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Will the departure of Pep Guardiola make things easier for Jose Mourinho in Spain?
What does the future hold for Barcelona with Vilanova as the new man in charge?
Pep Guardiola is going to part ways with his beloved Barcelona, but he will leave behind a legacy that many will argue was the best for any Barcelona manager. Over the past four years the world has witnessed a level of football that not many if any will be able to reproduce.
While manager of Barcelona, Pep has enjoyed 13 titles and depending on how things go in the final of the Copa del Rey, he could celebrate his 14th. In a matter of eight days, Barcelona not only saw the La Liga slip away, but they were eliminated from the Champions League at the Camp Nou by a 10 man Chelsea side.
In the aftermath of Barca and Madrid’s UCL exit: Spanish football and El Clasico
Total disillusion for Spanish club football?
Between Atletico Madrid and Valencia, one team will advance to meet Sporting Lisbon or Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League final. For the sake of Spanish football from a patriotic Spaniard’s point of view, it is believed that the pressure is on Bilbao to assure that the cup will go to Spain whatever happens in Bucharest on May 9.
As things stand, Sporting Lisbon are in a good position to leave Portugal’s Iberian neighbours empty handed in Europe this year. Going into Thursday night’s encounter in San Mames, the Lions lead 2-1 from their first-leg win against Copa del Rey finalists Athletic Bilbao.
Where to watch Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich on TV - Champions League, April 25, 2012.
A draw at the Bernabeu will take the Bavarians back home to the Allianz where this year's Champions League Final takes place. Real Madrid prepare for the biggest battle in their Champions League campaign as they look to overturn a 2-1 loss from the first leg of this semi-final in Germany. Ozil got the crucial away goal which will help Los Blancos if advancement comes down to goal-differential.
Bayern Munich were impressive in the first leg, putting immense pressure on Jose Mourinho's men, who were practically pinned back to their goal in the final portions of the first-leg. Real Madrid managed to equalize 1-1 with an Ozil goal, and were sitting on this result close to the end. But a last minute lapse by Portuguese defender Coentrao permitted Phillip Lahm to cross the ball to Gomez from the right flank, the latter simply poked the ball into the back of the net giving Bayern Munich the win.
Barcelona’s downfall means Real Madrid’s moment of truth has arrived
Camp Nou is falling apart
Football fans witnessed a spectacle like no other on April 24 in Barcelona as Chelsea beat the odds. Real Madrid’s eternal rivals had a numerical advantage over 10-man Chelsea following John Terry’s red card in the first period. Through Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta’s strikes, Barcelona also possessed a 2-goal lead until the Blues came back from the dead.
Ramires, who will miss the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League final through suspension, multiplied his efforts and netted a terrific strike on the stroke of half-time. After the break, Barcelona knocked incessantly for the gates of goals to open again and when Didier Drogba conceded a penalty, glory was there for Lionel Messi to clinch.
Cristiano Ronaldo's world-class Real Madrid silence Barcelona in El Clasico 2012
Real Madrid have taken a gigantic step towards clinching the 2011/12 La Liga title. Jose Mourinho’s men are now 7 points ahead of the Blaugrana. Before the match, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez described El Clasico as a must-win battle.
“If they [Madrid] win or draw, La Liga is theirs,” Pep conceded at the pre-match press conference.
“We can only win and if not, they will be champions. I would then congratulate them and prepare for next year,” he added.
Echoing his manager’s thoughts, Xavi reportedly told the media: “If Barça win we will continue to have options in this league and if we lose, well, Madrid will have wrapped it up, so it is all or nothing.”
Watch Barcelona vs Real Madrid on TV - The Definitive Guide for tv channel listings for El Clasico 2012
El Clasico 2012 is taking place on April 21st at 2:00PM EST. It is likely to be the most watched league football match of modern times with an estimated 400 million viewers expected to tune in around the world.
The stakes have never been higher for a La Liga Clasico match as both teams have almost everything on the line in this Spanish derby, not to mention their pride.
Barcelona have the most to lose without a positive result, which for them can only be a home win. The Catalan side have made it a habit recenty by finding ways to beat the Madrid rivals no matter where the venue, but at home at the Camp Nou, Barça reign supreme.
For Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho, a draw will not hurt their La Liga title ambition. The Portuguese tactician has surely made his calculations that maintaining a 4 point lead will do just fine with only 4 fixtures remaining in the league.
Both Spanish giants come from mid-week European Champions League semi-finals defeats. Barcelona lost to Chelsea 1-0 in London, whereas Madrid lost to Bayern Munich 2-1 away from home. Both Barca and Madrid will be looking to return to winning ways on Saturday.
El Clasico 2012: Do or die for Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho and Barcelona
Jose Mourinho: Flop against Barcelona
Almost everyone can associate greatness, expertise, charisma and creativity to Jose Mourinho and his work as a professional coach, but only few can deny the fact that he has not very often exhibited his sharpest characteristics in Barcelona’s Camp Nou.
An unbroken curse
Mourinho first met Barcelona at the Camp Nou in February 2005, when Maxi Lopez and Samuel Eto’o humbled his Chelsea side 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. There were improvements in March 2006 when the Portuguese manager – then still in London – saw his boys come from a goal down to draw 1-1 in the Round of 16.
Portuguese rooting for José Mourinho and company in El Clasico
The Portuguese press and TV reserve plenty of space and airtime for foreign football, naturally focusing on teams and leagues that contain a strong Portuguese connection. And with the likes of Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Fernando Couto, Paulo Sousa, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani gracing Europe’s top clubs in the last decade and a half, it is hardly surprising that your average Portuguese football fan is extremely knowledgeable about the top leagues all over the old continent.
The above list is just a select sample of how this small nation has produced a disproportionate number of some of the game’s greatest players in recent times. Nowadays, hot on the heels of this production line, has come another phenomenon. José Mourinho is the standard bearer as Portuguese coaches have followed in the footsteps of their compatriots on the pitch to land some of the world’s top club management jobs.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid Preview
Team News
The good news for neutrals is that there are no major absences. For Real Madrid, defender Ricardo Carvalho is a doubt. Meanwhile, Eric Abidal, David Villa and Andreu Fontas are the three men on Barcelona’s list of excluded players. Fresh reports indicate that Alexis Sanchez is doubtful but the former Udinese striker may shake off his injury worries in time to play in El Clasico.
Match analysis - What is at stake
Los Blancos and the Catalans will have their best players fit. However, we may not witness a game of high tension as both teams have scores to settle in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Chelsea vs Barcelona and Mourinho’s prediction: Are Barca sure Champions League finalists?
It was just after Real Madrid’s qualification into the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League that Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho began what appeared to be mind games with rival Pep Guardiola, as he downgraded Chelsea’s status by overly elevating the Catalans prior to their meeting at the Stamford Bridge.
“It could be Bayern or Barcelona,” the BBC quoted him saying. “I just don't think it will be Real Madrid v Chelsea and we know why.”
"Barcelona aren't the favourites, they are super-favourites."
Such a statement – especially from a football personality as experienced as Jose Mourinho – cannot be instantly substantiated. One can even question the level of sincerity behind this statement.
Exaggeration of opinion? Perhaps, but it is easier to believe that the Real Madrid manager was simply trying to make one or several points implicitly.
Bayern München vs Real Madrid Preview
Analysis, statistics and facts
History puts Bayern Munchen on top of Real Madrid ahead of this 2011/12 UEFA Champions League first-leg semi-finals tie. These two elites have played against each other 4 times in European Cup semi-finals. Bayern triumphed on 3 occasions, in 1976, 1987 and 2001 respectively.
The Germans have never lost to the Merengues on home soil. The 9 meetings ended in 8 victories for Bayern and 1 draw. The head-to-head record also reveals that Bayern Munich have won 10 of their 18 matches against Madrid.
Where to watch Bayern Munchen vs Real Madrid on TV
Only four teams are left standing in the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League edition. They are Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea FC. The two rich and powerful spanish clubs, Real Madrid and defending Champions FC Barcelona, are the bookies' favorites to advance to the Champions League final.
This prospect would set the stage for the most famous Champions League Final the planet could dream for, but first they must overcome the other two semi-finalists Bayern Munich and Chelsea FC who should provide a serious challenge to the spanish giants.
The first leg for Real Madrid will be away in Munich at the hostile ground of the Allianz Arena. The match kicks off at 2:45pm EST and will be aired in the US on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Deportes. Pubs should be busy and many offices will have some employees taking late lunches or simply absent this afternoon.
Champions League semi-finals: Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid preview in quotes
Real Madrid have a crucial game against Barcelona coming up later this week. Distraction could be an issue. Meanwhile, the tactical and physical approach against Bayern Munich may be affected as El Clasico will require Los Blancos to be in top form. Defender Sergio Ramos has called on his team mates to take it one match at a time to avoid blowing everything away during this important period in April.
“We must not think about Barcelona or the Spanish title. We are playing in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern,” Ramos told reporters on Monday.
“We are playing against a world-class team. They have a lot of quality in their team and players like [Arjen] Robben or [Mario] Gomez who can make the difference.”
Bayern Munich look to take down Mourinho at the Allianz
While Jose Mourinho will be looking to make it to the final, who would he rather play against? A Barcelona squad that he knocked out once in Champions League play, and will play this weekend? Or a Chelsea side where he had great success and is still loved by the fans?
The Madrid-Barcelona La Liga race: Could Pep-Mou mind games & Valencia shake it?
The Catalans could reduce the gap to only three points before Los Blancos lock horns with Valencia on Sunday. Barcelona will face Real Zaragoza away from home on Saturday with the favourite tag on their forehead. They are poised to claim their ninth consecutive victory in La Liga. Meanwhile, Real Zaragoza are battling for survival and the Catalans might only worsen their case.
Like Barcelona, Real Madrid are in great form. They have scored 18 goals in their last 4 games in all competitions. This record includes their 3-0 and 5-2 hammering of APOEL Nicosia in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
In La Liga only, Real Madrid have netted 10 times in their last 2 fixtures. The momentum is back at the Santiago Bernabeu after the recent stumbles at home to Malaga and away to Villarreal.
APOEL-Real Madrid tie will be decided at the Santiago Bernabeu – Mourinho
The Champions League winning coach was speaking to the press for the first time since Real Madrid’s controversial 1-1 draw against Villarreal which resulted in the club boycotting the media before the league game against Real Sociedad. Jose Mourinho reportedly stated:“We are favourites; we cannot deny it. APOEL and Madrid cannot be compared, but I respect them very much. We have studied their evolution and know it will be a tough game.
“Of course, we will try to win, but my feelings are that it will be a tough game and that everything will be decided at the Bernabeu.”
Will Real Madrid bounce back in La Liga while Barca plot a comeback?
How did the 10-point gap decrease in a matter of a few matchdays? Are Los Blancos feeling the pressure at the top of La Liga while Barcelona are looking to make a great comeback? Last weekend, a wasteful performance saw Malaga snatch a point at the Santiago Bernabeu in dramatic fashion. Santi Cazorla’s last-minute equalizer meant there was no time for Real Madrid to regroup and reply with another goal.
Jose Mourinho blamed the referee for ruling against “at least two penalty calls”. In truth, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo could also blame luck for missing good chances.
Champions League: Why Mourinho should stay even if Real Madrid lose to CSKA Moskva
It’s been speculated in the media that Jose Mourinho could quit the Santiago Bernabeu and return to Stamford Bridge where he served as a manager between 2004 and 2007. The Portuguese man was caught in London by paparazzi a few weeks ago and rumours suggest that the purpose of the trip was a matter of relocation. With the sacking of compatriot Andre Villas-Boas, more fuel has been added to the claims in the media. For many, it is truly possible that Jose Mourinho will reunite with Roman Abramovich and Chelsea at the end of this season. However, Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo thinks otherwise.
Real Madrid too steady for Barcelona with 13 weeks to go in La Liga
La Liga champions Barcelona provided another great performance on Saturday night. The match saw midfielder Andres Iniesta net his first league goal of the season. David Barral equalized early in the second half for Sporting Gijon but Barcelona stole the show during the last 15 minutes of the game.
Seydou Keita put his side in front for the second time on the night with a terrific curling shot. Xavi ensured Barca’s victory with a goal in the 88th minute. With that win, Barcelona temporarily closed the gap to 7 points against foes Real Madrid.
“I’m very pleased because it was very important to win. We were ten points down so the league would have been lost [if Barca had not won],” Seydou Keita told news source Sport after the Gijon win.
Breaking news: Andre Villas-Boas sacked by Chelsea after West Brom loss
A statement on Chelsea’s official websie read:“Andre Villas-Boas has parted company with Chelsea Football Club today. The board would like to record our gratitude for his work and express our disappointment that the relationship has ended so early.
“Unfortunately the results and performances of the team have not been good enough and were showing no signs of improving at a key time in the season.
“The club is still competing in the latter stages of the Uefa Champions League and the FA Cup, as well as challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League, and we aim to remain as competitive as possible on all fronts.