In your dose of Offbeat Futbol Gossip this week, Pepe Reina and Falcao welcome new additions to their family, David de Gea's girlfriend hates the English weather, David Beckham does Daddy duties and Coleen Rooney's hilarious feud with the Duchess of Cornwall!
Man United's Number 1, David de Gea, has been a resident of Manchester for two years now, but it seems that he's doing his bit as Madrid's cultural ambassador and trying to convince the youths there into learning Spanish instead!
Antecedentes Milan vs Barcelona Local Visita Hora Torneo 8sF Barcelona --- Milan 12.Mar.13 13:45 CL 12-13 8sF Milan --- Barcelona 20.Feb.13 13:45 CL 12-13 4sF Barcelona 3-1 Milan 03.Abr.12 14:00 CL 11-12 4sF Milan 0-0 Barcelona 28.Mar.12 14:00 CL 11-12 5 Milan 2-3 Barcelona 23.
Champions League Round of 16 AC Milan vs Barcelona | San Siro
AC Milan square off against Barcelona tonight and while you're potentially thinking "Meh. This is only going one way," think again! The Rossoneri's very own veteran defender Philippe Mexès believes that the Milan youth have got what it takes to bring down the Barcelona bus.
Antonio Nocerino of AC Milan-Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
This Wednesday, two of Europe's most storied clubs will meet in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League when AC Milan host Spanish side FC Barcelona at the San Siro. AC Milan have undergone a major resurgence which has seen them leap all the way up the Serie A table from their early mid-table mediocrity to a tie for third place.
Arsenal will surely be in the market for a top quality centre back at the end of this season, and there is one player's name that keeps cropping up. 24-year old Mats Hummels partnered Per Mertesacker in the German international team last night, and Arsene Wenger would love to see that pairing at the Emirates, but the Borussia Dortmund defender will not be an easy acquisition.
It's contract signing time at Barcelona! The legendary Xavi followed in Puyol's footsteps and renewed his contract that will see him at the club until 2016 while Leo Messi is expected to sign his (which binds him to the club until 2018) next week.
FC Barcelona bounced back from their last week surprise defeat against Real Sociedad with an emphatic 5-1 victory over a ten men Osasuna. Lionel Messi scored four goals and Pedro scored once for Barca. Lionel Messi has now scored 33 League Goals this season. He also has wrote a new record of scoring in 11 consecutive La Liga matches.
If there is an apt title to describe last night's clash against Atletico Madrid, then it has to be this headline. Thirty minutes into the first half most of the Barca fans were a bit scared. Falcao has already scored once, he had hit the post once and almost came close to scoring another. This all happened even with Puyol doing his very best marking the most sought out center forward in the World.
Barcelona has endured its share of injury problems this season, but the Spanish heavyweights are one step closer to full health after Carles Puyol was cleared to make his return for the club.
Puyol has been given the green light to play in Barcelona's weekend matchagainst Real Zaragoza, and the match may mark the first time this campaign that manager Tito Vilanova will be able to deploy his first-choice back line.
Welcome to Offbeat Wednesday, where it's all about the juicy footie gossip. This week, read about Iker Casillas and Sara Carbonero's Halloween, Puyol's rumoured new girlfriend, Balotelli's Christmas Baby and Cristiano Ronaldo's desire for more sons.
It appears that Madrid SuperCouple Sara Carbonero and Iker Casillas enjoyed a little Halloween fiesta of their own, despite not dressing up for the occasion last week.
It is ironic that after making a quick recovery from his injury, Carles Puyol will be facing another eight weeks out of action after damaging his left elbow during yesterday's 2-0 win over Benfica. Nevertheless, that's a cheerful photo of him at the hospital yesterday you'd think he'd be in unbearable pain after dislocating his elbow!
In which Carles Puyol, who was making his Barcelona return after shaking off a persistent knee knack, dislocates his elbow after falling heavily and awkwardly during the 78th minute of his side's 2-0 Champions League victory over Benfica last night (WARNING: This one ain't pretty).
Carles Puyol Arm Injury- Puyol dislocates elbow vs Benfica Video October 2012 Champions League is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter
Carles Puyol Arm Injury- Puyol dislocates elbow vs Benfica Video October 2012 Champions League is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Carles Puyol Benfica Injury VIDEO BELOW Barcelona captain Carles Puyol suffered a terrible dislocated elbow after landing awkwardly while defending a corner in the club's clash against Benfica on October [.
Barca secures victory against Benifica with a 2-0 scoreline.
Carles Puyol broke his arm and may miss action for sometime.
FC Barcelona secured their second victory of UEFA Champions League group stage with a 2-0 victory against Benifica. Goals from Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas secured Barca the three points.
Facing their first crisis of the season, Real Madrid responded like champions as they beat
10-man Barcelona 2-1 at the Bernabeu tonight to win the Spanish Super Cup on away goals.
It must have been one amazing pre-game speech by Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid came out of the
gatyes flying and scored two quick goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo to go ahead 4-3
on aggregate.
Facing their first crisis of the season, Real Madrid responded like champions as they beat
10-man Barcelona 2-1 at the Bernabeu tonight to win the Spanish Super Cup on away goals.
It must have been one amazing pre-game speech by Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid came out of the
gatyes flying and scored two quick goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo to go ahead 4-3
on aggregate.
Barcelona held a grand ceremony of sorts at the Nou Camp last night to
introduce their new squad players for the La Liga season, despite their 0-1 loss to
Sampdoria in the Gamper Trophy. Unfortunately, football's own Master of Ceremonies
himself Pepe Reina, couldn't be around to host the 'show' (for obvious
reasons!
Javier Mascherano signed a new deal today which will keep him at Barcelona till the end of June,
2016. The club has raised his buyout clause to 100 million Euros, which may be an indication of how
important he has become in the scheme of things at Barca.
Andres Iniesta married his long-time partner and mother of his daughter,
Valeria Anna Ortiz yesterday in a relatively 'Barca' studded affair at the Tamarit
Castle, a lovely tucked away venue he had booked months in advance. Felicitats!
Guests poured in to celebrate the phenomenal player's big day with him and Gerard
Pique, who drove into the venue which was surrounded by fences, couldn't help but compare
the spectacle of cheering fans to the "Tour de France"
The ceremony was held in the castle gardens and Iniesta was escorted into the
venue by his dear mother as the theme song from 'Gladiator' (his favourite film)
played out in the background.
Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has confirmed that the Catalan side are in negotiations to
sign Spain left-back Jordi Alba from Valencia, but dismissed reports that Didier Drogba is on his
way to the Camp Nou.
"I don't like these negotiations being made public, but they have been," Rosell said at a press
conference.
Arsenal set for defensive changes maybe by BA There are various rumours around at the minute
concerning Arsenal and their possible defensive line up in the coming season. After Thomas
Vermaelen was photographed with Barcelona captain Carlos Puyol in a restaurant in Ibiza, it created
a whirlwind of speculation.
Lionel Messi has been given the five star treatment in Bogota,
Colombia, where he is presently based ahead of tonight's "Battle of the Stars", a charity
match featuring some of the best Brazilian and Argentinean players from past and present.
Naturally, as the best player in the world, you get your perks including a Presidential
Suite with your name on the door a good two days before you
arrive!
SPANISH SPORTS daily "Sport" publish that new FC BARCELONA Coach Tito Vilanova  is profiling &
planning the 2012 - 2013 squad & below are the apparent names that Vilanova counts with: Valdes,
Pinto, Pique, Cesc, Puyol, Xavi, Villa, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi, Thiago, Mascherano, Busquets,
Pedro, Cuenca & Cristian Tello Transfer candidates However there are also names the apparently
are
It is looking that Valencia left-back Jordi Alba will be signing for Barcelona after the Euros
are finished.
Alba, who is currently away with the Spanish national side ahead of Euro 2012, is reportedly on
the verge of joining Barca for a fee in the region of €12 million.
Barcelona striker David Villa is hopeful the deal will be completed for the 23-year-old, who can
also play on the left wing saying:
"He's one of the people I get along best with and he has had a spectacular career and it is not
only Barcelona that would want him, but every team," the forward told reporters at a press
conference on Wednesday.
The first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal between Real Madrid and Barcelona was as cranky as you would expect from a Clasico. There were six yellow cards in all, but with Barca up 1-0 in the second half, Carles Puyol tried to keep it from boiling over.
After Gerard Pique did a tremendous job with a sliding clearance to prevent a scoring chance for Cristiano Ronaldo at the post, he came up with a lighter thrown from the Bernabeu crowd.
Barcelona have announced that captain Carlos Puyolhas a dislocated left elbow and will miss this weekend's El Clasico clash with Real Madrid on Sunday.
A statement on the Barcelona web site said: Tests conducted this morning confirmed that Carles Puyol has a dislocated left elbow. The player will be submitted a conservative treatment.
Carles Puyol could be facing a lengthy injuy layoff after falling awkwardly on his arm during Barcelona's Champions League group stage victory against Benfica on Tuesday. After jumping up for a header, Puyol was clipped by a Benfica player and landed with the full weight of his body onto his left arm, which was in an awkward position.
Santi Cazorla has been outstanding for Arsenal since moving from La Liga side Malaga in the summer. His name was unfamiliar to many people in this country and their is a common assumption that he is struggling to get a place in the Spanish national side. Cazorla may get a rare start this week as Spain travel to Belarus for the first of two World Cup qualifiers, the second being against France.
The terrible-looking arm injury suffered by Carles Puyol in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League match against Barcelona appears to not be as bad as first feared.
According to multiple reports in Spain, Puyol is set to miss eight weeks with a dislocated elbow. The injury will not require surgery, which will allow the veteran defender to return in an astonishing two months.
Barcelona stalwart Carlos Puyol is out of this weekend's El Clasico and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after dislocating his elbow during last night's Champions League clash with Benfica. The skipper fell awkwardly after jumping for a header and popped his elbow out. Despite the gruesome scenes, this being Puyol, you half expected [.
Tonight marks "Un dÃa histórico" for Spain, who became the first team
in history to successfully defend their Euro 2012 title. Their 4-0 victory defied expectations and
predictions as the Italians found themselves struggling to come up with an answer to David
Silva and Jordi Alba's first-half goals.
If there was an early Sunday Senor award for this week, it would go to
Xabi Alonso for achieving his 100th cap and scoring two goals
against France tonight to send La Furia Roja to the Euro semi-finals.
A fantastic cross from Jordi Alba - who has been brilliant so far (and naturally,
he's a Futbolita fan!
I must say the Euros have lived up to expectations thus far. International football is usually
not as interesting as club football, especially for those with little emotional involvement towards
a single team, but the quality of games hasn't been bad at all.
Not surprisingly, the best of games was played yesterday between Spain and Italy.
Vicente del Bosque's attacking formation of Fabregas-Iniesta-David
Silva against on Sunday may not have worked against the Italian defensive wall, although
3 attackers vs five defenders with Xavi driving the key balls looked highly promising from the
start.
Group C Spain
If my predictions are anything to go by last time around, get involved. I predicted a Spain win and
Senna player of the tournament as well as having Villa e/w as top scorer. Not so sure on La Furia
Rosa this time mind. Spain are the bookies faves and I think a repeat of the final from 2008 could
well be on the cards but despite that win and the other funny looking gold cup, they still have
that pony midfield: Fab, Biscuits, Mata, Silva, Alonso, Iniesta, Xavi, Carzorla and Speedy Jesus Of
Navas, that doesn't bode well.
Elizabeth Powley takes the temperature of Spain, which is attempting to do what no national team
has ever been able to accomplish: back-to-back Euro championships sandwiching a World Cup title.
With no Puyol, the heart of Spain's defence is missing. Regardless of this Spain's weakness is
their defence and this is no secret. The most notable weakness is the left back position, Arbeloa
at left back will struggle to compete with Europe's best right wingers.
Tonight, United vs Barcelona at the Ullevi finished 0-0, before the reds lost on penalties. Nani
hit the crossbar and Ashley Young's poor penalty was saved. Xavi and Gerard Pique scored for
Barcelona.
As I touched on in my article last week: with Robin van Persie surely set to leave Arsenal this
summer, the club is about to face yet another change in captaincy, with the Dutch striker having
only replaced Cesc Fabregas as skipper a year ago.
I suggested Bacary Sagna as a replacement in my last piece (that will not be the focus today),
but whoever gets the armband next will be the fifth different captain we've had since we last won a
trophy.
Good news for fans of defensive stalwart Puyol he's expected to be back in action for Barcelona in five weeks time. Puyol, who suffered a dislocated elbow last week, has been working closely with doctors and lucky for him, has the help of some of the most advanced rehabilitation techniques around to cut his recovery time which was initially said to be eight weeks.
