La Liga Season 2011/2012

[ballsathome]

Wednesday 31st August 2011

Rayo Vallecano snap up Bravo

Newly-promoted La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano have signed former Spain defender Raul Bravo.

The 30-year-old, who has penned a one-year contract with the Madrid-based outfit and will be presented tomorrow, came up through the youth ranks at neighbouring Real Madrid before spending time at Leeds in England, Olympiacos in Greece and Numancia.

Bravo has played 14 games for Spain and was part of the squad that took part in Euro 2004.

 

[ballsathome]

Thursday 1st September 2011

In and out for Uche at Villarreal

Villarreal have signed Ikechukwu Uche from Real Zaragoza, with the Nigeria international immediately being sent out on loan to La Liga newcomers Granada.

The 27-year-old Uche started his career in Spain at Racing Ferrol before moving onto Recreativo Huelva and Getafe, who he joined Zaragoza from in 2009. Uche has played 29 games for Nigeria, scoring 11 goals.

A statement on the Villarreal website read: "Villarreal and Real Zaragoza have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ikechukwu Uche, who has committed himself to the club for the next four years.

"After the agreement, Villarreal have decided that the striker will play on loan during the 2011-12 season at Granada."

Granada were promoted from the Segunda Division last season. Villarreal have also swooped for Dutch midfielder Jonathan De Guzman from Real Mallorca.

The 23-year-old joined Mallorca from Feyenoord last summer. A statement on the Mallorca website read: "The midfielder Jonathan De Guzman is already no longer a Real Mallorca player after having reached an agreement with Villarreal."

 

[ballsathome]

Thursday 1st September 2011

Romaric leave Sevilla for Espanyol

Espanyol have reached an agreement to sign Ivory Coast international Ndri Romaric from Sevilla.

The 28-year-old midfielder has initially joined on a one-year loan but Espanyol have an option to buy.

If that happens, Romaric would pen a four-year contract with the Barcelona-based club.

Romaric joined Sevilla from French club Le Mans in 2008, having previously played for Beveren in Belgium.

 

[ballsathome]

Thursday 1st September 2011

Zaragoza seal Luis Garcia deal

Former Spain international Luis Garcia has joined Real Zaragoza after leaving Espanyol.

The 30-year-old former Espanyol captain, who won seven caps for Spain, came up through the youth ranks with Real Madrid before moving on to play for Real Murcia and Real Mallorca.

He joined Espanyol in 2005 and scored 47 league goals for the Barcelona-based club, helping them win the 2006 Copa del Rey and reach the 2007 UEFA Cup final.

A statement on the Espanyol website said: "The striker Luis Garcia has become a new player of Real Zaragoza after the last year of his contract with Espanyol was rescinded.

The Asturian forward will sign for three years with the Aragones club.

"The player is planning to say goodbye to the fans and his team-mates in a press conference which, in principle, will take place tomorrow [Thursday]."

 

[ballsathome]

Thursday 1st September 2011

Real Zaragoza sign Helder Postiga

Real Zaragoza have belatedly announced the signing of Portugal striker Helder Postiga from Sporting Lisbon.

The former Tottenham forward has signed a three-year deal with the Aragonese outfit, who reportedly paid one million euros for his services with half of that going to former club Porto.

He will team up with another transfer deadline day arrival, Luis Garcia, in the Zaragoza attack.

 

[ballsathome]

Friday 2nd September 2011

Espanyol's Mattioni out for six months

Espanyol winger Felipe Mattioni has been ruled out for six months after damaging the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, the club have confirmed.

The 22-year-old Brazilian winger is now due to have surgery in the coming days.

The injury will come as a huge blow to the player, who was in the final stages of recovery from a serious injury to his left knee last season.

Mattioni has yet to make an appearance for Espanyol.

 

[Gonzalo Higuain]

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Real Zaragoza 0 - 6 Real Madrid
All Goals & Highlights 28.08.2011


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Sporting Gijón 1 - 2 Real Sociedad
All Goals & Highlights 28.08.2011


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Valencia 4 - 3 Racing Santander
All Goals & Highlights 27.08.2011


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Barcelona 5 - 0 Villarreal
All Goals & Highlights 29.08.2011


​

 

[Nuri Sahin]

SELECTED LA LIGA DEALS

Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid to Inter, undisclosed)

Ruben Perez (Atletico Madrid to Getafe, loan)

Helder Postiga (Sporting to Real Zaragoza, 1 million euros)

Julio Alves (Atletico Madrid to Besiktas, loan)

Alberto Escassi (Getafe to Hercules, loan)

Toni Doblas (Real Zaragoza to Xerez, loan)

Victor Laguardia (Real Zaragoza to Las Palmas, loan)

Romaric (Sevilla to Espanyol, loan)

Fernando Gago (Real Madrid to Roma, loan)

Alexander Hleb (Barcelona to Wolfsburg, loan)

Luis Garcia (Espanyol to Real Zaragoza, undisclosed)

Moises Hurtado (Olympiakos to Granada, undisclosed)

Bernardo (Sevilla to Racing Santander, loan)

Jonathan De Guzman (Mallorca to Villarreal, undisclosed)

Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza to Villarreal, undisclosed)

Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal to Granada, loan)

Diego (Wolfsburg to Atletico Madrid, loan)

Corominas (Espanyol to Girona, free)

Leandro Cabrera (Atletico Madrid to Numancia, loan)

Raul Bravo (unattached to Rayo Vallecano,)

Eurosport

 

[Falcao]

​

Parejo believes in 'united' Valencia
Valencia summer signing Dani Parejo believes his new side's unity will see them succeed in the 2011/12 season.

Barca deny Man City bid for Messi
Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu has rejected rumours that Manchester City made an audacious bid for Lionel Messi during the summer transfer window.

Barca admit Fabregas was a bargain
Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu admits Cesc Fabregas is worth more than the amount the club paid for him after making an impressive start to life at Camp Nou.

 

[Gonzalo Higuain]

Zidane Jr. trains with Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane's eldest son Enzo trained with the Real Madrid senior squad for the first time on Tuesday.

Bojan: I miss everything about Barca
Roma striker Bojan Krkic admits he misses everything about his former club Barcelona.

Neymar: Real, Barca tried to sign me
Brazil striker Neymar has admitted Barcelona and Real Madrid were interested in signing him this summer.

Valencia wary of Atletico threat
Valencia coach Unai Emery believes Atletico Madrid will pose a huge threat when they meet on Saturday, despite the latter losing two key players this summer.

Gago: No Real hard feelings
Roma midfielder Fernando Gago insists that there were no hard feelings when he left Real Madrid for the Italian capital.

Pedro: I can learn from Sanchez
Barcelona midfielder Pedro has hailed the signing of Alexis Sanchez and insists the Chilean will help him become a better player.

Fabregas: I owe Wenger everything
Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas insists he owes everything to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Abidal the next target for PSG
Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has emerged as the latest target for Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain.

"Mourinho is arrogant and impotent"
Former Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has labelled Jose Mourinho's behaviour in the Spanish Supercopa as an act of 'arrogance and impotence'.

Ozil: Real stronger than last season
Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil believes the current Los Blancos side is significantly stronger than they were last season.

Ronaldo tells Neymar to reject Barca
Brazil legend Ronaldo thinks Santos star Neymar would be better suited to a move to Real Madrid rather than Barcelona.

 

[Nuri Sahin]

Drenthe: Mourinho a Real horror
Everton new boy Royston Drenthe has slammed Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho for his torrid time with the La Liga giants.

London clubs eye Barca wunderkid
Barcelona are trying to fend off attention from both Chelsea and Arsenal for their latest starlet, Gerard Deulofeu.

Bayern keeping tabs on Llorente
Bayern Munich are reportedly considering an offer for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente when the transfer window opens in January.

Callejon has faith in his ability
Real Madrid winger Jose Callejon is cautiously optimistic about his chances at succeeding at the club in his second attempt.

 

[Falcao]

Simeone: Falcao will be Atletico hit
Former Atletico Madrid player Diego Simeone believes that newly signed striker Radamel Falcao will be well-received at the Vicente Calderon.

Torres reveals Guardiola admiration
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has spoken of his admiration for Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, whom he believes does an excellent job in keeping his players happy.

Ronaldo: Ozil best of the Germans
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has praised team-mate Mesut Ozil, claiming he is the best German player at the moment.

Top sides seek La Liga momentum
Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has fired his side up for Saturday's La Liga trip to Real Sociedad.

Abidal remains mindful of health
Eric Abidal insists his health will be the key factor in whether he signs a new contract at Barcelona.

Mourinho: Last season was my best
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has claimed last season's league campaign was his best ever as a manager.

 

[Gonzalo Higuain]

Sunday 11th September 2011

Barcelona's Sanchez hit by injury blow

Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez could be facing up to two months on the sidelines due to an injury sustained during their La Liga match at Real Sociedad.

Alexis, a big-money arrival from Udinese this summer, was stretchered off during the first half of the 2-2 draw in San Sebastian with what has been diagnosed as a torn muscle in the back of his right leg.

The initial prognosis is that Alexis will be out for between six and eight weeks, although the Chile international will undergo more tests tomorrow to determine exactly how long he will be absent for, according to the Barca website.

Xavi: Mistakes hurt against Sociedad
Xavi Hernandez was upset at the way Barcelona allowed Real Sociedad to sneak away with a 2-2 draw on Saturday night.

 

[Gonzalo Higuain]

Sunday 11th September 2011

La Liga opening day winners clash

On Sunday in La Liga, two sides who enjoyed opening-day wins, Real Betis and Real Mallorca, go head to head.

Racing Santander welcome Levante, Osasuna host Sporting Gijon, Rayo Vallecano take on Real Zaragoza and Athletic Bilbao travel to Espanyol.
On Monday, Malaga entertain Granada.

Saturday

Real Madrid remained top of the La Liga table after beating Getafe, but Barcelona dropped their first points of the new campaign against Real Sociedad. Following on from their opening day 6-0 mauling of Real Zaragoza, Madrid were again amongst the goals as they downed Getafe 4-2 at the Bernabeu.

Karim Benzema bagged a brace while Cristiano Ronaldo, taking his tally to 15 goals in his last six league games with a controversial penalty on the hour mark, and substitute Gonzalo Higuain were also on target for Jose Mourinho's men. Miku netted a cool double for Getafe but it was not enough to prevent his side slipping to defeat.

Barca also began their campaign in style with a 5-0 thrashing of last season's fourth-placed side Villarreal and another one-sided match looked on the cards tonight as goals from Xavi and Cesc Fabregas put them 2-0 up at Sociedad with only 11 minutes on the clock. However, Sociedad, who were the only side to beat Barca on their travels last season, hit back to share the points with two goals in three second-half minutes from Imanol Agirretxe and Antoine Griezmann.

To add injury to insult for Pep Guardiola's men, they also lost big-money summer signing Alexis Sanchez to a hamstring tear in the first half which could rule the Chile international out for up to two months. Valencia joined Mourinho's side on six points after defeating big-spending Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Mestalla in tonight's late game.

Roberto Soldado, who scored a hat-trick and an own goal in Valencia's opening-day 4-3 win over Racing Santander, headed in the only goal of the game in the 52nd minute. Atletico gave a debut to 40million euro record signing Radamel Falcao but the prolific Colombian failed to find the breakthrough to leave the Rojiblancos without a goal from two games.

In this evening's other game, Villarreal and Sevilla shared a 2-2 draw at El Madrigal - with the home side unlucky not to take all three points despite playing with a man less for more than an hour. In-form striker Alvaro Negredo gave Sevilla the lead after home goalkeeper Diego Lopez had been sent off for a foul on Diego Perotti in the 21st minute.

Negredo's resulting penalty was saved by Villarreal replacement goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez but the Spain international fired home the rebound for his fifth goal in three games for club and country. The Yellow Submarine were awarded a penalty of their own 12 minutes later and Giuseppe Rossi made no mistake from the spot, and then Marco Ruben put the home side ahead with a fine finish 18 minutes from time.

The hosts were denied the win, though, when Alexis headed home an 87th-minute free-kick.

Sunday

Real Betis vs Mallorca
Racing Santander vs Levante
Osasuna vs Sporting Gijon
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Zaragoza

Monday

Malaga vs Granada

Saturday

Real Sociedad 2 - 2 Barcelona
Villarreal 2 - 2 Sevilla
Real Madrid 4 - 2 Getafe
Valencia 1 - 0 Atletico Madrid


​

 

[Gonzalo Higuain]

​

La Liga wrap: Betis leave it late, Osasuna edge Gijon

12 September 2011

​

A last-gasp winner for Real Betis has propelled them to third in La Liga after a 1-0 win over Mallorca, with Osasuna also winning. Ruben Castro capped off a second half the hosts dominated when he stabbed home the only goal of the game four minutes from time. It was Betis' second 1-0 victory this season after their opening-day win at Grenada which they left even later to seal.

Osasuna did enough in the first half to set up their 2-1 win against Sporting Gijon. After a lively opening Kike Sola's defence-splitting pass set up Nino who finished neatly on 28 minutes giving the home side the advantage. The hosts scored another excellent goal just two minutes later when Alvaro Cejudo volleyed home Sergio's cross.

Sporting were handed a lifeline against the run of play when Diego Barral's shot found its way through goalkeeper Andres Fernandez on 75 minutes, but Osasuna were good enough to hold on. Racing Santander shared a point in a dull goalless affair with Levante. Racing had the best chances after a dour first half with Arouna Kone and Valdo both having efforts blocked.

In the end though the hosts were lucky to escape with a point after Papa Bouba Diop was sent from the field late on for a second yellow card. In Madrid there was little more to cheer about for newly-promoted Rayo Vallecano and Real Zaragoza as they played out another goalless stalemate.

Rayo will be disappointed to go away empty-handed after Javi Feugo had a penalty saved with 20 minutes remaining. Zaragoza keeper Roberto Jimenez got down superbly to parry away the danger but after his side created little going forward all game they would be more than happy to leave Las Vallecas with a point.

More to follow

 

[Marcelo]

Monday 12th September 2011

Matthaus: Ozil will be world beater

Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has tipped Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil to become the world's best player in the next few seasons.

Ozil has continued to impress observers for both club and country and Matthaus thinks it is only a matter of time before the player lands the FIFA Ballon d'Or. He was nominated for the award just last year but lost out to Barcelona ace Lionel Messi.

"Mesut Ozil has the makings of a German world footballer of the year," Matthaus told Sonntag-Express.

Ozil first rose to prominence at the 2010 World Cup, where his outstanding performances helped Germany to a third-place finish in South Africa.

Matthaus was the last German player to win the award back in 1991 and he believes the exposure Ozil gets from playing for a club like Real will only enhance his chances of winning it.

"Real Madrid are seen internationally as an even bigger club than Bayern, just as the Italian league was stronger when I won the award," he said.

Matthaus is currently the coach of the Bulgaria national team.

Hernandez hails Valencia maturity
Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez has praised his team-mates' new-found maturity after they claimed an impressive 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

 

[Ricardo Kaka]

Malaga 4-0 Granada
Big-spending Malaga got their La Liga campaign up and running with a convincing 4-0 victory over promoted Granada.

Messi heaps praise on Guardiola
Barcelona star Lionel Messi has hailed Pep Guardiola's influence on the club.

Manzano upbeat despite Atletico loss
Atletico Madrid coach Gregorio Manzano believes there are many positives that can be taken out from his side's 1-0 defeat to Valencia on Saturday.

 

[Ricardo Kaka]

Tuesday 13th September 2011

Ronaldo: I could play in Russia

Cristiano Ronaldo has shocked Real Madrid fans by admitted he could move to the Russian Premier League.

The Portuguese was asked by Sportbox.ru about a possible move to Russia, after Samuel Eto'o's big money move to Anzhi Makhachkala from Inter Milan earlier this summer, and admitted he would consider a similar transfer.

Speaking at the global premier of the Castrol EDGE presents 'Ronaldo Tested to the Limit' documentary in Madrid, the winger admitted: "Why not? I know that the Russian football championship is becoming stronger and I have no objections to someday be playing in your country.

"In football, you never know what will happen. So if I end up in Russia, one shouldn't raise his eyebrows in surprise," he added.

However, he admitted that a possible move could be done much later in his career, adding: "At the moment I'm quite comfortable with Real."

Ronaldo has been in fine fettle so far this season in La Liga, scoring four goals in two appearances against Real Zaragoza and Getafe to lead his club to the top of the table.

 

[Gonzalo Higuain]

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Real Sociedad 2 - 2 Barcelona
All Goals & Highlights 10.09.2011


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Villarreal 2 - 2 Sevilla
All Goals & Highlights 10.09.2011


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Real Madrid 4 - 2 Getafe
All Goals & Highlights 10.09.2011


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Valencia 1 - 0 Atletico Madrid
Roberto Soldado's Goal 10.09.2011


​

 

[Ricardo Kaka]

Iniesta ruled out for a month

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta will be sidelined for around a month after suffering an injury during the Champions League clash with AC Milan.

Iniesta limped out of the match at the Nou Camp in the 38th minute to be replaced by Cesc Fabregas and subsequent tests have revealed the Spain international suffered a hamstring tear.

Iniesta is now set to be out of action for around four weeks, according to a statement on the Barca website, and he joins summer signing Alexis Sanchez in the treatment room.

Alexis suffered a thigh injury against Real Sociedad on Saturday and will be missing for around eight weeks.

The news about Iniesta adds injury to insult for the European and Spanish champions after they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to be held 2-2 by Milan in their opening Group H game on Tuesday.