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Afellay set to leave Barcelona on loan, says agent
The versatile Dutchman's representative has stated that they are in talks with a number of clubs about a potential loan move
Luis Garcia: Getafe deserved the win against Madrid
The Azulones boss has dubbed his team 'worthy' of their shock 2-1 home win against Real Madrid last night, and believes the victory will be a 'boost' to their campaign.
Coentrao called me a son of a w***e, claims referee
The match official has revealed that the left-back insulted him during Sunday's encounter, leaving him no other choice but to send the the Portuguese to the stands
Piqué: It's surprising Madrid has only one point
The Barcelona defender has voiced his shock that the Madrid giants are yet to win in La Liga, however, he won't allow Barcelona to switch off, despite the five point cushion
Higuain: Madrid must bounce back against Barcelona
The prolific attacker has admitted that the reigning champions did not deserve to win, and has stressed that they will have to show what they are made of on Wednesday
Not good enough: Real Madrid reeling after Mourinho's worst-ever start to a season
The champions lost at Getafe on Sunday and are already five points behind Barcelona with only two rounds of La Liga disputed, as problems mount ahead of the Supercopa second leg
Messi: Barcelona never panicked versus Osasuna
The Argentine has admitted that it was not an easy game for the Blaugrana, but has made it clear that they always remained calm
Mourinho slams Real Madrid for 'unacceptable' defeat to Getafe
The Portuguese coach lamented his side's lacklustre display as they suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Getafe to remain without a win in La Liga this season
Assou-Ekotto: Villas-Boas is like the son of Mourinho
The Spurs left-back has given his backing to the new boss, saying he is 'cool' and that more tactics are being used in training, which will help the team to win and enjoy football
Puyol faces injury lay-off after fracturing cheekbone in win over Osasuna
The defender will undergo further examinations on Monday, which is likely to confirm his absence from the upcoming Supercopa clash with Real Madrid
'I've joined a historic club,' says Cissokho after completing Valencia move
The French full-back is already impressed with his new club and believes Los Che will prove to be a step forward in his career.
Even when Messi is not at his best, he still scores - Vilanova after Osasuna victory
The Catalans came from behind to earn three points thanks to a second-half brace from the Argentine, and earned plaudits from the Blaugrana boss
Neymar has an extraordinary future but is not comparable to Messi, says Rosell
The Blaugrana chief praises the Brazil starlet but says no-one matches the Argentine, as he looks ahead to the second leg of the Spanish Supercopa
Napoli forward Insigne dispels Messi comparisons
The young attacker was asked if he is similar to the three-time World Player of the Year, and confessed that he hopes to one day become a symbol of his club
Juventus not interested in Barcelona forward Villa, says Marotta
The Bianconeri are looking to recruit a traditional target man rather than the gifted Spaniard, who has recently returned to first-team action following a lengthy injury lay-off
Only huge Real Madrid fans think Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Messi, says Popescu
The former Barcelona defender also joked that he would have proposed to former coach Johan Cruyff had the Dutch icon been a woman
Galatasaray pull out of Kaka race
Club president Unal Aysal believes that signing the Brazilian would be unnecessary for Fatih Terhim's team, but hinted that the Turkish champions could make further signings
Martinez hoping for swift conclusion to Bayern saga
The Athletic Bilbao midfielder has been widely linked with a move to the Allianz Arena this summer, but the two clubs seem to have hit an impasse in negotiations
Liverpool sign Sahin on season-long loan from Real Madrid
The Turkey international, who has found first-team opportunities limited with the Spanish giants, has moved to Anfield for the rest of the campaign after passing a medical
Negredo will cost Fiorentina €25m, says Sevilla president
The former Real Madrid striker has courted interest from the Tuscan side, but will not be allowed to leave the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan cheaply, according to Jose Maria Del Nido
Javi Martinez's parents urge Athletic Bilbao to agree Bayern sale
The mum and dad of the versatile midfielder have implored his club to lower their demands and sanction the Spain international's transfer to the Allianz Arena
Mourinho slams Real Madrid for 'unacceptable' defeat to Getafe
The Portuguese coach lamented his side's lacklustre display as they suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Getafe to remain without a win in La Liga this season
Aug 26, 2012 10:15:00 PM
By Tom Webber
Real Madrid coach José Mourinho launched an unprecedented scathing attack on his players last night, criticising the champions' defending after they threw away a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 at city rivals Getafe. LosBlancos have now collected just one point from their opening two Liga fixtures of the season and have never previously gone on to win the title after such a poor start, presenting Mourinho with a tough challenge for the remainder of the campaign.
Madridtook a first-half lead through Gonzalo Higuain but some poor defending in the second period offered Luis Garcia Plaza's men a route back into the game, and they duly obliged with strikes from Juan Valera and Abdelaziz Barrada.
"It was an unacceptable game, in this match for me it is not a frustrating defeat. We totally deserved to lose," Mourinho said to reporters after the game.
"There are things that a coach cannot discuss with the press. I haven't talked to the players. They have no feedback on what I think and what I have analysed. I have to talk to them.
"We have worked very hard on defending set pieces, we analyse videos and work on position of each player. But players don't do it.
"The only conclusion that I want them to get is that this was a defeat for Real Madrid and more than a well-deserved win for Getafe."
The Portuguese also queried two key refereeing decisions, claiming that his players said that Adrian Colunga had handled the ball in the build-up to the winner, and also casting doubts over the dismissal of Fabio Coentrao from the bench.
"I have just heard what my players said about the second goal. They said it was handball by Colunga [who assisted the goal]. The referee accused Coentrao of saying a word nobody on the bench heard."
Madrid's shock defeat also saw their run of 24 successive unbeaten Liga matches come to an end, their longest unbeaten stint for 15 years.
Following Barcelona's 2-1 win at Osasuna earlier in the day, Madrid now trail their arch rivals by five points at the top of the standings, and Mourinho revealed his disappointment at such a gap.
"It could be six if we had lost the first game. But we are five [adrift] which is too many points when only six have been contested.
"But today was a different match. Against Valencia we did more to win. Today, we fully deserved to lose."
La Liga wrap: Valladolid continue fast start, Atletico rampant
28 August 2012
Real Valladolid defeated Levante 2-0 on Monday to continue their 100 percent start to La Liga, as Atletico Madrid thumped Athletic Bilbao.
Victor Perez scored from the penalty spot either side of half-time to earn promoted side Real Valladolid all three points in their match at home to Levante.
The visitors saw David Navarro sent off in the 37th minute for a second bookable offence, the defender handling inside the area and gifting Valladolid their first spot-kick at Estadio Nuevo Jose Zorrilla.
Promoted via the second division playoffs last term, Valladolid find themselves joint top after two matches played in the 2012/13 Liga, level on six points with Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano.
Also on Monday, Atletico Madrid dispatched Athletic Bilbao 4-0 at home, with Colombia striker Radamel Falcao the star of the show.
Falcao, a big-money signing from Porto last year, netted a hat-trick within the first 60 minutes of the match at Estadio Vicente Calderon, his third goal coming from the penalty spot.
Portuguese midfielder Tiago Mendes bagged the fourth with seven minutes remaining.
Modric arrives at Madrid at the right moment, says Jarni
The former defender is confident that the former Tottenham star will be a success at the Santiago Bernabeu side, and has praised his versatility
Courtois: Chelsea game will be very special
The young goalkeeper will take on his parent club in Monaco this week, and is determined to come out victorious as he meets his former team-mates
AC Milan closing in on Bojan Krkic, confirms Galliani
The Spaniard appears to be on his way out of Roma as the 2011 Serie A champions are confident of signing the attacker before the end of the day
Puyol set to resume squad training despite fractured cheekbone
The Barcelona centre-back was expected to face a spell on the sidelines due to the facial injury, but could yet make an appearance against Real Madrid on Wednesday
Modric will need time to adapt at Madrid, warns Prosinecki
The Croatia legend believes that the 26-year-old requires a few months to settle into life his new club, but feels that his compatriot will prove to be a good signing
Bayern target Martinez delighted to be subject of German attention
The midfielder admits he has been left flattered by the Bavarian fans' reaction to his possible arrival, but insists he is remaining patient over a move to the Allianz Arena
Barcelona aim to overturn Vilanova ban
The Blaugrana are set to present their appeal against the two-game suspension that their new coach incurred during their trip to Pamplona at the weekend
Official: Villarreal sign Pandiani on one-year deal
The Yellow Submarine have purchased the 36-year-old striker in the hope that he can help get them back to La Liga following last season's relegation
Tax problems made re-signing Kaka impossible, admits Galliani
Tax constraints appear to have scuppered a return for the club's ex-hero, ending the search for a superstar to rekindle support from the fans in the face of a bleak new season
Casillas demands Real Madrid improvement after poor start
The iconic goalkeeper has admitted that his side have begun their Liga campaign in poor fashion after picking up just one point from their opening two matches
Butragueno: Modric will help Real Madrid achieve their goals
The Blancos legend hails the arrival of the Croatian and believes the midfielder will be key to retaining La Liga as well launching an assault on the Champions League
Thiago returns to Barcelona first-team training after injury
The talented midfielder joins his team-mates in time for the second leg of the Spanish Supercopa in Madrid on Wednesday
Modric completes Real Madrid move from Tottenham
The Croatian heads to Spain for a fee of £33.2 million after a lengthy transfer saga, signing a five-year contract at Santiago Bernabeu and being handed the No.19 shirt
Enrique: Liverpool are aiming to emulate Barcelona
The left-back was amazed at how quickly the Spanish outfit won the ball back against Real Madrid, and stressed that all they need is time in order to adjust to their new tactics
Cech: Buffon & Casillas the best keepers in the world
The Czech Republic international has nothing but praise for the Juventus and Madrid stars, while also having drawn inspiration from some former greats such as Oliver Kahn
Pique: It's surprising that Real Madrid have only one point
The international defender is surprised that the champions are yet to win this season, but has played down any suggestions that their lack of form is significant
Coentrao handed four-match ban, misses Supercopa Clasico
The Portuguese wing-back has been severely punished for his outburst at a referee, while the Barca coach will also have to watch two league games from the stands
'Coward' Mourinho still questioned by Real Madrid fans - and losing to Barcelona will only make things worse
The Portuguese brought back La Liga to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2011-12, but remains unpopular among many supporters due his pragmatic football and a poor start to the season
Mourinho: Carvalho's career is over if he stays at Real Madrid
The flamboyant coach has made it clear that the veteran defender's services are no longer needed by the Liga champions, and has advised him to move on
You don't win titles at the start of the season, says Ozil
The Germany international has stressed that there is still a lot of football to be played this term, and remains unfazed by the arrival of Luka Modric
Jonathan dos Santos not thinking of leaving Barcelona for Sevilla, says agent
The Blaugrana youngster's representative has stated that the Mexican wishes to stay at Camp Nou and try to earn himself a spot in the first team
Real Madrid will be more dangerous following Getafe defeat, admits Tito Vilanova
The boss of the Catalan giants revealed his opinion that Jose Mourinho's side will provide more formidable opposition in the Supercopa final following a humiliating loss on Sunday
Bayern set to complete €40m Javi Martinez deal
After a saga spanning a number of months the midfielder is close to completing a move to the Bundesliga side where he will sign a five-year contract
Puyol included in Barcelona squad for Real Madrid clash
The 34-year-old defender could feature in the second leg of the Supercopa, despite suffering a facial injury on Sunday, as Barca look to lift their first silverware of the season
Espanyol land Longo on season long loan deal from Inter
The starlet will spend the duration of the 2012-13 campaign in Cataluyna, following in the footsteps of Philippe Coutinho, who recently returned from a similar arrangement
Galliani pours cold water on Kaka, Palombo and Carroll transfer speculation
The Rossoneri executive revealed that following the capture of Bojan on loan from Roma, there will be no more manoeuvres in the transfer market from his side
Bojan arrives in Milan to complete season-long loan from Barcelona
After a breakthrough in talks between the Rossoneri, Blaugrana and current club Roma, the Spanish forward will move to San Siro for the season, with a view to a permanent switch
Kaka will return to Sao Paulo if he leaves Real Madrid, says wife
Carol Celico has revealed that her family has plans to go back to Brazil, effectively ruling out the attacking midfielder's chances of moving to a different European league
Mourinho: Supercopa Clasico remains open
The successful coach believes that the tie is finely poised and insists on Los Blancos attacking from the off, while Pepe and Luka Modric should be available to play
'No hard feelings' with Tottenham, Modric declares after Real Madrid switch
Los Blancos' new No.19 refused to travel to USA with Spurs in his ultimately successful attempts to push through his transfer but insists that he wanted "to thank everyone there"
Athletic Bilbao: We did not authorise Martinez to travel to Munich
The Basque side publicly denounce their star player who traveled to Germany without the club's approval, and they are now demanding answers
Aug 29, 2012 1:10:00 PM
By Frank Tigani
Athletic Bilbao have released a statement saying that they haven't authorised Javi Martinez to travel to Germany in order to complete his proposed transfer to Bayern Munich.
In a transfer saga that has rumbled on all summer, the German giants are desperate to clinch the deal before the transfer deadline on August 31.
On Tuesday, Martinez travelled to Munich to undergo his medical much to the lament of his club who have now announced that he was not given permission to do so.
A message on their official website reads: "Athletic Bilbao want to make everyone aware that they haven't authorised the trip of player, Javi Martinez, to Munich on August 28. The club requests that explanations are provided by the player who remains theirs."
Negotiations between the two clubs have not run smoothly and despite the Bavarians offer of €40 million for the player, the Basque side have still yet to agree on the fee.
Martinez & Llorente buy-out clauses must be met, says Athletic Bilbao president
The chief of the Basque outfit has reiterated that they will not compromise on any bids for the sought-after duo and meeting release fee is any suitor's only option
Aug 29, 2012 7:30:00 AM
By Tom Webber
Athletic Bilbao president Josu Urrutia has insisted that his club will only allow star pair Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente to leave should their respective buy-out clauses be met.
The duo have been the subject of heated speculation over a move away from San Mames with Bayern Munich linked to the €40 million-rated midfielder, while the striker, who would cost €35m, has refused to sign a new contract.
However, the 44-year-old has reaffirmed his stance that the players will only be allowed to leave should a bid trigger the release clause in their current contracts.
"We have always said that a player can only leave the club on two conditions - either the club no longer wants the player or another club pays their buy-out clause, and neither of those conditions have been met," Urrutia told Canal Plus.
"We have done everything in our hands. They [Llorente and Martinez] are still Athletic players and we hope that they will remain with us.
"We have not held negotiations for Llorente. We have said what we think and the rumours are of no interest to us."
The pair were left out of the Leones squad that will travel to Helsinki for a Europa League qualifier this week but Urrutia was adamant that this does not mean they are on their way out of the club.
“We are a team and everyone is available to the coach. We never take every player to a game, we always leave one or two out.
"He [Bielsa] has chosen the players he thinks he needs and now in Thursday's match we are going to try to make amends for the errors we made on Sunday [a 4-0 loss to Atletico Madrid]."
Despite suffering two losses from their first two league games the Basques hold a 6-0 advantage over HJK ahead of Thursday's second leg.
'Modric is not worth €42m' - Almunia unimpressed with former Tottenham man
The ex Arsenal goalkeeper admitted he does not understand the fuss around the Croatia midfielder and said that Real Madrid paid an 'exaggerated' fee
Aug 28, 2012 7:30:00 PM
By Tom Webber
Manuel Almunia has claimed that Real Madrid have paid over the odds for their new signing Luka Modric.
The Croatian completed a €42m transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu on Monday and while the former Arsenal goalkeeper conceded that Jose Mourinho has signed a decent player, he does not believe it represents value for money.
"Modric is a good player, but I do not know what all the fuss around him is," Almunia said to COM Radio.
"€42m seems a bit exorbitant, he is a good player and he can be useful for Madrid but the price is a bit exaggerated."
Almunia went on to talk about his former team-mate and recent Barcelona acquistion, Alexandre Song, commending the Cameroonian's midfield attributes.
"He is a wall, his greatest strengths are the distruption of the opposing game and stealing the ball and sometimes he has the genius to send a brilliant pass which surprised us [at Arsenal]."
Modric could make his debut for Los Blancos on Thursday as his new side look to overturn a 3-2 deficit to their arch rivals, Barcelona, in the second-leg of the Supercopa.
220 matches, 14 Messi strikes - A look at El Clasico's history in numbers Goalcom takes a look at the facts and figures behind the most famous fixture in world football as the two Spanish giants gear up for another mouth-watering clash
Aug 29, 2012 8:00:00 AM
ANALYSIS
By Enis Koylu
There is nothing quite like a Clasico. At least twice a season, the entire footballing world is focused solely on Spain's two most prestigious clubs: Real Madrid and Barcelona. The Castilian and Catalan cities are separated not just by 620 kilometres, but by language, culture, politics, and the two clubs' struggle for dominance has only made the enmity all the more fierce.
Aside from the rivalry off the pitch, each match makes for a fascinating spectacle. For los Blancos, you have the hard work and dynamism of the likes of Sami Khedira, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain, and in the Blaugrana, the natural brilliance of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas. And that's not mentioning the personal battle between the well-honed skills of Cristiano Ronaldo and the improvised genius of Lionel Messi.
And Goalcom are here to give you all the facts and figures as the two enemies gear up for another clash - one that will decide the destination of the first silverware of the Spanish season: the Supercopa.
0 - Since taking charge of Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho has failed to win a Clasico in the Spanish capital. His two triumphs came in La Liga at Camp Nou last season, and in the Copa del Rey final at Mestalla in 2011.
2 - Two players, Alex Song and Luka Modric could be making their respective debuts for Barcelona and Real Madrid on Wednesday. The duo have clashed a number of times in the north London derby while representing Arsenal and Tottenham, but swapped the Premier League for La Liga this summer.
4 - Cristiano Ronaldo became the first Real Madrid player to score in four straight Camp NouClasicos last week, but the Portuguese has only scored twice at the Bernabeu against Barcelona.
7 - Messi and Dani Alves have played in all of Barcelona's seven-match unbeaten run in fixtures between the two sides at theBernabeu.
11 - The biggest winning margin in a Clasico was Real Madrid's 11-1 win over their Catalan counterparts in the 1943 Copa del Generalisimo semi-final second leg.
12 - A total of 12 players from Vicente del Bosque's 23-man Euro 2012-winning squad represented Real Madrid or Barcelona at the start of the tournament. Jordi Alba sealed a move to Camp Nou shortly after the final, while a further four players spent time at either club at some point in their careers.
13 - Between them, Real Madrid and Barcelona have won 13 European Cups, but the Catalans have triumphed on the continent three times since los Blancos' last triumph in 2002.
14 - After last week's penalty to put Barca 2-1 up, Messi has now scored 14 goals against Real Madrid, equalling the club record previously held by Cesar.
<center>
Familiar foes | Barcelona and Real Madrid have played out 220 official meetings
</center>18 - Alfredo Di Stefano holds the overall goalscoring record for fixtures between the two sides with 18 strikes to his name. The Argentine was close to joining Barcelona in 1953, only for Real Madrid to swoop for him.
33 - A total of 33 players have spent time at both clubs during their career, including the likes of Luis Enrique, Bernd Schuster, Ronaldo and Luis Figo.
53 - The two clubs have shared 53 of the 81 Liga titles, with Real Madrid triumphing on 32 occasions and Barcelona on 21. The next most frequent winners are Atletico Madrid, with nine league wins.
87 - Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have recorded 87 official victories over their rivals since the first meeting between the two sides in May 1902.
220 - Real Madrid and Barcelona have played each other a total of 220 times. Who will triumph in the 221st meeting?
Bojan Krkic claims Guardiola wants to take over at AC Milan
The 22 year-old joined the Italian giants on a season-long loan deal on Thursday and then tipped his old boss to to possibly move to Italy in the future
Valencia confirm Pablo Hernandez move to Swansea
The 27-year-old winger will now undergo a medical with Michael Laudrup's side ahead of his move to the Liberty Stadium
Giuseppe Rossi will stay at Villarreal until the summer according to the player's agent Federico Pastorello
The Italian international is set to stay at El Madrigal for the foreseeable future following rumours linking the injured forward with a January move away from the club
Stuani turns down Deportivo La Coruna switch and joins La Liga rivals Espanyol
The Uruguayan striker has rejected an offer from Depor and instead opted for a move to the Blanquiblaus
QPR agree fee with Real Madrid for Esteban Granero
The west Londoners have been granted permission by the Spanish giants to speak to their out-of-favour midfielder, with only personal terms and a medical left to be completed
Xavi: Barca could have beaten Madrid with 10 men
The Spain international feels that the Spanish Supercopa could have gone either way, and has urged his team-mates to turn their attention to La Liga again
Cristiano Ronaldo: Barcelona win is a confidence boost
The Portugal international feels Wednesday's match will help them get back on track after a tricky start in La Liga, while Alvaro Arbeloa was equally happy with the victory
Real Madrid deserved bigger win over Barcelona, says Karanka
Jose Mourinho's assistant was quite satisfied with his side's performance in the 2-1 victory over their rivals, and felt they could have scored even more goals with a bit more luck
Bielsa: Athletic are losing a fantastic player in Javi Martinez
The Argentine trainer has lamented the sale of the 23-year-old Spain international to Bayern Munich, after the deal was officially announced on Wednesday
Messi becomes Barcelona's all-time Clasico top scorer with free kick against Real Madrid
The Argentine struck just before half-time to break yet another record and give the Catalans hope in the process after they had gone two behind and seen Adriano sent off
Filipe Luis: Chelsea have everything to gain in Super Cup
The Brazilian star suggests the European champions will be favourites when they face Los Rojiblancos on Friday, but team-mate Juanfran remains upbeat about their chances
Tito Vilanova will find it difficult to repeat Pep's achievements - Sacchi
The veteran tactician had a word of warning for the new boss of the Blaugrana, while reflecting on the recent transfers of Luka Modric, Bojan Krkic and Alex Song
Official: Bayern Munich sign Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao
The 23-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Bavarian side after the German champions were finally able to resolve legal and tax issues
Barcelona's Afellay in loan talks with Schalke
The Dutch winger could be set for a move to Gelsenkirchen after the Catalan giants offered him to the Bundesliga side on a season-long loan
Supercopa success can spark Real Madrid's season - and it's all thanks to Mourinho's message
Victory over Barcelona on Wednesday gave the capital club a much-needed boost following their stuttering start to the current campaign. Expect them to compete on all fronts now
Aug 30, 2012 8:00:00 AM
COMMENT
By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer
Jose Mourinho asked for a reaction - and he got one. Real Madrid had endured a miserable start to the season, with two defeats and a draw in their opening three games. But after Wednesday night's Spanish Supercopa success, that has all been forgotten now.
So poor in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Getafe, Madrid found triumph through adversity with a first title of the campaign on Wednesday - and it was all down to Mourinho's motivational might. The Portuguese coach has often sent out assistant Aitor Karanka to his post-match press conferences following difficult defeats, but faced up to the media on Sunday - and sent a clear message to his players.
The 49-year-old publicly questioned his squad's defensive discipline, technique, will to win and hunger following a season in which they gave everything to wrestle La Liga from Barcelona and revealed he had handed his players a dressing down after they had lost to their cross-city rivals at the weekend. Then, on Tuesday, he hoped to discover - he said - whether his charges were suffering a 'psychological' problem or merely a momentary malaise.
His opposite number, Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova, prefers to work away from the media spotlight, so the pre-match press patter had all been about Mourinho. The coach set a public challenge to his players and, with their pride pricked and professionalism probed, Madrid responded on the football field last night.
Poker face | Mourinho greets Vilanova before the Supercopa second leg on Wednesday
As Mourinho had added on Tuesday, the Spanish Supercopa remained wide open after the first match at Camp Nou. It shouldn't have been, as Victor Valdes made a meal of an Adriano pass-back to allow Angel Di Maria a late goal and hand Madrid a lifeline last Thursday, in a game which finished 3-2 to Barcelona but felt almost like a loss for the Catalan club given the nature of the game's frenzied finale.
Buoyed by that tonic and fired up by their coach's criticism, Madrid began Wednesday's second leg with an incredible intensity which forced their fiercest rivals into further errors. Valdes made one early save to deny Gonzalo Higuain but could do nothing to prevent the Argentine from opening the scoring after he was left one-on-one with the striker following Javier Mascherano's awful attempt to clear Pepe's long, looping ball.
That fired up the fans and there was another error 10 minutes later, when Gerard Pique made a mess of another pass from deep - this time from Sami Khedira - and allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to back-heel the ball over his head. The Portuguese then took time to control in the area and, with little in the way of support, smashed home a shot via Valdes' legs. The goalkeeper should have done better, and so should his defence. Barca were on the rack - and there was worse to come for the Catalans.
After Valdes had done well to save from Higuain and Pepe had seen a goal disallowed for a foul, Adriano was shown a straight red card for grappling last-man Cristiano to the floor. With 27 minutes gone, Barca were two goals down and a man down, too.
Madrid, meanwhile, remained rampant. Khedira almost made it 3-0 a minute later and Higuain missed another fantastic opportunity as Mourinho's men threatened to put the game well and truly out of reach.
Instead, however, it was Barca who struck next as Messi hit a rare free-kick goal, curling an unstoppable left-footed effort past Iker Casillas to strike a psychological blow just before the interval. It was 4-4 on aggregate now and one more goal would see Barca back on top.
And they came desperately close to it. Casillas produced a vital intervention to deny Pedro with his feet after the winger had showed extraordinary control to bring down a ball in the area and the Madrid keeper made a second save from a tight angle to thwart the same player moments later.
Higuain should have made it 3-1 at the other end but hit the post after beating Valdes and Messi came close to winning it as he curled a last-minute effort just the wrong side of the upright.
Madrid should have been out of sight by then and almost paid for their profligacy. Higuain was the principal culprit as he missed several superb chances, but the Argentine's opener set his side on their way to a first Clasico win at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008 and a first at home under Mourinho.
The Portuguese recently claimed he would happily lose the Supercopa and win La Liga, but given the circumstances of his side's season start, the 49-year-old will have been eager to claim this trophy. Mourinho's men stuck a psychological blow with Wednesday's win, banished their Bernabeu blues versus Barca and made it a Spanish set under their coach, who has now claimed Supercopa, Liga and Copa del Rey titles at Real Madrid.
So while last night's title may have been the least important, belief is back and this victory can now act as a catalyst for Madrid's season - all thanks to Mourinho's message. Barcelona had better beware.
Guti slams Jose Mourinho over Granero and Essien deals
The retired Real Madrid midfielder has criticised the Portuguese coach, questioning the decision to swap Esteban Granero for Michael Essien
Marcelo Bielsa firm on Athletic’s stance with Fernando Llorente
The Argentinean manager has stated that the Spanish international forward is one of Los Leones and shall play for them until his contract runs out next summer
Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Messi, according to Joao Pereira
The defender has labelled his international colleague as a more complete player on the eve of Valencia's visit to Barcelona
Essien hails Mourinho relationship after completing loan move from Chelsea to Real Madrid
The Ghanaian has hailed his former boss at Stamford Bridge, and placed himself at the disposal of his new team as they aim to win yet more trophies
Essien will be an important player for Real Madrid, says Karanka
The Blancos' assistant believes the Ghanaian will play a big part in the side's campaign, and has shed light on the transfer situations of a handful of squad players
Vilanova believes touchline ban sets 'example' for other coaches
The Blaugrana boss will not be permitted to take place in the dugout when his side meet Valencia on Sunday, a fixture he is confident of winning after their Supercopa heartbreak
Official: Anzhi sign Lassana Diarra on loan from Real Madrid
The Frenchman will continue his career at the ambitious Russian outfit after being told he was no longer needed at the Liga champions
Official: Malaga sign Onyewu on loan
The Andalusian club have made the versatile American giant their third signing of transfer deadline day, having wrapped up deals for Roque Santa Cruz and Javier Saviola already
Official: Real Madrid sign Chelsea midfielder Essien on season-long loan
The Ghanaian midfielder completes a shock switch to the Liga champions and will once again link up with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu
Javi Garcia is one of Europe's most promising midfielders - Peter Staunton assesses Manchester City target
The former Real Madrid youth product looks likely to join Roberto Mancini's side before the end of the transfer deadline and our expert rates the midfielder highly
Soldado surprised by inclusion in Spain squad
Having missed Euro 2012 at the expense of Alvaro Negredo, the Valencia striker has promised to do all he can to stay part of Vicente Del Bosque's plans in the future
Official: Roque Santa Cruz joins Malaga on loan from Manchester City
The South American is set to return to Spain with the Champions League new boys as La Rosaleda further strengthen their striking options.
'No point stagnating at Barcelona' - Afellay reflects on Schalke move
The Dutch international is confident of returning to form after securing a loan move to the Bundesliga, with opportunities for first team action limited at Camp Nou
Giovani dos Santos joins Mallorca on four-year deal from Tottenham
The accomplished Mexico attacker failed to settle at Spurs and has left the club permanently after a string of loan deals, arriving in La Liga hoping for more first team football
Official: Malaga sign Javier Saviola
The former Barcelona and Real Madrid attacker has returned to La Liga as he has opted to sign a one-year deal with the Champions League hopefuls
Iniesta deserved to beat Messi & Ronaldo to European prize - but don't expect him to win the Ballon d'Or
The Barcelona midfielder edged Leo and Cristiano to Uefa's prestigious prize on Thursday. It will be a big surprise, however, if he is honoured by Fifa too later on this year
Bojan eyes permanent AC Milan stay after completing loan move
The former Barcelona striker admits his recent switch to San Siro was the perfect birthday gift, and is already planning on extending his temporary arrangement beyond next summer
'I couldn't have asked for a better start' - Modric delighted with Supercopa victory over Barcelona
Real Madrid's newest signing expressed his joy at having finally been transferred to the Spanish champions, and was thrilled to win a trophy in only his first game for the club
Seydoux denies Real Madrid bid for Debuchy
The Lille president claims the Spanish giants have not made contact regarding the France right-back and insists he remains part of their plans for the season ahead
Champions League draw could have been worse for Malaga, admits Aguilar
The director is satisfied with the outcome of his side's pool in the elite club tournament, as he particularly looks forward to their glamour tie against AC Milan
Iniesta wins Uefa best player award ahead of Ronaldo and Messi
The Spain playmaker triumphed ahead of two of the game's leading lights, receiving two votes more than the duo in winning the award
Mallorca have gone to the top of the La Liga table with a 1-0 victory over Sociedad, while Malaga also won to slot into second position.
While Barcelona are expected to move back into the overall lead with a win over Valencia on Sunday, Mallorca and Malaga ensured their time in the spotlight with 1-0 wins on Saturday to be tied on seven points at the top of the table, with the former ahead on goals scored.
Mallorca were the more attacking team in their match with Sociedad, taking 15 shots to 10 for the game.
But Joaquin Caparros' side had to wait until the 75th minute to dispatch Sociedad.
Victor was the man to score the decisive goal, nodding Javi Marquez's cross past Claudio Bravo in the visitors' goal.
Malaga continued their surprisingly good start to the La Liga season with a 1-0 win away to Zaragoza thanks to a header from Nacho Camacho.
With their Qatari owners seemingly having lost interest prior to the new season, Malaga have lost many of the players who were key to their fourth-placed finish last season.
But despite that, Manuel Pellegrini's side have yet to lose after three games, with midfielder Camacho ensuring victory against Zaragoza when he got his head to Eliseu's cross in the 56th minute.
Newly promoted Celta Vigo grabbed their first victory of the new season, beating Osasuna 2-0.
Iago Aspas scored the opener for Celta in the 69th minute, while Mario Bermejo ensured the home fans left the stadium happy when he scored in the third minute of injury time to guarantee the win.
In the other La Liga match on Saturday, Deportivo La Coruna drew 1-1 with Getafe.
Guti slams Jose Mourinho over Granero and Essien deals
The retired Real Madrid midfielder has criticised the Portuguese coach, questioning the decision to swap Esteban Granero for Michael Essien
Sep 2, 2012 9:54:00 AM
By Oliver Scrimgeour
Former Real Madrid star and Spanish international, Guti, has slammed Jose Mourinho’s judgment with regards to the sale of fellow Spaniard, Esteban Granero, and the signing of Chelsea’s Michael Essien on loan.
Guti, who played over 350 La Liga games for Real Madrid between 1995 and 2010, is seemingly outraged that Mourinho would replace a young Spanish player with a foreign player like Essien, who is in the autumn of his career. He posted his thoughts on Twitter.
“There are some things I can’t understand in football and one of those is that Granero is leaving so that Essien can arrive. Granero is a much better player and he is Spanish,” read the tweets from Guti's official account.
"Right now the best players are Spanish, and what happens is that you spend a lot more money if you buy foreigners, which annoys me greatly," he added.
Esteban Granero has signed for Premier League side Queens Park Rangers, and made his debut on Saturday against English champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Guti tried to remain respectful, tweeting that Real Madrid needed neither Essien nor Lassana Diarra alongside Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso and new signing Luka Modric in the midfield, and admitted some may disagree with his views.
“It is my opinion," the 35-year-old said. "That does not mean I am right.”
Fabregas is an important player for Barcelona, says Xavi
The former Arsenal ace has struggled to command a first-team place at Camp Nou of late, but his team-mate believes he will grow in stature as the season wears thin
Javi Martinez wanted to leave Athletic Bilbao before Euro 2012, admits Urrutia
The Athletic supremo reveals the midfielder was keen to depart San Mames for some time, as he remains calm over the futures of other star players, including Fernando Llorente
Cristiano Ronaldo has our full support, says Kaka
The Brazilian midfielder has insisted that the prolific attacker has the backing of his colleagues in the wake of his revelation that he is unhappy at Real Madrid
Modric can make a big contribution to Real Madrid, says Sergio Ramos
The Spain international feels that the former Spurs star has a bright future ahead of him at the Liga champions, and is impressed with the way his new team-mate has adapted
Pellegrino: Valencia deserved more against Barcelona
The Champions League hopefuls' coach feels they had every chance of causing an upset, and is confident Los Che will soon return to winning ways
Cristiano Ronaldo 'sadness' sets alarm bells ringing at Real Madrid - but exit talk is far too premature
The Portuguese refused to celebrate his two goals as Jose Mourinho's men beat Granada 3-0 on Sunday - and expressed his unhappiness in the mixed zone after the match
Song did a great job against Valencia, says Vilanova
The Catalans' trainer was impressed with the versatile midfielder's performance, and also had words of encouragement for Pedro
Mourinho: Kaka is not a dead weight
The Madrid coach has made it clear that the former AC Milan star still has a future at the Liga champions, and will get playing time again in the future
Vilanova unconcerned by Cristiano Ronaldo's problems
The Barca coach refrained from giving his opinion on the the Portuguese international's post match comments, preferring to focus on the efforts of his own players
Iniesta: Uefa prize belongs to everyone in Barcelona
The dynamic midfielder emphasised that the award he received on Friday is a credit to his team, while demanding more cutting edge in front of goal as Barca beat Valencia 1-0
'I didn't celebrate because I'm unhappy' - Cristiano Ronaldo makes shock claim after Real Madrid win
The Portuguese international scored his 150th goal for the club during the 3-0 victory over Granada, but afterwards claimed he is far from happy due to a 'professional issue'
'I want more from my team' - Mourinho demands improvement despite 3-0 win over Granada
Los Blancos ran out comfortable winners at Santiago Bernabeu but the Portuguese demanded a greater level of performance from his side, as Luka Modric made his La Liga debut
Cristiano Ronaldo scores 150th Real Madrid goal against Granada
The Portuguese gave Jose Mourinho's men a first half lead and added a second after the break to reach another milestone. He is currently 10th in the club's all-time scoring list
'A valuable starting point' - Bielsa content with Athletic Bilbao's win
Los Leones broke their winless run with a 2-0 win against Real Valladolid and their Argentinian manager admitted his relief at picking up three points after a difficult summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 150th goal for Real Madrid as the La Liga champions dispatched Granada 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
The win was the first of the season for Jose Mourinho's side, before nemesis Barcelona claimed the three points in a 1-0 win over Valencia to move back to the top of the table as the only unblemished side.
In Madrid, the Portuguese's milestone was the highlight of a lacklustre performance from Real, who never seemed to click into top gear on Tottenham recruit Luka Modric's league debut.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 26th minute in somewhat fortuitous manner and he doubled his side's advantage eight minutes into the second half with a close-range finish, before limping off with a suspected knee injury.
Granada's hopes were put to rest just before the hour mark as Borja Gomez was shown a red card, and Gonzalo Higuain wrapped up matters with a tap-in 14 minutes before the end.
Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the season with a similarly scratchy performance that saw Adriano's stunning strike the only goal to separate the sides.
The home side started brightly at the Camp Nou and went ahead in the 23rd minute with the Brazilian's long-range piledriver after Pedro and Lionel Messi had earlier efforts turned away.
Adriano had been one of a few selection surprises, starting at left back ahead of former Valencia defender Jordi Alba, while Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and returning striker David Villa started on the bench.
Athletic Bilbao climbed off the bottom of the table after running out 2-0 winners at home to Real Valladolid.
Following a goalless opening half, Artiz Aduriz and Markel Susaeta scored in the space of six minutes to hand Bilbao their first victory of the season.
Levante came from two goals down to beat Espanyol 3-2 at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia.
Samuele Longo and Tejera opened up a two-goal lead for the visitors after just 25 minutes of football and went into the break hopeful of ending their winless start to 2012.
However, Levante produced late drama to clinch all three points.
Juanlu and Christian Lell drew the hosts level with two goals in a minute before Raul Rodriguez sent the ball into his own net on 93 minutes, handing 10-man Levante a last-gasp victory.
Meanwhile, despite having goalkeeper Ruben sent off in the 69th minute, Rayo Vallecano did enough to claim a point in a scoreless draw with Sevilla.
Eurosport - Cristiano Ronaldo (AFP) Ronaldo scored his 149th and 150th goals in 149 games for Madrid in a 3-0 win over Granada on Sunday evening but pointedly refused to properly celebrate at the Bernabeu.
When quizzed by journalists in the mixed zone following the Liga game, Ronaldo sparked speculation over his future by revealing he is not content with life at the Spanish champions.
"I'm sad because of a professional issue and the club know why," Ronaldo said. "That's why I didn't celebrate the goals, because I'm not happy. The people [at the club] know why.
"It's nothing to do with Andres Iniesta [winning UEFA's Best Player in Europe award]. I won't talk about this anymore and I will concentrate on Portugal for now. There are more important things [than this].
"The people at the club know about this. I cannot say any more."
It is also reported that Ronaldo was spotted crying in the Madrid dressing room following the victory over Granada.
Marca, the leading newspaper covering Real Madrid in the Spanish capital, says Ronaldo told president Florentino Perez on Saturday he did not feel wanted at the club.
The paper speculates that Ronaldo may have fallen out with some of his team-mates.
'I did not come to Barcelona to sit wracking my brains,' says Fabregas
The midfielder is desperate for more first-team action at Camp Nou, but has insisted that he will never disrupt harmony in the dressing room
Xavi & Casillas win Prince of Asturias Sports Award
The Barcelona star and his Real Madrid counterpart have been rewarded for their role in Spain's success in the past few years
AC Milan have option to sign Bojan on permanent deal, confirms Barcelona vice-president
The Spanish attacker joined the Rossoneri on a one-year long, and although Barca have the possibility to block a move, he could stay at San Siro for longer
Falcao: Inzaghi has been an inspiration
The Colombia international admired the former AC Milan striker, and has taken the time to praise Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while stressing that he is happy at Atletico
David Villa will be important for Spain again, says Xabi Alonso
The Real Madrid midfielder is very pleased with the prolific attacker's comeback, and believes he will soon prove his worth again for the European champions
Kaka and Carvalho named in Real Madrid Champions League squad
The experienced duo have both made Jose Mourinho's 25 man selection for this season's tournament, despite being linked with a move away from the club this summer
Barcelona is a happy club, says secretary Toni Freixa
The Blaugrana spokesperson revealed the happiness at Camp Nou as Barca announced club profits and budgets for the year
'He's a very experienced player, he will push forward' - Fabregas gives his verdict on Ronaldo
The 25-year-old midfielder has lent his support to his Portuguese rival by declaring that he has the experience to emerge from his current disappointment as a better player
Vilanova names Abidal in Barcelona's Champions League squad
Despite the fact he is currently recovering from major surgery, Barca's left-back has been named in the squad which is to be involved in their European campaign
'The media cannot change things' - Iniesta on Ronaldo's Real Madrid problems
The Spanish midfielder believes that bringing issues into the public eye will always fail to resolve problems, following the Los Blancos forward's outburst
Ozil: If you play for Real Madrid, you learn to deal with critics
The attacking midfielder was lambasted by the press for sub-standard performances in the early season but declared that such statements do not worry him
Barcelona have not discussed a new contract with Messi, says Zubizarreta
The sporting director denied reports that the forward was set to extend his current deal but the vice-president stressed his hope the club icon will end his career at Camp Nou
People were criticising Falcao in January, says Atletico chief
A Rojiblancos board member has recalled that some fans moaned about their star striker last winter, and has heaped praise on coach Diego Simeone
Messi refuses to comment on Ronaldo situation
The record-breaking forward has declined to speculate on the happiness of his Portuguese rival, instead focusing on the fortunes of the Argentina national team
Ronaldo is sad because he did not win the Uefa best player award, says Roberto Carlos
The Anzhi advisor has given his view on the Portuguese's 'unhappy' comments, saying that losing out to Iniesta is what has caused the disillusionment, and talked about Kaka
Alvaro Arbeloa lends support to Cristiano Ronaldo via Twitter
The former Liverpool right-back has taken to social media to show support for his colleague amid rumors that the Portuguese is no longer happy in the Spanish capital
Essien: I want to help Real Madrid win titles
The 29-year-old midfielder has confirmed he will do all he can to win La Liga with the Spanish giants, and has also set his sights on European glory too
Xabi Alonso and Higuain react to Ronaldo affair
The Spain and Argentina internationals have claimed that all they know about the Portuguese's situation is what the press have said
Cruyff: Time will tell whether Jordi Alba and Song succeed at Barcelona
The flamboyant Dutchman feels the club's new arrivals cannot be judged just yet, and added that it remains to be seen whether Tito Vilanova will succeed
Athletic Bilbao consider legal action against Bayern Munich over Javi Martinez
The Spain international left the Basque side for Bavaria on a five-year deal earlier this summer, but his previous club are not amused with the German outfit's behaviour
Song: Vilanova helped me a lot on first Barcelona start
The former Arsenal midfielder made his Liga debut on Sunday, and highlighted the importance of his coach's words ahead of the game
Cristiano Ronaldo is a toddler throwing a tantrum, says Real Madrid legend
The former Madrid player is not too impressed with the Portuguese forward's recent comments, and is confident things will be back to normal again shortly at Santiago Bernabeu
PSG will not move for Cristiano Ronaldo, says Leonardo
The Parisians could theoretically still attempt to lure the prolific attacker to the French capital, but the Brazilian has made it clear they have no plans to do just that
Official: Lassana Diarra joins Anzhi on four-year deal
The Frenchman will continue his career with the ambitious Russian outfit after being told that his services were no longer needed in Spain, while Nikita Burmistov also arrives
'I already knew about Cristiano Ronaldo's statements and they don't surprise me' - Jorge Mendes
The player's agent says that he is aware of the motives behind the forward's surprise comments, while Paulo Futre has denied that his countryman is seeking a bigger pay package
Manchester City lead Chelsea in €60m race for Falcao
The Premier League champions pursued the Colombian superstar throughout the summer transfer window and are confident of facilitating a deal with Atletico Madrid in January
Sep 5, 2012 11:40:00 AM
EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart
Manchester City are leading Chelsea in the race to sign Atletico Madrid star Radamel Falcaofor €60 million in January.
As exclusively revealed by Goalcom in June, the Premier League champions tried to sign Falcao in the summer and are willing to pay a record fee for the Colombian in the New Year, with Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes attempting to broker the move.
A summer move failed to materialise as the club were unable to offload Edin Dzeko despite interest from AC Milan and Bayern Munich, while Carlos Tevez's return to form saw him return to favour under Roberto Mancini.
Chelsea are also huge admirers of Falcao, who has scored 42 goals in 53 appearances for Atletico Madrid including a stunning hat-trick against the Blues in his side's Uefa Supercup victory in Monaco last Friday.
THE VIEW FROM SPAIN
Radamel Falcao's departure is a time-bomb for Atletico Madrid. At this point, it seems a question of when he will leave, rather than if. He is too good for a team that will never be able to fight for a title in Spain and that hasn't been able to qualify for a Champions League in the last years. That doesn't mean that Atletico won't try to cash in his eventual departure. They paid €40 million to get him (although there are rumours that Jorge Mendes paid half of the fee) and due to the club's difficult economic situation, I don't see them buckling for less than his release clause, which is suspiciously low. To give a comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo's is €1 billion. Manchester City wouldn't be deterred by a relative bargain at €60 million.
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But City are confident of landing their man after a 12-month long pursuit with Atletico's recent financial struggles ensuring they must listen to big-money offers for their star player.
Falcao has a €60m release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract and City believe their strong relationship with the Spanish club will help to facilitate a deal.
City eased Atletico's financial difficulties last year by paying €45m to sign Sergio Aguero, from under the noses of their great rivals Real Madrid, with most of the transfer fee paid up front.
And Roberto Mancini will be given the funds to land a marquee signing in January despite the club's conscious efforts to balance the books and comply with Uefa’s financial fair play rules.
In an interview with Goal.com last week Falcao insisted the Premier League wasn't a "dream" of his but the 26-year-old's father has suggested that the Colombian is very likely to complete a switch to the Premier League in January - and City sources say the club will pull out all the stops to land their man.
When asked whether a move to England could be on the cards for his son in the next transfer window, Falcao senior said: "Yes, that chance is very big."
City bolstered their squad over the summer by signing Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell, Matija Nastasic, Scott Sinclair and Maicon.
But their missed out on a number of Mancini's top targets including Daniele De Rossi, Robin van Persie, Eden Hazard and Javi Martinez.
Falcao, who joined Atletico Madrid from Porto in August 2011 in a deal worth €47m, has a reputation as one of the most clinical finishers in world football and would represent a marquee arrival to the Etihad Stadium.
If Cristiano Ronaldo is sad, people should go into the streets and cry, says former Barcelona coach Carles Rexach The 65-year-old believes that the Portuguese forward has no grounds for complaint due to his model lifestyle, and also gave his views on the problems facing Fabregas and Vilanova
Sep 4, 2012 12:00:00 AM
By Michael Cerna
Former Barcelona player and coach Carles Rexach believes Cristiano Ronaldo has as close to a perfect life as a footballer can have, and says the Real Madrid attacker should not be so vocal about his sadness.
The 27-year-old sad that he did not celebrate his double strike against Granada on Sunday because he was "sad" with a "professional" issue, within the club.
But Rexach, who has coached Barca's youth team and 'B' team as well as guiding the senior squad in caretaker and full-time capacities, was unsympathetic about the recent plight of Madrid's prized asset.
"If Cristiano is sad, people should go into the streets and cry," the Catalan sarcastically remarked.
"Ronaldo can't ask for more from life. He's a top player, he has everything.
"He is physically fit, well-built, has money, success, is one of the best players in the world.
"I don't know what else he wants, so for him to be sad is sacrilege."
Rexach also discussed Cesc Fabregas' slow start to the season, and urged fans and pundits to have patience with the former Arsenal man.
"Cesc has to find his place within the team," he continued.
"When he first arrived he had a great start, scoring goals, but now that Messi is playing a bit deeper he cannot find his ideal position on the field.
"People must have patience."
Considering the task ahead of Tito Vilanova, Rexach offered his advice: "I believe that better than improving, what he has to do is change things up, to vary things a bit, because everybody already knows how Barcelona play, the people know that Messi plays a little deeper."
