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Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is close to agreeing a new deal with the Primera Division champions, according to club vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Wasteful Celta taste defeat to Levante
Celta Vigo squandered a series of chances and failed to climb away from the bottom three as they were beaten 1-0 by Levante in their La Liga match at Estadio Balaidos.
Villarreal charge halted by Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao stopped the charge of high-flying Villarreal in a key battle of likely European contenders at the new Estadio San Mames after winning 2-0.
Valladolid fight back to hold Sevilla
Sevilla squandered a lead as Real Valladolid hit back to claim a 2-2 La Liga draw, leaving Unai Emery's side still searching for their first win on the road. Valladolid snatch draw, Getafe move fifth
Sevilla squandered a lead as Real Valladolid hit back to claim a 2-2 La Liga draw, leaving Unai Emery's side still searching for their first win on the road. Ten-man Elche register third straight win
Ten-man Elche survived a late onslaught from Real Betis to record their third win in a row in the Primera Division with a 2-1 result.
Galvez free-kick grabs Rayo the win
A late free-kick from Alejandro Galvez gave 10-man Rayo Vallecano all three points at Almeria. Getafe ease to win over ten-man Granada
Getafe profited from Granada defender Pape Diakhate's first-half dismissal to claim a fourth successive Primera Division win and move up to fifth place.
Marcelino eyes first away win at Bilbao stadium
Villarreal coach Marcelino has one eye on making history as he takes his buoyant side to the new Estadio San Mames to face Athletic Bilbao on Monday.
Puyol glad to complete long-awaited comeback
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol was pleased to get through his first competitive match in seven months in Saturday night's goalless draw at Osasuna.
Own goal proves costly as Atletico fall
An own goal by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ended Atletico Madrid's 100 per cent start to the season as they went down at Espanyol.
Martino rues Barca's poor finishing
Gerardo Martino was left to rue his side's lack of cutting edge after Barcelona's 100 percent start to the new campaign ended in a 0-0 draw.
Elche not afraid of Betis match-up
Elche coach Fran Escriba declared his respect for Real Betis ahead of Sunday's game in Seville, but promised his side would not be afraid of their hosts. Osasuna end Barcelona's flawless run
Barcelona's 100 per cent start to the Primera Division season was ended on Saturday evening as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Osasuna.
Sociedad claim first Primera Division win
Antoine Griezmann and Ruben Pardo scored either side of half-time to pave the way for a much-needed 2-1 win for Real Sociedad at the Mestalla.
Atletico Madrid Coach Diego Simeone Labels La Liga ‘Boring’
by Steven Green October 22nd, 2013
Atleti main man laments league’s duopoly.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has amazingly labelled his own league as boring after his side’s first defeat of the season to Espanyol this weekend, Marca reports.
Simeone played down his side’s chances of winning the Spanish title earlier in the season, and has reiterated his stance again after Atleti suffered their first defeat of the season to lose ground on Barcelona and neighbours Real Madrid.
Simeone’s men went down by a solitary goal to nil against Catalonia’s second side, and he believes the result only serves to reflect the sorry state of the league.
“We know what our targets are. Real Madrid and Barcelona are doing their thing, while we’re right up there in our own mini-league,” he said.
“La Liga is as boring as ever. Barça and Real Madrid are jostling near each other again and mark my words, it’ll stay like that as the weeks go by.”
Simeone also refused to blame the loss on the ‘FIFA Virus,’ insisting that fatigue following the international break was “absolutely no excuse.”
“It was a tough, tight match, just like we expected. In the second half the team tried everything to grab an equaliser. We threw everything we have at them, although we ran out of ideas somewhat,” the Argentine continued.
Atletico head to Austria this week for their Champions League tie against Austria Vienna, and Simeone will be looking for an immediate turn around.
The goalkeeper has sights set on the top of La Liga following Real Madrid's win over the Bianconeri, while denying he had given the club an ultimatum
Iker Casillas already has one eye on Saturday's Clasico following Real Madrid's 2-1 home triumph over Juventus on Wednesday.
Casillas, 32, is unlikely to start ahead of Diego Lopez against Barcelona this weekend, but that has not stopped him dreaming of going level at the top of La Liga with a win.
"A victory on Saturday will carry us to the top of the table with Barcelona," he told Canal Plus. "We have to go to Camp Nou keeping in mind this victory."
Two first-half goals on Wednesday from Cristiano Ronaldo ensured Madrid maintained their commanding position at the top of Group B.
Juve had equalised through Fernando Llorente, but the Portugese added a second from the penalty spot after Giorgio Chielllini had hauled down Sergio Ramos in the box.
It was to get worse for Chiellini as he was shown a straight red for a controversial block on the Portuguese in the second half.
Casillas believes the victory was fundamental to their last 16 aspirations as they only need a point when they visit the Bianconeri on matchday four to go through.
But says the win did not come easy despite playing against 10 men for the majority of the second half.
"We have taken a very important step," Casillas said. "It was not easy even when they were down to 10 men for almost the entire second half. Now we go to Turin, aware that even a draw could lead us to the knock-out stages."
Casillas has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu due to being out of the regular starting line-up for around 10 months.
But he insists that claims he has made demands to the club are fictional and borne out of false rumour-mongering.
"Regarding my future, I didn't give an ultimatum to Real Madrid," the Spain international added.
"Unfortunately, my name is always in the media and some people do nothing but talk about what I say, when I say it and why I say it."
The 21-year-old Blaugrana attacker says he hopes to play a pivotal role in his first game against Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Saturday
Barcelona star Neymar is relishing his first Clasico clash on Saturday, and is determined to lead his side to victory against Real Madrid.
The 21-year-old joined the Blaugrana from Santos in the summer, turning down los Blancos in the process, and is determined to help his new side down Carlo Ancelotti's men.
“El Clasico is the most important game for any player," he told the club's official website.
"It’s the match every player wants to play in, and is the game where each player wants to play his best football.
"This will be my first Clasico and I hope to have a great debut, preferably with a victory.
“I remember the Clasico, I believe it was in 2005, when Ronaldinho scored two goals. That's the Barca-Madrid match I remember most.”
The Brazilian says he has spoken to Madrid defender Marcelo - his international team-mate- ahead of the game and says their relationship will not be affected by the result.
“Marcelo and I have talked a little bit about the Clasico. We have a fantastic relationship, he’s a good friend, but I told him that Barcelona are going to win,” he added.
“I think the anxiety is the same before any match. I understand that we’re talking about a very important Clasico but I think that butterfly-in-the-stomach feeling is the same before any game."
By Henry Jackson26
Oct 23, 2013 4:34:00 PM
The Blaugrana will honour their former coach, who had to step down due to his battle with cancer, when they host Real Madrid on Saturday
Barcelona are to reveal a mosaic in honour of former coach Tito Vilanova when they take on Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Saturday.
The 45-year-old worked as Pep Guardiola's assistant for four years before taking charge of the team in his own right when the former midfielder left the club in 2012.
However, his time filling both roles was blighted by his battle with cancer, and he was forced to step down from the Catalans' hot seat during the summer, to be replaced by Tata Martino.
The mosaic will read 'Forca Tito', Catalan for 'Strength Tito', and is made up of 98,000 pieces comprising of Blaugrana colours and the colours of the flag of Catalunya.
Vilanova led Bara to the Liga title with a joint-record 100-point tally last term, but assistant Jordi Roura was forced to take charge of the team when he was in New York receiving treatment for his illness.
Mourinho exit has hurt Real Madrid, says Cannavaro
By Stefan Coerts26
Oct 23, 2013 11:44:00 AM
The Italian says that the current Chelsea boss' departure has affected los Blancos' form, while he also feels that the Spaniards did not need to sign Gareth Bale
Former Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro believes the Santiago Bernabeu side are still recovering from Jose Mourinho's exit.
The Portuguese coach opted to leave the Spanish capital in the summer in order to return to Chelsea and Cannavaro thinks los Blancos have yet to come to terms with the loss of the two-time Champions League winner.
"Madrid have had a bad start, but there's still a long way to go," the Italy legend was quoted as saying by Marca.
"They are finding it hard to move on after Mourinho's departure. He's a coach who makes a big impact.
"The same has happened at all the teams that he's coached."
Cannavaro then went on to discuss the arrival of Gareth Bale at Madrid and suggested that the Welshman might not be player head coach Carlo Ancelotti really needed.
"It's hard to find players like Gonzalo Higuain and Mesut Ozil, but the club really wanted to sign Bale," the World Cup winner mused.
"He is a brilliant player, but maybe Madrid needed more skill than speed in order to achieve what Ancelotti wants to do."
Bale has made four appearances for los Blancos so far, scoring once in the process.
By Shane Callaghan132
Oct 24, 2013 5:58:00 PM
The 40-year-old has run the risk of irking his former fans once more having claimed that it was not a difficult decision to swap the Catalans for the Blancos 13 years ago
Luis Figo has claimed that he "did not think twice" in his decision to leave Barcelona for Real Madrid in 2000.
The former Portugal international infuriated the Blaugrana supporters when he elected to swap the Catalans for their arch-rivals for a then world-record fee of €62 million, culminating in one fan hurling a severed pig's head in his direction on his return to Catalunya in 2002.
Despite the sensitivity of such a transfer, though, the 40-year-old says that the decision to leave was straight-forward due to the belief that he was under-appreciated at Camp Nou.
Speaking to Grada360, Figo said: "At that moment [when at Barca], I was not satisfied with how I was valued, I had the opportunity and did not think twice.
"I did not always feel valued for what I had given to the club. For so much time I gave everything that I could and in the end my desire [to leave] became a reality.
"It is so in any profession, if your boss does not appreciate you and if you have another opportunity certainly you will consider it. And that was so."
Saturday will see the first Clasico of the current campaign take place in Catalunya, with Barcelona knowing victory would establish a six-point margin between their bitter rivals.
La Liga Preview: Barcelona v Real Madrid
25 October 2013
Barcelona will aim to beat arch-rivals Real Madrid in La Liga for the first time in almost two years in Saturday's much-anticipated El Clasico.
The Catalan giants last won a league fixture against Real Madrid in December 2011, as they came from behind to win 3-1 in the Spanish capital.
And although Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup wins have since followed, Barca will be determined to end a run that has seen them take just one point from their last three league meetings with Real.
Gerardo Martino's table-toppers are the only side to avoid defeat in La Liga this term, having recorded eight wins and one draw.
They were held to a goalless stalemate at Levante last week but will hope a return to the Camp Nou - where they have won their last 19 Liga matches - helps them return to winning ways.
Real Madrid sit third in La Liga, three points adrift of Barca, with their only loss of the season coming against neighbours Atletico Madrid last month.
Both sides have new stars determined to make an impact in their first Clasico - Neymar in Barca's case, and Gareth Bale in Real's - while managers Martino and Carlo Ancelotti will also experience their first taste of Spain's fiercest derby.
Brazilian Neymar has scored three goals in 13 appearances since moving from Santos and has claimed the fixture is the biggest in club football.
"Even though players might never have participated in one, they understand the importance of a game between Barcelona and Real Madrid. A Clasico is the pinnacle for any player," he said.
While much attention will focus on the impact of Neymar and Bale - the latter having returned from a back injury against Malaga on Saturday - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are more than likely to steal the show.
Widely regarded as the two best players on the planet, both have made an outstanding start to the current campaign, with Ronaldo's brace in a 2-1 UEFA Champions League win over Juventus on Wednesday taking him to 15 goals from 12 appearances this season.
Four-time world player of the year Messi, meanwhile, has 12 goals in nine outings.
Real boss Ancelotti was happy with his side's win over the Serie A champions and hinted at Bale being involved from the start in Barcelona.
"We've now played three games with this formation (4-3-3). The team are comfortable with this system and we are not going to change it. Gareth Bale likes to play on the right and he will always play there," said the Italian.
"The team are confident. We now have to go to the Camp Nou to win, and we will need to be at our best - showing our best qualities."
Real will be without midfielder Xabi Alonso, despite him returning to training following a broken foot, while Barcelona defender Jordi Alba (hamstring) will also miss the fixture.
Historically, Real Madrid have shaded the clash, winning 90 of the 224 competitive matches, with Barcelona winning 86.
They have also enjoyed the better of Barcelona in recent times, with Ancelotti hopeful that continues on Saturday as Real bid to go level on points with their rivals and claim the early Clasico bragging rights this season.
The Spanish league will be dominated by the Barcelona vs. Real Madrid "Clasico." In other matches, Atletico Madrid hosts 15th-place Real Betis and fourth-place Villarreal plays eighth-place Valencia. Here are five things to know about this weekend's games:
ANCELOTTI'S CLUE
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is still tinkering with his preferred starting lineup: benching captain Iker Casillas in favor of goalkeeper Diego Lopez in league matches but not in the Champions League and appearing indecisive as to his attacking formation.
After his team's 2-1 win over Juventus he praised striker Karim Benzema for giving Andrea Pirlo a hard time - but the Frenchman did not score. Asked if he already knew who would be his striker against Barcelona, the coach answered "yes," curtly.
He then added that Gareth Bale - who has been struggling with an injury since joining from Tottenham - was now ready to start a match.
The buzz around Spain is whether Ancelotti will substitute on-form pass-provider Angel Di Maria, who plays in Bale's current position, or whether the coach's hint was an indication that the Wales international will instead replace Benzema in attack.
ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN
League matches against Barcelona are intense and unpredictable encounters, according to Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.
"When assessing a 'clasico' you must not take recent results too much into account," he said. "Rivalry is always at its most intense in these matches. At this level, anything can happen."
Although recent Barcelona signing Neymar has yet to play in such an encounter, the Brazil striker said he is already aware of how important clasicos are for players.
"I think these are matches that need no explanation," Neymar said. "This will be my first 'clasico' and I want to make a big impact on my debut, preferably with a win."
MARTINO'S DOUBTS
Two days ahead of the 'clasico,' Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has many doubts about his squad to contend with.
The Champions League match against AC Milan should have been a good rehearsal, but it ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw rescued, once again, by a moment of magical improvisation by Lionel Messi.
The much hoped-for scoring chemistry between the Argentina forward and Neymar has yet to materialize. And the club's defence still looks fragile.
Captain Carles Puyol did not play against Milan, and Gerard Pique is in doubt for the Madrid match after experiencing "discomfort in the hamstring in his left leg," the club said.
Javier Mascherano, whose injury last season precipitated Barcelona's Champions League decline, has acknowledged the goal conceded at Milan was his mistake.
"I think it's my fault," he said. "In a match like that, you can't commit this type of error."
SWIMMING-POOL DIVES
With so much at stake in the league this weekend, referees will need to be alert to players trying to take unfair advantage by overreacting to challenges, especially in the penalty area.
The subject of trying to get the better of referees received a high profile when Barcelona striker Neymar was criticized by Celtic coach Neil Lennon after he writhed on the ground in apparent agony after team captain Scott Brown kicked him in a Champions League match.
Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho called such behaviour "disgraceful."
Madrid beat a 10-man Juventus on Wednesday after Ronaldo fell to the ground and rolled around, getting Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini sent off on a straight red card after apparently just brushing his hand across the Portugal forward's face. And Gareth Bale gained an unconvincing penalty by falling in the box after a run alongside Malaga defender Weligton Oliveira in a previous league match.
ATLETICO'S PRESSURE
Atletico Madrid is only one point shy of league leader Barcelona, and it leads third-place Real Madrid by two, keeping things tight at the top.
Its emphatic 3-0 Group G Champions League win against Austria Vienna highlighted the scoring talent of Diego Costa, who netted the ball twice.
Should it trounce lowly Betis and Barcelona draws against archrival Madrid, then coach Diego Simeone could provide Atletico fans much to cheer about.
La Liga Wrap: Barcelona, Celta Vigo, Granada all secure victories
27 October 2013
Barcelona extended their winning run at the start of the season to 10 games by beating fierce rivals Real Madrid 2-1 at Camp Nou.
With Atletico Madrid playing on Sunday, Gerardo Martino's side moved four points clear at the top of the table with their ninth win of the campaign.
Neymar fired his first Clasico goal in the first half to give Barca an early lead, and Alexis Sanchez doubled the hosts' advantage late on with a perfectly-executed chip from the edge of the penalty area.
Jese Rodriguez netted a late consolation for Madrid but they are now six points behind Barca.
Celta Vigo moved level on points with opponents Malaga courtesy of an emphatic 5-0 away victory.
Alex Lopez struck twice for the visitors, while Augusto Fernandez, Nolito and Charles were also on target as Celta ended a run of seven games without success.
Defeat for Bernd Schuster's men was their third at home this season and extends Malaga's search for a win to four games.
Levante bounced back from defeat to Real Madrid last weekend with a 3-0 victory over Espanyol.
Joaquin Caparros' side raced into an early lead as Nabil El Zhar and Babacar Diawara scored inside the opening half hour.
El Zhar then struck his second - and Levante's third - in the 51st minute to ensure Espanyol suffered a fourth defeat in five matches.
Elche saw their three-game winning run brought to an abrupt halt by visiting Granada.
Manuel Iturra's goal midway through the first half ensured a 1-0 victory for Granada, their second away win of the season.
La Liga Wrap: Atletico, Villarreal post big wins
28 October 2013
Atletico Madrid moved back to within a point of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a 5-0 home thrashing of Real Betis.
Oliver Torres, on his full league debut, got the hosts off to a flying start when he netted Atletico's fastest ever league goal after just 13 seconds.
David Villa then headed home Filipe Luis' cross seven minutes after the break before adding his second four minutes later.
Diego Costa claimed his 13th goal of the season in the 65th minute, before Gabi completed the rout in stoppage time.
The win meant Diego Simeone's side bounced back in style following their defeat at Espanyol last week, while for Betis it was their third successive defeat, a result that left them in the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, Villarreal consolidated their place in fourth with a 4-1 home thrashing of Valencia.
Ikechukwu Uche drew first blood for the winners on 17 minutes, before Hernan Perez doubled the lead five minutes later.
Giovani dos Santos made it 3-0 four minutes after the break, with Ricardo Costa pulling a goal back for Valencia in the 63rd minute.
Dos Santos had the final say six minutes from time as Villarreal maintained their unbeaten home league record this season, while Valencia slipped to 11th.
They were leapfrogged by Real Sociedad and Sevilla, who both enjoyed home victories on Sunday.
Sociedad ran out 3-0 winners over bottom club Almeria with highly rated forward Antoine Griezmann scoring twice.
Jose Angel sealed the win in the 55th minute as Almeria lost for a fourth time in a row, with the bottom side the only team in the division yet to taste victory.
And Sevilla beat a 10-man Osasuna 2-1 thanks to goals from Ivan Rakitic and Jairo Samperio, as they moved inside the top half of the table.
Ancelotti unhappy with referee decisions
27 October 2013
Carlo Ancelotti felt Real Madrid were hard done by in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona but admitted they should have played better.
Goals from Neymar and Alexis Sanchez were enough to secure the win for the hosts and send Ancelotti to defeat in his first match against Barca as Real boss.
Jese Rodriguez netted a late consolation for Ancelotti's side, but it was too little too late and Madrid fell to their second defeat of the season and their first Clasico defeat in six matches.
After the defeat, the Italian questioned whether his side should have been awarded a two penalties during the game.
The first incident came when a loose ball appeared to roll over Adriano's hand, and the second when Javier Mascherano pushed Cristiano Ronaldo over inside the area.
Both decisions went against his side and Ancelotti felt that they were incorrect.
"The (Ronaldo) penalty was clear, everyone has seen it but the referee did not give it," he said.
"The Handball? I am not going to talk about it. It was an important moment in the game though.
"I am not going to blame the ref, we didn’t play well in the first half."
Despite the defeat, Ancelotti insisted he was happy with his side's performance after the break and felt they were beginning to show the cohesion he is searching for.
"The second half was very good," he added. "We pressed more and played more.
"We had control of the game, we had good chances to score.
"We wanted to win this game, but at this time we are improving and this game demonstrated that."
Defeat leaves Real Madrid six points adrift of Barcelona in the Liga table after the opening 10 matches.
Atletico Madrid's Oliver Torres celebrates his goal during their Spanish first division soccer match against Real Betis at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid October 27, 2013. REUTERS/Juan Medina
By Iain Rogers
MADRID | Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:47pm GMT
(Reuters) - Teenager Oliver Torres scored one of the fastest La Liga goals and David Villa struck twice as Atletico Madrid stayed hard on the heels of leaders Barcelona with a 5-0 drubbing of struggling Real Betis on Sunday.
Atletico's thumping victory, their ninth in 10 outings this term, trimmed the gap to Barca back to one point after the champions had pulled four clear thanks to a 2-1 win at home to Real Madrid in Saturday's 'Clasico'.
It also stretched their lead over third-placed Real to five points and was the latest evidence Diego Simeone's side may be genuine contenders for the title alongside vastly wealthier rivals Barca and Real come the end of the season.
Joseba Llorente set the record for the quickest La Liga goal in January 2008 when he scored for Real Valladolid after seven seconds and many of the spectators at the Calderon had yet to take their seats when Torres struck.
Playmaker Koke broke clear on the left of the penalty area and his low cross found its way to the 18-year-old midfielder, who calmly stroked the ball into the net with a mere 14 seconds on the clock.
Betis regrouped but struggled to create any chances for an equaliser before Villa, who joined Atletico from Barca in the close season, made it 2-0 with a superb glancing header eight minutes after halftime.
The Spain forward finished off a sweeping breakaway move with a thumping shot four minutes later and then set up La Liga top scorer Diego Costa to score his 11th of the campaign in the 65th minute.
Atletico captain Gabi capped a near-perfect night for the home side and brought another beaming smile to Simeone's face when he drove home a loose ball in the second minute of added time to complete the rout.
"I am happy above all for the goals and helping the team is always important," Villa said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus.
The 31-year-old, Spain's all-time record scorer, had warm words of praise for Torres, a Spain Under-21 international who was included in the Atletico starting lineup for the first time in his fledgling career.
"The lad has a fantastic future ahead of him and that's why it's important not to rush him," Villa said.
"He put in a great performance today and people will have many, many years to enjoy this lad.
"We have to be patient as he has all he needs to be a special player."
Unbeaten Barca have 28 points, with Atletico on 27 and Real on 22. Betis, who are competing in the Europa League after finishing seventh last term, are 18th on eight points.
EVENTFUL AFTERNOON
Fourth-placed Villarreal continued their impressive form since winning promotion back to the top flight and closed to within two points of Real when they thrashed regional rivals Valencia 4-1 at their Madrigal stadium.
It was an eventful afternoon for Villarreal's Mexico forward Giovani Dos Santos, who scored a brilliant second goal after netting his first moments after fluffing a penalty.
Ikechukwu Uche and Hernan Perez also struck for the home side, while Ricardo Costa scored for Valencia as they slipped to a second straight defeat and are down in 11th position.
An Antoine Griezmann double set Real Sociedad on their way to a 3-0 win at home to Almeria that lifted the San Sebastian-based club, who have lost all three of their Champions League games this term, to ninth.
Sevilla won 2-1 at home to 10-man Osasuna and are 10th.
There is a midweek round of La Liga games this week, starting with Barca at Celta Vigo on Tuesday. Real host Sevilla on Wednesday and Atletico play at Granada on Thursday.
Getafe President Angel Torres has revealed that Barcelona wanted and spoke to Michael Laudrup about becoming coach, before opting for Pep Guardiola.
FootballEspana Monday 28 October 2013
Euro Papers: Ronaldo’s fury over El Clasico penalty decision
In searching for Frank Rijkaard’s replacement as the 2007-08 campaign drew to a close, the Catalans reportedly returned to their former attacking star on the pitch, who was then working on the bench at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
“Laudrup decided not to continue with us, because in the spring of 2008 he had spoken with [then Barcelona sporting director] Txiki Begiristain,” Torres has commented to Danish authors Jonas Nyrup and Niels Pedersen, who have put together a book on the current Swansea City manager’s career.
“When he was here, Barcelona initially wanted that he would replace Rijkaard. The President [Joan Laporta] wanted that.
“Txiki then told me that he was one of the Coaches they were considering ahead of the next season.”
La Liga: Getafe 0 Athletic Bilbao 1
29 October 2013
Athletic Bilbao earned a crucial 1-0 victory on the road at Getafe in La Liga on Monday to leap above their opponents on the table.
The Basque club earned all three points when French defender Aymeric Laporte found the back of the net on eight minutes at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
Laporte rose highest from a Susaeta corner to power home the game's only goal, and send Bilbao fifth on 19 points - just one behind the Champions League-placed Villarreal.
Diego Castro had a gilt-edged chance to equalise for Getafe from the penalty spot on 44 minutes.
Adrian Colunga was attempting to turn inside the area when he was collected by Bilbao defender Carlos Gurpegui, and referee Jesus Gil pointed to the spot.
But Bilbao custodian Gorka Iraizoz was up to the task, and parried Castro's effort wide with his left hand to deny the hosts.
Bilbao made it successive clean-sheet wins, while for Getafe, it was their first loss in six in all competitions as they slipped to sixth on 16 points.
La Liga Preview: Celta Vigo v Barcelona
28 October 2013
Barcelona will look to carry momentum from the triumph in El Clasico into Tuesday's visit to the Estadio de Balaidos to face Celta Vigo.
Gerardo Martino's side continued their unbeaten start to the Liga campaign as Barca saw off the challenge of Real Madrid on Saturday with a 2-1 victory at Camp Nou in the marquee fixture.
A goal in either half from Neymar and Alexis Sanchez put Barcelona into a commanding lead before Jese Rodriguez's consolation effort for Carlo Ancelotti's side in injury time.
That result took the Catalan giants' record to nine wins and one draw from their 10 La Liga fixtures, meaning the defending champions head into Tuesday's game top of the table by one point from Atletico Madrid and six clear of Real.
Martino may use the game as an opportunity to once again rotate his squad, as the Celta fixture marks the second of three matches that Barcelona will play in the space of seven days.
The likes of Alexis, Pedro and Carlos Puyol were all named on the bench against Real and Martino could utilise his squad in order to keep them fresh, with a league clash against Espanyol on Friday on the horizon.
Key to Barca's success could be the form of Brazilian Neymar after his starring role in his first Clasico appearance, when the 21-year-old scored to take his Liga tally to three goals this season.
Lionel Messi will also be keen to make an impact, after failing to hit top form against Real.
Martino revealed in his pre-match press conference on Monday that centre-back Gerard Pique, striker Isaac Cuenca and goalkeeper Oier Olazabal will not be part of his squad.
Pique has been struggling with a hamstring issue, while Cuenca has only just returned from a knee injury. Full-back Jordi Alba (hamstring) and midfielder Jonathan dos Santos (knee) also remain sidelined.
Barcelona will be wary of an upset, having drawn the corresponding encounter between the two sides 2-2 last season.
Luis Enrique's side have endured a difficult start to the season and sit in 16th position with just nine points from 10 games.
Celta, though, will be buoyed by their 5-0 rout of Malaga on Saturday, a victory that ended a run of seven league games without a win, including four straight defeats prior to facing Bernd Schuster's side.
Denmark international Michael Krohn-Dehli could come back into contention following a sprained ankle, although former Barca star Enrique may opt for the same starting XI that comfortably saw off Malaga.
La Liga Preview: Real Madrid v Sevilla
28 October 2013
Real Madrid will look for a swift response to defeat in the first Clasico of the season when they entertain Sevilla on Wednesday.
Carlo Ancelotti's men came unstuck in a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona at Camp Nou on Saturday, with goals from Alexis Sanchez and Neymar giving the Liga champions a two-goal cushion before Jese Rodriguez notched a consolation in injury time.
Real were incensed after the game as they felt they should have had two penalties, one for a handball by Adriano and another for a push on Cristiano Ronaldo by Javier Mascherano.
But those protests were waved away by referee Alberto Undiano, and Real's run of four straight victories in all competitions came to an end.
The result leaves Ancelotti's side six points adrift of league leaders Barcelona, while they are also five behind city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Real will feel confident of getting back on track against Sevilla though, as they have beaten Unai Emery's charges in eight of their last nine meetings in all competitions.
Xabi Alonso once again trained with Real's first team on Sunday as he continues his comeback from groin and foot injuries but is unlikely to play against Sevilla, while centre-back Raphael Varane (knee) is a doubt.
Sevilla have recovered from a slow start to their campaign that saw them go five matches without a victory in La Liga, and are now unbeaten in seven in all competitions.
That run includes a sequence of five league fixtures without defeat, including Sunday's 2-1 success over Osasuna that left them in 10th position with 13 points.
Emery will be without on-loan Chelsea winger Marko Marin, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while midfielder Ivan Rakitic will hope to feature despite problems with his groin and hip.
La Liga Preview: Atletico Madrid, Barcelona face away tests
29 October 2013
Atletico Madrid aim to maintain their near-faultless start against Granada on Thursday hoping to capitalise on any slip-ups from Barcelona.
Diego Simeone's side are one point behind leaders Barca in the league table after the opening 10 matches and will be confident of keeping the pressure on at the top when they meet Granada, a team they have never lost to.
Celta Vigo – managed by former Barcelona player and coach Luis Enrique – come into their clash with the champions 48 hours before Atletico are in action brimming with confidence after a 5-0 victory over Malaga on Saturday.
It was only Celta's second win of the campaign and lifted them out of the bottom three, but they face the daunting task of trying to end Barcelona's unbeaten start to the season in all competitions.
Gerardo Martino's side notched their ninth league win of the campaign with a 2-1 Clasico victory over Real Madrid at the weekend and have not lost in Galicia on their last three visits.
Real will look to return to winning ways following the defeat at Camp Nou when they host Sevilla on Wednesday.
An upset looks unlikely as Real have only lost once at home in the league in 36 matches and Sevilla have not won at Santiago Bernabeu in the league since 2008.
However, Unai Emery's side travel to Madrid seven games unbeaten in all competitions, a run that was extended with a 2-1 success over Osasuna on Sunday.
Things are not as settled as Valencia after a second consecutive defeat in the league to Villarreal left Miroslav Djukic's men sit in mid-table. Djukic, though, will be confident of returning to winning ways when they face bottom club Almeria.
Almeria are yet to win in 2013-13 and are on a run of five defeats that sees them four points adrift at the foot of the table. To make matters worse, Almeria have not beaten Valencia in Liga action since January 2008.
Two sides that have started the season well – Villarreal and Getafe – meet at El Madrigal on Thursday with the hosts in buoyant mood following their 4-1 win over Valencia.
There will be a first meeting between Athletic Bilbao and Elche, while Espanyol and Malaga will look to put heavy weekend defeats behind them when they meet at Estadi Cornella-El Prat.
Strugglers Real Betis will hope to ease the pressure on head coach Pepe Mel with a first win in four matches when they face Levante.
Elsewhere, Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad meet on Wednesday after both sides recorded 3-0 victories at the weekend, while Osasuna take on Rayo Vallecano.
