Jose Mourinho has claimed one Clasico victory this week ahead of the league game at the Bernabeu on Saturday, an emphatic 3-1 win at the Nou Camp in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday evening. Revelling in the aftermath of a famous and boisterous win at the home of their fiercest rivals, it may come across that Real revealed their priorities this week. The 16 point gap between themselves and Barcelona gave the Copa clash a fierce ultimatum that could have all but signalled a majorly unsuccessful season for Madrid. However, the result has invigorated a volatile side who have underperformed greatly … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2013
El Clasico, let the battle commence
Tonight sees the renewal of hostilities between the big two in Spain, el clásico, between Futbol Club Barcelona and Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. Many in the country itself believe that they are the two biggest clubs in the world, many more around the world would find it hard to disagree. Vicente del Bosque, Spain's National Coach and a former Real Madrid player and coach, yesterday received a medal of honour from the autonomous community of Castille and Leon for his services to the game. The great man himself couldn't split the big two and only hopes for a match that will promote the high … [Read more...]
Barcelona struggling to meet their standards without Tito
Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova's treatment for cancer has been well documented and having led the team to the summit of La Liga with a record points total, he departed the club in a dominant position. However, since Vilanova left for America in late January it has been clear that the standard of Barcelona's play has dropped, culminating in the disastrous 2-0 loss in Milan which has made an exit from the Champions League in the round of 16 a real possibility with three pivotal games against Real Madrid and Milan coming up quickly. … [Read more...]
Raphael Varane – the next great central defender
Not many are able to force their way onto the cusp of the Real Madrid starting eleven these days, but even fewer manage to do so at such a tender age as Raphael Varane. The 19 year old Frenchman has, over the past few months, presented a strong case to manager Jose Mourinho for a regular starting place with a number of assured displays at the heart of the Madrid back four. Madrid's best kept secret is out and now the world is aware of Varane's ability with praise coming from all directions. … [Read more...]
FC Porto v Málaga CF preview
Not satisfied with their recent success, Málaga set their sights on a quarter-final berth. … [Read more...]
Honours even at the Bernabeu but tricky tests await for Valencia and Atletico
Real Madrid fought back from a goal down to level their UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg with Manchester United on Wednesday thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's header against his former club. Ronaldo cancelled out Danny Welbeck's earlier strike and ensured Madrid go into the game at Old Trafford in three weeks time on level terms. It could have been very different for Mourinho's men however as they created the majority of chances and but for some sensational stops from United's David De Gea, the home team could have ended the tie on the night. The Spanish stopper expertly denied Fabio … [Read more...]
Suspicious in Sociedad
Real Sociedad have been improving of late with three wins from their last four games but have been rocked by allegations of match-fixing and doping. The team from the Basque Country currently occupy 8th position but have come under close scrutiny of late following an interview with the club's former President Inaki Badiola in Spanish newspaper AS last Monday. Badiola, President at La Anoeta for a 12 month spell in 2008, suggested that Sociedad players had used 'illegal medicine bought with dirty money from the black market' in a spell under former President Jose Luis Astiazaran, current head … [Read more...]