All that talk of righting the ship turned out to be bluster as in the Copa Del Rey return leg against Alcorcon at the Bernabeu, Real was able to muster only one goal through Rafel Van Der Vaart. The yellow jerseys of Alcorcon were everywhere as they stifled Raul, Gago, Van Nistelrooy, Kaka, and Lassana Diarra.

Click to continue reading...

Cambiasso returns to the national team. The rumored Walter Samuel and Zanetti call ups did not happen.

Others called up:

Maxi Rodrguez, Gago, Tevez, Aguero, Lavezzi, Coloccini and the always present Heinze.

Cristian Ansaldi?

A defender that plays in Russia.

Click to continue reading...

Real Madrid's 0-4 calamity at Alcorcan, a wee club from the suburbs of the same city, is my highlight of the week. Oh to have been an ADA fan that night! Here's the awesome fortress of the Santo Domingo (cap. 4,000) and the Real lineup that made history: Dudek; Arbeloa, Albiol, Metzelder, Drenthe; Diarra, Guti (Gago 46'), Van der Vaart, Granero (Marcelo 63'); Raúl (Van Nistelrooy 72'), Click to continue reading...

Diego Maradona confirmó la lista para los partidos ante Perú y Paraguay, los cuales definirán el futuro de la Selección Argentina. Clasificar directamente, ir a repechaje o quedarse afuera son las opciones.

Sorprenden las convocatorias de Pablo Aimar y de Emiliano Insúa, el juvenil ex Boca que actualmente se desempeña en el Liverpool.

Click to continue reading...

El día que se vayan todas las gallinas putas de la selección.
Pero volvieron. Se le quemaron los papeles a la selección bostera, con los Riquelme, los Gago, los Palacios, los Maradona y los Basile llegamos a donde llegamos.
Pero la rueda de auxilio estaba al alcance de la mano, convocaron a Higuaín y Aimar para que se conviertan en el alma del ataque de la selección. Click to continue reading...

Real Madrid 5-0 Xerez
1-0 Ronaldo, 1′
2-0 Ronaldo, 75′
3-0 Guti, 78′
4-0 Benzema, 82′
5-0 Van Nistelrooy, 89′

Real Madrid moved to the top of the table Sunday, ahead of Barcelona on goal differential, after a 5-0 rout of Xerez that was a more difficult affair than the final score might indicate.

Click to continue reading...

Are these players finished with the national team?

Maradona is on his way to Europe and according to the Argentine media, Maradona is going to meet with many players that have been called up during the WC qualifying campaign to tell them that they will not be called up for the remaining WC qualifers.

Click to continue reading...

Argentina, desmembrada y mal contagiada, parece tomar una ruta sin curvas. La desesperación y el momento aciago se tragan al equipo y a todas sus individualidades cuando no hay tiempo para reformulaciones.
A los 7 minutos la primera pelota en el palo. A los 23 la segunda en el travesaño. Click to continue reading...

Okay I know its been a long time since we gave you a Brasileirao Wrap, but we'll be on top of it from now till the end of the season.
On Sunday, São Paulo's 9-game unbeaten streak and 7-game winning streak came to an end dramatically. Paulo Baier's header in the 86th minute beat a late charging Rogerio Ceni to give Furacão the win. Click to continue reading...

Diego Souza sports Palmeiras' new third kit

Palmeiras remained top after a 2-1 win over title rivals Internacional in the Palestra Itália. Danny Moraes was adjudged to have stopped Diego Souza inside the box.

Obina converted the penalty to bring his tally to nine in the competition.

Click to continue reading...

Hace ya un tiempo que quería escribiros esta entrada para darle otro prisma al tan manido tema de las canteras que en estas semanas esta enfrentando, una vez más, al Real Madrid y al Barça (espero no aburriros con la dualidad de siempre, pero os prometo que es interesante) porque creo que no se están diciendo todas las verdades. Click to continue reading...

Yet another one of those nasty transfer rumors comin' your way.... and this time it involves one of the Argentinean Guapos, Fernando Gago. It's ok chicas, his hair still needs moisturiser.

Spanish daily Marca has claimed that Atletico Madrid's president, Gil Marín, is looking to bring dear old Gago and his fellow countryman, the Pied Piper of Higuain to the team.

Click to continue reading...

Newspaper Bild has reported that the Germans will do everything they can to make Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart return to Hamburger SV. Van der Vaart, who has played several years for HSV and even became captain of the Bundesliga side, is nominated to leave Real Madrid, after their huge spending spree. Click to continue reading...

Top of the morning to you too, Karim! All these 'morning expressions' are pretty hilarious especially Rafael da Silva's pillow face and Lionel Messi's epic yawn.

Not like it's much of a surprise but Lyon have accepted Real Moneda's 35 million euros ($50m) bid for the 21-year-old striker.

Click to continue reading...

LYON, France (AFP) - Lyon announced on Wednesday the transfer of Karim Benzema to Real Madrid for 35 million euros in a deal which dashes Manchester United's attempts to capture the France striker.
In a statement the French club announced that the fee could rise to as much as 41 million euros depending on various bonuses attached to the deal.

Click to continue reading...

Is it too late for the report on the 7th round of Brasileirão? Well, better later than never was the motto of the weekend in the tournament. 5 out of 10 matches were decided in the final moments.

Newcomer Santo Andre kept the good campaign with a 2-1 victory over Sport. The winning goal was scored by defender Marcel with 3 minutes into the second-half's stoppage time.

Click to continue reading...

Atlético Mineiro's Carlos Alberto celebrates against Santos

League leaders Atlético Mineiro had to come from behind to beat Santos 3-2 in the Vila Belmiro. And with Internacional slipping up away at Flamengo, Celso Roth's team were able to open up a three point gap at the top.

Neymar scored his first goal in the Brasileiro for Santos on the stroke of half-time.

Click to continue reading...

Yes, we know Marca can get a little overexcited.. but this time, it's for real!

Foreignchester United have acceped an £80m bid for Greaseano and the deal is expected to be finalised by the end of this month after Madrid speaks to the player.

Click to continue reading...

Despite Argentina's 0-2 loss to Ecuador at Quito last night, The Dona insists that his team were the better side. Contrary to our previous Baby Anthem report, Messi did play in this game. Tevez, unfortunately, failed to convert a crucial penalty in the first half with a weak shot that should be banished from eternity!

Click to continue reading...

Argentina 1 - Colombia 0

Las eliminatorias rumbo a Sudáfrica, siguen su marcha y hoy fue el turno de recibir a Colombia, durante toda la semana, la palabra revancha estuvo flotando en el aire, no por el 5 a 0, no por el último resultado de las eliminatorias (goleada en contra con Bolivia), el equipo tenía que cambiar la imagen de los últimos dos partidos por los puntos, porque a pesar de los 4 goles a Venezuela, ese partido dejó algunas dudas y ni hablar del partido en la Paz.

Click to continue reading...

La albiceleste necesitaba resarcirse de la forma que fuera del desastre de La Paz, donde cayeron ante Bolivia por 6-1 hace poco más de dos meses. Lo consiguieron, al menos en lo que al resultado final se refiere, porque en lo que es al juego, el practicado por el equipo de Maradona en el día de hoy no fue muy distinto del horrible encuentro ante 'la verde'.

Click to continue reading...

Like you, we didn't expect six goals at all. But it happened! Madrid ought to be ashamed of themselves. Barca literally came and conquered the Bernabeu on Saturday! T'was a sensational first half... if you missed the game, please head over to your nearest counselling centre.

Click to continue reading...

(Real Madrid-Barcellona 1-0. Higuain)
(highlights di Real Madrid-Barcellona 2-6)
REAL MADRID: Casillas, Sergio Ramos (26'st Van der Vaart), Cannavaro, Metzelder, Hienze; Robben (33'st Garcia), Lass, Gago, Marcelo; Higuain, Raul. A disp.: Dudek, Drenthe, Faubert, Torres, Huntelaar. Click to continue reading...

A couple of months back, if someone have told you that the title will mostly be decided at the Bernebeu, you probably might have laughed at him. But tonight's match at the Bernebeu is mostly a make or break match. Simply put this is a match which Real Madrid cannot afford not to win. A victory at home will see Barca's lead at top cut to just one point and most importantly will surely be a huge blow to Barca's confidence. Click to continue reading...

So after days of ridiculous mind games, proud declarations (hello Marcelo) and the relentless use of the term "physical", Real Madrid will meet Barcelona in a few hours! And thank God for daylight savings because it's an early kick-off by La Liga standards.

We're probably one of the few who enjoy watching both teams on the pitch.

Click to continue reading...

With the possible signing of the clever defensive midfielder Ever Banega it appears Napoli along with its new coach Donandoni is looking to Argentine players to secure a successful future. This is a similar path Inter Milan took a few years ago when they acquired several high profile Argentine players (see below) all of which have been national team players. Click to continue reading...

According to the Argentine media, it appears Maradona is preparing an all-front assault on Venezuela by placing his biggest guns (Messi, Aguero, & Tevez) on the front line. Most practice sessions have included a 3-4-3 formation (see below). Mascherano & Gago will be in charge of circulating the ball & controlling the mid-field which is a crucial element to the Argentine formula. Click to continue reading...

El fútbol es un estado de ánimo. En San Mamés se verán cara a cara la euforia y la depresión. El Athletic tiene su ansiada final de Copa frente al Barça y quiere certificar su buen momento ante un Madrid herido de muerte tras su descalabro de Anfield Road. Caparrós mira de refilón al descenso que sólo [. Click to continue reading...

Florentino Perez unsuccessfully instigated a huge overhaul of the playing staff in 2003 and Real Madrid look set to try the same plan in 2009. As many as 17 players could leave this summer. Real Madrid are preparing for a mass clear-out in the summer, with no less than 17 players being considered to be shown [. Click to continue reading...

A collection of baby photos (well, not necessarily baby pics, but they're still young) from more than 30 different footballers... Bet you haven't seen these before. Thierry Henry Michael Ballack Zinedine Zidane Miroslave Klose Hernan Crespo Robin van Persie Sergio 'Kun' Aguero José Mourinho (Obviously not a football player, still hilarious to include) Roque Santa Cruz Kaká Lionel Messi Alessandro del Piero Alberto Gilardino Frank Lampard David Beckham Fernando Torres Nuno Gomes Christoph [. Click to continue reading...

Fernando Gago was the first player of the Real Madrid in arriving for the press conference four days before the derby of Madrid.  Only four points, that is the distance that separates his team of Barcelona.  Therefore, the party of Bernabéu against Atlético takes less importance than the aspirations of madridistas by taking its third [. Click to continue reading...

(Summary is not available.) Click to continue reading...

Es cierto. No son 20 millones de euros lo que le va a costar al Madrid el traspaso de Lassana Diarra. Es algo menos, pero igual de desorbitado. Está bien. Con la lesión del otro Diarra, el de Mali, a los blancos les hacía falta un mediocentro, si podía ser con cierto carácter defensivo. El francés [. Click to continue reading...

(Summary is not available.) Click to continue reading...

So, La Liga is starting two weeks late as per usual. There are some positives though. I'm back from any holidays in time to watch it for one. Teams also start with there full squad, rather than half the Premier League teams who look to buy in players in the last two weeks of the window. The english scum who go to places like the Costa del Sol and Benidorm are out of the country. Click to continue reading...