http://alleagues.blogspot.com<![CDATA[El Classico Is Here!!! 10 Things to Expect!]]>
Hi football fans,
The biggest day in club football is HERE!
Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Barcelona put Real Madrid to shame last season having beaten them 2 - 0 at the Nou Camp and thrashing them 6 - 2 at home in the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid seem pretty confident with their new reinforcements Kaka, Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso. However they must be cautious as Barcelona is still Barcelona, and is already a well oiled machine,
as many of the key players Xavi, Iniesta and Messi, have been playing together for sometime.
A win for Barcelona will see them reclaim the league standings by one point, while a win for Real Madrid will see them move four points ahead of Barcelona. Gear yourself up for some big-time
drama.
I don't like to predict the outcome of matches, as one could never really do such a thing, but I can tell you some things you shouldn't be surprised to see.
1. Barcelona dominating the game from start to finish.
2. Ronaldo complaining for the entire 90 minutes.
3. Madrid making countless defensive mistakes.
4. Madrid players looking dejected when Barcelona scores.
5. Victor Valdez making a ridiculously impossible blunder.
6. Zlatan gets a dozen chances to score but misses them all.
7. Pep Guardiola dramatizing his game plan to his players.
8. Gonzalo Higuain tying the match in extra time.
9. Juan Laporta smiling while sitting next to a dejected Florentino Perez.
]]>2009-11-29 08:55:00<![CDATA[Bad Bayern or Blooming Bordeaux?]]>
Getty Images
The Champions league just gets better and better as each year passes and this year in particular, the level of competition has risen, as we have witnessed some of the weaker teams in the past
show that they can compete with the "big boys".
That being said I am using current French Ligue 1 Champions and league leaders Bordeaux as an example. Who would have thought in a group that has heavyweights Juventus and Bayern Munich, that
Bordeaux would be sitting top of the group with 10 points.
For me this team is a breath of fresh in the Ligue 1, which was dominated by Lyon for the past 7 seasons and the Champions League by showing their grit against teams like Juve and Bayern.
Now Bayern on the other hand has been on a downward spiral, they lost the Bundesliga to Wolfsburg last season, currently sit 5th in the table, 4 points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and
they've lost to Bordeaux in the Champions League both away and at home.
So here is my question, is Bayern playing badly or is Bordeaux on the rise? I tend to believe the latter seeing that Barcelona also lost to one of the minnows, namely Russian Champions Rubin
Kazan in the Nou Camp!
Therefore I believe the level of football being played is of a higher standard as the smaller teams have shown and are continuing to show, that they can compete at the highest level.
]]>2009-11-04 08:36:00<![CDATA[Ronadinho Back to his Best?]]>
AFP/Getty Images
Hi guys,
The season of football is off to a good start and I must say that Ronaldinho has to be the story of the season thus far. Playing with a new found sense of purpose and determination, anyone who
has watched El Guacho in his splendor last week must give some praise and credit where it is due.
Although Ronnie is not yet back to his best, one must say that he has; particularly in AC Milan's last game against Parma, showed glimpses of his former self.
I personally truly believe that the world will take notice of Ronnie again, if he puts in a flamboyant performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League tomorrow at the San Siro. However I
believe his status will only be cemented if AC Milan win titles.
What would be good for Ronaldinho even if AC Milan doesn't win titles would be a recall to the Selecao (Brazil's National Team). Seeing him play at the World Cup in South Africa next year would
be great, not just him, but for football as a whole and his loyal fans.
I am a firm believer that Ronaldinho still has the potential to be the best in the world for the third consecutive time, and seeing him achieve this feat would be truly amazing. Being World
Player of the Year again will put him on par with legendary players such as Luiz Ronaldo and Zinadine Zidane, who have all won the award on three occasions in the past, and update his status to
one of the all-time greats of the game, even though he is arguably regarded as such already.
With that said I'm rooting for Ronaldinho. Go Ronnie! You can do it!!
]]>2009-11-02 18:59:00<![CDATA[BARCA the best! Man U sorrow!]]>
Hi everyone, it's been a while since I updated my blog and had anything to say on the happenings in the world of the beautiful game.
Yesterday was historic moment in the history of "the Blaugrana", as FC Barcelona defeated Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to emphatically become the first Spanish side to ever
win the treble, having won the La Liga and the Copa del Rey earlier in the season and the Champions League a day ago.
I'm sure all Barca fans were thoroughly pleased with the team's performance as they dominated last year's previous winners Manchester United, who were tactically outplayed. They simply had no
answer to Barcelona's midfield magicians, Iniesta and Xavi.The latter of whom was crowned man of the match. This game was definitely won in the midfield.
As a Barca supporter I embraced their philosophy as a fan and remained humble before the match yet confident in my team's ability to do damage to arrogant Manchester United and their fans. Before
the game I heard a lot of boasting but after the result shear silence and disbelief from the Manchester faithful, it just goes to show that he who laughs best, laughs last!
Messi and Eto'o showed their class and all in all it was a pretty comfortable victory for the Catalans. I am a proud Barca supporter and I have to say yet again, FORCA BARCA!!!!! Champions of
Spain and Europe 08-09.]]>2009-05-29 11:56:08<![CDATA[BARCA the best! Man U sorrow!]]>
Hi everyone, it's been a while since I updated my blog and had anything to say on the happenings in the world of the beautiful game.
Yesterday was historic moment in the history of "the Blaugrana", as FC Barcelona defeated Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to emphatically become the first Spanish side to ever
win the treble, having won the La Liga and the Copa del Rey earlier in the season and the Champions League a day ago.
I'm sure all Barca fans were thoroughly pleased with the team's performance as they dominated last year's previous winners Manchester United, who were tactically outplayed. They simply had no
answer to Barcelona's midfield magicians, Iniesta and Xavi.The latter of whom was crowned man of the match. This game was definitely won in the midfield.
As a Barca supporter I embraced their philosophy as a fan and remained humble before the match yet confident in my team's ability to do damage to arrogant Manchester United and their fans. Before
the game I heard a lot of boasting but after the result shear silence and disbelief from the Manchester faithful, it just goes to show that he who laughs best, laughs last!
Messi and Eto'o showed their class and all in all it was a pretty comfortable victory for the Catalans. I am a proud Barca supporter and I have to say yet again, FORCA BARCA!!!!! Champions of
Spain and Europe 08-09.
]]>2009-05-28 21:09:00<![CDATA[Senna Named La Liga's Finest]]>
One of the top sports magazines in Spain, Don Balón, has crowned Marcos Senna of Villarreal, La Liga's best player due to his performances last season.
This award is handed out to the best player of the season annually, since 1976 based on ratings given by journalist throughout the season.
The top ten players of the Liga for the 2007/2008 season are as follows:
]]>2008-09-07 08:20:00<![CDATA[Senna Named La Liga's Finest]]> One of the top sports magazines in Spain, Don Balón, has crowned Marcos Senna of Villarreal, La Liga's best player due to his performances last season.
This award is handed out to the best player of the season annually, since 1976 based on ratings given by journalist throughout the season.
The top ten players of the Liga for the 2007/2008 season are as follows:
1) Marcos Senna (Villarreal): 6.76 2) Agüero (Atlético): 6.75 3) Ibagaza (Mallorca): 6.75 4) Iniesta (Barcelona): 6.71 5) Daniel Alves (Sevilla): 6.68 6) Iker Casillas (Real Madrid): 6.68 7) Güiza (Mallorca): 6.57 8) Messi (Barcelona): 6.57 9) Coloccini (Deportivo): 6.53 10) Diego López (Villarreal): 6.50]]>2008-09-07 08:20:00<![CDATA[Barca Targets Three, Robinho Makes Intentions Clear]]>
With the transfer season winding down Barca are set to complete Pep Guardiola's squad with one last signing. A left-sided striker as a direct replacement for Ronaldinho.
The three names shortlisted are Robin Van Persie of Arsenal, Andrei Arshavin of Zenit St. Petersburg and Rodrigo Palacio of Boca Juniors.
Of the three Palacio's name has been mentioned quite often in the last couple of seasons even before Ronaldinho left the club. In the case of Arshavin, Tottenham Hotspur has left the race to sign
him, as a deal collapsed due to Zenit's high price tag. Barca could now swoop for the talented Russian but it will cost them. Robin Van Persie is the least likely to arrive at the Nou Camp as he
is one of Arsene Wenger's key players.
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In other reports Robinho has made his intentions clear about where he wants to play this coming season.
In an interview with EFE news agency, Robinho said,
"I dream of playing in the Premier League. Chelsea have a great squad, a great team, and they've made an offer that's great for both me and Real Madrid.
"I have nothing against my current team, to whom I'm very grateful, but at this point my goal is to leave here and I hope that everything will be resolved as soon as possible."
I have to say, I really don't blame Robinho for his comments, I know he said he has nothing against his current club but really and truly I believe he wants to leave due to Madrid's treatment of
him over the summer, with the whole Cristino Ronaldo saga.
I don't understand how Real Madrid could not have their key player on the top of their priority list. Any wise team would secure the services of their best and then seek to sign others, but
Madrid is a club who constantly makes stupid mistakes and they will pay for it this season, especially if Robinho leaves Madrid.
With all this said I tip Barca to win the Liga due to Madrid's incompetence over the summer and also because of Barca's wonderful overhaul. FORCA BARCA!!!!
If Robinho does go to Chelsea, I predict Chelsea to win the Premier League title, HANDS DOWN!!!
]]>2008-08-22 07:15:00<![CDATA[Zenit Drops Arshavin Price]]>
Russian club Zenit St Petersburg has dropped the price of their talisman Andrei Arshavin.
Zenit were initially asking around 26 million euros for the player, but after both Barca and Tottenham dropped interest because of the high price tag, the club has now decided to drop the price.
However the price is thought to be dropped primarily because of Arshavin going on strike and Zenit's poor performance in the league thus far.
Zenit has played 17 league games this season and sits in seventh place, 11 points behind league leaders Rubin Kazin. Club coach Dick Advocaat has indicated that Arshavin's case is affecting the
performances of the team.
Arshavin himself expects everything to be settled this week and has stated that where he will move depends on one million dollars.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has stated that Arshavin is just one of the options considered as a replacement for Ronaldinho on the left side of attack, while Tottenham Hotspur coach, Juande
Ramos, has been interested in the player throughout the transfer season and sees the player as the replacement for Robbie Keane who recently transfered to Liverpool.
]]>2008-08-15 17:35:00<![CDATA[Eto'o Set To Stay, As Guardiola Will Most Likely Name Him In Champions League Qualifier Against Wisla Krakow]]> Having been named in the list of players set to leave along with Deco and Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o looks set to stay at Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola has apparently made a complete turnaround in his view of the Cameroon international due to performances in the pre-season, where Eto'o finished top scorer in the team with 5 goals. As a result Pep is likely to name him in the Champions League qualifier against Wisla Krakow, thus securing his place in the squad.
Despite this news Eto'o is apparently unhappy with the situation and wants answers regarding his treatment over the summer. Hopefully the air is cleared and everything gets sorted out regarding this situation.
I have to say at the beginning of the transfer season when Pep made the announcement that Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto'o were no longer needed at the club, I was hoping that at least one of the three stayed. I'm happy to know that my wish looks likely to come through due to Eto'o still being at the club.]]>2008-08-12 09:46:00
