'El Resumen' - La Liga News 23.11.09 - Pelligrini has last laugh

After weeks of speculation surrounding the future of Chilean Manuel Pelligrini as Real Madrid's manager, 'The Engineer' has had the last laugh. Real Madrid have enjoyed their best start to a league campaign for 17 years and go into 'El Clasico' one point ahead of their rivals. Not a bad way to answer your critics, but as we all know, winning isn't everything in the Bernabeu and things will certainly change if Barca hand out another 6-2 drubbing.

Pep Guardiola not fussed about going into the match-up with Real Madrid next week behind them in the league. He has more important fish to fry at the moment with the important Champions League tie against Mourinho's Inter Milan on wednesday, and it seems he will have Lionel Messi available after intial reports suggested he would miss out.

Portuguese side Benfica are interested in re-signing Atlético Madrid winger Simao, with the winger struggling to put in consistent performances in the Vicente Calderon. Meanwhile his team have marked their worst start to a season since 1953/54. Quique needs to turn things around quick-sharp.

Sevilla seem to be linked with pretty much anyone available with the January transfer window looming. Ajax midfielder Enoh Eyong and Lyon's Clerc the most recent names to come out of the press.

La Liga's very own Peter Crouch, Valencia's Nicola Zigic, is rumoured to be a target for Turkish club Fenerbache, the current home of Spain striker Dani Güiza.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is scouring the Santiago Bernabeu as he plots to solve his team's dependency on Fernando Torres. Ruud Van Nistlerooy is the man Rafa is after, and the Dutch hitman wants away from Madrid if he doesn't get starts, although a move to Liverpool wouldn't go down well with old club Manchester United. Maybe revenge for the Red Devils signing Michael Owen.

AND FINALLY:  With 'El Clasico' only days away, the handbags are already out in force. Kaká started proceedings with a shot at 'Los Cules': 'Barcelona are a team in trouble'. But 'Azulgrana' defender Gerard Piqué wasted no time in responding with 'Hows your treble going?' in reference to Madrid's cupset against Alcorcón, and followed it up with 'The only treble you'll be getting is when we stick three past you'. It promises to be an entertaining week.