LALIGA

3Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Ansu Fati hits quick-fire double as Barcelona defeat Levante

Ansu Fati of FC Barcelona (L) celebrates his goal with Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona (R) during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Levante UD at Camp Nou on February 2, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Ansu Fati became the youngest player ever to score a brace in La Liga on Sunday by capitalising on two brilliant Lionel Messi assists to give Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Levante. Fati, at 17 years and 94 days old, broke the previous record held by Juanmi Jimenez, who scored twice for Malaga against Real Zaragoza at 17 years and 115 days old in 2010. Messi teed up Fati's quick-fire double with a defence-splitting pass and then a trademark weaving run before Ruben Rochina scored Levante's goal in the 92nd minute, which really should have come sooner.Barca reduce the gap at the top to th...

Read More

2Feb By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Zidane in control as Real Madrid win derby against Atletico Madrid

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates goal 1-0 during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on February 1, 2020 in Madrid Spain.Zinedine Zidane’s double substitution at half-time transformed the Madrid derby on Saturday as Real Madrid edged past Atletico 1-0 to move six points clear at the top of La Liga.Karim Benzema scored the winner at the Santiago Bernabeu after Zidane’s decisive intervention turned a contest that Atletico had dominated into another comfortable Real Madrid victory.Vinicius Junior, one of the substitutes, was a key to the goal.Second-place Barcelona can cut the gap back to three points by beating Levante at home on Sunday but Atletico now trail the leaders by 13 points.While Diego Simeone’s side were excellent in th...

Read More

27Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid beat Valladolid to go top of La Liga table

Nacho Fernandez of Real Madrid (C) scores his team's first goal during the Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and Real Madrid CF at Jose Zorrilla on January 26, 2020 in Valladolid, Spain.Real Madrid went top of La Liga on Sunday night with Nacho heading in Toni Kroos’ perfect cross with 12 minutes left to seal the 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid.The reserve central defender was given a rare start at right-back because Dani Carvajal was suspended and Alvaro Odriozola has been loaned to Bayern Munich.His goal puts Madrid three points ahead of Barcelona, who were beaten 2-0 by Valencia on Saturday and 10 points ahead of Atletico Madrid, who they face in the derby next week. Nacho ran to Zinedine Zidane to celebrate the strike in another show of support for a coach who was under press...

Read More

26Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona stunned as Setien suffers first loss in charge

Carlos Soler of Valencia, Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Valencia v FC Barcelona at the Estadio de Mestalla on January 25, 2020 in Valencia Spain.Quique Setien suffered his first defeat as Barcelona manager as Valencia claimed their first home win over the Spanish champions since 2007.The hosts broke the deadlock when Jordi Alba deflected Maxi Gomez's powerful strike past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.Gomez, who had a first-half penalty saved by Ter Stegen, completed the scoring in the second half.There were unsavoury scenes before the game as rival fans clashed outside the Mestalla Stadium.Setien had enjoyed a good start to his Barca reign, guiding the club to victories over Granada in La Liga and UD Ibiza in the Copa del Rey round of 32.The visitors were ...

Read More

20Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Messi gives Setien Winning start with Barcelona

Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with his teammates Ansu Fati, Riqui Puig and Arturo Vidal during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Granada CF at Camp Nou on January 19, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Lionel Messi goal gave Quique Setien a win in his first game as coach of FC Barcelona as Barca beat Granada 1-0 in the Camp Nou Stadium on Sunday.Barca looked in control against the rival that limited their options in attack, but posed few problems going forward.Setien had a couple of surprises in his first starting 11 with Samuel Umtiti starting in central defense, while Ansu Fati was given the chance in attack in the place of Luis Suarez, who will be out for around four months after a knee operation.Meanwhile Arturo Vidal started alongside Sergio Busq...

Read More

19Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Madrid go top after narrow win over Sevilla

Casemiro of Real Madrid celebrates goal 2-1 during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 18, 2020 in Madrid Spain.Real Madrid have climbed to the La Liga Summit on Saturday after sealing a narrow 2-1 victory over 4th-placed Sevilla at the Bernabeu.Real lacked Incision in front of goal in the 1st half, but it changed just prior to the hour mark, when Casemiro lifted the ball over the keeper from a tight angle, after a neat one-two with Luka Jovic.The hosts were not in front for long, as 7 minutes later, De Jong whipped a low strike into the bottom corner.However, parity was shorter-lived, as Casemiro took full advantage of the space given to him in the area, by heading home his 2nd of the night in the 69th minute.The win takes Real Mad...

Read More

14Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona sack Ernesto Valverde and appoint Quique Setien

Quique Setien New Barcelona Head Coach.Barcelona have appointed Quique Setien as their new coach following the sacking of Ernesto Valverde and after failing to persuade their former player Xavi Hernandez to take over.Setien, the former Real Betis coach, is known for his attractive, attacking football with Barcelona having grown tired of Valverde’s approach even though the club is again top of La Liga and won its Champions League group.Setien, 61, led Betis to wins over Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid last season but lost his job after a downturn in form. However his exciting, attacking style of football is regarded as more in keeping with what Barcelona want while the Spaniard’s ready availability means that the club felt able to make a change.Valverde’s dismissal is the first t...

Read More

13Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona looking for new striker in wake of Luis Suarez’s injury

Luis Suarez of Barcelona reacts to a referee's decision during the Supercopa de Espana Semi-Final match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City on January 09, 2020 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Barcelona will step up their search for a new centre-forward this month after Luis Suarez was ruled out for four months with injury.Suarez underwent surgery on his knee on Sunday and was expected to be sidelined for between four and six weeks, but is now set to miss most of the season.And they added: "The Uruguayan striker will be out for approximately four months."Barca could use summer signing Antoine Griezmann in a central role, but with no real other centre-forward apart from Suarez at the club, the Catalans will now look to bring in a striker this January.Inter M...

Read More

11Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona confirm Luis Suarez set to undergo knee surgery

Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona (C) reacts during the Supercopa de Espana Semi-Final match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City on January 9, 2020 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Luis Suarez will have knee surgery on an external meniscus this Sunday, Barcelona have announced.Suarez, 32, is said to have been struggling with a niggling problem in his right knee for several weeks and it has finally been determined he will have an operation to prevent complications ahead of the season’s run-in.Media reports began circulating on Friday suggesting Suarez was set for a prolonged period of absence due to the problem.And, following examinations on Saturday, Barca have confirmed the Uruguay striker will be operated on by renowned knee specialist Dr. Ramon Cugat.Barcelona...

Read More

9Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Atletico Madrid thrash Barcelona to reach Spanish Super Cup Final

Angel Correa of Athletico Madrid celebrates scoring their third goal during the Supercopa de Espana Semi-Final match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City on January 09, 2020 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Atletico Madrid will face Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday after defeating Barcelona 3-2 in a thrilling contest in Saudi Arabia.All five goals came in the second half, with Koke opening the scoring for Atletico Madrid before goals from Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann turned the match on its head.Alvaro Morata's penalty in the 81st minute appeared to send the match to extra-time but Angel Correa scored in the 86th minute to secure the win for Diego Simeone's side.

Read More

9Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Zinedine Zidane Rule Gareth Bale Out of Spanish Super Cup final

Zinedine Zidane Head Coach of Real Madrid during the Supercopa de Espana Semi-Final match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City on January 8, 2020 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Zidane's side booked a showdown with Barcelona or Atletico Madrid following a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Valencia in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.Bale missed the semi-final with a chest infection, and Zidane, also without the injured Karim Benzema, confirmed the Wales international would play no part in the remainder of the revamped tournament."The team is working hard to be playing at this level and it's great to see the dynamic in every single game," added Zidane."In yesterday's press conference I said we had to be at our best, and I don't know if we were, but we're pleased with the performan...

Read More

5Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Luis Suarez unhappy with two points lost against Espanyol

Luis Suarez of Barcelona reacts during the Liga match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at RCDE Stadium.Luis Suarez sounded pretty unhappy after Barcelona’s 2-2 draw at Espanyol on Saturday in La Liga.The Uruguay international scored and assisted at the RCDE Stadium but it was not enough for victory and left Suarez calling on his side to improve quickly.“We did well to turn the score around (and lead 2-1). But we have lost two points here today, and we must look at that,” he said.“I think that even if we had won the game, there are still many things to look at and improve.“We have a few days now to prepare for the Supercopa, but it will be a difficult game against Atletico Madrid. To win a title like that, we must improve, and quickly.”The win does take Barca back to the top of the tab...

Read More

4Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid thrash Getafe 3-0

Luka Modric of Real Madrid scores his team's third goal during the La Liga match between Getafe CF and Real Madrid CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.Real Madrid was far from its best on Saturday, but the Spanish side secured a 3-0 win over Getafe to move atop the La Liga table – for now.Madrid didn’t exactly produce a dominating performance, but Luka Modric was the best of the bunch as he orchestrated the midfield and scored the game’s third goal.The opener came on a mistake by Getafe goalkeeper Daniel Soria who spilled a ball into the box and saw it trickle into the back of the net. After halftime, Raphael Varane headed in Madrid’s second on a cross from Toni Kroos, and Modric finished off a spectacular counter in added time to complete the scoreline.Getafe wouldn’t go down without a fight, ri...

Read More

4Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona Release Squad list for Espanyol Match

Head Coach Ernesto Valverde of FC Barcelona.Barcelona will play their first game of 2020 away to Espanyol, and Ernesto Valverde has called up the following 18 players for the Catalan Derby:Goalkeepers: 13. Neto, 26. Inaki PenaDefenders: 2. Nelson Semedo, 3. Gerard Pique, 15. Clement Lenget, 18. Jordi Alba, 23. Samuel Umtiti, 24. Junior FirpoMidfielders: 4. Ivan Rakitic, 5. Sergio Busquets, 20. Sergi Roberto, 21. Frenkie De Jong, 22. Arturo VidalForwards: 9. Luis Suarez, 10. Lionel Messi, 17. Antoine Griezmann, 27. Carles Perez, 31. Ansu FatiThere’s some bad injury news ahead of a busy month for Barca, with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen set to miss some time with a knee problem. He isn’t expected to be out for too long, but the German will probably miss next week’s Spanish Super Cup as w...

Read More

4Jan By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Sevilla stumble once again in La Liga title race after draw against Bilbao

Jules Kounde of Sevilla FC (C) competes for the ball with Raul Garcia of Athletic Club (L) and Ander Capa of Athletic Club (R) during the Liga match between Sevilla FC and Athletic Club at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.Sevilla gave Barcelona and Real Madrid the chance to pull further clear in La Liga’s title race after they began the year by drawing 1-1 at home to Athletic Bilbao on Friday.Bilbao took an early lead through Ander Capa at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and while an own-goal from Unai Nunez brought Sevilla level on the hour, the home side were unable to find a winner.It means Sevilla trail Real Madrid, who they play at the Santiago Bernabeu on 18 January, by two points and Barcelona by four.Those gaps will grow on Saturday if Madrid win away at Getafe and Barcelona overcome local ...

Read More

30Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona return to training ahead of Espanyol test

Anssumane Fati of FC Barcelona.Barcelona were back to work on Sunday evening as the team took part in their first training session after the Christmas break.The majority of the first team were present, while Ansu Fati also joined in part of the session as he continues his comeback from a hip problem.Inaki Pena and Carles Perez were also part of the group, while Moussa Wague missed out with conjunctivitis.Sergi Roberto was also absent on compassionate leave after sadly losing his mother to illness on Saturday. A minute’s silence was held before the session.The South American contingent of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Neto and Arturo Vidal are still away and not expected back until January 2.Barcelona will have a double training session on Monday and return again on Tuesday as they step up the...

Read More

27Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid Midfielder Asensio aims to recover in time for CL Quarterfinals

Marco Asensio of Real Madrid CF looks on prior to the Liga match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid CF at Iberostar Estadi.Real Madrid have been missing Marco Asensio for months after he suffered a devastating injury in the preseason, but he is reportedly aiming to return in the Champions League knockout stages.Although Real Madrid sit in second place in La Liga and thoroughly outplayed FC Barcelona in the last Clasico, it has been a tough season for them injury-wise. For example, Eden Hazard has been sorely missed over the past month, including against Barca. Marcelo and James Rodriguez were also dealing with injuries in the last month, while players from Isco to Luka Modric have suffered injuries this season.But the main long-term absence for Los Blancos in 2019-2020 has been youn...

Read More

21Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

La Liga Champions Barcelona Cruise past Alaves 4-1

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Lucas Perez of Deportivo Alaves during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou.Reigning Spanish La Liga champs Barcelona beat Deportivo Alaves 4-1 on Saturday in order to maintain their lead in the league.In their 18th league match on Saturday at home in the Camp Nou, Barcelona opened up a three-point lead, thanks to goals from Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal.On Wednesday, Barcelona drew 0-0 with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in El Clasico.Leaders Barcelona have 39 points while Real Madrid, closely following at second spot with 36 points, will face Athletic Bilbao at home at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Sunday.

Read More

19Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Postponed Clasico ends up with goalless draw

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Camp Nou.After being postponed in October, Barcelona and Real Madrid made their La Liga season's first Clasico at Camp Nou stadium on Wednesday, but the game ended with a disappointing 0-0 draw result for the first time since 2002.For Real Madrid, Gareth Bale started for the first time in four matches, while Ramos played in his 43rd Clasico, a record for any player in history.For Barcelona, Sergio Busquets was included in the line-up first announced before he was swapped out for Ivan Rakitic, which Barca claimed was a communication error.If it was, it was not the first mistake of the night, with a frantic first half.Real were the better side i...

Read More

18Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

3,000 security officers to be deployed for Barcelona Real Madrid clasico

Zinedine Zidane, Manager of Real Madrid greets Ernesto Valverde, coach of Barcelona prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Barcelona.El clasico on Wednesday night takes place at Barcelona's Camp Nou against the backdrop of high political tension in Spain.Police were taking no chances with thousands of protesters expected to take to the area around the ground in support of Catalan independence.Originally slated for October 26, Spain's most anticipated match was postponed due to civil unrest which included the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders.Such was the friction, the Barcelona and Real Madrid coaches were escorted to the ground together to minimise the risk – having stayed at the same hotel on Tuesday night.Real coach, Zinedine Zidane, however, says he was not overly ...

Read More