CRISTIANO RONALDO WINS UEFA BEST PLAYER SEASON 2013-2014 AWARD

As expected Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded this afternoon the "UEFA Best Player season 2013 - 2014". The Portuguese player won the title over Bayern Munich candidates Manuel Neuer & Arjen Robben.

This award was missing in CR7 "collection" with previous winners being Ribery last year, Lionel Messi & Andres Iniesta.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a fabulous 2013 - 2014 season winning the Spanish Cup & UEFA Champions League title along with his record breaking 17 goals scored in the Champions League competition, plus winning the "European Golden Boot Award" (shared with Luis Suarez) with 31 goals. 

Ronaldo was very happy & with his acceptance speech thanked his team-mates, Club & family, while congratulating the other candidates. 

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SPANISH FOOTBALL PLAYERS DOMINANTE UEFA IDEAL CHAMPIONS SQUAD

UEFA experts & Football technical team got together after the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid to put forward their "IDEAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SQUAD" for season 2013-2014.

This years UEFA Champions League Winners, Real Madrid has 7 players on the list, while sub-Champions, Atletico de Madrid has 4 players. The other Spanish Football Club with a representative is FC Barcelona with Andres Iniesta.

The final list is:

Goalkeepers : Courtois (At. Madrid) & Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich),

Defenders: Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Godin (At.Madrid), Lahm (Bayern Munich),

Midfielders: Di Maria, Modric, Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Iniesta (FC Barcelona), Gabi (At.Madrid), Kross (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Diego Costa (At.Madrid), Reus (B Dortmund), Robben (Bayern Munich), Ibrahimovic (PSG)

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SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA BEST XI PLAYERS - TEAM BY THE LFP SEASON 2013-2014

The "Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional" (LFP = National Professional Football Liga), the association responsible for administering the two professional football leagues in Spain - the "Liga" and Segunda Division, has handed in their list of 11 players that makes up the "IDEAL LIGA TEAM" season 2013-2014.

The "core" of the "Best XI" is made up of Atletico de Madrid players, reflecting their outstanding year & their Liga title season 2013-2014. Below is the full list of players that make up the "Liga Best Players" season 2013-2014 given by the LFP:

Courtois ( Atletico de Madrid)
JuanFran (Atletico de Madrid)
Laporte (Athletic Club Bilbao)
Godin ( Atletico de Madrid)
Felipe Luis ( Atletico de Madrid)
Iturraspe (Athletic Club Bilbao)
Koke (Atletico de Madrid)
Gabi ( Atletico de Madrid)
Ratikic (Sevilla FC)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid FC)
Diego Costa ( Atletico de Madrid)

Strange not to see any FC Barcelona players or Lionel Messi, but their absence reflects their relatively "bad season".

Congratulations to all the named players.
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SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA TOP GOALSCORER - TOP GOALKEEPER WINNERS SEASON 2013-2014

With the Spanish Football Liga season over it is time to post about the awards winners & all other types of official ( & unofficial ) recognitions that habitually appear at the end of the season. Two very important & prestigious Awards are the Spanish Liga "Top Goalscorer" - El Pichichi - & the Spanish Liga "Best Goalkeeper" - El Zamora.

The Award for the Spanish Football Liga "Highest Goalscorer" goes to Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo with 31 goals. This number is also the "European Golden Boot Award" which will be shared with Liverpool FC forward Luis Suarez.

Spanish Football Liga Top Goalscorer - El Pichichi - season 2013/2014 list:

1.Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)         31 goals
2.Messi (FC Barcelona)                         28
3.Diego Costa(Atletico de Madrid)           27
4.Alexis (FC Barcelona)                         19
5.Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)               17

The other important prize of great prestige is "El Zamora", the "Best Goalkeeper" of the Spanish Liga season. The winner is young Atletico de Madrid player Courtois who have only 24 goals scored against him. The player is currently considered the "Best Goalkeeper in the World".

Spanish Football Liga Best Goalkeeper - El Zamora - season 2013/2014 list:

1. Thibaut Courtois (Atletico de Madrid) 0,65 coefficient 24 goals
2. Iraizoz (Athletic Bilbao)          0,97         32
3. Diego López (Real Madrid FC) 1,00         36
4. K. Navas (Levante)                1,08         36
5. Asenjo (Villarreal)                  1,17        41

Congratulations to both.

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SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA | ROUND 38 FINAL RESULTS

Spanish Football continued today with the last Round (38) of season 2013-2014 with all the action at the bottom of the Spanish Liga classification table. Intense matches, with accidents & even post-match incidents as the final results sent 2 teams along with Real Betis to the Spanish 2º Division next season. The other side of the coin was the celebration of the Clubs which saved themselves from relegation to continue in Liga next season. 

The final results are as follows:

• Almeria 0 - Athletic club Bilbao 0:

The draw & the Getafe win allows Almeria to stay in the Spanish Liga next season.

• Rayo Vallecano 1 (Trashorras) - Getafe 2 (Ciprian, Marica, penalty):

The win saves Getafe who managed the all important goal in the last moment with a penalty in the 93rd min which Marica converted. Saved by the skin of their teeth, with post-match incidents between Coaches & players as the emotions overflowed.

• Osasuna 2 (Oriol Riera, Acuña) - Real Betis (Chica):

Even though Osasuna won they get relegated to the Spanish 2º Division. However the other news was the collapse of a crowd barrier that lead to 20-30 injuries. Could have been much worst but thanks to fate nothing beyond this that could have been a tragedy.

• Real Valladolid 0 - Granada 1 (Mitrovic own goal):

Real Valladolid loses to an own goal that sends them to the 2º Division but saves Granada. Bad luck, tears at Valladolid, while Granada celebrate their struggle & luck.

The three teams that get relegated to the Spanish 2º Division are:

• Osasuna 39 points
• Real Valladolid 36 points
• Real Betis 25 points

Sevilla FC 3 (Iborra, Jairo, Iborra) - Elche 1 (Boakye). The result of this game had no effect on which Clubs got relegated.

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | ATLETICO DE MADRID LIGA CHAMPIONS | SATURDAY RESULTS

The Spanish Football League title went down to the wire to be settled in the last Round (38) & precisely between the two contenders, Atletico de Madrid & FC Barcelona. The much anticipated game at "Camp Nou" ended in a 1 - 1 draw which gave Atletico de Madrid the Spanish Liga Title season 2013-2014.

The match takes all the headlines & eclipses the other games scheduled today/tonight. The FC Barcelona - Atletico de Madrid game was costly to both sides in injuries, especially Atletico de Madrid which lost Diego Costa & Arda Turan. Both have a cloud over their participation in the UEFA Champions League Final against Real Madrid next Saturday. FC Barcelona lost Sergi Busquets to injury & is a concern for the Spanish National Football Team selector.

The game in itself was as expected nervous, tense & taken to the limit as both sides had the Liga Championship in their hands. FC Barcelona went ahead against the "grain" of play when they were not playing well when Alexis scored a "cracker" in the 33rd min. However, it is not the same Barça team we have been used to in the passed seasons or at the start or midway through this season. The "Barça Machine" is not precise, fine-tuned & reliable with obvious "problems" in the defensive area & in fixed ball situations.

It was from a corner that Atletico de Madrid managed the prized draw & point after Godin flew in to header a corner in the 49th min. This put doubts into the Barcelona team as Atletico regrouped to neutralize Barça & their efforts. This included a great Courtois goalie save that inspired his team. Barça will claim an unjust disallowed goal to Messi for off-side which would have possibly given them the title, but in the end the packed "Camp Nou" crowd rose to applaud the new Spanish League Champions Atletico de Madrid. 

For Barcelona its a "bad season" finishing second & not winning any titles signalling the end of a "Golden Era" that perhaps will never be repeated. Big chances are coming starting with a new Coach (rumour is Luis Enrique ex Barcelona & Celta de Vigo Coach) as Tata Martino announced his "goodbye after the match & a string of players that will leave or be sold. More news in coming weeks & months, so stay tuned!


The other Round 38 games final results are:

The Friday night Round 38 game was Malaga FC 1 (Portillo) - Levante 0

Today:
Real Madrid 3 (Bale, 2 X Morata) - RCD Espanyol 1 (Pizzi)

Real Madrid finished the Liga season third with shared points ( 87points ) with FC Barcelona. Their star forward Cristiano Ronaldo did not start todays match as he retired during the warm-up & Karim Benzema felt a pinch in the groin during the match. Both are under a cloud for next weeks UEFA Champions League Final against Atletico de Madrid. However, Coach Ancelotti said he is confident of having both available.

Valencia CF 2 (Feghouli, Piatti) - Celta de Vigo 1 (Inigo Lopez)

Valencia made a comeback to take the match & give the local fans something to smile about tonight, after a very difficult season. 

Tomorrow the last games of Round 38 of Spanish Liga continue with big drama at the bottom of the classification table. Half a dozen Clubs will be playing for their Liga future next season as they attempt to avoid relegation. Tense afternoon/night tomorrow of Spanish Football.
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SEVILLA FC UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 4 - 2 AFTER PENALTY SHOOT OUT

Spanish Football Club SEVILLA FC won its third UEFA / EUROPA LEAGUE Title after defeating Portuguese Club Benfica in the penalty shoot out ( 4-2) after extra-time. A match the was taken to the limit by both teams & unfortunate for Benfica for its their 8th European Final in which they have lost, giving more fame to the so called Curse of Bela Guttmann. 

The match swayed in favour from one team to the other as it went on. Both sides created numerous goal opportunities, some were scandalously missed by both sides, with Benfica perhaps now haunted by some as they were the eventual losers. The Seville misses will now be forgotten in their particular case.

Benfica played an extraordinary match, & looked at coldly & with hindsight could perfectly have been the winners of this Europe League Championship ( putting aside possible penalties not called). Obviously the hurt of the loss will be great & words of praise will mean nothing at this stage but they can go back home proud of what they have achieved & the great Club they are in European & World Soccer. In Sport someone or a team has to lose, tonight it went to Sevilla FC.

But as Football has shown us on numerous occasions the differences that tip the balance are marginal & most times down to the fine details. More determination, perhaps more willingness, maybe that extra effort & a more clearer & colder head to think under pressure.

The penalty shoot out is a lottery, but Benfica players Cardozo & Rodrigo missed their penalties & Sevilla FC goalkeeper Beto made the important saves. Two buckled perhaps under the immense pressure while the other grew in strength & with inspiration for history. That is Football.

The first European Football Title for season 2013 - 2014 falls to a Spanish Football Club with the soon to be played UEFA Champions League Final already guaranteed to fall to another Spanish Football Team with Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid finalists. Sevilla FC are deserved winners & deserve a congratulations as Spanish Football deserves a big congratulations as well. Happy & festive night locally & especially in the city of Seville.

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EUROPEAN GOLDEN BOOT AWARD | CRISTIANO RONALDO, LUIS SUAREZ OR LIONEL MESSI

The English Premier League season finished with Liverpool FC forward Luis Suarez the top "EPL" goalscorer for season 2013-2104 with 31 goals. However, this weekend the Uruguayan International was not able to score & thus was not able to shake off Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo who also has 31 goals this season. Both players are currently locked in the top spot of the "European Golden Boot Award" season 2013 - 2014 with Cristiano Ronaldo still with a Liga match to play next weekend.

The Real Madrid forward did not play last weekend nursing a muscle/knee complaint & with the UEFA Champions League in mind. However it is strongly speculated that Cristiano Ronaldo will play against RCD Espanyol next weekend in order to try to score & become the solitary leader in the "Highest Goalscorer in Europe Award" & win the "Golden Boot" in solitary. 

Third place Lionel Messi also plays next weekend against Atletico de Madrid in the Liga decider & he has currently 28 goals. The Argentine would need to score 3 goals to equal both Ronaldo & Suarez or 4 ( or more ) to overtake & win the "Golden Boot", as long as CR7 does not score.

Stay tuned as we will soon know the winner/s of the 2013-2014 European Golden Boot Award in 6 days.

Current European Golden Boot Award standings:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, SP) = 31 goals = 62 POINTS
Luis Suarez ( Liverpool FC , ENG ) = 31 goals = 62 POINTS
3. Lionel Messi ( FC Barcelona , SP) = 28 goals = 56 POINTS
4. Diego Costa (Atletico de Madrid, SP) = 27 goals = 54 POINTS
5. J.Soriano (RB Salzburg, AUT) = 31 goals = 46 POINTS
6. C.Immobile (FC Torino, ITA ) = 22 goals = 44 POINTS
7. D.Sturidge (Liverpool FC, ENG) = 22 goals = 44 POINTS
8. A.Finnbogason ( Heerenveen, HOL) = 29 goals = 43,5 POINTS
9. Lewansowski (B Dortmund, GER) = 20 goals = 40 POINTS
10. Y Toure (Man City, ENG) = 20 goals = 40 POINTS

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SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA ROUND 37 GAMES FINAL RESULTS

Was out of town this weekend with the family enjoying the fine weather & some relax. However, was connected to the radio to Spanish Football Round 37 Liga games & final results. Emotional & tense stuff as the bottom placed teams fight to avoid relegation while Atletico de Madrid, FC Barcelona & Real Madrid fight it out to win the Liga title.

After todays Round 37 final results, Real Madrid drops out of contention after losing 2 - 0 to Celta de Vigo, & the Spanish Football Liga title will be decided next week in the last Round (38) when FC Barcelona plays Atletico de Madrid.

Atletico de Madrid could have won the Liga title today had they defeated Malaga FC instead of their final 1 - 1 draw. But "the save of the season" by Willy Caballero from a Adrian opportunity in the last moment halted that possibility. FC Barcelona could be the Spanish Liga Champions if they win Atletico de Madrid next Saturday, thus its all down to the final wire. 

Spanish Football LIGA Round 37 games, results & goalscorers

Saturday Games:

Villarreal - Rayo V.
4 - 0
21' Uche 41' Bruno 54' Jonathan Pereira 63' Jaume Costa

Levante - Valencia
2 - 0
69' Ángel 80' Ivanschitz

Sunday Games:

Athletic - R. Sociedad
1 - 1
48' Muniain 74' Agirretxe

Getafe - Sevilla
1 - 0
69' Sergio Escudero

Celta de Vigo - R. Madrid
2 - 0
42' Charles
62' Charles

At. Madrid - Málaga
1 - 1
64' Samuel 73' Alderweireld

Granada - Almería
0 - 2
18' Verza (penalty)82' Aleix Vidal (penalty)

Betis - Valladolid
4 - 3
05' Braian Rodríguez
53' Jorge Molina
75' Rubén Castro
90' Juanfran

Javi Guerra 50' Peña 58' Javi Guerra (penalty)

Espanyol - Osasuna
1 - 1
20' Colotto 43' Acuña

Elche - Barcelona
0 - 0

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SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA ROUND 36 FINAL RESULTS

Been out of town during the long weekend holiday getting some relax & away from Spanish Football, although I followed things with the radio & got all the news coming back home as well. The results after Round 36 opens up wide the Spanish Liga Title.

Football has an amazing way of causing things to go against the grain of logic. FC Barcelona drew 2 - 2 with Getafe on Saturday & virtually said goodbye to their title candidacy. However, today's results has surprised us all with Atletico de Madrid losing 0 - 2 to Levante & Real Madrid drew 2 - 2 to Valencia CF. The possible final points combinations now puts FC Barcelona back into contention & leaves Real Madrid more out than in for the Liga Title as the final Round 38 has a At Madrid - FC Barcelona game scheduled which may settle the Spanish Champion.

The top of the Spanish Liga table now looks like this:
1º At Madrid      88 points ( 36 games)
2º FC Barcelona 85 points ( 36 games)
3º Real Madrid 83 points ( 35 games)

Round 36 Spanish Football Liga final results:

Almeria 3 - 2 Real BetisLevante 2 - 0 Atletico de Madrid        

Real Madrid 2 - 2 Valencia CF          

Sevilla FC 0 - 0 Villarreal                   

FC Barcelona 2 - 2 Getafe     

Malaga 0 - 1 Elche     

Osasuna 0 - 2 Celta de Vigo   

Real Valladolid 1 - 0 Espanyol

Rayo Vallecano 0 - 3 Athletic Club Bilbao (Friday)

Real Madrid plays their postponed game against Real Valladolid next Wednesday & if they win they will go ahead of FC Barcelona by 1 point in 2 place. With two more Rounds left of the Spanish Liga the Spanish Championship looks like being settled in the final Round & most probably between the FC Barcelona - At.Madrid which play each other. Real Madrid must win all their games & await that either Barça or Atletico lose next week.

Emotional end to this seasons Spanish Liga.

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CHELSEA FC - ATLETICO DE MADRID | PREVIEW | POSSIBLE STARTING TEAM LINE-UPS

Chelsea FC hosts Spanish Football Club Atletico de Madrid tonight in the 2ºleg semi-final match of the UEFA Champions League with the tie wide open & even (0-0 aggregate). The winner tonight will meet Real Madrid in the Final on the 24th of May in Lisbon (Portugal).

Already the "conspiracy theory" enthusiasts have alerted that UEFA does not desire a Final to be between two Clubs of the same country & worst, same city. Thus predict that Atletico de Madrid will suffer "strange things" in their game with Chelsea FC.

Bad thinking apart, what Atletico de Madrid will face is a different team that they faced in the 1ºst leg. Seems everything is following a "Morinho Masterplan" with Chelsea FC recovering some real talent in Oscar, Eto´o & perhaps Hazard.

The speculated starting team line-ups as given by Spanish Sports paper "Sport" (has a mistake putting in Gabi for Atletico) gives Chelsea FC a more offensive orientated aspect & with a smell in the air of a "trap" being laid for the Spaniards at "Stamford Bridge".

courtesy "Sport"

But Atletico de Madrid is a better team & their defence has proven to be very difficult to overcome. However, Atletico de Madrid will be missing a very important piece tonight in Captain Gabi (accumulated yellow cards) that will be felt & were Thiago is the speculated team-mate to fill the vacancy. Turan Arda is also expected to start which should give Atletico more possession & depth. The rest is as habitual & are still considered a team with good chances of going through.

As with all predictions, the starting team line-ups are speculations, please keep this mind. 

For Chelsea FC:

Schwarzer, Azpilicueta (I disagree & think Ivanoviv) , Cahill, Terry, Ashley Cole ( I disagree & think Azpilicueta), David Luiz, Ramires, Schurrle (perhaps Hazard), Willian, Oscar & Eto´o

For Atletico de Madrid:

Courtois, JuanFran, Miranda, Godin, Felipe Luis, Thiago, Mario Suarez, Arda, Koke, Raul Garcia & Diego Costa. 

Good-luck to Atletico de Madrid (I follow Atletico) & barring "strange events" inspired by UEFA , hope to see an all Spanish UEFA Champions League Final. But it won´t be easy & I do not trust Mr.José Mourinho who will most certainly have a card up his sleeve. Could go to penalties! 

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BAYERN MUNICH 0 REAL MADRID 4 ( 0-5 AGG) | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI RESULT

If anyone would have predicated beforehand the final result most would have called him/her crazy. Bayern Munich hosted Real Madrid in the 2º leg return match of the UEFA Champions League semi-final & was "bulldozed" losing 0 - 4, that is 0 - 5 on total aggregate.

There was some doubt pre-match with Gareth Bale starting ahead of Isco but the Welshman put in a solid performance defending & even assisting in one of the goals. The sad news is that Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso received a yellow card (accumulation) & will miss the Final in Lisbon. Bad luck for the player who put in a "blinder" tonight & a huge loss for Real Madrid that will need to fill the important tactical gap.  

The first half by Real Madrid was exceptional, brilliant & totally unexpected by the Germans who were neutralized on all fronts. Special mention to young Real Madrid defender Carvajal who "whipped off" the field ( as in the last game ) Franck Ribery. He along with team-mates Pepe & Coentrao kept Bayern Munich at bay all night. But while Bayern Munich was weary of the dangerous Real Madrid counter-attacks they may have overlooked the "aerial" fire-power of the Spaniards.

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos scored the first from a header in the 16th min & then repeated with another header goal in the 20th min. The Germans were totally rattled when the third goal came upon them when Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 34th min to concluded a counter-attack that Gareth Bale elaborated & passed onto an incoming Cristiano. A goal the gave CR7 the all time goalscoring record in the UEFA Champions League competition surpassing 14 to go onto 15 goals. 

From here Bayern Munich had no choice but to attack & forget about the famous "tiki taka" which as a consequence left spaces in defence. Bayern Coach Guardiola put on Javi Martinez, Goetze & later Pizarro but little could they do to dismantle the Real Madrid tactical set-up. The Spaniards kept creating dangerous occasions often to let the Germans know that they cant get carried away with their endeavour to find goal. Bravely Robben & Kross made attempts but either goalie Casillas & the Madrid defence cleared things. Special mention to Modric who was outstanding, the Croatian is coming of age at Real Madrid.

The final nail in the Bayern "coffin" came in the 89th min when Cristiano Ronaldo executed a free-kick that went under the wall as the Bayern Munich defenders jumped, Bayern goalie Neuer has wrong footed & surprised as the fourth goal raced in. For Cristiano Ronaldo it was his second goal tonight but his 16th goal in Champions League this season out of 10 matches.

The best thing was after this that the referee blew the whistle to let this pass, as Real Madrid qualified for the UEFA Champions League Final in Lisbon the 24th of May. They now await the winner of tomorrows semi-final between Chelsea FC - Atletico de Madrid were things are wide open after the 0 - 0 draw in their 1º leg match. We wish Atletico de Madrid all the luck in the World as there is a possibility of a all Spanish Champions League Final. Stay tuned!

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SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA ROUND 35 MONDAY NIGHT GAME RESULT

Last scheduled game of Round 35 Spanish Football Liga was played tonight between Celta de Vigo & Real Valladolid. Important match for both Clubs as the home side needed a win to guarantee their presence next year in Liga, while Valladolid is suffering in the 2º last place on the Liga table with relegation almost a certainty.

The final result 4 - 0 was a whitewash with Celta de Vigo outplaying Valladolid which lowered their heads & spirits as the scoreline expanded for the home team. Very difficult moment for Valladolid which sees how their Liga future turns to smoke, but disappointing to see them without the "true grit" that one would expect from a Club in their circumstances. Said all this the goals came in the following manner:

• Nolito 38th min, 1-0
• Charles 39th min, 2-0
• Nolito 46th min, 3-0
• Mitrovic (own goal), 49th min

Real Valladolid managed a consolation goal in the 74th min through Manucho. Deep troubles at Valladolid, & three games left to attempt to save themselves ( one of those matches against Real Madrid!).
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SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA ROUND 35 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

Spanish Football continued today with four matches of Round 35 Liga. Below all the final scores-results along with the goalscorers.

RCD Espanyol hosted Almeria which is sitting in the "relegation zone" of the Liga classification table. The final result a 1 - 2 victory to Almeria which keeps them with slim chances in avoiding the relegation. Espanyol continue with a string of losses which is surprising.

Espanyol got ahead first through Stuani with his 42nd min goal. But he was sent off in the 47th min which left his team with 10 men. Almeria used this to take advantage scoring the equalizer through Fran Velez in the 70th min & the winner in the 72nd min thanks to Suso with a great free-kick.

Valencia CF hosted current Liga leaders Atletico de Madrid. The visitors knew beforehand that a win today against Valencia was a must if they were to keep aspiring towards the title. Although the game was difficult with a sticky & determined Valencia CF in front of them, Atletico de Madrid managed a vital 0 - 1 win.

The winner came in the 42nd min when Raul Garcia headed home. Valencia CF lifted especially in the second half & created goal chances but Atletico held out to keep their Spanish Liga title hopes alive. 

Athletic Club Bilbao halted the progression of Sevilla FC winning 3 - 1 & cementing their Champions League table position. Sevilla FC may have felt their efforts in Europa League & could have been effected by tiredness, but Bilbao was superior the full match. The goals for Bilbao came from Susaeta in the 4th min, Muniain in the 53rd min & Ander Herrera in the 73rd min. Sevilla managed their goal in the 79th min through Gamiero.

FC Barcelona travelled to Villarreal with the memory of the passing away of their ex-Coach Vilanova heavy on their minds & spirits. Villarreal needed a win to keep up with the top of the ladder teams to secure a European place for next season. 

Villarreal played very well, so much so that they were 2 - 0 up by the 65th min with goals from Cani in the 45th min & Figueras in the 55th min. But a determined FC Barcelona & perhaps some good luck saw how they managed to turn things around to equalize 2-2. Both goals were own goals from Villarreal players; Gabriel in the 65th min & Musachio in the 78th min. Very stiff for Villarreal.

Villarreal was frustrated with the events & Barça continued with their improved play to see Lionel Messi score the third & the winner in the 82nd min. FC Barcelona then held on for the victory with a final 2 - 3 result. Not the best match from Barça but admirable for their come-back effort, while Villarreal played a great match being very unlucky & deserving much more for their efforts. 

MONDAY NIGHT ROUND 35 MATCH:
Celta de Vigo - Real Valladolid

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SEVILLA FC 2 VALENCIA CF 0 | EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI FINAL RESULT

European Football continues with its festival this week with the turn of the UEFA Europa League semi-final. While Benfica hosted Juventus in Lisbon, Spanish Football Clubs Sevilla FC & Valencia CF played out their 1ºst leg away semi-final match. The final result a convincing 2 - 0 win by Sevilla FC over Valencia CF.

Fabulous atmosphere at the "Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium" filled with Sevilla fans & a healthy number of Valencia followers to push on their teams. Sevilla are in a sweet moment of form, while Valencia CF places all their season hopes towards the Europa League competition.

Both teams started strongly, with nerves & tension but it was Sevilla which settled down first & gradually began to take over the match. An inspired Sevilla Captain Ratikic took over the controls & began steering his team. The first goal came in the 33rd min when Mbia scored when clearly off-side. With this goal & Valencia obviously in disagreement, Sevilla continued to pour the pressure & the second came from a great Bacca play & goal in the 36th min.

With Valencia on the ropes Sevilla looked for the third to seal the tie. The home-side had their chances especially in the first moments of the 2º half but Valencia goalie Guaita managed to save his team. Valencia looked desperately to salvage the situation looking for at least a goal & began slowly picking themselves up to nearly score in the final moments. However the "wood-work" held them out along with Sevilla FC goalie Beto who had to work in the latter part of the match. 

The 2º leg return match will be next week at Valencia with Sevilla FC taking over 2 important goals ( aggregate) forcing Valencia to put in the match of this season for them if they are to go through into the final. Sevilla is currently in the box seat. 

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REAL MADRID 1 BAYERN MUNICH 0 | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI FINAL RESULT

The final result of the UEFA Champions League 1ºst leg away semi-final between Real Madrid & Bayern Munich finished in a 1 - 0 victory to the Spaniards. Intense game between two giants of European Football with differing styles, at least shown tonight. 

After days of debate Cristiano Ronaldo started while Bale was left on the bench. This allowed Isco to start which seem to indicate that Real Madrid wanted the ball. All the contrary, Bayern Munich reached peaks of up to 80% of ball possession & boxed in Real Madrid most of the 1ºst half. However, Real Madrid has a wild card up their sleeve that very few Clubs in the World has an answer, the counter-attack. The first goal, & eventual winner, came from a counter-attack starting from Ronaldo, who passed to Coentrao who fought Karim Benzema to fire home in the 19th min.

Bayern Munich did not change their "suffocating pressure" game plan & kept Real Madrid defending. The Spaniards countered when possible & nearly scored twice with Cristiano Ronaldo missing a clear opportunity in one of those occasions. 

The second half saw a more determined Real Madrid which managed to touch more the ball, but it was clear that tonight the defensive duties were to dominate, Excellent defensive work from Ramos & Pepe (injured mid 2 half), plus great work from Coentrao, Carvajal, Isco & Xabi Alonso who was everywhere & in the correct places when needed. Talking about being in the right place, Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas once again made a "miracle save" late in the second half to avoid Gotze equalizing for Bayern Munich. Bayern Coach Guardiola put on Javi Martinez & Muller to look for the equalizer but Real Madrid stood firm to hold onto to the victory.

Good result for Real Madrid & not too bad for Bayern Munich which will be disappointed somewhat for not scoring as they basically dominated most of the play. The 2º leg return match at Munich is going to be "high voltage" & with maximum tension as Bayern will be going all out to turn the tie around. After watching tonight's performance from Real Madrid, the Spaniards will suffer & I do not see clearly that they have this tie in the bag. But either do I see Bayern having it all their way as psychologically Real Madrid won tonight & this may be an advantage from Real Madrid away & a weight on the collective mind of the German team.

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ATLETICO DE MADRID 0 CHELSEA FC 0 | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 1º LEG SEMI FINAL RESULT

The first semi-final of the 1º leg away match in the UEFA Champions League between Spanish Football Club Atletico de Madrid & English Premier League Club Chelsea FC finished with a final 0-0 draw result. The match also had some "collateral damage" for Chelsea FC losing their habitual goalie Peter Cech with a dislocated shoulder & their Captain John Terry, plus Frank Lampard received a yellow card along with Atletico Captain Gabi both to lose the 2º leg return semi-final due to accumulated yellow cards. 

The true winner tonight was Chelsea FC Coach Jose Mourinho & his team Chelsea FC who followed their "Masterplan" to the final letter. They allowed from the start Atletico de Madrid all the initiative, filled up the midfield with men & then defended in a block (are a wall) to go away tonight without the Spaniards scoring. Jose Mourinho knows very well that this is 120 mins & that the return leg will be were the business will be done & on home turf. Although from a spectators point of view there was no real Football from the visitors, from a strategic angle (tactical) one has to congratulated Mr Mourinho whose a old fox in this competition. 

Said all the above, Atletico de Madrid had the possession of the ball & attacked all game naturally creating goal opportunities throughout the 90 mins. The main focus points up front in Diego Costa & Raul Garcia were neutralized by so many marking Chelsea defenders that made the job difficult for the attackers. Both, along with other team-mates, came close to scoring but not close enough. Congratulations to Atletico de Madrid for not allowing Chelsea to score & putting in an acceptable & admirable performance under the circumstances. They live to fight another day which ain´t too bad for Champions League.

Both teams are still very much alive in this semi-final & Chelsea looks a team that can be beaten if we are to go on what was seen tonight, not very convincing at all. However, I have no doubts that Mourinho maybe setting up a "trap" for the 2º leg game where he maybe able to call up other players like Oscar, Hazard or Eto´o to give the team a total redecoration into a strong attacking team at "Stamford Bridge".  In conclusion a return match that will have everyone on their nerves & were the tense will be at maximum levels as this competition deserves & is expected at this late stage of Champions League. 

Tomorrow, more World Class Football with two giants playing each other in the 2º UEFA Champions League semi-final 1º leg away game; Real Madrid & Bayern Munich.
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ATLETICO DE MADRID-CHELSEA FC | POSSIBLE TEAM LINE-UPS

The City of Madrid becomes the centre of European Football these days as the two local big Spanish Football Clubs not only participate in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals but respectively act as hosts for the 1º leg away games. Atletico de Madrid plays English Premier League Club Chelsea FC tonight, while Real Madrid CF plays German Club Bayern Munich tomorrow. 

Huge games for both, & for Atletico de Madrid which is 120 minutes away from possibly getting themselves into the final. Not since 1974 has that happenned when they touched glory winning 1 - 0 in the European Cup Final but Bayern Munich equalized in the final moment. The reply match final was a Bayern whitewash.  

courtesy of "sport.es"

As habitual, Spanish Sports daily "Sport.es" gives its readers an interesting infograph with their speculated starting XI line-up for both sides. This time around I think that our friends at "Sport" may have over speculated as I have the feeling that both teams have last minute surprises. I get the impression that tonights semi-final will be very tactical in nature & set-up.

Looking at the possible Atletico de Madrid starting XI line-up, the "Sport.es" press puts in Mario & David Villa from the start, while I have doubts & see more Thiago & possibly Raul Garcia. In the Chelsea FC camp I don´t see Fernando Torres in the starting line-up & feel that tonight could be the type of game to extra motivate the ex-Atletico de Madrid idol & Coach Mourinho may bet on this & give him a start.

Either way, as mentioned everything is speculation at this point in reference to the starting XI line-ups from both sides.

As a Atletico de Madrid supporter I must say, Aupa Atleti!

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MALAGA 2 VILLARREAL 0 | SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA ROUND 34 MONDAY GAME RESULT

Spanish Liga Round 34 had up to Monday two remaining matches to be played. The Real Valladolid - Real Madrid game has been moved for the 7th of May, thus the other remaining clash between Malaga FC & Villarreal was the Monday Night match. An encounter that brought together two sides with differing objectives, the first Malaga FC needed the three points tonight to secure their Spanish League future for next season, while Villarreal needed to win to keep alive their hopes of getting into the European ladder positions.

The final result was a 2 - 0 victory to Malaga FC which currently puts the Club further away from the dangerous relegation zone of the ladder with their tonight earned 10th place classification. Villarreal drops to 7th place just 2 points behind Real Sociedad which clings to the Euro 6th position.

The star of the match was Malaga FC winger Amrabat who drove crazy Villarreal with his pace & dangerous incursions. With his help came the two goals for Malaga tonight, the first from Santa Cruz in the 6th min & the second from Darder in the 53rd min. However, Ambarat also left his team with 10 men after receiving a direct red card in the 73rd min for responding to the referee to "put on some glasses".

Malaga FC managed with 10 men to keep Villarreal at bay for the rest of the match.

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SPANISH FOOTBALL LIGA | ROUND 34 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

Spanish Football continued today with four matches of Round 34 Liga. Below are the final results-scores along with all the goalscorers.

Almeria hosted Celta de Vigo & further complicated their Liga future losing 2 - 4 to Celta de Vigo. For Celta it was a mini-celebration as they secure their future mathematically in Liga for next season. The four goals for Celta came in the following order: Nolito 18th min, Charles in the 51st min, Nolito 70th min & Orellana in the 75th min. For Almeria their two goals came from Rodri in the 39th min & Oscar Diaz in the 87th min.

Madrid Club Rayo Vallecano has turned the last end of the season into real success notching up victories & points to get away from dangerous relegation zone. Another three points today with a 3 - 1 victory over Real Betis. The latter is almost mathematically destined to the 2º Division depending on their result next week.

The goalscorers for Rayo Vallecano: Rochina 14th min, Paulao (own goal) 27th min & Larrivey 51st min. For Real Betis the consolation goal (just to say something) came from Chica in the 79th min.

Sevilla FC continue with victories & jump into European positions after defeating Granada 4-0. The goals came from Mainz (own goal) 14th min, Gameiro 51st min, Mbia 58th min & Vitolo 68th min.

Tremendous game between FC Barcelona & Athletic Club Bilbao that had everything with end to end plays the full 90 mins. Important game for Barça in front of their home fans who criticised heavily the team in the last week. The Barça players wanted a good result for this game to "shut" a few "bad-tongues" & were extra motivated.

However, FC Barcelona did not have it easy or any luck until the 70th min when they finally began scoring after numerous goal occasions, including hitting the bar & facing an incredible Bilbao goalie Iraizoz who made half a dozen spectacular saves. His team-mate Aduriz managed an overhead that hit the bar & Bilbao also had numerous goal opportunities. 

Bilbao opened the can first in the 49th min through Aduriz & had Barça on the ropes. However, Barça continued attacking & creating goal opportunities & the statistics had to give a goal which finally arrived thanks to Pedro in the 71st min. The second goal for Barça came in the 74th min from a Lionel Messi free-kick.

From here the intensity maintained itself with both sides looking for more goals. Bilbao had chances to equalize & Barça had chances to scored a couple more. In the end the final result 2 - 1 to FC Barcelona. 

MONDAY NIGHT ROUND 34 MATCH
Malaga FC - Villarreal

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