La Liga Week 13

HalloweenJack

Calderón in trouble again for tapping up, this time with Zárate who just happened to be in Madrid recently.

Getafe vs. Real Madrid, Saturday, 7pm (all times GMT)
Sevilla vs. Barcelona, Saturday, 9pm
Recreativo vs. Villareal, Sunday, 4pm
Valladolid vs. Mallorca, Sunday, 4pm
Málaga vs. Osasuna, Sunday, 4pm
Almería vs. Deportivo, Sunday, 4pm
Athletic vs. Numancia, Sunday, 4pm
Espanyol vs. Sporting, Sunday, 4pm
Valencia vs. Betis, Sunday, 6pm
At. Madrid vs. Racing, Sunday, 8pm

Sevilla Barca the big one. Hoping it'll be a bit better than the Sevilla Valencia match last week. I think Sevilla could actually do it tonight, maybe wishful thinking more than actual belief.

I think the Recre match will be interesting. Villareal had some pretty atrocious defending against Valladolid last week and will need a kick up the backside. Also, will be interesting to see how Real get on in Getafe. It seems like one more blip and Schuster will be gone. They weren't that impressive against BATE the other night but they got the result and they did look really nervy after scoring.

gimmick

Some nice looking matches there. Sevilla Barca obviously the pick of them. I would be happy with a draw there. It is Barcas first true challenge this season and will really test the mettle.

eZe^

Barca's first true test this season?

1-0 down against Espanyol away, their local rivals, Henry and Messi score to win the game in the last 20 minutes.

1-0 down against Shaktar Donetsk, in the last 3 minutes of the game Messi scored two goals to win it.

6-1 against Atletico Madrid, a team that finished higher than Sevilla last year, and have a better attacking force than Sevilla this year.

Gudjohnsen scored the winner against a very good Real Betis side to win the game 3-2 at the Camp Nou.

Hardly Barca's first true test, Barca need to win this to prove the doubters wrong if you ask me. This is their first game in the month of death, they need to go out and set a marker to the rest of La Liga that they can beat anyone. Barca's problem over the past two years was their inability to take maximum points against the big guns, lets hope the Atletico game was an example of how they'll do this season.

Getafe Madrid will also be a good game, Madrid's CB partnership is becoming an all time low, with Ramos joining Pepe, meaning that they lose Ramos' presence on the right side of midfield. Interesting match, could be a draw.

Athletic vs Numancia will be a good game too, I really hope Athletic can win, they are definitely one of the most easily liked team in La Liga with their traditions and history. It's a shame what modern commercialised football has done to a once proud Basque team of champions.

eZe^

Madrid one nil down at half time at the Alfonso Perez... Yayyy!

Im_No_Superman

eZe^ wrote: »

Madrid one nil down at half time at the Alfonso Perez... Yayyy!

Make that 2-0 now! Poor goalkeeping by Casillis.

Im_No_Superman

Beautiful finish by Saviola, 2-1. Im going to guess it will finish 3-3!

An Citeog

Game finished 3-1 for Getafe.:)

Time for Sevilla-Barça now!

eZe^

Oh baby, a chance to go 6 points ahead of Madrid 2 weeks before playing them.... Please Barca, DO IT!!

Alves hat-trick? :P

MisterAnarchy

An Citeog wrote: »

Game finished 3-1 for Getafe.:)

Justice done.Getafe should have had at least 2 penalties in that match,blatant favoritism by the referee .
Madrid's luck is all gone,they used it all up last season.

eZe^

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Justice done.Getafe should have had at least 2 penalties in that match,blatant favoritism by the referee .
Madrid's luck is all gone,they used it all up last season.

The season before that was even worse!

They should have lost 6-1 maybe even 7-1 tonight.

CantGetNoSleep

1-0 Etooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

eZe^

What a f*cking goal!

bUILDERtHEbOB

Henry has been very frustrating IMO. A lot of moves seem to slow down when he gets on the ball.

JPA

eZe^ wrote: »

What a f*cking goal!

And again!

thusspakeblixa

Messi's goal = quality
A decent performance from Barca, this was the 1st La Liga match I've ever watched... I'm impressed!

DSB

thusspakeblixa wrote: »

Messi's goal = quality
A decent performance from Barca, this was the 1st La Liga match I've ever watched... I'm impressed!

Seriously?

JPA

3-0 Messi again.
They are without doubt the best team in Europe right now.

bUILDERtHEbOB

JPA wrote: »

3-0 Messi again.
They are without doubt the best team in Europe right now.

Serious? I've literally just closed my stream. FFS.

Was it any good?

thusspakeblixa

DSB wrote: »

Seriously?

Yeah, even though Sevilla were muck.
(I'm not saying it was an exciting match, I'm just saying it was a good quality match)

eZe^

thusspakeblixa wrote: »

Messi's goal = quality
A decent performance from Barca, this was the 1st La Liga match I've ever watched... I'm impressed!

Messi was disappointing for 60 minutes, then out of nowhere he decided to start playing. Best player in the world this season tbh, 15 goals and 9 assists in 17 games I think. Eto'o with 91 goals in 120 league games too, nice record.

thusspakeblixa wrote: »

Yeah, even though Sevilla were muck.
(I'm not saying it was an exciting match, I'm just saying it was a good quality match)

Sevilla were actually quite good, they just couldn't handle the intensity and lack of possession in the 2nd half. They were probably the better team in the first half too.

gimmick

I stand by saying it was the first real test of Barcas mettle simply because they would have been expected to win those previous matches from the outset. Thats not to say that they showed amazing steal to grind out those other wins. Not to mention the fact that pathecthico are usually ripe for a hammering.

Only saw the first half last night then the stupid pub turned it off, but 0-3 against Sevilla is a huge statement. And just as notable is the clean sheet, though big LOL at Kanoutes miss.

No one is playing better and more effective football than Barca at the moment from what I have seen. A joy to behold. I doubted Guardiolas appointment, but I cannot stand by that now.

eZe^

Gimmick, 10 away wins in a row, we haven't had this kind of form since the 1920's. 40 goals in 13 games, this run of form is better than the one Frank Rijakaard's Barca put together back in 2005, this team may actually be better than the Ronaldinho era at it's peak.

gimmick

Its incredible, and I am loving it.

An Citeog

eZe^ wrote: »

Gimmick, 10 away wins in a row, we haven't had this kind of form since the 1920's. 40 goals in 13 games, this run of form is better than the one Frank Rijakaard's Barca put together back in 2005, this team may actually be better than the Ronaldinho era at it's peak.

I think that's being hugely disrespectful to Rijkaard. If at the end of the season Barça have won the Champions League and continued their current form and won La Liga, you can make such a statement. I don't doubt that they can do it but we're not even half-way through the season yet. An injury to Eto'o or Messi (both quite injury prone) and things could be a lot different.

eZe^

An Citeog wrote: »

I think that's being hugely disrespectful to Rijkaard. If at the end of the season Barça have won the Champions League and continued their current form and won La Liga, you can make such a statement. I don't doubt that they can do it but we're not even half-way through the season yet. An injury to Eto'o or Messi (both quite injury prone) and things could be a lot different.

I said may be better than Rijkaard's barca at it's peak, they are scoring goals just a freely, Messi has taken over Ronnie's position as the creator, Eto'o is just as deadly, we have better DMF's, our defense also looks solid with Marquez back to his best. The only player we are really missing is the Deco in midfield, but that isn't as vital as before because Xavi and Iniesta are coming on leaps and bounds. 10 away wins in a row speaks for itself tbh.

HalloweenJack

Real were muck last night, if the ref hadn't helped them out it would've been about 6-1. Cracking performance by Getafe though. They quietly went about their business and fair play to them for getting 4 points off Barca and Real.

I didn't catch the Barca match but I did see the goals. Eto'o's was really good forward play and Messi's two were both very nice. Very big result for Barca, they've justified their hype.

An Citeog

eZe^ wrote: »

I said may be better than Rijkaard's barca at it's peak, they are scoring goals just a freely, Messi has taken over Ronnie's position as the creator, Eto'o is just as deadly, we have better DMF's, our defense also looks solid with Marquez back to his best. The only player we are really missing is the Deco in midfield, but that isn't as vital as before because Xavi and Iniesta are coming on leaps and bounds. 10 away wins in a row speaks for itself tbh.

I'm just trying not to jinx it!;)

Great performance from the Cules last night. Eto'o took his goal so well it made me drool!! Messi is simply on fire, if he keeps up this form then he's an absolute shoe in for World Player of the Year etc next year. Amazing. His first goal was unreal, his second was just so opportunistic.

Was really impressed with Pique last night. once again very mature. Missed Iniesta in the creativity department last night.

One thing I will say is Pep has made this the toughest and most resilient Barca in a long long time. 10 away wins in a row, and Seville is not an easy place to go to and win nevermind by 3 goals to nil.


Really optimistic about this season, bring on the classico!!

redout

Xavi has just signed a new 5 year contract.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_4571487,00.html

redout

Valencia v Betis is just starting. Anyone know anything about the player Valencia signed during the week Carleto. A south american is all I know.
Villareal have won 2 - 1 and are up to 2nd and if Valencia win then Real Madrid who started the weekend in 2nd will drop to 4th with everyone on 13 games. Not good for Schuster I think, these two results could put him under even more pressure.

redout

Goal........... Villa beauty on the volley.

redout

2 - 0 Mata with a cracker in off the post. Things getting worse for Real Madrid

redout

2 - 1 Betis pull one back. Juanma.

Commentator here thought he hit the side netting and took like 5 seconds to realise it was a goal totally ignoring the few thousand Betis supporters cheering !

Fuera he says, five seconds later Gol !!!!!!!!!!

Priceless

redout

Penalty Betis. Crazy desperate defending. Ball back heeled off the line. First time I ever saw that happen. Marchena sent off. Valencia 10 men.
Goal 2 - 2 Emana converts penalty.

redout

Insane. 10 man Valencia retake the lead.
3 - 2 Baraja

redout

Valencia win 3 - 2 and knock Real Madrid down to 4th. Barca lead Villareal by four points.

Barcelona 32pts
Villareal 28pts
Valencia 27pts
Real Madrid 26pts

HalloweenJack

Atlético and Racing are 2-1. Ref's already at the centre of it all.

Racing got an early penalty (which was a foul) but Tchité went down dramatically. César Navas has questionably been sent off and as I type Kuno has just scored. Forlan's having a great game so far.

eZe^

Deleted User wrote: »

Great performance from the Cules last night. Eto'o took his goal so well it made me drool!! Messi is simply on fire, if he keeps up this form then he's an absolute shoe in for World Player of the Year etc next year. Amazing. His first goal was unreal, his second was just so opportunistic.

Was really impressed with Pique last night. once again very mature. Missed Iniesta in the creativity department last night.

One thing I will say is Pep has made this the toughest and most resilient Barca in a long long time. 10 away wins in a row, and Seville is not an easy place to go to and win nevermind by 3 goals to nil.


Really optimistic about this season, bring on the classico!!

Agreed man, Sevilla away at the Pizquain (or however the fcuk you spell it) is imo the hardest away tie we have bar the Bernabeu.

Also, just for the record - 'cules' refers to Barca supporters, coming from the Catalan 'culer' meaning 'a*s person'. This is basically because back in the day most of Barca's supporters who couldn't afford a ticket would sit on the wall that surrounded the pitch instead of paying for an actual ticket. People that walked past could only see the back of their arses so that were called Cules! I'm not trying to be pedantic, just one for the future Neil my man.

Here is a picture of them actually;

redout

Atletico Madrid 4 - 1 Racing Santander

Forlan's first was a cracker. Got to be in the running for goal of the season.

redout

Espanyol sack Marquez

Club hoping to name new manager in next 48 hours
Last updated: 1st December 2008


Espanyol have sacked coach Bartolome 'Tintin' Marquez following their 1-0 defeat to Sporting Gijon on Sunday.

The defeat was Espanyol's fourth on the trot and leaves them in 17th spot in the Primera Liga.

Marquez only took charge of Espanyol in the summer as a replacement for Ernesto Valverde, but he has struggled to get the best out of the players at his disposal.

Assistant coach Oscar Perarnau will take temporary charge of the side, but sports director Paco Herrera is hoping to have a new man installed in the next 48 hours.

A club statement read: "Espanyol's delegate commission, which also included sporting director Francisco Herrera, took the decision to dismiss Bartolome Marquez, which has been communicated to the man who until now was the first-team coach.

"Fitness coach Xavi Pedrero will not continue either, as revealed by Herrera in the press conference.

"The team's training session on Monday at 11 o'clock will be led by assistant coach Oscar Perarnau. We hope nevertheless that Marquez will stop by beforehand to say goodbye to the players.

"Paco Herrera insisted that the club will allow themselves 48 hours to determine who will be Marquez's replacement on the bench."

Former coach Luis Fernandez, Miroslav Djukic and Jose Manuel Esnal are the early candidates to be linked with the vacant position.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_4574997,00.html

Gracias eZe, my bad as I believe you told me that before! :pac:

Killme00

Damn Xavi, i really wanted you to join Utd. Can we have Inniesta now instead please.

Any predictions on when the Schuster out, Benitez in is going to happen.

gimmick

No surprises there with Marquez. Espanyol are only 1 point outside the relegation zone. Interesting to see who gets it. Will they promote from within I wonder?

redout

Killme00 wrote: »

Damn Xavi, i really wanted you to join Utd. Can we have Inniesta now instead please.

Any predictions on when the Schuster out, Benitez in is going to happen.

Rumour is that Schuster has to get a result in El Clasico in 12 days or else he will be out on his ear. Calderon supports him but the rest of the board does not. He did not turn up again this past sunday for training. That is the second time in 3 weeks he has done that. Also they are talking about using the reserve coach until the end of the season.

Bateman

The odd thing is that I'd still have Madrid in with a shout for the Champions league. Their current league position is probably accurate enough though.

If Schuster goes, they'll buy a couple of attackers over Christmas I would think. However, if he stumbles along and just about gets enough results to hang on in there, they will probably refuse to strengthen the squad, just to spite him.

redout

Bateman wrote: »

The odd thing is that I'd still have Madrid in with a shout for the Champions league. Their current league position is probably accurate enough though.

I dont tend to agree there. Real have been pretty brutal in the Champions league in recent seasons and have not reached a semi-final in about six years. The last four seasons they have not even made a quarter final.

Barcelona are the real threat from Spain and are in with a serious shout. On present form in this seasons champions league I cannot see Real improving. I dont think Real Madrid will get past the quarters at the most. Their two performances against Juventus with a full team was disappointing. I think the big english sides will easily beat them.

They are a team in crisis at the moment and look like they will be looking for their 9th manager in 5 years.

Bateman

Wouldn't disagree with a lot of that, but I just think that the Champions League is structured well for teams who have a knack of pulling off big performances in big games, without necessarily mounting much of a title challenge. It's not exactly a betting strategy or anything, but I'd also have Juventus as a decent outside chance for the CL. Very few teams actually manage to win the League/CL double, and I don't think the current Barcelona team is good enough to do it. They'll coast the league, but I don't think they'll win the CL.

redout

Bateman wrote: »

Wouldn't disagree with a lot of that, but I just think that the Champions League is structured well for teams who have a knack of pulling off big performances in big games, without necessarily mounting much of a title challenge. It's not exactly a betting strategy or anything, but I'd also have Juventus as a decent outside chance for the CL. Very few teams actually manage to win the League/CL double, and I don't think the current Barcelona team is good enough to do it. They'll coast the league, but I don't think they'll win the CL.

I dont think many who watch la liga would agree with you. Barca are a major contender for the champion's league. They are the form side in all of europe thus far. I support United and on current form I would not want to meet them and I dont think anyone else does either. They have 60 odd goals in 20 matches thus far averaging 3 a game which is nothing short of outstanding. Messi and Eto'o have over half of them 60 between them. If you look up ladbrokes, paddy power, bwin etc they are all the bookies favourites. I am sure eze could tell you.

eZe^

Real Madrid do better against teams in the CL that they are expected to lose to, they have trouble against the Roma last year, Bayern Munich in 06, etc. They do better against the big guns. They look just plain sh*te atm, no way they'll make it further than the quarters if they don't get themselves together.

Actually, Redout, how old are you? Do you live in Madrid on your own? I wish I was living back in Barcelona, I miss the place.

eZe^

Everyone watch channel 446 now, listen to this French fatty try and sugercoat Real Madrid's recent performances.

redout

Marca are reporting the signing of Huntelaar to Real Madrid is about complete.

http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/real_madrid/es/desarrollo/1188829.html

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1705/real-madrid/2008/12/01/991327/real-madrid-to-sign-klaas-jan-huntelaar