Liga 2009-10 – Game Six – Fixtures and Tickets
Well, Barça, Real Madrid and Sevilla came out of this week’s Champions League fixtures with flying colours but poor old Atletico don’t look as though they’ll be progressing to the next round.
Sevilla Take On The Mighty Madrid This Weekend
There’s only one ‘must watch’ game in La Liga this week and it’s a biggie – Sevilla v Real Madrid in the Sanchez Pizjuan. The Sevillanos look like the only team capable of ruffling the Big Two’s feathers this season, so it should be a great match.
I must admit, though, that Real Madrid whilst not very entertaining look pretty lethal in the box – they only seem to need to put their game together for five minutes and they go two up.
Barça should have no problems dismissing Almeria – they’re the opposite of Madrid. Lovely creative football, millions of chances but they’re not scoring quite as many as they should.
I do think they deserve to go top, though.
As usual tickets are available for all games . . .
Here are this week’s fixtures
03 Oct 2009
18:00 CET Tenerife v Deportivo
20:00 CET Barcelona v Almeria
22:00 CET Atletico Madrid v Zaragoza
04 Oct 2009
17:00 CET Getafe v Osasuna
17:00 CET Sporting Gijon v Mallorca
17:00 CET Valladolid v Athletic
17:00 CET Villarreal v Espanyol
17:00 CET Xerez v Malaga
19:00 CET Racing Santander v Valencia
21:00 CET Sevilla v Real Madrid
Round Five Liga Round Up And Champions League Tickets
Well it’s Sunday morning and the weekend’s big games are over – I didn’t see Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Tenerife but one of my merengue mates still isn’t really convinced about how Madrid play. Good result, though and they go top of the table on goal difference.
The Barça game in Malaga was pretty tough – Weligton looked like a man with a licence to kill! But Ibrahimovic came on for Henry and very quickly put FC Barcelona ahead – that’s 5 goals in his first five games. Historic!
Gerard Pique - FC Barcelona's Piquenbauer
The player that really impressed me though – he came on for Chygrynskiy and suddenly the Barcelona defence started to connect with midfield – Xavi in particular. Pique just gets better and better – and what’s more he even scored. The new Franz Beckenbauer – Piquenbauer.
The other two games were pretty tasty – Sevilla’s impressive 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao and a draw against Valencia was a good result for Atletico.
Looking forward to Tuesday with Barcelona v Dinamo Kiev in Camp Nou and Sevilla away to Rangers.
Wednesday sees FC Porto against Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu against Marseille.
Liga 2009-10 – Round Five – Fixtures
Just a quick post today with the fixtures for this weekend’s games.
Here they are . . .
FC Barcelona have got an interesting game against an erratic Malaga – Iniesta could well start the game if Ibrahimovic is still injured.
26 Sep 2009
18:00 CET Athletic ? : ? Sevilla
18:00 CET Real Madrid ? : ? Tenerife
20:00 CET Malaga ? : ? Barcelona
22:00 CET Valencia ? : ? Atletico Madrid
27 Sep 2009
17:00 CET Almeria ? : ? Racing Santander
17:00 CET Espanyol ? : ? Xerez
17:00 CET Mallorca ? : ? Valladolid
17:00 CET Osasuna ? : ? Sporting Gijon
19:00 CET Zaragoza ? : ? Getafe
21:00 CET Deportivo ? : ? Villarreal
Champions League against Dinamo Kiev on Tuesday, so Click Here for Champions League Tickets and I’ll prepare something a little more coherent after the weekend.
FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 5-2 Liga BBVA 2009-10
Hot off the press! Barça’s fantastic performance against Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on Saturday.
1-0 Min 1: Ibrahimovic gets the blaugrana off the mark with a really classy goal. The poise and control necessary to put this one away is the mark of a truly great player.
2-0 Min 16: A work of art from Messi who was quite possibly offside but Who Cares? He seems to beat the defence and goalie without touching the ball.
3-0 Min 20: Dani Alves free kick goes in like a rocket – I’m surprised the post stayed standing.
4-0 Min 41: A great goal from Keita, which just goes to show that you don’t have to be one of the stars to join in the party with this Barça!
4-1 Min 45: Kun takes advantage of a mistake by Busquets to beat Valdés but Atletico still go into the half time break shell-shocked
4-2 Min 85: Forlán beats Valdés with a well-executed shot
5-2 Min 94: Messi just shows he’s the greatest player in the world by taking advantage of an Iniesta pass.
FC Barcelona’s first 40 minutes were just pure genius but the defence showed some weaknesses as soon as Barça had less possession. Still spectacular stuff which makes it well-worth getting FC Barcelona Tickets
Atletico, though, are really up against it, though – only 1 point from the first three games and a disappointing draw against Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League. They’ve got a great side and you can watch Kun, Forlan, Simao and Maxi at Vicente Calderon by buying Atletico de Madrid Tickets
FC Barcelona Anthem – El Cant del Barca
What is that song that FC Barcelona play every after game at the Camp Nou?
Answer
The song is called El Himne or Cant del Barça and here’s the first verse in Catalan followed by the translation in English.
Tot el camp
es un clam
som la gent Blau Grana
Tan se val d’on venim
Si del sud o del nord
ara estem d’acord
estem d’acord
una bandera ens agermana.
Blau Grana al vent
un crit valent
tenim un nom
el sap tothom
Barça!, Barça!, Baaaarça!!!!
Jugadors
Seguidors
tots unit fem força
son molts d’anys plens d’afanys
son molts gols que hem cridat
i s’ha demostrat
s’ha demostrat
que mai ningú no ens podrà tòrcer
Blau Grana al vent
un crit valent
tenim un nom
el sap tothom
Barça!, Barça!, Baaaarça!!!!
In English
The whole stadium
Makes a noise
We are the blaugrana people
It doesn’t matter where we come
Whether it’s from north or south
All of us are in agreement
A flag makes us brothers
Blaugrana to the wind
A valiant shout
We’ve got a name that everyone knows
Barça! Barça! BAAAAAAAAAARÇA!
OK. I know the translation isn’t brilliant but you get the general idea. It’s really rousing stuff and we all love singing at Camp Nou or even in the bar whilst we’re watching the game. Needless to say, we sang it a lot last season.
Anyway, here’s a video of the song. Feel free to sing along.
Round Two – Pellegrini’s Got His Work Cut Out
Although I hope that Barça win La Liga for the second year on the trot, what I really want to see is a well-fought competition – and that means more than just competition from Real Madrid.
For La Liga to fulfill its potential as The Best League in the World – with the permission of the EPL – we need to see Sevilla, Atlético, Villarreal and Valencia fighting for more than just Champions and Europa League places. However, after only one game, it looks like this season’s Liga will follow a similar pattern to last year.
Sevilla lost in Mestalla and Atlético got thrashed by Málaga, so I won’t be surprised if Barça and Madrid are ten points clear at the top of the table come December. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen because it’d be very bad news for Spanish Football.
This week we’ll get a better idea of whether La Liga is going to be a two horse race or not. Espanyol-Madrid and Getafe-Barça are two interesting tests for the favourites - debuting in their new stadium and with the memory of Jarque still very present, Espanyol have got a lot of reasons to put up a fight and an unpredictable Getafe are a very tough nut to crack on a good day.
I think most of us agree that Barça start La Liga with a slight advantage over Pellegrini’s Real Madrid because they
Pellegrini has a tough job ahead of him
already play as a team, whereas the Bernabéu boys are as yet a group that relies on flashes of brilliance from individual players. The big question is whether the undeniable quality of Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema will be enough to follow the pace that Barça has already set by winning the two Super Cups.
Comparisons between the two squads are inevitable, and I must admit that I glance down the list of names that make up this Real Madrid side and some of my culé bravado fades. However, it remains to be seen whether this group of superstars will actually work well together as a block.
Barça have signed fewer players, but the three signings are players that were definitely on Guardiola’s Wish List. Chygrynskiy will be key in the centre of the defence, while with Maxwell on one flank and Alves on the other, the backs will be coming up to join the attack even more often than they did last season.
Guardiola ready for the season ahead
Having watched quite a few videos now, there’s no doubt in my mind that Ibrahimovic is a potentially great player but his role in the side will be very different from Samuel Eto’o. He’s more classy and stylish but I doubt whether he’ll score as many goals and he’s still got his work cut out to get himself in the right position for when Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, in particular, start to work their magic.
But the fact remains that Barça only have to adapt their game for one player whilst not even Pellegrini could predict Madrid’s starting line-up in a month’s time. And what’s more the ‘cantera’ factor means that Barça’s theoretical substitutes know the 4-3-3 philosophy like the back of their hands and both they themselves and the fans are confident that should anything go awry, they’ll slot into the first team just like veterans.
Anyway here are this week’s games . . .
12 Sep 2009
18:00 CET Atletico Madrid v Racing Santander
18:00 CET Getafe v Barcelona
20:00 CET Espanyol v Real Madrid
22:00 CET Sevilla v Zaragoza
13 Sep 2009
17:00 CET Deportivo v Malaga
17:00 CET Sporting Gijon v Almeria
17:00 CET Tenerife v Osasuna
17:00 CET Villarreal v Mallorca
19:00 CET Valladolid v Valencia
21:00 CET Xerez v Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid Fixtures and Tickets 2009-10
Game One Saturday 29 and Monday 31 September
Real Madrid 3 Deportivo 2
Game Two Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September
- Espanyol v Real Madrid
Click Here For Espanyol-Madrid Tickets
Game Three Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September
- Real Madrid v Xerez
Click Here For Real Madrid – Xerez Tickets
Game Four Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 September
- Villarreal v Real Madrid
Click Here For Villarreal-Real Madrid Tickets
Game Five Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September
- Real Madrid v Tenerife
Click Here For Real Madrid – Tenerife Tickets
Game Six Saturday 3 y Sunday 4 October
- Sevilla v Real Madrid
Click Here For Sevilla FC-Madrid Tickets
Game Seven Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October
- Real Madrid v Valladolid
Click Here For Real Madrid-Valladolid Tickets
Game 8 Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October
- Sporting Gijon v Real Madrid
Click Here For Sporting-Madrid Tickets
Game 9 Saturday 31 and Sunday 1 November
- Real Madrid v Getafe
Click Here For Real Madrid-Getafe Tickets
Game 10 Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November
- Atlético de Madrid v Real Madrid
Click Here For Atletico Madrid-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 11 Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November
- Real Madrid v Racing de Santander
Click Here For Real Madrid-Racing de Sntander Tickets
Game 12 Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Click Here For Barcelona-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 13 Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December
- Real Madrid v Almería
Click Here For Real Madrid – Almeria Tickets
Game 14 Sat 12 and 13 December
- Valencia v Real Madrid
Click Here For Valencia-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 15 Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December
- Real Madrid v Zaragoza
Click Here For Real Madrid v Zaragoza Tickets
Game 16 Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 January
- Osasuna v Real Madrid
Click Here For Osasuna-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 17 Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 January
- Real Madrid v Mallorca
Click Here For Real Madrid-Mallorca Tickets
Game 18 Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 January
- Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid
Click Here For Athletic Bilbao-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 19 Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 January
- Real Madrid v Málaga
Click Here For Real Madrid-Malaga Tickets
Game 20 Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January
- Deportivo v Real Madrid
Click Here For Deportivo-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 21 Saturday 6 y Sunday 7 February
- Real Madrid v Espanyol
Click Here For Real Madrid -Espanyol Tickets
Game 22 Sat 13 and Sun 14 Feb
- Xerez v Real Madrid
Click Here For Xerez-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 23 Sat 20 and Sun 21 Feb
- Real Madrid v Villarreal
Click Here For Real Madrid-Villarreal Tickets
Game 24 Sat 27 and Sun 28 Feb
- Tenerife v Real Madrid
Click Here For Tenerife-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 25 Sat 6 and Sun 7 March
- Real Madrid v Sevilla
Click Here For Real Madrid-Sevilla Tickets
Game 26 Sat 13 y Sun 14 March
- Valladolid v Real Madrid
Click Here For Valladolid-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 27 Sat 20 and Sun 21 March
- Real Madrid v Sporting
Click Here For Real Madrid-Sporting Gijon Tickets
Game 28 Tue 23 and Wed 24 March
- Getafe v Real Madrid
Click Here For Getafe-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 29 Sat 27 and Sun 28 March
- Real Madrid v Atlético de Madrid
Click Here For Real Madrid-Atletico Tickets
Game 30 Sat 3 and Sun 4 April
- Racing de Santander v Real Madrid
Click Here For Racing-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 31 Sat 10 and Sun 11 April
- Real Madrid v Barcelona
Click Here For Real Madrid-Barcelona Tickets
Game 32 Tue 13 and Wed 14 April
- Almería v Real Madrid
Click Here For Almeria-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 33 Sat 17 and Sun 18 April
- Real Madrid v Valencia
Click Here For Real Madrid-Valencia Tickets
Game 34 Sat 24 y Sun 25 April
- Zaragoza v Real Madrid
Click Here For Zaragoza-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 35 Sat 1 and Sun 2 May
- Real Madrid v Osasuna
Click Here For Real Madrid-Osasuna Tickets
Game 36 Tue 4 and Wed 5 May
- Mallorca v Real Madrid
Click Here For Mallorca-Real Madrid Tickets
Game 37 Sat 8 and Sun 9 May
- Real Madrid v Athletic
Click Here For Real Madrid-Athletic Tickets
Game 38 Sat 15 and Sun 16 May
- Málaga v Real Madrid
Football match 12.08.2009 Macedonia – Spain (España) 2:3 Makedonija:Spanija 2:3
100 years football in Macedonia
100 godini fudbal vo Makedonija
FRIENDLY MATCH
MACEDONIA: Nikolovski (Pacovski, min.67); Noveski (Mojsov, min.56), Sedloski, Mitreski, Popov; Georgievski (Grozdanovski, min.60), Shumulikoski, Despotovski, Stojkov; Naumoski (Ivanovski, min.57), Pandev (Ibraimi, min.78)
ESPAÑA: Reina (Diego López, min.63); Arbeloa, Piqué, Puyol, Capdevila (Monreal, min.72); Xabi Alonso (Busquets, min.46), Xavi (Marchena, min.70), Cazorla (Cesc, min.46), Silva; Torres (Güiza, min.63), Villa (Riera, min.46).
GOALS/GOLOVI:
Macedonia
Goran Pandev 8′ 33′
Spain
F. Torres 51′
G. Piqué 54′
A. Riera 56′
MACEDONIA
Nikolovski 5 – Had little to deal with before the first goal and then looked helpless as Spain found their range and beat him with ease.
Noveski 5 – The defender looked shattered after Spain’s incredible start to the second half and he was quickly replaced.
Sedloski 5.5 – After such a good first period, the entire Macedonia defence will be disappointed with the way they lacked focus at the start of the second period.
Mitreski 5.5 – Another who may feel he could have done more to prevent the three quick goals and help his side from suffering defeat.
Popov 6 – A tough character that led his side in the first half as he ensured that Spain were limited to long range efforts.
Despotovski 5.5 – Another player that was asked to track back rather than be able to express himself.
Georgievski 5.5 – Was part of the eight-man defensive unit employed by the hosts and was not particularly missed when he went off.
Sumulikoski 5.5 – Worked tirelessly as he powered back and then moved forward as the game ebbed and flowed.
Naumoski 6- Heavily involved, but mainly for either being fouled or trying to win free-kicks. Did set up Macedonia’s second goal to show what he can do.
Stojkov 6 – Looked to back up the striker and did well as he was involved as the hosts look to break clear.
Pandev 9 – What more can a team that plays one up front ask of their striker against the European champions as he produced exemplary finishing.
Subs
Ivanosvski, Mojson, Grozdanovski, Tasevski, Pacovski, Ibrahimi
SPAIN
Reina 5 – Beaten twice by Pandev with the first one being particularly unimpressive as he lost out on the one-on-one to the striker.
Capdevila 5.5 -Did well patrolling down the flank in the second period, but was absent as Pandev went through to net Macedonia’s second.
Pique 6.5 – Scored the winner and could have had another as he was given the freedom to go forward and show how effective he can be up front.
Puyol 5.5 – Cannot be pleased with the way Pandev went passed him in the first half or his dive, but he made up for it with a strong second half.
Arbeloa 5.5 – Stepped up and should have been helped his centre-backs out when Pandev raced clear to open the scoring.
Xabi Alonso 5.5 – Has only had a few days of pre-season training and it showed as he contributed little.
Xavi 6.5 – Applauded as he went off by the home fans for a controlled display that ensured Spain were able to mount their comeback after uncharacteristically lashing out.
Silva 7 – Did not find the net, but busy throughout and impressed with his technique and creative side.
Cazorla 5.5 – Sent over one cross and had a couple of long-range shots, which meant he was more successful then most.
Villa 5 – Hit the post when offside and sent a shot well wide in what was a poor return to international football for the striker.
Torres 6.5 – Worked hard to earn his goal and took it well when he was given the chance before he went off in a move to please his club manager.
Duration : 0:4:35
Football match 12.08.2009 Macedonia – Spain (España) 2:3 Makedonija:Spanija 2:3
100 years football in Macedonia
100 godini fudbal vo Makedonija
FRIENDLY MATCH
MACEDONIA: Nikolovski (Pacovski, min.67); Noveski (Mojsov, min.56), Sedloski, Mitreski, Popov; Georgievski (Grozdanovski, min.60), Shumulikoski, Despotovski, Stojkov; Naumoski (Ivanovski, min.57), Pandev (Ibraimi, min.78)
ESPAÑA: Reina (Diego López, min.63); Arbeloa, Piqué, Puyol, Capdevila (Monreal, min.72); Xabi Alonso (Busquets, min.46), Xavi (Marchena, min.70), Cazorla (Cesc, min.46), Silva; Torres (Güiza, min.63), Villa (Riera, min.46).
GOALS/GOLOVI:
Macedonia
Goran Pandev 8′ 33′
Spain
F. Torres 51′
G. Piqué 54′
A. Riera 56′
MACEDONIA
Nikolovski 5 – Had little to deal with before the first goal and then looked helpless as Spain found their range and beat him with ease.
Noveski 5 – The defender looked shattered after Spain’s incredible start to the second half and he was quickly replaced.
Sedloski 5.5 – After such a good first period, the entire Macedonia defence will be disappointed with the way they lacked focus at the start of the second period.
Mitreski 5.5 – Another who may feel he could have done more to prevent the three quick goals and help his side from suffering defeat.
Popov 6 – A tough character that led his side in the first half as he ensured that Spain were limited to long range efforts.
Despotovski 5.5 – Another player that was asked to track back rather than be able to express himself.
Georgievski 5.5 – Was part of the eight-man defensive unit employed by the hosts and was not particularly missed when he went off.
Sumulikoski 5.5 – Worked tirelessly as he powered back and then moved forward as the game ebbed and flowed.
Naumoski 6- Heavily involved, but mainly for either being fouled or trying to win free-kicks. Did set up Macedonia’s second goal to show what he can do.
Stojkov 6 – Looked to back up the striker and did well as he was involved as the hosts look to break clear.
Pandev 9 – What more can a team that plays one up front ask of their striker against the European champions as he produced exemplary finishing.
Subs
Ivanosvski, Mojson, Grozdanovski, Tasevski, Pacovski, Ibrahimi
SPAIN
Reina 5 – Beaten twice by Pandev with the first one being particularly unimpressive as he lost out on the one-on-one to the striker.
Capdevila 5.5 -Did well patrolling down the flank in the second period, but was absent as Pandev went through to net Macedonia’s second.
Pique 6.5 – Scored the winner and could have had another as he was given the freedom to go forward and show how effective he can be up front.
Puyol 5.5 – Cannot be pleased with the way Pandev went passed him in the first half or his dive, but he made up for it with a strong second half.
Arbeloa 5.5 – Stepped up and should have been helped his centre-backs out when Pandev raced clear to open the scoring.
Xabi Alonso 5.5 – Has only had a few days of pre-season training and it showed as he contributed little.
Xavi 6.5 – Applauded as he went off by the home fans for a controlled display that ensured Spain were able to mount their comeback after uncharacteristically lashing out.
Silva 7 – Did not find the net, but busy throughout and impressed with his technique and creative side.
Cazorla 5.5 – Sent over one cross and had a couple of long-range shots, which meant he was more successful then most.
Villa 5 – Hit the post when offside and sent a shot well wide in what was a poor return to international football for the striker.
Torres 6.5 – Worked hard to earn his goal and took it well when he was given the chance before he went off in a move to please his club manager.
Duration : 0:4:35
GOLES UD ROTEÑA 0 7 SEVILLA FC 18 07 09