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Valencia vs Sporting Gijón Preview
Struggling Valencia are still in search of their first La Liga victory in 2012. Can they find it at home to Sporting Gijon this weekend?
As weeks go by, it seems like Los Che will do just enough to maintain the third and last automatic UEFA Champions League spot in La Liga. Chances to considerably widen the gap against fourth-placed Levante have been wasted. Valencia have picked up only 4 points from their previous 5 matches.Following their Copa del Rey exit, Valencia can focus on hitting higher standards in the Spanish Primera Division. However, underdogs Sporting Gijon could complicate things for Los Che. This fact must be underlined: Valencia’s last home match in La Liga ended in a shocking defeat to Real Sociedad.
Atlético Madrid vs Valencia Preview
Third-placed Valencia will face Atletico Madrid in a crucial encounter on Sunday night. What’s next for the prospective Copa del Rey finalists in La Liga?
Atletico Madrid have the advantage. They know that Los Che will be playing with the Spanish cup tie against Barcelona in their mind. They also know that European football is within their reach. Atletico are 7th in the standings ahead of Matchday 21. Beating Los Che will boost their confidence.
Three of both teams’ last 6 meetings ended in a draw. Valencia have the upper hand in terms of head-to-head following their 1-0 victory at the Mestalla in the first half of La Liga. However, the differences between Atletico Madrid and Valencia are tight.
Getafe vs Real Madrid Preview
With Real Madrid being 7 points clear Barcelona in La Liga, the Madrid derby couldn’t be more exciting. Getafe vs Real Madrid will certainly provide viewers with fireworks.
Real Madrid have not kept a clean sheet since their 3-0 defeat of Sporting Gijon on December 3. However, the Spanish giants have reliable forwards as this records suggests: Madrid have netted 20 goals in their last 5 games in La Liga to hit an average of 4 goals per match. Their perfect record stretches to more than 450 minutes in La Liga. Impressive.
Meanwhile, Getafe can also be proud of their current form. In the first place, they are on a run of 6 matches without defeat. Their last loss in La Liga dates from December 11 when Sevilla triumphed 3-0. Since then, Getafe have grabbed decent results which include their recent 2-1 win away to Levante.
Barcelona vs Real Sociedad Preview
Barcelona host Real Sociedad on Saturday at the Estadio Camp Nou with much load on their shoulders.
Unlike their opponents, Barcelona’s recent Liga record isn’t negative at all. Having won four of their last games and lost none, they could feel confident to beat the twelfth-placed side. Three consecutive draws though lately, emphasized by a 7-point gap in the league standings, makes their situation somewhat stressful.Real Sociedad have only won two of their last six games, having drawn thrice and lost once. The sit four points above the relegation zone, and thus, a defeat against the Catalans could be cruelly costly.
Barcelona have appeared to make the best passes this season in La Liga; they presently average an 89.1% rate for passing accuracy, and 70% for ball possession. But, Sociedad are not too far behind. Although they can only manage 45.8% for ball possession at the moment, their passing has been acceptable at 74.9%.
Can Real Madrid win La Liga this season?
Seven points ahead of Barcelona, Real Madrid is poised to win La Liga this season.
Barca’s away-day blues is no secret- they have dropped 13 points away from home. With each point they have dropped, they have found Madrid ahead of them bit by bit. Barca has dropped points in seven matches so far this season. Real Madrid has dropped points in just three matches.Jose Mourinho’s team has been outdoing other sides in style this season. With the exception of two blips at the beginning of the season, Madrid has won every game with the exception of the match against Barcelona. Madrid lost to Levante and drew with Real Sociedad in the other two games where they lost.
Real Madrid vs Real Zaragoza Report
Zaragoza scored first through Lafita but Real Madrid replied with goals from Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Özil.
Jose Mourinho offered Pepe yet another spot in Real Madrid’s starting XI. The Portuguese defender partnered with Carvalho and Hamit Altintop at the back whereas Granero and Xabi Alonso featured as defensive midfielders in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Kaka and Mesut Özil joined Cristiano Ronaldo in attack as Karim Benzema led the line as a lone striker.The first great chance of the match fell to Karim Benzema inside the 6th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo set up the Frenchman who headed the ball into the wrong direction from 4 yards. Despite having little ball possession, Real Zaragoza broke the deadlock at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Barcelona-Real Madrid rivalry takes its toll in 2011/12 La Liga race: No more rest for the Catalans
Can FC Barcelona afford to drop any more points with a Real Madrid side that might have found their groove? Not if they want to defend their Liga title.
A 100% record in La Liga was probably not FC Barcelona’s aim at the start of the season; but in view of Real Madrid’s solidification, they are advised to go for perfection.Yes, Barcelona have been trying to give their fans the very best. Surely, never did they allow themselves to get carried away by complaisance; but in contrast, their results in La Liga have not always been positive.
Failing to accomplish missions or dropping points are things that can happen from time to time. Yet, mistakes seem to get massive exposure when they come at an unexpected moment.
How will Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey exit to Barcelona shape La Liga’s title race?
Following what happened in the 2011/12 Copa del Rey quarterfinals, should Barcelona and their fans fear Real Madrid’s threat in La Liga even more?
This Copa del Rey quarterfinal fiasco has left Real Madrid with a lot of positives to take. The second leg of the tie, especially, has opened a way for Los Blancos to follow. Defender Alvaro Arbeloa couldn’t explain this better. He was quoted as stating by Real Madrid’s official website:
“We've managed to get rid of our psychological anxiety and fear to lose against Barcelona. It's hard to be strengthened after being eliminated, but we realize we can defeat them and we're looking forward to our next meeting.”
Indeed, it seems like Jose Mourinho and his men have found the key to unlock Barcelona’s secrets. You cannot look at the 2-2 draw in Camp Nou and talk about humiliation for Madrid.
Villarreal vs Barcelona Preview
After a stern test at the Camp Nou in mid-week against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, FC Barcelona travel to El Madrigal to take on Villarreal in La Liga.
The Catalans beat Villarreal 5-0 much earlier this season, and it is once again with the intention of imposing themselves that Pep Guardiola’s army face the Yellow Submarines. Unfortunately for Barca though, midfielder Andres Iniesta is unavailable due to a tear in his left hamstring.The Spaniard will be out of action for approximately three weeks, but the club seems to have more formation problems with the absence of Sanchez, Villa, Fontas and Afellay. For the rest of the team though, excuses are needless: “We are FC Barcelona,” declared Fabregas during a meeting with the press after El Clasico.
“We have to give our best and push on. There are players in the B team who are doing really well.”
Racing Santander vs Valencia Preview
Valencia will lock horns with Racing Santander at El Sardinero in the penultimate game of Matchday 20. Kick-off time for Racing Santander vs Valencia is at 5:00pm GMT and 12:00pm EST on Sunday.
Los Che are yet to record a league win in 2012. After ending 2011 with a comprehensive 2-0 defeat of Malaga, they opened this year with a 2-2 draw away to Villarreal. This is a game they could have won but a bad start to it saw them conceded 2 goals during the first 20 minutes. It took a late strike from Aduriz to snatch a point for the visitors.
Valencia then hosted Real Sociedad with the task of bouncing back from their draw against the Yellow Submarines. Unfortunately for Los Che, Sociedad’s underdog spirit was too strong to overcome. Despite gathering as much as 61% of ball possession, Valencia lost 1-0 at the end of the day only to lift some pressure off the shoulders of second-placed Barcelona.
Real Madrid vs Real Zaragoza Preview
Can we bet on a total demolition of Real Zaragoza by Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, January 28?
Real Madrid usually put on a great attacking show when they come up against Real Zaragoza. In addition, they are unbeatable at the Santiago Bernabeu. Well, almost unbeatable; Barcelona forced them to a defeat on home soil back in December.The Spanish giants are poised to destroy Zaragoza on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo will be fired up to continue his proof case against his critics. With his goals against Athletic Bilbao last weekend, Cristiano Ronaldo matched his personal best and the record set by Barcelona’s Cesar (22 goals in 19 games).
Current top scorer Ronaldo (with 23 goals) will feature against Zaragoza as La Liga’s all-time top scorer in the first phase of the championship. The Portuguese superstar scored in both legs of El Clasico in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. Unfortunately for him and for his team mates, these two goals weren’t enough to push Spanish cup titleholders Real Madrid into the semifinals.
Barcelona’s possession game: Statistical facts before El Clasico 2012
Barcelona are admired for their passing game and ability to dominate in terms of possession in most matches, regardless of the standard of their oppositions.
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Relying on dominance through possession
It is in fact their dominance in games that have given them the confidence to rise without limit among other titans in world football. Generally, teams that profit from higher possession have more chances of creating opportunities and controlling games at their will.
This is a verity Pep Guardiola based his tactics on, right from the start of his spell at the club; and it has surely helped him develop a commanding side out of the Blaugrana. With the addition of accuracy and boldness to his recipe, Barcelona’s style has turned into an enjoyable type that many other clubs attempt to replicate.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Report
Real Madrid overcame an upset at the Santiago Bernabeu against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night. They triumphed 4-1 after going 1-0 down.
Fernando Llorente stunned the home crowd with a 13th minute volley which completed Bilbao’s counterattacking move. Munian nearly doubled the visitors lead six minutes later but Marcelo leveled the game for Real Madrid a few moments midway through the first half. Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo were involved in that goal with excellent one-twos. At the break, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao could not be separated. The scoreboard showed 1-1… but not for long.
Los Blancos went in front quickly after restart. Kaka, who had a good game, earned Real Madrid a penalty kick which Cristiano Ronaldo converted without mistake. The ball flew in the top corner of the net, leaving Iraizoz helpless.
Málaga vs Barcelona Report
It was all too easy for Barcelona as they triumphed over Malaga 4-0 at La Rosaleda thanks to a dazzling performance from Lionel Messi.
A decent start to the game saw both sides making dangerous attempts in the first 20 minutes. An in-form Messi was the first to change the scoreboard’s indication, when he took advantage of a good cross from Adriano to thump the ball into the left side of the net to snatch the opener.The hosts were unable to reply afterward, and so the match finished 1-0 at half time in favour of Pep Guardiola’s club. Only three minutes in the second period, the crowd at the stadium witnessed yet another goal, but again for the visitors.
Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez sent another message to Real Madrid ahead of the second-leg clash in the Copa del Rey, as he scored his team’s second of the day. Incomplete efforts from Thiago and Adriano gave the Chilean striker a chance to shoot on the rebound.
Osasuna vs Valencia Preview
Sunday’s action in La Liga opens with an early match between Osasuna and Valencia. Kick-off time is at 6:00am EST (11:00am GMT).
Third-placed Valencia will be looking to bounce back from their surprise defeat to Real Sociedad. Considering the strength of Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top of the standings, it looks like Los Che should aim for nothing more and for nothing less than a third-place finish. As things stand, they are on their way to securing an automatic spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League competition. Valencia have a comfortable four-point advantage over Levante in the standings.
They are also six points clear from the UEFA Europa League zone which is currently occupied by fifth-placed Espanyol and sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao. Los Che can contemplate hitting 37 points and creating a seven-point gap over Levante temporarily.
Málaga vs Barcelona Preview
There are 5 points between Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga table, but the Catalans will have a chance to top the standings temporarily when they travel to Malaga on Sunday.
Barcelona won their last league game at home to Real Betis 4-2 as they tried to keep the pressure on their arch-rivals. They hold the second place with 41 points after 18 games, following 12 wins, 5 draws and a single loss in the league so far.They have lost 11 points already away from home this season; thus, extra cautiousness will be needed to avoid a setback at La Rosaleda. Malaga haven’t been too impressive away from home either; two draws and six defeats have clearly stamped this fact.
They sit in 10th position with 25 points, but are only seven points above relegation. They might be looked upon as underdogs because of Barcelona’s capabilities, but one must not forget that Malaga will be profiting from the home advantage.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Preview
Real Madrid will host Athletic Bilbao after Barcelona's game away to Malaga on Sunday.
Los Blancos will be playing with El Clasico on their minds. They have a mammoth task to complete at the Camp Nou following their 2-1 defeat to Barcelona at the Bernabeu in midweek. Chances are that Real Madrid will exit the Copa del Rey in the quarterfinals at the expense of the Blaugrana. Recently, Jose Mourinho described the Spanish Cup as a “third priority” this season. The focus is on La Liga title—something which has been missing from Real Madrid’s trophy cabinet since 2008.
It’s interesting to know what kind of team Jose Mourinho will feature against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. The coach’s squad choice will tell a lot about Real Madrid’s vision of the Copa del Rey now that they are half-way out.
Mourinho takes Clasico loss blame as Pep switches focus on Barca’s La Liga hunt
Jose Mourinho was not interested in giving out excuses in the aftermath of Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday night. The Special One took full responsibility of his side’s failure to win.
“The responsibility is mine, especially when my team loses. Victory has many fathers; defeat only one. I've been in football a long time and I understand this,” Mourinho told reporters.“The [2011] cup final victory we all celebrated, but in defeat I am the only parent.
“We were winning 1-0 and that is a great result at home in a two-legged tie, but then we concede a goal from a dead ball and you cannot do that against a side with the quality of Barcelona,” Mourinho stated has he talked about Carles Puyol’s equalizer which Xavi branded as a “psychological goal”.
Can Valencia finish in the top two in La Liga this season?
Valencia seems to always fight for a third-place finish in La Liga. Can they finish in the top two this season?
Valencia was trailing Barcelona by just four points just two weeks ago. When they fell 0-1 to Real Sociedad last week, they allowed Barca to skip ahead and form a seven point bridge. One fact will give Valencia some hope. This season, Barca is dropping points quite often. They even squandered a 2-0 lead against Real Betis before going on to win 4-2.While Barca might have lost only once, they have dropped points in no less than six matches. Valencia has dropped points in eight matches which include four losses. When the two sides played each other, Valencia led 2-1 but had to be satisfied with a draw thanks to Cesc Fabregas. Valencia was the better team for the better part of that match and later rued missing so many opportunities.
Barcelona vs Real Betis Report
Under pressure, Barcelona welcomed Real Betis at the Camp Nou with dangerous intentions. But the Andalusians showed great resistance throughout the game, despite a 4-2 result in the end.
An early attempt and an attacking style of play quickly conveyed Betis’ aim of taking the lead. 10 minutes was enough though for Pep Guardiola’s side to reduce the level of stress inside the stadium, as Xavi nicely netted the opener following a chance created by Cesc Fabregas.Lionel Messi then rushed to add his name to the scoring sheet. A wonderful cross from Alexis Sanchez perfectly found the Argentine, who only had to convert from close range.
This quick succession of goals vitally revived Barcelona’s spirit, and soon after, the home side’s display clearly got boosted by a high level of confidence. They subsequently dominated the play, giving the home crowd much more to anticipate.