║║ La Liga Season 2012-13 ║║

[Higuain]

Villas-Boas: Mourinho return would be 'excellent' for Premier League

By Tom Davis
Mar 29, 2013 7:10:00 PM

The Tottenham boss, who served under his compatriot at Porto, Chelsea and Inter believes that the Real Madrid supremo would light up the English game, if he chooses to return

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas hopes speculation surrounding the future of Jose Mourinho will result in the Real Madrid coach returning to management in England.

Since leaving Chelsea in 2007, Mourinho has achieved further success in Italy and Spain, yet has been a constant figure of media speculation regarding a possible return to the Premier League.

Villas-Boas, who himself has been touted as a potential replacement for his seat at the Bernabeu should he depart, believes the league would be better off with a manager of Mourinho's calibre amongst its ranks.

"He’s a top coach in the world," Villas-Boas told reporters. "This league continues to attract the best players in the world.

"If it’s able to attract Jose and Jose makes it very, very clear that he wants to come back to England one day, I think it would be excellent for everybody.”

Villas-Boas also called for focus from his players as they look to secure a top-four spot in the Premier League, having lost their previous two league fixtures before the international break.

He added: “We have to get our act together for the rest of the fixtures to achieve our objective.

“We have done excellent enough to bridge the gap before, but now with two league defeats our opponents are closer to us and we have to recognise this change.

“It has happened before but it doesn’t mean it will happen again. The circumstances, the players, the leader, training... they are all different so at this moment it has nothing to do with past experiences.

"The lead [over Arsenal] is less than before but we have that margin because we were excellent doing our job so that doesn’t mean we can’t be excellent again. That is why we believe in the players and the job that they are doing.

“We are also in the Europa League quarter-finals so these are all positive aspects for us.”

 

[Danube]

Messi is unique and does what he wants, says Zuculini
The once-capped Argentina international has explained that the worst thing any opponent can do is make his compatriot mad, claiming that the Blaugrana ace is unstoppable

 

[Lionel Messi]

La Liga wrap: Magnificent Messi strikes again in Barca draw

31 March 2013

Barcelona and Real Madrid were both held to draws in La Liga on Saturday, while Malaga reclaimed fourth spot provisionally.

Lionel Messi's goal against Celta Vigo in their 2-2 draw means that the Barcelona star has now found the net against each opponent in the league this season.

The Argentina international beat Celta goalkeeper Javi Varas from close range in the 73rd minute after being set up by Cristian Tello to make it 2-1, and take his season's league tally to 43.

Messi's goal was not enough for the full three points, though, as Borja Oubina restored parity in the closing stages of the encounter.

Messi's goal also saw him extend his scoring streak to an incredible 19 consecutive matches in the Spanish top flight.

Despite the draw, Barcelona's still hold a 14-point lead at the top of the table following Madrid's lacklustre 1-1 stalemate at Real Zaragoza.

On-loan Barcelona B player Rodri gave the hosts the perfect start on six minutes as Jose Mourinho's men struggled to get a foothold in the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo managed to net an equaliser before the break with his 28th league strike of the season, but they could not find the winner in a disappointing second half.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Malaga ended a four-game winless run with a 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Malaga had failed to pick up points against Real Betis, Atletico Madrid, Real Valladolid and Espanyol in recent weeks but goals from Weligton, Julio Baptista and Pedro Morales saw this season's surprise-packets return to winning ways.

Levante snapped a seven-game winless streak with a narrow 1-0 victory at home to mid-table rivals Sevilla.

 

[Lionel Messi]

La Liga wrap: Atletico, Valencia share spoils, Sociedad held

1 April 2013

Atletico Madrid failed to climb above rivals Real Madrid after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Valencia in La Liga on Sunday.

The visitors got off to a dream start at the Estadio Vicente Calderon when Brazilian attacker Jonas scored in the fifth minute - firing home between the legs of Atletico shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois from eight yards out.

But their celebrations were short-lived as Atletico hit man Radamel Falcao equalised just 90 seconds later.

Falcao scored his first-ever goal against Valencia when he struck a swift volley home past Diego Alves, after being put through by a delightful Arda Turan chip pass.

Valencia came closest to stealing all three points late, when Dani Parejo's long-range effort went just inches wide of Atletico's goal on 85 minutes.

Atletico, though, could not find the winner that would catapult them above Jose Mourinho's men and into second spot, and remain third just one point behind Real.

Diego Simeone's side also failed to capitalise on fourth-placed Real Sociedad being held to a draw earlier in the day.

Espanyol were the team to deny Philippe Montanier's Champions League chasers in a 2-2 draw at home.

Sociedad were forced to come from behind twice, and they couldn't find the winner to boost their chances of reaching the European top-tier competition next season.

Sergio Garcia had put the Estadio Cornella-El Prat hosts ahead in the ninth minute, only for Real to equalise via David Zurutuza.

Christian Stuani restored Espanyol's advantage, before defender Javi Lopez then conceded into his own net with 14 minutes to play.

Elsewhere, bottom side Deportivo La Coruna earned a valuable three points in their relegation plight, beating second-bottom Mallorca 3-2 away from home.

Deportivo trailed when Victor Casadesus kept the Iberostar Stadium faithful happy on 19 minutes, as the Spaniard fired in a deflected strike.

But it was 1-1 at the interval, when Deportivo's Silvio completed a dashing run down the left with a shot into the bottom-right corner.

Three minutes after the interval, Deportivo completely turned around the relegation six-pointer via the boot of Carlos Marchena from close range.

A Riki header increased Deportivo's buffer, but they had to see off some nervous late moments due to an 86th-minute strike from Mallorca's Emilio Nsue.

A brace to Kike Sola helped Osasuna snap a three-match losing streak, as they beat Real Valladolid 3-1 away.

Osasuna put their opponents ahead at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla, when Ruben Gonzalez got the final touch into his own net off his head.

But it was Sola to the rescue, as he first equalised with a diving header before doubling his tally and putting his side ahead on the hour mark.

Miguel de las Cuevas then created a turnover in midfield, and stormed towards goal before slotting Osasuna's third - seeing them seven points clear of the drop zone.

 

[Lionel Messi]

La Liga wrap: Aduriz header decisive for Athletic

2 April 2013

Athletic Club moved to 13th on the table with a 1-0 home win over Granada on Monday.

Veteran striker Aritz Aduriz headed the game's only goal, his 12th of the season, at the far post in the 67th minute from a corner by Ibai Gomez.

But Athletic had to play the last 10 minutes with 10 men after midfielder Markel Susaeta was sent off for a second bookable offence for a clumsy tackle on Manuel Agudo.

Granada came close to equalizing in injury time but Yacine Brahimi's right-foot shot hit the post.

In the battle for seventh place, Real Betis and Getafe played out a goalless draw.

 

[Lionel Messi]

Toulalan rules out Atletico Madrid switch
The defensive midfielder has been tipped to move to the Vicente Calderon at the end of the current campaign - even though he still has two years left on his contract

Alonso: I think Mourinho will stay with Real Madrid
The influential midfielder hopes the Blancos trainer will remain at the Santiago Bernabeu for at least one more season, while praising Cristiano Ronaldo

Mascherano ruled out for six weeks with knee injury
The Argentina international was stretchered off in the closing stages of Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, with the club confirming a ligament tear

Bale 'not far off' Ronaldo and Messi, says Zidane
The Real Madrid director of football described the Tottenham wideman as "unique" and "frightening" when asked about the most impressive players in Europe this term

Aguirre delighted with Espanyol resurgence
The club have turned their season around in 2013 and now sit 12 points clear of the relegation zone

Madrid team now better than the Galacticos, says Roberto Carlos
The Brazilian left-back believes los Blancos could step into a spot of bother in the cauldron of the Turk Telecom Arena, but says they are more composed under Jose Mourinho

'Messi is Barcelona's marquee player' - Villa
The Spanish attacker has vowed to do everything in his power to assist the Argentine, and feels the Blaugrana's backline have what it takes to stop Zlatan Ibrahimovic

'Rijkaard made us see Messi was the future' - Giuly
The former Blaugrana attacker, who had to make way for the Argentine magician in 2006, has reflected on the Liga star's arrival at the Spanish side

Dani Alves: Barcelona critics have short memories
The right-back explained that a couple of bad results should not mean the Blaugrana are in decline, and that the club should be judged on their silverware haul in May

 

[Higuain]

Mourinho: Lopez could remain Madrid No.1

By SW Lim
Mar 30, 2013 11:45:00 PM

The Portuguese acknowledged the potential selection headache he could face selecting his first-choice custodian, as captain Iker Casillas nears a return to action

Real Madrid trainer Jose Mourinho says Iker Casillas could find it hard to displace Diego Lopez upon his comeback from injury.

The winter arrival, signed in response to Casillas' bone fracture in January, has surpassed expectations in the skipper's absence, putting in a series of assured performances for los Blancos.

And Mourinho's acknowledgement of such has placed the Madrid captain's squad status in doubt, when he told reporters: "We must be honest. The way Diego is playing, it will be very hard to get him out of the net.

"I cannot say for certain that he will be stay there till the end of the season, but he is playing very well. For now, it will be difficult for Casillas to be on the bench against Galatasaray, but he will surely be there for Levante."

The Spanish champions drew 1-1 against Zaragoza on Saturday after Cristiano Ronaldo cancelled out Rodri's early opener, prompting Mourinho to lament his team's scoring touch deserting them this season.

"It is true that all our players except Ronaldo have scored less goals this season, and therefore the team suffers," the 50-year-old continued.

"But I believe they will come, if not this season, then the next. It is not a matter of winning the league now, but to secure second place.

"Our goals remain the same; to progress to the Copa del Rey final and beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League."

Madrid host Galatasaray in Europe's premier club competition on Wednesday.

 

[Higuain]

The fall and rise of Manuel Pellegrini

Apr 3, 2013 8:00:00 AM

The 59-year-old Malaga coach, who was kicked out of Real Madrid in 2010, is now attracting interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs

COMMENT
By Rupert Fryer

Manuel Pellegrini has always held his head high. An educated, considered man, the Chilean may not hold the hearts of his players, or his nation, but he commands their respect, something he had earned in 2010 when he left the Santiago Bernabeu for the final time.

He wasn’t the first and he certainly won’t be the last. Real Madrid is an unforgiving club. Ask Jupp Heynckes, who was sacked a week after leading the club to their first Champions League title in over 30 years; or Fabio Capello, dismissed eleven days after earning los Blancos their first league title in four seasons; or Vicente del Bosque, a legendary former player and a man who had coached at every level of the club, cast aside as a dinosaur having led the team to two European crowns.

And so for Pellegrini, who received his marching orders after finishing the 2009-10 season second to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. His dismissal did not come as much of a shock – despite accruing the biggest points total – 96 – in Madrid's history, as he matched arguably the finest team in living memory every step of the way.

Marca’s campaign to see the back of him had gathered pace following the club’s Champions League exit to Olympique Lyonnais, rendering his summer exit inevitable. He was never likely to have trouble finding work, however. He won league titles in Argentina before leading then minnows Villarreal to the most successful period in the club’s history between 2004-2009 – finishing as La Liga runners-up in 2008 and coming within a penalty of a Champions League final – left him with enough credit in the bank to carefully consider his next role.

Despite interest from the Mexican football federation, el Ingeniero (Pellegrini is a qualified civil engineer with a degree from Chile’s Catholic University) wanted to build something.

PELLEGRINI'S COACHING CAREER
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Universidad de Chile Palestino Chile Under-20 Palestino O'Higgins Universidad Catolica Palestino LDU Quito San Lorenzo River Plate Villarreal Real Madrid Malaga	1988-89 1990 1991 1991-92 1992-93 1994-96 1998 1999-00 2001-02 2002-03 2004-09 2009-10 2010-

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The key to his move to Malaga, he told World Soccer in 2011, “was the intention that the directors had to build a great Malaga and the credibility of the way the club wanted to go about it.”

A year later or so later, after over €50 million had been spent in pursuit of greatness and Champions League qualification had been achieved, that credibility was nowhere to be found. Rumours of unpaid wages and missed – or totally ignored – payments to other clubs began circulating.

The club’s Qatari benefactors had seemingly lost interest, or money, or both. Unable to pay the exhorbitant wages to which the club had committed, a fire sale was expected. Their best player, Santi Cazorla, jumped ship for Arsenal, and star striker Salomon Rondon joined Rubin Kazan as the cost-cutting began in earnest.

The game had changed. His sugar daddy nowhere in sight, Pellegrini’s net spend dropped from the highest in Spain last season to zero this campaign. Javier Saviola and Manuel Iturra arrived on free transfers, while Roque Santa Cruz and later Diego Lugano and Vitorino Antunes joined on loan.

You see, Pellegrini is a man to be trusted with money. Cuprum, Chile’s premier retirement investment funds company, certainly think so: he's long been the face of their advertising campaign – appearances which have also appeared to further alienate him from Chile’s football family, serving to remind the working classes that while he should be respected, he’s just not one of them.

But perhaps that is where his true strength lies. Malaga have needed a calm head to steady the ship through waters so choppy the club are still unsure if they will even be allowed to compete in the Champions League should they beat Real Sociedad and Valencia into Spain’s top four.

“Malaga are the sensation of the Liga season and Pellegrini has demonstrated his natural talent for managing a dressing room,” says Goalcom Spain's Adrian Boullosa. "Pellegrini is a sergeant who does not have to shout. The players respect him and appreciate his effort."

Following all the off-the-pitch turmoil that has surrounded the club this season, that they sit fifth in La Liga with nine rounds to go and have made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in their debut season in the competition speaks volumes of the job the 59-year-old has done. It also tells you exactly why the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea are paying such close attention, with City in particular thinking he may be the man to take the Citizens that one step futher in Europe.

“Nobody gave us a chance at the start,” he said on Tuesday ahead of his side's clash with Borussia Dortmund. “The merits this season have been won out on the pitch.” And they’ve been orchestrated from the dugout.

 

[Higuain]

​

 

[Higuain]

Mourinho rules out Inter return next season

By Joe Wright
Apr 4, 2013 1:10:00 PM

The Portuguese coach has made it clear he would be happy to take the reins at San Siro further into the future, while highlighting the impressive form of Diego Lopez

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out a return to Inter next season - although he admits he would like to take over the Serie A giants in the future.

The 50-year-old lead the Nerazzurri to an historic treble in 2010, and while he insists rumours linking him with a return next year are ill-founded, he maintains a desire to take charge of the club once more.

"Next season, it is certain that I won't return to Inter, but I'd like to go back one day," he was quoted as saying by Marca.

"I speak from my heart, as I did when I said I want to return to England one day. But what is certain is that my next club will not be Inter."

Mourinho added that in-form Diego Lopez is likely to keep his place in the Madrid starting line-up for the upcoming clash with Levante, especially given the number of games he has been able to play compared with returning captain Iker Casillas.

He added: "Diego Lopez has played very well in 13 games in 70 days, Iker's played in none. There's no doubt who is in the best form."

 

[Lionel Messi]

La Liga: Granada 1 Real Betis 5

6 April 2013

Real Betis climbed to sixth place in La Liga on Friday thanks to a 5-1 thumping of relegation battlers Granada.

Three goals in four first-half minutes - two of them from striker Ruben Castro - had the visitors cruising at Granada's Estadio Los Carmenes.

Castro opened the scoring in the 30th minute after latching onto Alvaro Vadillo's pass and firing a low shot past Tono in the Granada goal, and he was on hand to score the second two minutes later.

Dorlan Pabon's thunderous shot came down off the crossbar and Castro thumped the ball into the net.

It was 3-0 moments later when Paulao headed off Tono's crossbar and the ball unfortunately came off defender Inigo Lopez for an own goal.

Pabon added the fourth eight minutes into the second half, but Granada pulled a goal back on 72 minutes through Carlos Aranda.

There was more bad news to come for the hosts, however, with defender Guillherme Siqueira sent off for a second bookable offence, and Angel Lopez completed the rout five minutes from the end.

The result lifted Betis above Valencia into sixth place in the race for European football next season, while Granada are in 16th position - just four points clear of the relegation zone.

 

[Lionel Messi]

La Liga wrap: Fabregas hits hat-trick for Barca

7 April 2013

Barcelona took another step towards regaining their La Liga title on Saturday with a thumping 5-0 win over bottom side Mallorca at Camp Nou.

The Catalan giants were in brilliant form with both Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez putting in first-rate performances.

The pair combined magnificently to end the first half with two goals and two assists each, before the former Arsenal man - operating as a false nine in the absence of the injured Lionel Messi - completed his hat-trick soon after the restart.

Real Madrid were also in sizzling form on Saturday, although they had to come from behind before thrashing Levante 5-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

After a slow start to the game, Levante stunned the home fans as Michel scored on the break to put his side ahead just after the half-hour mark.

The goal appeared to spark a lax Real into action and a spectacular goal from Gonzalo Higuain six minutes later was quickly added to by a Kaka penalty.

Real finally finished things off in the 84th minute as Cristiano Ronaldo slammed in a third before setting up Mesut Oezil for the first of his two late goals.

Barca lead the standings by 13 points with eight games remaining.

In other results, Real Sociedad put some breathing space between themselves and Malaga in the race for fourth place and the Champions League play-off spot with a 4-2 win over Manuel Pellegrini's side.

Three goals in nine first-half minutes from Carlos Vela, Alberto de la Bella and Antoine Griezmann has Sociedad cruising , but Pedro Morales pulled one back for the visitors just before the interval.

The lead was back out to three goals again six minutes into the second half when Inigo Martinez scored, meaning Roque Santa Cruz's 70th-minute strike was no more than a consolation.

Sociedad are now four points clear of fifth-placed Malaga.

And Deportivo La Coruna gave their survival prospects a boost with a 3-2 home triumph over fellow strugglers Real Zaragoza.

Bruno Gama fired a low shot home in the 11th minute to give the home side the lead at Estadio Riazor, but a Helder Postiga penalty and a Francisco Montanes goal had Zaragoza in front after 35 minutes.

Carlos Marchena levelled for Deportivo five minutes before the interval, and they went in front for good in the 55th minute when the unfortunate Abraham Minero scored an own goal.

The result leaves Deportivo in 18th place, still in the relegation zone but just a point behind Zaragoza.

 

[Lionel Messi]

La Liga wrap: Valencia climb, Atletico held

8 April 2013

A late header from Jonas has helped Valencia steal a 2-1 victory over Real Valladolid and gave his side's Champions League hopes a boost.

Valencia moved into fifth position in La Liga on 49 points, just two behind Real Sociedad, who sit in the crucial fourth spot, which would give them a berth in the qualifying rounds of next season's Champions League.

Valladolid defender Mikel Balenziaga gave Valencia the lead in the 39th minute, knocking the ball into his own net at a corner, and the visitors copped another blow 12 minutes after half-time when Sereno was sent off after conceding a penalty.

Roberto Soldado missed the spot kick for the hosts and he would have been rueing his mistake when Valladolid equalised in the 71st minute after Oscar Gonzalez's thumping strike.

But Jonas ensured Valencia took all three points on Sunday when he got on the end of Joao Pereira's 93rd-minute cross and flicked his header past Valladolid goalkeeper Daniel Hernandez to send the home fans wild.

Rayo Vallecano moved up to eighth with a 2-0 win away to Celta de Vigo with a goal in each half.

Piti put the visitors in front in the 14th minute with a smart back heel from Lass Bangoura's cutback, while Montenegrin substitute Andrija Delibasic tapped home Jose Manuel Casado's cross seven minutes from time to wrap up Rayo Vallecano's victory.

Espanyol also picked up a win on the road thanks to an impressive performance from Ghanaian midfielder Wakaso Mubarak in their 2-0 triumph at Osasuna.

The 22-year-old left-winger was brought on at half-time for Simao and set up Espanyol's opening goal six minutes into the second half, whipping in a corner for Hector Moreno to head home.

Mubarak got on the scoresheet himself in stoppage time, slotting the ball home from outside the penalty area far on the left wing after Osasuna goalkeeper Andres Fernandez had come off his line.

The win continues Espanyol's rise up the La Liga standings into 11th, while Osasuna remain 15th.

And Atletico Madrid suffered a blow in their hopes of reeling in city rivals Real Madrid when they were held to a 0-0 draw at Getafe, leaving them three points behind Jose Mourinho's side in third place.

 

[Lionel Messi]

La Liga: Sevilla 2 Athletic Bilbao 1

9 April 2013

Two goals from striker Alvaro Negredo earned Sevilla maximum points in a 2-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao on Monday.

Negredo struck in the fifth and 87th minutes to secure the points and help move Sevilla to 10th place in La Liga, six points behind Malaga in the final European spot.

The goals were Negredo's 15th of the season, taking the 27-year-old past last season's tally of 14.

Carlos Gurpegi equalised for the visitors in the 55th minute but the match was marred by two red cards.

Sevilla were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when defender Fernando Navarro was sent off by referee Antonio Mateu for a second bookable offence.

Seven minutes later Bilbao lost their numerical advantage when French defender Aymeric Laporte was also shown a red card for his second yellow card.

 

[Lionel Messi]

Ozil: I am proud to be playing for Real Madrid
The attacking midfielder is delighted to be part of the club and has nothing but praise for head coach Jose Mourinho

Pepe set to miss Galatasaray clash
Real Madrid are likely to field Raphael Varane and Raul Albiol at the back after the Portugal international picked up a muscle knock in training

Jemez targets Europe after Celta Vigo win
After seeing his side beat Celta Vigo, the Rayo boss has claimed that the club can qualify for Europe this season but bemoaned his team's first-half display

Godin: Atleti still aiming for second spot in La Liga
The Atleti defender has spoken about his team’s desire to catch the side's city rivals and secure a top-two finish in La Liga

We had to pull together to beat Levante, says Pepe
The Blancos defender believes that his side showed great team spirit to recover from a goal down to register a comprehensive win against the Valencia-based outfit

Zubizarreta: I thought Abidal's return was impossible
The Barcelona sporting director reveals that he feared the full-back would not succeed in returning to the first team after liver transplant and is delighted to see him back

Higuain tight-lipped on Madrid future
The Argentine striker refuses to speak about his contract negotiations with the club, suggesting that the issue of extending his time at the Santiago Bernabeu is far from settled

'I do not believe in miracles' - Ronaldo doubts late Madrid title charge
The Blancos star admits that the chances of catching Barcelona are slim and Champions League success is more realistic

Abidal makes euphoric Barcelona return during Mallorca win
The Frenchman made a triumphant comeback at Camp Nou after missing 14 months following a liver transplant on a night Cesc Fabregas struck a superb hat-trick

Madrid still have motivation in La Liga, says Karanka
The Spaniard has been heartened by los Blancos' recent displays and regards their latest win on Saturday evening as a show of strength of the team's depth

Fernando Torres rules out Atletico Madrid return
The striker is not interested in a return to the Vicente Calderon yet, and is determined to play for Spain again

Khedira: Madrid have the best forwards in the world
The Germany international has hailed the Blancos' attacking prowess and has nothing but praise for Sergio Ramos

Karanka thrilled with Casillas return
Los Blancos' skipper has been named in the squad to face Levante following surgery on a hand injury, and his former team-mate is delighted to have him back in contention to play

Falcao: I have received no offers yet
The Colombia hitman has played down rumours that he will leave the Spanish capital side soon, though he did not rule out moving on in the future

Mourinho the best coach I have had in my career – Khedira
The Germany international has hailed his current boss as the greatest he has worked with, and clarified his sides’ targets for the remainder of the season

'It hurts when people question my professionalism' - Dani Alves
The Brazilian wing-back believes he did not deserve the criticism for his supposedly poor form as the statistics show that he has had a good season so far

Casillas: I want to win as much silverware as possible
The Spain captain is keen to add to his medal collection, and wants to be remembered as a player who always gave his all

Valdes hints at Premier League interest
The Blaugrana's goalkeeper is set to leave the Liga side at the end of the season and has seemed to suggest England as a possible destination

Abidal told me he could play against Mallorca - Fernandez
The former Athletic Bilbao coach has revealed the French defender has hinted at making his first-team comeback for Barcelona in this weekend's Liga clash

Afellay on radar for Lazio & Inter
The former PSV star is widely expected to leave Barcelona this summer and could well be on his way to Serie A

 

[Lionel Messi]

​

Roura stresses importance of Abidal's return

By SW Lim
Apr 7, 2013 11:18:00 PM

The Spaniard hinted that the rehabilitated defender has a part to play at Barcelona and insisted Cesc Fabregas' scoring exploits indicate the team is not dependent on Lionel Messi

Barcelona assistant Jordi Roura has underlined the importance of Eric Abidal's return during the 5-0 rout of Mallorca on Saturday.

The 33-year-old came on as a substitute in the second half after enduring 14 months on the sidelines following a liver transplant, and Roura believes his comeback will provide an invaluable boost to his team-mates who are challenging for honours in Spain and Europe.

"Abidal's return is an important moment for the whole squad," he told reporters after the match.

Aside from the defender's eagerly anticipated return to action, the night also proved of note due to Cesc Fabregas' sublime hat-trick after the midfielder was fielded in Lionel Messi's false nine position - prompting Roura to seize the opportunity to insist that the Camp Nou outfit are not dependent on the Argentine.

"If Messi's not there, of course it's a problem, but we've shown again we have the necessary squad depth and quality players," the stand-in coach revealed.

"Cesc played a great game, and he's played before in that position. [Alex] Song was outstanding, while [Alexis] Sanchez also scored twice. He only left the pitch as a precaution.

"Fielding [Gerard] Pique and [Marc] Bartra [against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League]? They played a very good game together, but every game is different, so we'll see."

After taking another step towards securing the Liga title, the Blaugrana now turn their attention to Europe's premier club competition where they will host Carlo Ancelotti's men in the quarter-finals next Wednesday, having secured a 2-2 draw at Parc des Princes in Tuesday's first leg.

 

[Higuain]

​

 

[Lionel Messi]

Mourinho set for 'friendly chat' over Real Madrid future
The Blancos boss says discussions over whether or not he stays at the club beyond the season's end are yet to begin

Inter scout Barcelona duo Alexis & Montoya
The Giuseppe Meazza outfit are looking to add some fresh blood to their squad this summer and have earmarked the Barca players as possible reinforcements

Higuain: Let's hope this is the year Madrid make it to the final
The Argentina international has set his sights on the showpiece at Wembley this term after the Blancos stumbled at the final hurdle in the last two seasons

Hummels open to Barcelona summer switch
The Germany international is happy with life at his current club but would be interested in a move to Camp Nou if the Catalans were to make an approach

Barcelona vice-president backs Abidal for top award
The Frenchman, who underwent a liver transplant last year, made his return to competitive action at the weekend, ending a 14-month long road to recovery

Thiago Silva refuses to rule out Barcelona move
The former Milan defender has stressed that anything can happen in the future amid ongoing speculation linking him with the Catalans

 

[Lionel Messi]

Lo Monaco reignites Mourinho spat

Apr 9, 2013 12:58:00 PM

The flamboyant Italian has issued an alarming condemnation of the Madrid boss' looks and his coaching skills

Messina owner Pietro Lo Monaco has renewed his war of words with Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, claiming the Portuguese trainer's "face looks like his backside".

Mourinho angered Lo Monaco shortly after taking charge of Inter in the summer of 2008 when he claimed that he had never heard of the then Catania sporting director, and the two have enjoyed a tense relationship ever since.

"Mourinho's face looks like his backside," Lo Monaco told Sky Sport when questioned about his relationship with the Madrid coach.

"He knew very well who I was at the time. We had met when I was with Brescia and he was part of Barcelona’s staff. He wanted to meet our coach back then.

"He was playing a character, a comedian. He's not worth much as a coach, but he's one of the best motivators in the world."

Mourinho left Inter for Real Madrid in the summer of 2010, and has since won the Copa del Rey and La Liga with the Santiago Bernabeu side.

 

[Lionel Messi]

Pique: I understand why Fabregas wants freedom like at Arsenal

By Stefan Coerts
Apr 10, 2013 12:29:00 PM

The defender has highlighted the differences between Spanish and English football and has stressed that he always dreamed of returning to Camp Nou after joining Manchester United

Gerard Pique has stated that he understands why Barcelona team-mate Cesc Fabregas would like to have the same freedom he had at Arsenal at his current club, but has stressed that the difference between Spanish and English football forced the midfielder to change his style of play after his return to the Blaugrana.

The versatile midfielder left the Barca youth academy for Arsenal in the summer of 2003 before returning to his boyhood club in 2011.

Fabregas initially struggled to find his best form at the Blaugrana, though, and Pique feels the differences between the English and Spanish game played a large part in his team-mate's trials and tribulations.

"I can see how going back to a positional game can be difficult if you have had the freedom to play according to your intuition instead of a collective order. I can see how Cesc would like to have more freedom as he used to have at Arsenal, but you have to play according to where you are, of course," Pique told The Daily Telegraph.

"Here in Spain it’s always about passing the ball from one side to the other, but it’s not just passing, you have to be in the right place to receive it and you have to develop a quick mind to see the pass, to know what you are going to do next.

"To do so you have to have that discipline you talk about and that gets taught when you are a kid. In England you have more time on the ball; midfielders, especially those who move between the lines, have more space. There is more freedom to move around, and it is enjoyable as a midfielder."

Like Fabregas, Pique left Barcelona at a young age, too, but he has made it clear that he always had a return to the Camp Nou side on his mind after joining Manchester United.

"You want to come back. This is the best club in the world, you get titles, enjoy the style and we are at home. If you leave it is because you don’t see the road clear to the top.

"When Cesc and I left, in the same year, we had a great team with Messi in it. We were beating everybody but I took the risk of leaving all that behind and test myself. But everybody that leaves does so thinking, 'I will be back one day'."