Today, Real Madrid played as it should have in the first leg. The first half began so brightly for Real with Gonzalo Higuain the main culprit for not finishing those chances. Gerard Pique was caught napping and the Argentinian striker should have done much, much better. Minutes later, Pinto was barely able to foil Higuain whose timing was less than impeccable.

FC Barcelona secured a semi-final birth in this season's Copa Del Rey after knocking out holders Real Madrid with a sensational 2-2 draw. Barcelona who went into the break with a 2-0 lead had to hold off a sensational fightback from Mourinho's boys to secure the semi-final birth. To an extent we had to say that we were lucky after putting up the worst defensive display of the season, and courtesy of the fact that Madrid missed a number of chances.

Jose Mourinho's intentions were perfectly telegraphed as he consigned Mesut Oezil and Esteban Granero to anonymity. He started three holding midfielders with Lassana Diarra, Xabi Alonso, and Pepe in a deliberate park the bus tactics. The last mentioned was relocated to midfield from his usual centre back position with Sergio Ramos partnering Ricardo Carvalho.

It has become something like a routine for this team - to go to the home of their arch-rivals and win in the most difficult circumstances. Guardiola's men has launched up many style of victroies over here - this one was also a bit different from teh other one. In this edition they decided to concede a lead at half time and then turned it completely over.

18.01.2012 - Real Madrid recibe a Barcelona en el Santiago Bernabeu por los cuartos de final de la Copa del Rey (2012). El partido se inicia a las 22,00 hs (hora de Madrid – GMT+1).En España puede verse en directo a través de los canales CANAL+ 1 y CANAL+ 1 HD. La cadena de Qatar Al Jazeera Sports transmite en directo (sólo para sus abonados) a través de cinco canales: AL JAZEERA SPORTS +2, +4, +9, +10 y el de alta definición HD 2.

FC Barcelona got the league back on track with a thrilling 1-3 comeback win at Santiago Bernebeu. The match started with a disaster as far as Barca were concerened. We went a goal down in the very first minute following a horrendous mistake by Valdes. But this match was about whether Barca's grit and they dig deep and produced a brilliant comeback.

So finally we've gotten this game out of the way. After Madrid's Burger King Boys (Getafe) knocked the wind off the sails of Barcelona, opening up a SIX (6!) point lead between us and them, the trolling from Cule trash talkers seems to have gone on overdrive (check out the last few posts at RMFB) – pushing the pre-clasico fever a couple of days too early.

Tough one.

Can't call them "snap judgments" because they took way too long. TSG's Tuesday will be along shortly with the official review.

Here are some thoughts that I want to spill out on the screen. We'll give it the "Good, Bad, Ugly" treatment because it works well here.

Gloves?

Rumours are circulating that the ever-dependable Alex Song might not have shaken off a calf strain and so could be replaced by Emmanuel Frimpong in front of the Arsenal back four for tonight's encounter with Marseille at the Emirates. Whilst the general focus is very much on the attacking aspects of both teams – Van [.

RvP congratulating Song on a good impression of RvP's celebration at Stamford Bridge

After the euphoria of Saturday's emphatic win at Stamford Bridge, it's time for the players to take their mind of that and concentrate on the next game. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, this is just as big a game as the last match.

RvP congratulating Song on a good impression of RvP's celebration at Stamford Bridge

After the euphoria of Saturday's emphatic win at Stamford Bridge, it's time for the players to take their mind of that and concentrate on the next game. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, this is just as big a game as the last match.

Arsenal travel to the Stade Velodrome tonight in a champions league clash against Group F leaders Marseille. The Gunners go into this match knowing that anything less than a win could seriously hamper their chances of moving onto the next stage.

However things do not look too good for Arsenal as number of their key players are major doubts for the fixture.

Barcelona might be sitting pretty at the top of the La Liga standings but the real story of the weekend was another sterling performance by Los Merengues. Real squeezed 4 unanswered goals past Espanyol to take them to within 1 point of table toppers Barcelona and Levante.

It is still too early to tell but all signs point to a 2 horse for the league's top honor of the top scorer award.

Kaká no viajará a Croacia para enfrentarse Liga de Campeones al Dinamo de Zagreb por un golpe que sufrió en el talón izquierdo durante el partido ante el Getafe, mientras que Sami Khedira y Lass Diarra regresan a una convocatoria de José Mourinho.
El único jugador que ha salido mal parado de la última jornada de Liga ha sido Kaká, que a lo largo de la semana no ha podido trabajar al mismo ritmo que sus compañeros.

Spanish Sports paper "Marca" has published in its online section that REAL MADRID & English Premier League Club TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS have come to an agreement to transfer French International midfielder LASS DIARRA Lass Diarra The Clubs are said to be finishing now a few "minor" technical details before making an official announcement at a price speculated to be around 12M€.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Tottenham Hotspur is on the brink of bolstering its attack, as the club is ready to bring in Emmanuel Adebayor on loan.

Tottenham is nearing a deal to sign Adebayor on a season-long loan from Manchester City, but it is still in the process of figuring out how much it will pay the controversial striker.

By Rumour Monger

Tottenham are hopeful that a deal for Lassana Diarra will be struck over the weekend, and that the French midfielder could even be available to make his debut for Spurs in their opening game of the season a trip to Manchester United on Monday evening.

It appears this saga is intent to drag on for at least another two weeks. More after the jump:

When Harry Met Luka

I've just about had it with this one. Despite Tottenham imperio Daniel Levy's claims that Modric will be going, and I quote, "nowhere" this summer, the rumor mill continues to produce stories about his exile from White Harte Lane.

Football transfer rumours: Wesley Sneijder to Man Utd within 48 hours?

Today's blather is sick o' the high hat Congratulations to Wesley Sneijder , who has signed for Manchester United for the 97th time this summer. The Daily Mirror are reporting that the Internazionale midfielder will seal his latest move to Old Trafford within the next 48 hours.

One of the stranger transfer stories yesterday emerged out of Talksport with suggestions that Spurs had failed in an audacious swoop for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko. Whether the whole business was a hoax or not is unclear and it appears that the story isn't accessible from the station's website.

Reports coming out of Spain suggest that Real Madrid could provide the answer to Spurs' striking problems, but it will come at a price – and that price is Gareth Bale.

Spurs have been linked with Lassana Diarra at various stages throughout this transfer window and while the player has said that he wants to stay at Real, his employers may not share that view.

En una temporada, el Real Madrid ha hecho una limpieza bastante grande de jugadores y, conforme va el mercado, podrían ser muchos más. De los 23 que tenía Manuel Pellegrini, la mitad ya han abandonado el club, y no han pasado ni dos años.
Las operaciones salida del Real Madrid en los últimos tres veranos se han caracterizado por quitar a jugadores fichados durante la presidencia de Ramón Calderón.

Spurs are linked with two Real Madrid players once again today – one of whom is already at the club while another starred on loan in Spain last season and by all accounts is desperate to return there.

While Lassana Diarra may have publicly stated his desire to stay at Real Madrid, he seems surplus to requirements as far as Jose Mourinho is concerned, but if all the Spurs midfield men are staying at the club this summer, there seems little need to pursue this one.

Real Madrid 2011 SPANISH FOOTBALL Club REAL MADRID started on Monday ( yesterday ) their pre-season & flew off immediately to Los Angeles (USA) to begin their training sessions . Four players stayed back in Madrid that indicate the Coach Jose Mourinho does not count with them for 2011-2012; Pedro Leon, Sergio Canales (also with U-20 Spain duties), Drenthe & Lass Diarra.

Out of all of Tottenham's supposed transfer targets, we can now probably remove Lassana Diarra from our lines of enquiry as the midfielder, via his agent, has publicly come out and pledged his future to Real Madrid.

Speaking to the press, John Williams said: "He has two years left on his contract and is feeling well in Madrid.

While Spurs have been reportedly interested in Lassana Diarra throughout this transfer window, surely his arrival isn't worth the loss of Brazilian Sandro.

After a weekend of endless rumours surrounding Luka Modric, the story of interest from Real Madrid in our ‘find' from last season slipped through almost unnoticed.

Reports have said that there are some problems between Diarra and Real Madrid. Apparently Diarra wants a move away from Real Madrid and Real Madrid do want to sell him but only if some club comes up with 25 million euros. That is a price no one is willing to pay for Lassana Diarra and [...]

Gazzetta dello Sport Inter Moratti casting Bielsa has arrived in Paris, but Inter's enquiries continue No from Ancelotti. Mihajlovic in race. Dunga and Zico also appear Milan double up. Derby for Kucka Vucinic-Juve is OK Roma chase Clichy Tuttosport Diarra to Juve: "I want €4.5m" Toro: Ebagua the first signing.

Gazzetta dello Sport Juve, I'll stay and Buffon will return Novara in Serie A after 55 years Sanchez and Rossi, the market comes to life City make big offer, Ronaldo like gold Tuttosport "Juve, buy these four!" Aguero, Nani, Diarra and Rolando "Here's how I will rebuild Toro" NovaAra Kaka-Milan, Mou brakes Nasri to Inter: It is possible Genoa target El.

SPANISH FOOTBALL & SPORTS daily newspaper "AS" publish that the arrival of BENFICA & Portuguese International FABIO COENTRAO is an almost done deal. The paper goes on to inform that REAL MADRID is waiting to transfer French midfielder LASS DIARRA & then with the money gained do the operation with Benfica for their player.

SPANISH FOOTBALL is relatively quiet today in the Sports press, except for news in reference to tonights International Friendly between Venezuela & Spain, the dozen or so transfer rumours which are already known & cannot be confirmed & LASS DIARRA of REAL MADRID Lass Diarra with Real Madrid Real Madrid Coach Mourinho has not put the French International on the market, but Diarra does not wish

I think it's safe to say the whole situation with Kaka ever since we have been interested in him from a couple of summers ago has been just pure speculation with nothing concrete at all if we are honest. Of course like alot of other people, I fell for the story of his mother "tweeting" that they are coming to London this August and believed it could happen!

Transfer rumours are a dime a dozen. Very few have genuine substance so they should always be taken with a huge amount of cynicism. Yet they cannot be completely ignored in case there's the slightest...
Continue to the full story

Transfer rumours are a dime a dozen. Very few have genuine substance so they should always be taken with a huge amount of cynicism. Yet they cannot be completely ignored in case there's the slightest...
Continue to the full story

Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou tonight sealed a 3-1 aggregate win and secured a place in the Champions League Final on 28 May final at Wembley.

This game was the most open, and riveting of the four recent El Clasico's with both sides committed to playing football and not diving all open the pitch.

FC Barcelona booked their place in this year's Champions League final in Wembley with a 1-1 draw against their bitter rivals Real Madrid. The only draw back of what was a perfect night was the stupid goal we conceded. Pedro put Barca ahead early in the first half but Marcelo equalised for Real Madrid.

Drawing from an AP story, the FFF "inquiry" is underway.

There have been "claims" that France National Team Manager Laurent Blanc secretly agreed on a quota restricting the number of black and Arab players in national training programs.

The website Mediapart printed a strange, obviously sensationalized account of rampant racism within the FFF, which was immediately followed by an FFF statement that the FFF had been concerned about dual nationals making themselves unavailable for selection for the national team by choosing to play for another country.

Following my last post on Real Madrid, I see Mourinho as the first football hacker. The Special One analyzes his opponents source code and then introduces malware (think Pepe + Alonso + Diarra against Barça) to disrupt and corrupt. Come on Mourinho, don't let the dark side of the force eat you up for ever.

FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid encounters usually in a literal sense is described as a Sporting war between two of the most famous clubs, but this time around it is definitely a War(not only in literal sense). The relationship between the two clubs are at the edge of no return, and it won't take a genius to predict taht by the time this match is over - it would have already moved into a point of no return.

Mourinho is a dangerous coach. The Real Madrid should be careful that this man doesn't change the image and style that have contributed to the legend of the club. Mourinho has been hailed as the man who brings titles. That is true but the collateral damages can be terrible. Mourinho in his press conference yesterday evening incriminated the Barça, the refs and even Unicef.