Spanish Football News Blog

Barcelona's £60m striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic came off the bench to score the only goal of a fiercely contested El Clasico against Real Madrid and move the champions back to the top of the league.

Barca, who started the game a point behind their arch rivals, had to play with 10 men for nearly 30 minutes after Sergio Busquets was shown a second yellow card.

But by that time they had a lead courtesy of Ibrahimovic's brilliantly-struck left-foot volley from Dani Alves' right-wing cross - the Swede netting just minutes after coming on for Thierry Henry.

Real created the better of the chances in the Camp Nou, but paid for their wastefulness, with substitute Karim Benzema most culpable as he ballooned haplessly over with only five minutes left.

Barca captain Carles Puyol twice crucially denied Marcelo with last-ditch blocks as the Brazilian prepared to shoot and, despite a fraught last few minutes, Barca held on for victory.

Real ended the game with 10 men too, as Lassana Diarra was booked for the second time in the last minute after a reckless kick out at Xavi.

Barca move two points ahead of Real, but there is plenty of life left in this Spanish league season and the Catalans, who swept all before them last year, will know they face a real threat to their La Liga crown in Manuel Pellegrini's Real.

The last time these two teams met in May Barca thrashed Real 6-2 in the Bernabeu as they romped to the league title as well as picking up the Champions League and Spanish Cup.

Real hit back in the summer, splashing out nearly £250m as Florentino Perez, in his second spell as president, began the second era of Galacticos by signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema and Xabi Alonso, among others.

Real's football this season has rarely hit the heights, but they have been instantly effective and went into the game a point ahead of Barca at the top of La Liga.

It was not difficult to see why, as the visitors caused Pep Guardiola's team far more problems than they have become accustomed to on their own turf, in front of 98,000 baying fans.

Ronaldo, who had made his first appearance in six weeks as a substitute in midweek, was handed a start and the Barca fans reserved the full extent of their vitriol for the £80m man in his first Clasico with his every touch greeted by a cacophony of whistles.

Barca's main injury doubt was Lionel Messi but he ran the game in its opening spell, drifting infield to link up with Xavi and Henry as he had done so effectively in the Champions League final victory against Manchester United in May.

Barca, as they are prone to do, enjoyed the majority of the possession, but Real always looked a threat on the counter attack and with the pace of Ronaldo and Kaka they began to worry their hosts.

With less than 20 minutes gone it was the visitors who created the first clear-cut opening. Marcelo found Kaka and his first-time pass sent Ronaldo one-on-one with Valdes.

As the stadium held its collective breath, Ronaldo's shot struck the legs of Valdes and flew behind, the keeper pulling off a fine stop.

Soon after another lovely Real move involving the same three players ended with Marcelo fastening on to Kaka's pass, but just as it looked like the Brazilian had to score, Puyol threw his frame in the way to prevent the shot.

Real began the second half the brighter too and only another stunning block from Puyol denied Marcelo once again.

The Barca captain's efforts were soon to be rewarded as his side took the lead to sent the stadium into delirium.

Ibrahimovic, who did not start because of a thigh injury, had only just come on for the disappointing Henry but he wasted no time in marking his first Clasico with a goal, expertly slamming in after Alves had done wonderfully to pick him out.

If Barca thought their troubles were over they were shortly to be disappointed, as Busquets bizarrely stuck out an arm in the middle of the Real half and picked up his second booking of the match.

Real sensed their chance and Marcelo crossed for Ronaldo to head over, before the Portuguese was replaced by Benzema, who soon to be denied a shooting chance by yet another top-class piece of defending from Puyol.

Now Barca were the counter-attacking team and Eric Abidal drilled a left-foot shot fractions wide, before, at the other end, Benzema could only blaze over after Alonso's corner had fallen in his lap.

It was a frantic finish and after Casillas had wonderfully denied Messi from point-blank range, Diarra was dismissed, his second yellow card awarded when he lashed out at Xavi.

Barca held on and the celebrations - both on the terraces and on the field - showed how much this game means to both club, but there is little doubt that Real have substantially closed the gap and are ready to mount a serious challenge.

Source: BBC Sport
 

As we close in on arguably the most highly anticipated match in world football, one has to say that there is not nearly as much pressure resting on Barcelona’s shoulders as the prepare to welcome Real Madrid in just over a week's time.

Having won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League to complete an historic 'triplete' whilst doing the double over Los Merengues last season (2-0 at the Camp Nou and the now famous/infamous 6-2 triumph at the Bernabeu) it is fair to say that even though Madrid have spent €254 million to bolster their team this summer, Barca have proven themselves and come into the match as strong and established favourites.

As if the aforementioned results were not enough, Barca currently lead the league (albeit by only a one-point margin over their arch-rivals) and already won two of the six trophies available to them this season by taking home the Spanish and European Supercups. But despite the pedigree, all may not be going swimmingly for the Catalans.

While they remain domineering as ever in La LIga, most recently beating an otherwise competitive Mallorca side 4-2, and comfortable as always in the Copa del Rey (Madrid failed to score the necessary five goals in their second-leg match against Alcorcon; Barcelona scored five in a span of 25 minutes in their match against Cultural Leonesa on their way to winning 7-0 on aggregate), the same sort of success cannot be seen in the Champions League.

Currently in third place in Group F with five points, Barcelona are levelled with second-place Rubin Kazan and one point behind group leaders Inter. For Pep Guardiola’s men, this is unfamiliar territory as, even though they have exhibited thrilling football in their Champions League outings, they have been unable to secure the necessary points to reflect that dominance. These less-than-ideal results now make life a bit more complicated for Barca as we head into the week before El Clasico.

Read the rest of the article here

The 2008 European Champions were given a rousing reception as they returned to the Ernst Happel Stadion, the scene of their sensational Eurocopa triumph a year ago.

But it was Austria who stunned the visitors on seven minutes when Jakob Jantscher connected with Roman Wallner’s cross and his low first-time drive took a wicked deflection off Sergio Ramos and looped over the wrong-footed Iker Casillas.

But just three minutes later, Spain were back on level terms. David Silva’s short through ball found Cesc Fabregas, who easily breezed between two defenders into the box before slotting the ball past Christian Gratzei.

La Furia Roja maintained their momentum and they were deservedly in front after 20 minutes. Iniesta chested down a gorgeous long ball from the halfway line and arrowed a through pass to David Villa, who smashed a clinical shot past the despairing goalkeeper in a one-on-one.

A minute later, Iniesta almost got on the scoresheet himself when he cut in from the left and unleashed a thunderbolt from 20 yards out but Gratzei did brilliantly to push the ball out with an acrobatic dive.

What was a fairly clean friendly turned nasty on 27 minutes when Yasin Pehlivan was flashed a straight red card after a late lunge on Sergio Busquets. From the ensuing free kick, Spain almost found the net again. Sergio Ramos held up the ball on the right channel at the byline before clipping it into the middle for Fabregas, who headed over the bar off-balance from three yards out.

David Silva should have made it three for the Spaniards on 34 minutes. Fabregas played him in on a counter-attack but the Valencia forward hesitated as he bore down on goal and his low shot on the edge of the box was anticipated and saved by Gratzei.

With one man short, the Austrians simply had no answers in midfield and the European champions were allowed to roam freely. And they duly obliged with a goal right on the stroke of half-time to race to a 3-1 lead. Silva skipped down the right flank and slipped in a delightfully disguised through ball to Villa, who rounded the goalkeeper with a deft first touch and toe-poked the ball over the line from a tight angle.

With a comfortable advantage, Vicente del Bosque took out all his big guns at the break and gave the fringe players a run out as Villa, Silva, Xavi, Iniesta and Casillas were all withdrawn. And the substitutes did not disappoint.

First, Dani Guiza made it 4-1 on 56 minutes. He played a played a one-two with Pablo Hernandez and although the return ball was too heavy, defender, Christian Fuchs made the mistake of waiting for his goalkeeper to come out and collect and the Fenerbahce hitman pounced by sticking his foot out and stabbing the ball home.

A mere 60 seconds later, the Spanish Armada lay siege again and they breached their hosts’ goal for the fifth time. Jesus Navas charged down the right, pulled the ball back to the middle for Pablo, who charged through the crowded backline and rifled a shot past a hapless Gratzei.

It should have been six on 73 minutes when a dazzling free flowing move released Guiza down the left channel, but the striker’s cutback ricochet off a defender onto the foot of the post, before Gratzei gathered gratefully.

Austria had a penalty shout on 82 minutes when Fuchs was bundled over in the area by a back-tracking Guiza, but the referee was not interested in the appeals. The home side ended strongly as they pushed for a second goal to soften the damage. And they nearly got their reward in injury time. Erwin Hoffer had the final chance of the game when he streaked clean through on goal but dragged his shot wide across Pepe Reina with Raul Albiol bearing down on him.

Source: goal.com

SPAIN  

Casillas – 6: His goal was only threatened twice in the first half and he saw both efforts sail over the bar. Made a few mistakes from clearances and goal-kicks, but he could do little to deny Messi from the spot.

Sergio Ramos – 7: Very adventurous in attack, but left a few gaps at the back for Di Maria to exploit. But he did well when he had to stay back and defend.  

Pique – 7: Collaborated well with Puyol in the opening exchanges and rarely looked troubled. Had to be very alert to deal with Argentina’s counter attacks.

Puyol – 7.5: Read Argentina’s attack like a book, especially Messi’s. Spain’s defense immediately looked less secure after he was taken off at the break.

Capdevila – 6.5: Given the luxury to join in the attack in the first period but was penned back in his own half in the second. Often gave Maxi and Messi too much space.

Xabi Alonso – 8: Showed great awareness to react first to Silva’s rebound to score. Wrapped up his evening with a brilliantly taken penalty after his thunderous half-volley led to the spotkick being awarded.

Silva – 8: Easily tore through the Argentine backline at times either with his solo runs or through balls. Shrugged off three defenders to take a shot which led to Xabi’s opening goal.

Xavi – 7: A rather subdued performance from the midfield maestro. Still, he provided endless threat with his piercing passes and always present at the right places to play tiki-taka football with the rest of his attacking team-mates.

Busquets – 6.5: Had a few intriguing battles with Messi in midfield. Stayed just in front of the backline to recover ball and distribute it forward.

Iniesta – 8: Left the Argentine defense chasing shadows with his tricky one-two’s. His mesmerizing close control of the ball was a joy to watch and he had to be hacked down frequently by his opponents to prevent him causing any real damage.

Villa – 6.5: A constant menace in and around the box in the first half but went very quiet in the second as he was deprived of service.

Substitutes:

Albiol – 5: Gave away the penalty when he brought down Maxi with a clumsy challenge from behind.

Fabregas – 6: Ran at the Argentine defense on a number of occasions and had a few cracks at goal but didn’t have a significant impact.

Negredo – 6: Had a glorious late chance but sent his close-range header straight at the goalkeeper.

Jesus Navas – 7: Had one moment of magic late in the game when he burst past the visiting rearguard and almost rounded the goalkeeper after a one-two with Mata. A priceless experience on his La Seleccion debut.

Mata – 7: Picked up where Silva and Iniesta left off with some excellent ball control in tight spaces.

Reina – N/A

ARGENTINA

Romero– 6: Had to pull off a number of great saves. Could do very little to save Xabi’s first goal and even less with the penalty.

Coloccini – 7: Denied Spain a second goal in the first half with a clearance off the line. Kept Iniesta on a tight leash and once the Barca attacker was withdrawn, he took his opportunity to roam forward more often.

Demichelis – 7: Very explosive. Had to battle hard and be very ruthless with his tackles to stop the Spanish assault. His unlucky handball in the area gifted Spain a late penalty and he spurned an even later chance to equalize when he sent his header over from point-blank range.

Heinze – 6.5: Had a confrontation with almost every attacking Spanish player early in the game. Somehow mellowed in the later stages of the match.

Ansaldi – 6.5: Barely left his own half. Had to keep things tight at the back to make sure Sergio Ramos wasn’t allowed to run amok.

Maxi – 7: Had an almost anonymous first half. Got more involved in the second as he started to combine with Messi down the right wing. Ghosted in behind the Spanish rearguard to win a penalty for his side off Albiol.

Mascherano – 6.5: A quiet display. Allowed the Spaniards to completely dominate in midfield before he showed a stark improvement in the second period.

Gago – 7: Constantly tracked back deep into defense to help stem the tide. Full of running to chase the ball but even then, he couldn’t prevent La Furia Roja from controlling the contest.

Di Maria – 6.5: Should have scored late in the first period in a one-on-one with Casillas but his audacious chip sailed over. The liveliest of the Argentine lot in the first half but somehow faded away after the restart.

Higuain – 6.5: Had one of Argentina’s only real chance of the first half when he sent a shot marginally over the bar from Di Maria’s cross. Came close again in the second when his shot from a tight angle just shaved the post.

Messi – 7: Barely had a touch of the ball in the first half. Looked livelier after the break as he had more possession to play with. Converted his spotkick coolly but other than that, he didn’t have much to show as for once, he had to play in a team who didn’t have the majority of possession.

Substitutes:

Tevez – 5: Looked really desperate to impress. Made a few rash tackles in midfield immediately after being sent on.

Cambiasso – 5: Brought in to shore up the Argentine midfield, but couldn't strip away his opponents' momentum when they made a late surge.

Perotti – N/A: Didn’t have enough time to showcase his true potential.

Lavezzi – N/A

Source: goal.com

Cristiano Ronaldo believes his former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney should follow him to Real Madrid.

Ronaldo left Old Trafford in the summer for a record £80million fee to complete a dream move to the Spanish giants and, while admitting Rooney is unlikely to leave England any time soon, he thinks the striker would fit in at the Bernabeu.

"Wayne would be a sensation out here. I think we could do with Rooney to help us out," Ronaldo told The Sun. "He would be brilliant if he came. This is the ideal place for the world's best players and there's little doubt he is one of them."

He added: "Wayne has all the skill and determination you need to make a fine career here.

"He has shown just how good he is over the last few years in England.

"And there's no doubt he would be the same sort of player in Spain. It would be lovely to see him here one day at Real Madrid.

"I realise it would take a lot for him to move from England.

"He loves the country, he loves Manchester and he is a Liverpool boy. And United is a good club for him. But you never know what could happen in the future."

Source: The Press Association