Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has stepped up the chase for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi
Martinez.
Martinez, 21, has been on Liverpool's radar for the past two seasons but Benitez is putting
together his hit-list for next season.
Liverpool sent a scout to watch Martinez at Atletico Madrid last Thursday and Bilbao are well aware
of Benitez's interest.
With no top flight domestic football on over the weekend as a result of the international
qualifiers/friendlies, and Cadiz playing away from home, I decided to tune into
Barcelona
B v Xerez to get my weekly fix of Spanish football. And if there's anything I learned,
it's that Barcelonas future is in safe hands.
Almeria 1 - 2 Real Madrid(1-0) 14' Crusat (1-1) 27' Cristiano Ronaldo (1-2) 69' Van der Vaart
It was by no means easy, but
Real Madrid will be pleased with a job well done
against a feisty
Almeria as they left the Estadio Mediterraneo with three vital
points that keeps the pressure on Barca.
Liverpool is reportedly preparing a bid for Spanish wonderkid Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta.
The Athletic Bilbao teenager has been linked with the cream of Europe after making his first senior
appearance in pre-season, and the Basque club are readying themselves for an offer from Liverpool
boss Roy Hodgson.
In the 20' minute Amorebeita was red carded by referee Muñiz Fernández as he handballed a shot
by Gonzalo Higauin inside the Atletico Bilbao goal area. An extremely harsh decision. A very upset
Joaquin Caparros, Bilabo's manager vociferously protested the decision and was sent off by
Fernandez.
Primera Division outfit Athletic Bilbao has secured the services of young defender Mikel San Jose
from English side Liverpool for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old has signed a five-year deal
with the Basque side.
The highly rated defender is a product of the Bilbao youth academy, but left the club for an
adventure at Liverpool in the summer of 2007 before making any first team appearances.
Bilbao Hangbags Re-enactment Society Remember Cristiano Ronaldo's push on Pep Guardiola during El
Clasico? Well, Athletic Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros had a bit of a joke at his Barcelona
counterpart's expense over the incident during Tuesday night's Copa Del Rey clash between the two
sides. Caparros mimicked Guardiola's ball juggling antics as Dani Alves approached [.
