Neymar & Co watch Pepe horror show

Neymar is set to make his El Clasico bow as Barcelona host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Saturday and the Brazilian insists he is suitably prepared for the inevitable threat posed by Pepe.

The 30-year-old has been involved in his fair share of feisty encounters with Barcelona players, the most notable being when he stamped on Lionel Messi's hand in January 2012.

But Neymar claims he is up to speed with the defender's tricks after he received a video of Pepe's antics from the Brazil Football Confederation before his nation's friendly against Portugal in September.

Friday, October 25, 2013 12:00

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'Tarzan' Puyol swings back into action

Carles Puyol is set to return to action for Barcelona against Osasuna on Saturday.

The club captain is likely to feature for Gerardo Martino's side for the first time this season after recovering from a knee injury.

And Martino is hoping Puyol - nicknamed Tarzan - will quickly get back into the swing of things.

"Puyol's enthusiasm surprises me," Martino said. "He acts as if he's about to make his debut. Seeing him has gotten me all excited too.

"Carles' return is a great joy for the team and even more for him. He couldn't wait to get back."

Saturday, October 19, 2013 12:55

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Diego Costa the toast of Madrid after derby upset

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Isco, David Villa and Arda Turan were all on show in the first Madrid derby of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But it is Diego Costa who is the toast of the city after his goal saw Atletico upset their big spending rivals on Saturday night.

Costa broke free and stroked the ball past Diego Lopez after just 11 minutes at the Bernabeu to score his eighth goal of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti introduced Bale for his home debut at half time, but the former Tottenham man could not change the game as Atletico maintained their perfect start in La Liga.

Sunday, September 29, 2013 12:00

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Real 'robbery' gets Spain up in arms

Controversy reigned at Elche on Wednesday night as Real Madrid snatched the latest of winners from the penalty spot.

The home crowd, who had sang songs of Madrid's supposed cheating all evening, were incensed when referee Cesar Muniz pointed to the spot after Pepe took a tumble in the 94th minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo duly converted, leaving Elche captain Albucar to brand it a robbery, Gerard Pique to make his disapproval known on Twitter, and the Spanish police to reveal that they had received more than 120 complaining tweets from disgruntled fans!

Thursday, September 26, 2013 12:00

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Bale & Ronaldo not enough to sink the yellow submarine

Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo lined up together for the first time on Saturday as the Wales international made his Real Madrid debut at Villarreal.

It took the club’s new signing just 39 minutes to begin repaying his transfer fee as he equalised Cani’s opener, slotting home from close range.

Not to be outdone, Ronaldo put the visitors ahead in the second half, but it was not enough to deny a spirited Villarreal side who grabbed an equaliser through Giovani dos Santos.
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Premier League managers shop at La Liga supermarket

 

Premier League managers are filling their squads with top Spanish talent this summer.

17 players have left La Liga for England already this summer, with Manchester City signing Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo, while Brendan Rodgers has brought Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto to Liverpool.

The spending appears unlikely to stop, as Manchester United continue to pursue Cesc Fabregas, and Arsenal remain in the hunt for Argentina international Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid.

And with Tottenham in talks to sign Roberto Soldado from Valencia, there could still be more Spanish flavour heading to the Premier League this summer. 
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Mourinho's trail of destruction in Spanish football

 

Andres Iniesta was scathing in his analysis of Jose Mourinho's time at Real Madrid.

"Yes he damaged Spanish football," the Barcelona midfielder said. "In general, more harm than good."

With La Liga in ruins, let's just hope the Premier League can withstand the whirlwind of carnage that is Mourinho. 
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Neymar Barca link has La Liga quaking in their boots

 

Despite having Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez and David Villa on their books, Barcelona are still keen to bring in Neymar with the Brazilian due to arrive in Spain in July for transfer talks.

Both Dani Alves and Adriano have urged their compatriot to join them at Camp Nou although Manchester City also remain hopeful of capturing the Brazilan's signature.

Indeed should he opt to join Barca his arrival is sure to make waves in La Liga as he goes head to head with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Radamel Falcao. 

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Valdes sees red as Mourinho and Ronaldo keep their Clasico cool

 

It's not been going well for Barcelona of late; they're sailing away with the Spanish title but have hit a rocky patch with a Champions League defeat to AC Milan, a Copa del Rey loss to Real Madrid and a La Liga defeat to los Blancos on Saturday afternoon, leading to pundits declaring the untimely death of The Greatest Team In History.

It all got a bit too much for goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who was sent off by referee Miguel Angel Perez Lasa after repeatedly shouting "You have no shame!" in the official's face for failing to award a late penalty to Barca.

The futures of Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo may be a little uncertain but everything's coming up roses for the Portuguese duo at the moment - now it's just the small matter of beating Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday and reeling in Barca's 13-point lead to attend to... 

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Mourinho orchestrates famous victory as Barca face the music

 

After a season blighted by poor form and in-fighting, the tides finally turned in Real Madrid's favour on Tuesday evening as they sealed a 3-1 victory at the home of rivals Barcelona to earn a place in the Copa del Rey final.

Cristiano Ronaldo's double was followed by a Raphael Varane header - the youngster's second in the two-legged tie - to ensure that Jordi Alba's late goal was nothing more than a consolation.

The £80m-man was quick to hail the side's "perfect" performance, and the joy of victory on their bitter rivals' home turf was clearly etched on Jose Mourinho's face after guiding his side to a famous win in Catalonia. 
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Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first Own Goal

 

Was not fare worse for Jose Mourinho to see his team lose with the team star Cristiano Ronaldo scoring an own goal, in the match with Cordoba in the La Liga, and Who may be the worst season for the Portuguese.


Ronaldo, who scored on all the clubs that played against , now he scored in his team's goal, Real Madrid add to record Spanish clubs that Portuguese scored on.

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Young cub Varane proves he could be Madrid's new king

 

When Real Madrid and Barcelona meet, as they did in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Wednesday night, it is normally the two best players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who grab the headlines.
So, for a 19-year-old centre-back to draw all the plaudits, he must be something special. Raphael Varane did not only demonstrate fantastic defensive ability and athletic prowess in a superb display, he also kept Madrid in the tie with a thundering header.

Pepe and Sergio Ramos may well now be worried about their positions, after a potential new king of the Bernabeu has been announced to the world.

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Bundesliga stock rises as Bayern claim a prize football asset

 

Pep Guardiola brought a premature end to the likely summer saga regarding his next destination after he was announced as Bayern Munich's next manager.

The 41-year-old, who guided Barcelona to 13 trophies during his four-year stint at Camp Nou, will take over from Jupp Heynckes when he retires at the Bundesliga club at the end of the season.

The appointment will come as a blow for both Manchester City and Chelsea, who were heavily interested in hiring Guardiola this summer, while the Premier League has lost another intriguing addition for the time being.

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You're free to go - Mourinho forced to concede defeat in Casillas bench row

 

Jose Mourinho's battle with Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas took another twist on Sunday night, when the Portuguese boss was forced to call upon the Spanish goalkeeper to replace Antonio Adan after his red card in the 4-3 win over Real Sociedad.

In the build-up to kick-off, the Santiago Bernabeu crowd cheered the shot-stopper's name as it was read out on the tannoy, which was in stark contrast to the greeting that welcomed the manager, who was roundly booed by his own fans.

After being pegged back twice, a Cristiano Ronaldo double ensured victory for the Liga champions, yet for Mourinho, he was forced to concede a notable defeat as Casillas returned to the fold..

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Bad Santa Mourinho leaves Casillas out in the cold

 

In just the latest in a long list of controversies, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho chose to drop Iker Casillas from his side to face Malaga on Saturday.

The pair have a notoriously frosty relationship, and the Portuguese boss' plan spectacularly back-fired, with los Blancos going down to a 3-2 defeat in Andalusia to leave his side a whopping 16 points behind Barcelona in La Liga.

Mourinho has been heavily linked with a departure from the Bernabeu at the end of the season, and may have sealed his own fate with his latest headline-grabbing mishap.

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Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo beat Atletico Madrid

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The Lonely One - Mourinho feels the heat in Madrid

 

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho continues to feel the pressure after the club's slow start to the new league campaign, which saw them beaten 1-0 by Sevilla in their last outing.

The side have now lost two of their opening four league fixtures as they fell eight points behind rivals Barcelona at this crucial early stage of the season.

Mourinho's charges have started this term in indifferent form as they look set to host Premier League champions Manchester City at home in their opening Champions League fixture on home soil, looking to put to bed rumours of unrest.

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Ronaldo strikes again to put Mourinho in a league of his own

 

Real Madrid secured their 32nd La Liga title on Wednesday night with a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 44th league goal of the season in just 35 starts, while Mesut Ozil and Gonzalo Higuain were also on target.

The victory meant Ronaldo - and his manager, Jose Mourinho - finally bowled over Barcelona, ending their dominance in Spain after three consecutive league championships.
 
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Thanks for the memories...

 

Pep Guardiola ended speculation over his Barcelona future on Friday by confirming his departure from Camp Nou at the end of the season.

During his four-year spell in charge, the Blaugrana were ruthless, sweeping team after team aside en route to three consecutive Primera Division titles and two Champions League triumphs, among a host of other trophies.

With his place in the club's history assured, however, Guardiola decided it was time for a break...

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109 not out!

 

April 21, 2012 could become one of the most important dates in Real Madrid's recent history. A 2-1 victory against arch-rivals Barcelona in the Clasico on Saturday could prove to be the defining moment of the Spanish season, as goals from Sami Khedira and Cristiano Ronaldo put Pep Guardiola's side to the sword for the first time in La Liga since 2008.

And to cap a memorable evening, Los Blancos have now scored the most goals in a single Primera Division campaign, surpassing the previous record of 107 set under former boss John Toshack in 1989-90, and achieving the feat with four matches remaining.

So not only have Madrid taken a significant step towards ending Barcelona's domestic dominance, but their astonishing scoring feat provides an extra sweetener for Jose Mourinho and his players.
 

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