LALIGA

18Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Courtois: I became a goalkeeper because of Casillas and then I watched Van der Sar

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois talked with his fans via an Instagram Live and revealed his two idols growing up in Belgium.“When Iker started to play for Madrid I watched his games and I became a goalkeeper because of him, I loved to see him and Real Madrid play. When I was 14 years old and realized that I was skinny and tall I paid close attention to Van der Sar because he was more like my style as a goalkeeper,” said Courtois.The talented keeper also discussed his main skills for that spot.“I would highlight my ability to handle pressure after what happened during this past year and a half. If you’re not strong mentally you cannot get over what happened and then prove how good you are when it’s time to play. You have to be very strong beca...

17Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona rule out signing Neymar due to coronavirus crisis

Neymar Jr of Paris Saint-Germain.Reliable Catalunya Radio recently reported that Barcelona ruled out the signing of Neymar in the summer.The reason is reported to be ‘because of the economic consequences’ of the Coronavirus.The priority at the club is currently signing Lautaro Martinez and extending Messi’s contract.Earlier, it was reported that Barcelona is willing to sign both the Brazilian and Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez. However, any sensible person would have understood that during such an economic crisis, this is almost impossible.Earlier today, Neymar’s father told Sport that “Neymar is always the one who chooses which path to take”. Well this time, that does not seem to be the case.

16Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona boss Setien dreams of parading UCL trophy in front of cows in hometown

Barcelona manager Quique Setien.Barcelona manager Quique Setien has told Catalan TV that he is hoping football returns soon, so that his team can start trying to win big titles, and so he can show off trophies “while walking with cows” in his hometown.It’s not the first time Setien has name-dropped the cows of Liencres, a small town in Cantabria, the place where he hails from. When first appointed manager, Setien said he was ecstatic to go from “walking past the cows in [his] village to training the best players in the world.”“I tell [the players] many times, that I’m in a hurry, that I don’t have a lot of time to lose, and I want to win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga. If it’s both of them, even better,” he said.“Of course I dream about it, and strolling around in Liencres, with the...

15Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid Loanee Odriozola speaks about his potential return to Bernabeu

Alvaro Odriozola of Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the FC Bayern Muenchen Training Session on April 14, 2020 in Muenchen, Germany.Real Madrid defender Alvaro Odriozola gave another interview, this time to Spanish TV #Vamos and insisted on having a conversation with Zinedine Zidane after his loan deal with Bayern Munich expires at the end of this current season.“When the season ends I will return to Madrid and have a talk with coach Zidane. I always felt support and love from him,” said Odriozola, who was also asked about how tough it is to play relevant minutes for a club as big as Real Madrid.“Yes, of course. This is Real Madrid we’re talking about! I feel honored about being a Real Madrid player and also about playing for Bayern. Not many people can say they’ve played for these...

12Apr

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Liverpool made approach for Martin Odegaard last summer, claims former manager

Martin Odegaard of Real Sociedad during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou Stadium on March 7, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Liverpool made an approach for Real Madrid youngster Martin Odegaard last summer, according to his former manager.Odegaard is currently on loan at Real Sociedad. However, the midfielder spent the 2018-19 season on loan at Vitesse.Odegaard’s manager at Vitesse, Leonid Slutsky, has revealed that Liverpool were looking to sign the Norwegian in July 2019.“His time at Vitesse has been very important,” Slutsky told Spanish outlet EFE.“He became one of the best players in the Eredivisie and had many offers in his pocket. Not only from Real Sociedad, but also from Liverpool and Ajax.”Odegaard has scored seven goals and registered eight assists in...

12Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Sociedad cut player salaries by 20 percent

Imanol Alguacil, head coach of Real Sociedad in the dugout before the Barcelona V Real Sociedad, La Liga regular season match at Estadio Camp Nou on March 7th 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Real Sociedad said on Saturday that they were cutting players' wages by up to 20 per cent in an attempt to stabilise the club's budget during the coronavirus crisis. "An agreement has been reached with the first team for the reduction of their wages by 20 per cent in case the league does not resume this season, and by 5 per cent in case the season can start again," said a club statement. "This decision, taken with all of the parties concerned, helps us avoid traumatic measures for the rest of our employees and helps to balance the club's economic objectives in the face of a drop in income suffered a...

11Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona deny corruption after 6 board members resign

(L to R - Top to Bottom) FC Barcelona's Members of board of Directors Emili Rousaud, Maria Teixido, Javier Bordas, Jordi Moix, Jordi Mones, Silvio Elias, Pau Vilanova, Enrique Tombas, Oriol Tomas, Manel Arroyo, Carles Vilarrubi, FC Barcelona incumbent president Josep Maria Bartomeu, Jordi Cardoner, Jordi Mestre and Susana Monge.Vice presidents Emili Rousaud and Enrique Tombas, and directors Silvio Elias, Maria Teixidor, Josep Pont and Jordi Calsamiglia all signed a joint letter of resignation on Friday night.Rousaud then gave an interview on Catalan radio station RAC1 on Friday in which he suggested someone at the club had had their "hand in the til".The resignations are the latest episode in a scandal that emerged in January when it was revealed a company called I3 Ventures, hired to moni...

10Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Lionel Messi denies Inter transfer and Ronaldinho bail rumours

Brazilian retired football player Ronaldinho arrives at a hotel in Asuncion where he and his brother will serve house arrest after a judge ordered their release from jail on April 7, 2020. - A judge in Paraguay ordered the release of Ronaldinho and his brother Roberto Assis into house arrest after the siblings spent almost exactly a month in jail awaiting trial on charges of using false passports to enter Paraguay. Lawyers for the men posted bail of $1.6 million.FC Barcelona superstar footballer Lionel Messi has denied reports of him moving to Italian giants Inter Milan. The Argentine had recently been linked with a move to Inter Milan as well as his childhood club Newell’s Old Boys, while Manchester City was touted as a possible destination for the Argentine earlier in the season aft...

9Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Covid-19 : Real Madrid players accept up to 20 percent pay cut

(L-R) Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid, Marcelo of Real Madrid, Karim Benzema of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Betis Sevilla v Real Madrid at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 8, 2020 in Sevilla Spain.Real Madrid players have agreed to cut their salaries by as much as a fifth, the La Liga club announced on Wednesday, as Spanish football remains on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.In a statement, Real said players and coaches from the side's football and basketball teams, as well as key directors, had voluntarily agreed to the reduction, of either 10 or 20 per cent, "depending on the circumstances that may affect the closing of the current 2019/20 sports season".Real didn't say what circumstances would affect the rate of salary cut, but Spanish media report...

8Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Luis Suarez: Neymar and Martinez will always be welcome at Barcelona

Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez reacts during the Spanish Super Cup semi final between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on January 9, 2020, at the King Abdullah Sport City in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah.Luis Suarez insists Neymar would be welcomed back at Barcelona with open arms should he return this summer.And the Uruguayan also lauded the ability of Lautaro Martinez, another Nou Camp target, and said any player who has the drive to win trophies is welcome in the changing room.Neymar has long been linked back with a move to Spain ever since moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.The Brazilian played alongside Suarez for three years for the Catalan giants, winning the Champions League together, and the former Liverpool forward would love to play alongside him yet again.“Ne...

7Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

La Liga eyeing May return, says league President Tebas

La Liga president Javier Tebas speaks during a media event for the foreign press members ahead of the 180th La Liga El Clasico (Real Madrid vs Barcelona) in Madrid, Spain on February 28, 2020.La Liga president Javier Tebas is optimistic football could return at the end of next month following the coronavirus shutdown.Tebas also warned Spanish clubs could lose as much as €1 billion (Dh3.97bn) if the season is not completed, urging the league to use the summer months to ensure a finish to the 2019/20 campaign to mitigate financial losses."The different scenarios we have been looking at with Uefa to go back to competing are most probably starting on the May 29 June 6-7 or June 28," Tebas said.Most football in Europe shut down as countries struggled to contain the coronavirus outbreak, meaning...

5Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

"I don't think about winning LaLiga, I just want to win the fight against COVID-19" : Casemiro

Carlos Henrique Casemiro of Real Madrid during the La Liga match between Real Betis and Real Madrid at Benito Villamarin Stadium on March 8, 2020 in Sevilla, Spain.Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro said Friday that he is not thinking about winning the Champions League or La Liga titles this season as the world grapples with the coronavirus outbreak.In a video call with young fans, coordinated by global charity Save The Children, Casemiro said football paled into insignificance compared to the pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 59,000 people worldwide."Do we want to win the league? We definitely want to win La Liga and we want to win the Champions League," the 28-year-old said."But I'm not thinking about winning La Liga, I'm thinking about winning the fight against...

2Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona set €20million price-tag for Sevilla target Ivan Rakitic

Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona in action during the Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on March 07, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona have reportedly slapped a €20m (£17.6m) price tag on the head of Ivan Rakitic.The midfielder is widely expected to leave Camp Nou with his current deal set to expire next summer, and Rakitic is supposedly keen on a reunion with former side Sevilla.According to Marca, Barcelona are confident that they can sell the Croatia international for a €20m figure, and Rakitic will reportedly be inundated with offers should he depart the Catalan giants.The report also claims that Quique Setien's side would be open to a player-plus-cash deal for the 32-year-old, as they look to raise funds to aid their pursuit of Neymar and Lautaro Martinez.Raki...

30Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Asensio will train with Real Madrid squad when quarantine ends

Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio (20) dribbles the ball during the International Champions Cup soccer match between FC Bayern and Real Madrid on July 20, 2019 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio will train with the rest of the squad as soon as the club ends their quarantine due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a report from Spanish newspaper AS. There’s no date for Madrid’s return to action yet and it looks like the confinement could last at least two more weeks.Asensio picked up a worrying ACL injury during Madrid’s pre-season stage in North America last summer. The winger seemed destined to be a key starter for Zidane this season but he has spent the last seven months recovering from surgery and now he’s ready to begin the last part of his reh...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Spain boss Luis Enrique hints at Barcelona return in Q&A with fans

Luis Enrique, head coach of Spain meets press members after the UEFA Euro 2020 Final Draw Ceremony on November 30, 2019 in Bucharest, Romania.Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has not ruled out a return to the Camp Nou dugout.Enrique, who is currently managing the Spain national team, won two La Liga titles and one Champions League with the Catalan giants between 2014 and 2017.The Spaniard netted 109 times for Barcelona during his playing days, and is refusing to rule out a return to La Blaugrana in the future.Speaking to fans during a Q&A session, Enrique said: "I think I can coach anywhere I have been [before]."I have left the doors open at all of them. My time at Barcelona was marvellous and I will always be grateful. I am very lucky to have been at a club for so many years that...

27Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

COVID-19 : Real Madrid open up Bernabeu as medical supplies centre

General view of the football stadium of Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu, that will be used as a sanitary products stock and distribution centre on March 26, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to many countries across the world, claiming over 20,000 lives and infecting hundreds of thousands more.Real Madrid's stadium will be used to store medical supplies needed in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, the Spanish club announced on Thursday.“Real Madrid Club de Futbol, in collaboration with the High Council for Sport, has launched a project in Madrid to supply and distribute strategic medical supplies to be used in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic,” the club said in a statement.“As a result of the close collaboration between the two instituti...

22Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Luis Suarez set to return from knee surgery as soon as Football resumes

Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona during a training session at Estadi Johan Cruyff on January 05, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Luis Suarez hopes to be back playing football as soon as professional games are allowed to start up again. The Barcelona forward has been out of action due to a knee injury, and was expected to be away for four months after he had surgery in January.“The doctor told me that my recovery was going really well and that gave me hope to play again as soon as I could,” he told Uruguayan newspaper El Observador (via the Evening Standard). “The difference now is that when the team returns, I will be able to be with them.”Professional football has been suspended due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak, in an attempt to stop the spread. Spain is one of the worst hit coun...

12Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

OFFICIAL: La Liga postpone 2019-2020 season due to coronavirus

A view of the LaLiga logo at a roofop viewing party of El Clasico on 01 March 2020.It’s now official. La Liga announced this Thursday that the next two weeks of the 2019-2020 season have been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak in Spain. The suspension could go even further if needed.This decision was made after Real Madrid announced their quarantine following a basketball player testing positive for the virus a week after playing an Euro league game in Milan. The football and basketball teams use common facilities in Valdebebas.UEFA have not announced their decision about next week’s Champions League games and Real Madrid were set to face Manchester City in the return leg of the Round of 16. Considering that the whole squad is now in quarantine, it seems fairly obvious that UEF...

9Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Zidane takes blame for Real Madrid's defeat to Real Betis

Coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Betis Sevilla v Real Madrid at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 8, 2020 in Sevilla Spain.Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid's manager, took responsibility for 1-2 loss against Real Betis in the ongoing La Liga, and said that the team will fight till the end in the competition.In the match against Madrid, Betis opened the scoring with Sidnei getting a goal in the 40th minute of the match. However, Madrid got an equaliser before the half-time through Karim Benzema.In the second half, Christian Tello scored the match-winning goal in the 82nd minute for Betis."We didn't get anything, and I'm to blame for it. I have to look at what happened; we're going to fight the league to the end. I am with my players till ...

7Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Valencia held at Alaves to 1-1 before crucial Atalanta visit in Champions League

Victor Laguardian of Deportivo Alaves reacts during the Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Valencia at Estadio de Mendizorroza on March 6, 2020 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.Valencia was held at Alaves to 1-1 on Friday, four days before it must overcome a big deficit to stay in the Champions League.Valencia’s winless streak on the road reached five consecutive games as it stayed in seventh place in the Spanish league.Valencia will host Italian side Atalanta on Tuesday without spectators at Mestalla Stadium for fears of the coronavirus outbreak. Atalanta won the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie 4-1.Midfielder Dani Parejo put the visitors ahead in the 34th minute when he drove a free kick into the top corner of the net for his eighth goal in the competition.After Valencia...