El Levante ha recibido dieciocho goles del Barcelona en dos temporadas

El Levante ha recibido dieciocho goles del Barcelona en dos temporadas

EFE  

El Levante perdió el domingo por 5-0 en el Camp Nou y ha recibido dieciocho goles del Barcelona en los cuatro enfrentamientos ligueros de las dos últimas campañas.


Seis de esos dieciocho goles del Barça han sido marcados por el argentino Leo Messi, que con los tres que logró el pasado domingo reforzó su posición como el jugador que más veces ha marcado al equipo valenciano en Primera División, con un total de trece.


Los diez tantos que ha recibido esta campaña se unen a los ocho que recibió en la pasada. En la primera jornada de esa campaña 2013-14, el Levante cayó por 7-0 en el Camp Nou en la que aún es la peor derrota de su historia en la máxima categoría.


Tras ese varapalo, el equipo valenciano logró contener al equipo catalán en su visita al Ciutat de València, en la que el duelo acabó con empate a un gol y que supuso el único punto para el Levante de estos cuatro encuentros y también su único tanto.


Por lo que respecta a esta temporada, el Levante ha perdido por 5-0 los dos encuentros de Liga que le han medido con el club catalán.

Messi desabafa, desmente problema com Luis Enrique e nega saída

Messi desabafa, desmente problema com Luis Enrique e nega saída

Argentino aproveita entrevista após a vitória no clássico contra o Atlético de Madrid para dar versão sobre polêmica com treinador e afirmar querer ficar no Barcelona

A vitória do Barcelona no clássico diante do Atlético de Madrid, por 3 a 1, foi importante para a equipe não deixar o Real Madrid escapar na tabela e mais ainda para o capitão Lionel Messi, que aproveitou o momento favorável para esclarecer todos os boatos envolvendo o craque e Luis Enrique. Em entrevista a Barça TV, o argentino não poupou palavras para negar qualquer tipo de problema com o treinador.



- Aproveito e agradeço poder dar a minha versão e falar o que realmente é verdade. Já disseram muitas vezes que tive má relação com Guardiola, Eto’o, Ibra, Bojan. Isso não é verdade. Essa polêmica não veio de Madri como em outras vezes, que nos atacaram. Tem gente que quer causar problemas no clube. Que não se crie uma rivalidade entre mim e Luis Enrique, porque não existe. Que não tirem m.... de fora porque não vai nos prejudicar. Faltam seis meses para conseguir coisas boas para a equipe e para o clube.


O camisa 10 do Barça ainda comentou sobre a possibilidade de deixar o Camp Nou na próxima temporada. De acordo com Messi, as notícias de que estaria em conversas com outros gigantes europeus não têm fundamento. 


- Não tenho intenção de ir a lugar algum. Escutei que meu pai havia falado com o Chelsea e com o City. É tudo mentira, hoje aproveito para falar a verdade.


Por último – e já mais calmo – o argentino mostrou bom humor ao falar sobre o prêmio da Bola de Ouro, nesta segunda-feira. Na disputa com CR7 e Manuel Neuer, Messi afirmou que o troféu estará em boas mãos seja qual for a decisão.


- Vamos desfrutar da festa. Quem ganhar terá merecido, tanto Cristiano como Neuer. Um ganhou a Champions e outro o Mundial.

Casillas ganhou o seu primeiro Mundial de Clubes no seu jogo 700 pelo Real Madrid

NOTÍCIA | ALBERTO NAVARRO (MARRAQUEXE)

"A temporada continua em 2015 e queremos que seja inesquecível", afirmou o capitão.

Iker Casillas continua a fazer história. Na vitória sobre o San Lorenzo de Almagro, que deu ao Real Madrid o seu primeiro Mundial de Clubes, chegou aos 700 jogos pela formação branca. O capitão madridista torna-se, assim, no terceiro jogador a alcançar esta marca assinalável nos 112 anos de vida do clube. Raúl e Sanchis foram aqueles que o conseguiram anteriormente.

São sete as competições que entram nesta espectacular contabilidade. Na Liga, disputou 491 encontros. Os restantes dividem-se entre a Liga dos Campeões (146), a Taça do Rei (40), a Supertaça de Espanha (13), o Mundial de Clubes (5), a Supertaça Europeia (3) e a Intercontinental (2).

Casillas: "Feliz por chegar aos 700 jogos"
“Foi um ano muito positivo, muito bom a nível pessoal e profissional. Estou satisfeito e feliz por chegar aos 700 jogos neste dia tão bonito em que conseguimos o título do Mundial de Clubes”.

“Não é possível fazer melhor as coisas. Foi um ano muito bom. A temporada continua em 2015 e queremos que seja inesquecível, que seja difícil de igualar ou de melhorar".

SERGIO É O CULPADO DE ESTARMOS TODOS AQUI, TODA A EQUIPA FEZ UM PERCURSO BONITO NA CHAMPIONS.

“Fico contente pelos golos marcados pelo Sergio. É um jogador importante para a Espanha e para o Real Madrid. Tem coragem, amor próprio, vontade e muito atrevimento”.

Disputou 55 jogos em 2002/03
A temporada em que disputou maior número de encontros foi 2002/03, com 55. Também alcançou a meia centena de jogos em 2010/11 (54), 2011/12 (53) e em 2003/04 (50). Ficou muito perto nas épocas de 2005/06 (48), 1999/00, 2000/01, 2004/05 e 2008/09 (47) e 2007/08 e 2009/10 (46). Seguem-se as de 2006/07 (45), 2001/02 (40), 2012/13 (29), 2013/14 (24) e a actual (22).

Desde a sua estreia em San Mamés, a 12 de Setembro de 1999, o capitão da formação branca já somou 448 vitórias (64%), 122 empates e 130 derrotas. Dos 700 encontros disputados, foi titular em  696, tendo sido suplente utilizado em apenas quatro.

Xavi has his eye on every trophy

Xavi has his eye on every trophy

WWW.FCBARCELONA.COM 

At a commercial event involving the FC Barcelona first team, the captain said he is as excited about his football as he was on his very first day at the club 


Ivan Rakitic added that “we want to end the year well by bringing a bit of joy to the Camp Nou supporters"


Ten Barça players attended a commercial event on Wednesday, and some of them used the occasion to discuss the team’s current situation and the games to come. Xavi, Rakitic, Jordi Alba, Ter Stegen, Douglas and Rafinha of the first team and Adama, Halilovic, Munir and Sandro of Barça B were speaking the day after the comfortable victory in the Spanish Cup.

 Foto: CopyHardNews/Reprodução


Xavi Hernández described his optimism for the rest of the season. “We’ll be going for every trophy” he insisted. “We know it’ll be difficult but we’ll be going for them all. We are on good track, the team is working hard and things will go well.” On a more personal note, the first team captain admitted that “I’m nearing the end of my career … But I’m as excited as I was on the very first day. Passion for football and playing for the best team in the world is what keeps me motivated.”


For any player in the B team, our role model is Leo Messi
He also discussed how impressed he is with the way the younger players are progressing. “You only have to look at yesterday’s match to see that” he said, referring to the 8-1 win against Huesca. One of those youngsters is Adama, who spoke about how much it meant to him to have scored his first official goal for the club. He also revealed that his boyhood idols were Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, “but for any player in the B team, our role model is Leo Messi”.


Two of the summer signings, Ivan Rakitic and Ter Stegen, discussed the upcoming fixture list. Next Saturday, the last game of 2014 sees FCB entertain Cordoba at the Camp Nou. It is very important to end the year well” said the Croat. “We want to win and bring some joy to the supporters.” The German goalkeeper looked further ahead to the Champions League meeting with Manchester City. “It’s one of the hardest games we could have drawn” he admitted. “We will have to be focused and work bravely if we want to qualify.”

 Foto: CopyHardNews/Reprodução

Nominees for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2014 awards revealed

The contenders for this year’s FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the best player of 2014 and for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2014 award were announced today on FIFA.com,francefootball.fr and YouTube.

In alphabetical order, the FIFA Ballon d’Or nominees are: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Manuel Neuer (Germany), while Nadine Kessler (Germany), Marta (Brazil) and Abby Wambach (USA) will contest the women’s award.

The candidates for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football and FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football awards were also announced. In alphabetical order, the contenders are: Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/Real Madrid CF), Joachim Loew (Germany/German national team) and Diego Simeone (Argentina/Atletico de Madrid) for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men’s Football award, and Ralf Kellermann (Germany/VfL Wolfsburg), Maren Meinert (Germany/Germany U-19 and U-20 national teams) and Norio Sasaki (Japan/Japan national team) for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football award.

All the nominees were confirmed after a voting process which was open to the captains and head coaches of the men’s and women’s national teams of the 209 member associations as well as to international media representatives selected by FIFA and France Football voted for candidates.

The percentages of the collected votes are as follows (number of votes/number of associations): 
Voting for men’s awards: 
Member associations (captains & coaches): 87% 
Media representatives: 94%

Voting for women’s awards: 
Member associations (captains & coaches): 83% 
Media representatives: 77%

The voting procedure for each of the awards is supervised and monitored by the independent observer PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Switzerland.

The shortlist of 15 forwards for the FIFA FIFPro World XI was also announced, completing the final shortlist of 55 players also featuring five goalkeepers, 20 defenders and 15 midfielders.

The forward shortlist is (home country, club): Sergio Aguero (Argentina/Manchester City FC); Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid CF); Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid CF); Diego Costa (Spain/Chelsea FC); Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid CF); Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Paris St-Germain FC); Robert Lewandowski (Poland/FC Bayern Munich); Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona); Thomas Muller (Germany/FC Bayern Munich); Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona); Marco Reus (Germany/Borussia Dortmund); Arjen Robben (Netherlands/FC Bayern Munich); Franck Ribery (France / FC Bayern Munich); Wayne Rooney (England/Manchester United FC); Luis Suarez (Uruguay/FC Barcelona).

See the full list on FIFA.com

In addition, the three nominees for the FIFA Puskás Award for the “most beautiful goal of the year” were announced. The three final goals are: Stephanie Roche - 20 October 2013, Peamount United v Wexford Youths, BEWNL (Ireland Republic); James Rodriguez - 28 June 2014, Colombia v Uruguay, 2014 FIFA World Cup™; Robin van Persie - 13 June 2014, Spain v Netherlands, 2014 FIFA World Cup™.

All the awards will be presented at the FIFA Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on 12 January 2015 during a televised show to be streamed live on FIFA.com and FIFA on YouTube.

In addition to the above awards, the recipient of the FIFA Presidential Award and the winner of the FIFA Fair Play award will also be revealed during the award ceremony.

Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez on FIFA FIFPro 2014 striker shortlist

Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez on FIFA FIFPro 2014 striker shortlist

WWW.FCBARCELONA.COM 

The Barça strikers are amongst the candidates to form part of the FIFA FIFPro World XI 

The other Barça players nominated are Xavi, Iniesta, Bravo, Piqué, Jordi Alba, Alves and Mascherano




FC Barcelona players Leo Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez have all been named as candidates to be included in the FIFA FIFPro 2014 World XI. The three strikers have been selected amongst a shortlist of 15 attacking talents that includes other well known names from around the globe. The other players selected to compete for the three attacking places in the World XI are: Sergio Agüero (Argentina, Manchester City FC), Gareth Bale (Wales, Real Madrid CF), Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid CF), Diego Costa (Spain, Chelsea FC), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid CF), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain FC), Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Bayern Munich), Thomas Müller (Germany, Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Germany, Borussia Dortmund), Franck Ribéry (France, Bayern Munich), Arjen Robben (Holland, Bayern Munich) and Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United FC).

More than 60,000 professional players from around the world will take in a vote to select the FIFA FIFPro 2014 World XI. The final eleven will be during the awards ceremony for the FIFA Ballon d’Or which will take place in Zurich, Switzerland on the 12th of January.

Messi, Neymar Jr and Luis Suárez have chosen amongst the strikers’ 15 man shortlist. Also nominated are Xavi and Andrés Iniesta in midfield; Claudio Bravo amongst the goalkeepers and Gerard Piqué, Dani Alves, Jordi Alba and Javier Mascherano amongst the shortlist of 20 for the four places in defence.

Messi, Neymar and Rakitic nominated for UEFA.com XI

Messi, Neymar and Rakitic nominated for UEFA.com XI

WWW.FCBARCELONA.COM 



The trio are on the shortlist of 40 nominees, which also features four former FC Barcelona players


Voting is now open at www.uefa.com for the 2014 team of the year. The 40 nominees include three from Barça, namely Leo Messi, Ivan Rakitic and Neymar Jr.

The prestigious awards have been voted on by internet users since 2001. Since then, Barça is by the club that has had the most players named (38), followed by Madrid (30) and AC Milan (17).

Four former players

The 2014 list also includes four players that were formerly ay FCB. Three are regulars in such lists: Touré Yaya (Manchester City), Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) while there is a newcomer in former Barça B player Jonathan Soriano (Red Bull Salzburg), who is excelling as a striker in the Austrian championship.

Ancelotti alcançou os 50 jogos na Liga contra o Eibar

NOTÍCIA | BORJA MIRANDA

Com a de Ipurua, o técnico italiano regista 37 vitórias no campeonato no banco merengue.

Carlo Ancelotti atingiu os 50 jogos na Liga com o Real Madrid, contra o Eibar. Na segunda temporada no banco branco, o técnico italiano alcançou esta cifra com um triunfo em Ipurua, e apresenta um saldo de 37 vitórias, 6 empates e 7 derrotas. 

Nos 50 jogos em que orientou o Real Madrid na Liga, a equipa marcou 150 golos. Para além disso, são especialmente significativos os registos no Santiago Bernabéu, onde o Real Madrid venceu 84% das partidas ligueiras.

Sem facilitar frente ao Eibar

NOTÍCIA | JAVIER GARCÍA

O Real Madrid, que soma treze vitórias consecutivas, visita Ipurua pela primeira vez na história do campeonato. 

Que a paragem para os jogos das selecções seja apenas um parêntesis no sensacional percurso da equipa. Esse é o objectivo da equipa treinada por Ancelotti no regresso da competição. Líder isolado da Liga e com uma série de 13 vitórias consecutivas, o Real Madrid visita Ipurua para defrontar o Eibar na jornada 12 do campeonato (17:00 h portuguesa).

Trata-se do primeiro confronto entre ambos os conjuntos na história da Liga. Ainda assim, existe um precedente em jogos oficiais: a eliminatória dos oitavos da Taça do Rei 2003/04. Onze temporadas depois, o único que continua no plantel é Casillas. O capitão faz parte da lista de 20 convocados. Também está convocado o médio centro do Castilla Álvaro Medrán. Illarra, Modric e Jesé são as únicas baixas.  

Ancelotti apontou que a ausência do croata será colmatada por Khedira ou Isco. Além disso, o italiano avisou da dificuldade do confronto: “Será um jogo intenso e agressivo. Sabemos que não é fácil jogar nesse campo”. Apesar disso, os brancos estão a demonstrar grande solidez nos jogos fora e apresentam números praticamente idênticos em casa ou fora.  

O MADRID MARCOU 16 GOLOS NAS QUATRO ÚLTIMAS DESLOCAÇÕES. 

Por seu lado, o Eibar, começou bem a sua primeira campanha na categoria máxima. Com um total de 13 pontos estão classificados a meio da tabela. Em Ipurua, o saldo é de um triunfo, três empates e uma derrota. O conjunto basco recebe o Real Madrid com as baixas confirmadas de Didac Vila e Piovaccari por lesão, e Raúl Navas e Lilo por castigo. Arruabarrena é o melhor marcador com quatro golos. 

Gaizka Garitano avisou do potencial ofensivo madridista: “Vamos enfrentar uma das melhores equipas do mundo. Se não defendermos bem estamos condenados". E os comandados por Ancelotti apresentam um ritmo goleador espectacular (42 golos em 11 jornadas). Algo que, com a fiabilidade defensiva demonstrada nos últimos jogos, serão os trunfos para garantir a liderança em Ipurua. 

Bartomeu: “Messi està molt content a Barcelona; no hi vol marxar”

Bartomeu: “Messi està molt content a Barcelona; no hi vol marxar”

WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 


El president del Barça demana màxim suport per al jugador argentí, durant el sopar anual de l’Agrupació Barça Jugadors


Josep Maria Bartomeu ha demanat, durant el sopar anual de l’Agrupació Barça Jugadors, el màxim suport per a Leo Messi. “Aquesta setmana s’ha parlat molt de Messi, però el jugador no vol marxar. Està molt content a Barcelona”, ha assegurat amb rotunditat el president, en relació a les valoracions que s’han fet sobre les paraules del jugador a la premsa del seu país.

El president del Barça, que ha expressat el desig que el davanter blaugrana acabi la seva carrera al Club, ha assegurat als més de 400 assistents al sopar que “espero que d’aquí a uns anys Messi sigui un futur membre de la vostra agrupació”. “És un jugador molt valuós que pateix molta pressió extra esportiva. Tots nosaltres el recolzem i us demano que vosaltres també li feu costat”, ha rematat, en la línia del que va dir Mascherano en la roda de premsa de dijous.

Bartomeu també s’ha referit al tècnic Luis Enrique, que és “el nostre present”. L’ha definit com “un entrenador valent” i ha demanat paciència i confiança per un projecte esportiu que ha patit molts canvis aquest estiu. “És un de vosaltres”, ha dit Bartomeu als assistents, recordant l’etapa d’exjugador de l’actual tècnic del FC Barcelona.

Acte multitudinari

L’Agrupació Barça Jugadors ha celebrat aquesta nit el seu tradicional sopar anual, la trobada que per aquestes dates reuneix els exjugadors del FC Barcelona, de totes les èpoques i categories, i que, a més de Josep Maria Bartomeu, ha comptat amb una àmplia representació institucional del Club, amb el vicepresident Jordi Mestre i els directius Silvio Elías i Pau Vilanova.

L’acte s’ha celebrat a l’hotel Princesa Sofía i ha reunit més de 400 persones, entre socis i simpatitzants de l’Agrupació que presideix Ramon Alfonseda, els directors dels diaris esportius catalans, Santi Nolla (‘Mundo Deportivo’), Joan Vehils (‘Sport’) i Emili Gispert (‘L’Esportiu’), patrocinadors i col·laboradors.

Durant el sopar es va recordar els exjugadors que han mort durant l’últim any, com el llegendari membre de l’equip de les Cinc Copes, Gustau Biosca, i l’exjugador i entrenador Tito Vilanova, que van rebre l’ovació dels assistents.

Gallant Wales hold Belgium to 0-0 draw in Brussels

Gallant Wales hold Belgium to 0-0 draw in Brussels

Wales took a vital step towards the finals of Euro 2016 as they held Group B favourites Belgium to a 0-0 draw in Brussels.

Chris Coleman’s side briefly kept their place at the top of the qualifying group after stifling the threat of Eden Hazard and co with a spirited performance, but Israel later moved to the summit with a 3-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Wales could have taken all three points, with Gareth Bale a constant menace on the counter-attack, but Coleman will be thrilled to return home with a draw as they absorbed mounting pressure from the Belgians late on.

The visitors were even indebted to Bale at the other end in stoppage time as he cleared Belgium substitute Christian Benteke's header off the line with the assistance of keeper Wayne Hennessey.

Nicolas Lombaerts struck a post for Belgium in the first half but Wales refused to yield and they held on for a point which will strengthen their growing conviction that they can qualify for the finals in France.

After being forced to soak up pressure for large periods, Coleman's side did break out to create the odd chance.

Bale twice forced saves from Thibaut Courtois in the Belgian goal with swerving free-kicks, while the Real Madrid forward went close with a second-half shot after powering past two home defenders.


Hazard clearly had a licence to drift when Belgium attacked but twice the hosts were let down by poor Nacer Chadli crosses.

Wales were looking to launch swift counter-attacks, with Bale operating in the centre-forward role, and he was only denied from one such opportunity by a last-ditch Jan Vertonghen tackle.

Bale had another sight of goal after 14 minutes when Lombaerts fouled Ramsey to concede a free-kick 25 yards out, Courtois just about pushing the ball to safety.

In what was proving an open affair, Belgium went straight on the attack and Hazard's mazy run took him into the Welsh penalty area where his low shot was held at the second attempt by Hennessey in the Wales goal.


Hennessey was far more convincing when Divock Origi's flick freed Chadli and the goalkeeper came off his line to save smartly.

Wales were starting to come under pressure and when they failed to clear a corner, Lombaerts swivelled in a crowded area to strike the far post with no Belgian able to provide a telling touch on the rebound.

Belgium were pinning the visitors deep inside their own half and Joe Ledley was booked after conceding a free-kick within shooting distance.

But Hazard planted his shot into the Welsh wall and Belgium could not capitalise from the resulting corner as Marouane Fellaini's flick-on escaped Chadli at the far post.

Bale was being completely isolated as Wales' early promise on the break had disappeared and the defence were having to dig in, but they made it through to half-time after Kevin De Bruyne's free-kick was comfortably held by Hennessey under his crossbar.


Wales sent on George Williams at half-time to give them more attacking potency and the exciting Fulham teenager started well by slipping Vertonghen down the touchline.

But Belgium were still probing and Hazard shimmied his way to the edge of the area, where he forced Hennessey into saving at the base of a post.

Wales were keeping the ball better at the start of the second period and Bale drove at the Belgian defence to fire a shot across Courtois but just beyond the far post.

Bale was now starting to see more of the ball and his industry won a free-kick which again forced Courtois to be alert.

Belgium sent on Benteke and Dries Mertens to find the key to unlocking the Wales defence but too often the Red Devils were guilty of sending in aimless crosses.

But Belgium really began cranking up in the pressure in the final 10 minutes and Benteke headed over before Chris Gunter stopped Hazard reaching a loose ball in the area as danger lurked.

Wales were not settling for a draw, however, and a delightful move ended with George Williams back-heeling the ball into Hal Robson-Kanu's path and Courtois having to go to ground to make the save.

The tempo of the contest was interrupted when Mertens suffered a nasty-looking injury in a clash with George Williams and Wales held on during six minutes of stoppage time to claim what could prove to be an invaluable point in the final reckoning.

Cristiano Ronaldo recebeu os troféus Pichichi e Alfredo Di Stéfano 2013-14

NOTÍCIA | JAVIER GARCÍA

“Ambiciono sempre ser melhor que no ano anterior e vou continuar a trabalhar como tenho trabalhado”, disse na entrega dos Prémios Marca. 

Cristiano Ronaldo continua a acumular prémios. O português foi o grande protagonista dos Prémios Marca, que distinguem os mais destacados da Liga 2013/14. Na cerimónia realizada na Galeria de Cristal do Ajuntamento de Madrid, recebeu os troféus Alfredo Di Stéfano, como melhor jogador, e Pichichi da época passada, na qual marcou 31 golos.

O vice-presidente do Real Madrid, Fernando Fernández Tapias, representou o clube na gala. Cristiano, que já recebeu na passada quarta-feira a Bota de Ouro, conquistou o segundo troféu Pichichi depois de o ter conquistado na época 2010/11. Além do mais, é distinguido pelo terceiro ano consecutivo como o melhor jogador da Liga.

Cristiano proferiu umas palavras depois de receber os troféus: “Seria muito bom voltar aqui no próximo ano, era sinal de que trabalhei bem. O meu objectivo é conseguir troféus colectivamente, mas também a nível individual. Trabalho no duro para poder conquistar estes troféus”.

UM VÍDEO EMOTIVO HOMENAGEOU ALFREDO DI STÉFANO. 

“Cada um tem a sua forma de trabalhar. O que eu mais gosto é de jogar futebol, e quero continuar assim até ao final da minha carreira. Nunca me vou cansar. Se atravesso o meu melhor momento? Perguntaram-me o mesmo no ano passado. Talvez esteja".

"Ambiciono ser sempre melhor que no anterior, ainda que vai chegar uma altura em que não o vou conseguir. Estou muito contente por este momento, a equipa está muito bem, estamos a melhorar cada vez mais. Os meus números e os golos são bons e vou continuar a trabalhar como tenho trabalhado”.

Lembrança de Alfredo Di Stéfano
“Don Alfredo não me vai entregar o prémio hoje, e estou muito triste. Era uma lenda e eu admirava-o bastante. Vi muitos vídeos seus e era um fenómeno. Sinto uma ligação com ele e isso motiva-me para continuar a trabalhar. Conheci-o quando cheguei a Madrid e conquistou-nos a todos. Era uma pessoa excepcional”.

Real Madrid v FC Barcelona: As good as it gets

Real Madrid v FC Barcelona: As good as it gets

ANNA SEGURA 

FC Barcelona visit the Bernabéu with a four-point lead over Real Madrid (18.00 PM CET)

As good as it gets

The first Clasico of the season is here. FC Barcelona are going back to the Santiago Bernabéu 216 days after Leo Messi led the charge in a 4-3 win over Real Madrid with a spectacular hat-trick. Seven months later, Barça are going back with Luis Enrique on the bench and a four point lead that could become seven if the Catalans win again today.

Luis Suárez at last

The Asturian has picked his eighteen, which includes Munir from Barça B as well as Luis Suárez, whose FIFA suspension is finally over. The FCB manager already made it clear at his pre-match press conference that the Uruguayan will feature in the game, although it is unclear whether he will get to start or whether he’ll be introduced later in the game. But there are no places for the injured Douglas and Adriano, and Luis Enrique has also left out Masip, Vermaelen, Montoya, Rafinha and Sandro.

Games between these two teams are always memorable affairs, but there are added attractions this evening, in addition to the much-awaited presence of Luis Suárez. Leo Messi only needs one goal to equal Zarra’s all-time Liga goalscoring, while two goals for the Argentinian would set a new record. And there is every possibility of that, for the Argentinian has scored 21 goals against Madrid, and 12 of those were scored at the Bernabeu.

Bale out

Carlo Ancelotti is going into his fourth Clasico as Real Madrid manager. He has lost both Liga encounters played to date, but did win the Spanish Cup Final. This Saturday he’ll have to find a way to get by without the injured Gareth Bale, but Sergio Ramos has regained his fitness just in time for the showdown with Barcelona.

Brendan Rodgers wary of threat posed by Real Madrid despite loss of Gareth Bale

Brendan Rodgers wary of threat posed by Real Madrid despite loss of Gareth Bale

Brendan Rodgers admits the absence of Gareth Bale will mean little to Liverpool as they still must find a way to stop Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.



The Merseysiders are preparing for Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with the Spanish giants at Anfield.

Bale will be missing from the Madrid side with a muscle injury, but Isco, his likely replacement, is another potent attacking threat for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Ronaldo remains their main driving force, scoring 15 times in his last seven La Liga outings, and Rodgers believes the Portugal international has emerged as the complete player in recent years.

"Gareth Bale is a world-class player with fantastic speed and fantastic talent, but with the squad Real Madrid have they can bring in players like Isco so I don't think really it's an advantage if he doesn't play,” said the Reds boss.


"It's still going to be a very difficult game for us, they have a squad full of top-class players.

"Of course there is a special talent in Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the best player in the world at the moment, and his evolution from being a soloist who scores goals to a goalscorer is there to see and his record is incredible.

"But we have to make a plan for our team first to ensure we cause Real Madrid problems and then prepare yourself for the quality players they have, but that will be as a team."

Fluency

Liverpool have lacked attacking fluency this season, with main striker Mario Balotelli appearing short on confidence and composure in Sunday’s 3-2 win at QPR.

But Rodgers has kept faith with the Italian and hopes he can play a decisive role against Madrid.

"He's been fine, of course he was disappointed after the weekend - he's a goalscorer so he wants to score goals," added Rodgers.


"But I highlighted to him he was in the positions to miss, he was arriving in the areas, so I think it's only a matter of time before he gets his goals.

"He's a good kid, he's working hard and he has scored goals in big games and I'm sure he will go into the game tomorrow night - if selected - focused on getting off the mark again, and as long as he is in there getting into the positions I'm sure he can score."

Raheem Sterling responded to criticism about his fitness with a fine individual display against his former club at the weekend.

Rodgers fully expects the 19-year-old to be ready for another crucial fixture, just three days later.

"I think he's shown over the last couple of years he has that quality and ability to do that," he said. "Probably a lot more was made about what happened when he was away with England.

"It was no surprise to me [against QPR], he was a real catalyst for us - wonderful speed, technique and hard work so I've no doubt he can arrive into the game and produce the same quality."

Dawson looking to kick on

Dawson looking to kick on

Caretaker boss Andy Dawson is convinced Scunthorpe can now start climbing the League One table after a 3-0 win at Gillingham.


Former Coventry and Huddersfield boss Robins agreed to be Scunthorpe's new manager 24 hours before kick-off and watched on as Dawson took charge and his new side ran riot.

Goals from Paddy Madden, Neal Bishop and Gary McSheffrey did the damage against 10-man Gillingham.

"The players can come into work on Monday with their heads held high," said Dawson. "It's nice for him to come and see that today, because when you come into a team at the bottom of the table, you never know what you're walking into.

"He has watched a good performance, so I'm sure he'll be pleased with what he has seen.

"Playing against 10 men makes things easier, but we said we had to be patient. Sometimes teams with 10 men flood the defence and they sit back. In the end we got three very good goals.

"We've had to prepare the team for today; we told the players to express themselves and to a man, the whole squad showed what good footballers they are. They deserved what they got."

Madden's fifth league goal of the season came shortly before half-time, as he latched on to McSheffrey's through ball and rounded Gills goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

Iron captain Bishop doubled their lead with a point-blank header from Luke O'Neill's cross on 72 minutes, before McSheffrey scored a solo effort after an incisive Scunthorpe break in stoppage time.

It was the Iron's first away win since April 5th, and came three days after the club sacked manager Russ Wilcox.

However, the early-season strugglers dominated even before Gills captain Doug Loft was sent off for a two-footed challenge on O'Neill after 34 minutes.

Gillingham manager Peter Taylor, who was sent off by referee Peter Banks for dissent shortly after Loft's dismissal, said: "We should have scored in the first minute - had we have done, maybe we would have had a different day.

"After that, it was a very poor performance. It was an even game before Doug got sent off, and after that we didn't do enough. I've seen 10 players beat 11 before, but there wasn't the belief they could do that.

"The sending-off was the correct decision. It's a tackle that used to happen years ago but has been cut out. The referee was correct.

"I threw a plastic bottle, which was empty, on the ground. It bounced onto the pitch, and because of that I was told I had to be sent off.

"We've let a lot of people down. We had 7,500 people here, which is fantastic for us. We've shown them a negative side of ourselves."

Guillem Balague says David De Gea has toppled Iker Casillas as No. 1

Guillem Balague says David De Gea has toppled Iker Casillas as No. 1

By Guillem Balague


It was always Vicente del Bosque’s plan to move Iker Casillas out of Spain’s goal and to move in David de Gea.


It was kind of spoiled in a way by the Slovakia defeat, in which Casillas made a mistake, because some people might have thought Casillas was being punished by not starting against Luxembourg.


But De Gea was always set to play in Luxembourg and even though Del Bosque says he is going to rotate – part of a “sweet transition” as he calls it – and we may see Casillas from time to time, De Gea is going to be the No 1 for a bit.

The first goal Casillas conceded against Slovakia was a mistake.

It came off the back off a fantastic save but it shows what Casillas is at the moment and what he has perhaps always been: a very good reactive goalkeeper but not so good proactively.


When the ball came to him, he swerved a bit when he should have stayed on his feet and made himself bigger. I used to be a goalkeeper myself but have been also told this by other ‘keepers.

That was basically the last straw for Casillas but he was always going to be replaced by De Gea.

Mixture

What we saw against Luxembourg was a fantastic David Silva and an extraordinary Paco Alcacer, who was great in his movement and links with midfielders and will now be a regular.


Silva played at the tip of a midfield diamond, behind Alcacer and Diego Costa, but Costa was too anxious and Del Bosque had to tell him at half time not to be desperate and to keep his head cold.

Costa finally scored and you could see his relief, but the problem with having him in the team is that there is a mixture of styles.

If you want to play for Costa, you have to play much more direct, as Spain did for the 15 minutes before he came off against tired Luxembourg defenders.

But Andres Iniesta was not on the pitch for those minutes and while people are saying Koke may be the problem, I see Iniesta as the problem.

He belongs to the other mentality of building from the back, attacking altogether and recovering the ball high up. Koke is happier being direct, though he can do both styles.

There was not enough variation in attack and more has to come from the wings for Spain, while Pedro is continuing his “walk in the desert” as we say - not much is coming from him.

All in all there is enough quality to compete but I just feel there are a few players who don’t seem to be as hungry or switched on as they were a few years back.

The transition is taking place, as you can see with Juan Bernat, Marc Bartra, De Gea, Alcacer and more, but the main worry is that we still don’t have the perfect No. 9 or the perfect centre-back partnership, though Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique should be it.

There is a still a clash of cultures and question marks in regards to how Spain want to play – but there are no question marks over Del Bosque, who will stay as manager for as long as he wants.

England assistant Marieanne Spacey says there are more opportunities for women in football

England assistant Marieanne Spacey says there are more opportunities for women in football

Former Arsenal Ladies midfielder Marieanne Spacey insists there has never been a better time for women to get into football coaching.


Spacey is currently assistant head coach to Mark Sampson with the England Women’s team and also manages England’s U23 side.

And the 48-year-old, who won 91 international caps for England, believes that women need not have played the game in order to become successful football coaches.

"There are a lot more opportunities out there now in terms of getting women involved in coaching," Spacey told Sky Sports. "There are more opportunities for female coaches than there ever have been.


"You don’t have to have played the game if you’ve got a good background in teaching and you understand the needs of individuals and have an aptitude for learning and a commitment to learn.

"You can start at a grassroots club as a volunteer and start to build your way through the qualifications and become the best coach you can be in a grassroots environment, to then move into the women’s game in terms of elite performance."

Former England manager Hope Powell, supported by her assistant Brent Hills, had spearheaded an initiative with the FA designed to help more females earn the UEFA 'A' Licence.

"We’ve got a mentoring scheme for females working from B Licence to A licence and it’s for us to support females in that process to get to the level required to work in the Women’s Super League," Spacey said.

"The mentoring scheme that Brent Hills and Hope Powell set up 10 years ago has been quite successful.

"You only need to look at the likes of Laura Harvey who is working in America at the moment, myself, and Julie Callaghan - all female coaches or coach educators working or who have worked previously in the WSL or The FA.”

“Now we need to just look at it and see where we take it from here. It’s evolving and we will continue to evolve to ensure more females get access to that scheme and get access to the kind of coaching opportunities that they deserve.”

Arsenal Ladies and England defender Casey Stoney said:  "There are more equal opportunities, more girls’ teams popping up everywhere and more opportunities for girls - not just to play - but to coach and get involved in the game.

“So I think it’s really moving in the right direction.”

Les Ferdinand returns to QPR as Head of Football Operations at Loftus Road.

Les Ferdinand returns to QPR as Head of Football Operations at Loftus Road.

Les Ferdinand has returned to Queens Park Rangers to take on the role of Head of Football Operations at Loftus Road.


The former QPR striker, who scored 92 goals in 185 appearances for the club between 1987 and 1995, will focus on "improving the footballing philosophy" at the club and has been charged with helping bring the Academy talent through to the first team.

Harry Redknapp's side currently prop up the Premier League table with just four points from their opening seven games and chairman Tony Fernandes hopes Ferdinand's arrival will signal an improvement on the pitch.


“Football has changed considerably in recent years and I firmly believe there is a role at every football club for this kind of position," he told the club's website.

“Les is a fantastic QPR man and I know the fans will join me in welcoming him back to a place he has a great fondness for.

“The footballing philosophy and nurturing young talent are high on our agenda and Les’s experience of working with players at all levels, combined with his undoubted passion for the club, will help us build and improve.”

Ferdinand added: “It’s incredible to be back here.

“This club holds a special place in my heart. Everyone knows what it means to me, so when the opportunity to return here in this role came up I jumped at the opportunity.

“Tony and his fellow shareholders know the passion I have and the experience I’ve gained since retiring will really stand me in good stead for this role.

“There’s nothing I want more than for QPR to be successful in the short, medium and long term and I’m excited about the challenge ahead.


“It’s about time we started producing players that come through to the first-team from the academy. QPR always had a tradition for doing that, but it seems to have gone away from it in recent years.

“I know the owners would like to get back to that, and they want that side of the club to develop.”

Redknapp said: “I'm pleased to welcome Les back to the club.

“There's no doubting the qualities he'll bring to the role, having enjoyed a great time here as a player. But beyond that, he understands the game.

“I brought him in at Tottenham as a coach, and he did a great job for me there.

“Having someone like him involved with the club, someone who understands the history of it, can only be good for QPR.”