║ La Liga Season 2013-14 ║

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Di Maria's form will give Ancelotti a Galactico-sized dilemma

Oct 5, 2013 9:00:00 AM

The Argentine is back to his brilliant best and has caused a conundrum for the Italian coach, who will be expected to recall Gareth Bale when the Welshman reaches full fitness

COMMENT
By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Editor

Angel Di Maria is a fighter. The Argentine winger refused to move to Tottenham as a makeweight for Gareth Bale in the summer and now he has vowed not to lie down in competition with the Welshman for a starting spot at Real Madrid. Back to his brilliant best, the 25-year-old has provided a much-needed tonic for coach Carlo Ancelotti - but also a potential Galactico-sized dilemma for the under-pressure Italian.

Di Maria's dynamism helped Madrid ease past Copenhagen in a Champions League clash on Wednesday which had assumed added importance following the derby defeat to Atletico just days earlier. The Argentine set up Cristiano Ronaldo's second goal in the 4-0 win with a remarkable 'rabona' assist, twisting his left leg behind his right to cross for the Portuguese to head home, before netting two great goals of his own. Gareth Bale, meanwhile, watched from afar - injured and, according to Ancelotti, unhappy.

Bale, Ancelotti revealed afterwards, would be back to full fitness after the international break. "He has not been 100 per cent, but after two weeks he will be in top shape. It's normal he is not happy - he wants to play. He is very excited and it's not a problem - now there is time for him to reach optimum fitness and to avoid [further] injuries."

The Argentine winger was hugely popular in his five years in Spain but was often forced to play second fiddle to Beckham and Figo. Since signing from Tottenham in a record €100 million deal, however, Bale has looked well below full fitness and some way short of the breathtaking form he displayed so often at White Hart Lane last season. It may be some time, therefore, before he reaches that optimum condition.

Bale broke down in the warm-up ahead of what was supposed to be his home debut against Getafe recently and was disappointing as a second-half substitute against Atletico at the Bernabeu a week later. Now sidelined with a thigh problem, he will need to work his way back again.

"I am not surprised [at his injury]," Bale's Wales coach Chris Coleman said on Thursday. "We have said all along that it has been tough for Bale because he has had no pre-season and then he's thrown into the deep end."

Ancelotti, meanwhile, is under pressure to select the Welshman, due to the vast outlay of the signing and criticism from the subsequent sale of popular playmaker Mesut Ozil to Arsenal.

Results come first for the Italian coach, however, and at the moment those look likely to arrive with Di Maria in the team and not Bale - at least until the Welshman can regain full fitness and adapt to his new surroundings.

And Ancelotti is a big fan of the Argentine. "He can play in many positions - on the right, on the left or in the centre," the Italian said on Friday. "He is very flexible and that makes him important."

The two (in theory competing for the right-forward role) could conceivably start in the same side, then, but with Ronaldo a fixture on the left and Isco impressing through the middle for Madrid so far in 2013-14, one of the pair is likely to be benched.

On current form, that player cannot and should not be Di Maria. So Ancelotti will have a big decision to make in the coming weeks; under pressure to please the board and under fire for his side's fluctuating form so far this season, the Italian is soon to be faced with a Galactico-sized dilemma: Bale or Di Maria?

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

'Cruyff wanted Aimar, Barca bought Ronaldinho'

By Joe Wright28
Oct 8, 2013 7:27:00 PM

The Catalans president Sandro Rosell claims the Dutch icon's bitterness towards the club started when his suggestions were ignored in 2003

Johan Cruyff's resentment towards Barcelona's hierarchy started with a dispute over transfer targets, according to club president Sandro Rosell, who revealed the likes of Ronaldinho were bought over the Dutchman's suggestions.

The legendary Netherlands forward, who coached the Catalans between 1988 and 1996, has been embroiled in a number of public feuds with the club and Rosell in particular in recent seasons, and claims he will not attend a match at Camp Nou as long as the 49-year-old remains at the helm.

Rosell believes the long-standing rift with Cruyff stems from the decision to ignore his advice over transfer targets in the summer of 2003, when the Blaugrana sealed the signing of Ronaldinho from Paris Saint-Germain.

"It comes from my days as vice-president," he told Cadena SER. "He advised a triple signing of [Pablo] Aimar, [David] Albelda and [Roberto] Ayala and we bought Ronaldinho, Deco, Edmilson and [Rafael] Marquez. That's where the resentment started, I think.

"If he doesn't come [to Camp Nou], we'll have one more space. If I have to argue to defend Barcelona, I will."

Barcelona's transfer activity this summer was largely restricted to one major signing - Brazilian forward Neymar for €57 million - although Ibrahim Afellay and Isaac Cuenca returned from loans at Schalke and Ajax respectively.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Bale injury is nonsense, says agent

By SW Lim93
Oct 12, 2013 11:13:00 PM

Jonathan Barnett has disputed claims his client failed his Real Madrid medical, while the club's medical chief believes the Welshman's injury is blown out of proportion

Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has launched an attack on Spanish publication Marca, rubbishing reports the sports daily published regarding his client suffering from a slipped disc.

The Real Madrid man has yet to feature for a full 90 minutes since becoming the most expensive footballer in history, only turning out in three appearances for Carlo Ancelotti's men.

But Barnett has refuted allegations that Bale, who has been out for almost two weeks with a thigh issue, failed his medical before his €100 million transfer in September owing to a slipped disc problem.

"I spoke to a reporter from Marca, I told him: ‘It’s complete rubbish,' and yet they still print it," the agent told La Sexta. "Whatever they say is a lie.

"He passed the medical, he’s 100 per cent fit, there’s no problem. He’s the most expensive transfer in history; if there was a problem, they [Madrid] would have stopped the transfer.

"How stupid and irresponsible of Marca to have run such a stupid story. There is no problem. He has a slight tear in his thigh, he’ll be fit to play hopefully after the internationals.

"He [Bale] is angry, not sad. He’s angry that a newspaper can write such rubbish. We won’t be speaking to anybody else about this one story and we will never speak about it ever again, it’s complete rubbish."

The 24-year-old has not produced the desired impact in his stint at the Santiago Bernabeu yet, with Ancelotti recently claiming his star's adaptation was being hampered by injury.

Following los Blancos' revelation that Bale suffers from a disc bulge, the head of the capital outfit's medical services has insisted that Madrid have nothing to worry about.

"You have to put chronic disk protrusions in context of the sporting world," Carlos Diez explained to Cadena SER.

"The majority of players suffer from them and it makes sense, because we are talking about players competing at the highest level, who suffer more wear and tear than a normal person.

"When Bale had his medical no clinical condition was discovered, just a radiological finding. There’s no threat that he will need surgery.

"Bale played last season in the Premier League without any problems, he’s trained very well with us and we don’t need to give these findings any more importance.

"Our view was that the player was ready and therefore there was nothing to report to the president [Florentino Perez]."

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Madrid rubbish Bale reports

By Cameron Kilmister134
Oct 12, 2013 2:25:00 PM

Los Blancos have been quick to dismiss a report published by Marca which claimed the winger's injury was a serious problem

Real Madrid have released an official statement confirming that the extent of Gareth Bale's recent injury is not as serious as first thought, stating that forward is suffering from a small chronic disc buldge.

The statement comes as a direct response to an article published by Marca, with the publication claiming that Bale had suffered a slipped disc. The club have gone on to say that facts published by the newspaper are false.

''The information published, claiming that the player has a slipped disc on the L5-S1 vertebrae and a bulge on two others, is completely false,’’ the club confirmed on their official website.

''The player does not have a slipped disc, as the club's medical services stated clearly to the newspaper before the information was published. Surprisingly, the version the doctors offered this media outlet on Thursday 10 October has been omitted.’’

The club were quick to clarify the extent of Bale’s injury.

‘‘The player [Gareth Bale] has a small chronic disc bulge, which is extremely common among football players and by no means prevents him from carrying out his professional activity normally.’’

The Wales international, 24, has made three appearances in all competitions this season after moving to the Santiago Bernabeu in a world record €100 million deal from Tottenham over the summer.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

'Leave Madrid? I don't think so, mate' - Casillas opens up to Reina

By Andrew Wychrij106
Oct 13, 2013 8:24:00 AM

Los Blancos goalkeeper confides in his international team-mate, revealing that he is not planning to leave Santiago Bernabeu despite his lack of playing time at the club

Iker Casillas has told Pepe Reina that he does not intend to leave Real Madrid despite his lack of playing time at the club.

Los Merengues' shot-stopper has found himself a peripheral figure at the club so far this season, featuring only in his side's two Champions League matches to date, with Diego Lopez still the preferred choice between the posts.

However, the 32-year-old remains committed to the capital club for the time being, as he divulged to Spain team-mate Reina while preparing for the World Cup qualifier with Belarus on Friday.

"I guess it's not so bad," Reina began in a conversation transcribed by Cuatro.

"How many games could you play? 10, 12 [in reference to the number of games Casillas could play this season for Madrid in cup competitions]?

"But at the end of the day, it's a pretty s****y season."

Casillas replied: "Yes, but leave now? I don't think so, mate. At least I get to play in the Copa del Rey."

Casillas has enjoyed a glittering career with Madrid, winning five La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues since making his senior debut in 1999, but has struggled to regain his first-team place after being relegated to the bench by former boss Jose Mourinho last season.

He was also left out of the starting line-up for the 2-1 win over Belarus, with Barcelona's Victor Valdes preferred by Vicente del Bosque.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Valencia's Rami 'passes Milan medical'

Adil Rami underwent his medical for Milan, but Valencia warn there is no official deal yet.

FootballItalia – Sat, Oct 12, 2013 15:20 BST

2013, Adil Rami, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, AP/LaPresse

The defender flew in to Italy on Friday accompanied by FIFA agent Ernesto Bronzetti and had dinner with Rossoneri Vice-President Adriano Galliani.

Sky Sport Italia report Rami underwent a medical today and passed with flying colours, as he is 1kg below his ideal weight.

However, Valencia sources pointed out the deal on loan with option to buy for €7m was not completed yet.

Rami is expected to fly back to Spain tomorrow. When the move does go through, he will only be eligible to play for Milan from January.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Sunday October 13 2013

Rayo target an emergency striker

By Football Espana staff

With Seba Fernandez out for six months, Rayo Vallecano are on the lookout for a striker, and have targeted a number of Spain-based forwards.

The Liga have allowed the Franjirrojos to bring in a forward on an emergency loan deal after Fernandez was ruled out for the rest of the season following a cruciate ligament tear.

As such, Paco Jemez has asked Real Madrid if they can loan youngster Jese, and have also enquired about brining Atletico Madrid’s Leo Baptistao back to the club.

Atleti and Los Blancos are said to be uneasy about letting their goalscorers go though, meaning Rayo may have to seek a free agent.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Sunday October 13 2013

Valdes hints at Monaco

By Football Espana staff

Victor Valdes has thrown his biggest hint yet that his next move could be to Monaco next summer.

The goalkeeper has claimed consistently that he will leave Camp Nou at the end of the current season.

And in an interview with French television, the shot-stopper has admitted that Claudio Ranieri’s team could be a good one for him.

“I’ve been at Barcelona for 10 years,” he told Telefoot. “It’s been a great 10 years but my adventure with Barca ends this season.

“Monaco might be a good choice. As a professional Ligue 1 attracts me.

“[Eric] Abidal is very happy there and he is a good friend of mine.

“I consider him to be a brother after everything we have loved through together. To play with him again would be special.”

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Valencia confirm Rami to join Milan

Oct 16, 2013 10:37:00 PM

The defender, who fell out of favour with los Che in recent weeks, has made the move to San Siro for at least the remainder of the 2013-14 campaign

Valencia centre-back Adil Rami will sign for AC Milan in January on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season, the Liga club have confirmed.

The France international had become out of favour at Mestalla after a public fall-out that involved him criticising coach Miroslav Djukic and he will not play again for the Spanish side this season.

Los Che endured a poor start to the season - with four consecutive defeats - and Rami lashed out on Spanish radio, to which the club responded by removing him from the first team.

Valencia then suspended the 27-year-old without pay for a week for his actions as the wheels kicked into motion for his departure to San Siro, and he is already training with the Rossoneri but cannot play for the first team until January.

Rami joined Valencia from Lille in 2011 having spent roughly five years at the Ligue 1 club and he has 26 caps for les Bleus since his 2010 debut.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Rosell: Barca have no choice but to end under-seven policy

By Shane Callaghan53
Oct 16, 2013 9:08:00 PM

The Blaugrana president has said that the decision to modify the club's current policy of admitting youngsters into the stadium for free was taken out of his hands

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell says that he was powerless to prevent the club from ending its policy of allowing children up to the age of seven free admission into Camp Nou.

The Liga champions had a long-standing tradition of granting free entry to children under the age of seven, who were permitted to sit on their parent's lap for the duration of the contest.

However, due to a number of safety concerns, the club have modified the rule which will now see every supporter present inside Camp Nou pay for their ticket from October 26 onwards, starting with the visit of Real Madrid.

And while Rosell expressed sorrow at the decision having benefitted from the policy during his youth, the 49-year-old insisted that the implementing the new rule was the lesser of two evils.

"I am the first to be against this decision but from the point of view of responsibility, this is our obligation," he told Catalunya Radio.

"We have taken many turns but in the end, we all prefer a headline saying ‘Rosell denies entry to a child’ over one saying ‘Rosell has killed a child’.

"I had gone to the Camp Nou with my father when I was seven. It is a tradition that has been there a lifetime.

"No child under the age of seven can understand the measure. If I was a seven-year-old boy, I would not agree with the club.

"It is the responsibility that we have to assume and we will assume it. We will study alternatives, but it is clear that in games of high risk, we have no choice."

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Arsenal on alert after Iker Casillas reveals he could quit Real Madrid

The Spanish stopper is frustrated at his lack of playing time

SIMON RICE THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 2013

Arsenal have been put on alert after goalkeeper Iker Casillas admitted for the first time he could leave Real Madrid if he is unable to break into the team.

The Spain captain found himself forced out by Diego Lopez last season under Jose Mourinho, but with the departure of the Special One, it was expected Casillas would again become the regular No 1 in the side.

However, the situation has not significantly changed with the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti as the new manager, with Casillas being used in the Champions League and Lopez in La Liga.

Casillas, who has been at the Bernabeu his entire career, has now signalled he could leave.

"Players go through moments when if you are not playing a part you think about making some sort of decision," he is reported as saying by local media in Madrid.

Casillas has remained integral to the international set-up with Spain manager Vicente del Bosque continuing to select the 32-year-old, most recently in the victory over Georgia. However, with the World Cup approaching and Barcelona's Victor Valdes breathing down his neck, that could change without regular football.

"Of course I want to stay here, winning more titles with Real Madrid," he added.

"I have been here since I was a small boy but the day will come when maybe a decision will have to be made.

"I have decided I want to be part of this squad for a long time but if the situation doesn't change in three months and you ask me the same question perhaps I will answer that I am planning to leave."

Arsenal have been consistently linked with a move for Casillas with question marks over Wojciech Szczesny.

At today's AGM, despite insisting the club will continue to develop talent, the Gunners confirmed that they are in a position to spend.

"We will also look to buy proven quality," said Arsene Wenger. Casillas would certainly provide quality between the sticks, although Arsenal would likely face competition from Borussia Dortmund, and potentially Monaco and PSG if the Spanish stopper opts to move on.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Barca confirm Puyol, Messi to return against Osasuna
18 October 2013

Barcelona have confirmed that captain Carles Puyol and talisman Lionel Messi could return from injury against Osasuna on Saturday.

The duo have been named in the Barca squad for this weekend's game as Puyol edges closer to a comeback after seven months on the sidelines.

Spain international Puyol underwent surgery to repair a recurring knee problem earlier this year, his last appearance coming in March as the Catalan club beat Milan 4-0 in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie last season.

Messi's absence has been markedly shorter, with the Argentinian seemingly poised to slot straight back into the starting XI after missing two games due to a thigh strain sustained in the 2-0 win at Almeria last month.

The availability of Puyol and Messi is a boost to the Spanish champions, who travel to San Siro to face Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday before welcoming arch-rivals Real Madrid to Camp Nou for the first 'Clasico' of the season next weekend.

Midfielder Javier Mascherano could also be involved at the El Sadar Stadium after the former Liverpool man recovered from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for four weeks.

Forward Isaac Cuenca is ready to play following a four-month lay-off with a knee injury, but defender Jordi Alba and winger Ibrahim Afellay are still unavailable.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

La Liga preview: 5 things to watch this week

Friday 18 Oct 2013 8:58a.m.

Lionel Messi (AAP file)

By Joseph Wilson

The Spanish league returns after an international break with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both seeking a ninth straight win to start the season. While Barcelona hopes to have Lionel Messi back, Real Madrid expects Gareth Bale also to return from injury before the two teams face tough Champions League matches midweek. Here are five things to know about this weekend's games:

NINE FOR NINE, TIMES TWO

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid can match a Spanish league record for the most consecutive wins to start the season on Saturday. Both sides sit atop the standings- with Barcelona ahead on goal difference- after setting individual club milestones by winning their first eight matches. Now the two sides can equal Real Madrid's record start in 1968 of nine victories in as many rounds. Barcelona will visit an Osasuna side that is coming off its second win of the season, a 1-0 victory at Malaga. Atletico travels to the Catalan capital to play an Espanyol team that is on a three-game losing skid.

MESSI & BALE EXPECTED BACK

Barcelona and Real Madrid are hoping to get back two of the league's biggest stars for this round before taking on Italian powerhouses AC Milan and Juventus respectively in the Champions League. Barcelona has been without Lionel Messi since he injured his right thigh on Sept. 28. The club's all-time leading scorer trained on Tuesday and may be ready to make the trip to Pamplona. Madrid has been in a muddle over the health of Gareth Bale. Club president Florentino Perez has denied Spanish media reports that Bale is suffering a hernia and said that he expects the Wales winger he paid 100 million euros for this summer to play against Malaga on Saturday.

MORE BOOS FOR BENZEMA?

Perhaps nobody hopes to benefit more from than the weeklong break for international matches than Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. Much maligned in Madrid, Benzema ended a long scoring drought for France by finding the net both in its friendly against Australia and in a World Cup qualifier against Finland. Benzema will now try to carry his mini-scoring run over to his club where he has gone a month without a goal. That has led to jeers from angry fans at the Santiago Bernabeu and calls for youngster Alvaro Morata to take his place. "These have been 10 good days for me," Benzema said. "I am coming off the most difficult period of my career, but I have never lost my confidence. I have never given up and I never will."

THE ART OF ANNOYANCE

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has revealed the secret behind his team's success: make rivals wish they were playing any other team. "When I arrived here I said that what I wanted was for our opponents to always be annoyed that they had to play against Atletico," Simeone told Spanish sports daily Marca. "Our games have to be a chore for them, they can't just be another fixture. Our rivals have to suffer when they play us." Atletico is tied with Barcelona for fewest goals allowed with six and has dominated its league opponents so far this season. Up front, it has Brazilian striker Diego Costa and his league-leading 10 goals that he will try and add to against Espanyol.

VILLARREAL AT BILBAO

Villarreal's visit to Athletic Bilbao on Monday should be one of the most exciting matches of the round, featuring two teams which always look to score with an up-tempo attack. Villarreal is enjoying a strong return to the topflight after one season in the second division with only one loss so far to sit in fourth place. It has been led by the passing of Ruben "Cani" Gracia, Jonathan Pereira's speed and Giovani Dos Santos' four goals. Bilbao and its slew of talented attacking players led by Markel Susaeta and Iker Muniain are unbeaten at home this season through four matches.

AP

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

La Liga Wrap: Atletico, Barcelona finally drop points
20 October 2013

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona both saw their 100 per cent starts to the Liga season end on Saturday as they dropped points on the road.

The two sides went into the weekend hoping to become the first teams to win their opening nine league matches since Real Madrid in the 1968-69 season, but they both failed.

Atletico were defeated 1-0 by Espanyol at Cornella El-Prat, with the Barcelona-based club relying on a slice of luck for their solitary strike.

Sergio Garcia did well down the left before crossing, with Thibaut Courtois in the Atletico goal failing to deal with it properly as he diverted the ball into his own net.

Diego Costa went close several times, but the Brazilian could not add to his tally of 10 league goals as Javier Aguirre’s side ended their run of three consecutive league defeats.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino was able to call upon the services of club captain Carles Puyol for the first time as the 35-year-old completed his return from a seven-month injury lay-off in the 0-0 draw with Osasuna.

Lionel Messi, however, could only take a place among the substitutes at El Sadar following his hamstring strain and when he did eventually get on he made little impact.

The champions dominated proceedings but were poor in front of goal, with Cesc Fabregas missing several excellent opportunities.

In the day’s early kick-off, Real Madrid made sure they gained ground on their rivals by beating Malaga 2-0 at the Bernabeu.

The Andalusian club had never beaten Real in the capital and that did not look like changing as the hosts cruised to the victory in impressive fashion via goals from Angel di Maria and a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty after Weligton had hauled down Gareth Bale.

Real Sociedad picked up their first win since the season’s opening weekend as they beat Valencia 2-1 at Mestalla.

Antoine Griezmann broke the deadlock in the 41st minute as he latched on to David Zurutuza’s header and smashed a half-volley past the helpless Vicente Guaita.

Ruben Pardo doubled the lead just before the hour mark with an excellent finish from range and although Dorlan Pabon struck in stoppage time, Sociedad held on to secure a win that moves them into the top half of the table.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Injury ´blown out of proportion´, says Bale
20 October 2013

Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale insists that reports over the extent of his injury were "blown out of proportion".

The Welshman returned to action as a late substitute in the 2-0 victory over Malaga following a three-week spell on the sidelines.

Reports in Spain suggested that Bale had suffered a slipped disc and could require surgery, which would see him out of action for several months.

Real denied those claims, revealing in a statement that the 24-year-old had a "small chronic disc bulge" - a much more common and less serious complaint.

And with Saturday's cameo appearance under his belt, Bale was able to make light of the rumours that surfaced during his time in the treatment room for a thigh injury.

"Everything was blown out of proportion massively, it was just a little thigh strain," he told Real Madrid TV.

"I think the fact that I haven't had a lot of game time and a lot of pre-season games, or training or running, you always pick up little niggles."

The victory over Malaga saw Carlo Ancelotti's side close the gap on the top two, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both dropping points.

Bale was introduced in the closing stages, with the hosts already leading though Angel di Maria's strike, and he won the penalty from which Cristiano Ronaldo added the second.

"It was massively important for us to get the win," Bale added. "It's great to get back on the pitch, get a few minutes under my belt, and make a good impact."

Next up is the visit of Juventus in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, before the latest instalment of El Clasico at Camp Nou on Saturday, and Bale is relishing the prospect.

"I'm looking forward now to the next two big games," he said, before admitting that he may not be handed a starting berth in either clash.

"I have to take it one step at a time, obviously. I haven't had too much training or games. It's all about building me up now.

"I will do what the manager says but I just need to prepare myself right for the rest of the season."

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Puyol frustrated with Osasuna draw

21 October 2013

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol was left disappointed with Saturday's draw at Osasuna on his comeback from injury.

The Spain international underwent surgery in June to remove a cyst from his right knee, and missed the opening months of the campaign as a result.

But the 35-year-old made his first appearance of the season against Javi Gracia's charges, as Barcelona dropped their first points of the season in a 0-0 draw at the Estadio El Sadar.

And Puyol felt in good shape after the match but was disappointed not to pick up three points.

He says it is now imperative the team switch their focus to the club's UEFA Champions League fixture with Milan on Tuesday, the team against which his latest injury problems began last season.

"These past months have been difficult for me," he said.

"I am happy with how I felt on the pitch but not with our result. Now we must rest, recover and start thinking about AC Milan."

Barcelona sit at the summit of the Liga table, with 25 points amassed from a possible 27 thus far.

Gerardo Martino's men head into their Champions League fixture with Milan having won both of their opening Group H fixtures against Ajax and Celtic respectively.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

'The only way to stop Neymar is to foul him' - Zubizarreta

By Stefan Coerts66
Oct 21, 2013 11:23:00 AM

The Brazilian has been the victim of a number of rough challenges in recent weeks, but the Blaugrana director is not too concerned about his fitness

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta feels defenders resort to kicking Neymar as they see no other way to stop the Brazil international.

The 21-year-old has been on the receiving end of a number of reckless tackles in recent weeks, with Barca coach Gerardo Martino stating at the weekend that the tricky attacker deserves more protection from the referees and Zubizarreta feels Neymar is targeted too often, too.

"The fact that Neymar gets kicked is because he creates a lot of danger. He causes a certain imbalance among opponents and one way to stop him is by fouling him," Zubizarreta was quoted as saying by AS.

"It's up to the referees to make a decision when he gets kicked. I am not overly concerned by the situation.

"What matters most to me is that he has adapted very well and puts in some excellent performances. I am very happy with the way he's settled in."

Neymar has netted two goals in eight Liga appearances so far, while setting up five more, though he was unable to contribute anything in Barca's 0-0 draw with Osasuna on Saturday.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Cristiano Ronaldo’s bizarre new ‘Celestial’ boots

By Eurosport | Early Doors – 21 October 2013

Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't lack confidence. Just to reinforce this fact, Nike decided to use the new Mercurial IX CR7 boot and 2013 CR7 Collection to compare him to "a celestial body that radiates energy."

In a frankly bizarre and astonishing stream of blurb, Nike compare Ronaldo to a "limitless" star that "burns brighter than others". They clearly had a lot of fun writing it, and it's very entertaining to read too.

When Pele suggested that Neymar was the best player in the world, Maradona responded by saying that Lionel Messi is from a different planet.

Expect Adidas to respond to this development by creating a heavenly boot design featuring angels and pearly gates for Messi.

The result is a pair of football boots with an outer space design on them.

From Nike:

"We were watching a game, and after Cristiano scored yet another amazing free-kick the commentator posed the question 'Is Ronaldo from this planet?!'” remembers Denis Dekovic, Nike Footwear Design Director. “When we got back to the design studio we got to thinking about CR7’s style and how similar it was to the definition of a supernova - a celestial body that radiates energy - and that was it, we had our inspiration."

"The concept of a star that burns brighter than others reflects Cristiano's style, speed and the idea that as a player he plays without limits, much like the outer reaches of the galaxy. What Cristiano is able to achieve on the field is something that we felt was limitless. So we took that direction and focused on creating a highly luxurious finish fused with modern print and color choices," added Dekovic.

The Mercurial IX boot features an all-over digital print of the Star Vela Supernova and includes a seven star path print, paying homage to Cristiano's shirt number. The supernova print is juxtaposed with a chrome swoosh flecked with silver fleck and a Blue Glow outline.

That commentator was right, Cristiano is 'out of this world' and this boot pays homage to that," said Dekovic.

Ronaldo seems to agree. "In addition to the way the boots perform, it’s also cool when we create something that represents my personality and style of play," he said.

Here's a closer look at them...

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

Alonso resumes full training

Monday October 21 2013
By Football Espana staff

Xabi Alonso has been granted the medical green light to resume competitive action for Real Madrid, after months on the sidelines.

The midfielder has been out of action since the end of last season, when summer surgery on a persistent groin injury was then followed in August by a further operation required on a fractured metatarsal.

On from working through a set recovery programme, the 31-year-old has today been granted a medical green light to resume full training with his teammates.

Alonso’s last appearance for Madrid was mid-May’s Copa del Rey Final defeat to Atletico Madrid.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo]

La Liga Wrap: Bilbao knock off 10-man Villarreal
22 October 2013

Athletic Bilbao have pushed into the La Liga continental positions with a 2-0 win over 10-man Villarreal at the Estadio de Balaidos.

Two goals within two minutes for Athletic in the first-half were enough to seal victory as Villarreal toiled after the sending off of midfielder Bruno Soriano on the stroke of half-time.

The scoring was opened on 33 minutes as Athletic right-back Iraola whipped in a superb cross from deep that was diverted past the keeper by Mikel Rico's head.

Minutes later, a horrible attempted clearance by Villarreal's Mateo Musacchio saw the ball fall to Aduriz, who pounced and finished clinically to double Athletic's advantage.

When Bruno was dismissed for a second bookable offence just before the break, Villarreal were always up against it to get back into the game.

Three points for Athletic sees them climb to sixth position in La Liga, while Villarreal remain fourth, five points behind third-placed Real Madrid.

An 89th minute winner from Papakouli Diop saw Levante nick a 1-0 victory at struggling Celta de Vigo.

Despite dominating possession, Celta could not find the breakthrough and were left heartbroken by Diop's late strike.

Juanfran's free-kick from 25 yards struck the wall and found its way to Diop, who crunched a low volley into the corner.

Levante are now into the top-half of the table, while Celta are in the relegation zone with only one win so far this campaign.