Atletico created the chances but failed to capitalise on their superiority, as they take a 1-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey. Diego Simeone rested players in this first leg encounter, but his side were still hot favourites to take a convincing lead over Athletic. Despite a strong opening from Atletico, it was Athletic who should have taken the lead after ten minutes. Herrera sliced wide with the goal invitingly before him. It was a miss that would prove costly. Athletic goalkeeper Iago Herrerin was the man of the match, producing fine saves throughout the game. Two particularly … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2014
Manchester City Fail To Land Pepe
It has been a quiet transfer window for Manchester City, and now Manuel Pellegrini has failed to land his number one target – Real Madrid's Pepe. Pepe has established himself at the hear of the Madrid defence this season alongside Sergio Ramos. Indeed, the gifted Portuguese international has made more appearances for Los Blancos this season than any other player. Manchester City are desperate to strengthen their defence. Pellegrini's gung-ho approach is paying dividends in the English Premier League, but he knows that he needs to be more defence minded if he is to build towards European glory … [Read more...]
Kagawa To Leave Manchester For Madrid
Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa will soon be on his way to Atletico Madrid as a knock on effect of the Juan Mata transfer. Atletico manager Diego Simeone had been in the hunt for Mata himself, but has conceded that Manchester United have won the transfer battle. The Spaniard's arrival at Old Trafford will limit opportunities even more for Kagawa and a move to Madrid will be ideal for all parties. Kagawa came to Old Trafford with a fabulous reputation from Borussia Dortmund, but he has endured a very stop-start two years in Manchester. In March 2013 he scored a hat-trick against Norwich City … [Read more...]
Real Madrid Keen On Muller
Real Madrid have made Thomas Muller their main transfer target alongside Manchester United's Wayne Rooney. Muller has been influential in Bayern Munich's rise to the top of European football. The perfect foil to Franck Ribery, he has picked up 52 goals in 150 appearances for them. This season has been Muller's best to date. Bayern have continued to dominate the Bundesliga and Muller has been a huge factor in their success, scoring 7 goals in 16 league outings. Carlo Ancelotti is already blessed with attacking flair at Madrid. Benzema, Ronaldo, Bale, Di Maria, Morata, and it is likely that … [Read more...]
Levante 1-4 Barcelona
Cristian Tello grabbed a hat-trick as Barcelona romped to a 4-1 away victory over Levante in last night's Copa Del Rey quarter final first leg. Arsenal target Tello may have persuaded Arsene Wenger to prise open his purse strings as he put on a fine display, ably assisted by Lionel Messi. It sounds strange to say after a team mate scores three, but the mercurial Mess was my man of the match. He tore the home side apart at every opportunity and laid on all three goals for Tello. It was Levante who took the lead. Nabir El Zhar scored after 31 minutes to have Levante fans dreaming of victory. … [Read more...]
Chelsea To Sign Real Sociedad Forward
Jose Mourinho is set to bring in his second signing of the transfer window – Real Sociedad's young Frenchman, Antoine Griezmann. Juan Mata will be leaving Stamford Bridge within 48 hours, although it's still not certain to be Manchester United rather than Atletico Madrid, and Mourinho is moving swiftly to secure a replacement. Griezmann has youth on his side. Aged only 22, he has already made over 160 appearances for the San Sebastian club, scoring 42 goals in the process. He can play as a centre forward, although he is more often deployed as a left winger. This has been a breakthrough season … [Read more...]
Real Madrid Make It Six In A Row At Espanyol
Real Madrid grabbed a one goal advantage over Espanyol last night, in the first leg of their Copa Del Rey quarter final. Madrid had smashed five past Real Betis at the weekend, a result that saw Juan Carlos Garrido lose his job, but they were made to work much harder by an improving Espanyol side Carlo Ancelotti's side also ran out one nil victors at the Cornella-El Prat in La Liga just nine days ago, but the fact of the matter is that Madrid have now won six games in a row and could yet win the domestic double this season. Cristiano Ronaldo went closest for Madrid in the earlier stages, a … [Read more...]
Mata Move To Manchester May Be Off – Atletico Await
Spanish midfielder Juan Mata's move from Chelsea to Manchester United could be scuppered in the unlikeliest of ways – by Manchester United manager David Moyes. Talks are at an advanced stage between Mata and Manchester United advisors. His relationship with Jose Mourinho has broken down, and Mata doesn't feel that he will get the chances that he deserves at Stamford Bridge this season. There is fierce competition for a place in the Spain midfield at this summer's World Cup, and Mata knows that he needs to grab as much game time as possible before then with him currently at 6/4 to make the … [Read more...]
Rooney To Sign For Real Madrid
It will be Adios, Old Trafford as Wayne Rooney swaps Manchester for Madrid in 2014. The only question remaining is whether it will be in the summer or within the next nine days. With strike partner Robin Van Persie injured for large swathes of the season, Manchester United have been more reliant than ever on the England forward's goals. He has scored 9 goals in 16 games, a worse strike rate than potential replacement Danny Welbeck, but of course there is so much more to Rooney's game than goals. It is Rooney's energy and determination that have caught the eye of Carlo Ancelotti. He sees Rooney … [Read more...]
Row between Perez and supporters rages on
The animosity between members of the now defunct Ultras Sur and Real Madrid President Florentino Perez looks set to continue as the fan group relent in their quest to return to the Bernabeu. The Ultras Sur, Real Madrid's fervent supporters formerly housed in the South stand at the Bernabeu, remain upset about their treatment after 500 season tickets were rescinded after an altercation before a match with Real Sociedad. The fans are angry with how Perez has dealt with the situation as the club welcomed a new section to replace the Ultras made up of young fans. … [Read more...]