SPANISH FOOTBALL TRANSFER RUMOURS | ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC AT REAL MADRID ?

Its rumour time folks in Spanish Football & in reference to this post, REAL MADRID CF. With Coach Mourinho announcing that he is staying for next season, the rumours are building as the Club begins planning for next season.

Already there is a "black list" of 7 names that many say will be leaving the Club at the end of the season for a "new Football home" next season. The voiced names are:

• Sahin
• Altintop
• Carvalho
• Lass Diarra 
• Kaká
• Gonzalo Higuian
• Goalkeeper Adan ( he asked to leave to find playing minutes elsewhere) 

• Pepe has caused some doubts at the top levels, but may stay.
  
  

  

  Ibrahimovic

But what about "new blood", that is, new signings. There are a few names everyday flying about, but what about this one according to Spanish online paper "elconfidencial": ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC? Yes you read correctly, the 30 year old Swede currently at AC MILAN.

According to the source a few weeks back Mourinho called Zlatan & asked him if he would contemplate playing at Real Madrid. Ibrahimovic supposedly said OK. To which - & according to the news source - Mourinho ( Real Madrid ) maybe already negotiating.

AC Milan will make it very difficult, but if Real Madrid puts into the operation Kaka? Higuain? This last name is a sticky as Higuain is adored by Real Madrid members & fans & may cause a bit of a local revolt. But Mourinho seems to have decided on Benzema over the Argentine & Higuain wishes to go were his can play regularly.

Stay tuned for more news in coming weeks. 

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | MATCH FIXING IN LA LIGA ?

Sports betting is a multi-million dollar business. Betting on Football results, goals & what not drives thousands of punters into a betting frenzy every weekend in order to make a quick buck, pound or euro. It seems SPANISH FOOTBALL is not immune to the "side-effects" of a business which operates on the thin line between good & evil. 

Sad to read today that Spanish late-night Sports radio programme from the "Cadena Ser" reported last night that the "Liga Football Professionals" ( LFP ) - Football Clubs Representatives - has reported to the "Anti-corruption Commission" the possibility of "match-fixing" in the later part of " LA LIGA " this season ( with Real Sporting de Gijon mentioned in their match this weekend against Espanyol).

A serious accusation which may need to be investigated by local Authorities & UEFA as it seems - if proven - that the "long shadow" of Sports betting may hang over Spanish Football. With Clubs near bankruptcy, many players not being able to get paid their salary & the economic crisis happening at this moment, the temptation of making a quick euro seems to be enticing to the weak minds & souls of Spanish Football.

As most investigations,  & string pulling, punishment will depend on who & whom is at the end of the string. Having said this, we will keep an eye on developments & of any surprises. 

Already the LFP today has denied any charge - or report - of corruption as announced by the radio station. Real Sporting de Gijon, one of the Clubs accused is threatening to sue the radio station & any media, as they categorical deny being part of any match-fixing action. To defend Gijon they did win Espanyol 3 - 0 which is hard to understand the accusation.

Spanish Football Sport believes in the innocence of any person or institution until proven guilty in a court of law.

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SPANISH FOOTBALL - LEAGUE - ROUND 36 SUNDAY GAMES RESULT

SPANISH FOOTBALL continued this Sunday with Round 36 & five games of LA LIGA. Here are all the final results & goal scorers as things get "heated" in the Euro table positions & especially in the relegation zone.

Karim Benzema 

REAL MADRID shock-off their mid-week Champions semis loss to Bayern Munich & concentrated on LA LIGA with an important 3 - 0 win over SEVILLA FC. The victory gives them a 10 point lead - now when writing the post & with Barça still to play - which will give them tonight the Spanish League title if Barça lose their match with Rayo. If not, Real Madrid can proclaim themselves Spanish League Champions if they manage to defeat Athletic Club Bilbao in the Liga mid-week game.

The match this midday was won with goals from CRISTIANO RONALDO in the 19th min & two goals from KARIM BENZEMA in the 48th & 52nd min. Sevilla played well & had many chances to score goals with midfielder Reyes setting up numerous occasions all match, but the Sevilla forwards missed their opportunities to score to which Real pounced & settled the game.

Malaga goal.

MALAGA won 1 - 0 VALENCIA CF putting them in Champions positions & drawn on points with Valencia which is third. The winning goal came from CAMACHO in the 27th min & it was enough to give Malaga the points & put them closer to their Champions League aspirations. There are still games left & Levante is in there as well looking for the same objective.

Real Zaragoza

Vital victory for relegation struggling REAL ZARAGOZA 2 - 0 over ATHLETIC CLUB BILBAO. The important goals came from EDU ORIOL in the 28th min & APOÑO in the 51st min to keep alive the very slim hope of avoiding the Spanish 2º Division next season. Still a long way to go for Zaragoza but it is not impossible.

Betis - At. Madrid

Another "golden opportunity" lost for ATLETICO DE MADRID to aspire for Champions League table positions as they drew 2 - 2 - & just - to REAL BETIS which turned the match around in 2 minutes towrads the end. Atletico got ahead via KOKE in the 65th min & was looking good for the 3 points when POZUELO equalized for Betis in the 85th min & team-mate PEREIRA put them ahead in the 87th min. Lucky FALCAO managed a late 94th min goal to equalize the game & save the embrassing end of the match for Atletico.

Pedro - Messi celebrate goal

FC BARCELONA delayed any celebration that their rival Real Madrid may have had planned by defeating away from home Madrid Club RAYO VALLECANO 0 - 7. Authoritative win with goals from MESSI in the 15th min, an own goal by Rayo player ROBER in the 26th min, KEITA in the 38th min, PEDRO in the 46th, THIAGO in the 76th min, PEDRO again in the 87th min & MESSI with his second of the night in the 89th min.

Real Madrid will have to wait a few days & can "mathematically" claim the Spanish League title if they can manage to defeat at the "San Mames" Stadium Athletic Club Bilbao  in their upcoming Liga Round 37 mid-week match.

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SPANISH TENNIS | NADAL WINS CONDE GODO 2012

Spanish World Nº2 ranked Tennis player RAFAEL NADAL added another title to his long list when he defeated fellow Spaniard DAVID FERRER 7-6 7-5 in the Final of the Conde Godo tournament in Barcelona. It was the 7th consecutive title for Nadal on his favourite surface, clay, which adds more weight to his legendary status on the mentioned surface. Nadal nothced his 34th victory on clay, 6 behind another great the Austrian Tomas Muster with 40 wins & 11 away from the Argentine Guillermo Vilas.

Rafael Nadal Conde Godo 2012

The victory was not easy for Nadal & it took more than 2 hours to manage to win a fiery & super competitive David Ferrer which had Rafa on the ropes on various occasions. As we have all become accustomed to, it was the "fighting" spirit of Nadal that managed to pull the player out of awkward situations & onto the victory. Congrats to both players for a great exhibition of clay court tennis.

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TRANSFER RUMOURS | REAL MADRID CONSIDERS LUCAS BIGLIA

The transfer rumours heat up every year around this time as the season comes to an end & the Clubs plan the following season. In the REAL MADRID case there are rumours that many will leave to find a new club: Kaka ( PSG ) , Higuain ( PSG, Chelsea , Inter, Milan ), Albiol... & Lass Diarra. This last has been spotted in Turkey talking to the big Clubs. 

Lucas Biglia

According to local Spanish Sports paper, AS , REAL MADRID has already a substitute for Lass Diarra in mind. The player is Argentine International & Belgium Club ANDERLECHT Captain LUCAS BIGLIA, a 26 year old defensive midfielder. The player is also being followed by Italian Club Florentina & English Clubs Arsenal & Aston Villa. 


Stay tuned!

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SPANISH FOOTBALL - LIGA - ROUND 36 SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS

SPANISH FOOTBALL action with 5 games of Round 36 celebrated this Saturday. Here is a brief round-up of games, with the final results & all the scorers.

Kone for Levante

LEVANTE won GRANADA 3 - 0 & keeps the flame alive of finishing in Champions League table positions. The battle for the coveted position places is up for grabs along with Valencia CF, Malaga FC, At.Bilbao & At.Madrid. Today the goals came from KONE in the 46th min, X TORRES in the 73rd min & VALDO 83rd min which all put more wood on the dream & flame. 

Real Sporting de Gijon

REAL SPORTING DE GIJON continue attempting to turn the apparent "impossible" into a possible to try to save themselves from relegation. Today the Club took a positive step forward at the hands of RCD ESPANYOL which they defeated away 0 - 3.

Goals from COLUNGA in the 47th min, TREJO in the 70th min & BILIC gave Gijon a great win. The objective of avoiding the 2º Division is still difficult but not "impossible".

Real Sociedad

Another 3 - 0 final result game this time between REAL SOCIEDAD & RACING DE SANTANDER with the former scoring their goals via GRIEZMANN with two ( 47th & 69th min ) & AGIRRETXE in the 83rd min. The loss by Racing de Santander sends them in the 2 º Division next season thus a sad day at Santander.

Real Mallorca

Madrid Club GETAFE lost 1 - 3 to REAL MALLORCA. The only goal from the home side came in the last moments of the games, concretely in the 92nd min, via ALEXIS. The visitors goals came from CASADESUS in the 3 rd min, ALFARO in the 68th min & HEMED in the 78th min. 

The Mallorca win keeps alive their aspirations to finish in Euro League positions.

Villareal

VILLAREAL drew 1 - 1 with OSASUNA & put themselves dangerously close to the relegation zone, while Osasuna still has a slim chance of getting a Euro place although difficult. The opener came via BRUNO for Villareal in the 44th min & RAUL GARCIA equalized for Osasuna with a splendid goal in the 72nd min.

Tomorrow more games in the Spanish League.



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GUARDIOLA SET TO LEAVE FC BARCELONA ?

Hot rumour coming out of Spanish Sports media tonight is that FC BARCELONA Coach JOSEP GUARDIOLA will announce his departure at the end of the season. REPEAT, it is only a rumour, but a hot one at that hitting the "airwaves"

Pep Guardiola

The Coach wishes to communicate his decision to his players tomorrow & then will give a Press Conference to drop "the bomb". The man is mentally exhausted after 4 season at the maximum level of Football.


The other news is that Guardiola would love to Coach & Manage the ENGLAND FOOTBALL SQUAD & there could be a pre-agreement with the English FA, although I cannot verify this at all. This & another rumour that MANCHESTER CITY has made an offer to get the Spanish Coach over next season.

Stay tuned, the rumours will be verified or dismissed tomorrow mid-day.



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ALL SPANISH EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL

Two Spanish Football Clubs will meet in the upcoming Final of the EUROPA LEAGUE after the two semi-final games celebrated tonight. Here is a brief summary of events, the final scores & all the scorers.

Falcao

ATLETICO DE MADRID defeated in the 2 º leg semi 0 - 1 ( 2 - 5 agg ) VALENCIA CF away with a solitary goal from ADRIAN in the 60th min.

Valencia was dominate in the first half & had Atletico against the ropes, but Atletico goalie Courtois made some important saves as Valencia just could not score. Young Valencia midfielder Sergio Canales was starring in the match & unfortunately injured his knee ( again ). Lets hope it is not too bad as he just recovered after surgery on his knee which kept him side-lined 6-7 months.

With Canales off, Atletico regained control until a "players" tussles over a no - penalty saw Atletico de Madrid midfielder Thiago sent off & put his team down to 10 men. Atletico held out the last Valencia attempts to win the game & get into the Final

At. Bilbao

Great match between ATHLETIC CLUB BILBAO & SPORTING LISBOA which saw Bilbao get themselves into the Final thanks to a very last minute goal from FRAN LLORENTE to put the score 3 - 1 ( 4 - 3 agg ). Tense & hard fought encounter with the Portuguese team scoring in the 43 rd min via WOLFSWINKEL who equalized, after SUSAETA put Bilbao ahead earlier in the 17th min.

Great effort by Bilbao which will now play Atletico de Madrid in an all Spanish Football European Final. 


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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | REAL MADRID KNOCKED OUT BY BAYERN IN PENALTY-SHOOT OUT

Intense match that went into extra-time, down to the wire & was settled in a penalty shoot-out. REAL MADRID CF was knocked out of the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE tournament 2 - 2 ( penalty shoot out 3-5 ) by BAYERN MUNICH that moves on to play the Final in their home stadium against Chelsea FC & which they are now hot favourites

Cristiano Ronaldo

Bitter-end for Spanish Football in Champions with FC Barcelona going out yesterday & now Real Madrid, the latter in the most unwanted fashion, in a penalty shoot out that saw three players - Roanldo, Kaka & Ramos - miss what usually are certain targets. 


Perhaps the super physical effort of the Liga "clasico" last Saturday passed on its collateral effects on both Spanish Football sides, & in tonight's case, the tiredness effected the mind & the players concentration. Lastly, Bayern goalie Neuer is a top class stopper & it showed in the penalty shoot out & IKER CASSILLAS stopped two penalties that proved once again that we are talking "TOP" level in World Football.

Either way, worthy winners Bayern Munich which played a great match, very tactical & very worked looking always to create plenty of opportunities that had Real in many occasions on the back foot.

Ronaldo scores

The game started with a nervous Bayern which Real Madrid exploited to the maximum with goals via a penalty in the 6th min by CRISTIANO RONALDO & another in the 14th min again by RONALDO. 

Robben scores penalty

Bayern then showed their character & recovered to win a penalty ( a Pepe foul on Gomez ) in the 27th min that ROBBEN converted to equal the aggregate scoreline. From here onwards it was an exchange of blows between both contenders that took the Football & the psychical efforts on both sides to the limit. There were chances, misses, shouted penalties, fouls, mistakes, tiredness & nerves, every ingredient to give the spectator a grand game of Football.

Towards the end, both sides felt the pressure as a simple mistake would send you directly home & out, & thus caution ruled & thus the match ended in the penalty-shoot out "lottery" stage. 


From here, well it will be all news all day tomorrow. There can only be one winner & tonight it was Bayern Munich. Wish them luck for here!

Final result - score:
Cristiano Ronaldo (p.) Min 6
2-0 Cristiano Ronaldo Min 14
2-1 Robben (p.) Min 27

2-2 agg score after extra-time

Penalty shoot-out:
Alaba (p.) t.p. 2-3
Cristiano Roanlado MISS
Mario Gómez (p.) t.p. 2-4
KAKA MISS
Kross MISS
Xabi Alonso (p.) t.p. 3-4
Lahm MISS
SERGIO RAMOS MISS
Schweinsteiger t.p 3 -5 WINNER

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FC BARCELONA 2 CHELSEA FC 2 | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2 º LEG SEMI RESULT

FC BARCELONA has been knocked out of the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE tournament after English Club CHELSEA FC managed a 2 - 2 final result ( 2-3agg ) in the 2º leg semi final match. It was a victory against the grain & with all the Chelsea FC players singing ( metaphorical) the Pink Floyd track ..."all in all we´re just another brick in the wall. Defensive wall that was higher when Chelsea FC Captain Terry stupidly & unknown to human science left his team down with 10 men after an idiot knee into the back of Alexis Sanchez in the 37th min behind play. However, with 10 men Chelsea surprisingly did better & accepted their limits & concentrated on what they do best under the circumstance : HOLD OUT & wait.

Messi misses penalty

For Barcelona it was a nightmare night. Pique was taken off & to the hospital for precautionary tests after clashing with Valdes when both stopped a dangerous attack from Drogba. Barça hit the post ( Messi) , had disallowed goals & then perhaps the moment in the 49th min when LIONEL MESSI hit the bar with his penalty.

Busquets goal

FC Bareelona by the 45 th min had two goals & was looking good & in charge. SERGIO BUSQUETS scored in the 35th min & later ANDRES INIESTA in the 43rd min. But with 10 men on the field, & relaxed Barça thinking in the final, a counter-attack found RAMIRES who brilliantly chipped over Barça goalir Valdes to silence the "Camp Nou"

Iniesta goal

The 2º half saw wave after wave of Barça attacks as Chelsea put in an enormous psychical effort to stop all the charges. DROGBA in particular deserves a mention for his "superhuman" feat attacking & defending. It was defend, defend & defend from Chelsea as Barça tried, tried & tried.

Then in the last minute a FERNANDO TORRES ( came on as sub ) break-away with all of Barça in their forward area, saw the Spaniard run around goalie Valdes to put in the sealer & as they say, the final nail into the Barça coffin.

Congratulations to Chelsea. Now we all await tomorrow to see which team Chelsea will meet in the final. If tonight is an omen anything can happen tomorrow, even the unexpected.

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MONDAY NIGHT SPANISH FOOTBALL ROUND 35 GAME RESULT

Round 35 of the SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE concluded tonight with the Monday Night Game between OSASUNA & MALAGA FC that ended in a 1 - 1 draw. Lost opportunity for both Clubs to jump table positions as Osasuna aims for Europa League positions & Malaga to get off Valencia CF the prized 3º rd place.

Osasuna - Malaga FC

Osasuna opened the scoring in the 53rd min via NINO but Malaga FC midfielder SANTIAGO CARZOLA did one of his long range "party pieces" & equalized in the 67th min. Shared points!

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SPANISH FOOTBALL - LEAGUE ROUND 35 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

SPANISH FOOTBALL continued today /tonight with Round 35 & with 5 games scheduled of LA LIGA. While the Spanish League title winner may have been settled, or at least made clearer after yesterdays Real Madrid victory over FC Barcelona, the action continues for the Euro table places & especially around the relegation zone. Lets look at all the final results & all the goal scorers. 

Granada scores

Important victory for GRANADA 1 - 0 over GETAFE as the former gets closer to its objective of getting enough points to secure their presence next season with the elite of Spanish Football. The vital goal & winner came from FRANCO JARA in the 17th min, a goal that not only lifts hopes at Granada, it also put Getafe further away from Euro table positions.

Real Sociedad Vela scores

Both VILLAREAL & REAL SOCIEDAD are dangerous hoovering close to the relegation zone & the 1 - 1 draw today favoured more the home team as Villareal is just a place out of the danger zone. Villareal got ahead first via SENNA in the 42nd min & it seemed that they were on course for the 3 points, but VELA equalized in the 85th min to blow out that candle. Villareal still suffering.

Racing - At.Bilbao

Devastating loss by RACING DE SANTANDER 0 - 1 at the hands of ATHLETIC CLUB BILBAO which leaves Racing last & kissing the 2º Division for next season. Bilbao player TOQUERO stuck the "relegation" knife in with his early 12th min goal. 

At Madrid - Espanyol

ATLETICO DE MADRID has a Liga objective, to get into Euro positions. However to do this they needed to push aside another rival aspiring for the some goal RCD ESPANYOL & the Madrid Club did just this winning 3 -1.

Atletico put in a great game carrying on with the inertia of their mid-week Europa League victory over Valencia opening the scoreline in the 9th min via a GODIN header. Espanyol reacted well & equalized via DIDAC VILA in the 19th min, plus almost going ahead after hitting the woodwork.

Atletico remained calm & controlled proceeding until ARDA TURAN exploded into action with 2 mins of Football brilliance. First an overhead goal in the 60th min that lifted the stadium roof & then in the 62 nd min with a magnificent individual goal that sealed the match. Atletico kept at it & Salvio hit the post.

Atletico is just one spot out off the Euro positions with 4 games left of the season.

Sergio Canales back after serious knee injury

VALENCIA CF won REAL BETIS 4 - 0 putting out the visitors resistence in the 2º half. The good news also for Valencia was the return of young Football talent Sergio Canales after months out injured with a  knee problem.

JONES opened the scoring for Valencia in the 6th min & more goals came later via FEGHOULI in the 63 rd min, SOLDADO in the 86th min & PIATTI in the 88th min. Betis player Molina got a red card in the 89th min highlighting a bad night for Betis


MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Osasuna - Malaga FC

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SPANISH TENNIS | NADAL DEFEATS DJOKOVIC IN MONTE CARLO FINAL

Great news this afternoon for Spanish Sports & Tennis with the victory of RAFAEL NADAL over NOVAK DJOKOVIC in the Final of the Monte Carlo MASTERS 1000 tournament. Not only did Nadal defeat the World Nº1 ranked Tennis player Djokovick 6-3 6-1, but it was the Spaniards 8th consecutive Monte Carlos title which set a new World Record in Tennis being the first to win the same tournament 8 times in a row.

Rafael Nadal wins 2012 Monte Carlo Masters

Nadal managed also to break the head to head winning encounters with Djokovic who had defeated the Spaniard in the last 7 finals they have played. It is clear that the "clay court" is the natural playing surface on which Nadal feels more comfortable & this will be a confidence booster for the upcoming French Open.

From here, congratulations to Nadal.

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SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA ROUND 35 SATURDAY NIGHT - CLASICO - GAMES RESULTS

SPANISH FOOTBALL tonight with four matches scheduled in Round 35 of LA LIGA & the "clasico" taking all the headlines & all the World Football attention as the Spanish League was basically up for grabs. Here are all the final results & scorers.

Khedira scores for Real Madrid

FC BARCELONA suffered their first home ground defeat,  & barring late surprises, kissed this seasons Spanish League title goodbye as REAL MADRID won 1 - 2 in an exciting game of Football. Less heated as previous encounters but no less intense, Real Madrid seemed to take a leaf out of Chelsea FC book & choked Barça in the midfield with an extraordinary effort of disciplined & defensive Football that was effective with counter-attacks.

Real Madrid may have had the ball only 30%-40% to Barças overwhelming 60% - 70%, but Barcelona was neutralized upfront with Messi out of action thanks to the close marking of Ramos, Pepe & Xabi Alonso.

FC Barcelona will face some debate from the fans as Guardiola kept Alexis, Cesc Fabregas & Pique on the bench to which many have interpreted as a "punishment" for extra-field activities & lack of "discipline" (whatever that may mean, or just resting for Chelsea). Said this, lets not take away the merit of young Tello & Thaigo both playing well but in the end perhaps the former being "overtaken" by the occasion.

The opener came from a corner in the 17th min when KHEDIRA scored after Pepe headed & there was a tussle between goalie Valdes & Puyol. Khedira managed to get his foot in first & got the important opener.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores the second goal

From here it was wave after wave of attacking Football from Barça that crashed into the Real Madrid wall. The locals did have their chances but limited & not as frequent as we have been accustomed to from Barcelona. Coentrao, criticised heavy after his mid-week Champions League performance, did a great job holding out Alves, Ramos was solid in the air, while Ozil, Benzema, Di Maria & Ronaldo all run their hearts out in defending more than attacking, it was a real team effort.

However, the Barça goal was on the way as the attacks were numerous & Guardiola put on ALEXIS who scored the equalizer in the 70th min in a "scrabble" similiar to Real Madrid first goal. But 2 mins later a midfield steal which found Ozil craeted the winner as the German found CRISTIANO RONALDO who broke through the Barça defence & beat Valdes with what would later turnout to be the winner. With this goal Ronaldo had sealed his place tonight back on the World Football stage as he did overshadow Messi in this particular game.

From here Guardiola put on Pedro y Cesc but Real Madrid held on to stop all the Barça efforts, even creating a few more chances that nearly gave fruit.

Big win for Real Madrid which has the Spanish League title closer, but not in the bag, for as the saying goes, "it ain´t over until the fat lady sings". 

Mallorca - Real Zaragoza

REAL MALLORCA woke up REAL ZARAGOZA from their "dream" of avoiding relegation after defeating them 1 - 0 with the goal from CASADESUS in the 34th min. A serious setback for Zaragoza as the Club is running out of games to secure their future in the Spanish Football elite.

Real Sporting de Gijon

Different story for REAL SPORTING DE GIJON which knew that if they lost today they would be doomed to the Spanish 2º Division. With grit the home team defeated Madrid Club RAYO VALLECANO 2 - 1 & keeps their hopes alive although they are slim. Gijon must win their next matches to stay alive in the 1º Division & this will not be an easy feat at all. 


The opener came via Sporting player SANGOY in the 18th min & things got competitive until Rayo found the equalizer in the 51st min via LABAKA. Then a foul which lead to a red card to Labaka in the 75th min allowed BILIC to score a free-kick goal that was to be the winner for Gijon. Rayo got another red card when Casado was sent off in the 86th min. 

Kone for Levante

How can one describe this match? SEVILLA FC had 11 corners to the visitors 0 & failed a penalty in the 85th min by Negredo. Thus the final score of 1 - 1 against LEVANTE, thus another classic case for Sevilla of "when things go wrong everything goes wrong" & Europe next year gets further away, something not the case ( for now ) for Levante.

Sevilla got ahead in the 20th min via NEGREDO but Levante managed to equalize quickly via KONE in the 27th min. From here onwards Sevilla tried & tried, but ...

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THE OTHER CLASICO | MESSI vs CRISTIANO RONALDO

Saturday 21 st of Abril 2012, Round 35 of the SPANISH LEAGUE at the "Camp Nou" Stadium in the city of Barcelona. Another "clasico" between the home Club FC BARCELONA, currently second on the LIGA table with 81 points & the current table leader REAL MADRID with 85 points.

Camp Nou

Big match commencing at 20.00 Spanish local time which could well settle the season 2011-2012 LIGA title, especially if Real Madrid win or draw, or if the home team wins it will allow FC Bareclona to close the gap to just 1 point with 3 more Rounds still in play this season.

The expectation is maximum with an estimated more than 1 Billion in World TV audience with 800 journalists present from 133 media channels.


However there is another "clasico" in play for the Spanish League & European goal supremacy between Real Madrid forward CRISTIANO RONALDO &  FC Barcelona player LIONEL MESSI both currently with an amazing 41 goals each in Liga & breaking historical records.

courtesy from Sport.es

Around 21.50 Spanish time tomorrow lots of answers will be answered. Stay tuned.

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EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI FINAL 1st LEG FINAL RESULTS

EUROPA LEAGUE semi final 1º leg matches tonight with three SPANISH FOOTBALL teams involved along with a Portuguese Club. Here are the final results & all the goalscorers.

Adrian

ATLETICO DE MADRID defeated in spectacular fashion VALENCIA CF 4 - 2 to allow them a foot into the finals door with Valencia still alive due to their two away goals. One finds it bewildering to understand how a team like Atleti can play this fashion tonight & stumble so much during the season in the local LIGA competition.  It was frankly the teams best performance this season. 

Atletico started charged-up & had occasions early as Valencia was uncomfortable & nervous. The Valencia defence was "sloppy" tonight & made lots of mistakes that allowed Atletico to dominate the ball & set up their many chances.

The first goal came via FALCAO in the 18th min & the equalizer late in the first half & against the grain when JONAS scored in the 45+2 min.

The second half was all Atletico as the team entered into grace with some spectacular play & goals. The second for Atletico came from a MIRANDA header in the 48th min, followed by a great solo run by ADRIAN in the 54th min & the fourth from FALCAO in the 78th min which was a gem right into the top corner. Unstoppable.

However, against the grain of events again Valencia grabbed a second ( & important ) away goal via COSTA in the 90 + 3 min to keep them alive however severely wounded.

At Bilbao scores

SPORTING LISBOA defeated ATHLETIC CLUB BILBAO 2 -1 with a late goal streak by the locals which overtook Bilbao for a great comeback. Sporting played well & hit the "woodwork" in the first half in the 33 rd min.

The goals came in the second half when Bilbao went ahead via AURTENETXE in the 53rd min. But Sporting reacted lifted by the home crowd & INSUA equalized in the 75th min & DAVID CAPEL got the winner in the 80th min.

This semi will need to be settled in the 2º leg return match at Bilbao, an Athletic team with a valuable away goal.

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FOOTBALL FINANCE | REAL MADRID - FC BARCELONA TOP RICH CLUBS IN WORLD FOOTBALL

Prestigious American Financial magazine "Forbes" has released its list of the "Worlds Richest Football Clubs". Taking into account the main accounting factors like income ( all sources, from TV, merchandising, spectators...etc), costs & current debt the "bottom line" balance sheets puts English Club MANCHESTER UNITED in the Nº1 spot. The British pound exchange rates may have helped give the Club a lift, but that does take away the magnitude of the Clubs figures.

Two Spanish Football Clubs are close behind in second & third place, which are REAL MADRID & FC BARCELONA respectively. As you can see the figures are huge for the Top 5 Clubs, as the are in the billions, not millions.


Forbes Top 10 Richest Football Clubs:

1. Manchester United - $2.235bn (£1.396bn)
2. Real Madrid - $1.877bn (£1.17bn)
3. Barcelona - $1.307bn (£816m)
4. Arsenal - $1.292bn (£807m)
5. Bayern Munich - $1.235bn (£770m)
6. AC Milan - $989m (£615m)
7. Chelsea - $761m (£473m)
8. Liverpool - $619m (£385m)
9. Juventus - $591m (£367m)
10. Schalke 04 - $587m (£365m)

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CHELSEA FC 1 FC BARCELONA 0 | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI 1º LEG RESULT

FC BARCELONA lost 1 - 0 away at Stamford Bridge London, home to English Football Club CHELSEA FC in the first leg of the semi final of CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. A night in which luck did not follow Barça as they dominated the match but lost due to missed chances & to a more effective Chelsea FC.

Alexis

In fact Chelsea FC did relatively little, but what they did do they did it well. Defend & counter-attack while Barcelona played their "patented" ball control style that increased along with frustration as the match went on & they could not score a goal.

Take these statistics, 7 clear chances for Barcelona, including the bar & the post, to one real chance to Chelsea that was the winning goal.

Drogba

The first half saw Alexis hit the bar early, Cesc get his ball cleared off the goal-line by Andy Cole, multiple chances missed by Barcelona & the Chelsea FC goal in the last minute of the half ( 47th min ) by DROGBA from an excellent counter-attack from a midfield loss from Messi.

Messi 

The second half saw Barça try everything,  but they kept "crashing" into the Chelsea defensive wall, a fabulous Peter Cech save from a Puyol header flick-on & a post in the last moments from Barça sub Pedro. Just one of those Football nights for Barça & a grand evening for Chelsea were their match strategy worked out to perfection.


Now its off to Barcelona & the "Camp Nou" in 6 days for the 2º leg game where I still see Barça favourite as I didn't really see anything spectacular from Chelsea. Said all this, it is Chelsea which has the goal advantage & not Barça, & anything can happen in Football.

Great match ahead in all cases, not to be missed.


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BAYERN MUNICH 2 REAL MADRID 1 | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI RESULT 1º LEG

BAYERN MUNICH won the 1º leg semi final away clash against REAL MADRID 2 - 1 of the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE in an exciting game of Football. Always a difficult affair for Real Madrid, or any visiting team, to play Bayern on their home turf with their "vibrating" home crowd which supported their team brilliantly all the game. 

Although the Germans grab the victory & an important psychological edge, the tie is still very much in the air as there is the 2º leg return clash still to play, & Real Madrid managed the much looked for & vital away goal.

Ribery

Overall the match was fairly even throughout with Bayern peaking in various moments that resulted in them taking full advantage of their opportunities. Real Madrid also swayed in ball dominance but did not turn their ball possession into more goals.

The Germans are dangerous in set plays, it is an area not to well controlled in the Real Madrid case, & the Bayern opener came from a corner that FRANCK RIBERY fired home in the 19th min. A goal that under video scrutiny looked like hand-ball from a Bayern player & should therefore not have been allowed.

Ozil

The second half saw a clear Real Madrid recovery in play & the goal opportunities began to appear more often. It was in one of those Real build ups that OZIL equalized after various failed attempts saw Ronaldo find the ball on the line & connect with Ozil who knocked it into the net.

Mario Gomez & Pepe

It looked like the game would finish in a draw when Bayern found space down the right wing & crossed to find MARIO GOMEZ who got the winner in the 90th min. The German forward had been dangerous all match & he was relieved to have finally found his & a the teams final prize.

The names to mention from the Bayern Munich side are Ribery who was a goalscorer & dangerous all night , goalkeeper NEUER who stopped a near goal from Benzema in the first half & was solid all game & MARIO GOMEZ. From the Real Madrid team KARIM BENZEMA was outstanding sacrificing & creating play, along with Pepe who was solid & SERGIO RAMOS. Goalkeeper Casillas also made a vital save from a Gomez shot in the 2º half.


Now Real Madrid looks forward to a very difficult Spanish League match against FC Barcelona on Saturday where the Spanish League title is on the line, & next week the 2º leg return match against Bayern in Madrid which promises to be a "cracker" of a game & possibly a heart-stopper.
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