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There is a real possibility that we will see Jose Mourinho pacing the touchline in the Premier League next season.
Despite being 7 points clear at the top of La Liga, and into the Champions League knockout stages, Mourinho is growing tired of the snipping in Madrid and said on Tuesday that “I don’t know if I will be here next season.”
The Special One has 18 months left on his current Madrid contract, so this is the time we should be hearing about a contract extension and not him leaving.
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s impressive form which is seeing him lead the top scorer’s list in the Spanish La Liga, it is looking very likely that Messi will win the FIFA Ballon d’Or for a 3rd consecutive year when the gala takes places on Monday.
Ronaldo’s muted celebrations against Granada yesterday are fueling a lot of rumours that the Portuguese star could be on the verge of a break down especially with the constant comparisons to Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
In a couple of days, the winter transfer window will open amid a flurry of activity. With most clubs seeking to strengthen their squads for the remaining half of the season, a few will be looking to offload their most prized players.
It is no secret that Tevez is on his way out of Manchester City, however another very shocking report is that of Brazilian midfielder Kaka. Reports emerging from the club suggest that they are willing to sell Kaka if they asking price of £22 million can be met.
Santos are expecting a tough battle for their teen sensation Neymar when he prepare to leaves the club in 2014. The Campeonato Paulista player of the year 2011 has consistently been linked with a move to Spain with Barcelona now emerging as his most probable destination.
In fact, reports doing the rounds suggest that the Catalan giants had already struck a preliminary agreement worth 10 million Euros to sign the star earlier than 2014.
The rumours have been fueled by Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro’s close friendship with Barcelona President Sandro Rosell. Santos President Ribeiro went further to say that his friendship will Rosell would not give Barcelona any advantage.
With Rivals Barcelona out in Japan taking part in the FIFA World Club Cup, Real Madrid took the opportunity last night to extend their lead a top the La Liga standings with an emphatic 6-2 win over Sevilla.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to take his tally for the season to 20 goals with Messi 3 goals behind him. Speaking after the match, an elated Mourinho said that a win was necessary for the club as he did not like sharing top spot.
“I expected a win and become the leader alone,” Mourinho said.
Real Madrid will go into the Spanish winter break with a three-point advantage over Barcelona after a 6-2 win at Sevilla.
With Barça away in Japan playing in the FIFA Club World Cup duty, José Mourinho’s side took full advantage and went in front through Cristiano Ronaldo. José Callejón doubled the lead on 37 minutes, with Ronaldo’s spectacular strike making it 3-0.
Real Madrid played the whole of thee second half with 10-men after Pepe was sent off a minute before half-time. But having the extra man did not help Sevilla one bit as Real Madrid continued to run riot.
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.
Real Madrid players have lamented their 3-1 loss to arch rivals Barcelona at the Bernabeu last night with defender Sergio Ramos saying that losing to the Catalans is always more hurtful.
Speaking to the press after the loss, Ramos was also quick to offer his congratulatory remarks to Barca.
“A Clasico is always special and it always hurts more than any other game and even more so losing at home with all the enthusiasm that went into the game,” he said.
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.
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.
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