Champions League 09.12.09: Barcelona and Sevilla top dogs

Dynamo Kiev 1 - 2 Barcelona

(1-0) 2' Mylevsky, (1-1) 33' Xavi, (1-2) 86' Messi

• After Valdes' clanger two minutes in, it looked as if Barca could be frozen out of the Champions League; literally. Xavi ensured that wasn't to be the case as he dictated the pace of the match from the centre of the park and nipped in for the equaliser from Abidals cross. Has anyone ever seen him lose possession?.
  
• It looked damn cold, with pants and gloves a plenty. Barcelona combatted the freezing temperatures and a violent Dynamo side by grabbing hold of the ball and not letting go. Right now there is no side that comes close when it comes to ball retention. Just look at the possession stat 30 seconds into the highlights!
  
• Leo Messi was hounded by Kiev's pack of wolves, but picked himself up from an umpteenth foul to curl in a delicious free-kick with his left peg. Top of the group, but thats not much of a blessing these days as Bayern Munich, Lyon and AC Milan are potential rivals in the next round.
  

Sevilla 1 - 0 Rangers

(1-0) 7' Kanoute (p)

• Sevilla and Rangers didn't put on a show befitting the presence of Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, but the Spanish side got the job done. Three points and top gun in group G; a group intially designated as one of the tougher ones to call when the draw was made. Kanoute stuck a penalty away early on and that was enough to beat a desparately poor Rangers.
  
• Jesus Navas was Sevillas best player down the right. On his day he is majestic; one of those players who glides across the turf. I would just like to see him producing the goods on a more consistent basis. But the potential is most definitely there.
  
• Maybe more importantly for Sevilla they proved that there is life after Luis Fabiano. Luckily for Manolo Jimenez the Brazilian will be back in action when the Champions League fires up again in the new year.
  

Valencia: La Liga candidates?

It's early doors but last weekends win over Athletic Bilbao in the San Mames has suddenly catapulted Valencia into the spotlight, with the press eager to announce their arrival as La Liga candidates. What's certain is that they´ve jumped up to third place in the table and have only lost once so far this season. The two home draws against Sporting and Mallorca are the only reason they aren't right at the top challenging Barca. Away from home they have been impeccable, with six wins out of seven and in David Villa they have the most lethal marksman in the league.

Since the Rafa Benitez era, 'Los Che' have suffered, with the reign of Ronald Koeman almost relegating them to the second division in 2008. Yet after an uncertain start, Unai Emery has put smiles back on faces at the Mestalla, with the club even going strong in the UEFA Europa League and the Copa del Rey. He has found a formation that works; a 4-2-3-1 with the old guard of Albelda and a rejuvenated Marchena protecting the back four and allowing the potent attacking force of Pablo Hernandez, Juan Mata, David Silva (now injured and ably replaced by Joaquín) and David Villa to do the rest. With quality on the bench in the form of Zigic, Banega, Maduro and Miguel, they have the squad to fight on three fronts.

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I have my doubts whether they will be able to present a serious challenge for the league, simply because after the loss of Raul Albiol to Madrid, their defence isn't quite up to scratch. Third place is well within their means providing they keep hold of David Villa and David Silva. However they can definitely have a say in who does win La Liga, starting with next weekends match against a Ronaldo-less Real Madrid.

La Liga Results - Highlights 05.12.09: Madrid and Barca widen the gap

Real Madrid 4 - 2 Almería

 

(1-0) 31' Sergio Ramos, (1-1) 58' Soriano, (1-2) 62' Kalu Uche, (2-2) 74' Higuaín, (3-2) 82' Benzema, (4-2) 88' Cristiano Ronaldo

• Almería gave Real Madrid a fright when they fought back from 1-0 down to lead in the Bernabeu. In end, Madrids greater potency infront of goal proved decisive.
• Gonzalo Higuaín scored another vital goal to drag Madrid back into the match. He also played a part in the goals from Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo that put the game out of reach for Hugo Sanchezs men. The Argentine is key to Real Madrids hopes for Liga glory this year.
• Cristiano then ruined the party by getting needlessly sent off. One yellow for revealing those famous abs after scoring and another for petulantly kicking out after a tussle. He now misses the match against Valencia in the Mestalla which won't go down to well with Pelligrini.
• Major talking point from the match, apart from his red card, was Ronaldos reaction to Madrids third goal. He missed the penalty but Benzema reacted first to slot in the rebound. Cue hands on head and no celebration from CR9.

 

Xerez 0 - 2 Atlético Madrid

(0-1) 28' Forlán, (0-2) 61' Agüero

• A poor match that was settled by two clinical finishes from Diego Forlán and Sergio Agüero. Atlético were never put under much pressure from a dismal Xerez, but they will need to improve against stronger opposition if they want to maintain their fightback in the league. The one exception was Jurado who was majestic in the middle of the park.
• Xerezs backline played far too high up the pitch and were punished by two through balls which found Forlán and Agüero in acres of space. And why on earth was David 'The Snail' Prieto playing when the Atlético strikers have pace to burn?
• The Xerez fans voiced their anger towards the end of the match, calling for the head of coach Ziganda. Expect him to be shown the door this week, especially if the proposed buyout by ex-Real Madrid and Xerez manager, Bernd Schuster, materialises.

 

Sevilla 1 - 1 Real Valladolid

(0-1) 33' Manucho, (1-1) 46' Luis Fabiano (p)

• Devastating blow for Sevilla, who see a nine point gap open up between themselves and Barcelona. Only a couple of weeks ago they were being mentioned as possible candidates to win the league. Very different story now.
• Ex-Manchester United striker Manucho put the Valladolid ahead, but they played from the 39th minute onwards with ten men after Borja was sent off. Sevilla only managed to equalise through that man Luis Fabiano, who can't stop scoring, but failed to take advantage thereafter. Poor show.
• If you want to win the league, games like this simply have to reap three points. Sevilla have now drawn two in a row at home against limited opposition, and have seen their hopes of winning La Liga fade away before xmas.

Deportivo La Coruña 1 - 3 Barcelona

(0-1) 26' Messi, (1-1) 38' Adrián, (1-2) 80' Messi, (1-3) 88' Ibrahimovic

• Things were looking complicated for Barca until Messi stuck them ahead with ten minutes left. The Argentines first goal was exquisite, the second a clinical header. Ibrahimovic sealed the deal with a well-taken strike towards the end. I wasn't convinced he was a good buy when they signed him this summer, but how wrong I was. A giant Swedish goal machine.
• For 80 minutes Depor matched Barca stride for stride. Manuel Pablo was a rock at the back, and they dealt manfully with the Barca threat. Adriáns goal was their reward but in truth it was a monumental error from Victor Valdes.
• The Ballon D'Or seems to have reinvigorated Leo Messi, and he looked back to his best as he steered Barcelona to their third win in a week. Him and Ibrahimovic are linking up beautifully at the moment.

Life at the bottom of La Liga: Xerez CD

Having enjoyed the trials and tribulations of a relegation season with Real Zaragoza in 2007/2008, I decided this year I would join the Xerez Club Deportivo bandwagon. They almost got relegated to the third division of Spanish football in 2008 but, incredibly, stormed to the second division title ahead of Real Zaragoza the following year and were set to enjoy their first ever year in La Liga since they were founded in 1947. A small club with a small, but passionately loyal, set of fans. A small stadium and an even smaller budget. It was Cheltenham Town all over again.

Life is tough at the top

Over the summer they made the astute move of parting company with their most successful manager ever, Esteban Vigo, as they were not willing to give him more than a one year contract. Then the season started and the reality of the situation dawned. It took them five games to get a point. In the sixth they scored their first goal, one of the scrappiest you'll ever see. And only on Sunday just gone did they get their first away goal in a 5-1 defeat at Getafe, and it was hardly a scorcher either. Four goals in twelve matches, 21 conceded. Not a fantastic return on my investment. But in many ways this is a far more fulfilling experience than that which I enjoyed with Zaragoza. This is proper grassroots, but at the highest level. An absurd mix.

La Liga News: Iniesta gets angry!

So, El Clasico has come and gone and life has almost returned to normal. We have the usual analysis of the match all over the place, which goes down to the finest of details, but the media furore is well and truly over and the rest of the teams in La Liga can expect the odd article in the first ten pages of the sport dailies. A couple of things that have got my goat in the aftermath were Pelligrini claiming Madrid were the better team and deserving of a win and Marca getting all hot and bothered over a possible penalty on Ronaldo when he bumped into Piqué. Real Madrid played well but they certainly weren't the better team, whilst that penalty shout was dubious at best. Let it go.

I found it quite funny when Cristiano Ronaldo stated before the match that he wouldn't sign one player from Barca for Real Madrid. Many crazy things had been said from both sets of players in the build up, but for me that topped the lot. Tongue in cheek or not, does he really expect us to believe he wouldn't sign Messi, Iniesta or Xavi given half a chance? Florentino Perez has made it abundantly clear he would sign quite a few today. Just as well Cristiano isn't holding the Bernabeu chequebook.

Speaking of Iniesta, it has been revealed what was as the root of his rage when he squared up to Cristiano Ronaldo in El Clasico. By all accounts the Portuguese star had told Andrés to cut the diving; enough to make even the most mild-mannered of players to see red. Iniesta is without doubt one of the most technically gifted footballers in the game right now, and this show of anger has only placed him higher in my estimation. Good lad.

LA LIGA SUNDAY: El Clasico Highlights

BARCELONA 1 - 0 REAL MADRID

It was never going to be another 6-2, however much Barca wanted it to be, and so it proved. It was all about the three points, and it was Barcelona who made it three Clasico wins in a row thanks to a second-half bullet from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a monumental performance from captain Carlos Puyol. Real Madrid can count themselves unlucky as they restricted Barca to a handful of chances and flooded a midfield that Iniesta and Xavi could never quite take control of, but it was their failure to take advantage of their chances and a ludicrous second half decision from their manager which cost them dearly.

Ronaldo early miss

Cristiano Ronaldo had a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring early in the first half, but with the whole goal to aim for, he found Victor Valdes' right boot and the chance was gone. A fit Ronaldo would surely have stuck it away. Kaká created that chance with a devastating diagonal run, and there were other moments of class from the Brazilian, but he really needs to offer more if he is ever going to justify his pricetag, especially in games of this magnitude. Personal highlights of a tense first half were Thierry Henry being caught offside literally a thousand times, the ongoing verbals between Dani Alves and that hilarious ginger linesman who never fails to entertain, Iniesta getting angry (I'd never seen it before) and a green laser being pointed in the face of Cristiano; what's that all aboot?  Real Madrid had strangled the life out of Barca and looked dangerous on the break. It was looking rosy for Pelligrinis white army.

Zlatan to the rescue

But on came Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the second half, and six minutes into his Clasico debut he had put his team infront. And what a goal it was. Pique robbed Ronaldo in the Barca box and the ball was quickly moved forward. It was eventually laid out wide for Alves and he floated a trademark pinpoint cross in from the right which Ibrahimovic (56') met first time with a volley which shot past Casillas. Sheer quality. But moments later Sergio Busquets  made the game unnecessarily difficult when he was sent off for a silly second yellow, which infuriated Guardiola, and suddenly  it looked like Real might get something from the game.

Pelligrini lost his marbles?

Luckily for Barca, Pelligrini was having none of it. Ronaldo was looking dangerous everytime he got the ball. They were a man up, 1-0 down with twenty minutes left and beginning to turn the screw. What do you do? Take Ronaldo off of course. The man from Maderia didnt looked tired or injured, so I don't buy any of this prior warning from Dr Van Dijk that he could only play 60 mins. He could rest him next week against Almería at home, tonight he was vital. The manager will be lynched by the press and I dare say he deserves it. On the pitch Puyol was a rock with three match saving blocks from Higuain twice and Marcelo. Benzema came on and had a chance from a corner but he skied it. Messi and Pique could have put Barca out of sight but missed sitters. Five minutes from time Alonso hit a corner stright out of play. Unforgivable and Florentino looked to the heavens, so he might. 280 million euros and his team still can't beat Barca. Lass was then sent off for his second yellow and all Madrids hopes trudged down the tunnel with him.

So Barca take the first Clasico of the season and with it top spot in La Liga. It was by no means a vintage Barca performance, but it was a game full of technical excellence on behalf of both sides and Madrid can take heart from a solid showing. Ibrahimovic won the battle of the summer signings, and we will now have to wait until April 2010 for round two. It can't come soon enough for Real Madrid.

LA LIGA RESULTS + HIGHLIGHTS: 28.11.09

SPORTING 1 - 0 VILLARREAL

Villarreal never got going in this one and they see their recent comeback put to a halt. Nilmar, Pires and Rossi never got into the match, and you know if they don't play well, the yellow submarine is going to struggle. Senna was their best player on the day, performing his habitual task of breaking things up in the middle but with nothing going on ahead of him it was a lonely existence for the Brazilian-born midfielder. Diego Lopez kept up his reputation as a spot-kick expert with saves from two Gijon penalties.

Unfortunately for Lopez, Sportings Croatian striker Mate Bilic was first to react from the first save and slotted in after 75 mins to give his side the three points. They're surprising everyone this season, and find themselves a point off the European places, although it's doubtful they'll be able to maintain this superb run for much longer. Saying that, relegation doesnt look likely either and thats something coach Preciado would have settled for before a ball was kicked in September.

VALENCIA 1 - 1 MALLORCA

Not a great day for the 'Los Che' as they let a goal lead slip and lost David Silva to a serious looking injury. Valencia were dominating when Silva went down clutching his knee and their play suffered without the little playmaker from the Canary Islands. I'd put him at the same level as Iniesta, he's that good, and without him Valencia lacked the same bite in attack; let's hope he's back soon. That said Villa and Pablo Hernandez had chances to put their team out of sight but they found Mallorca keeper Aouate in inspired form.

Villa tapped in three minutes into the second half after Benenga had shot across the area, but they couldn't find the killer second goal. And they were made to pay because five minutes from time defender Bruno inexplicably barged into Castro in the area (god knows what he was thinking), and former West Brom midfielder Borja completed the formalities from 12 yards. Mallorca manager Gregorio Manzano must be favourite to take over from Del Bosque when he retires as Spain coach, because the man is tactical genius personified. Bravo.

SEVILLA 2 - 2 MALAGA

So much for my 4-0 prediction! And if it was a long night for any team it was most definitely for Sevilla. They had several clear chances in the first half, whilst Malaga had two. And yet it was the away side who went in at half time 0-2 up. Fernando side-footed in after some choas in the Sevilla area, and former Sevillano Duda struck the second after a deflected shot fell into his path. But the Portguese winger enjoyed that. He certainly looked like he did.

Luckily for Sevilla they have a lad upfront called Luis Fabiano, and he's lethal. Two chances came his way in the second half and he stuck them both away. First was a bullet header, the second a glorious low strike from a Kanoute flick. He is now tenth in Sevillas list of all-time top goalscorers, and his price tag just keeps on rising.

LA LIGA MATCHDAY 12 PREVIEW: 28.11.09

SPORTING GIJON v VILLARREAL (El Molinon) Sat 6pm

Sporting have turned El Molinon into a fortress this year, and are yet to lose at home. Last week they struggled at Xerez, especially in the second half, and were lucky to come away with a point. Manuel Preciado will hope his team have shaken off that poor performance, with a team on the rise coming to town.

Villarreal have put their dreadful start to the season behind them and have won three of their last four. Nilmar has finally found some form infront of goal and Ibergaza, Senna and Cani are available after injury layoffs. Manager Ernesto Valverde is looking for his first win away from home this season and I believe today will be the day Villarreal put that record to bed.

KEY PLAYER: Nilmar (VILL)

LLL Prediction: 1-2

VALENCIA v MALLORCA (La Mestalla) Sat 8pm

Valencia will be hoping for more of the same after last weeks impressive performance at Osasuna, with the possibility of closing the gap on the top two. Marchena and Albelda shielded the back four impeccably and allowed the famous four to strut their stuff at the other end. Villa, Mata, PH and Silva are probably the finest attacking quartet in world football at the moment, and they'll be too hot to handle for Mallorca's defence.

Mallorca have a perfect record at the ONO Estadi, but away from home they are yet to win. A lot will rest on the shoulders of their two strikers Webo and Aduriz, who have what it takes to punish a makeshift Valencia back four, but will they get the ammunition?

KEY MAN: David Villa (VAL)

LLL Prediction: 3-1

SEVILLA v MALAGA (Sanchez Pizjuan) Sat 10pm

Sevilla enter this Andaluz derby 17 places and 19 points above their regional rivals, and with half an eye on sundays Clasico. If they win, and tomorrows clash finishes in a draw, only a point will separate the top three. Wingers Perotti and Navas are on fire and Luis Fabiano will be looking to continue his goalscoring streak. Should be too much for Malaga.

Malaga seem to have the Sevilla side sussed at the Sanchez Pijuan, after winning five and drawing two of their last eight visits to the stadium. But this so far this season they have been a shadow of last years surprise package, and have resorted to a more physical approach that has yielded 43 yellow cards so far this season. Will be a long night for La Ligas bottom side.

KEY MAN: Jesus Navas (SEV)
LLL Prediction: 4-0

LA LIGA NEWS - El Clasico Special 09/10

The world of Spanish football is whipped up in a frenzy of white, red and blue. Front pages are washed in pictures of Ronaldo, Messi, Casillas and Xavi. El Clasico has arrived. On sunday evening all eyes will be fixed on the Camp Nou as Barcelona and Real Madrid  cross swords at the summit of La Liga. The weeks press has been full of the usual bravado and mindgames. Cristiano stated how he wants to stick ten  past the Catalans and that he wouldn't sign one player from Barca; ambitious and a lie. Piqué keeps harking back to last years triple; predictable. Dani Alves reckons Real Madrid are placing all their eggs in a CR9 shaped basket; most probably true.

Last seasons humiliating 2-6 demolition job has Real Madrid fans and players foaming at the mouth. Revenge is the order of the day. Barcelona are still smarting from being overtaken in the league last week, they didn't see that coming. Iker Casillas joked how he can only see Barca from the comfort of his rearview mirror. He should enjoy it while he can, because for all their efficiency in griding out results and for all their individual class, a convincing win for the Guardiolas men is where the smart money will be heading.

If the reports are to believed, Manuel Pelligrini is going to sacrifice Gonzalo Higuaín for Karim Benzema. What the Chilean is proposing is footballing suicide, and you can only imagine the reaction from the capital if this mindless decision is followed by another Barca rout. His team have performed a miracle in overtaking Barca in the league without their Portuguese record signing, and they deserve an enormous amount of credit for doing so on the back of some incessant pressure from outside the club. But with Ronaldo having only just recovered from his 56 day injury break, it will be asking too much for him to lead Florentinos new band of galacticos to a debut Camp Nou victory.

If Real Madrid are to stand a chance, Higuaín must start. They need Kaká to step up to the plate. The Brazilian star has largely flattered to deceive since his big money move from Milan. They need Casillas and Pepe at their very best. If Iniesta and Xavi are given time and space in midfield, Madrid will be ripped to shreds. Lass will have to hustle and hound more than ever. And they need Barcelona to have an off-night. The last requirement is not entirely unimaginable as Barca have struggled to convert possession into goals in the league at times, especially in the first half against Bilbao last weekend. But normal service was ominously resumed against Inter Milan on tuesday.

Both teams will march into the Camp Nou with a skip in their step. Let battle commence.

For Barca fans some inspiration. For Madrid fans some motivation. Last seasons historic clasico from the Bernabeu.

PEDRO: Little Pedro fast becoming the main man

'Pedrito' arrived at the Camp Nou in August 2004 after making waves at hometown club CD San Isidro of Tenerife as a youngster. Five years on we have Pedro the man, and he is proving to be an absolute revelation after scoring 7 in 14 games, including a cup winning goal in the Supercup against Bilbao. With the options Barca have in attack, it must be a daunting task trying to create a gap for yourself in that star-studded line-up, but the kid from the Canaries is giving Guardiola serious food for thought as he prepares his team for this weekends clash against Real Madrid.

Father figure Pep Guardiola

His journey through the ranks started in the 'Juvenils' but it wasn't until the 2007/2008 season that his immense promise was unleashed on the first team squad. That year he helped the Barcelona B side into the 'Segunda B' (Third Division) scoring 6 in 36 games and he was rewarded with two appearances in the first team by Frank Rijkaard, against Murcia and Valladolid. Rijkaard was moved on at the end of that season, with his Barca B boss Pep Guardiola given the hotseat and it is this close relationship with the manager that has helped Pedro make the leap so smoothly. In pre-season 2008/2009 Pep took him to Scotland, with the 'canterano' scoring his first goal for the first team on that tour and it was then that his transition from 'Pedrito' to 'Pedro' was complete.

Triple success 2008/2009

That season saw him play a part in both the Spanish Cup final against Athletic Bilbao and the Champions League final against Manchester United, as Barca won an unprecedented Triple; some way to start your career. These experiences are now bearing fruit as he goes from strength to strength in 2009; overtaking Bojan in the pecking order and scoring his first competitive goal which won Barcelona the Spanish Supercup in September against Athletic Bilbao. Since then he hasn't stopped scoring, bagging his first Champions League goal against Dynamo Kiev in September and putting Inter Milan to the sword this week with a perfectly timed run that gave him space to slot in Alves' cross.

Spain call-up on the horizon?

Equally comfortable with both feet, Pedro can play on either wing or up-front, as is currently being used by Guardiola as one of a three-pronged attack in Barca's stylish 4-3-3 formation. It's difficult to specify one outstanding trait in Pedro's repetoire: he's quick but not lightning quick, he's skilfull but not mesmerisingly so. Able to take defenders on and possessing a sweet strike his success is part down to his extraordinary technical ability (see the goal against Almeria below!), something developed at Barca from an early age and which has rewarded the club with world class talent such as Xavi, Iniesta and Messi. The number 17 is the most recent to roll off the conveyor belt, and is now firmly fixed on Del Bosques radar, with fans clamouring for his inclusion in the Spanish national team. It won't be easy but nothing could alert the Spain coach more than a match-winning performance against Real Madrid on sunday.

 Pedro Goal against Almeria (03.10.09)

La Liga News: 24.11.09 El Clasico: Messi v Ronaldo: The race to be fit

With important Champions League matches tonight and tomorrow, and 'El Clasico' this weekend coming, the stars of both Madrid and Barcelona are tied up in a race against time. Both are carrying knocks, and the whole episode is providing a tense build-up to the biggest fixture in spanish football. Will they? Won't they? Of course they will.

  

Pep Guardiola is confident his Barcelona side can win the two matches against Inter Milan and Real Madrid, without Leo Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I guess when you've got Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro and man-of-the-moment Terry Henry as back up you can afford a few injuries!

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has renewed his contract until after the 2012 European Championships, but has the intention of retiring after the World Cup in Brazil, 2014. Every manager in the world must be envious of that man. What.a.squad.

Atlético Madrid are desparate to win in Cyprus against Apoel Nicosia. In order to save face, go out of the Champions League on a high and give a suffering fan base something to cheer about? Nope, to balance the books. And we wonder why they're in trouble.

Valencia have joined Atlético Madrid and Zaragoza in the race to sign Russia's hottest property, 'Chori' Dominguez. The striker has just finished the Russian season as league winner after his side Rubin Kazan won on the final day to seal the championship.

AND FINALLY: Think you´ve seen the worst own goal ever? Think again. This weekend the rather clumsy goalkeeper of Belgian team Roeselare, Jurgen Sierens, provided a moment that will play a starring role in Christmas videos for years to come. Priceless. 

And of course, if you can think of a better/worse own goal please leave a comment and link below so we can all have a little snigger!