SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE ROUND 34 SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS

Unexpected results & events tonight in the SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE with the three games played as part of Round 34 of LA LIGA. Here is a summary of events, the results & the scorers

Iker Casillas 

REAL MADRID lost 2 - 3 to REAL ZARAGOZA who was fighting for their 1º Division life & with Real Madrid suffering the side - effects of the Barça clashes these last weeks. Real Madrid started without Ronaldo (in the stand), Xabi & Lass rested , while Ozil, Marcelo & Di Maria were on the bench. Real Zaragoza started very serious, concentrated & defending well while waiting for the counter-attack opportunities.

Real Madrid kept on running into the Zaragoza defensive wall when in the 40th min a Zaragoza attack saw Real goalie Casillas run out of his box to attempt to clear & failed in a disastrous manner that allow LAFITA to score. Big mistake by Casillas & very rare.

Latifa for Real Zaragoza

The second half saw a penalty awarded to Zaragoza in the 54th min when Carvalho fouled & GABI coverted his teams second. Real Madrid Coach Mourinho reacted & began putting on his "big guns" off the bench - Marcelo, Ozil & Di Maria - which improved Madrid & they began their attempt to turn things around. Karim Benzema hit the post in the 61st min, & SERGIO RAMOS then scored in the 62nd min to raise his team.

Then Zaragoza goalie Doblas became the protagonist stopping everything & a penalty to Kaka wasn´t called by the referee. As Real Madrid put men forward, Zaragoza took advantage of the spaces & scored their third via LAFITA in the 77th min. Big blow for Real which managed to pull one back for their second in the 85th min via BENZEMA but it was too late. Real Madrid lost Carvalho with a second yellow card & that closed things for the afternoon. 

Real Zaragoza won after 10 years of attempting to do so in the "Santiago Bernabeu" stadium & grabbed three vital points in their particular "war" to stay alive in the Spanish League. Great game by the visitors, & lack of concentration by Real Madrid who still were reeling from their mid - week clash with Barça & thinking about them again for the next meeting next week.

Tiago scores for FC Barcelona

FC BARCELONA started their match against REAL SOCIEDAD knowing that Real Madrid had lost & that a victory by them would virtually seal the Spanish League title. The surprise was the end result with the home side defeating Barça 2 -1, & with a controversial disallowed goal to Barça defender Milito included.

The first half was basically Barça with some stars rested,  but playing well. Young midfield promise TIAGO put Barça ahead in the 29th min. 

Xavi after the Barça Liga defeat at Real Sociedad

The second half saw how Barça was losing the protagonist role as Real Sociedad lifted. As time went on Barça was "suffering" to control the home team & the equalizer came in the 71st min via IFRAN. Then the moment that made news in the 81st min when Mascherano foulded in the box & the consequent penalty was transformed by XAVI PRIETO in the 82nd min.

Real Sociedad can now boast to be one of the very few Clubs that have defeated Barcelona, while Barça will have to wait another week before they can officially claim to have won the Spanish League.

Sergio Aguero

DEPORTIVO lost 0 - 1 to ATLETICO DE MADRID & with 10 men after defender Lopo got a red card in the 60th min. Atletico managed their victory thanks to SERGIO AGUERO who scored in the 80th min after Forlan & Juanfran set up the play.

It was a very even match throughout with chances at both sides that saw how Atletico got the upper-hand as time went on & especially after Deportivo went down to 10 men.

The win gives Atletico another three vital points as they attempt to secure a place in Euro classification positions & even have their eyes on a Champions League 4th place if they continue winning & Bilbao & Villareal slip from here till the end of the season.
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REAL MADRID 2011 | AGREEMENT WITH NURIN SAHIN OF BORRUSIA DORTMUND ?

The news is not from a specialist Spanish Football paper, the report is from a very serious local online news site called   "Elconfidencial". According to the source REAL MADRID has come to an agreement with German Budesliga & BORRUSIA DORTMUND 22 year old Turkish midfield sensation NURIN SAHIN. 

Nurin Sahin

The news gains weight because the player has refused to renew his contract with the German Club that ends 2013. Other European Football Teams are on alert, & rumours are that English Club Aston Villa is hoovering in circles, along with compatriots Chelsea FC & Arsenal. The German Club announced that a price of 20M€ was "reasonable", but Real Madrid plan to offer 12M€ - like Ozil - when they begin to formalize the negotiation process.

The signing of Nurin Sahin by Real Madrid would be the counter-balance to Cesc Fabregas going to FC Barcelona. Said this, allow my sinister & dark Football imagination to be creative; is this a manoeuvre - deal that will involve Real Madrid - Sahin - Arsenal - Cesc Fabregas? Naaaaa, too sinister?

Stay tuned for updates.

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REAL MADRID | CRISTIANO RONALDO "PUNISHED" TO THE STAND

REAL MADRID has the first casuality from the "Barça Wars", or at least the one that is ringing the most in Spanish Sports media. CRISTIANO RONALDO has been "punished" by his Coach José Mourinho mainly for the following post-match comments to media after the Champions League semi-final 0 - 2 loss against FC Barcelona :

"No me gusta jugar así, pero tengo que adaptarme a lo que me piden..."

"I don´t enjoy playing like that, but I have to adapt myself to what they ask..."

Cristiano Ronaldo 2011

This direct criticism to the teams playing strategy & tactics, along with continual on-field complaints to his team-mates has made José Mourinho make the decision to leave out of the Real Madrid squad the Portuguese player for todays Spanish Football League game against Real Zaragoza.

This may not be so harsh if it wasn't for that fact that Ronaldo is two goals behind FC Barcelona player Lionel Messi in the "Pichichi title" (leading Spanish League Goal scorer in a season) race & cannot attempt to catch up today, while Messi could decisively break away. The personal rivalry between both is so intense that the "punishment" imposed by Mourinho will be causing "internal pain" & anger.

From a dressing room perspective, Cristiano Roanldo was heading towards this situation, as he has been out of tone with his team-mates on other occasions & some players were thinking that their could exist some favouritism. José Mourinho has washed these ideas away & returned some cohesion back within the dressing room. Similiar players who are - or have - experienced the "wrath" of Mourinho like Leon, Lass, Canales, Ramos...will see a least a coherent behaviour, & the rest of the squad will heed the "warning".

Cristiano Ronaldo will be watching the Zaragoza game from the stands, & perhaps reflecting on his words & the need to demonstrate more solidarity with his team, apart from keeping an eye on who are the goal scorers in the Real Sociedad - Fc Barcelona Liga match.

Coach Mourinho has rested Xabi Alonso & Lass Diarra for today's Real Zaragoza match.

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PORTO 5 VILLAREAL 1 | SPANIARDS STEAM-ROLLED IN EUROPA LEAGUE 1º LEG SEMI

Portuguese League Champions PORTO took the sail out of the "Yellow Submarine" after defeating Spanish Football Club VILLAREAL 5 - 1 in the 1º leg of the EUROPA LEAGUE semi final. The Portuguese Club put in an electric second half that knocked the Spaniards onto the "Football canvass".

Villareal celebrate their goal

It looked in the first half that Villareal would surprise the hot favourites after demonstrating some great play & a 45th min goal from CANI after Nilmar made a magnificent run down the wing & made a precision pass.  

Falcao Hat-Trick man for Porto

Then the second half began & Porto began its comeback, transformation & demolition job with a 48th min penalty converted by FALCAO. The Portuguese side looked totally different from the first half & were demonstrating why many consider them the hot favourites for the Europa League Title. GUARIN popped in the second in the 61st min, followed by FALCAO again twice in the 67th min & 74th min to grab his HAT-TRICK.

Villareal attempt to at least score another & attempt to salvage something for the 2º leg return leg, but Porto goalkeeper Helton stopped that idea.

Then the final nail in the Villareal coffin came in the 90th min when FALCAO again scored & notched his fourth for the night.

Porto have virtually assured their pass onto the final, with the exception of a "miracle" comeback at Villareal next week. An event I doubt will occur witnessing the steam-roller exhibition tonight by Porto.

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FC BARCELONA TAKES JOSE MOURINHO TO THE UEFA DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION

SPANISH FOOTBALL has exploded with the announcement that FC BARCELONA will take REAL MADRID Coach Jose Mourinho to the UEFA Disciplinary Commision under article 5 of infrigement of the ethical code. 

Jose Mourinho

This is almost unprecedented between the two Major Spanish Football Clubs that will no doubt lead to further conflicts on all fronts. FC Barcelona has considered that the words & the insinuations by Coach Mourinho towards the Club, its Coach Guardiola & the possible "fixing" accusations have affected its image & are out of limits of the ethical boundaries of Sport. Apart from this, FC Barcelona accuses Mourinho as being part of the "conspiracy" plot to insinuate that Barça players maybe "doping" themselves. This last area is really dangerous as there is no evidence that Real Madrid or Jose Mourinho had anything to do with this past issue. But emotions are high & the situation is extremely volatile at this particular moment. 

Barça player Pinto involved in a tussle with Real Madrid members

UEFA has unilaterally decided to open an investigation on Real Madrid for objects thrown on the field, pitch invasion & the Pepe & Jose Mourinho red cards. FC Barcelona do not escape as they will be investigated for the red card given to substitute goalkeeper Pinto.

I make no judgements nor wish to, allowing the competent authority UEFA to do that role. However, the results could be further damage to Club relations, between players ( especially within the Spanish National Team ) & to Spanish Football which has given a pitiful image locally & aboard. I hope that emotions & passions calm themselves, & that common sense prevail. We still have the return leg of the Champions League semi-final to play at "Camp Nou" next week & with this charged atmosphere things could get totally out of hand.


UPDATE: Real Madrid will take FC Barcelona to the UEFA Disciplinary Commission for premeditated "unsportsmanlike" conduct - intent to pressure the referee & provoke yellow/red cards - via simulating fouls. I believe its the first time Real Madrid denounces another Club.


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VIDEO | PEPE RED CARD INCIDENT WITH DANI ALVES | REAL MADRID - FC BARCELONA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI

I have been accused of being biased, one sided, not objective regarding my below post on what I consider is not a red card, & a moment that radically altered the course of the REAL MADRID - FC BARCELONA Champions League 1ºst leg semi-final. I also make the point that the referee standards for the whole Champions League this season has been poor & not up to the standards called for this level.



I have no intention of entering in debates with people who are clouded with their own uncontrollable  primitive - bread & circus - passions & freely hide behind "anonymous" tags to make free remarks that have no basis, no evidence & violate the fundamental right for everyone & anyone to express an opinion. I accept all options, except from "trolls" who claim I "have shown my true colours". In fact, I don't even follow either Clubs & really don´t give a damn who qualifies. I will not feed trolls.



Below is a video from Spanish TV Football Program "Punto Pelota", uploaded by "orcodrenthe" on Vimeo of the 60th min PEPE tackle on ALVES. The conclusion is that Pepe touches the ball & DOES NOT touch Alves, who throws himself on the ground to perform the habitual role of victim. Even ex Barcelona player "Lobo" Carrasco admits Pepe did not touch Alves. Conclusion? It is NOT a RED CARD, if anything, a yellow for showing the studs!



Said this, this wrong referee decision changed the whole course of the Football Match. Nothing more & nothing less said, except adding that referee Stark is a bad referee as past performance proves & that UEFA standards are poor. For those who cannot handle this simple & coherent observation go to another blog or Internet site & "vomit" your opinions on their comments sections. In fact do me & the mayority of the intelligent SFS readers the favour of never to return.


Pepe Expulsion Entrada Alves Real Madrid Barcelona Semifinal Champions Stark from orcodrenthe on Vimeo. Tweet

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 1º LEG SEMI FINAL RESULT | REAL MADRID 0 FC BARCELONA 2

REAL MADRID lost 0 - 2 to FC BARCELONA in the 1º leg of the semi final of CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. Very controversial with Real Madrid going down to 10 men when referee Stark unjustly sent off Pepe (Red Card) in the 60th min & with the match in a 0 - 0 draw. The protests lead to Coach Mourinho being sent off as well & the balance was pushed "artificially" in Barça favour. 

Pepe red card 

At the end of the 1ºst half Barcelona midfielder Keita should have received a Red Card for a "tussle" he began with Madrid defender Arbeloa that turned into a sideline "brawl" that saw substitute Barça keeper Pinto get a Red Card. Again, bad mistake/error from referee Stark. 

Real Madrid - FC Barcelona

The first 45 mins was tense, very tactical & totally even. In fact, Real Madrid had a golden chance to go ahead when Ronaldo fired a shot which Valdes fumbled & Ozil could not take advantage hitting Valdes. Madrid had more opportunities but the Barça defence & goalie managed to solve those situations.

Real Madrid played as in the Spanish Cup Final, allowing Barça the ball & going for the counter-attack. During the process there was the now habitual pushing & protesting between both sides & observably between Spanish National Team members. 

Marcelo with Villa

The bad news for Real was the yellow card to Sergio Ramos which will force him to miss the next return 2º leg match at Camp Nou. 

Sergio Ramos will miss the return leg

The second half saw Adebayor substitute Ozil to give Real Madrid a reference point up front. Things were going as scheduled until Pepe made a hard tackle on Alves who exaggerated things & managed to "convince" German referee Stark to pull out the Red Card. Unjust & totally unfair as the maximum if anything was a yellow card. The match changed completely & the referee - on purpose or unintentionally - influenced directly the nature & outcome of the match. 

Lionel Messi scored a double

With Real Madrid down to 10 men, Barça put in Affelany to give speed & fresh legs down the wing & was rewarded when his cross found LIONEL MESSI in the 76th min to score for Barcelona. Then in the 89th min LIONEL MESSI did some runaway manoeuvring to take on the Real defence & brilliantly score his & Barça´s second.


The end result finished 0 - 2,  & puts it totally uphill for Real Madrid for the 2º leg. FC Barcelona are now in the box seat & firm favourites to take the semi-final with the home ground advantage. Real Madrid Coach Mourinho once again ends up with 10 men on the field which is a coincidence or a very suspicious tendency. What is a reality, is the unfortunate intervention & direct effect of one of the many bad referees that UEFA controls. Perhaps Mr Platini should intervene to lift standards as it is a disgrace that Football of this high standard & level not be accompanied by equal standards in the referee area.

We now look forward for the return leg were Real Madrid will be forced to look for heroics & play attacking Football. Everything & anything is possible, but Barcelona tonight takes a giant leap forward for the Final at Wembley.
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REAL MADRID - FC BARCELONA CLASHES TEARING APART THE SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM?

The below photo is the SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM that made history & won the FIFA World Cup 2010 with great play, but more importantly,  with a solid friendship base, team mentality & solidarity. The picture shows only 11 of the 23 Squad members, but one can clearly see a divide: most are either REAL MADRID or FC BARCELONA players. Missing from this picture are Albiol & Arbeloa (Real Madrid) plus Victor Valdes & Pedro (FC Barcelona) players.

Spain Football Team

The intense & very competitive Real Madrid - FC Barcelona clashes this season has contributed in intensifying rivalries & putting on edge "friendships" on & off the field. Spanish National Football Coach Vicente del Bosque has already voiced certain concern that the intensity of the Club clashes is breaking the fabric of the National Squad & the "inner harmony". Spanish online paper "elconfidencial" has written an article that has "sounded the alarms". The Spanish National Team has broken up into two blocks, the Real Madrid players & the FC Barcelona players, with elements in both camps more "radical" than others with the latter looking for a more balanced & calming attitude.

The first signs of "friction" occurred in South Africa during the World Cup in a leisure "poker game" that did not go to more thanks to Coach Del Bosque & Squad Director Fernando Hierro, plus the fact that the World Cup title was up for grabs was also the solidifying glue. 




This video of Spain celebrating their World Cup victory in Madrid shows Pique making faces of Ramos behind his back, to which press insiders already spoke about friction between theses two heavyweights.

The local Club competition this season has added fire to the already hot coals, as the 5-0 FC Barcelona drubbing of Real Madrid showed last November with very aggressive play, tackles & even violence ( verbal & physically) as shown when Ramos was sent off not before "brushing aside" Spanish squad team-mates Puyol, Pique & Xavi. Barça defender Pique then added fire with his uplifting hand of 5 fingers ( 5 goals) to stick the finger into the Real wounds.

The Pique - Ramos relations worsened in a Spanish Team press conference when Ramos "exploded" to a press person when speaking in Catalan to Pique & he advising that he did not understand. This incident was "cover" with a Twitter photo together & smiling. However, as later episodes would prove this is just make-up.

The return Real Madrid - FC Barcelona Liga match weeks back would open more wounds after finishing 1-1, when Pique in the dressing room tunnel shouted that they had already won their "little" Spanish Liga title ( negative comment from a Catalan angle), that they would win their (disrespectful) Kings Cup as well...causing all sorts of verbal abuse between all players. Pique denies this totally as false, but Real Madrid player & Spanish Team Captain Iker Casillas confirmed it indirectly as true in an interview dismissing it as a "heated moment".

The frictions continued in the Final of the Spanish Cup, this time with other Spanish National Team members showing signs of strains. Arbeloa & David Villa had a serious encounter which naturally brought in all the others.

Iker Casillas, Xavi, Xabi Alonso & to some extent Carles Puyol attempt to maintain the balance as much as possible with diplomacy & professionalism. Some already mentioned are life long friends from junior levels & this situation is complicated.

The Spanish press is now talking about the Pique - Ramos parting, the breaking up of the Spanish team in two blocks, the worries of National Coach Vicente del Bosque & the possible effects mid to long term to the National Team.

Tonight the first of two head to head clashes between Real Madrid - FC Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals takes place. The atmosphere is highly tense as both Coach Mourinho & Coach Guardiola have already had a heated exchange of harsh words that can only be transferred to there respective players & on the field.

The winner will obviously one - either Real Madrid or FC Barcelona - but the big loser could be Spanish Football & its National Team. Lets hope this is all part of competition, healthy rivalry & that common sense prevail in the long run.

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PEP GUARDIOLA - JOSE MOURINHO LOCK HORNS PRE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIS

Tense pre-Champions League press conference this afternoon just 24 hours before REAL MADRID & FC BARECLONA play the 1ºst leg semi final in the "Santiago Bernabeu Stadium". That Real Madrid Coach Mourinho makes comments & sly insinuations is not a surprise, its part of his psychological warfare to rattle the oppostion. What is news, is that Barça Coach Josep Guardiola explodes in response in a fashion that has caught everyone here off-guard & leads to suspect that in fact "Camp Barça" is rattled.

I for one believe it is a smart counter move by Guardiola to seem to be the "victim", the underdog & to call up "historically" political ( Spain - Catalonia) issues to motive his players & not the rest. Although the political issues are out of hand & Football is not a place for theses trivial issues.

What is evident that this semi-final Champions League phase will be tough, competitive, of the maximum level & very, very serious stuff elevating things into the personal level. To a certain point things - the rivalry - has got out of hand & I hope we do not see collateral damage. 

Coach Mourinho was first today with press conference duties & went straight for the "jugular vain":"Con las declaraciones de Pep, entramos en una nueva era, en un nuevo grupo en el que sólo está él: criticar el acierto del árbitro. Nunca lo había visto"...translated..."With the declarations of Pep, we enter a new era, a new group with only himself: criticize an accurate referee decision. The never seen before". 


A reference to Guardiola´s comment on the disallowed off-side goal by Pedro in the Spanish Cup Final.

The Guardiola press conference was a direct head-on attack to Mourinho, Real Madrid, Spanish "Madrid" Media & Spain. This was certainly unseen & has caught the attention of everyone.

"Mañana nos enfrentamos en el campo a las 20:45; fuera del campo ya me ha ganado"
Tommorrow we´ll meet on the ground at 20.45; outside he has already won.


"En esta sala él es el puto jefe, el puto amo..."
In this room (Real Madrid press room) he is the freaking boss, the f**king owner..."

 "Dentro del campo intento aprender mucho cuando juego contra él o cuando le veo por la televisión. Fuera del campo intento aprender poco".Inside the field I learn a lot when we play against each other or when I watch on TV. Outside of the field I try not to learn at all.

If this was aggressive, Guardiola added:
1. Barça will go out to attack
2. Real Madrid is an extraordinary & superb Football Team full of cracks
3. If you meet Real Madrid defensively, they will destroy you
4. Andres Iniesta is 100% not available for the Real Madrid match...

He later returned to an attacking mood & posture:
1. The grass is too high & perhaps UEFA should look at this...
2. Perhaps Real Madrid will end up with 10 men , but that will be there doing...


There was more vicious & venomous pearl comments, but Guardiola ended with a Catalonia "nationalist" quote from Catalan poet Lluis Llach: "hemos caído muchas veces como país y como equipo y luego nos levantamos. Este es un pequeño país que desde mi campanar se ve el campanar de otro pueblo"...we have fallen many a time as a Nation (Catalonia) & as a team we will lift ourselves. This is a small Nation that from my towers view I see the higher tower of another Nation (roughly translated, respecting the poetry of the master Llach)

Admirable from Guardiola , uplifting for his players & his Club, super motivation for his fans...but out off place in Football & a authentic mud fight not of a gentlemans level as of Guardiola level. Jose Mourinho does escape criticism, very harsh, very aggressive & including unsportsmanlike, but this should not surprise us.

Many the better team win, may the match be clean & sportsmanship flow.
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SPANISH LEAGUE ROUND 33 MONDAY NIGHT GAME RESULT | REAL ZARAGOZA 1 ALMERIA 0

The SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE celebrated its last schedule Monday Night game of Round 33 with two Clubs fighting for their LIGA lives. REAL ZARAGOZA made their local fans suffer & managed to defeat last placed ALMERIA 1 - 0. This win gives Zaragoza three vital points & sends Clubs Osasuna & Hercules into the relegation zone along with Almeria which is basically doomed.

Real Zaragoza win their Spanish League match

A game full of chances for Zaragoza which was kept out most of the night by Almeria goalie Alves who was outstanding & also by the woodwork - three times! But fate is cruel & a Zaragoza shot at goal would rebound off the Almeria goalie DIEGO ALVES back & go into the net in the 70th min to put Zaragoza ahead.

Almeria then desperately attacked & things got rough with Zaragoza player Ander Herrera being sent off with a red card. Zaragoza managed to keep Almeria at bay & win this important encounter to grab the three points.

Zaragoza temporarily get out of the dangerzone, but it is not over just yet. Osasuna & Hercules are just a point & three points away respectively & there are still 5 games ( 15 points ). 

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REAL MADRID - FC BARCELONA NEWS BRIEFS RUMOURS | WARMING UP THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIS

Hype, vibe, excitement, anticipation, build-up, accusations, previews, atmosphere...just a few words circulating as Spain, Madrid, Barcelona & the Football World looks forward towards next Wednesday night & the 1º leg semi - finals of the Champions League between REAL MADRID & FC BARCELONA.

Here are some interesting curiosities & news pieces circulating,  or items confirmed:


1. Spanish Sports paper "Marca" has already anticipated their idea ( I repeat theirs) of the starting Real Madrid 11. Lass would came in for injuried Khedira, Albiol for suspended Carvalho & Real Madrid would play without a true forward as indicated in the below diagram*

*This is pure speculation by the newspaper at this early stage.


2. Spanish Sports & Barcelona based paper "Sport" anticipates the FC Barcelona defensive four to be : Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Puyol. Defenders Milito & Maxwell injured themselves this weekend & Abidal & Renato are totally not avaiable.

3. Referee is 100% confirmed: German Wolfgang Stark. Neither Real Madrid or FC Barcelona have an "advantage" here.


4. Cristiano Ronaldo, Albiol, Di Maria & Sergio Ramos are one yellow card away from being suspended for the next match. High alert!


5.Barca Cocah Guardiola throws poisoned darts at Madrid at last press conference: Real Madrid is the favourite, some press announce the end of the Barça cycle, but Barça will win the Liga this year, the Spanish Cup is the lesser of the titles ( not said by Guardiola , more the Barça inner circles & press), the grass at Santiago Bernabeu will be higher than normal, the Referee is , will , may...

Stay tuned folks. Things warming up & tomorrow promises to be hot with more declarations from both ends.


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SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE ROUND 33 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE action this afternoon - night with the Sunday Round 33 schedule matches in play. The main highlights are the Clubs fighting to get out of the relegation zone, those attempting to assure their place next season in LA LIGA & thoses teams fighting it out for the limited Euro places on the Spanish League table. Here is a summary of events, results & the scorers.

Real Sporting assured their place in the
Spanish League

REAL SPORTING DE GIJON defeated RCD ESPANYOL 1 - 0 & celebrated it if they had won the Champions League. The three points basically nearly assures their place in the Spanish League next season & that in itself for a humble Club like Gijon is like winning the European Cup.


Hard fought out match that NACHO NOVO decided in the 60th min in favour of the home team. 

Malaga won & momentarily out of danger zone

MALAGA managed three vital points away defeating RACING DE SANTANDER 1 - 2 as they momentarily get out of the relegation zone awaiting tomorrows result when Real Zaragoza plays their game.


Brazilian JULIO BAPTISTA put Malaga ahead in the 31st min proving how important he is turning out for the Club this part of the season. Then team-mate SEBA FERNANDEZ scored the second in the 34th min.

Things slightly complicated itself in favour of the home side as Racing picked up a few gears & scored in the 73rd min via ROSENBERG. But Malaga held out to their delight & their relief.

Mallorca too strong against Getafe

REAL MALLORCA won a lesser GETAFE 2 - 0 in a game with a correct result. NUNES scored first in the 25th min & Japanese player AKI scored the second in the 67th min. Coach Laudrup for Mallorca has done a great job this season given the "limited" resources at Mallorca.

Hercules with "tooth & nails" to attempt to stay
in the Spanish League

HERCULES managed a vital 1 - 0 win over DEPORTIVO. The goal by TIAGO in the 70th min is worth its weight in gold as it gives the team three points & nearly puts them out of the dangerous relegation zone. If they can pulled a few more wins they may be able to escape the gravitational force of 2º Division. Today is a great start in attempting to do so.

Sergio Aguero decisive in Atletico de Madrid victory

ATLETICO DE MADRID managed to fix a complicated match & period into a firm 4 - 1 victory over LEVANTE as the former puts all its "Football eggs" in gaining a place in the scare Euro League places of the Spanish League. They are currently up there just "out" fighting it out with Bilbao & Sevilla FC & today was a giant leap forward in their objective.

Atletico started well with two goals disallowed & ELIAS finally put in a grand free-kick in the 18th min to score the first for Atletico. However things turned sour & Levante equalized via a penalty that CAICEDO converted in the 39th min & the level of the home team dropped alarmingly.

The second half saw SERGIO "KUN" AGUERO come to the rescue with his authority stamping goals in the 50th min & another in the 70th from the penalty spot. Then the fourth for Atletico came in the 83rd min when MUÑUA put in a own goal from a Raul Garcia play.

Negredo scores for Sevilla FC

High scoring, very competitive & entertaining game of Football between SEVILLA FC & VILLAREAL with the former taking the points 3 - 2 after the visitors made a late attempt to turn things around. Sevilla FC with this win grabs harder onto the valuable 6th spot that gives them Europa League access & manages for now to "brush off" Atletico de Madrid hot in their pursuit.

The first half was all Sevilla with RAKITIC scoring a nice goal in the 9th min that was followed by another from team-mate ALVARO NEGREDO in the 14th min. Villareal thankfully reacted & slowly grinded back into some good play to be rewarded in the 56th min when defender MARCHENA scored. Sevilla reacted quickly to send a clear message of intentions in the 62nd min when ROMARIC put in his teams third, but Villareal were not giving in & ROSSI put in the second for Villareal in the 73rd min.

The comeback attempt was somewhat halted when Villareal defender Marchena was sent off with a red card & left the team with 10 men. With this numerical disadvantage Sevilla managed to hold out the visitors & grab the victory.

MONDAY NIGHT ROUND 33 MATCH:
Real Zaragoza - Almeria

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SPANISH TENNIS | RAFAEL NADAL DEFEATS FERRER IN GODO (BARCELONA)

The RAFAEL NADAL Tennis story continues with the World Nº1 ranked Tennis player winning his sixth "CONDE DE GODO" (Barcelona) Tennis Title after defeating Spaniard DAVID FERRER 6-2 6-4. Its his 45 title, 31st on a clay court & the man has only 24 years of age. Totally undisputed by everyone that on a clay surface Rafael Nadal is almost unbeatable.

Rafael Nadal wins Godo 2011

The runner-up David Ferrer put in a good match especially in the second set as he tried to counter Nadal but as already mentioned & acknowledged Nadal is like a "fish in water" on the red dusty surface.

Tennis continues with the MADRID OPEN beginning next week & with big names Djokovic & Federer all participating to once again make Tennis fans mouth water with a possible Nadal - Djokovic/Federer final. From here, congrats Rafa for another title.

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REAL MADRID - FC BARCELONA - ATHLETIC DE BILBAO WIN | SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE ROUND 33 SATURDAY GAMES RESULT

SPANISH FOOTBALL action this Saturday via LA LIGA & its three scheduled Round 33 matches. Top games that I resume here with all the results & the scorers.

Karim Benzema scores for Real Madrid

VALENCIA CF lost 3 - 6 to a REAL MADRID "B" team as Coach Mourinho left on the bench Ronaldo, Ozil, Marcelo, Pepe & Xabi Alonso; apart from resting Ramos, Di Maria & Khedira who is out injured. Coach Mourinho put on for his debut match young defender Nacho Fernandez who put in a competent match along with Kaka, Higuain, Benzema ...all protagonists tonight.

In fact, Valencia was down 0 - 4 by half time as the newly crowd Spanish Cup winners overran the home team which was suffering from lack of defensive discipline. KARIM BENZENA opened proceeding in the 22nd min, followed by goals from HIGUAIN in the 30th min , thanks to a terrible defensive mistake from defender Mathieu, KAKA in the 38th min & again HIGUAIN in the 42 th min

Kaka celebrates his goal

Valencia started the second half terribly with HIGUAIN scoring his third in the 52nd min (HAT-TRICK) which caused many Valencia fans to leave their seats & the ground. Valencia reacted somewhat as Real Madrid relaxed their foot off the accelarator, with SOLDADO scoring the first of Valencia in the 59th min. But there was to be one more for Real Madrid via KAKA in the 61st min that was absolutely fabulous with dribbling & scoring that showed signs of the "old Kaka".

Mourinho then did some field changes & things relaxed to which Valencia took advantage & thankfully scored via JONAS in the 80th min & JORDI ALBA in the 85th min to water-down the tremendous hiding received tonight.

Valencia CF Coach Emery was furious post match with his teams attitude as they risk the hard fought for 3rd place on the Spanish League ladder that they currently hold. Meanwhile, Real Madrid keeps the gap with Barça as last week. Obviously , Real Madrid is thinking ahead & planning the Champions League semi-final mid week against Barcelona. 

David Villa breaks his "dry spell"

FC BARCELONA was also thinking in their mid - week Champions League semi-final clash against Real Madrid giving rest to big named players like Pique & having Iniesta & Messi start on the bench. They managed to win 2 - 0 OSASUNA but had to call upon Iniesta & Messi in the second half as Osasuna nearly gave them a fright. In fact, Barça goalie Valdes who notched up his 500th match had to do an "impossible save"/s to avoid the equalizer from Osasuna.

Barça started well & DAVID VILLA finally scored in the 23rd min to break a "dry goal spell" since the 26th of February, but from here onward the Barça game deteriorated as Osasuna took control. Guardiola had to put on players who were meant to rest to solve a "sticky situation" which occurred when MESSI scored the second goal late in the 85th min.

Barcelona keeps its 8 point advantage over Real Madrid in the Spanish League title race & look virtually assured for this season. However, mid week there is Champions League & against Real Madrid & tonight's performance was way below usual standards that will give Coach Guardiola work in the coming days to better things & fix some on-field tactical "problems".

At Bilbao player Muniain  scores against Real Soceidad

Fantastic & intense Football game in the Basque country derby between ATHLETIC DE BILBAO & REAL SOCIEDAD with the home side taking the honours with a 2 - 1 score line.

At.Bilbao got off on fire with young MUNIAIN scoring in the 18th min followed by a second from TOQUERO in the 29th min. Real Sociedad shook off the "daze" & reacted to attack more & score via an own goal from Bilbao midfielder JAVI MARTINEZ. From here, Real Sociedad lifted gears & played much better & even could have had a penalty not called.

From this point it was a authentic battle midfield with chances being interchanged between both teams & goalkeepers working overtime especially Athletic goalie Fernandez. With Real Sociedad increasing their intensity in attack to find the equalizer as the game went onwards, Bilbao defended well & held out to grab the three points & the "derby" that has a very special significance up lovely North. Great match!
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RAUL GONZALEZ INTERVIEW WITH THE GUARDIAN

One of the greats of SPANISH FOOTBALL & of REAL MADRID still very active at German Club SCHALKE 04, RAUL GONZALEZ BLANCO, has giving a great interview to English paper "The Guradian" as part of the build up to the semi  final Champions League clash against Manchester United next Tuesday night. 

Raul Gonzalez

I put the link below for you to visit & read the excellent interview by Football journalist Sid Lowe, where Raul talks about Schalke 04, German Football, Manchester United, team-mates, Iker Casillas, Real Madrid & Champions League...: 

Raúl: 'We dream of beating United. Let's see if we're the better team'
The former Real Madrid striker has found a new lease of life at Schalke ...

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WATERPOLO | CLUB SABADELL WOMENS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS

Although this blog is about Spanish Football in its majority, its also about Spanish Sports in general especially when something big occurs as CN Sabadell Astralpool Womens Waterpolo team proclaiming themselves European Club Champions. This type of news is appreciated by the many Spaniards currently living , working or studying overseas & surf into Spanish Football Sports Blog for their daily dose of Sorts news.

The Spanish Waterpolo Club won 13 - 8 the Italian favourites Orizzonte CATANIA. It is a historical victory & title for the Club & Spanish female Waterpolo that could announce the beginning of more & better times ahead in the Sport.

Congrats girls, well done.

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FC BARCELONA 2011 | VICTOR VALDES REACHES 400 GAMES

Barcelona Spanish Sports based paper "Sport" informs us that today FC BARCELONA goalkeeper VICTOR VALDES will notch up his 400 game for the Club. A controversial figure with a "love - hate" relationship with Football fans, there is however little doubt about his quality & outstanding goalkeeping skills. His 3 "Zamoras" ( least goaled keeper in the Spanish Football League ) gives proof of this aspect.

Victor Valdes FC Barcelona

Sport has come up with the above "infograph" for the 29 year old which highlights his already impressive career titles. The language is in Spanish but one can very easily figure out all the informtion with translation.

From here we congratulate Valdes for his grand milestone & I am sure he will continue adding onto games & titles in the coming years.
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VIDEO | SERGIO RAMOS SPANISH CUP TROPHY BUS ACCIDENT

When one opens up his email account & finds more the 50 mails from readers asking for the VIDEO of Real Madrid defender SERGIO RAMOS dropping the SPANISH CUP (accident) in front of the celebration bus to then see it get run over & trampled, one finds it for the Spanish Football Sports Blog readers. 



Sergio Ramos later put on his twitter ...that he did not drop the Cup, the Cup jumped on of his hands with excitement in seeing so many Real Madrid fans (roughly translated) . A funny bloke indeed...


While the original Spanish Cup was a run over wreck, an exact copy was taken this morning to the Real Madrid "Santiago Bernabeu Stadium" were it now sits in their trophy museum.

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VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS | SPANISH CUP FINAL 2011 | FC BARCELONA 0 REAL MADRID 1

VIDEO highlights of last nights SPANISH CUP FINAL between FC BARCELONA - REAL MADRID courtesy of Jonzea. Video in HD with 12 minutes of the intense on field battle with Real Madrid winning 0 - 1 & the Title.


Great video in case you missed the game.


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REAL MADRID SPANISH CUP 2011 CELEBRATIONS | SPANISH CUP TROPHY "DESTROYED"

Just a humorous incident, or very serious accident, depending on how you look at things occurred during this mornings REAL MADRID Spanish Cup winners celebrations with their fans in Madrid. The full Real Madrid Football Team had arrived at Madrid around 04.00 & did a bus parade towards the fountain of "Cibeles" in the middle of Madrid, where Real Madrid celebrates its titles with the fan base.

Real Madrid Spanish Cup celebration
photo sequence: Juan Aguado

As the photo sequence will show, SERGIO RAMOS was proudly showing the fans the hard fought & won SPANISH CUP 2011 TROPHY, when it slipped out off his grasp.

As you can see the Spanish Cup fell in front of the bus.

The bus "run over" the Spanish Cup & was put out of circulation for the rest of the night. Obviously an accident & the Cup will be repaired. Sergio Ramos was sent to the blackboard to write a 1000 times ..."I must not allow the Spanish Cup to fall"  :O)

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PHOTO | REAL MADRID SPANISH CUP 2011 WINNERS

Here is a photo for all the Spanish Football Sports readers & REAL MADRID fans around the World of the team celebrating their 0 -  1 SPANISH CUP ( Kings Cup) FINAL victory over FC Barcelona.

Real Madrid Spanish Cup winner 2011

For all the many fans of Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo with the 2011 Spanish Cup
photo courtesy of Rafa Casals

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SPANISH CUP FINAL RESULT FC BARCELONA 0 REAL MADRID 1

REAL MADRID won their 18th SPANISH CUP Title, plus 18 years later from their last,  after defeating FC BARCELONA 0 - 1 in a Final that went into extra-time. 

Iker Casillas with the Spanish Cup 2011

It was spectacular, intense, a war-zone in the midfield, posts, amazing saves & a physical effort from both teams that was superhuman. Marvellous Spanish Cup Final

Cristiano Ronaldo scores the winner of the
Spanish Cup Final 2011

It was a midfield mistake that allowed Real Madrid to find Di Maria who crossed & found a "floating" CRISTIANO RONALDO in the 103rd min into extra-time to find the back of the net with his header, after Barça goalie Pinto had stopped a couple beforehand in miraculous fashion.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with team-mates

From the Real Madrid goal, the whole team worked together to defend solidly the rest of the remaining period as FC Barcelona went all out to attempt to equalize; Pique was even placed in the forward line. Real Madrid held out, won the Spanish Cup Final & their arch rival after suffering some heavy defeats in their past encounters.

It was tough in the midfield

The game started explosive with intense plays & head to head clashes in all field positions. Real Madrid used its strategy of defending to destroy the Barça play & counter-attacked when possible. Lots of the players from both teams share a place in the Spanish National Team, but tonight each with his own & experienced some very harsh moments in a brutally hard fought out match. Real Madrid had three to four clear chances - Pepe hit the post & Cristiano had shots- that they missed & they gave the impression that they would pay for these misses later on.

Messi tried all night 

The second half was all the opposite, with Barça taking full control over a tired & "disorganized" Real Madrid. Barça began to touch the ball, were very dangerous & as their rivals in the first half,  had four to five chances that they missed. Having said this Real Madrid goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS was superb & saved two vital opportunities that had "goal" written before the execution. 

Aerial work Barça - Real Madrid

The game went into extra-time with Real Madrid having Adebayor fresh on the field & the reference point in the foward line, but it was Ronaldo who scored the goal & shook off his shoulder the "chip" of not being a "decisive player"  in the big moments & against Barcelona. The rest of the period was a brilliant exhibition of team play, coordination & physical endurance that allowed Real Madrid to withstand the Barça onslaught.

To conclude, allow me to comment that FC BARCELONA was at their best tonight & should be fully congratulated, they were simply brilliant. From a Real Madrid perspective Pepe was huge along with Khedira, Carvalho was immense, Ramos intense, Iker Casillas a saviour, Di Maria a pure engine room ( red card in the 120th min) & Cristiano Ronaldo the goalscorer.

Now for the Champions League semi-finals about to dawn on us all again with two more Real Madrid - FC Barcelona clashes the will take all spectators to the highest level of World Football. Can´t wait for more.

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