IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
Dani Alves' agent says the Barcelona full-back is close to agreeing a move to another club, with his contract at Camp Nou due to expire at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old has been linked with a host of clubs in recent months - French champions Paris Saint-Germain among them.
"We're close to reaching an agreement to sign for another club, negotiations are at an advanced stage," Alves' representative Dinorah Santa Ana Da Silva told Catalan radio station RAC1.
"Dani is still available [to Barcelona], but he won't be able to wait much longer."
Barca are currently the subject of a transfer ban over the signings of youth players and, as such, will not be able to add to their squad in the next window.
Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets was taken off with what appeared to be a nasty ankle injury in the first half of Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash with Villarreal.
Busquets left the pitch at El Madrigal on a stretcher after Tomas Pina caught the bottom of his right leg in the act of playing a pass that ultimately led to the hosts' equaliser.
Jeremy Mathieu was introduced in his place three minutes before the break, with Barca now facing an anxious wait on a diagnosis after announcing he would undergo tests on Thursday.
Neymar had given Barca the early lead in the match before Jonathan dos Santos levelled to make it 4-2 on aggregate to the visitors.
Luis Enrique refused to speculate about how long Sergio Busquets may be out for after suffering a nasty leg injury in Barcelona's 3-1 Copa del Rey win over Villarreal on Wednesday.
Barca ran out comfortable winners to secure a 6-2 aggregate win and book their place in the final, though the match ultimately left a sour taste due to the injury to Busquets.
The Spain international was on the receiving end of crunching tackle from Tomas Pina, who later produced another wild challenge on Neymar and earned himself a red card.
Busquets was forced off on a stretcher with his ankle appearing to be crushed in the collision, but Luis Enrique was coy when discussing a potential injury lay-off.
"That [the injury to Busquets] was an unpleasant note,” the coach is quoted as saying by AS.
"In the absence of a diagnosis, he will be out for a few days. We must wait to see how many."
Despite ultimately claiming a comfortable win, Neymar felt it necessary to apologise to team-mate Luis Suarez after failing to set him up for a first-half goal, with the Uruguayan appearing somewhat frustrated.
"I knew we were two against one, but the space opened up so I went for goal," he added.
"These things happen sometimes, but we know and understand well what is best for the team and must always pass if it is possible.
"I apologise to Luis [Suarez] and I'll pass to him next time if I can."
Extraordinary Athletic can upset Barcelona - Valverde
By Miles Chambers
Mar 5, 2015 00:46:00
Defeat of Espanyol in Wednesday's semi-final set up a finale for the Bilbao club and their coach is hoping their cup success can inspire better Liga performances too
Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde believes his "extraordinary" side can upset Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.
The Basque club headed into Wednesday's semi-final second leg level with Espanyol level on aggregate after a 1-1 at San Mames, but a goal 13 minutes in from star striker Aritz Aduriz put the visitors in control of the tie.
Xabier Etxeita secured a 2-0 win on the night for Athletic, thus setting up a one-off tournament decider on May 30 with Barca, who completed a 6-2 two-legged triumph over Villarreal a couple of hours earlier.
Although Valverde is aware that Luis Enrique's treble-chasers will be heavy favourites to prevail, he has high hopes that a galvanised Athletic can defy the odds.
"Espanyol played well in the first leg," the coach told reporters. "There we had a moment of weakness and it was not exploited by them. Tonight, we didn't give them a chance, though.
"Playing a final with Athletic is extraordinary. It has galvanised the city of Bilbao, which is fantastic. It's hard to explain. We will fight to win the title.
"Barca are the favourites, obviously, but we don't care who we're playing. The important thing is that we reached the final. Our opponents have a lot quality and experience, but we have to use our potential and anything can happen."
Tenth-placed Athletic are currently under-performing in La Liga but, with a cup final now secured, Valverde has high hopes that they can now rocket up the table.
"The season's not over for us yet, not by far, and we must continue fighting," he added. "Nothing's certain.
"A final is someting to look forward to for all fans and players, though. It is a boost and hopefully it can help us in La Liga to improve our competitive performances."
Neymar: My quick goal helped Barcelona reach final
By Miles Chambers
Mar 4, 2015 21:24:00
The Brazilian netted just three minutes into the second leg semi-final against Villarreal, which finished 3-1 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate
Neymar believes his early effort for Barcelona was crucial in their Copa del Rey semi-final dismantling of Villarreal on Wednesday.
Luis Enrique's men held a 3-1 lead from last month's first leg at Camp and quickly added to their advantage when the Brazil international scored in the third minute of the second leg at El Madrigal.
Although former Catalans attacker Jonathan dos Santos pulled a goal back shortly before half-time - and Sergio Busquets was stretchered off with a suspected sprained ankle - second-half strikes from Luis Suarez and another from Neymar sealed a comfortable victory for Barca.
"I scored very quick goal and that definitely helped us," the former Santos starlet told reporters after the game.
"Copa del Rey final at Camp Nou? I don't know if it's possible, but I would like that."
Barca will now have played in five of the last seven Copa del Rey finals and will face Athletic Bilbao later this season in the cup showpiece.
They are back in action on Sunday with a Liga home tie against Rayo Vallecano, with a visit to Eibar coming up before their crunch Champions League last 16 second leg on March 18.
Messi doesn't hold pizza comments against me - Rexach
By Miles Chambers
Mar 4, 2015 21:06:12
The former Camp Nou player suggested the Argentine had put on weight last season, but he says the Barca forward doesn't have a problem with him for it
Carles Rexach insists that Lionel Messi does not hold a grudge against him over his suggestion the Barcelona forward got fat from eating pizzas last season.
The Argentine has lost out on the last two Ballon d'Or awards to Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo, having won the previous four titles.
Rexach, who played at Camp Nou for 14 years until 1981 and later coached the Catalans, comically proposed that Messi's drop in form was down to scoffing "more pizzas than he wanted or needed".
The 68-year-old later backtracked by insisting he had no secret insight into Messi's eating habits and Rexach has now said that there is no bad blood between himself and Barca's No.10.
"I spoke with Messi, yes," Rexach responded when asked by Canal Plus if he'd had words with the attacker ahead of their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Villarreal on Wednesday.
"We talked about the pizza comments, yes. Messi and I have no problems with each other whatsoever."
Messi's goalscoring form was patchy in the first half of the current season but, since rumours began to swirl at the start of January that he might leave La Liga, his form has been simply impeccable.
Since Luis Enrique's men lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad on January 4, Messi has scored 15 goals in 12 games not including Wednesday's cup clash at El Madrigal.
Levante 2 Eibar 1: Comeback pulls hosts out of bottom three
6 March 2015
Relegation-threatened Levante came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over 10-man Eibar and move out of La Liga's relegation zone on Friday.
Lucas Alcaraz's men looked set to go down to a 14th league defeat of the season when midfielder Saul Berjon's volley put Eibar ahead in the 55th minute.
But Levante responded superbly and levelled matters just 10 minutes later through David Barral's clever close-range finish from Tono's ball into the box.
And Kalu Uche completed the turnaround in the 67th minute, the Nigerian capitalising on some dreadful defending from Eibar to slot home at the near post.
Dani Garcia then saw red for Eibar a minute from time for a second bookable offence.
The win puts Levante a point clear of the drop zone in 16th, while Eibar's seventh straight loss leaves them two points better off in 13th.
The injury suffered by Sergio Busquets during Wednesday's win over Villarreal will rule the midfielder out of Sunday's clash with Rayo Vallecano, but does not appear as bad as first feared.
Busquets was caught late by Tomas Pina in the 3-1 Copa del Rey success at El Madrigal and was subsequently confirmed to have damaged ligaments in his right ankle.
Tests on Thursday confirmed the Spain international will miss Sunday's league fixture, with a return date not yet confirmed, ahead of crucial games against Manchester City and Real Madrid this month.
A Barca statement read: "Club doctors confirmed that Sergi Busquets' ankle injury picked up in the game against Villarreal on Wednesday will rule him out of this Sunday's league clash with Rayo at the Camp Nou.
"His availability beyond that will be carefully monitored."
Pina was later sent off for another poor challenge, this time a second-half tackle on Neymar.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has played down speculation linking his club with a move for Porto right-back Danilo.
Reports in the Spanish media on Friday suggested that a deal to bring Danilo to the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season was being finalised.
"Danilo? I like him but we are not thinking about signings," said Ancelotti.
"I don't have to speak with [Dani] Carvajal and Alvaro [Arbeloa] regarding Danilo.
"Rumours are normal during this time of the season."
La Liga leaders Real visit Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, and Ancelotti remains without the injured trio of Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Sergio Ramos.
"James Rodriguez has not yet started training with the team and Sergio Ramos will start training with the team from Sunday," Ancelotti said.
"Luka Modric will not be in the squad to face Athletic Bilbao, but he will be against Schalke [in the UEFA Champions League] next week.
"It will be very difficult to win in Bilbao. I have total confidence in this team and I'm convinced that we are going to have a great season.
"The key to winning titles is you have to have confidence in what you do and you have to believe you can do it."
Former Argentina coach Alfio Basile does not believe Lionel Messi needs to win the World Cup to cement his legacy.
Messi has enjoyed huge levels of club success with Barcelona, winning every domestic trophy in Spain and the UEFA Champions League on three occasions.
He was named player of the tournament at last year's World Cup but left disappointed as Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Germany after extra time.
Basile coached Messi during his second stint as Argentina coach from 2006 to 2008, having previously led his country to Copa America success in 1991 and 1993.
And he told Perform: "The problem Messi has is that people want him to win it [the World Cup] because they think he will then become even better.
"But although he is not a world champion, Messi is a phenomenon."
La Liga Preview: Simeone looks to Torres, Real seek response
5 March 2015
Diego Simeone is backing Fernando Torres to inspire an improvement in Atletico Madrid's recent form, starting with Sunday's trip to fellow high-flyers Valencia.
The Spain international began his second Atletico spell in fine fashion, scoring twice in a 2-2 Copa del Rey draw at Real Madrid in only his third match, before also netting against Barcelona in the same competition.
Since then, however, the 30-year-old has seemingly suffered due to the impressive form of Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann, making only two La Liga starts so far.
Atletico themselves have been somewhat erratic in 2015, winning just five of their previous 13 outings across all competitions, leaving them seven points behind pacesetters Real Madrid.
Defeat at Valencia on Sunday will see the champions slip behind Nuno Espirito Santo's men in the top four and Simeone is hopeful that Torres can build upon an eye-catching cameo against Sevilla.
"His entering [against Sevilla] boosted our counter-attacks and offensive connections," the coach told reporters. "
"You could see that we could be dangerous in some counter-attacks. The introduction of Torres to the team makes me very happy.
"We need men of his characteristics and the enthusiasm with which he took the field. We need people who understand that no-one is more important than the team, no-one, not even the coach."
Leaders Real will be looking to bounce back from an underwhelming 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal, though a trip to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday could provide another stern test.
However, Athletic have taken just a single point from their last eight league clashes with Real, while Ernesto Valverde's men have struggled at home of late, winning only one of their previous six Liga games at San Mames.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti could also be set to welcome back several players from injury, with Sami Khedira, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric all in contention to return, though James Rodriguez remains sidelined.
Should Real trip up again, Barcelona will be aiming to pounce and potentially claim top spot for themselves.
Luis Enrique's side host Rayo Vallecano in Sunday's early kick-off, a team they have scored 31 times against in their last seven meetings and they will be big favourites once again, with Paco Jemez's side on a run of three successive away defeats in La Liga.
In the battle for the European spots, fifth-placed Sevilla head to Deportivo La Coruna, while Villarreal – just a point behind Unai Emery's side – host a resurgent Celta Vigo and Malaga travel across Andalucia to local rivals Granada.
Rock-bottom Cordoba will be looking to end a run of five successive losses when they entertain Getafe on Monday, while Levante could move out of the drop zone with a win over Eibar in Friday's solitary fixture.
David Moyes' Real Sociedad host Espanyol in the weekend's other match.
Atletico Madrid v Valencia: In-form visitors out to overtake champions
6 March 2015
In-form Valencia travel to Atletico Madrid on Sunday knowing victory will see them leapfrog the reigning La Liga champions into third place.
Nuno Espirito Santo's men have won four on the spin to move seven points clear of Sevilla in the race to secure a top-four finish.
However, with third place enough to seal an automatic UEFA Champions League place - thus avoiding the play-offs - Valencia will have their sights firmly set on usurping Diego Simeone's side, who are just a point better off.
Valencia have not won on any of their past five visits to the Vicente Calderon and midfielder Enzo Perez knows they face a tough challenge against an Atletico side that has only lost once in the past 33 home league games.
"It'll be a very difficult game against a great team, who are playing in the Champions League and on the up," he told Marca.
"I had the opportunity to work with [Diego] Simeone for six months at Estudiantes, although he has evolved since then.
"His idea is to play intensely and not give the ball away. We know it'll be a game like that, but we'll try to counter that and have a good match.
"Atletico are the champions, ahead of us [in the table] and at home, so they're the favourites.
"They have to please everyone, but we'll try to have a great game and do things in the best way possible in order to achieve a good result."
While Valencia come into the game buoyed by a strong run of results, Atletico have dropped points in recent weeks against Celta Vigo and Sevilla to fall seven points off the pace of leaders Real Madrid.
"We are very eager," said Atletico defender Jesus Gamez. "We tied against a great team such as Sevilla and in a difficult match but, above all, it didn't cut points in the ranking.
"We know that Valencia is closer and it will also be a difficult match, but we have the support of our fans and the team's eagerness for that moment to arrive.
"We're a team with a very united group, especially with the coach. We're training well and all the players are needed at this time. And the union of the group is essential."
Atletico look likely to be without Saul Niguez, who took a blow to his kidneys in the Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen last week.
Valencia, meanwhile, have doubts over Nicolas Otamendi, who picked up a sprain to his left ankle in the 2-0 win over Real Sociedad last time out.
Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid: Ancelotti wants reaction
5 March 2015
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has asked his side for a reaction when they go to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
The European champions saw their lead at the top of La Liga lead cut to just two points after a 1-1 home draw against Villarreal last time out.
With Barcelona snapping at their heels, another slip-up could cost Real the league lead ahead of what is sure to be a crucial Clasico clash later this month.
"The team is improving - we've dropped two points [against Villarreal], but La Liga will be decided in the final match," Ancelotti told Real's official website.
"We have to focus on the two-point lead we've got, which isn't much, but is a lead we must make the most of.
"Now we have to carry on [against Athletic Bilbao] which will be difficult. [We will] try to produce a good reaction."
Real only need to look at their clash against Bilbao earlier this season for inspiration.
Star forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick on that occasion, while Karim Benzema added two in a comprehensive 5-0 thrashing.
And it would not surprise if a scorned Real side find plenty of joy in front of goal on this occasion.
Ancelotti has been boosted by Sami Khedira's return to training, but is still without James Rodriguez and Sergio Ramos.
The visitors will also enter the match fresher after Bilbao won through to the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday.
A 2-0 victory at Espanyol gave them a 3-1 aggregate success, setting up a May 29 final against Barcelona.
The win was Bilbao's second in a row, coming on the back of a 1-0 Liga success at Eibar.
They still sit 10th in the table, though, and have lost nine of their last 10 against Real - a statistic that will not fill them with confidence.
Liverpool fans will get their chance to pay homage to one of their heroes later this month, when Luis Suarez returns to Anfield for the first time since his big-money transfer to Barcelona.
Suarez is to take part in an all-star charity game on March 29, which has been arranged to mark the upcoming departure of captain Steven Gerrard.
The Uruguayan, who scored 82 goals in 133 games for Liverpool before leaving for Camp Nou last July, is one of a host of marquee names to sign up for the event.
Other Liverpool icons, such as Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Dirk Kuyt will be joined by the likes of Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba and John Terry.
Current Liverpool players who are not on international duty will also play, with the two teams to be skippered by Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
All proceeds from the match will go to charities in the local community.
Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano: Jemez piles pressure on hosts
6 March 2015
Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez has piled pressure on Barcelona counterpart Luis Enrique ahead of Sunday's Liga clash between the sides, claiming 'second is not good enough' for the Catalan giants.
Barca sit second in the table, two points adrift of leaders Real Madrid, but gained ground with their win at Granada last weekend as Carlo Ancelotti's men were held at home by Villarreal.
Jemez says Barca cannot afford to take their foot off the gas in the title race, but believes Luis Enrique is the man to deliver the Liga trophy to Camp Nou.
"They have recovered an intensity when they lose the ball and I think that he will triumph in Barca, I have no doubt about that," Jemez told Sport. "He has a very good team and he is a very good coach, and that formula almost always works well.
"But it's also true that, in Barcelona, coming second is not good enough. That's the pressure of a big team, for some coming second is great but there it’s not enough.
"But I have a lot of faith in Luis because I think he's a very qualified coach with a lot of knowledge.
"And I think little by little he's getting Barca to play very well."
Barca attacker Rafinha has also noticed an improvement at Camp Nou and hopes to earn himself more game time.
"We've been getting better and better," he said. "There haven't been any big changes. We just feel better with each game we play.
"I've been getting better, getting more confidence, and I'd like to get more minutes. I feel quite comfortable in the team. I'm here to help.
"In order to keep getting minutes on this team you have to constantly be showing what you can do."
Sergio Busquets will miss Sunday's fixture after suffering ankle ligament damage against Villarreal.
A return date for Busquets has not yet been confirmed ahead of crucial games against Manchester City and Real Madrid this month.
Rayo Vallecano are 11th after two wins from their last three matches, but have conceded 34 goals and scored only once in their last eight league clashes with Barcelona.
Levante 2 Eibar 1: Comeback pulls hosts out of bottom three
6 March 2015
Relegation-threatened Levante came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over 10-man Eibar and move out of La Liga's relegation zone on Friday.
Lucas Alcaraz's men looked set to go down to a 14th league defeat of the season when midfielder Saul Berjon's volley put Eibar ahead in the 55th minute.
But Levante responded superbly and levelled matters just 10 minutes later through David Barral's clever close-range finish from Tono's ball into the box.
And Kalu Uche completed the turnaround in the 67th minute, the Nigerian capitalising on some dreadful defending from Eibar to slot home at the near post.
Dani Garcia then saw red for Eibar a minute from time for a second bookable offence.
The win puts Levante a point clear of the drop zone in 16th, while Eibar's seventh straight loss leaves them two points better off in 13th.
Barcelona 6 Rayo Vallecano 1: Messi hat-trick sends Luis Enrique´s men top
8 March 2015
Lionel Messi scored a record 24th La Liga hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Rayo Vallecano 6-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday to move top of La Liga.
Luis Suarez's fifth-minute opener was all Luis Enrique's men had to show for a dominant first-half display, during which the striker and Pedro both should have punished Rayo's high defensive line.
However, Barca found goals much easier to come by in the second half as they capitalised on Real Madrid's defeat at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Gerard Pique doubled the hosts' lead in the 49th minute, before Tito was sent off for a foul on Suarez in the penalty area.
Messi's re-taken spot-kick put the result beyond doubt and he added two more goals to move past 40 for the sixth successive season and complete his 32nd treble for Barcelona.
Alberto Bueno converted a penalty for Rayo following the dismissal of Dani Alves, but Suarez rounded off the scoring late on with his 13th of the season.
A remarkable 15th win from 16 matches in all competitions puts Barca a point clear of Real at the Liga summit with El Clasico two weeks away.
Luis Enrique was without Sergio Busquets and Neymar through injury and suspension, so Xavi and Pedro started among five changes from Wednesday's Copa del Rey triumph at Villarreal, while Rayo boss Paco Jemez made four alterations to his line-up.
The Catalans, buoyed by Real defeat at San Mames, were quickly into their stride as Xavi's wonderful ball on the half-volley released Suarez, who confidently stroked home with the outside of his right foot.
Pedro spurned a chance to make it 2-0 following another fine pass from Xavi and, after Roberto Trashorras curled a free-kick just wide for Rayo, Barca went close again when Suarez's chipped pass found Lionel Messi, whose first-time lob drifted just wide.
Barca's dominance was made to count four minutes after the restart. Jordi Alba's free header hit the post and Pique was on hand to tap home the rebound.
Tito then hauled down Suarez in the box after 54 minutes and received a second yellow card as a result.
Messi's penalty was saved but a retake was ordered because of encroachment and he made no mistake at the second attempt, hammering a low shot into the bottom-right corner.
Barcelona pulled further clear in the 62nd minute when Suarez's smart turn and shot forced a save from Cristian Alvarez but Messi tapped in the rebound.
Alvarez produced a superb low save from a Messi free-kick two minutes later but the Argentina forward was not to be denied and completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute by latching onto a cross and showing great composure to dummy the goalkeeper before slotting in his 30th league goal of the campaign.
Barca's victory was soured somewhat when Alves was given a straight red after Leo Baptistao went down under his challenge and Bueno - the scorer of four goals in 15 minutes last weekend - dispatched the penalty for his 13th of the season.
Yet Suarez topped off a wonderful afternoon for the new league leaders by collecting Messi's pass before rounding Alvarez and slotting home in injury time.
Athletic Bilbao 1 Real Madrid 0: Leaders lose to leave door open for Barca
7 March 2015
Real Madrid left the door open for Barcelona to go top of La Liga as Athletic Bilbao capped a superb week with a surprise 1-0 victory over the capital club.
Fresh from beating Espanyol on Wednesday to reach the Copa del Rey final, Ernesto Valverde's men picked up an unexpected three points in Saturday's clash at San Mames thanks to Aritz Aduriz's first-half header.
For Real, who thumped Bilbao 5-0 in October's reverse fixture, it marks another disappointing showing after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal last weekend.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti demanded a response to that performance in his pre-match news conference, but Real failed to heed his call and a lacklustre first-half display saw them go in behind.
The European champions improved after the interval and only some excellent Bilbao defending prevented Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo from scoring simple tap-ins, while Gareth Bale nearly grabbed a fortuitous leveller late on.
Ultimately, though, Real failed to find an equalising goal and they will slip to second if Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Bilbao's first win over Real since January 2010 means they move up to eighth.
Aduriz flashed a shot wide of the left-hand post in just the second minute, but Bilbao found themselves chasing the ball for much of the opening quarter.
For all the visitors' possession, clear-cut chances proved few and far between, although Xabier Etxeita made a potentially crucial interception to stop Benzema's centre picking out the unmarked Ronaldo, while Pepe headed over from the resulting corner.
Real's failure to break down Bilbao's stubborn defence was punished in the 26th minute.
Mikel Rico hung up an excellent cross between the Real centre-backs and Aduriz timed his run perfectly to meet the delivery with a thumping header that nestled in the right-hand corner.
Real had failed to register a shot on target by half-time, but the break seemed to do Ancelotti's men good.
Only an excellent interception from Mikel Balenziaga prevented Benzema from tapping in Ronaldo's cross, while the Portuguese seemed set to add the finishing touch to a Bale ball across the six-yard box before goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz palmed away from danger.
Iraizoz was called into action again in the 74th minute, racing off his line to prevent Ronaldo from sliding home.
At the other end Bilbao almost stole a second when Dani Carvajal's attempted defensive header set up Aduriz, whose header hit the outside of the left-hand post.
As the clock wound down Real came desperately close to making it 1-1 when an apparent cross from Bale, delivered from just in front of the halfway line, sailed over Iraizoz and rebounded off the right-hand post.
The equaliser proved elusive, however, as Real slipped to a fifth Liga defeat of the season.
La Liga Review: Vitolo inspires Sevilla, Bilbao stun leaders
8 March 2015
A dominant display from Vitolo saw Sevilla overcome Deportivo La Coruna in a goal-fest in La Liga on Saturday, as leaders Real Madrid failed away from home.
Athletic Bilbao stunned Real Madrid 1-0 at San Mames to hand Barcelona a chance of claiming top spot in La Liga by the end of the weekend, while in La Coruna, the visitors triumphed 4-3 in a match that involved two penalties and an own goal.
The victory saw Sevilla strengthen their hold on fifth position, which comes with a UEFA Europa League berth, as they rose to 49 points, four clear of sixth-placed Villarreal, who play on Sunday.
Deportivo opened the scoring in the 28th minute with Oriol Riera poking Ivan Cavaleiro's low cross inside the near post but Vitolo equalised five minutes later after a smart one-two with Carlos Bacca.
A flowing move in the 52nd minute saw Sevilla grab the lead, as Aleix Vidal's cut-back picked out Vitolo's late run into the box and the 25-year-old midfielder cracked a first-time shot past Deportivo goalkeeper Fabricio.
Pablo Insua's late tackle on Vitolo handed the visitors a chance for a third goal, and Kevin Gameiro made no mistake from the spot in the 65th minute.
But just as Sevilla appeared to be in control, Riera notched his own brace for the hosts, volleying Luisinho's cross home from close range with 18 minutes remaining.
An 83-minute own goal by Sidnei from Vitolo's cross reinstated Sevilla's two-goal cushion and although Lucas Perez converted a penalty for Deportivo in stoppage-time, the visitors held on for victory.
In Bilbao, Aritz Aduriz's powerful header in the 26th minute clinched three points for the home side, who have won three games in a row in all competitions.
It continued Real's inconsistent form in La Liga with Carlo Ancelotti's men having won just two of their past five matches.
The capital club have 61 points at the top of the standings but Barcelona (59) could leapfrog Real with a win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, while third-placed Atletico Madrid (54) will also be looking to take advantage against Valencia.
At the other end of the table, Granada claimed their first win in five games, accounting for Malaga 1-0.
Granada sit second-bottom but the victory took them to 22 points, three clear of safety.
In Saturday's other match, Elche defeated Almeria 1-0.
La Liga Review: Villarreal keep it tight at the top
8 March 2015
Villarreal ended Celta de Vigo's unbeaten run in La Liga on Sunday, cruising to a 4-1 victory to stay in touch with the top five clubs in the Spanish top flight.
The win took sixth-placed Villarreal to 48 points, just one behind Sevilla, who sit fifth in the standings, while the top six clubs are separated by just 14 points.
Atletico Madrid and Valencia - third and fourth respectively - missed the opportunity to close on leaders Barcelona and second-placed Real Madrid, as they played out a 1-1 draw.
Lionel Messi scored a second-half hat-trick as Barcelona leapfrogged Real into top spot with a 6-1 thumping of 10-man Rayo Vallecano.
In Villarreal, the hosts hit the front with four minutes left in the first half when Giovani dos Santos scored a solo goal on the counter-attack.
Marcelino's men managed to produce another goal before the break with centre-back Mateo Musacchio heading Moi Gomez's corner into the net in stoppage time.
Celta, who had not lost in La Liga since January, pulled a goal back in the 50th minute when Augusto Fernandez headed Nolito's free-kick past Sergio Asenjo but that was as good as it got for the visitors, with Tomas Pina setting up two goals for Villarreal in the final 20 minutes.
The 27-year-old midfielder chipped the ball over Celta's defence in the 73rd minute for Luciano Vietto to score from a tight angle, while Pina found Gerard Moreno on the edge of the box with six minutes left and the striker slotted Villarreal's fourth goal.
The win kept Villarreal seven points clear of seventh-placed Malaga in La Liga's second UEFA Europa League qualification spot.
La Liga has often been criticised for a lack of competitiveness - with Barcelona and Real Madrid well ahead of the rest - but Spain's first division appears fine in comparison with the rest of Europe's top leagues at this stage of the season.
Of the top divisions in Spain, England, Germany, France and Italy, Ligue 1 has the smallest gap between the top six clubs with 12 points, while 23 points separate Bayern Munich and Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
In Madrid, hosts Atletico were left to rue missed opportunities as Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi cancelled out Koke's first-half strike for the home side.
Atletico took eight shots with three on target at the Vicente Calderon, while Mustafi's header with 12 minutes left was the only one of Valencia's three efforts on goal that was on target.
The draw left Atletico with 55 points, six adrift of archrivals Real, who lost to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
In Sunday's other match, Real Sociedad edged out Espanyol 1-0.
