[SPA] La Liga 2007/2008 (13 Viewers)
- Thread starter JCK
- Start date
yeah i guess thats true but yr sentence should've been: messi, bojan, and giovanni are the future of barca ( if they can hang on to them 
) while ronaldinho is now in ( or on his way to) milan. although i feel sorry for ronaldinho he has made loads of barca fans proud for the last three years yet now nearly all barca fans curse at him and cant wait to lose his ass kind of sad and unclassy if u ask me......... a bunch of Pedercina's really thats the word to use. ( god v that word has easily become my favourite!!!! )
p.s: maher this post is not directed to u by any means its meant to be a generalization regarding barca suppoters who seem to have no memeory of two seasons ago and what the player they wish to lose did for them.
) while ronaldinho is now in ( or on his way to) milan. although i feel sorry for ronaldinho he has made loads of barca fans proud for the last three years yet now nearly all barca fans curse at him and cant wait to lose his ass kind of sad and unclassy if u ask me......... a bunch of Pedercina's really thats the word to use. ( god v that word has easily become my favourite!!!! )p.s: maher this post is not directed to u by any means its meant to be a generalization regarding barca suppoters who seem to have no memeory of two seasons ago and what the player they wish to lose did for them.
yeah i guess thats true but yr sentence should've been: messi, bojan, and giovanni are the future of barca ( if they can hang on to them ) while ronaldinho is now in ( or on his way to) milan. although i feel sorry for ronaldinho he has made loads of barca fans proud for the last three years yet now nearly all barca fans curse at him and cant wait to lose his ass kind of sad and unclassy if u ask me......... a bunch of Pedercina's really thats the word to use. ( god v that word has easily become my favourite!!!! )
p.s: maher this post is not directed to u by any means its meant to be a generalization regarding barca suppoters who seem to have no memeory of two seasons ago and what the player they wish to lose did for them.
) while ronaldinho is now in ( or on his way to) milan. although i feel sorry for ronaldinho he has made loads of barca fans proud for the last three years yet now nearly all barca fans curse at him and cant wait to lose his ass kind of sad and unclassy if u ask me......... a bunch of Pedercina's really thats the word to use. ( god v that word has easily become my favourite!!!! )p.s: maher this post is not directed to u by any means its meant to be a generalization regarding barca suppoters who seem to have no memeory of two seasons ago and what the player they wish to lose did for them.
Barcelona Start The New Year In Style
Real Mallorca 0 - 2 Barcelona
Barcelona began the New Year on a high as they produced a solid away day performance to defeat Real Mallorca in the Ono Estadi for the sixth consecutive season
After a goalless first half, Rafa Márquez nodded the Blaugrana in front midway through the second period and Samuel Eto'o added a superb second in injury time.
The win put Barça's previous league defeat against Real Madrid behind them and extended Mallorca's poor home run.
With Ronaldinho unavailable, coach Frank Rijkaard opted to reintroduce Eidur Gudjohnsen into midfield and play Andrés Iniesta and Giovani Dos Santos up front with Samuel Eto'o.
Mallorca were hoping that by packing their defensive and swamping the midfield that they would stifle their opponents and the tactic worked throughout the first half.
Despite Sunday being the final day of Christmas, there was little festive cheer inside the stadium as the supporters remained quiet for the majority of the opening 45 minutes.
Given Mallorca's record at home it is not surprising as their long-suffering fans have not seen a win since October 7.
Dani Güiza was employed up front on his own, but he was able to cause Barça an early scare as he beat Gaby Milito to a low through-ball before turning back and firing a shot just wide of the post from the edge of the area.
The visitors drew level on shots when Iniesta edged past three defenders before sending a drive just past the far post, but those were the clearest chances of the half.
Barcelona dominated possession, but were unable to open up the tight back line that Gregorio Manzano had organised.
Angelos Basinas found a small space 20 yards from goal in the 23rd minute, but his effort was wide of the target.
Mallorca showed that they were capable of coming forward and posing questions of their own as the game remained tense despite the swift movement of the ball.
Misplaced passes and ambitious punts forward did little to help as half-time approached and Rijkaard chose to mix things up by introducing Bojan at the start of the second period.
Gudjohnsen made way for the youngster with Iniesta dropping back into midfield, but still chances were few and far between.
Güiza limped out of the action soon after the restart and the home side missed his physical presence going forward, but it still appeared that either team's best chance of breaking the deadlock was from a set piece.
That proved to be the case as Barcelona took the lead in the 63rd minute when Rafa Márquez was left unmarked to leap and meet Xavi's corner to nod the ball into the far corner of Lux's net.
The goal relaxed Barça and made Mallorca open up slightly and Rijkaard hoped that the introduction of Henry in place of Dos Santos would give his side something different.
With 14 minutes remaining the Frenchman showed a flash of brilliance as he skipped into the area and curled a trademark shot towards the far corner only for a superb save from Lux to deny him.
Mallorca continued to fancy their chances and Fernando Varela tried his luck from distance in the closing minutes, but with the pressure off them the visitors were looking calm.
Three minutes into injury time Barça finally produced a flowing move that was reminiscent of their home form and added a second goal to their tally.
Bojan cut inside from the left flank before finding Henry on the edge of the area and the forward set up Eto'o who powered home a shot from 25 yards out.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
Real Mallorca 0 - 2 Barcelona
Barcelona began the New Year on a high as they produced a solid away day performance to defeat Real Mallorca in the Ono Estadi for the sixth consecutive season
After a goalless first half, Rafa Márquez nodded the Blaugrana in front midway through the second period and Samuel Eto'o added a superb second in injury time.
The win put Barça's previous league defeat against Real Madrid behind them and extended Mallorca's poor home run.
With Ronaldinho unavailable, coach Frank Rijkaard opted to reintroduce Eidur Gudjohnsen into midfield and play Andrés Iniesta and Giovani Dos Santos up front with Samuel Eto'o.
Mallorca were hoping that by packing their defensive and swamping the midfield that they would stifle their opponents and the tactic worked throughout the first half.
Despite Sunday being the final day of Christmas, there was little festive cheer inside the stadium as the supporters remained quiet for the majority of the opening 45 minutes.
Given Mallorca's record at home it is not surprising as their long-suffering fans have not seen a win since October 7.
Dani Güiza was employed up front on his own, but he was able to cause Barça an early scare as he beat Gaby Milito to a low through-ball before turning back and firing a shot just wide of the post from the edge of the area.
The visitors drew level on shots when Iniesta edged past three defenders before sending a drive just past the far post, but those were the clearest chances of the half.
Barcelona dominated possession, but were unable to open up the tight back line that Gregorio Manzano had organised.
Angelos Basinas found a small space 20 yards from goal in the 23rd minute, but his effort was wide of the target.
Mallorca showed that they were capable of coming forward and posing questions of their own as the game remained tense despite the swift movement of the ball.
Misplaced passes and ambitious punts forward did little to help as half-time approached and Rijkaard chose to mix things up by introducing Bojan at the start of the second period.
Gudjohnsen made way for the youngster with Iniesta dropping back into midfield, but still chances were few and far between.
Güiza limped out of the action soon after the restart and the home side missed his physical presence going forward, but it still appeared that either team's best chance of breaking the deadlock was from a set piece.
That proved to be the case as Barcelona took the lead in the 63rd minute when Rafa Márquez was left unmarked to leap and meet Xavi's corner to nod the ball into the far corner of Lux's net.
The goal relaxed Barça and made Mallorca open up slightly and Rijkaard hoped that the introduction of Henry in place of Dos Santos would give his side something different.
With 14 minutes remaining the Frenchman showed a flash of brilliance as he skipped into the area and curled a trademark shot towards the far corner only for a superb save from Lux to deny him.
Mallorca continued to fancy their chances and Fernando Varela tried his luck from distance in the closing minutes, but with the pressure off them the visitors were looking calm.
Three minutes into injury time Barça finally produced a flowing move that was reminiscent of their home form and added a second goal to their tally.
Bojan cut inside from the left flank before finding Henry on the edge of the area and the forward set up Eto'o who powered home a shot from 25 yards out.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
La Liga Preview: Real Madrid - Real Zaragoza
What: La Liga, Matchday 18
Who: Real Madrid (1st, 41pts) vs Real Zaragoza (9th, 21pts)
When: Sunday, 6th January 2008, 1900 CET
Where: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Referee: Iturralde González
It's back to business in La Liga after the two week mid-season break and, for most clubs, the business end of the campaign begins now.
Real Madrid will be looking to pick up where they left off in 2007, but their opponents, Real Zaragoza, will be hoping that the turn of the year will bring an upturn in fortunes.
More Of The Same, Please
Los Merengues ended 2007 in the best possible fashion when they beat arch-nemesis and title rival Barcelona 0-1 just two days before Christmas. The precious win - just their second at the Camp Nou in 25 years - not only opened up a healthy seven point lead at the top, but it also brought back a sense of self-belief at the club never before seen in a long time.
The reigning champions entered the break with an impressive run of seven competitive games without defeat, six of them victories. In the league, they have been virtually untouchable at the Santiago Bernabéu. The last time they dropped points was against Getafe back in early March '07. Ever since, they have reeled off 15 consecutive wins, seven from last term and eight from this campaign. It is a streak that began, incidentally, after the unforgettable 3-3 draw at Barcelona in last season's clásico.
However, coach Bernd Schuster didn't quite get the resounding result he was expecting to kick off 2008. On Wednesday, his near-second string side needed a 92nd minute winner from Guti to prevent their second leg Copa del Rey clash with Segunda B outfit Alicante from going into extra-time, as the Spanish giants ran out 2-1 victors.
The German trainer will be demanding a more imperious display from his strong squad this time. He hopes to build not just on the winning streak, but also on their markedly improved performances in December.
New Resolutions Needed
In contrast to Madrid's form, Real Zaragoza have not won since the 31st of October, losing three of their last seven Liga games and drawing the other four. Add to that, they suffered a humiliating 1-0 defeat to third division club Pontevedra in the first leg Copa del Rey match back in November, a tie which they only just rescued in the return leg last Thursday when Sergio García scored in the dying minutes to make it 3-1, averting an embarrassing elimination via the away goals rule.
Los Maños have made significant improvements to the squad during the summer with such formidable arrivals as Ricardo Oliveira, Roberto Ayala, Peter Luccin and Matuzalém, but Víctor Fernández's side are failing miserably to replicate last season's form that saw them finish in 6th place. Injuries have played their part, but so too has poor form.
If they don't put an end to their wretched winless run early in the new year, another chase for a UEFA Cup spot could be over very soon and they might even find themselves suddenly battling away in the relegation zone. Amazingly, they're just three points clear of it.
FORM GUIDE
Real Madrid
Jan 02 Real Madrid vs Alicante 2-1 (COPA DEL REY)
Dec 23 Barcelona vs Real Madrid 0-1 (LA LIGA)
Dec 19 Alicante vs Real Madrid 1-1 (COPA DEL REY)
Dec 16 Real Madrid vs Osasuna 2-0 (LA LIGA)
Dec 11 Real Madrid vs SS Lazio 3-1 (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)
Real Zaragoza
Jan 03 Zaragoza vs Pontevedra 3-1 (COPA DEL REY)
Dec 22 Zaragoza vs Valencia 2-2 (LA LIGA)
Dec 16 Deportivo La Coruña vs Zaragoza 1-1 (LA LIGA)
Dec 09 Zaragoza vs Espanyol 3-3 (LA LIGA)
Dec 02 Recreativo Huelva vs Zaragoza 2-1 (LA LIGA)
TEAM NEWS
Real Madrid
In-form defender Pepe has overcome a bout of flu and he is also making good progress in shrugging off the muscle strain he picked up in the first training session in the new year. If he fails to regain 100% fitness come kick-off, then Gabriel Heinze should deputize at centre-back, with Christoph Metzelder still struggling to recuperate from his own injury.
Schuster has no other injury or suspension worries but that doesn't mean there aren't any selection headaches. He will have to mull over who to line up in midfield. The likes of Guti, Robben, and Higuaín are all eager to earn a chance to impress the coach.
Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Casillas - Sergio Ramos, Pepe/Heinze, Cannavaro, Marcelo - Sneijder, Diarra, Baptista - Raul (c), van Nistelrooy, Robinho
Real Zaragoza
The Blanquillos will welcome back a cluster of players who all missed the final league game of 2007: Pablo Aimar, Luis Cuartero and David Generelo are all back from injury while Gabi returns from a one-match ban.
Their one glaring absentee for this clash however, is Diego Milito. The Argentine striker was sent off in the midweek Copa win over Pontevedra and the suspension will have to be served out in the league. Saturday morning saw news that Diego's red card from midweek had been rescinded, leaving him free to face Real Madrid.
Ex-Madrid keeper César Sánchez looks doubtful as he continues to nurse an injury he sustained in the match against Valencia a fortnight ago, despite his best efforts throughout the Christmas break to make a full recovery.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): López Vallejo - Diogo, Ayala, Sergio, Juanfran - Aimar, Celades, Luccin, Zapater (c) - Oliveira, Diego Milito.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Madrid - Júlio Baptista
There are few Madrid players such as Casillas, Pepe and Robinho who are in the form of their lives, but it is the Beast who has turned himself into an instant Bernabéu hero with his stunning winner at the Camp Nou in el Clásico two weeks ago. The hard work now begins for the 26 year old as he looks to fend off fierce competition from his colleagues and cement a regular place in the first team.
Real Zaragoza - Ricardo Oliveira
The Brazilian, on loan from AC Milan, will have Milito alongside him for this one. But make no mistake, the ex-Betis frontman is anything but a secondary player, having tallied nine goals already in all competitions, just one behind his Argentine strike partner.
PREDICTION
Madrid have won six of their last seven competitive home games against Zaragoza. The Aragón outfit's last memorable triumph at the Bernabéu came all the way back in December 99 when they won 1-5.
Based on current form, any such repeat is supremely unlikely and Los Blancos should easily account for their guests, who have only one away league win to show so far. Although, first day back after the holidays, you can expect el Real's first teamers to be a bit rusty.
Real Madrid 2-0 Real Zaragoza
KS Leong
What: La Liga, Matchday 18
Who: Real Madrid (1st, 41pts) vs Real Zaragoza (9th, 21pts)
When: Sunday, 6th January 2008, 1900 CET
Where: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Referee: Iturralde González
It's back to business in La Liga after the two week mid-season break and, for most clubs, the business end of the campaign begins now.
Real Madrid will be looking to pick up where they left off in 2007, but their opponents, Real Zaragoza, will be hoping that the turn of the year will bring an upturn in fortunes.
More Of The Same, Please
Los Merengues ended 2007 in the best possible fashion when they beat arch-nemesis and title rival Barcelona 0-1 just two days before Christmas. The precious win - just their second at the Camp Nou in 25 years - not only opened up a healthy seven point lead at the top, but it also brought back a sense of self-belief at the club never before seen in a long time.
The reigning champions entered the break with an impressive run of seven competitive games without defeat, six of them victories. In the league, they have been virtually untouchable at the Santiago Bernabéu. The last time they dropped points was against Getafe back in early March '07. Ever since, they have reeled off 15 consecutive wins, seven from last term and eight from this campaign. It is a streak that began, incidentally, after the unforgettable 3-3 draw at Barcelona in last season's clásico.
However, coach Bernd Schuster didn't quite get the resounding result he was expecting to kick off 2008. On Wednesday, his near-second string side needed a 92nd minute winner from Guti to prevent their second leg Copa del Rey clash with Segunda B outfit Alicante from going into extra-time, as the Spanish giants ran out 2-1 victors.
The German trainer will be demanding a more imperious display from his strong squad this time. He hopes to build not just on the winning streak, but also on their markedly improved performances in December.
New Resolutions Needed
In contrast to Madrid's form, Real Zaragoza have not won since the 31st of October, losing three of their last seven Liga games and drawing the other four. Add to that, they suffered a humiliating 1-0 defeat to third division club Pontevedra in the first leg Copa del Rey match back in November, a tie which they only just rescued in the return leg last Thursday when Sergio García scored in the dying minutes to make it 3-1, averting an embarrassing elimination via the away goals rule.
Los Maños have made significant improvements to the squad during the summer with such formidable arrivals as Ricardo Oliveira, Roberto Ayala, Peter Luccin and Matuzalém, but Víctor Fernández's side are failing miserably to replicate last season's form that saw them finish in 6th place. Injuries have played their part, but so too has poor form.
If they don't put an end to their wretched winless run early in the new year, another chase for a UEFA Cup spot could be over very soon and they might even find themselves suddenly battling away in the relegation zone. Amazingly, they're just three points clear of it.
FORM GUIDE
Real Madrid
Jan 02 Real Madrid vs Alicante 2-1 (COPA DEL REY)
Dec 23 Barcelona vs Real Madrid 0-1 (LA LIGA)
Dec 19 Alicante vs Real Madrid 1-1 (COPA DEL REY)
Dec 16 Real Madrid vs Osasuna 2-0 (LA LIGA)
Dec 11 Real Madrid vs SS Lazio 3-1 (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)
Real Zaragoza
Jan 03 Zaragoza vs Pontevedra 3-1 (COPA DEL REY)
Dec 22 Zaragoza vs Valencia 2-2 (LA LIGA)
Dec 16 Deportivo La Coruña vs Zaragoza 1-1 (LA LIGA)
Dec 09 Zaragoza vs Espanyol 3-3 (LA LIGA)
Dec 02 Recreativo Huelva vs Zaragoza 2-1 (LA LIGA)
TEAM NEWS
Real Madrid
In-form defender Pepe has overcome a bout of flu and he is also making good progress in shrugging off the muscle strain he picked up in the first training session in the new year. If he fails to regain 100% fitness come kick-off, then Gabriel Heinze should deputize at centre-back, with Christoph Metzelder still struggling to recuperate from his own injury.
Schuster has no other injury or suspension worries but that doesn't mean there aren't any selection headaches. He will have to mull over who to line up in midfield. The likes of Guti, Robben, and Higuaín are all eager to earn a chance to impress the coach.
Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Casillas - Sergio Ramos, Pepe/Heinze, Cannavaro, Marcelo - Sneijder, Diarra, Baptista - Raul (c), van Nistelrooy, Robinho
Real Zaragoza
The Blanquillos will welcome back a cluster of players who all missed the final league game of 2007: Pablo Aimar, Luis Cuartero and David Generelo are all back from injury while Gabi returns from a one-match ban.
Their one glaring absentee for this clash however, is Diego Milito. The Argentine striker was sent off in the midweek Copa win over Pontevedra and the suspension will have to be served out in the league. Saturday morning saw news that Diego's red card from midweek had been rescinded, leaving him free to face Real Madrid.
Ex-Madrid keeper César Sánchez looks doubtful as he continues to nurse an injury he sustained in the match against Valencia a fortnight ago, despite his best efforts throughout the Christmas break to make a full recovery.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): López Vallejo - Diogo, Ayala, Sergio, Juanfran - Aimar, Celades, Luccin, Zapater (c) - Oliveira, Diego Milito.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Madrid - Júlio Baptista
There are few Madrid players such as Casillas, Pepe and Robinho who are in the form of their lives, but it is the Beast who has turned himself into an instant Bernabéu hero with his stunning winner at the Camp Nou in el Clásico two weeks ago. The hard work now begins for the 26 year old as he looks to fend off fierce competition from his colleagues and cement a regular place in the first team.
Real Zaragoza - Ricardo Oliveira
The Brazilian, on loan from AC Milan, will have Milito alongside him for this one. But make no mistake, the ex-Betis frontman is anything but a secondary player, having tallied nine goals already in all competitions, just one behind his Argentine strike partner.
PREDICTION
Madrid have won six of their last seven competitive home games against Zaragoza. The Aragón outfit's last memorable triumph at the Bernabéu came all the way back in December 99 when they won 1-5.
Based on current form, any such repeat is supremely unlikely and Los Blancos should easily account for their guests, who have only one away league win to show so far. Although, first day back after the holidays, you can expect el Real's first teamers to be a bit rusty.
Real Madrid 2-0 Real Zaragoza
KS Leong
casillas was amazing last night. i felt bad for zaragoza, they had so many chances yet couldn't finish while real playing like shit with ppl like raul and guti apart from being invisible, dragging their feet round won. robinho has been in awesome form lately. should we start the robinho to juve campaign again?? :flag3: 
casillas was amazing last night. i felt bad for zaragoza, they had so many chances yet couldn't finish while real playing like shit with ppl like raul and guti apart from being invisible, dragging their feet round won. robinho has been in awesome form lately. should we start the robinho to juve campaign again?? :flag3:
1 casillas saves their asses
2 their players dont get injured like barca
3 they have too much luck so they score at the end