The Mexican international captain has said that while he is delighted to be playing under his new coach and the club wants to win every match, it was something that the club also had under Rijkaard.
He told a press conference: "We are ambitious, but we were also ambitious under Frank Rijkaard, and remember we won many trophies and important matches when he was manager. This team is also showing a great deal of character, and everything is going very well so far."
When discussing the 4-1 victory over Malaga that saw Barcelona return to the top of La Liga, the defender said it was a special performance given the difficult conditions.
He said, "The game was different from what we expected, but the result was something special. No-one could play well, we tried not to do anything too complicated and take our time with our opportunities."
He added, "Malaga are a very complicated team, but we did well in the difficult conditions."
Barcelona are now unbeaten since the opening weekend of the season, and have 22 points from their nine La Liga matches.
Emery: We Must Not Relax
Revs on wrong side of history
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Report: Zigic Set For Racing Return In January
Unai Emery's arrival has bought more than a few changes at Valencia and for Nikola Zigic they have not been good. The ex-Racing Santander striker is yet to play in the league under the new manager and it now looks as though he could leave the club this January to return to his former team.
Reports in Spain suggest that directors from Valencia and Racing met this weekend when the two sides clashed in the league and discussed a deal for the Serbian.
It would seemingly be an ideal move for all parties, with Zigic clearly not needed by Valencia and Racing in need of a striker to bolster their front-line.
The only problem for the move could be if another bidder comes in for the forward before January with an offer that is very appealing for Los Che. If that does not happen, and it seems unlikely bearing in mind he has hardly played at all this year, then Zigic could well find himself back at the club he left over a year ago.
Mathis makes return to Real Salt Lake
Marchena Set For First Start Of The Season
Reports in Spain suggest that directors from Valencia and Racing met this weekend when the two sides clashed in the league and discussed a deal for the Serbian.
It would seemingly be an ideal move for all parties, with Zigic clearly not needed by Valencia and Racing in need of a striker to bolster their front-line.
The only problem for the move could be if another bidder comes in for the forward before January with an offer that is very appealing for Los Che. If that does not happen, and it seems unlikely bearing in mind he has hardly played at all this year, then Zigic could well find himself back at the club he left over a year ago.
Mathis makes return to Real Salt Lake
Marchena Set For First Start Of The Season
Depor Shock Betis For First Away Win
Deportivo La Coruña pulled off a massive shock as they recorded their first away win of the season against an in-form Real Betis side at the Manuel Ruiz De Lopera thanks to three second-half goals; one from Riki and two from Ángel Lafita.
After been handed a rare starting berth Riki scored for the first time in the league this season before Lafita grabbed the second and third in the last ten minutes to pull Deportivo out of a mini dip in form and to hand a surprise defeat to Betis.
The win was not without controversy though as the home side complained that they had players down in the build up to the first goal and that there had been a foul. The referee didn't blow though and Riki tapped into an empty net after Andrés Guardado had seen his shot saved before, just 20 minutes later, Lafita scored a brilliant solo goal which he finished by blasting through Espinosa Casto in the Betis goal.
Sergio García was sent off with just ten minutes left after he received a second yellow card for diving in the box and Lafita put the nail in the coffin five minutes later as he converted a nice cross from Juan Valerón.
It was a fantastic win for the away side but Betis will be kicking themselves having missed some good opportunities to score first and then to concede a soft opening goal in the manner they did.
First Half
Looking for their third straight victory the hosts started off by far the stronger side against a Deportivo team who were yet to win away from home all season. Indeed, things didn't go great for them from the start as Julian De Guzman had to be taken off after just five minutes and replaced by Sergio when he injured himself in a collision with Nélson. It was not ideal for Miguel Angel Lotina or for Depor who had lined up with a reasonably attacking formation with Riki upfront and a midfield quintet behind him.
They couldn't get hold of the ball in the opening exchanges though as Achille Emaná looked lively in and around the box along with Mariano Pavone. The striker was a real threat and it was only thanks to some good defending from Albert Lopo that he was prevented a clear shot on goal as the ball dropped to him in the box. Espinosa Casto in the Betis goal had very little to do in the first fifteen minutes but his palms were finally warmed as Angel Lafita and Andrés Guardado fired in a shot and then a cross respectively for the keeper to claim. At the other end Daniel Aranzubía was a lot busier as he was forced into a brilliant save to deny Sergio García on the volley from close range and then saw substitute Sergio clear off the line as Mehmet Aurelio headed goalwards.
The home side were beginning to control the match more and more and whilst Depor did show some nice moves on the break Riki did not see much of the ball in the box and was instead forced to drop off and collect it. Sergio García and Pavone on the other hand looked lively, although not particularly clinical as the former showed when he messed up a good shooting chance from about 18 yards out. Similarly Emaná wasted a few good chances by shooting high or wide and Betis really should have gone in ahead at the break after Sergio García picked up on a deflection and tried to square but could only pick out the grateful hands of Aranzubia. The whistle eventually came with Betis enjoying another good spell of possession but unable to break down a stubborn and determined Depor defence.
Second Half
Indeed, the second-half started much the same as the first had finished, with the hosts creating the majority of the chances and enjoying most of the possession. Sergio García was a constant menace and he had a couple of good opportunities to put Betis ahead but he failed to take any of them. First he saw a shot saved by Aranzubia from distance, then shot wide of the goal from a decent position and then, when his shot was goal-bound, saw Manuel Pablo brilliantly block his effort. The home side paid for their inability to convert chances into goals too as, with fifteen minutes gone in the half Deportivo took the lead through Riki. In a move which swept from one end to the other it was Guardado who had the first effort on goal which Casto could only parry, leaving Riki to tap into the open net. However, the actual goal was not the main talking point as the players surrounded the referee protesting that in the build-up they had men down on the floor who were fouled by Lafita. Sergio García was booked for his over the top complaints and on seeing it again it is difficult to see how Betis thought it was a bad decision, bearing in mind the Depor player was taking on two players.
Nevertheless, it was certainly a shock lead for the visitors and they could well have gone two ahead just minute later as Riki had another good chance but this time he shot wide. Paco Chaparro, who was fuming on the sidelines, decided to bring on José Mari in a bid to turn things around and he should have done better with his nearly his first touch, a header, but under pressure he missed. Deportivo killed the game off with ten minutes left though as Lafita scored a brilliant solo goal, running from the half-way line and jinking his way into the box before smashing a shot into the back of the net. The goal stunned the Seville crowd and just minutes later things got even worse for the home side as Sergio García received his second yellow card for diving and had to leave the pitch.
Betis were falling apart and with just three minutes left they hit the bottom as Lafita scored his second and Deportivo's third of the night. Juan Valerón was the architect as he combined with Guardado, eventually receiving a one-two inside the box which he squared for Lafita to finish off from a few yards out. It was a perfect finish to the game for the away side who, after losing 3-0 to Sporting Gijón and to CSKA Moscow now inflicted the scoreline out on a dissappointing Betis side.
Bookings: `33 Sergio, `60 Sergio García, `83 Mehmet Aurelio
Sendings Off: `81 Sergio García
Real Betis 0-3 Deportivo La Coruña
`60 0-1 Riki
`79 0-2 Lafita
`87 0-3 Lafita
Betis: Casto, Nelson, Melli, Arzu, Fernando Vega, Mehmet Aurelio, Emaná (`45 Juanma), Capi, Damiá, Sergio García, Pavone (`70 José Mari)
Deportivo La Coruña: Aranzubia, Manuel Pablo, Lopo, Zé Castro, Filipe, De Guzmán (`5 Sergio), Juan Rodríguez, Lafita, Verdú (`81 Valerón), Guardado, Riki (`70 Bodipo)
Houston holds on to beat RSL
La Liga Preview: Racing Santander – Deportivo La Coruña
After been handed a rare starting berth Riki scored for the first time in the league this season before Lafita grabbed the second and third in the last ten minutes to pull Deportivo out of a mini dip in form and to hand a surprise defeat to Betis.
The win was not without controversy though as the home side complained that they had players down in the build up to the first goal and that there had been a foul. The referee didn't blow though and Riki tapped into an empty net after Andrés Guardado had seen his shot saved before, just 20 minutes later, Lafita scored a brilliant solo goal which he finished by blasting through Espinosa Casto in the Betis goal.
Sergio García was sent off with just ten minutes left after he received a second yellow card for diving in the box and Lafita put the nail in the coffin five minutes later as he converted a nice cross from Juan Valerón.
It was a fantastic win for the away side but Betis will be kicking themselves having missed some good opportunities to score first and then to concede a soft opening goal in the manner they did.
First Half
Looking for their third straight victory the hosts started off by far the stronger side against a Deportivo team who were yet to win away from home all season. Indeed, things didn't go great for them from the start as Julian De Guzman had to be taken off after just five minutes and replaced by Sergio when he injured himself in a collision with Nélson. It was not ideal for Miguel Angel Lotina or for Depor who had lined up with a reasonably attacking formation with Riki upfront and a midfield quintet behind him.
They couldn't get hold of the ball in the opening exchanges though as Achille Emaná looked lively in and around the box along with Mariano Pavone. The striker was a real threat and it was only thanks to some good defending from Albert Lopo that he was prevented a clear shot on goal as the ball dropped to him in the box. Espinosa Casto in the Betis goal had very little to do in the first fifteen minutes but his palms were finally warmed as Angel Lafita and Andrés Guardado fired in a shot and then a cross respectively for the keeper to claim. At the other end Daniel Aranzubía was a lot busier as he was forced into a brilliant save to deny Sergio García on the volley from close range and then saw substitute Sergio clear off the line as Mehmet Aurelio headed goalwards.
The home side were beginning to control the match more and more and whilst Depor did show some nice moves on the break Riki did not see much of the ball in the box and was instead forced to drop off and collect it. Sergio García and Pavone on the other hand looked lively, although not particularly clinical as the former showed when he messed up a good shooting chance from about 18 yards out. Similarly Emaná wasted a few good chances by shooting high or wide and Betis really should have gone in ahead at the break after Sergio García picked up on a deflection and tried to square but could only pick out the grateful hands of Aranzubia. The whistle eventually came with Betis enjoying another good spell of possession but unable to break down a stubborn and determined Depor defence.
Second Half
Indeed, the second-half started much the same as the first had finished, with the hosts creating the majority of the chances and enjoying most of the possession. Sergio García was a constant menace and he had a couple of good opportunities to put Betis ahead but he failed to take any of them. First he saw a shot saved by Aranzubia from distance, then shot wide of the goal from a decent position and then, when his shot was goal-bound, saw Manuel Pablo brilliantly block his effort. The home side paid for their inability to convert chances into goals too as, with fifteen minutes gone in the half Deportivo took the lead through Riki. In a move which swept from one end to the other it was Guardado who had the first effort on goal which Casto could only parry, leaving Riki to tap into the open net. However, the actual goal was not the main talking point as the players surrounded the referee protesting that in the build-up they had men down on the floor who were fouled by Lafita. Sergio García was booked for his over the top complaints and on seeing it again it is difficult to see how Betis thought it was a bad decision, bearing in mind the Depor player was taking on two players.
Nevertheless, it was certainly a shock lead for the visitors and they could well have gone two ahead just minute later as Riki had another good chance but this time he shot wide. Paco Chaparro, who was fuming on the sidelines, decided to bring on José Mari in a bid to turn things around and he should have done better with his nearly his first touch, a header, but under pressure he missed. Deportivo killed the game off with ten minutes left though as Lafita scored a brilliant solo goal, running from the half-way line and jinking his way into the box before smashing a shot into the back of the net. The goal stunned the Seville crowd and just minutes later things got even worse for the home side as Sergio García received his second yellow card for diving and had to leave the pitch.
Betis were falling apart and with just three minutes left they hit the bottom as Lafita scored his second and Deportivo's third of the night. Juan Valerón was the architect as he combined with Guardado, eventually receiving a one-two inside the box which he squared for Lafita to finish off from a few yards out. It was a perfect finish to the game for the away side who, after losing 3-0 to Sporting Gijón and to CSKA Moscow now inflicted the scoreline out on a dissappointing Betis side.
Bookings: `33 Sergio, `60 Sergio García, `83 Mehmet Aurelio
Sendings Off: `81 Sergio García
Real Betis 0-3 Deportivo La Coruña
`60 0-1 Riki
`79 0-2 Lafita
`87 0-3 Lafita
Betis: Casto, Nelson, Melli, Arzu, Fernando Vega, Mehmet Aurelio, Emaná (`45 Juanma), Capi, Damiá, Sergio García, Pavone (`70 José Mari)
Deportivo La Coruña: Aranzubia, Manuel Pablo, Lopo, Zé Castro, Filipe, De Guzmán (`5 Sergio), Juan Rodríguez, Lafita, Verdú (`81 Valerón), Guardado, Riki (`70 Bodipo)
Houston holds on to beat RSL
La Liga Preview: Racing Santander – Deportivo La Coruña
Saturday, November 1, 2008
La Liga Weekend Preview: Round 9
1 Nov 2008 (all times local)
20:00 Málaga - Barcelona
20:00 Athletic - Villarreal
20:00 At. Madrid - Mallorca
22:00 Valencia - Racing
2 Nov 2008
17:00 Recreativo - Getafe
17:00 Valladolid - Sevilla
17:00 Espanyol - Osasuna
17:00 Sporting - Numancia
19:00 Almería - R. Madrid
21:00 Betis - Deportivo
Málaga - FC Barcelona
Kicking off the weekend are on-form Málaga and Barcelona, both of whom are in the European places as things stand.
The boquerones started the season in relegation form but have since racked up four straight Liga wins to propel them to sixth in the table.
The blaugrana, of course, are on an even better run of victories, but coming up against another in-form side they must be careful. An away win at Benidorm midweek in the Copa has rasied spirits for this game.
Athletic Club Bilbao - Villarreal
Villarreal's own Copa adventures went just a bit differently. Fielding a rotated side at lowly Poli Ejido, the Yellow Submarine ended up losing by five goals to nil.
That is an outright humiliation for a club of Villarreal's stature, and thus one can expect coach Manuel Pellegrini to ring the changes for the long journey north.
The Basque outfit are in the relegation mire, but at least their midweek went well with a 2-0 victory against Recreativo.
Atlético Madrid - RCD Mallorca
Inconsistent Mallorca will seek to build on their midweek draw and weekend win as they journey to the Vicente Calderón.
Atleti's winless run ended with victory over minnows Orihuela midweek in the Copa del Rey, but their mid-table place in the Liga remains a worry.
Ever Banega is suspended for the visit of Mallorca, who have scored just twice away from home all season in the Primera.
Valencia - Real Racing Club
Table-topping Valencia are in with a great chance of maintaining their lead as Racing come to town.
The Santander side lost out yet again midweek as Segunda strugglers Murcia defeated them 2-1 down south.
Los Che, of course, eased past Portugalete as coach Unai Emery's amazing unbeaten run continues.
Recreativo Huelva - Getafe
Two of the Liga's smaller sides, who are tipped to be embroiled in a relegation battle, go face-to-face in Andalucia.
In fact this is a happy hunting ground for the Azulones, who have won both of the sides' top flight meetings here.
Of course things were a bit more even back in the Segunda, but it's changed days since then...
Real Valladolid - Sevilla FC
Valladolid welcome Sevilla to the heartland for a game that cannot be clearly predicted.
While the high-flying rojiblancos are the favourites on paper, they are stricken by injuries, not to mention humiliation after losing 1-0 in Ponferrada in the Copa midweek.
The Pucela managed to thrash Hércules 5-0 over in Alicante in their own Cup adventure, and remain a force to be reckoned with at home.
RCD Espanyol - CA Osasuna
Next up basement boys Osasuna - the only winless side left in the Liga - will look to build on their midweek draw at Getafe away to Espanyol.
Osasuna actually have a decent record at Montjuïc; since the turn of the century they have lost just once here in eight games, winning half the fixtures.
The Perequitos have toiled at home this season, scoring just three times, and shipping two goals away to Celta midweek will hardly raise the spirits.
Real Sporting Gijón - CD Numancia
It's time for the second act of a three-part special. The newly-promoted pair met midweek in the Copa in Soria, where Sporting edged out 1-0 winners, and now they meet in the Liga.
In last year's Segunda campaign Sporting won this fixture 1-0, and also managed a victory at the Pajaritos by two goals to nil.
As such the struggling visitors, who only just managed to pick up their second win of the campaign last week against Racing, had best have their wits about them.
UD Almería - Real Madrid
Real Madrid came a cropper in Almería last season, and having lost out to Real Unión midweek they need to show the utmost care this time.
It's true that the rojiblancos have faltered a bit in the Liga of late, but a 2-1 win at Rayo Vallecano midweek has redressed the balance.
The blancos, meanwhile, remain level on points with Barcelona, but they are looking increasingly shaky at the back.
Real Betis Balompié - Deportivo La Coruña
Finally Betis will seek to continue their recovery as deflated Depor visit the deep south.
The veridblancos are on a run of three straight wins, capped off with an efficient 2-0 victory at Castellón midweek.
The Riazor men, on the other hand, have only just overturned a three game winless streak by defeating Elche away from home. In the Liga they have neither scored nor won since October 5th.
Rested Revs shoot for clean sheet
Cunningham, Hoops shock Chicago
La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 2
La Liga Preview: Malaga - Valladolid
20:00 Málaga - Barcelona
20:00 Athletic - Villarreal
20:00 At. Madrid - Mallorca
22:00 Valencia - Racing
2 Nov 2008
17:00 Recreativo - Getafe
17:00 Valladolid - Sevilla
17:00 Espanyol - Osasuna
17:00 Sporting - Numancia
19:00 Almería - R. Madrid
21:00 Betis - Deportivo
Málaga - FC Barcelona
Kicking off the weekend are on-form Málaga and Barcelona, both of whom are in the European places as things stand.
The boquerones started the season in relegation form but have since racked up four straight Liga wins to propel them to sixth in the table.
The blaugrana, of course, are on an even better run of victories, but coming up against another in-form side they must be careful. An away win at Benidorm midweek in the Copa has rasied spirits for this game.
Athletic Club Bilbao - Villarreal
Villarreal's own Copa adventures went just a bit differently. Fielding a rotated side at lowly Poli Ejido, the Yellow Submarine ended up losing by five goals to nil.
That is an outright humiliation for a club of Villarreal's stature, and thus one can expect coach Manuel Pellegrini to ring the changes for the long journey north.
The Basque outfit are in the relegation mire, but at least their midweek went well with a 2-0 victory against Recreativo.
Atlético Madrid - RCD Mallorca
Inconsistent Mallorca will seek to build on their midweek draw and weekend win as they journey to the Vicente Calderón.
Atleti's winless run ended with victory over minnows Orihuela midweek in the Copa del Rey, but their mid-table place in the Liga remains a worry.
Ever Banega is suspended for the visit of Mallorca, who have scored just twice away from home all season in the Primera.
Valencia - Real Racing Club
Table-topping Valencia are in with a great chance of maintaining their lead as Racing come to town.
The Santander side lost out yet again midweek as Segunda strugglers Murcia defeated them 2-1 down south.
Los Che, of course, eased past Portugalete as coach Unai Emery's amazing unbeaten run continues.
Recreativo Huelva - Getafe
Two of the Liga's smaller sides, who are tipped to be embroiled in a relegation battle, go face-to-face in Andalucia.
In fact this is a happy hunting ground for the Azulones, who have won both of the sides' top flight meetings here.
Of course things were a bit more even back in the Segunda, but it's changed days since then...
Real Valladolid - Sevilla FC
Valladolid welcome Sevilla to the heartland for a game that cannot be clearly predicted.
While the high-flying rojiblancos are the favourites on paper, they are stricken by injuries, not to mention humiliation after losing 1-0 in Ponferrada in the Copa midweek.
The Pucela managed to thrash Hércules 5-0 over in Alicante in their own Cup adventure, and remain a force to be reckoned with at home.
RCD Espanyol - CA Osasuna
Next up basement boys Osasuna - the only winless side left in the Liga - will look to build on their midweek draw at Getafe away to Espanyol.
Osasuna actually have a decent record at Montjuïc; since the turn of the century they have lost just once here in eight games, winning half the fixtures.
The Perequitos have toiled at home this season, scoring just three times, and shipping two goals away to Celta midweek will hardly raise the spirits.
Real Sporting Gijón - CD Numancia
It's time for the second act of a three-part special. The newly-promoted pair met midweek in the Copa in Soria, where Sporting edged out 1-0 winners, and now they meet in the Liga.
In last year's Segunda campaign Sporting won this fixture 1-0, and also managed a victory at the Pajaritos by two goals to nil.
As such the struggling visitors, who only just managed to pick up their second win of the campaign last week against Racing, had best have their wits about them.
UD Almería - Real Madrid
Real Madrid came a cropper in Almería last season, and having lost out to Real Unión midweek they need to show the utmost care this time.
It's true that the rojiblancos have faltered a bit in the Liga of late, but a 2-1 win at Rayo Vallecano midweek has redressed the balance.
The blancos, meanwhile, remain level on points with Barcelona, but they are looking increasingly shaky at the back.
Real Betis Balompié - Deportivo La Coruña
Finally Betis will seek to continue their recovery as deflated Depor visit the deep south.
The veridblancos are on a run of three straight wins, capped off with an efficient 2-0 victory at Castellón midweek.
The Riazor men, on the other hand, have only just overturned a three game winless streak by defeating Elche away from home. In the Liga they have neither scored nor won since October 5th.
Rested Revs shoot for clean sheet
Cunningham, Hoops shock Chicago
La Liga Team Of The Week: Round 2
La Liga Preview: Malaga - Valladolid
Pep: Málaga Will Be A True Test
Barcelona only just overcame Benidorm in the Copa Del Rey in mid-week but that should not disguise the fact that they are in a rich vein of form at the moment.
The Catalan side have won their last ten matches on the spin and thrashed Almería and Basel 5-0 last week in dominant displays. They now face Málaga at La Rosaleda this weekend and manager Pep Guardiola knows that with the island side having won their last four matches it will not be an easy game.
"It will be a true test against Málaga," he said, "It is a nice stadium and they are a physically strong, dynamic and very aggressive side all over the pitch. They have won four games in a row and when you watch them it is easy to see why."
"The past does not serve the future and tomorrow we have a new test, a new validation to see where we are," he declared.
With the Málaga the opponents Pep was also asked whether he thinks this match will be similar to that which they lost on the opening day of the season against another newly promoted side, Numancia. The manager says that he does not believe it will be because this time their rivals will attack more.
"They will not close down at the back, they will go forward more and try to score goals. They have a very direct style and they will play with their strategy. If we go there saying how good we are and how well we are playing then we will come out badly," assured the manager.
Aside from the upcoming match Guardiola also spoke about other issues such as Diego Maradona's probably appointment as Argentina coach and rumours of Xavi moving to Arsenal in exchange for Cesc Fabregas. The latter of those topics he quashed straight away by saying, "With me as coach Xavi remains here, that is non-negotiable," and then he spoke about Maradona and any possible changes regarding Lionel Messi and playing for his country.
"I am convinced it will be very good for football," he said of Maradona before saying about Messi, "For the time being he will not go to play Scotland (19th November) or France (11th February) as he still lacks time."
"It is clear that I prefer to have the matches here rather than further away but neither are ideal. However, it is not the same thing to be going to play in Argentina, Uruguay or Paraguay as Europe," he concluded.
Messi Won’t Rise To Maradona Bait
Ekpo, Nigeria win silver in Beijing
Ekpo, Nigeria excited for shot at gold
The Catalan side have won their last ten matches on the spin and thrashed Almería and Basel 5-0 last week in dominant displays. They now face Málaga at La Rosaleda this weekend and manager Pep Guardiola knows that with the island side having won their last four matches it will not be an easy game.
"It will be a true test against Málaga," he said, "It is a nice stadium and they are a physically strong, dynamic and very aggressive side all over the pitch. They have won four games in a row and when you watch them it is easy to see why."
"The past does not serve the future and tomorrow we have a new test, a new validation to see where we are," he declared.
With the Málaga the opponents Pep was also asked whether he thinks this match will be similar to that which they lost on the opening day of the season against another newly promoted side, Numancia. The manager says that he does not believe it will be because this time their rivals will attack more.
"They will not close down at the back, they will go forward more and try to score goals. They have a very direct style and they will play with their strategy. If we go there saying how good we are and how well we are playing then we will come out badly," assured the manager.
Aside from the upcoming match Guardiola also spoke about other issues such as Diego Maradona's probably appointment as Argentina coach and rumours of Xavi moving to Arsenal in exchange for Cesc Fabregas. The latter of those topics he quashed straight away by saying, "With me as coach Xavi remains here, that is non-negotiable," and then he spoke about Maradona and any possible changes regarding Lionel Messi and playing for his country.
"I am convinced it will be very good for football," he said of Maradona before saying about Messi, "For the time being he will not go to play Scotland (19th November) or France (11th February) as he still lacks time."
"It is clear that I prefer to have the matches here rather than further away but neither are ideal. However, it is not the same thing to be going to play in Argentina, Uruguay or Paraguay as Europe," he concluded.
Messi Won’t Rise To Maradona Bait
Ekpo, Nigeria win silver in Beijing
Ekpo, Nigeria excited for shot at gold
I Did Not Just Come Here To Win - Emery
Valencia had a wretched season last year but so far this campaign they seem to be enjoying themselves a lot more and currently sit top the table after eight rounds of matches.
The arrival of Unai Emery in the summer has been hailed as the key change but the manager says today that he did not join the club just to win.
"We work to form an enthusiastic and final team that the public will be happy with and enjoy," he mused, "There is a lot of good attitude, dedication and tremendous desire and the fans recognise and feel it."
"The objective is that the fans enjoy, sing and cheer, even though the team has lost because there has been a good attitude," he declared.
Certainly the fans have been happy with what they have seen so far, with Valencia one of two teams undefeated in the league up until now. Next up for Los Che are Racing Santander and the coach knows his side can improve and that their opponents, despite their poor league position, willl not be easy.
"There is still room for improvement and against Racing it will be difficult because they press a lot at the back. The demand will have to be maximum and they will be very motivated to improve their position," said the coach before declaring his respect for Racing and manager Juan Ramón López Muñiz.
The arrival of Unai Emery in the summer has been hailed as the key change but the manager says today that he did not join the club just to win.
"We work to form an enthusiastic and final team that the public will be happy with and enjoy," he mused, "There is a lot of good attitude, dedication and tremendous desire and the fans recognise and feel it."
"The objective is that the fans enjoy, sing and cheer, even though the team has lost because there has been a good attitude," he declared.
Certainly the fans have been happy with what they have seen so far, with Valencia one of two teams undefeated in the league up until now. Next up for Los Che are Racing Santander and the coach knows his side can improve and that their opponents, despite their poor league position, willl not be easy.
"There is still room for improvement and against Racing it will be difficult because they press a lot at the back. The demand will have to be maximum and they will be very motivated to improve their position," said the coach before declaring his respect for Racing and manager Juan Ramón López Muñiz.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monzón Hails 'Change Of Spirit'
With some star signings made over the summer Real Betis were supposed to be the surprise package this season but they failed to shine from the start.
Only recently, with two straight wins in the league, have they looked anything bordering on impressive but there does finally seem to be some belief amongst the side. Speaking today defender Luciano Monzón, who was one of those expensive summer signings, said there is a change of spirit in the squad.
"The spirit has changed in the side and on Sunday [against Deportivo] we are going to try to win again," he started, "All the teams always try to do their best but we have the advantage of playing at home this week. The last thing that we were failing in was scoring and now we are doing that. To win would be a very good result for us apart from just getting confidence."
Monzón has only started one game for Betis in the league so far but he was a part of the team that beat Castellón in the Copa Del Rey to record the third straight win for Los Verdiblancos and he said they had to win the game.
"We had to win as it was an opportunity for us. We played very well in the midfield, I had a few complications because I had no-one to defend me but it was a result we had to get because we knew it was an important team."
"I want to remain here and I am very relaxed because I know that I am doing things very well. I am having a very good year but one must compete at all clubs and I believe I am playing a good role in the games I am involved in," he concluded.
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Only recently, with two straight wins in the league, have they looked anything bordering on impressive but there does finally seem to be some belief amongst the side. Speaking today defender Luciano Monzón, who was one of those expensive summer signings, said there is a change of spirit in the squad.
"The spirit has changed in the side and on Sunday [against Deportivo] we are going to try to win again," he started, "All the teams always try to do their best but we have the advantage of playing at home this week. The last thing that we were failing in was scoring and now we are doing that. To win would be a very good result for us apart from just getting confidence."
Monzón has only started one game for Betis in the league so far but he was a part of the team that beat Castellón in the Copa Del Rey to record the third straight win for Los Verdiblancos and he said they had to win the game.
"We had to win as it was an opportunity for us. We played very well in the midfield, I had a few complications because I had no-one to defend me but it was a result we had to get because we knew it was an important team."
"I want to remain here and I am very relaxed because I know that I am doing things very well. I am having a very good year but one must compete at all clubs and I believe I am playing a good role in the games I am involved in," he concluded.
Real answer coach’s challenge
Leo Franco: We Must Not Lose League Focus
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