Image: Sport.es.
Because our inboxes are blazing with "friendly" reminder e-mails concerning all the footy
birthdays we failed to mention, we've been peer pressured into doing it now.
Happy Birthday to them:
- Not only do Gerard Pique & Shakira share saliva, they also share the same birth date (albeit
10 years apart he turned 25 while she reached 35 on 2 February).
Carles Puyol pulled off an incredible double roulette during Barcelona's 1-1 Copa Del Rey 1st leg
draw with Valencia in a move which mimicked French legend Zinedine Zidane Classy stuff from the
Barca centre-back who put in a superb display for Pep Guardiola's men. It was one of them 'did I
just see that?
By FRANCO PANIZO
A day after a riot at a club soccer game in Egypt left at least 74 dead and many others injured,
Egypt's prime minister has dissolved the Egyptian FA's board.
Kamal el-Ganzouri announced the decision to dissolve the board during Thursday's emergency
parliamentary session, and also said that the governor of Port Said (where the game took place) and
the area's police chief have resigned.
Uno de los jugadores mas populares en el mundo es Carles Puyol, el español que en ocasiones es
polemico, el jugador que muchas veces es sub valorado por su fisico, ahora dio una muestra de
tecnica individual que dejo perplejo no solo a los dos jugadores del Valencia sino a muchos
aficionados de todas partes.
Valencia served a reminder of its proud heritage as a football team holding Barca and then
denied Leo Messi a PK goal in the Copa Del Rey semi-finals first leg.
Jonas gave the home side the lead at the Mestalla but Carles Puyol who seems to have made a
career scoring very important headers equalized for the Blaugrana.
The first leg of Barcelona's Copa del Rey semifinal against Valencia was a bit of an odd game
for them. Not because they failed to win away from home -- that's become something of a norm this
season -- but because Lionel Messi had a penalty kick saved (plus he's got some kind of beard-like
facial growth going on) and Carles Puyol scored their only goal.
FC Barcelona took a good step towards proceeding to Copa Del Rey final with a 1-1 draw at
Mestella. Considering how tough we have found recently in Valencia, this draw is as good as a win -
especially because of the away goal. In the 27th minute Jonas put Valencia ahead, but Carles Puyol
equalised for Barca in the 36th minute.
El Barcelona
sufrió el miércoles como local y empató 2-2 con el Real Madrid para
clasificar a las semifinales de la Copa del Rey del fútbol español, en un partido en que el
equipo blanco se recuperó de una desventaja de dos goles y tuvo varias opciones para ganar.
El conjunto catalán, que pasó de ronda con un marcador agregado de 4-2, tuvo muchos problemas
ante su clásico rival, especialmente en defensa.
According to media reports in Spain, Jose Mourinho will quit his job as Real Madrid manager this
summer.
For the first time Mourinho was booed and whistled at by the Bernabeu faithful as rumors
continue to swirl around the team of divisions within the squad.
The sensational claim that Mourinho will quit came from highly-respected Spanish football
journalist Siro Lopez, who said after Real Madrid's 4-1 win against Athletic Bilbao at the weekend
that the former Chelsea boss will walk away from his £11.
According to media reports in Spain, Jose Mourinho will quit his job as Real Madrid manager this
summer.
For the first time Mourinho was booed and whistled at by the Bernabeu faithful as rumors
continue to swirl around the team of divisions within the squad.
The sensational claim that Mourinho will quit came from highly-respected Spanish football
journalist Siro Lopez, who said after Real Madrid's 4-1 win against Athletic Bilbao at the weekend
that the former Chelsea boss will walk away from his £11.
Rumours are circulating of a serious training ground dispute between coach Jose Mourinho and
vice-captain Sergio Ramos on Friday.
According to Madrid-based sports paper Marca, Mourinho accused his playing staff of betrayal
following their post-match press reaction on Wednesday night.
In a game filled with attacking superstars, it was a pair of gritty defenders that decided the
latest edition of El Clasico.
Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal turned around a 1-0 halftime deficit as Barcelona defeated eternal
rivals Real Madrid, 2-1, at the Estadio Bernabeu in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa
del Rey Wednesday.
By Chris Wright
"I fart in your general direction!"
Eric Abidal's second goal in over five seasons at the club saw Barcelona come from behind to
snatch the victory in last night's Copa del Rey quarter-final first-leg El Clasico in the
Bernabeu.
Goals by Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal gave Barcelona a 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of
their Copa Del Rey quarter-final clash. The Spanish and European champions came from a goal down to
win seal a fine 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu leaving Pep Guardiola's men in prime position to
[..
Cristiano Ronaldo put Real up in the 11th minute as he took advantage of the gaping hole between
Jose Pinto's legs to swing the ball through after Karim Benzema sprang him free from midfield. That
was it for Real's endeavours. Barca momentarily stunned took over the match keeping Iker Casillas
busy.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Copa del Rey Highlights 2012 1-2 Goals Video Ronaldo Puyol Abidal
January 18 is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Copa del Rey Highlights 2012 1-2 Goals Video Ronaldo Puyol Abidal January
18 is a post from Soccer Blogger.
COPA DEL RAYReal Madrid vs Barcelona 22:00
Lo maravilloso!! The Day of Reckoning has arrived. Put away your
Vicente Del Bosque Panini stickers right NOW because the first el
clasico of the year between Real Madrid and Barcelona will be fought out at
the Bernabeu tonight.
Catalunya's Annual Match. Professionals from six clubs playing for their heritage.
Victor Valdés: "You will be unstoppable"
Xavi: "You make the difference"
Gerard Piqué: "The superstars are you"
Carles Puyol: "We play for you"
Andreu Fontas: "We are your selection"
Joan Verdu: "We'll wait at the stadium"
Cesc: "For many years I have wanted to play in this game"
Álvaro Vázquez: "You have already won"
Johan Cruyff is the manager, striving for Total Football.
Santos - FC Barcelona0:4 (0:3)
FechaSede / EstadioHoraAsistencia
18 diciembre 2011 Yokohama / International Stadium Yokohama19:3068166Goles marcadosLionel
MESSI (BAR) 17', XAVI (BAR) 24', Cesc FABREGAS (BAR) 45', Lionel MESSI (BAR) 82'Santos
[1] RAFAEL CABRAL (GK) [2] EDU DRACENA (C) [3] LEO [4] DANILO (-31') [5] AROUCA [6] DURVAL [7]
HENRIQUE [9] BORGES (-79') [10] GANSO (-83') [11] NEYMAR [14] BRUNO RODRIGO En el banquillo [12]
ARANHA (GK) [23] VLADIMIR (GK) [8] ELANO (+31') [13] BRUNO AGUIAR [15] ANDERSON CARVALHO [16]
VINICIUS [17] FELIPE ANDERSON [18] IBSON (+83') [19] ALAN KARDEC (+79') [20] Wason RENTERIA [21]
PARA [22] DIOGO Entrenador Muricy RAMALHO (BRA)
FC Barcelona[1] Victor VALDES (GK) [2] DANI ALVES [3] Gerard PIQUE (-56') [4] Cesc FABREGAS
[5] Carles PUYOL (C) (-85') [6] XAVI [8] Andres INIESTA [10] Lionel MESSI [11] THIAGO (-79') [16]
Sergio BUSQUETS [22] Eric ABIDAL
En el banquillo [13] PINTO (GK) [25] Oier OLAZABAL (GK) [7] David VILLA [A] [9] Alexis SANCHEZ [14]
Javier MASCHERANO (+56') [15] Seydou KEITA [17] PEDRO (+79') [18] Jonathan DOS SANTOS [19] MAXWELL
[21] ADRIANO [24] Andreu FONTAS (+85') [27] Isaac CUENCA Entrenador Pep GUARDIOLA
(ESP)
Amonestaciones
Gerard PIQUE (BAR) 39'
, Javier MASCHERANO (BAR) 71'
, GANSO (SAN) 73'
, EDU DRACENA (SAN) 74'
Expulsiones
Cuerpo arbitral del partido
ÁrbitroRavshan IRMATOV (UZB) Assistant Referee 1Abdukhamidullo RASULOV (UZB) Cuarto ÁrbitroYuichi
NISHIMURA (JPN) Assistant Referee 2Bakhadyr KOCHKAROV (KGZ) Quinto ÁrbitroToru SAGARA (JPN)
Santos (BRA )EstadísticasFC Barcelona (ESP)8Disparos163Remates a puerta90Goles413Faltas
cometidas1311Faltas recibidas132Saques de esquina41Tiros libres ejecutados (al arco)10 /
0Lanzamientos penales (Goles/Remates)0 / 00Fueras de juego60Goles en propia meta02Tarjetas
amarillas20Segunda tarjeta amarilla y tarjeta roja00Tarjetas rojas018Tiempo real de
juego4529%Posesión del balón71% Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol
- Not pictured: Him tapping the tips of his fingers together and/or petting a white cat.
Don't sweat yet another defeat in the biggest game on Earth, Mr. Mourinho. We've got ten ideas for
how to win the return leg that will appeal to your evil genius side.1. Get Carvalho back and once
again play Pepe as a rearmost midfield destroyer, hoping his physicality can throw off the Barca
rhythm just as Real's pressing did in the opening minutes.
szólj hozzá: Real Madrid 1-3 Barcelona
There are fewer joys in the world than the spectacle of seeing Barca coming to the Santiago
Bernabeu and beat the crap out of Jose Mourinho's brownshirts. Which they proceeded to do summarily
in the first edition of this year's El Clasico.
Real is considered favorites to win La Liga and the Champions League this season but they need
to solve the riddle that Barca poses them.
The two historic sides of Spanish football will face-off this weekend in a highly anticipated
match expected to carry massive repercussions for the remainder of the season. Real Madrid are on
top of the standings with a three point advantage over bitter rivals Barcelona. There is no lost
love between the two sides and the regional and geopolitical factors add to the intensity of this
clash.
Fabregas with brace against Levante (Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Barcelona continued their imperious form at the Camp Nou this season, hitting Levante for five
goals in the latest manita under Pep Guardiola.
After suffering a shock defeat to Getafe last weekend, the champions responded the only way they
know how, with goals.
By Alan Duffy
Turning their attention away from silly little issues like racism, the international footballing
authorities have announced their 55-man shortlist for the FIFPRO World XI 2011. (FIFPRO is the
Federation Internationale des Associations de Footballers Professionnels, by the way)
Six players from good old Blighty have made the list, with Wayne Rooney and Gareth Bale worthy
of their places in the elite list.
Alexis looks to continue form against Levante (Photo: JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)
On Saturday FC Barcelona look to get back on track following their suprising loss to Getafe
last weekend. Though they put up an impressive performance mid-week against Rayo Vallecano
winning easily 4-0 it will be imporant to keep the momentum rolling going into a midweek Champions
League match up against BATE Borisov followed by the monsterous clash against Real Madrid.
It was October 20, 2004, when Milan welcomed FC Barcelona to the San Siro on match-day three of the
Champions League. Much like today, both teams were clearly the best two in their group. Much like
today Barcelona sat in first position, Milan were in second. And much like will be today, the team
that [.
It's completely normal for a successful footballer to own more than two phones, as we've
witnessed from Carles Puyol last Friday. Of course, when you're signing a
multi-million dollar contract with Santos (DESCULPE, Flo'Rida
Perez!), you've gotta put your goods on show as Neymar is doing here!
Real Madrid remain three points clear at the top of La Liga after an impressive 3-2 win over
Valencia at Mestalla.
Karim Benzema's brilliant strike gave the league leaders the advantage at half-time and when
Sergio Ramos made it 2-0 most fans thought the match was over. But Valencia never rolled over and
two goals from Roberto Soldado made sure that Madrid had to fight until the final whistle to wrap
up all three points.
Image: Twitter.
We can't deny we were quite the lushes this weekend.
With our gluttony on a roll, we give you Carles Puyol's thigh(s). This may or may not resemble
your brain on drugs, but just go with it. It's the best we can offer you at this time.
Saturday
- The Mirror tried to get cute with an infographic of their own but nothing will beat
the original.
Robbie Rogers. A little too much garment-age for our liking, but we're working on it. Image via
kckrs.com.
We love writing for you guys. It doesn't matter whether we're waffling on about racism in
football, Fabio Capello's surprisingly attractive ab situ or certain people's unmentionable hair,
you always have something to contribute.
We fear that all of these book-related events are going to make us do something crazy, so we
present you this last one before drinking away the memories.
It wouldn't be a proper scene if these two were necking in the corner front row.
Joan Pique (Gerard's dad) was in good company Thursday evening at the presentation of his book
"Dues Vides" in Barcelona.
By Chris Wright
In which, while turning out to welcome the Spanish national side to his country, a small Costa
Rican nipper gets steadily more and more excited as his favourite players roll off the team coach
up until the point that he almost blows-out Carles Puyol's eardrums with a mighty, high-pitched
squeal.
Viktoria Plzen v Barcelona: Catalans one step away from knockout stage - originally posted on
Soccerlens.com
Group H sees Barcelona and AC Milan visit Viktoria Plzen and BATE Borisov respectively on
Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League. Both these fixtures will decide whether the giants confirm
their spots in the Round of 16 or will the smaller clubs still have a chance.
Less than a week after some pundits and other critics have questioned Lionel Messi's form, the
little Argentinean responded in emphatic form. Messi had failed to score in the last three matches
yet he registered a hat-trick as he guided Barca to an impressive 5-0 win.
The hat-trick not only silenced the critics but also propelled Messi to second place on the
Catalan club's all-time scoring list behind Cesar Rodriguez.
Este martes 25 de Octubre se dio a conocer la primer lista de nomiados al mejor jugador o el
premio mejor conocido como balón de oro 2011. En esta primera entrega para beneplacito de los
aficionados mexicanos se encuentra Javier Chicharito Hernandez delantero estrella del Manchester
United.
La lista definitiva con los 23 jugadores será publicada el 1 de Noviembre, donde se conocerá si
el jugador mexicano figura entre los futbolistas más votados por la Comisión de Fútbol, que más
adelante, el cinco de diciembre para ser exactos, nombrara a los tres finalistas que buscan el
reconocimiento del mejor jugador que se otorgará el próximo nueve de enero del 2012.
Ahhh, the happier days. Taken November 2010. Image via SI.com
After a week of speculation, it has been confirmed by Malena Costa that she and FC Barcelona's
Carles Puyol are no more. Just a month after their one year anniversary, the couple has mutually
decided to part ways.
"You never know, this is very hard on me right now," said Costa, when asked about a
possible reconciliation.
Ball control with Iker Casillas. Image: MICHAL CIZEK/AFP/Getty Images.
It's no secret that the Spanish NT are an extremely talented buncha boys. Winners of the
European Football Championship, the World Cup and numerous other honours we can't really be
bothered to write about.
Combine this with our knowledge that publishing pictures of Spanish boys is a surefire way to
distract you lot from our early lunch affected schedule and Bingo!
Ryan Giggs has today been named the winner of the Golden Boot award, which is recognition given
to players over the age of 29 who are selected by journalists from all over the world and voted for
by fans.
The other nominations for the 2011 award were Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, Didier Drogba,
Samuel Eto'o, Carles Puyol, Raul, Xavi and Javier Zanetti.
Wayne Rooney's father is one of nine people who have been arrested in connection with a
match-betting scandal, according to numerous reports from the United Kingdom.
The controversy surrounds the irregularities among bookmakers in bets that a player would be
sent off in a 2010 Scottish Premier League match between Motherwell and Heart of Midlothian.
Former French international and one of the games greats Zinedine Zidane is considering the
option of returning to the French national team as a coach. Zidane who retired from the side after
he infamously head butted Marco Materazzi during the 2006 world cup finals, made the statement
when questioned by Le Parisien.
