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Tito Vilanova: "Being able to win 25 out of 27 points is not an easy feat" | FC Barcelona
Barça equalled its best-ever start to a La Liga season in Club history – 8 victories and 1 draw – and sent a message to its immediate pursuers with a commanding 0-5 victory over Rayo Vallecano last night in Madrid. "Being able to win 25 out of 27 points is not an easy feat. We could have tied a couple of our matches, but we fought until the end and we deserve the points we’ve won," said Tito Vilanova, who also reminded the packed press room that "there’s still a lot left."
Rayo Vallecano - FC Barcelona: Best start to a season goes on (0-5) | FC Barcelona
Barça’s magnificent start to the season continued with a comprehensive win in Vallecas to make it eight wins and a draw from their first nine games in La Liga. Goals from Villa, Messi (2), Xavi and Cesc saw Barça through after a pretty well balanced start, which really tilted the visitors’ way after the second goal, as Tito’s men took advantage of Rayo’s advanced back line.
Santos deny Neymar to Barcelona rumours - Goal.com
Reports had circulated that the Blaugrana had paid an initial €10 million for an unnamed player - whom fans believed to be the young South American - who would move to Camp Nou at the season's end. "Santos reject any possibility of selling Neymar to Barcelona or any other team," a statement on the club's official website read. "There are no negotiations under way, and the club reiterate that the attacker has a contract until 2014, which he will see out until the end."
Barça begin Copa del Rey campaign and welcome Celta to the Camp Nou | FC Barcelona
There’s no time to sit back and savour the five-goal demolition in Vallecas as FC Barcelona face yet another week with two matches. At 10 pm on Tuesday, the team have a date in the Mendizorroza stadium for their opening game in this season’s Copa del Rey. The first leg of the R32 has pitted Barça against Alavés, leader of group II of Second Division B. Then it’s back to the league programme (round 10) at 6 pm on Saturday when Barça take on Celta Vigo in the Camp Nou. The players will have a free day on Thursday but will train as usual on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday morning.
Manchester City appoint Txiki Begiristain as director of football | Football | guardian.co.uk
Manchester City have announced the appointment of the Spaniard Txiki Begiristain as their new director of football. The Premier League champions have appointed the 48-year-old, who has held the same position at Barcelona, as part of their plan to make the club the world leaders in developing and recruiting players.
Football | La Liga | Celta Vigo 1-1 Deportivo La Coruna | ESPNSTAR.com
Deportivo La Coruna fought back to claim a draw at ten-man Celta Vigo in the Galician derby on Saturday evening. Mario Bermejo gave Celta an eighth-minute lead only for Juan Dominguez to equalise 21 minutes later in their La Liga clash.
Real Zaragoza hang on to beat Sevilla 2-1 - The Times of India
Real Zaragoza held out to beat Sevilla 2-1 on Sunday. Striker Helder Postiga opened for Zaragoza at Romareda stadium in the 36th, dribbling past the last defender and goalkeeper before rolling the ball home. Defender Ionut Sapunaru headed in Zaragoza's second in the 45th, and the hosts held on after Gary Medel scored for Sevilla in the 70th.
Simeone: "I don't consider myself the driving force - it's the players" - MARCA.com (English version)
"This is down to the players. Obviously, since I got here – and I said so after just a month – I felt like I had been with them forever and I still feel that way. There is a lot of back-and-forth, a mutual respect, and the players have found the best path to follow," he explained. He also admitted that the he is "happy" about the "difficulty in picking" the starting eleven for each game.
Manchester United keeper David De Gea shuns Real Madrid transfer link | Football News | ESPN.co.uk
David De Gea has committed his future to Manchester United amid reports that Spanish giants Real Madrid are preparing a bid to entice the young keeper back to La Liga. "I am happy at United and not thinking about a return to Spain," De Gea said. "I've accepted the challenge to learn and improve as a professional."
Impotencia ante el líder . El Correo
A review of Alaves' 1-0 win over UD Logrones (in Spanish)