El Classico: Today December 10th 2011
Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Santiago Bernabéu
Kick off: 11:00pm
The time has arrived, once again as Spain’s best football teams, Barcelona and Real Madrid, go head to head at the Santiago Bernabéu home to Real Madrid, who sit three clear points ahead of their arch-rivals FC Barcelona.
It is evident that both sides have improved since their last Classico encounter and new faces as well as fresh talent will be displayed tonight live in Madrid.
We hope to see both Pep and Jose’s sides display exceptionally entertaining football as per usual.
Live updates will be provided- so don’t forget to stay tuned in!
Football isn’t an obsession- its a lifestyle*
Levante vs Sevilla
Ciutat de Valéncia
Kick off:7:00pm
Real Betis vs Valencia
Benito Villamarín
Kick off: 9:00pm
FC Barcelona SuperCopa winners- 2011
Madrid, Spain - 26 August
The Spanish La Liga, which includes Barcelona and Real Madrid, will finally start the 2011-12 season this weekend following a strike that postponed last week’s scheduled season openers.
Spain’s top two divisions were both postponed last week. Howeber, the strike ended on Thursday after league officials reached an agreement to end the first players’ strike in Spain since 1984.
A major part of the agreement was payment of wages to players, who can be released from their contracts otherwise.
Spains second division starts Friday, with La Liga opening on Saturday. La Liga also has matches Sunday and Monday, when defending champion Barcelona opens its schedule against Villarreal.
SuperCopa Winners: Cesc Fabregas finally holding a trophy after his debut at FC Barcelona from Arsenal.
SuperCopa Winners: Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi celebrating their victory over Real Madrid last night.
SuperCopa Winners: FC Barcelona team celebration of becoming the 2011 SuperCup winners.
SuperCopa winners: Lionel Messi celebrating Barca’s victory and his major contribution to it.
BARCELONA, Spain, Aug 19, 2011.
Tonight the SuperCopa went to Barcelona and one can say that this victory was truly made possible by the exceptional skill portrayed by Lionel Messi.
Barcelona was victorious over bitter rivals Real Madrid in their Super Cup second leg clash last night by beating them 3-2 and 5-4 based on an aggregate win.
Unsurprisingly the bad feeling between the two sides boiled over at the last minutes of the match.
The tension that was created saw three players sent off - Marcelo and Mesut Ozil of Real Madrid and Barcelona’s David Villa.
It was evident that Barcelona were far from their best with their players looking rusty and lacking their usual slick passing, while Real Madrid kept their heads on and went straight ahead.
However, Andres Iniesta put Barca ahead with a superb finish before Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th goal for Real Madrid to equalise.
Messi, was evidently the key player as he scored at the end of the first half and again three minutes from the end with French striker Karim Benzema finding the back of the net in between.
Cesc Fabregas, former Arsenal captain made his debut for Barcelona coming on towards the end of the game that ended in a brawl after Marcelo was dismissed for a late challenge on the new signing.
Ozil and Villa were also sent off due to subsequent angry exchanges.
As in the first game, Real Madrid had more possession and posed a greater threat in the opening stages.
Real continued to have more of the ball and Ronaldo was several times inches away from putting them ahead when his drive from the edge of the area was parried by Valdes onto the crossbar.
Ozil also could, and should have done better when his weak strike was comfortably blocked by the Barca goalkeeper Valdes.
At the same time whenever Barca got the ball in attack they appeared to be dangerous and Messi restored their lead a minute before the break.
Gerard Pique back-heeled the ball into his path and Messi dinked the ball over Iker Casillas.
Marcelo who came on for the second half appeared to kick out at Messi and there were angry exchanges between several of the players.
Messi, having only just returned to training after a belated break following the Copa America, was Barca’s main danger as he forced Casillas into a low save.
Finally Fabregas was given his bow in front of the home fans with Pedro as his debut brought him a long desired trophy as well.
Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid defender had a golden opportunity to header Real Madrid level before Benzema finally scrambled the ball home in the area.
Although numerous Madrid supporters as well as the team may be confused and angry as to why they didn’t win. One can clearly see that they have improved tremendously from last season.
Barcelona however, proved once again that the they have the upper hand between the two rivals. We hope to see more exceptional football as the League begins in less then ten days time.
Real Madrid 2- 3 Barcelona
Actions in 1st half:
Real Madrid:
-5’ Booking(red card)- M Ozil
20’ Goal- C. Ronaldo
28’ Booking(yellow card) - S.Khedira
45’ Substitution- Marcelo for S.Khedira
Actions in 1st half:
Barcelona:
-5’ Booking(red card) -D. Villa
15’ Goal - A. Iniesta
42’ Booking(yellow card) - Xavi
45’ Goal- L. Messi.
Actions in 2nd half:
Real Madrid:
54’ Booking(yellow card) -C. Ronaldo
56’ Booking(yellow card) -Marcelo
62’ Booking(yellow card) -Pepe
64’ Substitution- Higuain for Di Maria
77’ Booking(yellow card) -S. Ramos
78’ Substitution- Kaka for Ozil
82’ Goal - K. Benzema
85’ Booking(yellow card)- F.Coentrao
90’ Booking(red card)- Marcelo
Action in 2nd half:
Barcelona:
54’ Booking(yellow card)- J.Mascherano
73’ Substitution- Adriano for Villa
82’ Substitution- Fabregas for Pedro
85’ Substitution- Keita for Busquets
90’ Booking(yellow card) - V.Valdes
French striker Karim Benzema still hopeful and determined that Real Madrid can win the SuperCup tonight.
AUG 17 2011 MADRID-
French striker Karim Benzema believes that Real Madrid still stand a chance of winning the Spanish Supercup tonight despite a home draw with bitter rivals Barcelona in the first clasico of the season last week Sunday.
“Two great teams faced each other, but honestly, Madrid deserved the win,” he told the sports daily AS about the 2-2 first-leg draw at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
“We did much more than Barca, but, hey, we know we have the chance to win tomorrow in Barcelona and lift the SuperCup.”
The second leg of the SuperCup between league champions Barcelona and Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) winners Real Madrid takes place at the Camp Nou on Wednesday evening.
However, Benzema believes that the team compiled by coach José Mourinho, now in his second season at Real, “now knows how to play the Barca” of Pep Guardiola.
“There are many things that have changed since last season,” he said. “This time, we had control of the field and we didn’t let them play. That’s exactly what’s required against an opponent like that.”
Benzema was actually out of favour with Mourinho for much of last season, and was often left on the bench in favour of Argentine Gonzalo Higuain and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo.
When asked if he is now Real’s first-choice striker, Benzema replied “what I’m doing is working to have the role permanently”.
“This is the challenge that lies ahead of me. In a team like Madrid, each situation is won every day. That’s why there is never room for complacency.”
Mourinho recently tipped the 23-year-old France international to enjoy a more successful third season at the Bernabeu.
“He has everything required to have a great campaign,” the Portuguese coach said. “He looks much better than he did this time last year. I think I have managed to convince him that my way is the best way.”
Benzema also told AS he “never had any problems with Mourinho. I talked to him and now I understand perfectly what is expected of me”.
It’s official: Cesc Fabregas has signed a five year deal with FC Barcelona.
AUG 16 TUES- Cesc Fabregas has officially secured his move from Arsenal back home to Barcelona.
The switch was confirmed by FC Barcelona on their website on Monday.
Cesc underwent his medical at the Hospital de Barcelona and is now set to complete his tests at the club’s stadium.
In a move that has been a few years in the making, Cesc Fabregas will return to Barcelona from Arsenal in a deal that could reach $57 million.
The 24-year-old joined Arsenal when he was just 16 and went on to make 303 appearances for Arsene Wenger’s side, scoring 57 goals.
Cesc told reporters ,”I waited many days, months and years for this moment.” He also added that, “It is a very special day. I return home after eight years. I know I disappointed many of you when I left, but I’m back for the challenge of my life. I hope to leave good memories.”
The five year contract is set to pay Arsenal an initial $42 million for his transfer,while another $15 million could head to London depending on certain clauses being met.
HOTTIE OF THE WEEK: Bojan Krkic
Position: Forward
Age: 20
Birth Date: Aug 28, 1990
Birth Place: Linyola, Spain
Height: 1.73m
Weight: 65 kg
Strengths: Pace and agility allow him to create space and he has excellent vision and a fine finishing touch.
Weaknesses: A lack of height, strength and power, limits his impact and he sometimes struggles for consistency.
Career high: Playing an important role in helping Barcelona to their first Copa del Rey win in 11 years in 2008-09 and also collecting five other trophies that season.
Style: Fast, tricky, agile, an excellent young talent.
Quotes: “When he plays he scores. It is as simple as that and I am happier than anyone when he is successful.” Pep Guardiola.
Bojan’s Strengths and Weaknesses only make us love this adorable and charming Spaniard even more.
Although he may not be playing for FC Barcelona anymore, we are sure delighted to see that the Italians are taking good care of him in his new Serie A club of AS Roma.
Cesc Fabregas tweets about his excitement and preparation for tonight’s huge second leg SuperCup game at the Camp Nou.