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Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona, top of the table clash in Madrid | FC Barcelona
Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona. FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. In the last 20 years there have only been 3 occasions in which Barça and Atlético have played against each other while both teams occupied the top two spots of the table. This season Barça and Atlético are level on points, but the Blaugrana are on top due to their better goal average.
Xavi reckons Atletico game is key to league challenge | FC Barcelona
Xavi reckons that:"the game against Atletico is vital for the outcome of the league - it might not turn out to be definitive, but a win would lay down a marker. We are coming into the game with some good form. We'll try and take charge and let's hope we see a good performance"
Barça and Atlético statistical head-to-head | FC Barcelona
Saturday’s game at the Vicente Calderón brings together the most impressive outfits of the first 18 league games. Barça and Atlético Madrid both have 16 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat. But a compared examination of their stats suggests that they’ve achieving those points in very different ways.
Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona: Did you know... | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona are the top scorers in La Liga with 53 goals (2.9 per game), while Atlético are third on the same count with 47 goals (2.6 per game). But away from home it’s the mattress-makers who have found the target the most times, 33 (1.8), with Barça second on 31 (1.7).
Atlético Madrid, Leo Messi's favourite victim | FC Barcelona
There doesn’t seem to be any opponent that motivates Leo Messi more than Atlético Madrid. He has found their net 20 times since he’s been in the first team, more than he has scored against any other opponent. He’s scored 17 times against them in La Liga and 3 times in the Copa del Rey, 12 times at the Camp Nou and 8 a the Vicente Calderón.
Messi hat trick at the Calderon (Season 2008/09) | FC Barcelona
On January 6 2009, Leo Messi scored a hat trick at Atletico Madrid's Vicente Calderon Stadium. His three goals were decisive in Barça winning the Spanish Cup tie.
Leo Messi's Golden Boot on show at the Museum | FC Barcelona
Leo Messi's third Golden Boot - which the Barça man won as the leading scorer in European leagues last season - was today presented at the Club's museum. Messi, who picked up the trophy on November 20 last year, scored 46 goals in La Liga, following on from his trophy winning totals of 2009/10 (34) and 2011/12 (50).
Messi return dominates social media | FC Barcelona
The return of Leo Messi after his recent injury layoff had a massive resonance on the global social media. After nearly 2 months out of action, Messi's fans on Facebook and Twitter were hungry for a sight of their hero and along with the world's print media and the rest of the players' post match reactions, the social media were dominated by the Argentinean's return.
Maradona and Messi: thirty years apart, but the same story | FC Barcelona
Diego Armando Maradona and Leo Messi have plenty in common - they are both Argentineans, are amongst the best players ever and have played for FC Barcelona. It's not just the big things though and on Wednesday another small coincidence was thrown up.
European Match of the Weekend: Atletico Madrid v Barcelona | Pitchside - Yahoo Eurosport UK
It has been almost 20 years since the Spanish capital's second club mounted a genuine challenge for the La Liga crown as Barca and Real Madrid, the world's two richest teams by income, have shared the spoils apart from brief flurries of success from Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna.
Godin fit to play Barca | Football Espana
Diego Godin has recovered from a thigh injury and is fit for Atletico Madrid’s game against Barcelona on Saturday. The Uruguay international had suffered discomfort in his right thigh following the Copa del Rey draw with Valencia, Mundo Deportivo reports, but was able to train later in the week. Godin is expected to start the match.
La Liga reveals globetrotting plans - ESPN FC
The ambitious plan, which would see games played in countries including the United States, China, Colombia, Mongolia and Turkey, and will also feature teams from other nations, was launched on Thursday by Spanish Football League (LFP) president Javier Tebas and Spain’s sports minister Miguel Cardenal.
Bale returns to help Real beat Osasuna in Copa - Yahoo Eurosport UK
Gareth Bale made his return from injury as Real Madrid took a 2-0 lead in the first leg of their Copa Del Rey fifth round tie with Osasuna.Bale came off the bench against Celta Vigo last weekend but this was his first start since fully recovering from a calf strain. Goals from Karim Benzema and Jese Rodriguez gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side the win as they prepare for what could be a pivotal weekend in the Spanish league season.
Malaga sign Pablo Perez after resolving Martin Demichelis issue - ESPN FC
Malaga have been able to finally complete the 950,000 euro signing of midfielder Pablo Perez from Newell’s Old Boys, after reaching an agreement with Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis over wages owed.
West Brom appoint Pepe Mel as head coach - Goal.com
West Brom have confirmed they have appointed Pepe Mel as their new head coach, replacing the sacked Steve Clarke. Clarke was sacked on December 14 following a run of four straight Premier League defeats, leaving the Baggies just two points away from the relegation zone before caretaker Keith Downing oversaw three draws and a win.
