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Numbers game in Spain's Liga title climax by Sid Lowe - ESPN FC
On Wednesday night Atletico Madrid’s historic city rivals and fellow contenders for the league title drew away at Real Valladolid, virtually waving goodbye to their chances of winning La Liga. An 85th-minute goal saw Real Madrid slip four points behind Atletico at the top of the table with just two matches left, and afterwards Xabi Alonso admitted that it was "practically over." It was bad news for Atletico Madrid. Yes, bad. Well, sort of. It has been that kind of season.
FC Barcelona announces special event to honour Carles Puyol | FC Barcelona
Next Thursday 15 May at 13.30 in the Auditori 1899, the Club is holding a farewell event to honour Carles Puyol’s retirement as an FC Barcelona player. The event will be attended by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, and representatives of the Board of Directors, the first team squad, coaches, friends, relatives, executives and other dignitaries.
25 years since winning the Cup Winners Cup in Berne | FC Barcelona
On 10th of May 1989 Barça won their third European Cup Winners Cup, beating Sampdoria 2-0 in Berne. This European success was a prelude of what would come three years later, at Wembley Stadium, with the conquest of Barça’s first European Cup against the same Italian team.
Full squad heading for Elche | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona trained for the last time this morning before heading south for the crucial Liga fixture away to Elche on Sunday (7.00 PM CET). A win at the Martínez Valero will keep Barça in the chase for the title, with a showdown against direct contenders Atlético Madrid at the Camp Nou on the final weekend.
Elche unbeaten at home since December | FC Barcelona
If Barça win their last two league matches, they’ll be guaranteed the Liga title. But although a lot of people are already talking about the final day showdown with Atlético Madrid, the Catalans first need to make sure of the three points at Elche on Sunday at 7.00 PM CET. And that is not going to be as easy as some might think. The side from Alicante haven’t lost at home in 2014. Since going down to Malaga on December 20, they have collected points from their last nine home fixtures.
Lionel Messi in determined mood for Barcelona | Sky Sports
Barcelona star Lionel Messi is determined not to waste the unexpected lifeline his side have been given in the Primera Division title race. Barca's players all but conceded the chances of retaining their Liga crown - or picking up any major silverware this season - were over following last Saturday's home draw with lowly Getafe.
Cruyff questions Barcelona board - [football] direct news
Cruyff, speaking at the BCN Sports Film Festival in Barcelona, noted: "The decisions are taken by those at the top and that makes it difficult for things to turn out well, because those at the top don’t know about football. The end of an era is only an excuse when you don’t know what isn’t working. Normally, if you know about football, you should know why this worked before and doesn’t now," he explained.
Is Luis Enrique the right man for Barcelona? - Goal.com
"The biggest risk we can take is to not take risks," Pep Guardiola once said. Barcelona took a chance on the Catalan coach back in 2008 and it paid off handsomely. Six years on and the Blaugrana are about to do something similar as they prepare to appoint Luis Enrique to replace Gerardo Martino this summer. But is it the right risk?
Ernesto Valverde rules out Bilbao exit - Goal.com
"I have not rejected any offer because I have not received any offers because I have a contract with Athletic," the 50-year-old told reporters. "The only way I would leave the club is if Athletic asked me to leave, which I don't think would happen, or if I asked to leave, and that definitely won't happen.
Atleti put €20m tag on Miranda | Football Espana
Atletico Madrid have decided that €20m would be a fair price for reported Barcelona target Miranda. Sport claims that despite Miranda’s buyout clause being €30m, the League leaders would consider selling the centre-back for two-thirds of that amount. Barcelona are said to have included Miranda on their list of possible signings for the summer and Atleti would let the Brazilian leave despite his importance to Coach Diego Simeone.
European Match of the Weekend: Atletico Madrid v Malaga | Eurosport
Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso has attacked Real Madrid's attitude after his team appeared to blow their La Liga title hopes, putting leaders Atletico Madrid in pole position with two games to go. After Atletico's defeat at Levante last weekend, third-placed Real could only muster a draw at home to Valencia and then pick up a point at Valladolid on Wednesday, leaving Carlo Ancelotti's men four points off the pacesetters.
Ancelotti: Ronaldo won’t play | Football Espana
Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti says Cristiano Ronaldo will not play in Los Blancos’ match against Celta Vigo tomorrow. The Portuguese talisman went off in the eighth minute of his side’s 1-1 draw with Valladolid during the week, a result which massively dented the club’s title hopes.
Pepe injury concern for Real Madrid | Sky Sports
Real Madrid centre-back Pepe faces a race against time to be fit for the Champions League final after being diagnosed with a calf injury in his left leg. Real have not revealed how long the Portugal international, who has formed a solid partnership with Spain's Sergio Ramos this season, will be out of action for, but reports suggest he will be on the sidelines for around two weeks.
