By Eric Beard

Doesn't vehement hatred get kind of boring after a while? I mean, sure, if you want to let a little schadenfreude and anger out a couple of times a year, that's fine. Everyone's entitled to their fair share of irrational fandom. Maybe I'm not as creative as the Spanish press and [insert name of your Superclub]'s fans, but hatred gets kind of circular after a while.

Barca holds off Madrid rally to reach cup semis World Soccer Yahoo! Sports.

Barcelona once again got the better of their closest rivals in La Liga by knocking out Real Madrid in the quarter finals of the Copa Del Rey. After taking a two goal lead over Real, Barcelona were pegged back to 2-2 as the game finished in a draw.

Real Madrid will go into the Spanish winter break with a three-point advantage over Barcelona after a 6-2 win at Sevilla.

With Barça away in Japan playing in the FIFA Club World Cup duty, José Mourinho's side took full advantage and went in front through Cristiano Ronaldo. José Callejón doubled the lead on 37 minutes, with Ronaldo's spectacular strike making it 3-0.

Real Madrid will go into the Spanish winter break with a three-point advantage over Barcelona after a 6-2 win at Sevilla.

With Barça away in Japan playing in the FIFA Club World Cup duty, José Mourinho's side took full advantage and went in front through Cristiano Ronaldo. José Callejón doubled the lead on 37 minutes, with Ronaldo's spectacular strike making it 3-0.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has dismissed Spanish media reports linking David Villa with a move away from the Nou Camp in the January transfer window.

Sports newspaper Marca claimed oin Wednesday that the striker is ready to move on from Barca just 19 months into the four-year deal agreed following his 40million euro transfer from Valencia.

David Villa will not be sold to Chelsea says Barcelona's Pep Guardiola

• Coach says report linking striker with transfer is 'a lie' • Liverpool and Aston Villa also linked with January bids The Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has dismissed Spanish media reports linking David Villa with a move away from the club in the January transfer window.

"Tipoooo! Want a signed copy of my autobiography?" is probably what Ibrahimovic asked good ol' Messi in this photo, after Milan's 2-3 loss to Barcelona last night. Neither side really have anything to worry about they're both through to the second round!

Several Spanish media outlets have released the first images of the the Spain adidas EURO 2012 home jersey. The new shirt will be used by the talent-rich La Roja as it looks to defend its EURO 2008 title and for its 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers during the 2012/13 international season. The Spain adidas EURO [.

Spanish media production company Mediapro has extended for another year its broadcast rights deal with current La Liga and European champions FC Barcelona.

FELIZ MARTES!! The Champions League finally returns today and you'd better believe that Roberto Mancini loves David Silva as much as the Valencianos still do! There's nothing quite like some hair affection at a press conference and naturally, they picked David to face the Spanish media ahead of the City-Villarreal clash tonight.

By Chris Wright

In which Cristiano Ronaldo is seen doling out the old middle-finger salute while boarding the Real Madrid coach after getting a pretty rough reception from fans gathered at Santander Airport...

It's all a bit 'Meh' in this humble scribe's opinion, but Ronaldo's gesture seems to have caused a wee bit of a stir in Spanish media circles, with a couple of outlets admonishing such a heinous act of aloof petulance while pro-Real spout MARCA are unsurprisingly claiming that the Portuguese greaser was in fact just flipping Pepe the bird an explanation that seems entirely plausible to me.

Chelsea have ordered Fernando Torres to explain himself after reports in the Spanish media suggested that the striker had criticised his team-mates.

The 27-year-old is thought to have told a Spanish website that many of the current Chelsea players are ‘very slow', particularly the older members of the squad.

Atletico Madrid have given Uruguay striker Diego Forlan permission to negotiate a possible transfer, the Spanish club said today.

The 32-year-old dropped out of Atletico's squad just before they flew to Portugal for Thursday's Europa League qualifier against Vitoria Guimaraes, and Spanish media have linked him with interest from Inter Milan, with whom he has been heavily linked with.

So there is general consensus among the Galaxy fans I talked to that Robbie Keane is a good signing for the squad. One, however, admitted to being a disgruntled West Ham fan and said that the Galaxy would regret the move. There's a bit of extra pressure on Robbie tonight, perhaps, because the player moved in order for him to be signed, Juan Pablo Angel, scored tonight for Chivas USA.

So there is general consensus among the Galaxy fans I talked to that Robbie Keane is a good signing for the squad. One, however, admitted to being a disgruntled West Ham fan and said that the Galaxy would regret the move. There's a bit of extra pressure on Robbie tonight, perhaps, because the player moved in order for him to be signed, Juan Pablo Angel, scored tonight for Chivas USA.

The longest running transfer saga of the summer has finally come to an end as Barcelona have signed Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.

We broke the story earlier in the week on our Arsenal blog, and it looks like all the fine details in the agreement have been finalized. The deal is worth €40m which includes €29 + €6 variables + €5 from Fabregas in bonuses he will not receive.

The longest running transfer saga of the summer has finally come to an end as Barcelona have signed Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.

We broke the story earlier in the week on our Arsenal blog, and it looks like all the fine details in the agreement have been finalized. The deal is worth €40m which includes €29 + €6 variables + €5 from Fabregas in bonuses he will not receive.

The longest running transfer saga of the summer has finally come to an end as Barcelona have signed Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.

We broke the story earlier in the week on our Arsenal blog, and it looks like all the fine details in the agreement have been finalized. The deal is worth €40m which includes €29 + €6 variables + €5 from Fabregas in bonuses he will not receive.

Liverpool close in on young strikers Marco Bueno and Nacho

• Bueno set for 10-day trial with view to long-term contract • Reports in Spain say club have agreed deal for Nacho The Mexico Under-17 striker Marco Bueno is set to arrive at Liverpool next month with a view to signing what may be a five-year contract.

Liverpool Set to Sign Spanish Youngster

Liverpool have reportedly beaten Villarreal to the signing of young Spanish striker Nacho, according to reports in Spain. The Reds have been making strides to bolster the strength of their U-18 squad recently, and have reportedly tied up a contract with Mexican striker Marco Bueno before moving to finalise the deal for Nacho.

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola will not be rushed into a deal for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

Barca have made offers of £27million and £31m for the Arsenal captain, but those bids fall far shiort of Arsenal's valuation for Fabregas.

Guardiola would love Fabregas to make his Barca debut against Manchester United next week but he is prepared to wait until the very last minute if it means he will get his man.

C'mon show some spunk, Arsenal mates!

The Arsenal midfielder shows why he might be the doyen of his generation. At a press conference when asked whether Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas would stay on he went completely unscripted.

"Loyalty is a big part of football and it shows if you are a real man or not.

Zinedine Zidane is set to become Real Madrid's new sporting director.

Zidane, who played for Real Madrid between 2001 and 2006, and has been a special advisor to club president Florentino Perez told eporters on the sidelines of a charity match in Madrid that

"I will be the first team's sporting director,"

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year said he was still not sure what his functions would be, although Spanish media said it would involve working more closely with Real coach Jose Mourinho.

Zinedine Zidane is set to become Real Madrid's new sporting director.

Zidane, who played for Real Madrid between 2001 and 2006, and has been a special advisor to club president Florentino Perez told eporters on the sidelines of a charity match in Madrid that

"I will be the first team's sporting director,"

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year said he was still not sure what his functions would be, although Spanish media said it would involve working more closely with Real coach Jose Mourinho.

If you haven't seen Monica Ocampo's goal for Mexico in last night's Women's World Cup match yet, you're in for a treat!! Has a touch of Zizou and reminds you a little of Ronaldinho in his prime. Their match against England ended in a 1-1 draw, of course, but there's still a lot left to play for.

Cesc Fabregas reacts to Barca's offer: "Only £27m, scumbags!"

The Sun is reporting Barca have made an offer of £27m for Cesc Fabregas which has been rejected by Arsenal who are looking at least £35m.

But here is the pinch. There is absolutely nothing in the piranha like Spanish media on this supposedly huge breaking news.

Watching England's performances in the Euro Under 21 Championships has been a pretty dire experience but there has been one stand out player within the ranks.

Kyle Walker has impressed fans and pundits alike and after his man of the match performance in the opening game against Spain, England's next opponents Ukraine deployed two men to mark him.

Spurs youngster big in Spain While we were all left drooling at consummate ease with which Spain under 21s popped the ball around against their English counterparts, the Spanish media did manage to spot something they envied in the opposition ranks: Kyle Walker. The Tottenham full-back was undoubtedly England's best player on the night and [.

Liverpool and Aston Villa are going head to head in the battle to sign Real Madrid defensive midfielder Fernando Gago. Liverpool, according to the Spanish media are the slight favourites, however Aston Villa are still considered a very live option for the Argentine.
Gago, who has made 92 appearances for Real Madrid, has been told by manager Jose Mourinho that he can leave the Bernabeu and this has prompted the likes of manager-less Aston Villa and Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool boss, to enquire further about the 25 year old, an interest that has apparently hardened up significantly over the last few days.

Liverpool and Aston Villa are going head to head in the battle to sign Real Madrid defensive midfielder Fernando Gago. Liverpool, according to the Spanish media are the slight favourites, however Aston Villa are still considered a very live option for the Argentine.
Gago, who has made 92 appearances for Real Madrid, has been told by manager Jose Mourinho that he can leave the Bernabeu and this has prompted the likes of manager-less Aston Villa and Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool boss, to enquire further about the 25 year old, an interest that has apparently hardened up significantly over the last few days.

The season is barely over and already Real Madrid have added three new players to their squad for next season. Their latest signing is former youth team forward Jose Callejon from Espanyol.

The 24-year-old, a former Spanish U21 international, moved to Espanyol at the end of the 2007/08 season and made 97 appearances for the Barcelona-based club, scoring 10 goals.

The Chelsea Blog looks at Rio Ferdinand apologising for his outburst. The Beautiful Game Passion Not Required.

The Mirror wonders whether Kenny Dalglish is going to be banned for swearing on camera.

The Independent looks at Rio Ferdinand's stalker.

Soccerlens shows how similar United and Chelsea's shirts will be next season.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has attempted to further clarify comments made to the Spanish media by Jose Enrique. Enrique's comments to a Spanish magazine last week caused a bit of a stir and Alan Pardew has attempted to further clarify them, which Enrique insists were taken out of context by the British press.

Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima, RONALDO, has announced his retirement from Football at the age of 34 years of age. The players body just instead the same & as he himself says, the body does not want to do what the mind thinks. According to Spanish media the player will give his last press conference this afternoon (Sp.

With Argentina taking on Portugal in Geneva on Wednesday afternoon/evening, and the world's press (and especially, it would seem, the Argentina, Portuguese and Spanish media) pushing the fixture as a battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, I thought it ... Continue reading →

Racing Santander's new Indian owners have not wasted much time making changes as coach Miguel Angel Portugal has been sacked.

"Real Racing Club have reached an agreement with Miguel Angel Portugal on the cancellation of his contract," Racing said in a statement on their website.

ATLETICO DE MADRID Uruguayan forward DIEGO FORLAN has said to Spanish media today that REAL MADRID contacted his Club early in the week - concretely Director General ( in fact the real owner of Atletico de Madrid) Angel Gil Marin - to make an offer & attempt to sign the player. Forlan added that Atletico refused the offer & said that he was not for sale.

If Liverpool are to rely on a back-up plan in case they fail to sign Luis Suarez from Ajax, they should forget about pursuing Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.

Fernando Garcia Macau, the president of the La Liga outfit, has publicly expressed his stance in regards to Llorente's availability by making it very clear that both the player and the club are committed to building a long-term relationship.

Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their race to sign a striker with news that Fernando Llorente will not be sold by Athletic Bilbao.
The Spanish international striker has emerged as one of the Reds' top targets, should a deal for Luis Suarez fall through, but the player's club have told Liverpool to forget it.

REAL MADRID is in turmoil, & using a Spanish saying, the Club is washing their dirty laundry in public. The very latest is the public "tennis match" of bickering & sly undertone comments being flung via the Spanish Media between Club Director General Jorge Valdano & Coach José Mourinho. I posted my views last Sunday here "REAL MADRID - RUUD VAN NISTELROOY | SIGNS OF BAD PLANNING BAD