Spain La Liga Blog

£100m Transfer "Package" For Aguero?

Al — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:33:23 -0600

My sources, aka, the main page of ESPN Soccernet, claim that Chelsea is ready to splash 40 million on the transfer of El Kun and 60 more for a bunch of other shit. They've had a hard on for el Kun for the longest time now, and this article (which was claimed to have been written with information from an insider) is making this news very believable.

El Clasico Fever!

Corey — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:56:44 -0600

El Clasico
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
Camp Nou
Saturday Nov. 28
13:00 (1:00 pm)
GolTV Pregame starts at 12pm eastern time
The Liveblog starts at 12pm eastern time as well

Real Madrid walks in to the cauldron of the cule on Sunday in the first Clasico of the year. To say its one of the biggest games of the year seems understated, but this year we have the added spice of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Zlatan Ibrahimovic joining the fray. Along with stalwarts like Raul, Puyol, Casillas, Xavi and posthumously Guti who is still 'injured'.
I dont think I could do justice to the importance of this game, the history and the passion each set of fans has when it comes time for the two teams to meet. Besides the obvious media glamor of all of the star players, this game is one of the oldest rival matches in the world, and the cultural context surrounding the game has always added extra flair to the event. But being an American, and despite doing extensive reading on the history of the match and the cultural effects, I still prefer to treat it as it is, a football game. Call me apathetic, but I am not a Spaniard, so I cant say I hate Catalans or Madrilenos simply because I dont know the people.

FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid Preview Part I: The Art of Stretching Two Hours of Football Into a Whole Week.

Pedro — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:36:39 -0600

So, here we are at that time of the year where one single event tends to consume everything, from thought to printing paper to money and especially fingernails. It takes a long time and a lot of friction to cultivate such an atmosphere that paralyzes millions without fail twice a season.

Zurich Match Review from Bassam

Corey — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:50:25 -0600

Here is a guest match review of the Zurich game which ended 1-0 to Real Madrid from reader Bassam, who is also an admin on our Real Madrid Offside Facebook page. Leave a comment for Bassam's review and have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Athletic 1-Barcelona 1: Hangin' on...and a bit of controversy

Paul — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:54:39 -0600

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Sorry about posting late, been busy with school, then for Thanksgiving break I went up to New York City and am now typing this from my sister's apartment in Connecticut.

Before I get started on the match itself, let's review something that has cause a little bit of controversy. I'm talking, of course, about Messi receiving a kick in the face from Amorebieta. Let's review:

So, what's your opinion of this play? Note that no foul was called and no cards were given.
Personally, I don't really see a major problem with the play. I agree with the commentators in the above video- to me it looks like Amorebieta was following through and Messi just didn't seem to be able to stop himself in time. I think Barcelona should have had maybe a freekick and that a yellow might have been a bit harsh if it were given. Red card? No way, no how. Anyway, I am glad that Messi wasn't hurt by this play, unlike certain other teams (yeah, that means you Real Madrid) I have respect for Barcelona and unlike certain players (i.e. Cristiano Ronaldo) I don't dislike Messi. On the other hand, I'm always a fan of seeing hard play from Athletic players- this may not quite be that, but, hey, it's entertaining.
I, personally, don't think this was too controversial, but read below for something I think actually is!
So, how about the match itself? Let's review:

APOEL vs. Atlético: Counting The Chickens

Al — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:49:55 -0600

Yeah, I’m pretty much assuming that we’re going into the Europa League. Sorry.
Sure, APOEL isn’t a slouch of a team and we still haven’t won a goddamn game since October 3rd, but I’m still confident. We indeed tied to APOEL at home the last time we met, but this Atlético squad is um, less stupid than the one that played back in September (?). Plus, our schedule is much easier: visit to APOEL then the group stage ends at home against Porto. Assuming they lose to Chelsea in the final matchday (which isn’t too farfetched), we will need only one victory to go into Europa. A point tomorrow will still mean that we're 99% into the Europa League.

Barcelona 2, Inter-Milan 0 (This is how we do it)

Cameron — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:28:22 -0600

This shirt is so clean! Look at it. So excited!
Disclaimer: Everyone must not read this post until they have clicked this. Only now, can you proceed.
An imperious team performance by our men in Blaugrana today saw some vivacious attacking football that had Inter on their heels all evening long. Some good saves by Julio Cesar prevented by what all accounts (save the score line) was a rout. A singular tense moment in the first half, caused by you know who (Valdes) saw Inter's only real chance of the game floundered. We were not even put off by our game by the absence of two of our biggest stars Ibrahimovic and Messi. By the way we played this evening, as a team, you wouldn't even recognize their absence, which is how we should be playing every game.
Indeed, it appears that during his reign, Pep always finds a way to motivate the lads to do their best when it is absolutely needed: Barça 2-0 Madrid, Barça 5-2 Lyon, Barça 4-0 Bayern, Barça 6-2 Madrid, Barça 1-1 Chelsea, Barça 4-1 Athletic, Barça 2-0 Manchester. Now you can add Barça 2-0 Inter. We sit on top of Group F now, and as it stands, a draw against Dynamo Kiev will see us through to the knock out rounds.

Real Madrid vs. FC Zurich Liveblog

Corey — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:48:36 -0600

Real Madrid vs. FC Zurich
Wednesday 25th 2:45pm eastern (20:45)
Santiago Bernabeu
Champions League Matchday 5
Real Madrid welcomes FC Zurich to the Santiago Bernabeu with a firm eye on qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League if they can get a win over Zurich tonight, and Milan beats Marseille at home. Real welcomes back Cristiano Ronaldo to the match day squad, as well as Sergio Ramos who was suspended this past weekend. Here is the match squad for Real Madrid:

The Best Start In 17 Years?

Corey — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:59:52 -0600

Shame On You Marca
Yes, we have had our best start since 1991-1992, yet it seems to have fallen on depth ears to many Real Madrid fans. Should we not be excited and optimistic that this team is making significant progress after the disasters of the club this time last year? Not if you read Marca, AS and the rest of the Spanish dailies on a regular basis (umm daily I guess). You would think we were in Atletico's position, such has been the level of scrutiny of everything Manuel Pellegrini and his team do. Besides outrageously unrealistic expectations placed on the team after bringing in so many high priced players this summer, Real sit top of the league, within qualification of the next round of the Champions League.

Barcelona Against Inter and all odds! A.K.A. Dancing in a minefield!

Ramzi — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:37:22 -0600

Can we exchange our shirts after the game?

“Inter Milan will park the bus against Barcelona. It won’t be a surprise tomorrow at the Camp Nou, after they played a passive defensive game at home, in Italy. Mourinho is seeking a draw, and he may get it considering the injury crises and lack of form Barcelona squad showed so far.”
My friend murmured these words as being facts that you only repeat as a sign of confirmation, more than being an opinion that anyone may doubt. But isn’t that “the word on the street” these days?
Unfortunately, I do not share this opinion. I think it’s a mix between the inaccurate specification of the so called “Parked bus” added to the fact that we need to analyze the group situation to figure out how far gaining one point in Catalonia will get Inter closer to qualify.
That’s why, it’s important to re-read the first game, played in Milan, before predicting how Inter will play this week. And here, allow me as I usually do, to ramble a bit around the point (The match preview), in a quest to clarify my points.