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Messi wins Pichichi, Real Madrid enjoy glamorous bash, Falcao downs Villarreal
The 2011/12 Spanish Primera Division season will remain one of the most memorable in the history of Spanish club football for several reasons. Goals rained throughout and many records were broken.
Champions Real Madrid clinch 100-point mark
Real Madrid won 32 games, drew 4 and lost only 2 in 38 matches. They finished 9 points above bitter rivals Barcelona. An emotional Jose Mourinho declared on Sunday night as the Spanish giants celebrated their La Liga trophy in grand style:
“As the best club in football history, Real Madrid try to win all the titles. This team has made history as the one that secured 100 points and these players are the ones who made that possible.”
In the 2009/10 Spanish Primera Division campaign, Barcelona fell a point short of hitting a century. On Sunday night, Real Madrid celebrated their league triumph at the Santiago Bernabeu in a ceremonious manner with lighting effects and a special performance by Spanish tenor Placido Domingo singing Nessun Dorma.
Match-day 37: All too stiff between Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United
Two London clubs alongside an underdog will be looking to grab third place and the final automatic Champions League spot. Arsenal sits third with 66 points with Spurs and Newcastle just a point behind.
Arsenal seemingly had it all wrapped up- they had been winning game after game leaving Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle in their wake. They had even beaten the current top side in the league Manchester City. Unfortunately, points have been hard to come by recently and Arsenal now finds themselves in a tough battle to keep hold of the spot.Their next opponent is Norwich. Norwich is led by former Champions League winner (in 1997 with Borussia Dortmund) Paul Lambert. Under Lambert, they went up to as high as eighth in the league and were never in danger of being relegated. They currently sit fourteenth in the table.
Who will win the intruiging battle between Villa and Spurs?
Tottenham and Aston Villa, at opposite ends of the table have very different causes to fight for in the last two games.
Stiliyan Petrov was a much loved professional in England’s top flight to say the least until a terrible disease, namely leukemia brought an end to the Bulgarian’s career. In a season where Villa needed him more than ever, they have had to trudge on without him. Their manager, Alex McLeish, isn’t the most popular man as far as the fans are concerned due to his ties with Birmingham City. Thus, the fans are currently extremely unhappy.Things could not have been worse for Villa. Their performances have gone downhill since the exit of the Irishman Martin O’Neill two seasons ago. They find themselves battling away to keep their spot, one their fans feel they definitely deserve, in the Premier League. Villa with a win against the Londoners will pretty much guarantee themselves top flight football for at-least another season.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa Preview
Manchester United look to bounce back at Old Trafford
At the beginning of the week, Manchester United saw themselves eight points clear of their city rivals. As we now head into the weekend fixtures, United’s lead has been cut down to five points thanks to a surprising loss to Wigan mid-week.
Internazionale sack Claudio Ranieri and appoint youth team coach Stramaccioni
Finally, Claudio Ranieri’s spell at Internazionale is over. The Italian giants have confirmed the sacking of the 60-year-old manager.
Last Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Juventus in the Serie A was apparently too much to take. On Monday evening, a statement from the club read:“President Moratti and all of Inter would like to thank Claudio Ranieri and his staff for the professionalism and the commitment shown in these months.
“Inter would also like to announce that it has entrusted the team to Primavera coach Andrea Stramaccioni, who won the first edition of the Next Generation Series.”
Inter are in danger of missing out on European qualification. They are 10 points behind third-placed Lazio.
Can Arsenal win a seventh Premier League game in a row?
Arsenal with six wins on the trot has taken over third spot in the Premier League table and will look to continue their superb run against Aston Villa.
Arsenal and Villa have already met twice this season with one of those meetings coming in the FA Cup. Arsene Wenger’s team was lucky to escape with all three points against Everton on Wednesday. They started the match in the manner they had played against Newcastle. After an early goal from Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal somewhat receded and allowed Everton to come at them.Robin Van Persie had an unusual day as he failed to conjure his usual magic. Everton had many chances but failed to take them. Arsenal was greeted with bad but not entirely unexpected news this week. Per Mertesacker has been officially ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Barca-Granada & Villarreal-Madrid: Will Los Cules reduce the gap to 5 points?
Barcelona beat Sevilla, Malaga hold Real Madrid and suddenly it is game on for the Catalans in the race for the 2011/12 La Liga title. How will things pan out on Matchday 28 of the championship?
“We still have an eight-point lead and there's nothing to worry about because the league is far from over,” Cristiano Ronaldo insisted during post-game talks on Sunday.
The Portuguese winger was unlucky not to score at a few occasions against Malaga. However, he provided the assist for Real Madrid’s only goal of the night.
Meanwhile, team mate and goal scorer Karim Benzema missed at least a couple of glorious chances whereas the referee controversially turned down one or two penalty calls from Los Blancos.
Barcelona’s Messi-Fabregas pair should be a concern to Sevilla
Sevilla’s defence will be put to the test when they face giants Barcelona, empowered by the efficient pair formed by Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas upfront.
There is still a large gap at the top of La Liga table between leaders Real Madrid and second place Barcelona. 10 points are currently what separate them, but all is not over yet.“From now on there is no turning the page after any setbacks,” Guardiola was quoted saying by the official FC Barcelona website on Friday.
Surely, this is the truth, and if the Catalans are to do things right, then they unquestionably need to make use of each and every asset they possess.
Whether in defence, in midfield or in front, Los Cules have powerful players with great techniques that enable them to throw any opposition into confusion.
“It will be hell for whoever succeeds AVB” – Ex-Chelsea coach Scolari
Former Chelsea manager Luis Felipe Scolari has added his voice to those who are against the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.
The 63-year-old Brazilian coach is certainly in a good position to have a take on the situation. Felipe Scolari was brought at Chelsea in 2008 but lasted only a few months. A series of poor results which followed a great start saw the 2002 FIFA World Cup winning manager receive the sack by Roman Abramovich. “England has clubs like Arsenal, where Arsene Wenger has been for several years, yet has won only two or three championships,” Scolari explained in an interview with reporters.
“Chelsea's culture is very different, but this move is strange — although it's not so strange to me because of what I went through there.
Breaking news: Andre Villas-Boas sacked by Chelsea after West Brom loss
Chelsea have decided to part company with Andre Villas-Boas. The news comes a day after the Portuguese manager misguided the Blues to a 1-0 defeat against West Bromwich Albion.
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.
Stubborn Andre Villas-Boas “would never resign” from struggling Chelsea
It is widely believed that Andre Villas-Boas should part company with Chelsea. However, the Portuguese coach insists he wasn’t appointed for a year only. AVB is resisting quit calls.
“I'd never resign. It's not part of my education,” he told the press ahead of Chelsea’s English Premier League clash against West Bromwich Albion.“I've said in the past that any Chelsea team finishing a season trophyless is not good enough. Would I deserve to stay if that happened? Ask the owner.”
Last summer, Andre Villas-Boas left Portuguese treble champions FC Porto to take on a new challenge in the form of London giants Chelsea. However, the young manager is having things tough at Stamford Bridge.
Valencia vs Sevilla Preview
Valencia and Sevilla will clash at the Mestalla Stadium on Sunday evening in a game that seems evenly matched.
Team News
Fans will be hoping for a great game despite the fact that both teams have to deal with a growing list of unfit players. Bruno, Barragan and Jordi Alba are all doubtful for Valencia. Sergio Canales, Miguel, Paco Alcacer, Maduro and Ever Banega are definitely out.
Meanwhile, Sevilla will be without Diego Perotti but the coach will be hoping to have Frederic Kanoute, Luna and Reyes fit in time for the encounter. Should Kanoute and Reyes miss the trip, new manager Michel may opt for a defensive approach against Valencia.
Napoli v Chelsea: Scrutinized Andre Villas-Boas wants Abramovich’s support
Andre Villas-Boas is hoping that tonight’s Napoli v Chelsea Champions League match doesn’t turn into a career decider.
The Portuguese manager is under intense scrutiny from the media and from some Chelsea who believe that he is not the right man for success at the Bridge. Young AVB is without a win in his last four matches at the head of the Blues’ coaching staff.His winning percentage is below the average mark, 48.65 per cent to be precise. Andre Villas-Boas has won only 18 of his 37 matches since leaving FC Porto for Chelsea. Napoli will be looking to embarrass the 34-year-old even more.
However, regardless of what happens in the UEFA Champions League tonight, the Chelsea boss hopes that it won’t influence his job for the worst.
Chelsea vs Manchester United kicks off live on FOX this Sunday
FOX is the place to be this coming Sunday as the English Premier League’s Chelsea vs Manchester United match will be broadcasted live.
Stamford Bridge will be on fire this weekend. The home crowd will be behind the Blues who face the prospect of grabbing their 8th win on home soil. Meanwhile, the Red Devils will try to force Chelsea to their 4th defeat at the Bridge.
The full 90 minutes of action will be available live on FOX. On January 22, 1.3 million people reportedly followed Arsenal vs Manchester United which ended 2-1 in favor of the away team.
Chelsea vs Manchester United may draw as many viewers as the race for the English Premier League title is tight. Manchester United could be 3 points behind current league leaders Manchester City before Sunday’s match.
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.
Will Arsenal be able to put away Gutsy Aston Villa in the FA Cup?
Aston Villa and Arsenal have had memorable battles in the Premier League in recent memory. Will their FA Cup meeting turn out to be one which fans reminisce about as well?
Arsenal has lost three games on the trot in the Premier League. Their last win however did come in this competition against Leeds. That day, Arsenal won by a single goal scored by none other than their legendary striker Thierry Henry, the club’s highest scorer of all time. Robin Van Persie didn’t feature in that match in order to allow him to rest his weary feet.Aston Villa has had a good run since they lost, 1-2, against Arsenal in Birmingham. They have lost just one match and have even beaten Chelsea. The game in Birmingham between Arsenal and Villa for long spells looked to be heading towards a draw; Yossi Benayoun came on from the substitutes’ bench and scored with a header to secure the win for the Gunners.
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.”
Villarreal vs Valencia Preview
Villarreal and Valencia will engage in a 5:00pm GMT (12:00pm EST) battle at El Madrigal on Sunday.
This will be the day’s second fixture as Getafe vs Athletic Bilbao is set to take place two hours before. The excitement ahead of the action at El Madrigal is huge, and understandably so. Villarreal vs Valencia is mostly interesting because of what the 2011/12 La Liga standings reveal.The Yellow Submarines are in a terrible situation. They picked up only three wins in 2011 and they now start the year 2012 in the relegation zone. Villarreal are precisely 18th on the table with 15 points like nineteenth-placed Sporting Gijon. Even minnows Rayo Vallecano and Granada seat above them.
Villarreal are urgently in need of a turnaround. Starting the league campaign with an emphatic 5-0 defeat to Barcelona was in fact the sign of a miserable run this season.
Chelsea’s Juan Mata backs Villas-Boas and Torres as Blues maintain hopes for glory
Although Andre Villas-Boas and Fernando Torres are under scrutiny at Chelsea, key player Juan Mata has found reasons to believe in the Blues’ chances for success this year.
The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder can look down at this individual performance at Chelsea with pride. The former Valencia play maker has already provided 9 assists and scored 5 goals in 23 appearances for the Blues. However, his good form has been overshadowed by the entire team’s flaws from a general point of view. “It's true we've had a little crisis of results,” Juan Mata admitted before reiterating his belief in Chelsea’s criticized manager.
“But Villas-Boas is doing things very well and both the players and the club have a lot of confidence in him. He won everything with Porto last year.”
Barcelona could meet Real Madrid in January 2012 after Osasuna in Copa del Rey
January 2012 is not just any month for FC Barcelona. They have a bunch of tough games awaiting them, and already, Osasuna are poised to give the giants a dreadful start to the New Year.
The Barcelona vs Osasuna fixture in the Copa del Rey, kicking off on 4 January 2012 at 4pm EST, will be played over two legs. The return leg takes place eight days after; that means only four days after the big Catalan derby in the Spanish La Liga: Espanyol vs Barcelona.This is a game the defending league champions would not want to lose. With a draw against their rivals certainly not being part of their plans for this month, much effort will be needed to keep Barcelona in La Liga title race.
This goes without saying that they will have to snatch a huge advantage against Osasuna on Wednesday, just so they can have a chance to use minimal energy on January 12 at the Estadio Reyno de Navarra. Three days after their last Copa del Rey match in the Round of 16 this season, Barcelona face Real Betis.