Mirandes, the giant killing third division Liga club bowed out beaten by Athletic Bilbao, 6-2, in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey (8-3 aggregate). Fernando Llorente showed why he's on the wishlist of some of the world's biggest clubs by scoring a brace. Athletic also got goals from Iker Muniain, Markel Susaeta and defender Jon Aurtenetxe.

By Chris Wright

Watch, mere mortals, and weep as the slightly more 'agricultural' 50% of Barcelona's central defence pulls off not one, but two 360° roulette tricks in a row as he maraudes his way through Valencia's midfield during last night's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.

According to Gaizka Mendieta , there is a big possibility that Barca coach Pep Guardiola could soon be on his way out of the record breaking club. A lot of uncertainty has arisen over Guardiola's future following his shocking denial on Tuesday that he was close to signing a new contract.

It doesn't make any sense why Pep would want to leave Barcelona.

Que dulce! Valencia kept to their promise to the fans last night and held Barca to a 1-1 draw with a 27th minute screamer from Jonas. Part of the promise was to play their best and not lose in front of the home fans, so this result is significantly better than a loss.

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.

As we enter February, the shortest month of the year (let me be the first to remind you that this year February has 29 days), Valencia's coaching staff must think this is some kind of sick joke. 8 games in 29 days. It's been done before, of course. But not quite like this. To start the month, Valencia host Barcelona at the Mestalla in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Yesterday was quite an afternoon of football, with two compelling Cup matches. Turns out there's more today another Copa del Rey quarterfinal second leg, another Coppa Italia quarterfinal, and this just in from our Uruguayan buddy it's time for Copa Libertadores again. Click thru for livesoccertv's TV listings and match previews:

Coppa Italia quarterfinal – Milan vs Lazio - 8:45pm CET / 2:45pmET / 7:45pm GMT (USA: GolTV, ESPN3.

Liverpool are eyeing Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez according to Madrid-based daily Marca.
Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has kept his powder dry in the current transfer window, despite admitting that he has money to spend if he so chooses.
But his side's recent poor performances are thought to have given the Scot pause for thought.

Valencia midfielder Ever Banega has agreed to stay in La Liga by signing a contract that will keep him at the Spanish outfit till 2015.

Banega, 23, has attracted the interest of both Merseyside clubs in the past while also being linked to Arsenal and German giants Bayern Munich more recently.

By Chris Wright

With precious little margin for error, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are all left needing specific results to fall into their lap to progress, with many online gambling companies offering fairly tempting odds on a complete, three-way Anglo-centric balls-up.

Man City & Chelsea's Champions League hopes hang in the balance, as Ajax faces Real Madrid juggernaut - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

The last round of the Champions League group stages sees a number of mouthwatering and do-or-die ties. If you're going to be betting on football, you should be very careful where you put your money.

I swear that's his full name.

You can't see this...

To preface, I love Kalou. Yes, 'tis true. I've been rooting for his individual success moreso than most players in our squad. Particularly, it seems, because he just gives off the vibe of being a generally nice dude.

Valencia racked up the second biggest ever UEFA Champions League victory as they thrashed Genk 7-0 at the Mestalla to go level on points with Chelsea in Group E. Goals by Jonas, Tino Costa, Pablo Hernandez, Adruiz and a Soldado hat-trick did the damage as Genk were given the proverbial ‘bath' in a European night [.

Valencia racked up the second biggest ever UEFA Champions League win as they thrashed Genk 7-0 at the Mestalla to go level with Chelsea in Group E. Goals by Jonas, Tino Costa, Pablo Hernandez, Adruiz and a Soldado hat-trick did the damage as Genk were given the proverbial ‘bath' in a European night to forget.

By Geoff Reid

Group E
Valencia vs Genk from the Mestalla, Valencia
In what looks to be a tighter group then expected, Valencia know that three points at home against Genk are a must if they want to control their own destiny before the final match day of the group, and qualify for the last 16.

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.

Valencia vs Real Madrid 2-3 Goals Highlights 2011 Video Soldado Benzema Ramos Ronaldo is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Valencia vs Real Madrid 2-3 Goals Highlights 2011 Video Soldado Benzema Ramos Ronaldo is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Valencia vs Real Madrid 2011 ( Valencia CF vs Madrid 2011 Video below) Final score:- Valencia vs Real Madrid 2-3 ( Soldado*2/ Benzema, Ramos, Ronaldo) Mestalla, Valencia- 19 November, 2011 Roberto [.

Real Madrid grabbed a priceless 3-2 win over Valencia at the Mestalla to stay top of La Liga three points ahead of Barcelona who thumped Real Zaragoza 4-0. Goals by Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and a neat finish by Cristiano Ronaldo proved decisive although Jose Mourinho's men where pushed to the limit by an otherwise [.

A variety of matches worth watching this weekend: a couple from England, a couple from Spain, intriguing matches in Munich and in Naples, a Uruguayan super derby, and the MLS championship game.

(As usual, all times ET and all TV listings for the United States.)

Saturday, Nov 19

England, Manchester City-Newcastle (10am, Fox Soccer): The match of the weekend in England.

China, Why Costa Rica? - Costa Rica have recently unveiled the state-of-the-art Estadio Nacional. But why was it funded exclusively by the Chinese government?

On Saturday, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid kick off at the Camp Nou and the Mestalla, respectively.

Vicente: From the Mestalla to Falmer
The year is 1997 and on England's South Coast, things are far from sunny, writes David Hartrick.
Brighton and Hove Albion are facing an uncertain future as the Goldstone Ground has been sold as a result of an asset strip from a board led by a man with little to no regard for the club.

Sensational reports from Spain have emerged today suggesting that David Villa has become unsettled at Barcelona and is looking for an exit from the Nou Camp.
What is more, radio station Cadena Ser has revealed that both Liverpool and Chelsea have approached the Catalan giants about their prolific frontman, whose phenomenal international scoring record – 50 goals in 80 appearances – speaks for itself.

The UEFA Champions League resumes tomorrow night as the fourth matchday of the group stage gets underway, and there are several teams that could clinch a place in the round of 16 if results go their way this week. It should be no surprise that the top three teams in Champions League statistics in regards to goals scored are all in that bunch, in Barcelona (9), Real Madrid (8), and Chelsea (8).

By Geoff Reid

Group E
Valencia vs Bayer Leverkusen from the Mestalla, Valenica
The home side are in a tough position with only two points taken from three games so far in the group and currently sit in third place four points behind their opponents who sit in second place.

As the race for spots in the knock-out round intensifies, we take a look at the crucial fixtures which are likely to decide who will be advancing and who will be exiting Europe's premier club competition.

Highly-flying Manchester City will be looking to book their advancement to the next stage when they travel to Italy on 22nd November.

The El Clasico teams of Barcelona and Real Madrid have continued their battle for superiority at the top of the Spanish Primera Division this season, with both facing tricky fixtures over the next three weeks.

Valencia v Real Madrid

Valencia finished third last season and on their day have the ability to take on the big two; they host Madrid on Saturday 19th November at the Mestalla.

Danny returns to the place where he somewhat realized his full potential. Bolton, in a league free fall, will not be interested in seeing his face again. Well, that is unless he joins Gael Kakuta in that egregious Wanderers garb on the hosts' side of the stands. Stop day-dreaming, Owen.

Dreaded

The draw in midweek was a not-so-mild disappointment.

Super Frank Lampard sends a message to his critics. Salomon Kalou, well. No comment.

Redemption song?

If some weird time-traveler type had given me the option of collecting a point at the Mestalla prior to this fixture taking place, I would have gladly taken it.

Frank Lampard responded brilliantly to his bitter critics by scoring a wonderfully placed shot past Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves to hand Chelsea 1-0 lead in their Group E match at La Mestalla.

Ever since being substituted at half-time during the Blues' 3-1 defeat at Manchester United last Sunday, Lampard has lost his guaranteed starting place to the likes of Ramires and Raul Meireles.

Juan Mata has made a nice impression since joining Chelsea this past summer, but if he is to influence the Blues' next match, he'll do so at the expense of his former employer.

Mata and Chelsea take on his former club, Valencia, at Estadio Mestalla in one of Wednesday's high-profile UEFA Champions League group matches.

After seeing our wonderful run at the start of this season end in real disappointment against Sevilla, we meet the English giants who took a dear son from us just a few months ago. Lets hope for a repeat of the magnificent display that we offered when Barca visited the Mestalla a few weeks ago.

Which Valencia will show up?

By Geoff Reid

Group E
Valencia vs Chelsea from the Estadi de Mestalla, Valencia
The talking point in this one will be the return of former Valencia midfielder Juan Mata to the Mediterranean coast with his current side, Chelsea. Both of these sides are favored to qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament, so the home side expect to win this one, and manager Unai Emery has said as much, and expecting a sold out Mestalla will put the pressure on.

By Chris Wright

"Christ! Is that you again Nando? I told you, not in public!"

Chelsea travel to Spain to take on Valencia in the Champions League tonight, a game that will see, among other things, Juan Mata return to Los Che in Chelsea blue for the first time after spending the last four seasons making his name at Los Che and a healthy dose of 'God knows what?

By Chris Wright

"Christ! Is that you again Nando? I told you, not in public!"

Chelsea travel to Spain to take on Valencia in the Champions League tonight, a game that will see, among other things, Juan Mata return to Los Che in Chelsea blue for the first time after spending the last four seasons making his name at Los Che and a healthy dose of 'God knows what?

Hey Juan, enjoy yourself.

Team news and the like from 2:30pm EDT.

Team sheets:
TBA

Streaming
My P2P
FirstRow Sports
Sport Lemon

Ah, would you just look at THAT! If it isn't Chelsea's resident Spaniards in Valencia wearing Los Che's traditional colours, Orange! You can't get any cheesier than that in a strangely endearing way, of course. Anyway, Juan Mata is all set to face his former side tonight when Valencia host Chelsea at the Mestalla.

Our biggest test of the Champions League group stage arrives Wednesday in the form of a trip to the Estadio Mestalla. Valencia not only bring forth a heavy test for the Chels, but they also eagerly await the return of a departed son.

Homecoming

Matchday 1 was particularly special to Chelsea supporters for, aside from a win over Bayer Leverkusen, the return of Michael Ballack to Stamford Bridge.

As is rapidly becoming a tradition around these parts, we open up the debate early in the week for everyone to chime in on their preferred formation, tactics, and player preferences heading into Wednesday's difficult fixture against Valencia. More after the jump:

A moment of contemplation

I doubt you need a primer on what this is all about, but for those tuning in for the first time, we open it up to comments to see what formation you'd expect to see from our beloved brothers in Blue.

Fernando Torres loses his fucking mind. Chelsea, meanwhile, don't miss a beat.

God dammit, Fernando

The Chels slash four past Swansea at the Bridge despite playing with ten men for the better part of 50 minutes. It was pretty much an excellent performance aside from the wretchedness that was Torres' fist-half, studs-up lunge on Mark Gower at midfield.

Every Barca fan will be approaching this game in most probability with a very much confused head. The confusion comes from the kind of oscillating results we had since the start of the season. Already there have been two away matches and same number of home matches. FC Barcelona has amazed a mind blowing 13 goals in the home matches.