Este fin de semana el fútbol español vivió dos goles realmente fascinantes, de dos de sus mas grandes estrellas de los últimos años.

La gran batalla de los medios de comunicación Cristiano Ronaldo contra Lionel Messi, Real Madrid contra Barcelona.

El portugues Cristiano Ronaldo anoto un golazo de taquito al Rayo Vallecano en favor de su escuadra el Real Madrid , equipo que durante el partido conto con un poco de la ayuda del arbitro al no expulsar ni a Pepe ni a Sergio Ramos quienes de suavecitos no tienen nada.

A whole gaggle of interesting matches to watch this weekend. We've chosen a handful each on Saturday and Sunday, including the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations, a couple each from the big leagues (Premier League, including Chelsea-ManUtd; Serie A, highlighted by AC Milan-Napoli; La Liga the one we're most interested in is Atletico Madrid-Valencia), plus a few wild cards (e.

26.02.2012 - Cristiano Ronaldo ya había salvado el triunfo de Real Madrid (0-1 a Rayo Vallecano) con un taco magistral y se iba 12 puntos sobre el Barcelona que no podía con el invicto Atleti del Cholo Simeone (1-1).
Pero en Madrid, a diez minutos del final, apareció Leo Messi para responderle a CR y dejar vivo al Barcelona en la Liga española.

One of the perks of being a professional futbolito is obviously getting new cars sent to your doorstep every season (listen up, AC Milan fans!) While the European elite get to drive their shiny new Audis, Atletico Madrid's players received keys to our favourite car of all time instead a Volkswagen Beetle!

Rich made a comment in my previous post that got me thinking, "just how hard was our first half?"

Well, unfortunately, soccer is a bit behind on the sabermetrics such as SOS and RPI and Power Rankings or other crazy mathematic formulas/systems that determine, well, everything.

What we can figure out is our points haul from one half of the season to the other.

All the stuff being covered outside the unfriendly confines of the award-winning Dirty Tackle...

Varese beat Livorno 3-1 during a snow storm last weekend and both goalkeepers probably cried the whole time. [YouTube]

Barnsley goalkeeper David Preece says it's the media keeping gay footballers in the closet.

When Atletico Madrid sold Sergio Aguero to England's Manchester City during the summer, there was all sorts of rumors that Aguero really wanted to move to city rivals Real, but that Atletico refused to sell him to their bitter rivals.

There were also rumors at the time that Aguero was only heading to Manchester for a season and that in 2012 he would be heading back to the Madrid, this time to play for the the white side of the capital.

A big snowstorm hit England on Saturday, threatening to jeopardize the slate of matches set for today, but the big headliner between Chelsea and Manchester United will go on as planned, and it will serve as the marquee match of a busy day in the soccer world.

While the Super Bowl dominates the American sports landscape today, soccer fans here will have plenty to choose from for their viewing pleasures, topped off with the big Chelsea-United clash.

Images: MadridAtleticos.com & Autobild.es.

The Atletico Madrid men were out in full press call-posing force last week, making nice with their club's newest sponsor, Volkswagen.

After the flash bulbs took a breather, the squad was given instructions on how to activate the automatic hair gel dispensers that were custom fit to each player's new (free) Beatle.

Today, a guest post from Abdul Rahman Al Ze'bi, who thinks Our Beloved Valencia needs a lot of stuff, like a new coach.

Agree? Disagree? Think Emery is over-caffeinated?

Have a read and post your opinions!

Take it away, Abdul ...

What Does Valencia CF need?
This has been the question everyone asks.

Spanish Primera Division (La Liga) Match Predictions 11 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the La Liga matches on February 11, 2012. Times listed below are GMT or local UK time.

Spanish Primera Division (La Liga) Match Predictions

Saturday, 11 February 2012

Racing Santander v Atletico Madrid, 17:00 Atletico wins 2-1

Osasuna v Barcelona, 19:00 Barcelona wins 2-0

Real Betis v Athletic Bilbao, 21:00 1-1 Draw

Follow @jrf90thminute

Spanish Primera Division (La Liga) Match Predictions 11 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra will face each other on the field for the first time since the controversial racism charges against Suarez when Manchester United and Liverpool renew their rivalry in today's marquee match-up.

Suarez will be key to the Reds chances of knocking off Manchester United in a vital match-up for both teams.

Europa League on GolTV: Lazio - Atletico Madrid at 1pm, Stoke City - Valencia at 3pm, and Ajax - Manchester United at 5pm. The last one is probably of most interest to US fans, with both teams usually associated with the Champions League. Copa Libertadores on Fox Deportes: Nacional - Libertad at 5pm and Godoy Cruz - Penarol at 7:30pm.

The Europa League's Round of 32 is set to begin on Thursday afternoon, and there are several appetizing match-ups on tap for soccer fans everywhere.

From Ajax-Manchester United to FC Porto-Manchester City to Lazio-Atletico Madrid, Thursday's list of games should have plenty of quality on display as teams look to jump ahead on aggregate in the first legs of these home-and-home series.

Lazio vs Atletico Madrid 1-3 Highlights 2012 Europa League Goals Video Klose Falcao is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Lazio vs Atletico Madrid 1-3 Highlights 2012 Europa League Goals Video Klose Falcao is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Lazio vs Atletico Madrid 2012 ( Lazio Atletico video below) Final score and result:- Lazio vs Atletico Madrid 1-3 ( Miroslav Klose/ Adrian, Radamel Falcao*2) Stadio Olimpico, Rome- 16 February, 2012- [.

UEFA Europa League Match Predictions 16 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the Europa League matches on February 16, 2011. Times listed are GMT or local UK time.

UEFA Europa League League Match Predictions

Thursday, 16 February 2012

Lokomotiv Moscow v Athletic Bilbao, 17:00 Lokomotiv wins 2-1

Ajax v Man Utd, 18:00 Man Utd wins 1-0

AZ Alkmaar v Anderlecht, 18:00 AZ wins 2-0

Lazio v Atletico Madrid, 18:00 0-0 Draw

Legia Warsaw v Sporting, 18:00 Sporting wins 2-1

Plzen v Schalke, 18:00 Schalke wins 3-0

SV Salzburg v FC Metalist Kharkiv, 18:00 Salzburg wins 3-1

FC Porto v Man City, 20:05 Man City wins 3-1

Hannover 96 v Club Brugge, 20:05 Hannover wins 1-0

Steaua Bucharest v FC Twente, 20:05 1-1 Draw

Stoke v Valencia, 20:05 Stoke wins 1-0

Trabzonspor v PSV Eindhoven, 20:05 PSV wins 1-0

Udinese v PAOK Salonika, 20:05 Udinese wins 1-0

Wisla Krakow v Standard Liege, 20:05 2-2 Draw

Follow @jrf90thminute

UEFA Europa League Match Predictions 16 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

UEFA Europa League TV Listings 16 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are television listings for all the Europa League matches on February 16, 2011. Times listed are GMT or local UK time.

UEFA Europa League League TV Listings

Thursday, 16 February 2012

Lokomotiv Moscow v Athletic Bilbao, 17:00 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), NTV (Russia), Sport TV3 (Portugal), SuperSport (Africa)

Ajax v Man Utd, 18:00 DirecTV (USA), Channel FIVE (UK), C+ (Finland), Sport TV2 (Portugal), Sport 1 (Israel), SuperSport (Africa), TV2 Sport 1 (Norway), TV3+ (Denmark), TV4 Sport (Sweden), W9 (France), 3e (Ireland), RTL 7 (Netherlands)

AZ Alkmaar v Anderlecht, 18:00 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), C+ (Spain), Digi Sport (Hungary), NTV (Russia)

Lazio v Atletico Madrid, 18:00 GolTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), ESPN (UK), C+ (Spain/Sweden), Digi Sport (Hungary), Sport TV4 (Portugal), Setanta Sports (Ireland), SuperSport (Africa), Viasat (Norway), Sport+ (Russia)

Legia Warsaw v Sporting, 18:00 ITV 4 (UK), C+ (Spain), Sport TV1 (Portugal), SuperSport (Africa), DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East)

Plzen v Schalke, 18:00 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), Kabel Eins (Germany/Austria/Switzerland), Sky Sport (Germany), SuperSport (Africa), C+ (Spain)

SV Salzburg v FC Metalist Kharkiv, 18:00 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), C+ (Spain), Sky Sport (Austria/Germany), NTV (Russia)

FC Porto v Man City, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), ITV 1 (UK), C+ (France/Finland), Digi Sport (Hungary), Sport 1 (Israel), SuperSport (Africa), TV3+ (Denmark), TV4 Sport (Sweden), Viasat (Norway), SIC (Portugal), Setanta Sports (Ireland), NTV (Russia)

Hannover 96 v Club Brugge, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), Kabel Eins (Germany/Austria/Switzerland), NTV (Russia), Sky Sport (Germany), C+ (Spain), SuperSport (Africa)

Steaua Bucharest v FC Twente, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), C+ (Spain), Pro TV (Romania)

Stoke v Valencia, 20:05 GolTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), ESPN (UK), C+ (Sweden), Digi Sport (Hungary), Sport TV1 (Portugal), Sport+ (Russia), SuperSport (Africa), TV2 Sport 1 (Norway)

Trabzonspor v PSV Eindhoven, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), C+ (Spain), RTL 7 (Netherlands), Sport TV4 (Portugal)

Udinese v PAOK Salonika, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), ANT 1 (Greece), NTV (Russia), Sport TV2 (Portugal), SuperSport (Africa)

Wisla Krakow v Standard Liege, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), C+ (Spain), TV4 (Poland), AB3 (Belgium)

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UEFA Europa League TV Listings 16 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Lazio vs Atletico Madrid 1-3 Highlights 2012 Europa League Goals Video Klose Falcao is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Lazio vs Atletico Madrid 1-3 Highlights 2012 Europa League Goals Video Klose Falcao is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Lazio vs Atletico Madrid 2012 ( Lazio Atletico video below) Final score and result:- Lazio vs Atletico Madrid 1-3 ( Miroslav Klose/ Adrian, Radamel Falcao*2) Stadio Olimpico, Rome- 16 February, 2012- [.

Promotion candidates across the second, third and fourth tiers of English soccer will look to spring some surprises on Sunday, as the fifth round of the FA Cup continues.

League Two side Crawley Town gets a crack at Stoke City; League One club Stevenage, coached by former Colorado Rapids manager Gary Smith, will look to topple Tottenham; and League Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion gets a crack at bringing down Liverpool with places in the quarterfinals on the line.

Atletico Madrid failed to continue their European League success in the league after only managed a draw against home team Sporting Gijon on Sunday, temporarily holding Diego Simeone's side ambition in getting into the Champions League.

In fact it was Athletic Bilbao that managed to get into the Champions zone at the moment after in the other game, Marcelo Bielsa's side successfully trashing Malaga 3-0 with all goals coming in the second half.

The 16 teams that will advance to the next round of the Europa League will be finalized on Thursday afternoon, meaning there should be plenty of quality matches for soccer fans to see as teams face do-or-die situations.

Some of the day's games are already underway, but perhaps the biggest one to American fans takes place later in the afternoon when Sacha Kljestan and Jozy Altidore's clubs clash for a spot in the next round.

Spanish Primera Division (La Liga) Match Predictions 19 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the La Liga matches on February 19, 2012. Times listed below are GMT or local UK time.

Granada v Real Sociedad, 11:00 Granada wins 2-1

Athletic Bilbao v Malaga, 15:00 2-2 Draw

Mallorca v Villarreal, 17:00 Mallorca wins 1-0

Sporting Gijon v Atletico Madrid, 17:00 1-1 Draw

Levante v Rayo Vallecano, 18:45 Levanate wins 2-1

Barcelona v Valencia, 20:30 Barcelona wins 3-1

Follow @jrf90thminute

Spanish Primera Division (La Liga) Match Predictions 19 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

All three Spanish teams, Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao successfully go through the next round of Europa League after beating their opponents in the second leg on Thursday.

Atletico added their advantage over Lazio with a 1-0 victory, El Che also doubled their aggregate against Stoke City courtesy of Jonas' strike, while Bilbao earned an important 1-0 victory thanks to Iker Muniain's strike.

Atletico Madrid vs Lazio 2012 Highlights 1-0 Video Diego Godin Goal EL is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Atletico Madrid vs Lazio 2012 Highlights 1-0 Video Diego Godin Goal EL is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Atletico Madrid vs Lazio 2012 ( Atletico Lazio video below) Final score and result:- Atletico Madrid vs Lazio 1-0 ( Diego Godin) Estadio Vicente Calderon, Madrid- 23 February, 2012- Europa League Round [.

Barcelona's star, Andres Iniesta looking forward for their weekend tie against Atletico Madrid as they continue their attempt in chasing current leader, Real Madrid, who are already 10 points ahead of the Catalan squad.

The midfielder acknowledged that his team have been dropping too many points this season in the league so they must not lose more points this weekend especially if Barca still want to keep up with Los Blancos.

Saturday Feb 25

Italy, AC Milan vs. Juventus, 2:30pmET (FSC, ESPN3.com): Could be the match that decides the Scudetto. These two are the top of the Serie A table, separated by just a point (although Juve has a game in hand). Can La Vecchia Signora go into San Siro and beat the defending champions?

Barcelona's coach, Josep Guardiola wasn't in the mood in commenting about his future as his mind is simply focused on the Catalan's upcoming clash against Atletico Madrid, which could potentially be another troubling game for the defending champion.

Guadiola acknowledged the improvement that Atletico made under the new reign of Diego Simeone and urged his team to play their best game in order to get three points at Vicente Calderon.

Barcelona's coach, Josep Guardiola wasn't in the mood in commenting about his future as his mind is simply focused on the Catalan's upcoming clash against Atletico Madrid, which could potentially be another troubling game for the defending champion.

Guadiola acknowledged the improvement that Atletico made under the new reign of Diego Simeone and urged his team to play their best game in order to get three points at Vicente Calderon.

Real Madrid will have the opportunity of getting ahead of Barcelona by 13 points tonight. Real Madrid play their away match against Vallecano about 5 hours earlier than Barcelona would play their away match against Atletico Madrid. For once I hope Atletico Madrid can put up a decent performance against Barcelona.

Real Madrid will have the opportunity of getting ahead of Barcelona by 13 points tonight. Real Madrid play their away match against Vallecano about 5 hours earlier than Barcelona would play their away match against Atletico Madrid. For once I hope Atletico Madrid can put up a decent performance against Barcelona.

More than bragging rights in North London will be on the line at the Emirates today when Arsenal takes on Tottenham. For the Gunners, holding on to their precious top four place in the English Premier League standings will be at stake, while Tottenham will be trying to solidify their hold on third place.

Barcelona kept the pressure up on Real Madrid after Lionel Messi's superb freekick sealed a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid whilst Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning back-heel goal gave Real Madrid a narrow 1-0 lead against Rayo Vallecano. Meanwhile, Ronaldo's fabulously improvised strike settled an otherwise utterly forgettable match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano with neither [.

Barcelona was ten minutes away from dropping more precious points and making catching Real Madrid atop the Spanish Primera title even more impossible. Then Lionel Messi stepped up to save his team yet again.

The Argentine wizard delivered this perfect left-footed free kick to help Barcelona post a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 2012 Highlights 1-2 Goals Alves Falcao Messi Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 2012 Highlights 1-2 Goals Alves Falcao Messi Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 2012 ( Atletico Madrid Barca video below) Final score and result:- Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 1-2 ( Falcao/ Alves, Messi) Estadio Vicente Calderon, Madrid- 27 February, 2012-20.

Lionel Messi once again acted as Barcelona's savior as the Blaurgana successfully edged out Atletico Madrid in a very tough game which saw the defending champion continuously troubled by the home side.

The victory obviously preserved the Catalan side's hope in catching their rival, Real Madrid, who in a few hours earlier already pulled up 13 points lead ahead, which eventually cut back to 10 again thanks to the three points against Atletico.

Atletico Madrid's tactician, Diego Simeone, didn't left the pitch in rage after his team's defeat against Barcelona, especially with a rather controversial yet brilliant Lionel Messi's free kick which simply decided the end result.

Speaking to the press after the game, Simeone is content with the defeat and even hailed Messi as the genius that simply decided the end result on the Sunday fixture with his brilliance, more than anything.

Atletico Madrid's tactician, Diego Simeone, didn't left the pitch in rage after his team's defeat against Barcelona, especially with a rather controversial yet brilliant Lionel Messi's free kick which simply decided the end result.

Speaking to the press after the game, Simeone is content with the defeat and even hailed Messi as the genius that simply decided the end result on the Sunday fixture with his brilliance, more than anything.

We can heap encomiums on encomiums on Messi for his amazing gifts on and off the ball but he also happens to have the sharpest footballing brain in the world.

A stubborn Atletico Madrid team that refused to be broken were undone by the quick witted maestro who launched his curling and deadly accurate free kick from wide on the left against the hapless Thibaut Courtois before Atletico's players could get their feet set.

Kickettes? It's going to be a fantastic week. We can just tell. Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images.

We reckon we've used up a year's worth of good fortune this morning, just on pictures of footballers with their shirts off.

We think you'll agree, it's totally worth it, though.

EPL

Image: IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images, Chris Brunskill/Getty Images.

Este fin de semana el fútbol español vivió dos goles realmente fascinantes, de dos de sus mas grandes estrellas de los últimos años.

La gran batalla de los medios de comunicación Cristiano Ronaldo contra Lionel Messi, Real Madrid contra Barcelona.

El portugues Cristiano Ronaldo anoto un golazo de taquito al Rayo Vallecano en favor de su escuadra el Real Madrid , equipo que durante el partido conto con un poco de la ayuda del arbitro al no expulsar ni a Pepe ni a Sergio Ramos quienes de suavecitos no tienen nada.