Atlético Madrid's derby clash with Real Madrid might have been overshadowed slightly by the stadium ban handed out but come Saturday all eyes will be on the Vicente Calderón.
Los Rojiblancos will be looking to bounce back from their 6-1 thrashing by Barcelona to beat their rivals but it looks as Javier Aguirre will not have a full squad to choose from for the match.
Whilst Diego Forlán and Simao are believed to be fully fit and raring to go Maxi Rodríguez, Pablo Ibañez and Maniche are not yet certainties to play.
Defender John Heitinga looks as though he will be ready to partner Tomas Ujfalusi in the centre of defence after training normally with the team today.
The team trained today without their international players and it is likley that they will have to wait until Friday before the squad is complete. This will be a problem for both sides though, especially with both teams having players who are travelling from South America back to Spain.
Doubts Over Diarrá, Guti And Robben Whilst Gago Is Good
Player Ratings: Atlético 4-0 Schalke
Hoops’ Ricchetti primed for United attack
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Villa Steals Winner To Save Spain's Brussels Blushes
The opening minutes of the game were deceptive, as the European champions came out full of confidence and passing flair, only to go a goal down after just seven minutes.
An innovative set-play saw a Belgium corner float over the area to the other side, where Manchester City new boy Vincent Kompany shifted his feet well to manage a yard of space before floating a ball back into the area, stretching the Spanish defence and leaving Sergio Ramos without a clue as Wesley Sonck looped a header over Iker Casillas into the far corner.
Spain were left somewhat bewildered by the early goal - the first they had conceded in over 700 minutes - and lost their composure, which almost gifted Sonck a second before a quarter of an hour had even passed, when a cross came in and the forward, who had gotten away from Puyol, shot waywardly on the turn.
Things went from bad to worse moments later, as after a superb move involving Iniesta and David Villa saw the ball poked away from Torres, who had the goal at his mercy. The Liverpool ace pulled up with an injury and was substituted for Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas.
The European champions then slowly but surely began applying the pressure to their hosts, as promising build-up play from the likes of Fabregas and Santi Cazorla and David Villa had Belgium's defence on alert.
The Red Devils remained resolute at the back and for all Spain's possession around the area, it was going to take something special to break through the last line of defence, which Iniesta produced soon after the half-hour mark when he latched onto a Fabregas pass and beat two men within five metres of each other before rifling a shot home from the narrowest of angles.
It was then Sergio Ramos' turn to enter the fray. A bloody clash of heads with Marouane Fellaini was not to deter the Real Madrid star, as he was soon on his feet and played through David Villa with a superb pass, but the Valencia hit-man's cheeky lob went just over the bar.
Ramos was again the architect moments later when he curled in a perfect cross for David Villa, whose header called Stijn Stijnen into his first meaningful action of the evening, besides earlier picking the ball out of his net.
Belgium survived the Spanish inquisition, coming out strongly in the second half and almost took the lead when a pin-point corner found Fellaini, whose header was just wide of the mark.
The second period was proving to have just as frantic a start as the first, as Andres Iniesta tried a different approach for what would have been an equally stunning second, only for his curling, 20-yard effort to shave the bar and go over.
Another lapse from a Spanish full-back - this time Joan Capdevila - almost allowed Belgium to restore their lead, after Anthony Vanden Borre showed great tenacity to break into the area and roll an effort goalwards, only for Carles Puyol to clear it off the line.
The home pressure did not let up, as Vanden Borre then hit a ball over the top and Axel Witsel gave chase, beating Puyol before forcing a quick save from Iker Casillas.
As the hour mark approached, though, the hosts went back into their shell as Spain then looked to force the issue. They could not find a way through a resolute backline, led by Kompany, and in fact almost went behind but for a beautiful counterattacking move finished off by Fellaini to be deemed offside.
Spain continued to press, but fouls were being made and the game got a little scrappy. Sergio Ramos latched onto a superb Xavi pass and threatened to get a chance on goal, only for the ever-present Kompany to clear the danger.
With less than 20 minutes remaining, tempers boiled over for a split second as Thomas Vermaelen and Villa exchanged shoves. Fabregas, too, lost patience, but dealt with it in a more sporting manner, rifling a shot from distance that forced Stijnen to tip the ball over the bar.
Spain continued to press and Belgium's frustrations told as Jan Vertonghen talked himself into the book. Fabregas soon joined him after he made a cynical challenge to prevent Belgium breaking away on the counterattack.
Then with just three minutes of normal time remaining, Dani Guiza - who had just replaced goal-scorer Andres Iniesta in a curious move - supplied a cross from a somewhat unfamiliar position of left wing and David Villa was on hand to head home.
Belgium had half a chance to net a late equaliser - of which they would not have been totally undeserving - as Iker Casillas needlessly spilled a seemingly innocuous long ball, but Sergio Ramos hooked the ball to safety and the final whistle blew soon after.
Houston holds on to beat RSL
Torres: There Is A Great Campaign Behind Casillas
Galaxy, Real battle to draw in LA
WCQ Preview: Spain - Armenia
An innovative set-play saw a Belgium corner float over the area to the other side, where Manchester City new boy Vincent Kompany shifted his feet well to manage a yard of space before floating a ball back into the area, stretching the Spanish defence and leaving Sergio Ramos without a clue as Wesley Sonck looped a header over Iker Casillas into the far corner.
Spain were left somewhat bewildered by the early goal - the first they had conceded in over 700 minutes - and lost their composure, which almost gifted Sonck a second before a quarter of an hour had even passed, when a cross came in and the forward, who had gotten away from Puyol, shot waywardly on the turn.
Things went from bad to worse moments later, as after a superb move involving Iniesta and David Villa saw the ball poked away from Torres, who had the goal at his mercy. The Liverpool ace pulled up with an injury and was substituted for Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas.
The European champions then slowly but surely began applying the pressure to their hosts, as promising build-up play from the likes of Fabregas and Santi Cazorla and David Villa had Belgium's defence on alert.
The Red Devils remained resolute at the back and for all Spain's possession around the area, it was going to take something special to break through the last line of defence, which Iniesta produced soon after the half-hour mark when he latched onto a Fabregas pass and beat two men within five metres of each other before rifling a shot home from the narrowest of angles.
It was then Sergio Ramos' turn to enter the fray. A bloody clash of heads with Marouane Fellaini was not to deter the Real Madrid star, as he was soon on his feet and played through David Villa with a superb pass, but the Valencia hit-man's cheeky lob went just over the bar.
Ramos was again the architect moments later when he curled in a perfect cross for David Villa, whose header called Stijn Stijnen into his first meaningful action of the evening, besides earlier picking the ball out of his net.
Belgium survived the Spanish inquisition, coming out strongly in the second half and almost took the lead when a pin-point corner found Fellaini, whose header was just wide of the mark.
The second period was proving to have just as frantic a start as the first, as Andres Iniesta tried a different approach for what would have been an equally stunning second, only for his curling, 20-yard effort to shave the bar and go over.
Another lapse from a Spanish full-back - this time Joan Capdevila - almost allowed Belgium to restore their lead, after Anthony Vanden Borre showed great tenacity to break into the area and roll an effort goalwards, only for Carles Puyol to clear it off the line.
The home pressure did not let up, as Vanden Borre then hit a ball over the top and Axel Witsel gave chase, beating Puyol before forcing a quick save from Iker Casillas.
As the hour mark approached, though, the hosts went back into their shell as Spain then looked to force the issue. They could not find a way through a resolute backline, led by Kompany, and in fact almost went behind but for a beautiful counterattacking move finished off by Fellaini to be deemed offside.
Spain continued to press, but fouls were being made and the game got a little scrappy. Sergio Ramos latched onto a superb Xavi pass and threatened to get a chance on goal, only for the ever-present Kompany to clear the danger.
With less than 20 minutes remaining, tempers boiled over for a split second as Thomas Vermaelen and Villa exchanged shoves. Fabregas, too, lost patience, but dealt with it in a more sporting manner, rifling a shot from distance that forced Stijnen to tip the ball over the bar.
Spain continued to press and Belgium's frustrations told as Jan Vertonghen talked himself into the book. Fabregas soon joined him after he made a cynical challenge to prevent Belgium breaking away on the counterattack.
Then with just three minutes of normal time remaining, Dani Guiza - who had just replaced goal-scorer Andres Iniesta in a curious move - supplied a cross from a somewhat unfamiliar position of left wing and David Villa was on hand to head home.
Belgium had half a chance to net a late equaliser - of which they would not have been totally undeserving - as Iker Casillas needlessly spilled a seemingly innocuous long ball, but Sergio Ramos hooked the ball to safety and the final whistle blew soon after.
Houston holds on to beat RSL
Torres: There Is A Great Campaign Behind Casillas
Galaxy, Real battle to draw in LA
WCQ Preview: Spain - Armenia
Cristiano Ronaldo Could Have Joined Inter - Suarez
The Manchester United winger has been a top priority for several major sides and he flirted with Real Madrid this summer.
Things could have been different though as Suarez reveals he advised the Nerazzurri to sign the player only for his words to fall on deaf ears.
"Ronaldo was just 17 at the time and a friend of mine in Portugal told me to go and have a look at him," Suarez told AS.
"I went to the stadium and saw him for the first time and he did some magical things which were not normal.
"I monitored him and I called up the Inter directors and advised them to take him before he made his debut for the senior side. "
"Back then his agent was Veiga, not his current one, Fernando Mendes.
"However, everything turned out differently and we all knew what happened. He could have signed for Inter."
Ronaldo played for Sporting at the time but Inter failed to take Suarez's advice and the Portuguese international ended up at Old Trafford and has become one of the world's greatest players.
Inter Plan Crespo - Banega Swap Deal - Reports
Kljestan logging frequent flyer miles
Things could have been different though as Suarez reveals he advised the Nerazzurri to sign the player only for his words to fall on deaf ears.
"Ronaldo was just 17 at the time and a friend of mine in Portugal told me to go and have a look at him," Suarez told AS.
"I went to the stadium and saw him for the first time and he did some magical things which were not normal.
"I monitored him and I called up the Inter directors and advised them to take him before he made his debut for the senior side. "
"Back then his agent was Veiga, not his current one, Fernando Mendes.
"However, everything turned out differently and we all knew what happened. He could have signed for Inter."
Ronaldo played for Sporting at the time but Inter failed to take Suarez's advice and the Portuguese international ended up at Old Trafford and has become one of the world's greatest players.
Inter Plan Crespo - Banega Swap Deal - Reports
Kljestan logging frequent flyer miles
De La Red: Sanctions Will Not Affect This Saturday
Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid is one of the biggest matches in the La Liga calendar and yet it has been overshadowed this week by the stadium ban handed to Los Rojiblancos in the Champions League.
Even now, with the match just a few days away, the derby is playing second fiddle to the sanctions and has been put to one side. However, whilst the press focus on that the players are still concentrated on the match and Real Madrid midfielder Rubén De La Red says he does not think the news will affect it.
"In the Calderón there will be the same atmosphere as there is for any derby," he declared, "It is not going to be worse because of the problem with UEFA."
"It is two different competitions. They may be thinking about what is going to happen with the pitch but I believe they will be focused against Madrid because it is a more important game than the next," mused De La Red.
The sanctions pile the misery on Atlético Madrid afetr getting thrashed by Barcelona and they will no doubt be desperate to atone here and bounce back strongly. De La Red has played in the Calderón before with Getafe, but he accepts that this time is likley to be very different with Real Madrid.
"It is going to be very different because the fans are not going to make things easy. It is going to be an especially exciting game with the rivalry that makes a derby," he said.
It is not yet known if De La Red will start the match with Guti and Mahamadou Diarra both fighting to be fit for the match, but he says he is willing to play anywhere the manager wants him.
"It is all the same to me, what I want is to play, it does not matter if it is attacking midfielder or defensive. I have played in those positions many games so I can do it," he concluded.
Improved Crew eye benchmark
Doubts Over Diarrá, Guti And Robben Whilst Gago Is Good
Even now, with the match just a few days away, the derby is playing second fiddle to the sanctions and has been put to one side. However, whilst the press focus on that the players are still concentrated on the match and Real Madrid midfielder Rubén De La Red says he does not think the news will affect it.
"In the Calderón there will be the same atmosphere as there is for any derby," he declared, "It is not going to be worse because of the problem with UEFA."
"It is two different competitions. They may be thinking about what is going to happen with the pitch but I believe they will be focused against Madrid because it is a more important game than the next," mused De La Red.
The sanctions pile the misery on Atlético Madrid afetr getting thrashed by Barcelona and they will no doubt be desperate to atone here and bounce back strongly. De La Red has played in the Calderón before with Getafe, but he accepts that this time is likley to be very different with Real Madrid.
"It is going to be very different because the fans are not going to make things easy. It is going to be an especially exciting game with the rivalry that makes a derby," he said.
It is not yet known if De La Red will start the match with Guti and Mahamadou Diarra both fighting to be fit for the match, but he says he is willing to play anywhere the manager wants him.
"It is all the same to me, what I want is to play, it does not matter if it is attacking midfielder or defensive. I have played in those positions many games so I can do it," he concluded.
Improved Crew eye benchmark
Doubts Over Diarrá, Guti And Robben Whilst Gago Is Good
Doubts Over Diarrá, Guti And Robben Whilst Gago Is Good
Guti, Mahamadou Diarrá and Arjen Robben continued their battle to recover full fitness before the derby this weekend as they worked in the gym rather than with the rest of the team today.
The trio didn't step out onto the training ground but midfielder Fernando Gago did and it looks as though he will start the match against Atlético Madrid on Saturday.
The Argentine has been recovering from injury but he worked with the rest of the team today and all the signs point to him being in the starting XI.
His recovery will be good news for Bernd Schuster who, with Guti, Diarrá and Robben all potentially out injured, is looking a little short in the midfield department.
Real Madrid will welcome back their international players on Friday and they will train with the rest of the squad as they ready themselves for the match at the Vicente Calderón.
Rest provides tonic for weary Revs
De La Red: Sanctions Will Not Affect This Saturday
The trio didn't step out onto the training ground but midfielder Fernando Gago did and it looks as though he will start the match against Atlético Madrid on Saturday.
The Argentine has been recovering from injury but he worked with the rest of the team today and all the signs point to him being in the starting XI.
His recovery will be good news for Bernd Schuster who, with Guti, Diarrá and Robben all potentially out injured, is looking a little short in the midfield department.
Real Madrid will welcome back their international players on Friday and they will train with the rest of the squad as they ready themselves for the match at the Vicente Calderón.
Rest provides tonic for weary Revs
De La Red: Sanctions Will Not Affect This Saturday
Spanish Debate: What's Wrong With Betis?
With six matchdays behind us there are just two sides without a win in the Liga. One, Osasuna, this week became the first club to part with their manager as Cuco Ziganda was ousted in favour of José Antonio Camacho.
The other, Real Betis, have apparently issued Paco Chaparro with an ultimatum as they sit rooted to the foot of the table with two points from a possible eighteen.
Osasuna, with all due respect, are not of the same stature, yet even they have seen fit to sack a boss while Betis limp along in last place. Few would argue that the Béticos are one of Spain's bigger clubs. Their support is not confined the Andalucia, where their crowds still rival those of Sevilla despite their city rivals being in the midst of their best ever decade, and Betis at one of their poorer ones.
But in fact Betis' start to this season is no massive shock. Chaparro, one must remember, was originally given the job back in Spring 2007 with the goal of rescuing the verdiblancos from relegation: something he managed at the very last minute. The 2007-08 season, meanwhile, saw Betis safe with a few weeks left to go, but they were nothing if not lower-half fodder for the whole season.
What, then, is wrong with this club?
Instability
The fact is that for years now Betis has been something at a drama bomb, and the irony of ironies is that we actually catch them at one of their more sedate moments.
Since arriving back in the top flight in 2001, Betis have done it all: top half finishes, Champions League places... and then, in the last three seasons, lower-half battles. And what's characterised recent years is a merry-go-round of managers. Chaparro may have been given all of last year, but when he took over he was the third manager that season alone, Luis Fernández and Javier Irureta (or Iruretagoyena to his parents) having fallen foul of CEO Manuel Ruiz de Lopera.
Then there was the playing staff, which seems to get weaker with each euro spent. There's no shortage of big names, but there is a shortage of form. From David Odonkor through to Mark González and out past Rafael Sobis, the club spends big but finds little by way of return. All too often these players are in and out of the line-up, which hardly helps.And I need not even remark on Denilson...
But we must come back to a name mention in passing earlier: Ruiz de Lopera. Politely known as a "colourful" character, the Córdoba-born businessman seeps controversy from every pore. He is no longer president - he's "just" the CEO now - but reminders of his reign are everywhere you look. In a show of modesty typical of Spanish football presidents, he named the club's stadium after himself, but it would be unfair to say that he doesn't garner support from at least some of the fanbase.
Such support remained even as Betis, who were for a stage riven with improbable levels of debt, were disgraced by Lopera's courtroom wranglings. Allegations of his siphoning off club funds, meanwhile, never quite seem to go away. Yet through it all he has spent transfer funds, and spent them big. The squad remains prominent. The fanbase remains large. But the results don't come.
Grand Designs
From an outsider's perspective I must ask why this is. The fact that the Ruiz de Lopera is a bit of a wreck is symbolic. Betis' reach exceeds their grasp; their expenditure always has a hint of desperation about it; their size, perversely, condemns them to over-optimism.
Each summer they seemingly must have at least one international star, even if it's one who isn't necessarily right for the team. Denilson and Sobis are the textbook examples, but one imagines that there will be more to come. Meanwhile the performances tend to grow ever more disjointed as square pegs are forced into round holes.
The odd thing is that Betis has a pretty decent youth structure - first teamers Arzu, Rivas, Capi, Juande, and of course captain Juanito all came through the Bético ranks. Perhaps if they can focus their transfer expenditure a bit more carefully, and maybe direct a few more funds towards the youngsters, the team will lift itself. After all, Andalucian clubs - not least Betis - are known for their passion. Local boys exhibit that more than anyone.
But one wonders how this can happen with the current, big-talking CEO at the helm. Maybe only relegation can bring him to his senses both on and off the pitch...
RSL, Morales agree to extension
Victorine leads new mates past old ones
La Liga Season Preview: Real Betis
La Liga Preview: Getafe - Real Betis
The other, Real Betis, have apparently issued Paco Chaparro with an ultimatum as they sit rooted to the foot of the table with two points from a possible eighteen.
Osasuna, with all due respect, are not of the same stature, yet even they have seen fit to sack a boss while Betis limp along in last place. Few would argue that the Béticos are one of Spain's bigger clubs. Their support is not confined the Andalucia, where their crowds still rival those of Sevilla despite their city rivals being in the midst of their best ever decade, and Betis at one of their poorer ones.
But in fact Betis' start to this season is no massive shock. Chaparro, one must remember, was originally given the job back in Spring 2007 with the goal of rescuing the verdiblancos from relegation: something he managed at the very last minute. The 2007-08 season, meanwhile, saw Betis safe with a few weeks left to go, but they were nothing if not lower-half fodder for the whole season.
What, then, is wrong with this club?
Instability
The fact is that for years now Betis has been something at a drama bomb, and the irony of ironies is that we actually catch them at one of their more sedate moments.
Since arriving back in the top flight in 2001, Betis have done it all: top half finishes, Champions League places... and then, in the last three seasons, lower-half battles. And what's characterised recent years is a merry-go-round of managers. Chaparro may have been given all of last year, but when he took over he was the third manager that season alone, Luis Fernández and Javier Irureta (or Iruretagoyena to his parents) having fallen foul of CEO Manuel Ruiz de Lopera.
Then there was the playing staff, which seems to get weaker with each euro spent. There's no shortage of big names, but there is a shortage of form. From David Odonkor through to Mark González and out past Rafael Sobis, the club spends big but finds little by way of return. All too often these players are in and out of the line-up, which hardly helps.And I need not even remark on Denilson...
But we must come back to a name mention in passing earlier: Ruiz de Lopera. Politely known as a "colourful" character, the Córdoba-born businessman seeps controversy from every pore. He is no longer president - he's "just" the CEO now - but reminders of his reign are everywhere you look. In a show of modesty typical of Spanish football presidents, he named the club's stadium after himself, but it would be unfair to say that he doesn't garner support from at least some of the fanbase.
Such support remained even as Betis, who were for a stage riven with improbable levels of debt, were disgraced by Lopera's courtroom wranglings. Allegations of his siphoning off club funds, meanwhile, never quite seem to go away. Yet through it all he has spent transfer funds, and spent them big. The squad remains prominent. The fanbase remains large. But the results don't come.
Grand Designs
From an outsider's perspective I must ask why this is. The fact that the Ruiz de Lopera is a bit of a wreck is symbolic. Betis' reach exceeds their grasp; their expenditure always has a hint of desperation about it; their size, perversely, condemns them to over-optimism.
Each summer they seemingly must have at least one international star, even if it's one who isn't necessarily right for the team. Denilson and Sobis are the textbook examples, but one imagines that there will be more to come. Meanwhile the performances tend to grow ever more disjointed as square pegs are forced into round holes.
The odd thing is that Betis has a pretty decent youth structure - first teamers Arzu, Rivas, Capi, Juande, and of course captain Juanito all came through the Bético ranks. Perhaps if they can focus their transfer expenditure a bit more carefully, and maybe direct a few more funds towards the youngsters, the team will lift itself. After all, Andalucian clubs - not least Betis - are known for their passion. Local boys exhibit that more than anyone.
But one wonders how this can happen with the current, big-talking CEO at the helm. Maybe only relegation can bring him to his senses both on and off the pitch...
RSL, Morales agree to extension
Victorine leads new mates past old ones
La Liga Season Preview: Real Betis
La Liga Preview: Getafe - Real Betis
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Camacho Takes Charge At Osasuna
Following the departure of Jose Angel Ziganda, who was relieved of his position after his side amassing just four points from their opening six league matches, the CA Osasuna board have moved quickly to appoint his replacement.
Camacho is to be paraded tomorrow, along with his assistant Pepe Carcelen, at 1300 CET at the Reyno de Navarra. Both have signed contracts until June 2009 as a short-term solution to Osasuna's precarious league position.
Camacho has a rich CV, taking control of a number of high-profile sides including Real Madrid, Espanyol, Benfica, and of course the Spanish national side. However he has struggled to find success at any side he has managed, a Portuguese super-cup title his only major honour. He did not last long in his second spell at Real Madrid, and his Benfica side struggled last term before his eventual resignation in March.
More recently he has been more akin to managing teams jostling at the top of the table - the question remains whether he has the tactical nous to remove Osasuna from their current predicament at the wrong end of La Liga.
Camacho is to be paraded tomorrow, along with his assistant Pepe Carcelen, at 1300 CET at the Reyno de Navarra. Both have signed contracts until June 2009 as a short-term solution to Osasuna's precarious league position.
Camacho has a rich CV, taking control of a number of high-profile sides including Real Madrid, Espanyol, Benfica, and of course the Spanish national side. However he has struggled to find success at any side he has managed, a Portuguese super-cup title his only major honour. He did not last long in his second spell at Real Madrid, and his Benfica side struggled last term before his eventual resignation in March.
More recently he has been more akin to managing teams jostling at the top of the table - the question remains whether he has the tactical nous to remove Osasuna from their current predicament at the wrong end of La Liga.
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