in the 34th minute.
Eight minutes later the home side had a glorious chance to equalise when Rafael Márquez was harshly adjudged to have brought down Ricardo Oliveira in the penalty area.
Replays suggested Oliveira had made the most of, at best, minimal contact.
However, Diego Milito blasted his spot kick well over the crossbar.
Zaragoza did pull level early into the second period when Ricardo Oliveira made the most of a swift break from Sergio Garcia and struck from close range.
But a controversial penalty award - for handball against Juanfran gifted Ronaldinho the chance to win the game for Barca, which he duly did with a precise finish.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 17, 2008 11:32:56 GMT
February 16, 2008
Espanyol 2-4 FC Sevilla Real Betis 2-1 Real Madrid Real Zaragoza 1-2 Barcelona
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 21, 2008 23:04:31 GMT
February 17, 2008
Atlético Madrid 1-2 Athletic Bilbao Getafe 0-0 Valencia Villarreal 0-0 Racing Santander Valladolid 1-1 Mallorca Almeria 1-0 Murcia Levante 2-1 Osasuna Recreativo Huelva 3-2 Deportivo La Coruña
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 21, 2008 23:04:49 GMT
February 16, 2008
Espanyol 2-4 FC Sevilla Real Betis 2-1 Real Madrid Real Zaragoza 1-2 Barcelona
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 22, 2008 1:55:17 GMT
MADRID, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Modest Getafe have been a thorn in the side of Real Madrid in recent meetings and they have the chance to be a nuisance again when they visit the leaders in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
Real coach Bernd Schuster's former club were the last team to take a point at the Bernabeu, when they drew 1-1 there last March, and were unlucky to lose by a solitary goal after having dominated in the Coliseum earlier this season.
However, they are in unfamiliar territory at present as one of only two Spanish clubs still alive in three competitions, the other being Barcelona.
They host AEK Athens in a UEFA Cup last 32 second leg on Thursday and next week face Racing Santander in the King's Cup semi-final first leg. They are 13th in the league.
'I don't know which game is more important,' Getafe coach Michael Laudrup said.
'Thursday's game is a decider, Sunday's is in a place any player would love to play and next week's Cup game has a return leg but is one step from a final. Whatever happens we always go out to win.'
Getafe are fortunate to be catching the champions at a time when one or two doubts are creeping into their minds following a run of three defeats from their last four games in all competitions.
The reverses have all been on their travels, the last a 2-1 loss to AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, but at home they maintain a 100 per cent league record.
Schuster's squad is likely to be boosted by the return from injury of Brazilian forward Robinho, while Dutch winger Arjen Robben is finally starting to make his mark in the side.
Last weekend's surprise 2-1 defeat at Real Betis saw their lead at the top cut to five points, and any more slip-ups will be gratefully received in Barcelona.
Frank Rijkaard's side were lucky to overcome Real Zaragoza 2-1 away last week but return to the Nou Camp to take on basement club Levante on Sunday at a stadium where they have won all but one of their league games this season.
Barca beat Celtic 3-2 away in a Champions League-thriller on Wednesday and can count on Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o once again.
Since the turn of the year, Levante have shown more spirit than they did a few months ago but they have only garnered four points on their travels.
Third-placed Villarreal travel to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday when fourth-placed Atletico Madrid are in Pamplona to take on Osasuna.
Javier Aguirre's side are without suspended regulars Sergio Aguero, Raul Garcia and Pablo Ibanez while winger Simao Sabrosa is injured.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 22, 2008 2:11:55 GMT
MADRID, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Spain coach Luis Aragones and Raul joined forces on Thursday to call for an end to the debate over whether the Real Madrid striker should be included in the national squad ahead of Euro 2008.
Raul is the country's leading all-time scorer with 44 goals, and with 102 caps has made more appearances than any other outfield player since debuting as a 19-year-old in October 1996.
He has not featured for Spain in a year and a half since being dropped by Aragones at the beginning of the Euro 2008 qualification campaign, prompting a steady clamour of protest from the Madrid-based sports media in particular.
'We want to end the speculation for the good of Spain, for the Federation, for the player and for me,' Aragones told a news conference.
'His behaviour with me has always been exemplary and I hope mine has been with him.'
Raul, 30, last played for Spain on Sept. 6 2006 in the 3-2 defeat to Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
He was left out of squad for the following game in Sweden -- the first time he had been dropped for reasons other than injury in 10 years.
Raul has not been included since, while the side went on to finish top of their group. Local media have blamed a reported dispute between the two at the World Cup in Germany in 2006 for his continued exclusion.
'It hurts me every time the debate blows up before a Spain game with a lot of things said that aren't true,' said Raul.
'The Spain team should be above all this. The coach should be supported in his job, I want the best for Spain. We spoke about it and decided this was the best way to move forward.
'Nothing has happened of a serious nature between us. Aragones has my utmost respect.'
Raul, who has scored 11 league goals for Real this season, said he thought it would be difficult for him to make the side for Euro 2008 but had not given up hope.
Aragones has always maintained the door was open for Raul's return but has favoured Valencia's David Villa and Liverpool's Fernando Torres as his first choices up front.
Raul Tamudo and Luis Garcia of Espanyol, and Real Mallorca's Daniel Guiza have been fighting it out for the supporting roles recently.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 24, 2008 12:16:55 GMT
February 23, 2008
FC Sevilla 5-0 Real Zaragoza Valencia 1-1 Recreativo Huelva
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 24, 2008 12:17:36 GMT
MADRID, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Brazil striker Luis Fabiano scored twice as Sevilla hammered 10-man Real Zaragoza 5-0 with the help of two own goals in the Primera Liga on Saturday.
Sevilla ran the visitors ragged with an exhilarating display of attacking football that put them firmly back in the hunt for Champions League qualification places as they climbed to fifth.
Luis Fabiano, who leads the league scoring charts with 19 goals, turned in Daniel Alves's cross for the opener after 20 minutes, and a slick passing move with his Brazilian compatriot put him through for his second soon after.
A swift counter-attack finished with the ball rebounding off Zaragoza defender Roberto Ayala and into his own net for the third, two minutes before the break.
Zaragoza's Uruguayan full back Carlos Diogo put the ball in his own net under pressure from Luis Fabiano soon after the restart, and followed that up with a wild challenge that saw him sent off in the 54th.
Mali midfielder Seydou Keita completed the rout with a header from an Alves free kick in the 67th. Zaragoza remain 13th five points above the bottom three.
Earlier, Valencia's poor home form continued to haunt them as they were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Recreativo Huelva.
Forward Juan Mata opened the scoring for the home side in the 39th minute after a wonderful pass from Argentine midfielder Ever Banega, but Recre's Portuguese midfielder Carlos Martins levelled from outside the area just after the restart.
Ronald Koeman's side, who have a King's Cup semi-final first leg against Barcelona next week, missed a host of chances to wrap up the points but remain ninth.
The rest of the league action takes place on Sunday when second-placed Barcelona are at home to bottom club Levante, and leaders Real Madrid host near neighbours Getafe at the Bernabeu.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 25, 2008 0:57:16 GMT
February 24, 2008
Real Madrid 0-1 Getafe Barcelona 5-1 Levante Deportivo La Coruña 2-0 Espanyol Mallorca 1-1 Real Betis Racing Santander 1-0 Almeria Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Villarreal Osasuna 3-1 Atlético Madrid Murcia 0-1 Valladolid
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 25, 2008 1:06:42 GMT
MADRID, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Getafe upset Real Madrid 1-0 at the Bernabeu to blow open the Primera Liga title race on Sunday as Barcelona closed to within two points of the leaders after thumping Levante 5-1.
Michael Laudrup's side kept their heads when Arjen Robben's goal was ruled out midway through the second half and, while the home players disputed the decision, broke down the pitch for Nigeria striker Ikechukwu Uche to score at the other end.
The defeat brought to an end Real's perfect home record in the league this season and ended an unbeaten run there that stretched back to February 2007. But it was their fourth defeat in five games in all competitions.
Second-placed Barcelona had ensured maximum pressure was applied with a 5-1 hammering of bottom club Levante at the Nou Camp.
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o netted a hat-trick, while Argentina's Lionel Messi scored one and set up two.
Levante had caused murmurs of unrest when they cancelled out Xavi's opener from the penalty spot just before the break but offered little more as Barca upped the tempo in the second half.
Earlier, Villarreal came from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 away to strengthen their hold on third place with 46 points, eight behind Barca.
Bilbao, who had only lost twice at Sam Mames in the league, took an early lead but second-half goals from Mexico striker Guillermo Franco and Spain full back Joan Capdevila sealed the points for Manuel Pellegrini's side.
Stuttering Atletico Madrid clung to fourth with 41 points despite losing 3-1 at Osasuna and are now just two ahead of a resurgent Sevilla, who cracked five past Real Zaragoza on Saturday.
Espanyol slipped to their sixth defeat in seven games when they went down 2-0 at Deportivo Coruna and are level on 39 points with Sevilla in sixth.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 25, 2008 11:59:42 GMT
If my beloved team Real Madrid fail to win their 31st league title this season, they may well look back at this week as being where they lost it. Madrid conceded a ridiculous goal which gave Getafe a 0-1 win at the Bernabeu and allowed Barcelona to reduce the points difference to just two. Only four weeks ago when Barça dropped points at Athletic Bilbao, Madrid had a lead of nine. So far in 2008 Madrid have lost three games in La Liga, two in the Copa del Rey and one in the Champions League, while Barça remain unbeaten........
To be fair to Madrid they are having problems with injuries, especially in defence where Pepe has been missed. This week Bernd Schuster played Gabriel Heinze in central defence alongside Cannavaro which allowed Sergio Ramos to move back to right back. Sneijder and Robinho are also injured but a club the size of Real Madrid really should have enough cover for these losses.
Getafe also had players out and lost both their first choice and second choice right backs through injury during the game. Madrid were unable to take advantage of this and in the 64th minute conceded a goal which will be remembered as one of the most stupid ever seen at the Bernabeu. A Madrid attack ended with Raul squaring to Robben who found the back of the net before running away to the corner flag to celebrate. As his team mates mobbed him they were slow to realise that the goal had been disallowed for offside against Raul, Getafe restarted the game quickly and only Heinze and Guti were back to face a counter attack by four Getafe players, the ball eventually came to Uche who gleefully shot past Casillas. Madrid could not find a way back and Getafe held on for a famous victory. Madrid lose their 100% home record in the league with their first defeat since February 2007.
Barcelona now have all their key players back to full fitness which meant that Frank Rijkaard could rest Deco and Thierry Henry for the visit of Levante to Camp Nou. Leo Messi and Samuel Eto’o gave an exhibition of attacking football and Barça ran out 5-1 winners. Xavi gave the Catalans the lead after 14 minutes before Levante equalized after a stupid hand ball in the area by Zambrotta. Messi restored Barça’s lead before half time and then a second half hat-trick from an explosive Eto’o gave Barça a comfortable win. Click here for a full report from fcbnews.
Villarreal continue in third place after a 1-2 win at Athletic Bilbao. Fernando Llorente gave the home team an early lead after good work from Susaeta, but in the second half Athletic sat back to try and defend the lead which allowed Villarreal to dominate. Guille Franco scored a great equalizer in the 65th minute and then with seven left on the clock Capdevila’s shot took a deflection off Javi Martinez which gave Athletic keeper Armando no chance.
Atletico Madrid followed up their Uefa Cup exit to Bolton with a 3-1 defeat at Osasuna. Atletico found themselves two goals down within five minutes thanks to goals from Kike Sola and Vela. Diego Forlan pulled one back for Atletico with a cracking 30 yard drive on 25 minutes but Osasuna held their nerve and with 15 minutes remaining scored a third through Font. Atletico are still in fourth place but have only taken four points from the last six matches.
Sevilla continue to climb places and are now fifth after thrashing Zaragoza 5-0. Luis Fabiano took his goal tally to 19 with two goals in the first 25 minutes. Zaragoza decided to help by scoring two own goals either side of half time from Ayala and Diogo. Diogo’s miserable day was complete when he received a straight red card in the 53rd minute for a foul on Capel. Sevilla scored their fifth when Keita headed in a corner after 67 minutes. Sevilla have now taken 13 points from the last five games and are looking serious contenders for a Champions League spot.
Espanyol meanwhile continue to slip and are now down to sixth place after losing 2-0 to Deportivo de La Coruña. With Raul Tamudo still out injured Espanyol have taken just three points from their last seven games. Deportivo coach Miguel Angel Lotina gave a start to two wingers, Wilhelmsson and Lafita, and the two of them tore apart the depressed Espanyol team. Coloccini scored Depor’s first from a corner and then the excellent Lafita got the second after 24 minutes. Depor are still in the bottom three but will take heart from this victory for the battle ahead.
Murcia, on the other hand, look sure for the drop after another home defeat, this time to Valladolid. Murcia coach Lucas Alcaraz made five changes to the team but it made little difference. Joseba Llorente scored the only goal of the game just before half time which leaves Alcaraz facing the sack.
Racing Santander returned to winning ways with a deserved 1-0 home win over another contender for a Uefa Cup place, Almeria. Racing’s goal came in the 61st minute when Tchite ran in to shoot past Diego Alves. Almeria ended the game with nine men after late red cards for Cisma and Paunovic.
Valencia played one of their best games since the arrival of Ronald Koeman, but were unable to convert their dominance into a victory. Mata gave them a first half lead at home to Recreativo but a second half equalizer from Martins earned the Andaluz team an undeserved 1-1 draw.
Finally, Mallorca and Betis are both still in relegation danger after they shared the points at the Ono Estadi. Varela gave Mallorca the lead with a shot from outside the area, but Edu equalized for the visitors heading home a cross from Pavone.
Top Six: Real Madrid 56 pts, Barcelona 54, Villarreal 46, Atletico Madrid 41, Sevilla 39, Espanyol 39.
Top Scorers: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) 19, Diego Milito (Zaragoza) 14, Llorente (Valladolid) 12, Van Nistlerooy (Real Madrid) 12.
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Post by arover on Feb 25, 2008 14:26:50 GMT
| Home | Away Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS 1 Real Madrid 25 11 0 1 33 10 7 2 4 21 11 33 56 2 Barcelona 25 12 0 1 33 6 4 6 2 16 11 32 54 3 Villarreal 25 7 4 2 22 15 7 0 5 21 20 8 46 4 Atletico Madrid 25 7 2 4 27 18 5 3 4 13 10 12 41 5 Sevilla 25 9 1 3 34 12 3 2 7 17 21 18 39 6 Espanyol 25 6 2 4 15 12 5 4 4 20 20 3 39 7 Racing Santander 25 7 3 2 14 8 3 5 5 10 17 -1 38 8 Almeria 25 7 2 4 11 7 3 4 5 10 15 -1 36 9 Valencia 25 4 2 6 13 21 6 3 4 15 14 -7 35 10 Getafe 25 5 3 4 13 12 4 2 7 16 20 -3 32 11 Valladolid 25 4 6 3 15 15 4 1 7 17 27 -10 31 12 Mallorca 25 4 5 3 16 13 2 7 4 18 23 -2 30 13 Osasuna 25 6 4 3 20 14 2 1 9 8 17 -3 29 14 Athletic Bilbao 25 3 7 3 12 11 4 1 7 11 15 -3 29 15 Real Zaragoza 25 6 5 2 27 17 1 3 8 9 26 -7 29 16 Real Betis 25 5 3 4 18 17 2 5 6 9 19 -9 29 17 Recreativo Huelva 25 4 4 4 12 14 3 4 6 12 20 -10 29 18 Deportivo La Coruna 25 3 3 6 12 19 4 3 6 16 18 -9 27 19 Murcia 25 4 3 5 11 12 1 5 7 9 22 -14 23 20 Levante 25 3 3 7 14 21 1 1 10 6 26 -27 16
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 27, 2008 19:41:30 GMT
MADRID, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Real Madrid's players were furious with themselves after making a foolish mistake that gifted Getafe a 1-0 win at the Bernabeu to further erode their advantage at the top of the Primera Liga on Sunday.
When winger Arjen Robben thought he had scored for Real midway through the second half, a large number of players ran to the corner to celebrate with him despite the fact that the linesman's flag was up and the referee had not awarded a goal.
Raul had been in an offside position in the build up to the goal and Getafe saw their chance.
Visiting defender David Belenguer took a quick free kick to launch a four-against-two counter-attack that ended with Nigeria striker Ikechukwu Uche beating Iker Casillas. It was Real's first home defeat in the league this season.
'They have scored a goal against us like in a match for four-year-olds,' Real midfielder Guti told reporters afterwards. 'We can't afford to lose games in this way.'
Real sports director Predrag Mijatovic said Getafe should have been called back.
'The referee could have stopped the move because we had a lot of players celebrating. Perhaps, in these circumstances, he should have stopped play,' he told Canal Plus television.
Getafe president Angel Torres disagreed. 'Football is for the smart ones. To say Real lost because of the referee is laughable because the whole of Spain saw what happened on the television.'
The defeat means second-placed Barcelona, who hammered bottom club Levante 5-1 at the Nou Camp, are now just two points behind the leaders.
Real have let slip a nine-point lead since the end of January with three defeats from their last four league games, while Barca appear to be gathering a head of steam.
The return from the African Nations Cup of Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, who netted a hat-trick against Levante, and Lionel Messi's recovery from injury have been key to their resurgence. The Argentina forward scored one and set up two on Sunday.
'Of course the league is wide open. Barcelona hold their destiny in their own hands now but so do we. We will keep on fighting,' said Real coach Bernd Schuster.
'Things are happening to us in games that we don't deserve but we need to look forward. We need to prove we are a team in the good times and now.'
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 2, 2008 3:44:43 GMT
MADRID, March 1 (Reuters) - Real Madrid restored their five-point lead over Barcelona at the top of the Primera Liga on Saturday by winning 3-2 at Recreativo Huelva while the Catalans were thumped 4-2 at Atletico Madrid.
Brazilian forward Robinho led Real to a comeback victory with two top-class strikes after coming on as a second-half substitute in a game that featured three red cards, two for Recreativo.
Atletico also fought back from a goal down, teenage striker Sergio Aguero leading the way with two goals and a clever assist.
Fifth-placed Sevilla failed to build on an early goal from striker Frederic Kanoute, losing 2-1 at relegation-threatened Deportivo Coruna.
Barca started well at the Calderon, Ronaldinho putting his side in front with a spectacular overhead kick, but the goal served to spark an extraordinary rally from Atletico.
Aguero equalised with a deflected shot on 36 minutes before providing the pass that allowed fellow Argentine Maxi Rodriguez to put the home side 2-1 up.
Diego Forlan extended Atletico's lead with a penalty early in the second half after Carles Puyol pushed Aguero as he darted into the area.
The Argentine youngster capped a brilliant performance with a virtuoso solo effort, jinking past Gianluca Zambrotta and leaving Puyol on his back before firing low past keeper Victor Valdes to make it 4-1.
Samuel Eto'o netted for second-placed Barca 16 minutes from time but Frank Rijkaard's side still slipped to their first defeat in nine league matches.
Real, who had lost three of their last four league games, fell behind at Recreativo when Uruguayan defender Martin Caceres steered the ball in at the far post following a free kick.
The visitors equalised against the run of play on 28 minutes when Raul headed over Stefano Sorrentino as the Recreativo keeper tried to punch the ball clear.
There was a flurry of red cards early in the second half, Recreativo having defenders Beto and Quique Alvarez dismissed either side of Real fullback Sergio Ramos's sending off.
It was the appearance of Robinho 17 minutes from time that proved decisive.
The Brazilian put Real in front with his first touch, firing home after he had snapped up a loose ball on the edge of the area.
Robinho then made it 3-1 with a delightful chip before Recreativo pulled a goal back in added time as midfielder Carlos Martins curled in a free kick.
In the late game Espanyol beat Valencia at the Estadio Olimpico de Montjuic thanks to a brace from Luis Garcia.
Garcia struck first in the fourth minute, then doubled the home side's lead with a 52nd minute penalty.
Valencia's Hedwiges Maduro was sent off on 80 minutes.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 2, 2008 3:46:20 GMT
March 1, 2008
Espanyol 2-0 Valencia Deportivo La Coruña 2-1 Sevilla FC Recreativo Huelva 2-3 Real Madrid Atlético Madrid 4-2 Barcelona
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Post by arover on Mar 3, 2008 14:23:51 GMT
| Home | Away Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS 1 Real Madrid 26 11 0 1 33 10 8 2 4 24 13 34 59 2 Barcelona 26 12 0 1 33 6 4 6 3 18 15 30 54 3 Villarreal 26 7 5 2 22 15 7 0 5 21 20 8 47 4 Atletico Madrid 26 8 2 4 31 20 5 3 4 13 10 14 44 5 Espanyol 26 7 2 4 17 12 5 4 4 20 20 5 42 6 Racing Santander 26 7 3 2 14 8 4 5 5 11 17 0 41 7 Sevilla 26 9 1 3 34 12 3 2 8 18 23 17 39 8 Almeria 26 7 3 4 12 8 3 4 5 10 15 -1 37 9 Valencia 26 4 2 6 13 21 6 3 5 15 16 -9 35 10 Getafe 26 5 4 4 16 15 4 2 7 16 20 -3 33 11 Real Betis 26 6 3 4 22 17 2 5 6 9 19 -5 32 12 Mallorca 26 4 5 3 16 13 2 8 4 21 26 -2 31 13 Valladolid 26 4 6 4 15 16 4 1 7 17 27 -11 31 14 Osasuna 26 6 4 3 20 14 2 2 9 8 17 -3 30 15 Athletic Bilbao 26 3 7 3 12 11 4 2 7 12 16 -3 30 16 Deportivo La Coruna 26 4 3 6 14 20 4 3 6 16 18 -8 30 17 Real Zaragoza 26 6 5 2 27 17 1 3 9 10 28 -8 29 18 Recreativo Huelva 26 4 4 5 14 17 3 4 6 12 20 -11 29 19 Murcia 26 4 3 5 11 12 1 5 8 9 26 -18 23 20 Levante 26 4 3 7 16 22 1 1 10 6 26 -26 19
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:32:11 GMT
MADRID, March 2 (Reuters) - Villarreal missed their chance to tighten their grip on a Champions League berth on Sunday when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by struggling Osasuna.
Manuel Pelligrini's side lacked their usual fluency and bite in attack and were unable to break down a dogged Osasuna defence in a dour affair at the Madrigal.
Despite the draw Villarreal remain in third spot in the table, but are now just three points clear of Atletico Madrid who thumped second-placed Barcelona 4-2 at the Calderon on Saturday.
Real Madrid cashed in on Barcelona's slip-up with a 3-2 win at Recreativo Huelva on Saturday that allowed them to restore their five-point advantage over the Catalans at the top of the table.
Real lead the standings on 59 points, Barca follow on 54, seven clear of Villarreal and 10 ahead of Atletico.
Surprise package Racing Santander moved up to sixth place thanks to a 1-0 victory at Valladolid on Sunday, Argentine midfielder Aldo Duscher striking a late winner when he ballooned a shot into the far corner four minutes from time.
The match of the day, though, was at the Coliseum in Madrid where 10-man Real Mallorca scored two quick-fire goals late in the second half to spoil Getafe's impressive run of recent form and earn themselves a point in an entertaining 3-3 draw.
Getafe looked to be on course for an easy win after strikes from Mario Cotelo and Juan Albin and an own goal from Ivan Ramis put them 3-1 up against the islanders, who were reduced to 10 men when Lionel Scaloni was sent off late in the first half.
But Mallorca were thrown a lifeline 13 minutes from time when striker Juan Arango let fly with a superbly struck free kick from 25 metres out.
Minutes later the Venezuelan international provided the assist for defender Ramis to skim a header into the net after another great free kick.
Despite the draw Michael Laudrup's Getafe, who are in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup and on the verge of a securing a place in the final of the King's Cup for the second season in succession, remain in 10th place in the table.
They are a point clear of an improving Real Betis who crushed relegation-threatened Real Murcia 4-0 in Seville.
Real Zaragoza were dragged into the danger zone after they slumped to their fourth defeat in a row when they went down 2-1 away to basement side Levante and are now languishing in 17th place in the standings.
Levante remain anchored to the foot of the table with 19 points, four adrift of Murcia and 10 behind Recreativo, but there are seven other sides within three points of the relegation zone.
A tight contest looked between Almeria and Athletic Bilbao looked to be going Almeria's way when striker Alvaro Negredo fired home from the penalty spot after Jose Ortiz went down in the area on the hour.
But struggling Athletic earned themselves a point when gangly striker Fernando Llorente found the net for the fourth game in a row with a powerful header 18 minutes from time.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:32:41 GMT
March 2, 2008
Almeria 1-1 Athletic Bilbao Villarreal 0-0 Osasuna Valladolid 0-1 Racing Santander Levante 2-1 Real Zaragoza Getafe 3-3 Mallorca Real Betis 4-0 Murcia
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:39:24 GMT
MADRID, March 3 (Reuters) - Valencia's turbulent season took another twist when the club said on Monday that Argentine midfielder Ever Banega had failed a roadside alcohol test.
But they received some good news later in the day when David Albelda's legal challenge against the club was rejected by the judge in charge of the case.
'Banega committed a traffic offence last night and as a result was given an alcohol test where he gave a positive,' the Primera Liga club said on their website.
'Until the details of the incident become clear, Valencia will not make any comment.
'After the local police have completed their procedures the club will open an internal inquiry in accordance with its disciplinary code.'
The 19-year-old Banega, who was signed from Boca Juniors for a fee of around $26.5 million in January, has been one of the club's outstanding players in recent games.
His performances on the pitch had helped put behind him the embarrassment of having a video of him naked put on the internet and played widely over the Spanish media just after he signed.
Valencia have suffered a tumultuous four months under coach Ronald Koeman, going out of the Champions League and dropping off the pace in the Primera Liga.
The decision to drop experienced stalwarts Santiago Canizares, Miguel Angel Angulo and Albelda for the rest of the season in December caused shockwaves that still reverberate around the club.
On Monday, however, media reported Spain midfielder Albelda's bid through the courts to be paid out of his contract had been rejected. The player has five days to lodge an appeal.
Tipped as potential title contenders at the start of the season, Valencia are ninth in the standings, 24 points behind leaders Real Madrid, but in the King's Cup semi-finals.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:40:18 GMT
MADRID, March 3 (Reuters) - Real Zaragoza coach Javier Irureta has rung the alarm bells after a 2-1 defeat at bottom club Levante moved his side closer to the relegation zone.
Zaragoza's fourth straight loss in the Primera Liga on Sunday has left them 17th in the table and just goal difference above the drop zone, headed by Recreativo Huelva.
'I am really worried. We need to win soon because things are getting very difficult for us,' Irureta was quoted as saying in sports daily Marca on Monday.
'We need to be looking up the table not at the relegation zone.'
Zaragoza were tipped as contenders for Champions League places at the start of the season, having reinforced a side that finished sixth last year with the likes of Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira and Argentina defender Roberto Ayala.
These were added to existing talents such as Argentina internationals Diego Milito, Pablo Aimar and Andres D'Alessandro, but the team have struggled for consistency.
Coach Victor Fernandez was sacked in early January and his replacement Ander Garitano only lasted a week before quitting to be replaced by former Deportivo Coruna boss Irureta.
D'Alessandro has been sold and Aimar is out with a long-term injury. Irureta has only managed to steer them to one win in six since he took charge, despite Oliveira and Milito being two of the league's top scorers.
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