by David on December 16, 2011
The draw for the Champions League round of 16 was made today and it threw together some very interesting match-ups.
AC Milan was the one second seed that all the group winners wanted to avoid, and Arsenal were the unlucky ones who got the reigning Serie A champions, who finished second in their section behind Barcelona.
Their will also be another Premier League versus Serie A Matchup as Chelsea will meet Napoli, who knocked out Manchester City in the group stages. Chelsea have not faced Napoli in Europe, but will be wary of a side that knocked out City and boast a potent attacking threat including Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik. Read more... (328 words, 1 image, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)
This is a preview of
Arsenal v AC Milan In Champions League Round Of 16
.
Read the full post (328 words, 1 image, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)
Spain and Barcelona striker David Villa‘s season has come to a premature end after fracturing his Tibia in his side’s 4-0 win over Al Saad in the FIFA World Club Championships yesterday.
The striker will now be out for 5 months and fears are starting to emerge in the Spanish national side as to whether the 30 year old will recover in time for the Euro 2012 tournament.
The injury is not nearly as serious for Barcelona as it is for Spain. With a host of top notch strikers that include: Sanchesz, Pedro and Messi and one of the best midfield line ups in the game, the Catalan giants are still capable of coping without Villa. Read more... (343 words, 1 image, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)
by David on December 15, 2011
Barcelona have set up a dream FIFA Club World Cup final against Santos by defeating Al-Sadd 4-0 today. The Barca victory though was dampered by the broken leg to striker David Villa, that will keep the Barca striker out of action for around six months.
The Villa’s injury aside, this was more like a training exercise for Barcelona as Al-Sadd is not in the same class.
Barca were on top from the opening whistle and it was a matter of when and how many they would score. Read more... (304 words, 1 image, estimated 1:13 mins reading time)
by David on December 14, 2011
Neymar showed why Europe’s best all want to sign him as he inspired Santos to a 3-1 victory over Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol in a Club World Cup semi-final in Toyota.
The Libertadores Cup holders are expected to face European champions Barcelona in this weekend’s final, barring the unthinkable in Barca‘s semi-final against Qatar’s Al Sadd on Thursday.
Neymar was brilliant. He put Santos ahead after 19 minutes, curling a superb, left-foot shot into the top corner from 25 yards. That goal came after Neymar had already hit the post. Read more... (297 words, 1 image, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)
Former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb will be without a team at the end of the year after his current club Wolfsburg revealed that they will not be renewing his contract when it ends later on this month.
Hleb who struggled to assert himself in the Barcelona line up was eventually loaned out to Bundesliga club Wolfsburg in August on a short term switch that was meant to improve his fitness and form after an injury prone post Arsenal career.
According to Wolfsburg Boss Felix Magath, Hleb who has only made 4 appearances for the club will leave in the winter break. Read more... (387 words, 1 image, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)
by David on December 11, 2011
While Barcelona‘s Clásico win at Real Madrid captured headlines around the world, it was not the only significant result in Europe this weekend.
Spain
The Liga focus fell squarely on the Santiago Bernabéu this weekend as Barcelona injected fresh drama into the title race with a 3-1 comeback win at Madrid. Karim Benzema gave the hosts the lead after just 23 seconds against their arch-rivals, but Alexis Sánchez, Xavi Hernández and Cesc Fàbregas hit back to send the visitors level at the top, although Madrid still have a game in hand over their rivals. Elsewhere, third-place Valencia was stunned at Real Betis Balompié, losing 2-1 to two added-time goals from Rubén Castro. Levante tool advantage of Valencia’s defeat to move within a point of them as they beat Seville 1-0. Read more... (367 words, 1 image, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)
Karim Benzema’s record making goal was not enough to keep Madrid‘s impressive home record intact as Los Blancos suffered a 3-1 home defeat to arch rivals Barcelona last night.
The win saw the Catalans pip Madrid into first place although both clubs remain level on 37 points. Interesting to see how Barca‘s win sparked the never ending debate between Ronaldo and Messi and after last night’s performance, the Argentine firmly cemented his place as the favourite for the coveted FIFA Ballon d’ Or award.
However, Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has attributes Barca’s win to luck and thought that Messi should hae been sent off. Read more... (382 words, 1 image, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)
This is a preview of
Barcelona Scoop Maximum Points In El Clasico Fixture
.
Read the full post (382 words, 1 image, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)
Real Madrid and Barcelona prepare to face off tomorrow in the much awaited clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. The match will offer hosts Madrid the chance to extend their lead over Barcelona should they win and keep them level on points with the Catalans in case they lose.
A loss however is not on the mind of Jose Mourinho who is looking to extend Madrid’s 9 game home winning streak. Los Blancos have played 10 games at the Santiago Bernabeu and have won 9 and drawn 1 – the 2-2 draw in the Spanish super cup. Read more... (390 words, 1 image, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)
So after an exciting first round in the Champions League, there are a few shocks and surprises as the competition takes a 2 month break. Of course the major shocks are the exiting of Man United, Ajax and Valencia.
Joining that clubs that had already qualified to the knock out stages are: Lyon, Basel, CSKA Moscow and Napoli. With the likes of United, Valencia, Villarreal, Porto and Ajax out of the tournament, it will be interesting to see whether the traditional European powerhouses will fair any better. Read more... (361 words, 1 image, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)
FIFA’s final 3 man shortlist for the coveted World Player of the year award were announced yesterday and usual suspects Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo made the Cut. Joining the pair is Messi’s Barcelona team mate Xavi.
Messi who has won the award on two previous occasions, is looking to make history by wining the award for the third consecutive year at the award gala ceremony in Zurich’s Kongresshaus on January 9th. FIFA arrived at this list after votes from coaches (33%), captains of national teams (33%) and selected journalists (33%). Read more... (382 words, 1 image, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)
The draw for the Champions League round of 16 was made today and it threw together some very interesting match-ups.
