Tag Archives: spain

El Classico – Barcelona v Real Madrid

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Jose MourinhoUnder Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid have enjoyed the best start ever to a La Liga campaign, still unbeaten in nineteen games in all competitions and currently leading the title race from rivals Barcelona who are just one point behind.

Ten victories and two draws in La Liga is pretty much what we have come to expect from Mourinho and this season Real Madrid have predictably tightened up their defence while still scoring for fun at the other end.

Xabi Alonso has noticeably taken on more responsibility in the anchor role and Brazilian full back Marcelo has become more disciplined, focusing more on his defensive play than his obvious attacking abilities.

Up front Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a more central role for Madrid and is in the form of his life, scoring fourteen goals in twelve games for the team, his focus is on getting into the box and scoring rather than spending time out on the wing.

There is little to choose between the two teams currently sitting comfortably atop of La Liga, Barcelona trail by just one point, having scored the same amount of goals (33) and conceded two more (8).

David Villa has settled into his striking role at Barcelona as well as expected managing 46 shots so far this season, twenty five on target and scoring six goals.

But no doubt all eyes will be on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in tonight’s game, both players are on top of their game and this will hopefully be a game decided by a magical moment from one or the other of them.

Messi has continued his consistent goal scoring form throughout the season in both La Liga and Champions League, with 46 goals to his name between November 2009 and October 2010.

During that period Messi has scored a goal in every 81 minutes of play, followed closely by Ronaldo who has scored in every 91 minutes of play.

But it is easy to get carried away comparing the two current greatest footballers in the world and often in these games they are stifled by the opposing team which isn’t surprising when you consider the quality of players on show.

I have to go for Real Madrid tonight, only because of the tactical nous of Mourinho who knows how to get a result against Barcelona. Pep Guardiola is no slouch of course and will attempt to win the game by doing what Barca do best, playing sexy football and taking their chances.

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FC Barcelona – The best of Spain?

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According to the official FC Barcelona website, Barcelona has been declared the best in Spanish La Liga in the first decade of this century by the Centre d’Investigacions d’Historia i Estadistica del Futbol Espanyol (CIHEFE).

In the first decade of this century, the Catalan giants have earned 1,630 points and Real Madrid are on the second place far behind with 1,482 points.

The CIHEFE points system is based not on titles won, but rather on points taken for wins or draws in the Spanish and European competitions, not taking into account any other factor, such as winning competitions, the club budget or the value of the squad.

Even if the titles were taken into consideration, Barca had still taken the win over the capital club with five titles under Frank Rijkaard and seven under Pep Guardiola. Madrid are two behind Barcelona.

Mind you, the Spanish Super Cup win counts as the first title of the next decade.

Is Barcelona really the best of Spain in the last ten years? If yes, how long do you realistically think their domination will last against the best team in the world on paper, Real Madrid?

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Mourinho bemoans wasteful Real after draw

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• Real Mallorca 0-0 Real Madrid

The result means Barcelona have already opened up a two-point lead over Mourinho’s Madrid thanks to their 3-0 thrashing of Racing Santader. Mourinho said he needs more time to work with his players but the Portuguese mastercoach knows he can’t afford to slip too far behind Barcelona, who lost just once last season.

Mourinho was satisfied with his side’s defending and build-up play but costly misses from Gonzalo Higuain in particular made for an unhappy La Liga debut for the former Chelsea and Inter boss.

“One positive is that from a defensive point of view we didn’t have any problems,” Mourinho said. “Another positive is the enormous number of chances we created in the second half. The negative is obviously the result. It is important to defend well and score when you are not at your best and we are far from our best. We didn’t play well but we did enough to win. We had five or six chances but didn’t take any of them and I am disappointed about that. We were solid defensively and if we had scored we would have taken the three points.”

In a further worry for Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo picked up an injury in the match. The club’s record signing is expected to undergo tests on Monday ahead of the international break. Mourinho admitted the timing of the break, which means his international players will be absent for most of the next two weeks before his home debut against Osasuna, was not ideal given his need to work with the squad.

“We need time to work on things but we don’t have much time at the moment. There is nothing we can do about it,” he said. On the immediate concession of the title race lead to Barcelona, he added: “There is a big difference between the finished product and a team in construction, like we are.”

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Felicitaciones España

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World CupThe Final

Holland 0 Spain 1 (AET)

A dramatic Andres Iniesta winner late into extra time gave Spain World Cup glory for the first time and condemned Holland to the runners up spot for the 3rd time.
Spain, who only conceded two goals during the whole tournament, deserved their win after gradually taking a grip on a tight and bad-tempered game that produced 14 bookings and saw Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga sent off in the second period of extra time.

Holland had a great chance to go in front in the second half but Arjen Robben, easily Holland’s best player, couldnt find a way past Spain captain Iker Casillas. Spanish substitute Cesc Fabregas also failed to convert a one-on-one chance against dutch keeper Stekelenberg. But it was from a through ball by the influential Fabregas that midfielder Iniesta struck making Spain the first team ever to win a World Cup after losing their opening game of the tournament. Spain also became the team to win the World Cup having scored the least number of goals – only managing eight goals in their seven matches.

Holland looked as if they were prepared to try and kick their way to victory in an effort to try and put the spanish off their slick passing game, but thankfully this wasnt the case and in a victory for football, the best team on the night, in fact probably the best team in the whole tournament emerged as winners and fittingly, probably the best player of the tournament grabbed the late winner

I bet the fireworks and parties went on late into the night after this!

World Cup 2010 The Semi Finals

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World CupThe Semi Finals

Uruguay 2 Holland 3
Two goals in three minutes from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben helped to see off Uruguay and put Holland into the World Cup final for the first time since 1978.
For a long time the Dutch looked short of ideas but still had quality when it mattered in front of goal. Giovanni van Bronckhorst hit a spectacular opener before Diego Forlan hit a long-range equaliser. Sneijder and Robben then put Holland back in front but Maxi Pereira’s injury-time goal made them sweat to the end.

Germany 0 Spain 1
For the first time in their history Spain reached the World Cup final after a second-half bullet header from defender Carles Puyol clinched a narrow win over Germany in Durban. Spain’s third 1-0 win on the trot means they will now play Holland in the final on Sunday.
Spain struggled to find the final touch to their passing game and were often guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net. Ironic then that the winner came from a set piece and an unstoppable header from the no-nonsense centre back.

So roll on Sunday… the final… Holland v Spain…
Which ever way it pans out we will have a new World Cup winner and this has the possibility of being a classic game


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