Real Madrid moved seven points clear at the top of La Liga with a comfortable 3-1 win over bottom side Real Zaragoza as Barcelona could only draw 0-0 at lowly Villarreal on Saturday.
The league leaders recovered quickly from their midweek King's Cup quarter-final exit to arch-rivals Barca and it was Pep Guardiola's victors who seemed to suffer a hangover.
Barca's pursuit of a fourth consecutive league title is now an even tougher task as they seek to catch Jose Mourinho's men after yet another poor showing on the road where five draws and one defeat has taken it's toll.
Real's 17th win from 20 league games left them top on 52 points, with Barca second on 45. Valencia, in third with 35, visit Racing Santander on Sunday.
The European and Spanish champions were down to the bare bones at the Madrigal with Pedro a late addition to their growing injury list that includes the striker David Villa and midfielder Andres Iniesta.
Lionel Messi lobbed just wide during a stale first half as Barca lacked their usual zip against a side who started the day in 17th place having won their first game in 11 attempts last weekend.
Barca threw men forward near the end, fielding Alexis Sanchez as a substitute despite him playing with a shoulder injury, but they could not beat home keeper Diego Lopez.
The Spanish international denied Messi in a one-on-one in the closing minutes and with the goal gaping, Fabregas booted the rebound high over the bar to complete a bad night for the visitors.
"The league isn't over yet, there is still a long way to go," World Player-of-the-Year Messi told reporters.
"We just lacked a bit of luck tonight. We didn't play as well as we can do, but we created chances and all we lacked was a goal."
SURPRISE LEAD
Angel Lafita gave Zaragoza a surprise early lead at the Bernabeu after a quickly taken freekick in the 11th minute but thoughts of a first win since mid-October quickly disappeared.
Brazilian Kaka squeezed a low shot under Roberto to level in the 32nd minute and Cristiano Ronaldo tapped in his 24th league goal of the campaign at the start of the second half.
The lively Mesut Ozil netted with a fierce drive after a slick passing move in the 56th and the whistles from home fans against Mourinho from last weekend, appeared long forgotten.
Manolo Jimenez's side remain six points adrift at the foot of the standings with 12 points, and are without a win in 13 outings.
Espanyol are fifth with 31 points and Athletic Bilbao sixth on 29 after both won earlier on Saturday.
Espanyol recovered from a shock midweek King's Cup quarter-final exit against tiny third-tier side Mirandes to beat 10-man Real Mallorca 1-0 at home.
Vladimir Weiss capitalised on an error from Mallorca's Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Aouate to put the Catalans in front after 18 minutes, but they failed to make the extra man count when Aouate was harshly sent off just after the break.
Spain striker Fernando Llorente scored a hat-trick as Cup semi-finalists Bilbao came from behind to win 3-2 in a pulsating encounter at Rayo Vallecano.
The powerful frontman nodded in the equaliser, controlled a long ball and turned his marker to put them 2-1 up, and headed the winner for his 11th league goal this season.
Showing posts with label Real Madrid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Real Madrid. Show all posts
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Messi-Ronaldo debate useless: Figo
Luis Figo believes it is not right to compare Barcelona star Lionel Messi with Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi netted a brace in Barca's 5-0 Uefa Champions League win over BATE Borisov on Wednesday to equal Ladislao Kubala in the club's goal-scoring charts with 194 goals.
Messi just needs another 42 goals to beat Cesar Rodriguez's tally of 235 to become the club's all-time leading goal-scorer while Ronaldo continues to be no slouch himself in front of goal for Madrid.
However, Figo, who currently works as an ambassador for Inter Milan, thinks it would be a futile task to sit down and compare the two players.
"It is not right to compare them [Ronaldo and Messi]," Figo told FCInternews.it, reports ESPNstar.
"I like watching both of them when they play, why ask which one is the best?
"It's like when you eat something, why choose one meal, when you can try both?
"Both [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Messi are different players, they have different personalities."
Figo, who played for both Madrid and Barcelona during a stellar career, recently rejected reports of a return to the Bernabeu as part of their technical staff.
Messi netted a brace in Barca's 5-0 Uefa Champions League win over BATE Borisov on Wednesday to equal Ladislao Kubala in the club's goal-scoring charts with 194 goals.
Messi just needs another 42 goals to beat Cesar Rodriguez's tally of 235 to become the club's all-time leading goal-scorer while Ronaldo continues to be no slouch himself in front of goal for Madrid.
However, Figo, who currently works as an ambassador for Inter Milan, thinks it would be a futile task to sit down and compare the two players.
"It is not right to compare them [Ronaldo and Messi]," Figo told FCInternews.it, reports ESPNstar.
"I like watching both of them when they play, why ask which one is the best?
"It's like when you eat something, why choose one meal, when you can try both?
"Both [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Messi are different players, they have different personalities."
Figo, who played for both Madrid and Barcelona during a stellar career, recently rejected reports of a return to the Bernabeu as part of their technical staff.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Rejuvenated Kaka inspires Real victory
A rejuvenated Kaka scored one goal and had a hand in two more as nine-times European Cup winners Real Madrid thumped Ajax Amsterdam 3-0 to seize control of Champions League Group D on Tuesday.
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 25th minute at the Bernabeu, finishing off a sweeping breakaway move. Brazil playmaker Kaka and France striker Karim Benzema then struck either side of halftime.
"It was a good win and puts us in a good position in the group," Kaka told Spanish television.
"We need to continue like this and I think we can seal the group very soon," added the 29-year-old who was given a rousing ovation when he was substituted in the 75th minute.
Kaka joined Real from AC Milan at the end of the 2008-09 season for a fee of almost 70 million euros ($95.4 million) but a series of injuries have prevented him rediscovering the form that won him the World Player of the Year award in 2007.
He looked back to his sparkling best on Tuesday as Real, who were knocked out by bitter rivals and eventual champions Barcelona in last year's semi-finals, strengthened their hold on top spot with six points from two matches.
Olympique Lyon have four points thanks to their 2-0 win at home to Dinamo Zagreb, with Ajax on one point in third and the Croatian team bottom on zero.
RAPID MOVE
Real coach Jose Mourinho, serving the final game of a three-match ban, opted for an attacking formation against the Dutch side with Kaka and Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil operating just behind Ronaldo and Benzema.
However, it was Ajax who started brightest and Iker Casillas had to make a smart save low to his left from Christian Eriksen's snap shot in the first minute.
Casillas was called into action again in the 15th when Kolbeinn Sigthorsson burst through the centre and the Spain keeper blocked the Icelander's shot.
Real's first real chance came two minutes later when Sami Khedira found space on the right and pulled the ball back for Benzema but the Frenchman scuffed his shot wide.
Kenneth Vermeer in Ajax's goal did well to sprint off his line and block a Ronaldo effort in the 22nd but was powerless to prevent the forward giving his side the lead three minutes later.
Ronaldo, another former World Player of the Year and the world's most expensive footballer, smashed the ball into the net after a rapid passing move involving Ozil, Kaka and Benzema.
Kaka was allowed too much space on the edge of the area and fired a powerful left-foot drive into the corner in the 41st minute and any hopes of a second-half Ajax revival were snuffed out in the 49th when Benzema sidefooted home Kaka's pass.
Ajax coach Frank De Boer, who helped the club win the European Cup in 1995 before making more than 150 appearances for Barcelona, said his side needed to be "smarter and better organised" if they were to challenge teams like Real.
"I said in my talk before the game that Real Madrid were very dangerous on the break and they showed that again tonight," the former Dutch international said.
"We started pretty well though and that should give us some confidence for the coming games."
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 25th minute at the Bernabeu, finishing off a sweeping breakaway move. Brazil playmaker Kaka and France striker Karim Benzema then struck either side of halftime.
"It was a good win and puts us in a good position in the group," Kaka told Spanish television.
"We need to continue like this and I think we can seal the group very soon," added the 29-year-old who was given a rousing ovation when he was substituted in the 75th minute.
Kaka joined Real from AC Milan at the end of the 2008-09 season for a fee of almost 70 million euros ($95.4 million) but a series of injuries have prevented him rediscovering the form that won him the World Player of the Year award in 2007.
He looked back to his sparkling best on Tuesday as Real, who were knocked out by bitter rivals and eventual champions Barcelona in last year's semi-finals, strengthened their hold on top spot with six points from two matches.
Olympique Lyon have four points thanks to their 2-0 win at home to Dinamo Zagreb, with Ajax on one point in third and the Croatian team bottom on zero.
RAPID MOVE
Real coach Jose Mourinho, serving the final game of a three-match ban, opted for an attacking formation against the Dutch side with Kaka and Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil operating just behind Ronaldo and Benzema.
However, it was Ajax who started brightest and Iker Casillas had to make a smart save low to his left from Christian Eriksen's snap shot in the first minute.
Casillas was called into action again in the 15th when Kolbeinn Sigthorsson burst through the centre and the Spain keeper blocked the Icelander's shot.
Real's first real chance came two minutes later when Sami Khedira found space on the right and pulled the ball back for Benzema but the Frenchman scuffed his shot wide.
Kenneth Vermeer in Ajax's goal did well to sprint off his line and block a Ronaldo effort in the 22nd but was powerless to prevent the forward giving his side the lead three minutes later.
Ronaldo, another former World Player of the Year and the world's most expensive footballer, smashed the ball into the net after a rapid passing move involving Ozil, Kaka and Benzema.
Kaka was allowed too much space on the edge of the area and fired a powerful left-foot drive into the corner in the 41st minute and any hopes of a second-half Ajax revival were snuffed out in the 49th when Benzema sidefooted home Kaka's pass.
Ajax coach Frank De Boer, who helped the club win the European Cup in 1995 before making more than 150 appearances for Barcelona, said his side needed to be "smarter and better organised" if they were to challenge teams like Real.
"I said in my talk before the game that Real Madrid were very dangerous on the break and they showed that again tonight," the former Dutch international said.
"We started pretty well though and that should give us some confidence for the coming games."
Real Madrid record routine win
Real Madrid recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Ajax at the Bernabeu in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock midway through the first half after a good start from the Dutch champions, before Kaka doubled Madrid's lead in the closing stages of the first 45. Karim Benzema then added a third minutes after the break to put the match to bed, goal.com reports.
Ajax started the game with attacking intentions and came close to opening the scoring within two minutes. Derk Boerrigter tried his luck with a low shot from the edge of the area after a good cross from the right, but Iker Casillas showed his class as he kept the ball out with a fine reflex save.
The Spain international was again called into action shortly after when Siem de Jong popped up in the Madrid area and Casillas again was up to the task.
The hosts then took over the initiative and should have grabbed the lead in the 17th minute. Sami Khedira set up Karim Benzema in front of an empty goal, but the France international miraculously aimed wide from 10 yards out. Cristiano Ronaldo then came close after a good pass from Ricardo Carvalho, but Ajax goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer made a superb save.
Nevertheless, the Ajax No. 1 didn't have an answer to Ronaldo's shot midway through the first half as the Portugal international fired home from inside the area after a brilliant attack. Mesut Ozil started the counter inside his own half and set up Ronaldo, who reached Kaka. After a good pass from the Brazilian, again Ozil and finally Benzema, the ball ended up in the feet of Ronaldo once more and he found the net with a low shot.
The opener pretty much ended Ajax's ambitions of getting a good result at the Bernabeu and Kaka doubled the home side's lead shortly before the interval with a shot into the far corner.
Real Madrid continued to press after the break and another superb counter resulted in their third goal in the 49th minute. Xabi Alonso found Alvaro Arbeloa with a brilliant long pass down the left and the full-back squared it to Kaka, who gave Benzema an unmissable chance and the Frenchman tapped home from five yards out.
Ajax didn't give up though and De Jong, Thulani Serero and Christian Eriksen all tried their luck from long range. However, they failed to trouble Casillas and the Amsterdam giants were lucky not to concede a fourth goal when Kaka placed his shot wide after a quick counterattack.
The biggest chance for the Eredivisie titans came Vertonghen's way in the closing stages of the match, but the Denmark international's header from close range was punched away for a corner by the Madrid glovesman.
Madrid have now collected six points from two games and top Group D. They host Olympique Lyonnais on October 18 in their third game of the group stage.
Ajax sit last in the section with only one point from their opening two games. Their next Champions League match is the away clash versus Dinamo Zagreb in three weeks.
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock midway through the first half after a good start from the Dutch champions, before Kaka doubled Madrid's lead in the closing stages of the first 45. Karim Benzema then added a third minutes after the break to put the match to bed, goal.com reports.
Ajax started the game with attacking intentions and came close to opening the scoring within two minutes. Derk Boerrigter tried his luck with a low shot from the edge of the area after a good cross from the right, but Iker Casillas showed his class as he kept the ball out with a fine reflex save.
The Spain international was again called into action shortly after when Siem de Jong popped up in the Madrid area and Casillas again was up to the task.
The hosts then took over the initiative and should have grabbed the lead in the 17th minute. Sami Khedira set up Karim Benzema in front of an empty goal, but the France international miraculously aimed wide from 10 yards out. Cristiano Ronaldo then came close after a good pass from Ricardo Carvalho, but Ajax goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer made a superb save.
Nevertheless, the Ajax No. 1 didn't have an answer to Ronaldo's shot midway through the first half as the Portugal international fired home from inside the area after a brilliant attack. Mesut Ozil started the counter inside his own half and set up Ronaldo, who reached Kaka. After a good pass from the Brazilian, again Ozil and finally Benzema, the ball ended up in the feet of Ronaldo once more and he found the net with a low shot.
The opener pretty much ended Ajax's ambitions of getting a good result at the Bernabeu and Kaka doubled the home side's lead shortly before the interval with a shot into the far corner.
Real Madrid continued to press after the break and another superb counter resulted in their third goal in the 49th minute. Xabi Alonso found Alvaro Arbeloa with a brilliant long pass down the left and the full-back squared it to Kaka, who gave Benzema an unmissable chance and the Frenchman tapped home from five yards out.
Ajax didn't give up though and De Jong, Thulani Serero and Christian Eriksen all tried their luck from long range. However, they failed to trouble Casillas and the Amsterdam giants were lucky not to concede a fourth goal when Kaka placed his shot wide after a quick counterattack.
The biggest chance for the Eredivisie titans came Vertonghen's way in the closing stages of the match, but the Denmark international's header from close range was punched away for a corner by the Madrid glovesman.
Madrid have now collected six points from two games and top Group D. They host Olympique Lyonnais on October 18 in their third game of the group stage.
Ajax sit last in the section with only one point from their opening two games. Their next Champions League match is the away clash versus Dinamo Zagreb in three weeks.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
News Santander hold Real
Real Madrid conceded more early ground in the La Liga title race as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Racing Santander on Wednesday.
Winger Oscar Serrano came close to making it two successive defeats for Jose Mourinho's side. A 1-0 weekend defeat by Levante was almost matched with Serrano's shot which forced Iker Casillas into the best save of the match, reports ESPNsoccernet.
Maria Callejon just failed to get a touch despite lunging at a ball from Marcelo, while Cristiano Ronaldo skewed a volley wide from a difficult angle and then the same player's cross was headed straight at Antonio Tono by Callejon.
Serrano brought the game to life four minutes into the second half with a left-foot shot which Casillas dived low to his left to turn around the post.
Gonzalo Higuain then had a shot after cutting in from the right but Tono tipped the effort over.
Then at the death Serrano had the chance to take all three points but Casillas came to the rescue.
Santi Cazorla's stunning free-kick gave Malaga a 1-0 victory, their third in a row, in a tight encounter with Athletic Bilbao.
The Spain international beautifully curled the ball into the top corner on the hour mark to take his tally to four goals in four Primera Division games following his summer move from Villarreal.
Athletic, who have now lost their last three league games, once again enjoyed plenty of possession but lacked cutting edge up front and the hosts should have extended their lead but Eliseu shot into the side-netting after a wonderful run had presented him with an open goal.
Winger Oscar Serrano came close to making it two successive defeats for Jose Mourinho's side. A 1-0 weekend defeat by Levante was almost matched with Serrano's shot which forced Iker Casillas into the best save of the match, reports ESPNsoccernet.
Maria Callejon just failed to get a touch despite lunging at a ball from Marcelo, while Cristiano Ronaldo skewed a volley wide from a difficult angle and then the same player's cross was headed straight at Antonio Tono by Callejon.
Serrano brought the game to life four minutes into the second half with a left-foot shot which Casillas dived low to his left to turn around the post.
Gonzalo Higuain then had a shot after cutting in from the right but Tono tipped the effort over.
Then at the death Serrano had the chance to take all three points but Casillas came to the rescue.
Santi Cazorla's stunning free-kick gave Malaga a 1-0 victory, their third in a row, in a tight encounter with Athletic Bilbao.
The Spain international beautifully curled the ball into the top corner on the hour mark to take his tally to four goals in four Primera Division games following his summer move from Villarreal.
Athletic, who have now lost their last three league games, once again enjoyed plenty of possession but lacked cutting edge up front and the hosts should have extended their lead but Eliseu shot into the side-netting after a wonderful run had presented him with an open goal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)