LALIGA – Page 48 – Football Flame

LALIGA

No Comments
LALIGA

‘A star is born’ – Pedri dazzles for Barca in Turin

Pedri of Barcelona is challenged by Rodrigo Bentancur of Juventus during the UEFA Champions League Group G stage match between Juventus and FC Barcelona at Juventus Stadium on October 28, 2020 in Turin, Italy.Barcelona’s 17-year-old midfielder Pedri may not have got on the scoresheet in his side’s 2-0 Champions League win over Juventus but the teenager was the unmistakeable star in a victory that gave life to his wounded side and put him on the map.Given a second start in a row despite looking fazed in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid, Pedri played with ambition and bravery against the Italian champions, driving Barca’s play with slick passing and confident dribbling.“Knowing the age he is, what he did tonight was outstanding,” said Barca coach Ronald Koeman.“The fact he was able to sh...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Bartomeu faces Barcelona exit as no confidence vote is upheld

Josep Maria Bartomeu, President of the Fc Barcelona, during the match between FC Barcelona and CSKA Moscow, corresponding to the week 1 of the Euroleague, played at the Palau Blaugrana, on 01st October 2020, in Barcelona, Spain.Josep Maria Bartomeu's position as president of Barcelona is moving closer to its end after his appeal to have the vote of no confidence against him suspended was turned down.Nearly 20,000 Barcelona club members signed a motion against Bartomeu's presidency earlier this month and delivered it to the club, expressing their dissatisfaction with his running of the club.Each name required verification, and the number required was reached, surpassing similar situations regarding Joan Laporta in 2008 and Josep Lluis Nunez in 1998.The Socios now have the right to announce ...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Levante and Celta draw, stay near bottom in Spanish league

Celta players celebrates the goal of Sergio Carreira during the La Liga Santander mach between Levante and Celta at Estadio de la Ceramica, on October 26, 2020 in Vila-real Spain.Levante and Celta Vigo ended their losing streaks but stayed near the bottom of the Spanish league standings after a 1-1 draw on Monday.Both teams were coming off three straight losses and neither had scored a goal during that streak.Levante thought it had the winner in stoppage time but the goal was disallowed for offside after video review. The hosts loudly complained, claiming that the player offside did not influence the play.It was the latest VAR controversy in the league, coming two days after Real Madrid was awarded a decisive penalty kick in its 3-1 win at Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday.Levante scored first ...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Barcelona star Antoine Griezmann furious with Ronald Koeman after Real Madrid snub

Barcelona's Dutch coach Ronald Koeman (L) speaks to Barcelona's French midfielder Antoine Griezmann before he enters the pitch during the Spanish League football match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on October 24, 2020.Barcelona star Antoine Griezmann is reportedly unhappy with Ronald Koeman after being benched for the club’s 3-1 El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday. The France international was introduced with just eight minutes left on the clock. And he couldn’t prevent his side from dropping points at the Nou Camp.Barcelona were outplayed and outmaneuvered by Real Madrid on Saturday, with Koeman’s side producing a dire display.Los Blancos went ahead early on through Federico Valverde before Ansu Fati then levelled.Real went 2-1 up through ...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Silva inspires Sociedad to top of table

Mikel Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the La Liga Santander match between Real Sociedad and SD Huesca at Estadio Anoeta on October 25, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain.David Silva created two goals as he inspired Real Sociedad to the top of La Liga with victory over Huesca.Silva, 34, who joined Sociedad on a free transfer after leaving Manchester City, set up second-half goals for Cristian Portu and Alexander Isak.Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice for the hosts, including a penalty, either side of Rafa Mir's effort for Huesca.Sociedad are a point clear of champions Real Madrid but Zinedine Zidane's side have a game in hand.Sociedad have won La Liga twice in their history, the most recent triumph coming in the 1981...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Philippe Coutinho: Barcelona midfielder ruled out with hamstring injury

Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on October 24, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho is set to miss the Champions League fixture with Juventus on Wednesday after injuring his left hamstring.The length of the 28-year-old's absence will "depend on how the injury evolves",according to Barca .The Brazilian played all 90 minutes of Barca's 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday.The ex-Liverpool player spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Bayern Munich, and has made five starts this season.
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Sergio Ramos leads Real Madrid to 3-1 El Clasico win at Barcelona

Luka Modric of Real Madrid celebrates with his team after scoring his team's third goal during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on October 24, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Real Madrid have come out on top in their first El Clasico clash of the 2020/21 La Liga season with a 3-1 win at Barcelona.Skipper Sergio Ramos slotted home the vital goal from the penalty spot on 63 minutes after the Spanish international was adjudged to have been dragged down by Clement Lenglet.Barcelona were unable to create a late equaliser as Ronald Koeman’s side were left to rue second half misses from Ansu Fati and Philippe Coutinho as substitute Luka Modric wrapped up the win in added with a clever chip.Real Madrid were the stronger side in the opening half as the returning...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Barcelona could force Man Utd hand with Real Madrid El Clasico victory

Coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid v Shakhtar Donetsk at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on October 21, 2020 in Madrid Spain.Barcelona prepare to take on Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the new season this afternoon (3pm) but a victory for Ronald Koeman's side could intensify the pressure on Manchester United.Zinedine Zidane is under pressure and faced questions over his future heading into the showdown.But he explained that the situation is nothing new as he has fought off the sack before."If I stake the position? It is what it is, but nothing has changed compared to previous weeks," the Frenchman said."Last year I already lived this, as in my first stage. This does not change. I just do my job, I give 100 per cent and not...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Barcelona and Real Madrid are vulnerable – this is the Crisis

Barcelona under Ronald Koeman have shown sporadic thrilling moments but still have the propensity for being underwhelming, as shown in the 1-0 defeat at Getafe last week.And under Zinedine Zidane Real Madrid are amidst a crisis hastened by their not-wholly surprising 3-2 home defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.In the case of Los Blancos, they've performed well for roughly 90 fractured minutes across a season where results have arrived through luck rather than design. And in the last seven days, that has caught up with them. Cadiz defeated them in Madrid for the first time in their history - and deservedly so - and combined with the Champions League loss Zidane is under pressure.The fact that there were no fans for either match has eased the tension and kept Florentino ...
Read More
1 Comment
LALIGA

Barcelona set to start talks for Frenkie de Jong contract renewal

Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the La Liga Santader match between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on October 17, 2020 in Getafe, Spain.After renewing Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Barcelona will start working to renew the contract of Frenkie de Jong. The Catalan club wants to close the contract renewal of the Dutch player before president Josep Maria Bartomeu leaves his charge.The Barcelona board hopes Frenkie to become one of the central pieces for the coming seasons, alongside Ter Stegen and Clement Lenglet.The Dutch player began his dream in Catalonia at the beginning of last season after signing a five-year contract with the club until 2024.Barca has not yet started talks with De Jong, but they will do so in the next few days. It is undoubtedly t...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Real Sociedad go top to extend surprise start in La Liga

Adnan Januzaj of Real Sociedad celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the La Liga Santander match between Real Betis and Real Sociedad at Estadio Benito Villamarin on October 18, 2020 in Seville, Spain.Real Sociedad continued La Liga’s unpredictable start to the season by going top of the table on Sunday, after a 3-0 win away at Real Betis.Villarreal had temporarily claimed first place earlier in the day by beating Valencia 2-1 at la Ceramica but Real Sociedad’s impressive victory put them ahead on goal difference.They are the sixth different team to lead La Liga after six rounds of fixtures so far, as Real Madrid gave up their place at the top of the pile after a surprise loss at home to Cadiz on Saturday.Barcelona were also beaten away at Getafe.Real Sociedad took advantag...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Sergio Busquets admits Barcelona struggled after going behind to Getafe

Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona and Mathias Olivera of Getafe CF battle for the ball during the La Liga Santader match between Getafe CF and FC Barcelona at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on October 17, 2020 in Getafe, Spain.Sergio Busquets admitted Barcelonastruggled after going behind to Getafeon Saturday and urged his team to get back to winning ways quickly ahead of games against Real Madrid and Juventus.A penalty from Jaime Mata was the difference between the two sides at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, as Barca lost away to Getafe for the first time in La Liga since 2011.Busquets admitted his team struggled to hurt the hosts and said they must do better in future.“We knew it would be hard. Once they got in front they were very comfortable. We tried but it wasn’t our day,” he said.“We tried to gi...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Real Madrid confirm Martin Odegaard injury layoff

Martin Odegaard of Real Madrid CF looks on during the La Liga Santander match between Levante UD and Real Madrid at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 4, 2020 in Villareal, Spain.Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard has been ruled out of this weekend’s trip to Cadiz with an injury, as confirmed by the club on Friday.The Norwegian is the only new injury for the club and comes following the international break, when he represented his nation – most recently in Wednesday’s victory over Northern Ireland in the Nations League.Now, Los Blancos have confirmed the player has sustained an injury in the right soleus muscle and is now out for an undefined period of time.Odegaard’s return to Madrid following a season on loan at Real Sociedad was confirmed back in August and the Norwegian is set to ch...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Koeman explains to Messi why he had to let Suarez go

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona Messi salutes Ronald Koeman after being substituted during the pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and Girona at Estadi Johan Cruyff on September 16, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has detailed his chat with Lionel Messi over the sale of his pal and teammate Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window. After spending six years at the Nou Camp, scoring 198 goals in 283 appearances, and helping the Catalan giants secure four La Liga titles, four Copas del Rey and the Champions League, Suarez was unceremoniously dumped by the club at the arrival of new boss Ronald Koeman. The 33-year-old forward was sold to Atletico Madrid during the summer transfer window and has made an immediate impact in the S...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Ronald Koeman lauds Ansu Fati’s performance

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has lavishly praised Ansu Fati and is impressed with how the player has performed despite being so young.Barcelona, in the 2020-2021 season of La Liga, have played three matches so far, registering two wins and a draw. The 17-year-old, Fati, scored twice against Villarreal to hand Barcelona a 4-0 win. He netted a goal against Celta Vigo as well, as Barcelona won the match by 3-0. "His performance is of the highest level. We are talking about a player who is only 17 years old. Playing three consecutive games of top-level football at that age means he is very good. He is also a kid who wants to learn; he trains to learn and improve, and we are here to help him," the club's official website quoted Koeman as saying.Koeman also said that he is "happy with the squ...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Ousmane Dembele back in Barcelona training

Ousmane Dembele during the match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC, corresponding to the week 8 of the spanish Liga Santarder, on 06th October 2019, in Barcelona, Spain. Ousmane Dembele was back in training for Barcelona on Tuesday after reportedly missing Monday’s session due to illness. There was huge speculation about Dembele’s future on deadline day with the Frenchman tipped to make a late move to Premier League side Manchester United. Yet Dembele is staying with the club and was back at work at a pretty sparse training ground as most of the first-team squad are away on international duty. ⚽ Tuesday training session with available first team and Barça B players #ForçaBarçapic.  twitter.com/5qYAakHV8k — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 6, 2020 Barca’s next g...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Barca drop points as win over Levante takes Madrid top

10 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and 20 Diego Carlos of Sevilla FC of Sevilla FC during La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC behind closed doors due to Coronavirus at Camp Nou Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. FC Barcelona dropped its first points of the season when it was held to a 1-1 draw in the Camp Nou Stadium by Sevilla on Sunday night. Sevilla opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Luuk de Jong fired home with his left foot after Barca failed to deal with a corner, but Barca levelled barely a minute later when Jesus Navas was unable to clear Jordi Alba's ball into the area, allowing Coutinho to pick his spot. The first 45 minutes were entertaining, but after the break Barca began to look fatigued.  Ronald Koeman made several changes, brin...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

Zidane: “Courtois saved us, we’ll try to ensure he suffers less in the future”

Zinedine Zidane, Head Coach of Real Madrid gives his team instructions during the La Liga Santander match between Levante UD and Real Madrid at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Valencia, Spain. Real Madrid have moved on to 10 points, going top of LaLiga Santander. Zinedine Zidane is content with what he has seen from his team so far, even if Los Blancos conceded some good chances to Levante during Sunday’s 2-0 victory. Summarising the match, Zidane said: “Our opponents had good moments. We had a good first half and started the second half well too, when we could have scored a second or third to make it a different kind of match. We did manage to get that second goal at the end. It was a game where we had to suffer at points, but that’s what you have to do. They had cha...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

LaLiga: Real Betis climb to top of league table with win over Valencia; Villarreal hold Atletico Madrid to goalless draw

Luis Suarez of Atletico de Madrid reacts battle for the ball with Pau Torres Villarreal CF during the La Liga Santader match between Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal CF at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on October 03, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. The excitement and euphoria over Luis Suarez didn't last very long for Atletico Madrid. Two consecutive scoreless draws quickly dampened the hype surrounding Atletico’s new attack after they had opened the season with an impressive 6-1 victory over Granada. Atletico and Suarez struggled again on Saturday, being held by Villarreal at home in a Spanish league match which it finished with no shots on target. “Sometimes it's hard to explain these situations when you try everything but can't create opportunities,” said Diego Simeone, who was seekin...
Read More
No Comments
LALIGA

LaLiga: Ansu Fati scores again as 10-man Barcelona beat Celta Vigo for second straight win; Sevilla, Real Madrid too register victories

Ansu Fati of Barcelona celebrates with his team mates after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga Santander match between RC Celta and FC Barcelona at Abanca-Balaídos on October 01, 2020 in Vigo, Spain. Teenager Ansu Fati scored again to help give Barcelona a second straight win to start the Spanish league season with a 3-0 victory at Celta Vigo on Thursday. Barcelona won comfortably despite playing more than half the game with 10 men after defender Clement Lenglet was sent off before the break. “I'm proud of how the team played in this match,” Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said. “We played with a lot of discipline with a man down.” Fati also scored twice to lead Barcelona to an opening win against Villarreal on Sunday.  The 17-year-old forward found the net ag...
Read More
Blogarama - Blog Directory