LALIGA

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...

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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...

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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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 ...

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14Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona slip up ahead of El Clasico with draw against Real Sociedad

Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona duels for the ball with Mikel Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad during the Liga match between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona at Estadio Anoeta.Barcelona suffered a potentially costly slip-up ahead of Wednesday’s Clasico as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad.Luis Suarez scored one goal and made another as Ernesto Valverde’s men, who had won their previous six games in all competitions, came from behind to lead at Anoeta.However, Alexander Isak’s 62nd-minute strike earned fourth-placed Sociedad a deserved share of the spoils, meaning Real Madrid now have the chance to move two points clear at the top of LaLiga with victory at Valencia on Sunday.Barca could have few complaints about their failure to win, having been outplayed for large parts of an entertaining ...

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8Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Lionel Messi Hat-Trick Breaks La Liga Record As Barcelona Put Five Past Mallorca

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona in action during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca at Camp Nou.It was showtime for Barcelona as Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick and Luis Suarez added more magic with a stunning backheeled goal.There was even an assist by goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen as Barca sparkled at the Camp Nou.With one of its best performances of the season, they cruised to a 5-2 win over promoted Mallorca, keeping pace with Real Madrid and regaining the league lead.Madrid had beaten Espanyol 2-0 earlier Saturday, but Barcelona's win left the teams tied on points and the Catalan club ahead on goal difference.The highlight of Barcelona's win was Suarez's 43rd-minute backheel, which came after a smart exchange of passes between Frenkie de Jong and Sergi Roberto.De ...

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5Dec By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Eden Hazard to miss El Clasico with fractured ankle

Eden Hazard of Real Madrid is injured during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at Bernabeu.Eden Hazard is set to miss the Clasico against Barcelona after further tests revealed a fracture in his right ankle, Real Madrid confirmed on Thursday.Hazard was forced off during the draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last week and despite Zinedine Zidane saying after the match he had suffered a "bad twist", Madrid announced the Belgian had been diagnosed with "bruising".But further tests have shown a fracture, with Hazard now expected to be out for around four to six weeks.It would mean he will sit out the Clasico at Camp Nou on December 18."After tests performed on our player Eden Hazard by the Real Madrid Medical Services during...

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30Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid Go Top Of La Liga after 2-1 win over Alaves

Daniel Carvajal celebrates their team's second goal of Real Madrid CF during the Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF.Sergio Ramos scored a goal and conceded a penalty as Real Madrid battled past Alaves on Saturday to go top of La Liga before Sunday's game between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Barca and Atletico face off at the Wanda Metropolitano and Madrid did all they could to take advantage, with Dani Carvajal the unlikely matchwinner in a gritty 2-1 victory over Alaves. Ramos had headed Madrid in front shortly after half-time only to concede a needless penalty for throwing his arm across Joselu, which Lucas Perez converted before Carvajal poked in. 

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30Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Arturo Vidal threatens to leave Barca if he doesn’t ‘feel important’

Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal plans to leave the Spanish champions “in December or at the end of the season” if he does not “feel important”, he told Catalan television channel TV3 on Friday.The 32-year-old Chilean international joined Barca last year from Bayern Munich, but has started only three La Liga games this term. “If in December or at the end of the season, I don’t feel that I’m important here, I should make a decision and find another opportunity where I feel important,” he said.“I would like to stay here forever, but I have to be realistic and live from day to day.” Vidal has scored four league goals this campaign despite being a bit-part player. The former Juventus star did not say where he might move to.“There are always offers, but for the moment I’m focused on Barcelona,...

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23Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Arturo Vidal snatches Barcelona victory at Leganes

Barcelona came from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory at struggling Leganes as Arturo Vidal struck a scrappy late winner that was awarded after a VAR review.The rock-bottom hosts had taken the lead in coach Javier Aguirre's first home game in charge thanks to a superb strike from Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri in the 12th minute.Leganes spurned two chances to extend their advantage before the break but Barca levelled in the 52nd minute when Luis Suarez glanced in Lionel Messi's free-kick.Barca were unconvincing again away from home but won the game thanks to a fortunate goal in the 79th minute from Vidal.The Chilean midfielder was in a clear offside position when he knocked in from close range but a VAR review ruled him on as the ball had bounced off Leganes' Ruben Perez.Barca temporarily ...

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9Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Messi hat-trick sends Barcelona top again

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick, with two stunning free-kicks, as Barcelona saw off Celta Vigo 4-1 at the Nou Camp to regain top spot in LaLiga.Messi set Barca on their way with a penalty, but Lucas Olaza equalised with a fine free-kick for Celta's first goal under new boss Oscar Garcia.The Barcelona number 10, though, soon had his side back in front just before half-time when he crashed home another superb deadball strike.Messi completed his treble early in the second half, clipping the ball up and over the wall from 25 yards, and Sergio Busquets crashed in a late fourth.Barcelona are level on 25 points with rivals Real Madrid, top on goal difference, while Real Sociedad are now two points behind following their draw against Leganes on Friday.Earlier, Real Madrid hammered Eibar 4-0 to kee...

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30Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona boss Valverde ‘out of words’ on Messi after win over Real Valladolid

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde said he had “run out of words” to describe Lionel Messi after his stellar display in a 5-1 win against Real Valladolid.Messi struck twice, including a landmark 50th career free-kick, and provided brilliant assists for Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez as Barca returned to the top of La Liga with a seventh straight win in all competitions.Clement Lenglet gave Valverde’s side a flying start, while Kiko Olivas had hauled Valladolid level in the first half.“What else can be said about him? I’ve run out of words,” Valverde told a post-match press conference.“We always know that he will appear, whatever the match.“His talent isn’t comparable to anything, the reality is that every time he touches the ball, something special happens. I just don’t know what to say.”Barcel...

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29Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Zidane dismisses speculation over Bale’s future at Real

Zinedine Zidane insists Gareth Bale was given permission by Real Madrid to travel to London on Monday, and claims the Welshman never talks about leaving the club.Bale has not played since injuring his calf during a game for Wales on October 13 and his trip to England has prompted speculation he will seek an exit from Madrid in January.But Zidane insists Bale had permission to be absent on Monday and Tuesday morning and that he is not aware the 30-year-old wants to be sold.“It was a personal issue and he had permission yesterday to go,” Zidane said in a press conference on Tuesday.“It was a personal issue and he went, that’s it, no story. He also went because he’s not available to play.“But I don’t think he ever speaks about leaving. When he is available he plays, that’s all there is to it....

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19Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Griezmann, Messi, Suarez net in Barcelona win against Eibar

Barcelona put the civil unrest back home to one side as they enjoyed a comfortable win away to Eibar with Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez all on target in the same match for the first time.The build-up to this game was dominated by the ongoing clashes in Catalonia, sparked by protests against jail sentences handed to nine Catalan separatist leaders, and even forced Barca to change their travel plans for this match at the last minute.However, the issues didn't seem to affect Barca, who took the lead on 13 minutes when Griezmann took advantage of a slip from Eibar's Pablo de Blasis to race through and open the lead.Barca eventually doubled their lead on 58 minutes in a move which involved all three of their frontmen.Frenkie de Jong played the ball to Suarez before it came to ...

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10Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Dembele to miss Clasico after receiving two-match ban

Ousmane Dembele will miss this season’s first Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid after he was banned for two matches by the Spanish football federation (RFEF) on Wednesday.Dembele was sent off near the end of Barca’s 4-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday for saying to referee Mateu Lahoz: “very bad, very bad”. The RFEF disciplinary committee ruled that Dembele’s reaction constituted an “attitude of contempt or disregard for referees” and suspended the Frenchman for two matches.It means Dembele is unavailable for Barca’s upcoming La Liga fixtures away at Eibar on October 19 and at home to Real Madrid on October 26. Madrid and Barca are first and second in the table after eight games.Ronald Araujo, a 20-year-old defender, and Gerard Pique both received one-match bans and will also miss the g...

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