La Liga Season 10/11

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Ramos extends contract at Real Madrid

17 December 2010

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MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has agreed to stay with the side until 2017 with a 1.5-million-euro annual pay rise, sports daily Marca said on Friday.

"Sergio Ramos until 2017," blared the paper's front page headline.

According to Marca, the 24-year-old player's contract extension would take effect from the next 2011-2012 season.

Ramos, part of Spain's World Cup-winning squad, would enjoy an increase in his salary from three million euros a year to 4.5 million euros, it said.

The extension to his existing contract, which expires 2013, would be finalised in the next few months, the paper said.

Madrid bought Ramos from Sevilla for 27 million euros in 2005.

 

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Barca sweep aside derby rivals Espanyol 5-1


Barca sweep aside derby rivals Espanyol 5-1

21:13 GMT, Sat 18 Dec 2010

MADRID, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Pedro and David Villa scored two apiece as Barcelona swept to a 5-1 victory away to city rivals Espanyol on Saturday, securing their place at the top of La Liga heading into the New Year.

Pedro opened the scoring after 19 minutes and made it 3-0 early in the second half after Xavi had netted Barca's second.

Espanyol's Pablo Osvaldo had briefly threatened something of a comeback making it 3-1 in the 63rd, when he became the first player to beat Victor Valdes in seven games, but Villa snuffed out their challenge with two breakaway goals towards the end.

The champions have now won 10 games in a row in all competitions and have 43 points from 16 games in La Liga. They opened up a five-point gap over second-placed Real Madrid, who do not play until Sunday when Sevilla visit the Bernabeu.

Earlier, a superb finish from striker Nilmar topped off a 3-1 win for Villarreal at home to Real Mallorca that secured them third place going into the winter break with 33 points. The Brazilian raced through onto Borja Valero's pass in the 51st minute and, under pressure, lobbed visiting goalkeeper Dudu Aouate to score his 10th goal of the season.

Villarreal's neat possession football is reminiscent of Pep Guardiola's Barca side and one such passage of play ended with Santi Cazorla volleying home in the 11th minute. Jonathan de Guzman equalised against the run of play with a spectacular shot in the 28th minute, but it was a rare sight of goal for the visitors and Italy's Giuseppe Rossi restored Villarreal's advantage from the penalty spot in the 35th.

In other games, Athletic Bilbao climbed to sixth on 25 points after a 2-1 away at Levante and Deportivo Coruna drew 1-1 at home with Sporting Gijon.

 

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Espanyol vs Barcelona (1 - 5)
All Goals and Match Highlights 18.12.2010


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[Baimi]

Barcelona is so awesome, which team on earth can beat them now?
The odds for 5-0, 5-1 and AOS are getting lower and lower.

 

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Di Maria snatches late winner for 10-man Real


Di Maria snatches late winner for 10-man Real

22:24 GMT, Sun 19 Dec 2010

MADRID, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Angel Di Maria kept Real Madrid on the heels of La Liga leaders Barcelona as they survived a red card for Ricardo Carvalho to beat Sevilla 1-0 at home on Sunday.

The Argentina winger kept his cool to finish from the tightest of angles in the 77th minute, soon after Carvalho had been unlucky to receive a second yellow card for a challenge on Alvaro Negredo.

Sevilla made life difficult for Jose Mourinho's side in a match which was low on quality but high on tension after leaders Barca had temporarily moved five points clear of Real on Saturday with a 5-1 hammering of neighbours Espanyol.

The visitors also finished with ten men after Mouhamadou Dabo was dismissed in injury time. Champions Barca go into the winter break with 43 points from 16 games, two ahead of second-placed Real.

Earlier, Atletico Madrid recovered from their Europa League exit to beat Malaga 3-0 away and climb to sixth with 26 points. Atletico, who failed to pass the group stage in the defence of their European title, used their heads to sink former Real coach Manuel Pellegrini's Malaga.

Portugal midfielder Tiago nodded them in front from a Simao Sabrosa free kick after 22 minutes and he headed across for defender Alvaro Dominguez to score following another Simao free kick in the 66th.

Three minutes later, the Portuguese connection worked again as Tiago, on loan from Juventus, headed the third at another set piece to wrap up the points. Atletico are ahead of near neighbours Getafe on goal difference after Michel's side earlier came from two goals down to win 3-2 at Almeria.

Real Zaragoza stayed rooted to the foot of the table with 10 points after a 0-0 draw at Osasuna. Zaragoza's new coach Javier Aguirre, the former Mexico boss, is still searching for his first win in five attempts since taking the helm last month.

 

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Barcelona lose Puyol to groin injury

December 30, 2010

<cite class="source"></cite>Barcelona will be deprived of Carles Puyol for up to three games after their captain sustained a groin injury when representing Catalonia.

Carles Puyol will be missed in defence, although Eric Abidal can deputise

Puyol appeared for the regional side in a 4-0 friendly defeat of Honduras but his participation came at a cost with the defender picking up an injury.

Barcelona report Puyol has suffered "a strain that will see him sidelined for over a week", meaning he could be absent for two Primera Liga ties and one Copa del Rey fixture.

Levante visit Camp Nou in the league on January 2, while Barca travel to Deportivo La Coruna a week later.

The club also face Athletic Bilbao in cup competition on January 5.

Barca have welcomed back defender Gabriel Milito and youngster Jeffren, who have both recovered from thigh injuries.

Milito has been absent since the Copa del Rey tie against Ceuta on November 10 while winger Jeffren has been sidelined since the Champions League meeting with Rubin Kazan on December 7.

Meanwhile, new signing Ibrahim Afellay trained with Barcelona for the first time on Wednesday following his move from PSV Eindhoven.

 

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No change to Liga schedule


No change to Liga schedule

December 30, 2010

This weekend's Primera Division fixtures are to go ahead as planned after the Spanish players' union (AFE) failed in its bid to have the schedule of Sunday's five matches altered.

The AFE had taken the Spanish football league (LFP) to court following a dispute over the next round of fixtures, with the AFE upset about the scheduling of games on January 2, which was designated a holiday for its members according to a 2008 agreement with the LFP.

However, the court has now announced it did not have jurisdiction to rule on the case.

Therefore, half of the 17th round of Primera Division matches are due to be played on Sunday as previously announced by the LFP - including Barcelona-Levante, Valencia-Espanyol and Sevilla-Osasuna - with the remaining five taking place on Monday.

The LFP has also scheduled 10 of the 11 Segunda Division matches for Sunday.

LFP president Jose Luis Astiazaran told reporters on Thursday: "The most important thing is that there is going to be football this weekend."

 

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Nilmar struck down by injury


Nilmar struck down by injury

December 30, 2010

Villarreal striker Nilmar is to undergo an operation on his injured right knee, the Primera Division club have announced.

The Brazil international will have arthroscopic surgery in the the coming days before beginning his recovery in Villarreal on January 6.

Villarreal have not confirmed how long they expect Nilmar, who is the Yellow Submarine's leading scorer in La Liga this season with ten goals, to be absent for but reports in Spain suggest it could be at least a month.

The news comes after Villarreal's veteran midfielder Marcos Senna was ruled out for around four weeks on Tuesday with a hamstring injury.

 

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Barcelona look for more Messis in Argentina

By Miguel Lobianco
18:06 GMT, Fri 31 Dec 2010

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 31 (Reuters) - How to clone Lionel Messi? Set up a Barcelona soccer school in Argentina.

This was the thinking behind the Catalan club when they decided to look for more Argentine talent to nurture in their rich, world famous youth scheme.

Barcelona Junior Lujan was set up in 2007 as a subsidiary of the Spanish giants in a Buenos Aires suburb, recruiting and preparing boys to fulfil their dream of reaching clubs in the Argentine first division.

Director Jorge Raffo told Reuters in an interview about the care and education of boys between the ages of nine and 12 and the possibility that one of them might become a top performer like Messi or Diego Maradona, Mario Kempes and Enrique Omar Sivori before him.

"The junior project respects the essence of the Argentine footballer through his quality, individuality, intellectual development and teamwork to return to the source and find those great players of our history like Maradona, Messi, Kempes or Sivori," Raffo said.

"When we work with nine, 10 and 11-year-olds we don't know if a kid is going to be a footballer, but we do know he's going to be a person. So we're particularly aware, specifically in this place, that the kids must be supported, accompanied, educated and not pressured."

General manager Daniel Vitali, Barcelona's legal representative in Argentina, said one of their main concerns was handling the uprooting of the boys.
"Messi's was a case in point. He left when he was 12, it was very painful for him and his family, the uprooting process," Vitali said.

"One of our objectives is to avoid kids leaving Argentina when they are very young, so we aim for them to develop in their own place, with their people, their family, in their country."

INTEGRAL PLAN

The boys in the project, aged nine to 16, who arrive from all corners of Argentina through scouts and talent spotters, are required to study at Don Bosco School, one of the leading schools in Buenos Aires province.

The soccer school has about 45 boarders and another 150 boys who live at home and train there every day.

"The 45 kids are the ones that go to Don Bosco school, they live here with us, they return to their homes five times a year and their parents also come here to visit them three or four times a year," Vitali said.

The school applies the same training methods as those used at Barcelona.

"On the sporting side, Barcelona have given us a whole methodology we follow to the letter.

We are obliged to show a development and sporting model quite different from that which has existed so far here in Argentina," Raffo said.

He said that there is a regular exchange of information with the Catalan club through video footage of training sessions.

For the coaches, football is the excuse to teach a set of values to the boys so that, if they do not make it as players, they will not be reproached for not having fulfilled their dreams.

Raffo added: "As we always say, we are competing in two tournaments, a football tournament and a human one -- who's going to become an architect, lawyer, accountant."

 

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PREVIEW - Real poised for a boost with fit-again Kaka

By Mark Elkington
12:04 GMT, Fri 31 Dec 2010

MADRID, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Real Madrid are set to boost their team for the new year with a former World Player of the Year without spending a penny when they return from La Liga's winter break for a local derby at Getafe on Monday (2100 GMT).

Brazil playmaker Kaka has been out for five months since having surgery on his left knee but he has returned to training and delighted Real fans with some exquisite touches in a practice match open to the general public on Thursday.

"He's been out a long time but he's already showing that he is a Ballon d'Or winner. I'm sure he's going to bring us many days of glory," team mate Pedro Leon told reporters.

Kaka has struggled to live up to his 65 million euro ($86.91 million) price tag since switching from AC Milan in 2009 and a string of injuries, combined with doubts among fans over his commitment, means he still has much to prove in Spain.

The 28-year-old's return on Monday, or perhaps in the King´s Cup on Thursday, gives coach Jose Mourinho options going forward with striker Gonzalo Higuain still injured.

Mourinho also has to shuffle his defence with first-choice centre backs Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe suspended. Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol are likely to deputise.

Both Real and Getafe have won their last five games in all competitions, but the seventh-placed hosts have a knack of upsetting their neighbours at the Coliseum. They have lost only twice to Real there in the last six seasons.

AFELLAY DEBUT

Second-placed Madrid trail leaders Barcelona by two points, and they could start their match five adrift with the in-form champions hosting promoted Levante on Sunday (1700). Barca are unbeaten in 23 outings in all competitions.

Pep Guardiola also has to make changes in defence with Carles Puyol injured and Gerard Pique suspended, while top scorer Lionel Messi has permission not to return from holiday until Jan. 2 and will probably be rested.

New signing, Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, could make his debut.

Third-placed Villarreal are forced to continue the defence of their unbeaten home record without two of their leading figures, Nilmar and Marcos Senna, when Almeria visit on Monday (1900).

Brazil striker Nilmar, their top scorer with 10 goals, is to have a surgery on a knee problem while Spain midfielder Senna has damaged a hamstring, and both will be out until February.

Fourth-placed Valencia and fifth-placed Espanyol meet at Mestalla on Sunday (2100) separated only by goal difference, in the battle to hold the last remaining Champions League qualification berth moving into January.

 

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Roundup - Xavi to equal Barca appearances record

14:09 GMT, Sat 1 Jan 2011

MADRID, Jan 1 (Reuters) - Brief news from La Liga ahead of this weekend's matches (times GMT):

* Spain midfielder Xavi is set to make his 549th official appearance for Barcelona at home to Levante on Sunday (1700), matching the club record set by former player Migueli.

Xavi, who turns 31 on Jan. 25, debuted for Barca in 1998 and has been shortlisted along with team mates Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta for the FIFA Ballon d'Or, which is to be announced on Jan 10.

"What Xavi has achieved is incredible and demonstrates that he has a great mental strength," coach Pep Guardiola told reporters.

* Valencia receive Espanyol on Sunday (2100), for a fourth against fifth clash, without injured first-choice goalkeeper Cesar and suspended duo, defender David Navarro and striker Roberto Soldado.

* Atletico Madrid host Racing Santander on Monday (1900) with a doubt over Uruguay striker Diego Forlan who has an ankle injury.

The sixth-placed club have had to issue an apology on behalf of new signing Elias, who could make his debut, after the Brazil midfielder was photographed holding up a scarf with an anti-Real Madrid slogan at his presentation.

* Hercules have criticised Dutch midfielder Royston Drenthe, on loan from Real, who has refused to turn up to training after the winter break saying he has not been paid.

"He is showing a lack of respect towards Real, Hercules and his team mates," club president Valentin Botella told reporters.

Hercules, who face Real Mallorca away on Monday (1900), have promised playing and coaching staff they will paid November wages by the middle of January.

* Malaga have completed the loan signing of Argentina defender Martin Demichelis from Bayern Munich and he joins fellow new recruits Sergio Asenjo, Ignacio Camacho and Enzo Maresca at the club.

Manuel Pellegrini's side lie 18th in the standings and have been the biggest movers in the Spanish transfer market so far, but all four newcomers were left out of the squad to visit Sporting Gijon on Sunday (1700).

 

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Pedro fires Barca clear, Valencia sneak late win

By Mark Elkington
23:09 GMT, Sun 2 Jan 2011

MADRID, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Pedro scored twice as Barcelona made heavy weather of beating promoted Levante 2-1 to move five points clear at the top of La Liga on Sunday.

The champions, with 46 points from 17 matches, pulled away from second-placed Real Madrid who visit local rivals Getafe on Monday.

Valencia consolidated their grip on fourth place with 31 points, a last-minute header from Juan Mata earning a 2-1 home win with 10 men over fifth-placed Espanyol.

Sevilla ended a run of five consecutive league defeats to edge out Osasuna 1-0, a header from Frederic Kanoute in the 36th minute proving enough as the home team climbed to ninth with 23 points.

Barca, without the injured Carles Puyol, suspended Gerard Pique and rested Lionel Messi, looked rusty after the league's two-week winter break. The hosts struggled to open up Levante's massed defence until the 47th minute when Pedro kept his composure in a crowded area to score.

The second came 12 minutes later, Dani Alves breaking down the right and crossing for Spanish international Pedro to sweep in his eighth league goal of the campaign. The crossbar denied Pedro his hat-trick and Cristian Stuani pulled one back for Levante with a superb volley 10 minutes from time.

"We knew Levante would make it tough and that they would be looking for a reaction after losing 8-0 at the Bernabeu (in their last outing)," coach Pep Guardiola told reporters after Barca took their unbeaten sequence to 24 matches in all competitions.

"We didn't play badly but we found it hard to break them open. In 50 years' time teams will still be playing with 10 men behind the ball and it will continue to be hard to beat them." Spain midfielder Xavi made his 549th appearance for Barcelona, equalling the club record set by Migueli.

MATA OFF-SIDE

Valencia had the better of the opening exchanges at Mestalla and Aritz Aduriz powered them in front with an angled header from a corner in the 29th minute.

The visitors patiently worked their way back into the game but were lucky to level just before halftime when Valencia defender Ricardo Costa dived and headed Jose Callejon's cross into his own net.

A foolish off-the-ball elbow from Aduriz left his side with 10 men on the hour mark, and as they pushed forward Espanyol's Callejon almost put them ahead, Vicente Guaita pulling off a fine one-handed save.

Valencia's Pablo Hernandez somehow scooped over the bar from close range, but in time added on Spain winger Mata raced into head home from a well-worked move, though television replays showed he was in an off-side position.

"It was a very even game but we had the luck to score in the last move," Mata told Spanish television. "They are three very important points for us to secure us in the Champions League places."

In other games, Deportivo Coruna were 2-1 winners at Athletic Bilbao, who stayed eighth with 25 points, and Malaga dragged themselves out of the bottom three with a 2-1 victory at Sporting Gijon.

 

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Villarreal beat Almeria to tighten grip on third

21:09 GMT, Mon 3 Jan 2011

MADRID, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Villarreal cemented their grip on third place when Jose Catala and Borja Valero struck in a 2-0 home win over La Liga strugglers Almeria on Monday.

The victory trimmed the gap on Real Madrid to five points ahead of the second-placed team's visit to city rivals Getafe in Monday's late kickoff (2100 GMT), when Brazilian playmaker Kaka could make his return after knee surgery.

Atletico Madrid missed the chance to climb above Espanyol into fifth when they were held 0-0 at home by Racing Santander. Atletico are sixth with 27 points from 17 matches, one behind Espanyol who lost 2-1 at fourth-placed Valencia (31) on Sunday.

Real Mallorca were 3-0 winners at home to Hercules on Monday and are ninth. A late goal from midfielder Braulio snatched a 2-1 triumph for Real Zaragoza over visiting Real Sociedad that lifted them off the bottom of the table.

Zaragoza are 18th, level on 13 points with 19th-placed Almeria.

Catala put Villarreal ahead in the 22nd minute when Almeria failed to track the defender's run and he headed Valero's curling free kick in off the underside of the crossbar.

Valero added to his assist with a goal in the 58th as he struck the ball over the Almeria wall and inside the near post.

Champions Barcelona have a five-point lead over Real Madrid following their 2-1 win over Levante at the Nou Camp on Sunday.

 

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Tuesday 4th January 2011

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Mourinho: It was a strange game

Real Madrid honcho Jose Mourinho admitted that his charges had to endure a tense finale in their 3-2 win against Getafe.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened Madrid's account with a penalty before German midfielder Mesut Ozil doubled their lead but Getafe replied through Daniel Parejo.

Another Ronaldo strike seemed to have ended the home side's resistance but Alvaro Arbeloa's sending off coupled with a Juan Albin goal meant that Madrid had to survive a late Getafe onslaught.

Speaking to the club's official website after the match, Mourinho conceded that his side could have imploded right at the end.

Mourinho elaborated: "I always felt the game was strange. At the start, it looked we could win 3-0 or 4-0, but by the end of the first half I felt like we had lost control.

"We had a good start to the second half and it looked like we could be calmer in the match, but Getafe's goals and the red card we saw made us feel anything could happen in the final moments of the game.

The clash could have had two completely different outcomes.""We took three points in the end, which is what we've been doing all through this season.

"We've won 14 of the 17 games we've played so far in La Liga, and we earned five victories and one draw in the first round of the Champions League.

"If we keep this up we will reach the end of all three championships. It is in the essence of this team to fight to the end.""We didn't have our usual concentration level tonight.

We normally are a tighter side. We gave our opponent room to attack. Getafe are a creative and dynamic team with players that are technically very good."

The Portuguese chief also explained his decision to haul off midfield enforcer Lassana Diarra.

He said: "I replaced Lass because he didn't seem to be doing too well in a match that was beginning to be marked by transitions and one-on-ones. I also noticed the referee hesitated at times regarding bookings and that he seemed to have a different criteria for each team."

The game also marked the symbolic return of Brazilian wizard Kaka, who stepped into the fray in the 75^th minute to make his league debut and mark the end of his six month injury jinx.

Mourinho added: "Kaka has recovered from his injury, but his functional recovery is a different matter. He still hasn't reached his full potential. His return is great news for Real Madrid, for the Spanish league and for world football.

"He is a super player who hasn't really played in Spain because he spent a whole year practically injured and six months completely injured.

"He is ready to play 15 minutes now, he will be able to play 20 against Levante, 25 against Villarreal, and he will gradually recover this way.

It's great news. He is as happy as if he were making his debut as a professional. We are all very happy."

The result moved Madrid to within two points of table-toppers and defending Primera Liga champions Barcelona.

 

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Surgery ends Higuain´s season

5 January 2011

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Gonzalo Higuain's season is over after the Real Madrid striker relented to surgery on his troublesome back injury.

Higuain has not played since suffering a herniated disc in late November, though he initially delayed going under the knife in the hope he could return following a period of non-invasive rehabilitation.

But the Argentina international underwent further tests in his homeland over the winter break, and Real have confirmed the bad news that Higuain will not play again this season.

"The persistence of pain and of the herniated disc moved experts to advise surgery as the next step," a club statement read.

"This decision has been accepted by the player, his family and the club.

The conservative treatment has been good for the player's biomechanics."

"The work done till now will allow for an easier surgical procedure, better post-operational results and a shorter rehabilitation period."

"It has been agreed by all the aforementioned parties that a decision will be reached within the next 48 hours regarding the medical centre where the operation will take place and the surgeon who will perform it.''

Real boss Jose Mourinho will reportedly look to bring in another striker on a short-term loan to cover Higuain's absence.

"It is a shame because Higuain is a fantastic person and we will lose him for the remainder of the season," Mourinho told reporters earlier this week.

"Kaka was missing from our side for six months, and we were able to create a certain squad. Now, we must create another minus Higuain."

"The formation must adapt to the circumstances, and we must create an equilibrium knowing that we have many matches still to play."

"Certain players will need to provide cover in roles that are not their own, with another system of playing. For me, it is a new challenge with little time to teach it."

 

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PREVIEW - Barca's World Player trio to test Deportivo form

By Iain Rogers
15:10 GMT, Thu 6 Jan 2011

MADRID, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Deportivo Coruna could find themselves hosting a warm-up for the big 'Barca Party' when they host the Spanish league leaders on Saturday (2100 GMT).

Barcelona's Argentina forward Lionel Messi and Spain midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi will find out which of them has won the World Player of the Year award at a ceremony in Zurich on Monday.

If they beat Depor, who had to wait until the final day of October for their first La Liga victory of the season, they will stretch Barca's lead over arch rivals Real Madrid at the top of the standings to five points.

Real are at home to third-placed Villarreal on Sunday (1800).

Depor have won five and drawn two of their last nine games to haul themselves up to 12th but Barca have the best away record in the league having won all eight of their games to help them to 46 points from 17 matches.

Spain playmaker Xavi, who set a club appearance record of 550 in Wednesday's King's Cup match at Athletic Bilbao, said the World Player ceremony would be a "Barca fiesta" given that all three nominees were products of the club's youth system.

"Of course winning would be especially exciting for me and an honour," the World Cup winner, who will be 31 on Jan. 25, told a news conference on Thursday.

Villarreal have a chance to trim the gap to second-placed Real Madrid to five points when they take on Jose Mourinho's side at the Bernabeu.

However, their chances of upsetting Real in front of their own fans have been hurt by injuries to Brazil striker Nilmar and former Spain midfielder Marcos Senna.

TOP-FOUR FINISH

"We are still alive in the King's Cup and the Europa League and we want to win one of the two and then finish in the top four in the (domestic) league," coach Juan Carlos Garrido told a news conference on Wednesday.

"To do that we have to maintain a good level every day." Nilmar is to have surgery on a knee problem and Senna has damaged a hamstring and both will be out until February.

Real coach Mourinho has injury problems of his own and the club confirmed this week that first-choice striker Gonzalo Higuain needs a back operation and will be sidelined for around two months.

With Karim Benzema the only other recognised striker in the squad, Mourinho has the option of giving the erratic France international his chance or pushing La Liga top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo up to centre forward.

Ronaldo is suffering from the flu and Mourinho has rested his Portuguese compatriot for the King's Cup last 16, second leg at Levante later on Thursday, for which Real have an 8-0 advantage from last month's first leg.

"It is difficult for a footballer to live without being able to play," Mourinho said of Higuain. "I hope we can give him hope to be useful to the team at the end of May.

"In order for that to happen, we will have to be in a situation in which our games are still decisive. "This could act as a sort of beacon for him. We can help him with this sort of motivation."

On Sunday, fourth-placed Valencia play at city rivals Levante (2000) and Espanyol, who are fifth, host struggling Real Zaragoza. Sixth-placed Atletico Madrid travel to Alicante to take on promoted Hercules on Monday (2000).

Sporting Gijon are in last place in the standings and coach Manuel Preciado will be fighting to keep his job when the Asturians play at Racing Santander on Sunday (1600).

 

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La Liga wrap: Barca extend lead

9 January 2011

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Barcelona extended their lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to five points with a 4-0 rout at Deportivo La Coruna.

Goals to David Villa, Lionel Messi, Andreas Iniesta and Pedro ensured the Catalans romped home after a lacklustre start at the Riazor.

Villa broke the deadlock in the 26th minute; his shot somehow making it through the legs of Deportivo goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia after he was played through by Messi.

Messi was at it again seven minutes into the second half, this time doing it on his own as he scored his 18th league goal of the season with a curling free kick.

Iniesta added another for good measure with a lovely placed shot on 80 minutes before the effervescent Pedro benefited from the service of Messi yet again with a crafty chipped finish just a minute later to seal the win.

The victory piles the pressure back on to chasing Real Madrid who host Villarreal on Sunday.

In other matches, a Freddie Kanoute brace inspired Sevilla to twice come from behind to defeat Real Sociedad 3-2.

Sociedad took the lead through Diego Rivas before Kanoute drew level almost immediately.

The lead was only brief as the home side regained their one-goal cushion just before half-time through Joseba Llorente.

Sevilla coach Gregorio Manzano introduced Alvaro Negredo and it proved to be a game-changing substitution as he set up Luis Fabiano to equalise, before providing for Kanoute's second goal which ultimately proved to be the winner.

Athletic Bilbao rescued a point with a dramatic 1-1 draw at Malaga in Saturday's other match.

Javi Martinez broke Malaga hearts with a header deep into stoppage time after new signing Martin Demichelis had put the hosts ahead with just 10 minutes remaining.

 

[Baimi]

In the other thread, I said "I have won $1000+ and that's
not the end of the season yet", this statement a bit misleading,
as though I have not done yet with my winning, that's not the case.
Actual case is I'm afraid that I might not get lucky and will give back all
my winning to SG pools. Just hope that Barcelona and Real Madrid
continue to score more goals.
From past results, since last season, Real Madrid's defence always let in
goals, but not Barcelona. So I always bet 1 or 2 goals score against Real
but not Bareclona.

 

[floorfilla]

Ronaldo hat-trick inspires Real Madrid

By Mark Elkington
22:44 GMT, Sun 9 Jan 2011

MADRID, Jan 9 (Reuters) - A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick helped Real Madrid fight back to beat classy Villarreal 4-2 on Sunday to cut Barcelona's La Liga lead to two points.

The Portugal forward equalised twice in the first half and then fired the hosts in front in the 79th minute with his 22nd league goal of the season before setting up substitute Kaka for the fourth.

Coach Jose Mourinho's Real have 47 points from 18 games, with Barcelona on 49 after the champions swept aside Deportivo Coruna 4-0 on Saturday.

"Cristiano leaves me speechless. There he is game after game, week after week. I don't know how to describe his performances," Mourinho told reporters as Real moved 11 points ahead of third-placed Villarreal.

Valencia are fourth on 34 points after Juan Mata, who had earlier missed a penalty, grabbed a late winner in a 1-0 victory at city rivals Levante. Cani deservedly fired Villarreal in front after seven minutes at the Bernabeu but Ronaldo levelled two minutes later, tapping in Mesut Ozil's low cross.

Marco Ruben broke the offside trap to lob home keeper Iker Casillas in the 18th minute as Villarreal dominated but again Ronaldo hit back, heading in from close range following a free kick just before the break.

Real started to step it up and it was Ronaldo who reacted quickest to a goalmouth scramble to score the third. He then raced down the left in the 82nd minute and crossed for Kaka to net his first goal this season since returning from injury.

HOME RECORD

"In the first half Madrid were bad and Villarreal were fantastic. They are the best team to have played at the Bernabeu this season," Mourinho said. "Instead of 2-2, 3-1 would have been a fairer result at halftime. But we made changes, we reacted and we had the courage to go out and win to maintain our record of winning every home game this season.

"In a championship where the top two drop so few points we had to take risks, we couldn't just sit back." Espanyol crushed visiting Real Zaragoza 4-0 to keep up their push for a Champions League qualification place.

Pablo Osvaldo, Luis Gar#ia (penalty) and Alvaro Vazquez put the Barcelona-based side 3-0 up at halftime at Cornella-El Prat and Sergio Garcia completed the rout in the 87th minute to leave Espanyol fifth with 31 points.

Real Mallorca won 4-1 at home to Almeria, Osasuna drew 0-0 with Getafe and Sporting Gijon grabbed a last-gasp equaliser through Diego Castro to draw 1-1 at Racing Santander.

That result dragged Sporting off the foot of the table and up to 18th on goal difference ahead of Almeria and bottom club Zaragoza, easing the pressure on under-fire coach Manuel Preciado.

 

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Deportivo La Coruna vs Barcelona 0 - 4
All Goals & Full Match Highlights 08.01.2011



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