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║ La Liga Season 2013-14 ║
- Thread starter Barcelona
- Start date
La Liga: Athletic Bilbao 3 Malaga 0
14 April 2014
Aritz Aduriz struck early in both halves to lead Athletic Bilbao to a 3-0 victory over Malaga in La Liga on Monday.
Aduriz took his goal tally to 15 in La Liga this season with a header early in the first half and a tap in just after the break, before Ander Herrera capped off Bilbao's victory in the final half hour thanks to poor goalkeeping from Willy Caballero.
The win maintained Bilbao's six-point gap on fifth-placed Sevilla as the Basque club push towards a berth in next season's UEFA Champions League.
Bilbao sit fourth in the La Liga table - which includes a spot in the qualifying stages of the Champions League - with 62 points.
But Sevilla (56 points) could still catch Ernesto Valverde's team as they are set to take on the Basque side in a fortnight, following Bilbao's trip to Barcelona on Sunday.
It took Valverde's men just three minutes to open the scoring against Malaga with Aduriz rising at the near post to head Markel Susaeta's corner past Caballero.
Bilbao dominated the first half but were unable to breach Malaga's defence again until the opening minute of the second when Susaeta got free down the right and his low cross picked out Aduriz, who scored with his first touch.
The goal was Aduriz's ninth in seven games and completed his second brace in succession.
In the 62nd minute, the home side clinched the three points as Herrera's strike from the edge of the area slipped through Caballero's hands and into the net.
Malaga struggled to get into the contest throughout the 90 minutes and finished the game with just one shot on target.
The Andalusian club had won their previous two matches but their 15th defeat of the season left them in 11th on 38 points, still just seven points clear of the relegation zone ahead of a tough clash with sixth-placed Villarreal.
Khedira returns to Real training
14 April 2014
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has returned to training with the first team following a knee injury.
The Germany international has been out of action since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament during a friendly against Italy in November.
Khedira, who moved to the Bernabeu in 2010 from Stuttgart, handed Carlo Ancelotti a boost ahead of Real's run-in as he returned to group training on Monday.
While no timescale has been set on a potential return to first-team duties, Khedira's comeback will no doubt buoy a Real squad competing for a treble of the Liga, UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey titles.
"The big news of the day is the return of Khedira to the group following his injury," read a statement on Real's official website.
"(It was) a session in which Carlo Ancelotti had nine footballers on the turf, including Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, who each trained individually."
While Real coach Ancelotti expects to welcome Ramos back into his side for Wednesday's Copa final against Barcelona, Marcelo remains a doubt and Cristiano Ronaldo missed Monday's training session with a thigh problem.
Alvaro Arbeloa, who picked up a knee injury in early March and Jese, who is out of action with knee ligament damage, were also absent.
Tuesday April 15 2014
Ronaldo & Marcelo to miss Copa final
By Football Espana staff
Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo will definitely miss tomorrow’s Copa del Rey final, according to reports.
Marca have revealed this morning that the Portugal ad Brazil internationals have been working away from the rest of the Real Madrid squad, and will not be available for the match on Wednesday.
Los Blancos face Barcelona in a fight for the first trophy of the season, but they will do so without the duo.
There had been tentative reports that the Ballon d’Or winner could make an appearance after missing Madrid’s last two matches.
However, the newspaper has claimed that the former Manchester United will almost certainly be out, with Carlo Ancelotti not willing to take any risks ahead of the Champions League semi-final with Bayern Munich later this month.
Marcelo will also miss the game at Valencia’s Mestalla, with Fabio Coentrao likely to play at left-back.
Tuesday April 15 2014
'Chelsea's Costa interest normal'
By Football Espana staff
Diego Simeone has admitted that it is ‘normal’ that Chelsea would be interested in signing Diego Costa.
The Atletico Madrid striker has been in unbelievable form this season, leading the Rojiblancos to top of the table and a Champions League semi-final.
And the Argentine Coach has claimed that rumours that Spain international will join the Premier League outfit are to be expected.
“His future depends on him and what he feels is best for his future," he told AS.
“It's normal that Chelsea are interested in him. They are an economic power, Samuel Eto'o is getting older and Costa can do his work, but right now he's ours.”
Costa was injured in their 2-0 win over Getafe at the weekend, but El Cholo insists that it is nothing serious.
“It's not worrying me. Gabi came and told me that he had a cut. He risked his leg but he's like a bull.
“Costa, with that gesture, exemplified how we want to play every game as though it's our last."
“He has room for improvement. He's rebellious and I like that and he's something different. Hopefully his development won't end. Right now he's among the candidates for the Ballon d'Or.”
Copa del Rey Preview: Barcelona v Real Madrid
14 April 2014
Barcelona and Real Madrid renew rivalries in Wednesday's Copa del Rey final with an eye on more than just silverware and bragging rights.
The two giants of Spanish football will be keen to seize on the opportunity to land a psychological advantage ahead of the Liga title run-in, with both currently trailing surprise leaders Atletico Madrid.
Barca and Real have already met twice in the league this term - Barca coming out on top both times - and their most recent meeting was one of the most explosive El Clasico clashes in recent years.
With seven goals, three penalties and a red card, March's contest surpassed expectations in terms of drama, but both sides would presumably settle for a more straightforward affair at the Mestalla on Wednesday.
Since seeing off Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu last month, Barca have crashed out of the UEFA Champions League thanks to defeat against Atletico, while also slipping to third in the table.
They were beaten 1-0 by Granada on Saturday and face an uphill task to retain their league crown - adding even more importance to this fixture.
Real, meanwhile, were able to shake off the defeat to Barca to move into the semi-finals of the Champions League and they remain on Atletico's heels thanks to dominant wins over Rayo Vallecano, Real Sociedad and Almeria in recent weeks.
Carlo Ancelotti was without star performer Cristiano Ronaldo for the latter two victories and, even if his thigh injury keeps him out again, the Real coach maintains that his squad has enough quality to secure a first Copa win since 2011.
The Italian explained to El Mundo: "Cristiano is always missed but the players aren't saying, 'Oh my God, what will we do without him?'
"They have shown confidence and they know how to win without him.
"It is also a very good opportunity for someone to take centre stage in a final."
If the likes of Angel Di Maria and Isco can help cover Ronaldo's potential absence, Real will keep their treble hopes alive in Ancelotti's debut season, while for Barca, the competition now represents their best chance of silverware this term.
Sitting four points off Atletico, the 26-time Copa winners could see another trophy chance slip away if they fail to avenge their final defeat to Real in 2011.
Barca captain Carles Puyol claims victory would offer a "solution" to their recent poor form and also leapt to the defence of under-fire coach Gerardo Martino.
"We're a team and we all accept the blame. It's always easier to attack one man (Martino) than 25 players," he said.
"If things go right or wrong, it's (down to) the team.
"We analyse things and try (to) find solutions. The solution in this case is Wednesday.
"It's an important title against our biggest rival. Hopefully we can bring some joy to our fans after two disappointing results."
In what will be the seventh Copa final between the sides, Ancelotti is able to welcome back Sergio Ramos (neck), although Marcelo (hamstring), like Ronaldo, is a doubt.
Barca skipper Puyol may be required to return from a series of knee problems sooner than anticipated due to the injuries being carried by defensive pair Gerard Pique (pelvis) and Marc Bartra (hamstring).
Iniesta: We need cup win to save our season
By Myfanwy Garman
Apr 15, 2014 2:38:00 PM
The midfielder believes winning the Copa del Rey could save his side’s season after they were recently knocked out of the Champions League and fell behind in the La Liga race
Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta believes beating Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final will salvage their season.
The Catalan club were knocked out of the Champions League last week after a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid and a 1-0 loss to Granada in the Premiera Division on Saturday saw them fall four points behind the leaders in the title race with just five games left to play.
However, although he has acknowledged it will be a difficult task, the midfielder has insisted that his side can overcome Madrid on Wednesday.
"I am convinced we have the potential to win the cup, but we will need to be at our best against a very powerful opponent,” the Spaniard told Sport.
"The team is able to play well and win. Winning the cup will give our fans a lot of joy and it would probably save the season.
“However, winning a trophy does not change anything. In the league we have taken a step backwards and we were eliminated from the Champions League last week.
“We are still on track to win the league and the cup but we will have to analyse whether it has been a good or bad year at the end of the season.
"We never want to lose, but things don’t always go well in your work. Life’s better when you’re winning and doing things right and we are the first to be self-critical, we never shirk responsibility.”
The 29-year-old believes the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo will not make a difference to Real Madrid as they are “very powerful” even without their star player. As a result, Iniesta believes it is important for his team to play in their own style in order to control the game.
"Cristiano is very important for them as he scores a lot of their goals but I don’t think Real Madrid will change their game as a result of Ronaldo’s absence.
"We're confident and know where we can do the damage. If we're playing at our top level, we will have many chances to win the game."
Martino to make final decision on Puyol, Pique and Bartra on Wednesday
By Enis Koylu
Apr 15, 2014 1:30:00 PM
The Argentine coach has confirmed he will wait until the last training session before deciding who to play against Real Madrid but says they won't be risked if not fully fit
Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino will make a final decision on Wednesday as to whether to play defenders Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol in the Copa del Rey final.
The Blaugrana had hoped that at least one of the Spain internationals would recover from their respective hip and knee injuries on time to face Carlo Ancelotti's side but, while both have travelled with the squad to Valencia, neither have yet been given the medical green light to play.
Marc Bartra has been battling a hamstring problem, meaning he too could sit out the clash and, although Martino admits he has been encouraged by what he has seen over the last few days, he insists he will not take any risks over the trio.
"We have options with any of the three," he told a press conference on Tuesday. "We had good responses today, we will see tomorrow after training.
"Nobody is going to play if they are not in the condition to do so."
Martino admitted it would provide a major boost to the side should Puyol in particular be passed fit, with the captain set to play in his last cup final for Barca before leaving Camp Nou at the end of the season.
"I hold Puyol in the highest regard both professionally and personally," added Martino. "If he plays, it will be a great boost, both for the team and for the players individually."
Messi is suffering from 'mental fatigue' - Menotti
By Peter Hanson
Apr 16, 2014 11:54:00 AM
The 1978 World Cup-winning coach is adamant the forward is not intentionally taking things easier in matches in order to rest prior to this summer's tournament in Brazil
Former Barcelona and Argentina coach Cesar Luis Menotti believes that Lionel Messi is suffering from mental fatigue rather than saving himself in order to be fresh for the 2014 World Cup.
The prolific attacker has received his fair share of criticism following poor performances against Atletico Madrid and Granada, with former Barca boss Radomir Antic suggesting the player deliberately took things easier against Atleti due to frustration at being played on the wing.
Menotti, however, has laughed off suggestions that his compatriot is intentionally working less hard to save himself for the summer, instead claiming the 26-year-old is suffering from a mental exhaustion at present.
"Messi has to overcome the sadness of poor performances and rediscover the joy, pride and passion it takes to play at a club like Barcelona," Menotti told La Xarxa.
"I don't believe that he is saving himself for the World Cup. I get the feeling that he is not clear in his head. I don't think his form has anything to do with the World Cup.
"I've seen more mental fatigue than physical. It's normal when there are a lot of games and he has many obligations.
"Maybe a couple of days rest would help him recompose his head and be the best in the world again."
Messi has netted 38 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona this season.
Wednesday April 16 2014
Arrasate signs La Real extension
By Football Espana staff
Real Sociedad have confirmed that Coach Jagoba Arrasate has agreed to stay with the club for a further two years.
The Erreala confirmed on Wednesday that the 35-year-old has signed a contract extension, which will see him stay at the Anoeta until 2016.
“I am grateful to the board for showing such faith in me,” he briefly told a Press conference.
“From the first day they have shown a real confidence in my work. It’s been a demanding year, but this is a step back towards the top.
“But now I want to focus on what’s happening on the pitch and try to get La Real into Europe.”
Wednesday April 16 2014
Line-ups: Barca-Real Madrid
By Football Espana staff
Neymar and Cesc Fabregas will start up front alongside Lionel Messi as Barcelona prepare to take on Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.
The Blaugrana take on the capital club at Valencia’s Mestalla this evening, and Tata Martino has named the Brazil and Spain internationals to partner the Ballon d’Or winner.
Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta will play in midfield, whilst Dani Alves and Jordi Alba are named as full-backs.
Marc Bartra has been passed fit to play at centre-back alongside Javier Mascherano. Jose Pinto plays in goal.
Los Blancos meanwhile, were without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, so Isco came into the attack alongside Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.
Luka Modric, Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria made up the midfield three, whilst Sergio Ramos was deemed fit to play at centre-back with Pepe.
Iker Casillas resumed his role as the cup goalkeeper.
Barcelona: Pinto; Alves, Mascherano, Bartra, Alba; Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Neymar, Cesc, Messi
Real Madrid: Casillas, Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Coentrao, Xabi Alonso, Modric, Isco, Di María, Bale, Benzema.
Who would have guessed that both Man Utd and Barcelona win zero trophies this year?
Btw:
Bale = Hero
Neymar = Zero. Frankly a waste of Barcelona's money.
Btw:
Bale = Hero
Neymar = Zero. Frankly a waste of Barcelona's money.
Neymar out for four weeks
Apr 17, 2014 6:10:00 PM
A foot problem has ruled the Brazil star out of action for the next four weeks, while defender Jordi Alba is also set for a similar length of absence with a torn hamstring
Barcelona forward Neymar will be missing for the next month after picking up a foot injury in the Copa del Rey final, the club have confirmed.
The 22-year-old endured a miserable night on Wednesday as Barca were beaten 2-1 by Real Madrid, with the Brazil star guilty of missing a glorious chance in the final minute of normal time.
Neymar's misery has now been further compounded by the news he will miss the games against Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal, Getafe and Elche, though the club will be hopeful of him returning for the last day clash with Atletico Madrid.
A statement on Barcelona's website said: "The player suffered a concussion that caused an edema in the fourth metatarsal in his left foot that will require specific treatment. Recovery time is approximately four weeks."
Jordi Alba was withdrawn at half-time in Wednesday's defeat and a further examination has revealed the left-back suffered a torn hamstring in his right leg.
As a result, the former Valencia man will also be out of action for a period of three to four weeks.
Dani Alves apologises to Barcelona fans after Copa final defeat
By Stefan Coerts
Apr 17, 2014 9:44:00 AM
The Brazil international has acknowledged Wednesday's loss was a big blow for the Blaugrana faithful in what has been "a very strange year" for the club
Dani Alves has apologised to Barcelona fans in the wake of their 2-1 Copa del Rey final defeat against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Angel Di Maria gifted Madrid the lead early in the first half, before Marc Bartra levelled the scorings after the interval, but Gareth Bale eventually helped the Santiago Bernabeu side to victory with a stunning late run and finish.
Dani Alves admits the timing of the Welshman's winner was a bitter blow to Barca in what has been "a very strange year" for the Catalans.
"I apologise to the people who came out to cheer us on. It's a shame that we lost," the Brazil international told the official Barca website.
"When we were at our best they scored the second goal, and we were unable to fight back.
"This team has a lot of worth and we work very hard. It's been a very strange year for us."
Barcelona have now lost three games in a row after previous defeats against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Granada in La Liga.
They will be desperate to return to winning ways on Sunday when they host Athletic Bilbao as they aim to keep their title ambitions alive.
'Barcelona must bring back Guardiola' - Cruyff
By Peter McVitie
Apr 16, 2014 2:50:00 PM
The former Barca player and coach believes Guardiola is the person who can bring the club back to the pinnacle of world football and criticised the current administration
Barcelona icon Johan Cruyff believes the best thing the club could do is bring Pep Guardiola back as coach.
The current Bayern Munich boss spent four years at the helm of the Catalan giants, during which he won a host of titles including two Champions Leagues, Uefa Super Cup, Club World Cup and Copa del Rey crowns as well as three league titles.
Since his departure the club have struggled to reach the same heights, having failed to reach a Champions League final and this season crashing out at the quarters - and currently lie third in La Liga, four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
With that in mind, Cruyff believes the best way for the Blaugrana to return to the fore of world football is to lure the 43-year-old back from the Allianz Arena.
"The best thing for Barcelona is for Guardiola to come back," the club icon told Mundo Deportivo.
"If Joan Laporta became president again I'd say that the best thing to do is to sign Pep, and as an intelligent person, I'm sure he would."
The former Barca player and coach then went on to criticise the current administration running the reigning league champions, insisting people with a football background should be in charge of the club.
"Those who know what to do are not the decision makers, it's those who want to take advantage of the football business.
"When Laporta was the president, he left those who knew football like [former director of football] Txiki Begiristain and Frank Rijkaard and then Pep to make football decisions. Everyone can make mistakes, but they knew football motivated their decisions and Laporta was dedicated to being the president and protecting them.
"That's why it worked. There were good and bad moments, but overall it was a great step for both sides."
The 66-year-old then went on to discuss the criticism Lionel Messi has received in recent weeks.
"It's an absurdity. I recently said Messi was the best player in the world, and now, after they were eliminated from the Champions League, his value is being questioned.
"Barcelona has a structural problem. The president wants to be the manager and coach."
La Liga Preview: Atletico, Barca out to put pressure on Real
17 April 2014
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona can both heap pressure on Real Madrid as the three-way race for the La Liga title enters its final month.
Real, currently second and sandwiched between Atletico and Barca, have had their fixture with Real Vallodolid postponed due to their commitments in the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League.
That game will now take place on May 6, meaning leaders Atleti can move six points clear at the top - for 48 hours at least - with victory over 15th-placed Elche on Friday.
Diego Simeone's men are La Liga's form side at present, with a run of seven consecutive wins - during which they have conceded just once - putting them in pole position for a first top-flight crown since 1996.
Their Liga record at the Vicente Calderon is near-perfect this season, with 14 wins and three draws from their 17 home games, but they may have to manage without Diego Costa, who has scored 26 league goals this season.
The talismanic striker sustained a nasty cut to his left leg when colliding with the post while scoring the second goal in their 2-0 win at Getafe last Sunday.
Praying for wobble from the leaders are champions Barca, who sit three points adrift in second and must recover from the disappointment of losing the Copa final to fierce rivals Real on Wednesday just a week after being knocked out of the Champions League by Atleti.
Gerardo Martino's team fell to a surprise 1-0 Liga defeat at Granada in between those defeats, and they face another stiff test on Sunday, with Champions League hopefuls Athletic Bilbao visiting Camp Nou aiming to increase their prospects of a top-four finish.
They currently occupy the all-important fourth spot, and hold a six-point lead over fifth-placed Sevilla, who are at home to what is sure to be a buoyant Granada outfit on Sunday.
A run of two wins from eight league matches looks to have ended Villarreal's chances of qualifying for Europe's premier club competition, with Marcelino's charges now facing a battle to earn a UEFA Europa League berth.
They visit Malaga on Monday, but may have already been usurped in the top six by that point by Real Sociedad, who host Espanyol two days earlier.
At the wrong end of the table, Valladolid's inactivity means bottom-placed Real Betis' relegation cannot be confirmed this weekend, regardless of their result when they travel to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
The two teams above them in the drop zone, Almeria and Getafe, take on Celta Vigo and Levante respectively while elsewhere, 16th-placed Osasuna entertain Valencia.
La Liga Preview: Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao
18 April 2014
Barcelona will be desperate to put a nightmare week behind them when they face Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou in La Liga on Sunday.
Gerardo Martino's side have lost their last three games to leave their hopes of a treble in tatters and pile pressure on the Argentinian.
Last Wednesday's 1-0 reverse at Atletico Madrid sealed a 2-1 aggregate defeat in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, with Barca going on to lose 1-0 at Granada last weekend, denting their title hopes.
And Catalan misery was compounded on Wednesday with Gareth Bale's late wondergoal securing a 2-1 scoreline and the Copa del Rey for Real Madrid.
The Granada defeat leaves Barca four points behind Atletico and one behind Real although, with the latter not in action this weekend, a win could heap pressure on Carlo Ancelotti's men as the title race enters its final stages.
Despite Barca's stuttering form, Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde is expecting a tough test.
He said: "I do not know if it is better or worse for us, but this week now La Liga is the only trophy Barca can win.
"The game is difficult, even if they have lost out on two trophies in a week.
"Maybe now they feel more pressure to break the bad run after losing three consecutive games, something they are not used to. But for us it is just as difficult."
Martino has a number of injury problems to contend with ahead of the meeting with Bilbao.
Neymar and Jordi Alba will miss a month of action with respective metatarsal and hamstring injuries.
Marc Bartra, who was spectacularly out-paced by Bale for Real's Copa winner, should be available after suffering a hamstring strain of his own.
Carles Puyol (knee) may return, but Gerard Pique's cracked hip rules him out and Sergio Busquets is suspended.
After such a detrimental run of results, Barca will be determined to return to winning ways, but it will not be easy against a Bilbao side who look favourites to pick up La Liga's fourth available Champions League spot.
Valverde's charges currently lie six points clear of Sevilla, their nearest challengers for fourth place, and have lost just three of their previous 21 league outings.
Their last defeat on the road came on January 5, 2-0 against Basque rivals Real Sociedad, and with only five games left they will be looking for a result at Camp Nou that will help them hold off Sevilla.
Like Barca, Bilbao have injury worries of their own with Mikel Rico (ankle) and Ibai Gomez (hamstring) both major doubts, but Valverde will be praying for a repeat of the reverse fixture in December, when Iker Muniaian's goal ended a winless run of 20 matches in all competitions against the Catalan giants.
Iniesta urges Liga focus after Copa disappointment
17 April 2014
Andres Iniesta has urged Barcelona to focus on the battle for the Liga title after an agonising Copa del Rey defeat to Real Madrid.
Marc Bartra's header cancelled out Angel di Maria's opener at Mestalla on Wednesday, but a fine individual goal from Gareth Bale saw Real secure a 2-1 success.
Barca exited the UEFA Champions League courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate defeat at Liga leaders Atletico Madrid last week, while a 1-0 setback at Granada on Saturday has severely dented their hopes of defending the Spanish title.
Defeat to Real therefore marked a third consecutive disappointment and added to the pressure mounting on Barca head coach Gerardo Martino.
However, Iniesta has urged the team to fight on in a bid to overhaul Atletico and Real in the league.
"It's a shame. We have to be thankful to the fans, they were with us all the way through to the end," he told the club's official website.
"We're coming off of a week in which we've been eliminated from two competitions. We tried until the end and details make a difference.
"We're leaving here disappointed that we didn't win the (Copa) title. You try to have the initiative in the game but Real Madrid are very decisive when they counter-attack. We have to find strength to fight for La Liga."
Fellow midfielder Xavi agreed that Real's speed on the break was decisive.
He added: "They hurt us with their counter-attacks. If anyone is at fault, it's the team. From the manager to the players. These are our errors, and our rival took advantage of them.
"We still have La Liga, and it will be difficult to win it, but we will continue fighting for the title."
Saturday April 19 2014
Simeone: No title talk
By Football Espana staff
Atletico Madrid Coach Diego Simeone has insisted there is no talk about winning La Liga around the club despite being only four games from success.
Elche were dispatched at Vicente Calderon on Friday night with goals from Miranda and Diego Costa. Atletico are now six points clear of Real Madrid and seven ahead of Barca.
Barca play Athletic Bilbao on Sunday but Madrid are not in action this weekend, their game against Real Valladolid moved to May 7.
Miranda opened the scoring after 72 minutes while Costa added a second from the penalty spot in injury time after he was brought down by Cristian Sapunaru, who subsequently saw red.
Sapunaru had already given away one spot kick, missed by David Villa in the 50th minute.
“We knew we were going to face a team that is tactically very good,” Mundo Deportivo reports Simeone as saying at his post-match Press conference.
“The spaces we wanted weren’t there and they used that against us to generate dangerous positions.
“But not during the second-half, from the intensity and persistence beyond the penalty miss.
“Our persistence is what led us to victory. We were fair winners.”
Cholo added that he is adamant the players are only thinking about the next game, not lifting the title in May.
“We really don’t talk about that. We know how difficult it will be,” he replied when the possibility of winning the League was raised.
“We came here to put in a great effort and make sure victory was achieved. We don’t talk about that.
“Now we recover for Tuesday’s match [against Chelsea in the Champions League] which is very important for the team and for the club.
“There are four finals left but we play three games away from home. That’s a lot. We focus on the next game.”
Simeone explained a little of his thinking behind the XI selected against Elche, which had Adrian Lopez on the right wing.
“We didn’t have the structure we normally have, possibly because I made the decision to play Adrian against Sapunaru, who isn’t really a left-back,” the Coach revealed.
“That meant they won superiority in midfield. In the second-half we went back to 4-4-2 with Costa and Villa up top and Raul [Garcia] on the right for us.
“I didn’t like the way the team was in the first-half. Sometimes it doesn’t take that long to read a game.
“The contribution of Raul, Diego [Ribas] and Jose [Sosa] was decisive.
“Until the goals come you can’t stay quiet. It was a very open and dangerous game.”
Simeone revealed that he had wanted Garcia to take the second penalty and that Villa, who missed the first penalty awarded, was the first-choice taker.
“Good thing [Garcia] didn’t because in the end, Diego took it perfectly,” Simeone conceded.
The subject of Thibaut Courtois’ availability against Chelsea was also raised ahead of the Champions League meeting between the sides.
“Nobody has said anything to me,” Simeone confirmed when asked if Courtois might sit out the game against his parent club.
“And unless the President or Miguel Angel Gil comes and tells me not to play him…”
4 things to know about the Spanish league
The Associated Press
April 17, 2014 02:54 AM
Barcelona's Neymar sits after Real Madrid won the final of the Copa del Rey between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, April 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
BARCELONA, Spain - Madrid will get a rest to prepare for Bayern Munich in the Champions League after beating Barcelona 2-1 to win the Copa del Rey thanks to Gareth Bale's spectacular goal on Wednesday, and won't play Valladolid until May 7.
Barcelona can provisionally overtake Madrid with a win over fourth-place Athletic Bilbao on Sunday as it looks to salvage its season.
Here are four things to know about Atletico's title bid with five rounds to play:
___
ONE MORE STEP: While all the headlines in Spain on Thursday lauded Bale's gallop to score the 85th-minute winner over Barcelona in the Copa final, Atletico is content to remain out of the spotlight as it targets its home match against Elche. Atletico is undefeated in league play at its Vicente Calderon Stadium, and it would be a major upset if Elche can change that. "We are right there," Atletico forward Adrian Lopez said. "It's getting closer and closer. We have five games left and we are in first place. We will try to take each game as it comes."
Full Time Score : Atletico Madrid 2 Elche 0
END OF ERA? Barcelona's season has crumbled in a span of eight days, with three straight losses seeing it out of the Champions League, the Copa del Rey final, and with its league title defence in serious danger. It is widely speculated in the Spanish media that Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino will be fired this off-season, but his Madrid counterpart doesn't think this run of poor results marks the end of a winning era for his fiercest rival. "Maybe things haven't gone their way this year, but I am sure that they will fight for the league title until the end," Carlo Ancelotti said. "I don't think this winning cycle for Barcelona is over."
INJURY TO INSULT: The defeat to Real Madrid also cost Barcelona a number of injuries. Neymar and left back Jordi Alba were ruled out for a month due to injuries picked up in the final, and the hosts may be without defender Marc Bartra, who is day-to-day after also tweaking a muscle injury. Midfielder Sergio Busquets will be unavailable as he serves a one-game suspension. A hurting Barcelona faces a tough match at Camp Nou when Bilbao comes to town looking to protect its hold on the final Champions League berth. Bilbao's young squad will have the advantage of playing a Barcelona side weary both in body and spirit after its demoralizing loss. Bilbao leads fifth-place Sevilla by six points, but can ill afford a slip with the Andalusian side visiting Bilbao in the following round.
MADRID HIGH: Madrid will have the weekend off to recover and prepare for Bayern. Ronaldo said he hopes to be ready to play against the titleholder when it comes to the Spanish capital on Wednesday after he missed the Copa del Rey final with a leg muscle injury on top of an already sore left knee. "We have been able to put the cherry on top," said goalkeeper Iker Casillas, as the team celebrated the cup title in Madrid with its fans late into the night. "I hope, I wish, that we will be there in the other competitions that are left."
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