The stats show that over the past five seasons the Catalans have benefited more from penalties won and conceded than any of their rivals Who is favoured more by referees Barcelona or Real Madrid? It is a question that has been debated furiously by fans of Spain’s two biggest clubs for decades and is once again in the spotlight following the events of Tuesday night in the Champions League. Barca completed the greatest comeback in Champions League history at Camp Nou, overturning a 4-0 first-leg deficit to destroy Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 on the night.
Category: Real Madrid
Zidane: The word ‘crisis’ does not exist to me
Real Madrid have lost top spot in La Liga to Barcelona but their coach is not feeling pressure despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s likely absence at Eibar Zinedine Zidane has dismissed talk of a crisis at Real Madrid, saying he is calm over the club’s title run-in despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s likely absence alongside Gareth Bale against Eibar on Saturday. Madrid still have a game in hand on their title rivals but ceded top spot in La Liga to Barcelona when they were forced to battle back to a 3-3 draw at home to Las Palmas in midweek after Bale was sent off.
Booing Ronaldo and Zidane – are Madrid’s Bernabeu fans the worst in the world?
All clubs have small sections of embarrassing supporters but are there any more ungrateful than the group who whistle two living legends? “Away from home, our fans are fantastic,” former Manchester United captain Roy Keane once observed. “I’d call them the hardcore fans.
VIDEO: Ramos nets stunning scissor kick in Real Madrid training
The Spain international’s main job is stopping the opposition from scoring, but he showed his eye for goal with a spectacular finish on Tuesday Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos displayed some explosive sharp-shooting on the training ground as the La Liga leaders prepared for Wednesday’s match with Las Palmas. Madrid retained their one-point advantage over Barcelona at the summit with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win at Villarreal over the weekend.
‘Master of substitutions’ Sampaoli strikes again
Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli proved the ‘master of substitutions’ once again on Saturday with a key switch that not only earned his side a come-from-behind win over Real Betis but boosted his reputation as one of the most wanted coaches in Europe. Sampaoli’s stock has risen sharply this season with Sevilla on track for their best league finish in eight years and on course to reach the Champions League quarters for the first time after their win over Leicester City in the last 16 first leg.
La Liga: Real Madrid post comeback win over Villarreal, on verge of…
Alvaro Morata of Real Madrid celebrates with his teammates after scoring the winner during the La Liga match between Villarreal CF and Real Madrid at Estadio de la Ceramica on February 26, 2017 in Villarreal, Spain Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale both scored as Real Madrid staged a remarkable late comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 at Villarreal and stay top of La Liga on Sunday. Substitute Alvaro Morata got the winner in the 83rd minute to cap a 19-minute turnaround that keeps Zinedine Zidane’s side on course for their first La Liga triumph since 2012 after Barca’s talisman Lionel Messi had briefly sent his side top with a late strike in the 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid.
Chaos at boardroom level, Galacticos over cantera – are Barcelona turning into Real Madrid?
With expensive signings, no midfield plan and a cold relationship between players and club chiefs, the Blaugrana have started to resemble their rivals The roles have reversed. Not so long ago it was Real Madrid who were known for their policy of signing superstars and their turmoil in the boardroom, while Barcelona bolstered their strength in depth by plucking players from their youth system.
Sevilla rises to top of La Liga with comeback at Betis
His team trailing against its fiercest rival, coach Jorge Sampaoli orchestrated a 2-1 comeback at Real Betis that lifted Sevilla to the top of the Spanish league on Saturday. Substitute Vicente Iborra got the winning goal in the 75th minute to silence the Benito Villamarin Stadium following Gabriel Mercado’s equalizer.
Sevilla turns focus to another key game _ the Betis derby
After its 2-1 win over Leicester on Wednesday put the club in a strong position to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time in nearly 60 years, Sevilla started preparing for Saturday’s derby against crosstown rival Real Betis. Victory will give fans bragging rights, and keep Sevilla alive in the race for the Spanish league title, which would be the team’s first in more than 70 years.
Will Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico win La Liga?
That’s the trouble with games in hand – you have to win them. Real Madrid slipped up on Wednesday night at the Mestalla and as Marca declared on Thursday morning, there is life on planet Liga.
Bayern, Arsenal seek to lift domestic gloom
Berlin: Bayern Munich and Arsenal meet in their big-name Champions League round of 16 first leg on Wednesday, both hoping European success will help lift mid-season gloom on their domestic fronts. Bayern are on track for a record-extending fifth consecutive title with a seven-point lead thanks to their 2-0 win over Ingolstadt on Saturday.
Ronaldo to carry the load for Madrid against Napoli
With Gareth Bale not fully fit and Karim Benzema still struggling, it will be Cristiano Ronaldo again carrying the load for Real Madrid in the Champions League. And that shouldn’t be a problem for the defending champions – Ronaldo has scored in every last 16 game he has played with Madrid the last five seasons, with 14 goals in total.
Ronaldo to carry the load for Madrid against Napoli
With Gareth Bale not fully fit and Karim Benzema still struggling, it will be Cristiano Ronaldo again carrying the load for Real Madrid in the Champions League. And that shouldn’t be a problem for the defending champions – Ronaldo has scored in every last 16 game he has played with Madrid the last five seasons, with 14 goals in total.
Transfer news: The latest rumours from Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and all the top teams
Manchester City are prepared to sanction a record-breaking move for Tottenham star Dele Alli, according to the Sunday Express . The England international is seen as the potential long-term heart of the squad as Pep Guardiola seeks to overhaul his team with an emphasis on homegrown players.
Zidane’s experiment with Real Madrid nearly backfired against Osasuna
When Real Madrid traveled to bottom-dwelling Osasuna on Saturday, nobody would have expected much of a match. The final score, a 3-1 win for Los Blancos, seems like a predictable result.
Suarez nets 2 in Barca win marred by Vidal injury
… triker Ruben Castro hit the post early on in scoreless stalemate that increased the winless streaks of both teams. As sports columnist, Paul Woody offers an array of commentary on the sports scene in columns and World of Woody videos.
Grading the Last 10 Spanish Signings at Real Madrid
In the summer preceding the 2009/10 campaign, Real Madrid boosted their squad with two big-name signings: Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, with both deals dominating headlines and expectations for the season ahead. But they also signed four Spanish players: Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa from Liverpool , Raul Albiol from Valencia and Esteban Granero from Getafe.
Casillas: Real Madrid fans jeering Ronaldo is madness
The ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper and captain feels the club’s fans have gone one step beyond what is acceptable by constantly criticising the talisman Real Madrid supporters’ constant jeering of Cristiano Ronaldo is a form of “madness”, according to the club’s former goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas. The Portugal star is coming off the back of a wonderful 2016 in which he led Madrid to Champions League glory before winning the European Championship with Portugal and then lifting the Club World Cup with Zinedine Zidane’s men.
La Liga: Lacklustre Atletico Madrid held at Alaves
Diego Simeone fielded a full-strength team against Alaves but he watched his side get outplayed by the Basques, who are without a win in the league in 2017. Atletico Madrid’s troubles away from home continued when they were held to a goalless draw at Alaves on Saturday, dropping points on the road for a second consecutive week and losing Uruguay international Jose Maria Gimenez to injury.
‘Real Madrid’s unbeaten run doesn’t matter’ – Michel tells players to adapt to boos
Despite beating Malaga 2-1 on Saturday, Zinedine Zidane’s men were jeered by their supporters, but the former midfielder says it will always happen Real Madrid fans will always jeer their own players despite their 40-game unbeaten run, according to former player Michel. Michel won six La Liga titles and two UEFA Cups during a long spell as a Madrid player, eventually going on to coach their B team and latterly, Sevilla and Marseille.
Messi scores 5th goal in 6 games as Barcelona beats Eibar
With Lionel Messi’s fifth goal in six games this year, Barcelona comfortably defeated Eibar 4-0 on Sunday to keep pace with leaders Real Madrid and Sevilla at the halfway point of the Spanish league. Substitute Denis Suarez, Uruguay striker Luis Suarez and Brazil forward Neymar also scored as the defending champions cruised to victory in the Basque Country to finish the first half of the season two points behind Madrid and one behind Sevilla.
Sergio Ramos saves Real Madrid as fans target Ronaldo
Real Madrid’s defender Sergio Ramos celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Malaga CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on January 21, 2017. / AFP / PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU Madrid: Sergio Ramos struck twice to get Real Madrid back to winning ways as the home fans targeted Cristiano Ronaldo in a 2-1 victory over Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
King’s Cup: Real hopes hit by second successive defeat
IMAGE: Celta de Vigo’s Iago Aspas scores their opening goal against Real Madrid CF during the Copa del Rey quarter-final, first Leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid on Wednesday. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images eal Madrid lost 2-1 at home to Celta Vigo in their Spanish King’s Cup quarter-final first leg on Wednesday to slump to their second defeat in a row following a record winning streak.
King’s Cup: Real hopes hit by second successive defeat
IMAGE: Celta de Vigo’s Iago Aspas scores their opening goal against Real Madrid CF during the Copa del Rey quarter-final, first Leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid on Wednesday. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images eal Madrid lost 2-1 at home to Celta Vigo in their Spanish King’s Cup quarter-final first leg on Wednesday to slump to their second defeat in a row following a record winning streak.
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo Betting: Capable underdogs can contribute to a high-scoring game
Our tipster believes the visitors should be able to get on the scoresheet in what promises to be an entertaining end-to-end affair at the Bernabeu Real Madrid’s record-breaking 40-match unbeaten run came to an end in dramatic fashion on Sunday evening, with Zinedine Zidane’s men conceding twice in the last five minutes to lose 2-1 at Sevilla. The disappointment was palpable for Los Blancos’ players, although the good news for them is that they have a chance to bounce back on Wednesday night in the Copa Del Rey when Celta Vigo visit the Bernabeu in the first leg of their quarter final.
Zidane backs Navas and defends Benzema as Madrid aim to bounce back
The pair were criticised for their performances at the weekend, but the Frenchman has said that it is impossible to be perfect for 90 minutes Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane dismissed speculation over Keylor Navas’ future as “rumours” after the goalkeeper’s performance in Sunday’s 2-1 La Liga defeat to Sevilla came under scrutiny. Costa Rica international Navas was criticised for failing to keep out Stevan Jovetic’s dramatic winner, as Sevilla came from behind to end Madrid’s Spanish record unbeaten run in stoppage time.
Ramos sees reverse in fortunes as Real’s record run ends
Sergio Ramos has so often been Real Madrid’s man of the moment but the captain saw the tables turn as his own goal helped his former club Sevilla to a 2-1 win over the La Liga leaders on Sunday, ending a record-breaking 40-game unbeaten run. The Real defender’s reputation for rescuing his team in their hour of need took a twist when he headed Pablo Sarabia’s floated free-kick past his own goalkeeper Keylor Navas in the 85th minute to cancel out Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Betis: Gaitan grabs three points for hosts
Diego Simeone’s side made it three wins in a row with a narrow success on home soil, cementing a standing inside the La Liga Champions League spots Nico Gaitan’s first-half goal proved decisive as Atletico Madrid stuttered to an unimpressive 1-0 La Liga win at home to a Real Betis side who pushed their hosts all the way on Saturday. Diego Simeone’s men looked a far sterner defensive unit than they did in Tuesday’s woeful 3-2 Copa del Rey second-leg defeat to Las Palmas, but going forward looked devoid of craft for long periods.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger ‘relaxed’ about Mesut Ozil’s contract …
‘The pundits who talk… I don’t remember them playing, but they will remember me for the rest of their lives’: Ibrahimovic speaks to Henry ahead of United vs Liverpool Practical jokes, stealing T-Shirts and trainers and a comedy act with a giant phone… how Mourinho has turned United around after worst ever start QUIZ: Know your Leopards from the Panthers? See if you can identify the 16 Africa Cup of Nations team nicknames ‘I’ve been shaped by two greats… Ferguson and Keane’: Fletcher on Manchester United, illness and his Euro dream for West Brom Chelsea in talks over pre-season tour of China and Japan in effort to boost club’s profile in the Far East ‘I want to put my print on this club’: Schneiderlin keen to impress at Everton after sealing A 24m move from United West Ham are not the first club to experience Payet’s petulance… the Frenchman has a history of ill-discipline Super … (more)
Real Madrid sets Spanish record of 40 unbeaten games
With a remarkable injury time goal, Real Madrid salvaged a 3-3 draw against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey to set a Spanish record of 40 consecutive games unbeaten on Thursday. Madrid had its spot in the Copa quarterfinals all-but-secured in the final minutes in Seville when Karim Benzema made a great run past several defenders and entered the area to fire in a low right-foot shot that allowed Madrid to surpass the unbeaten mark that it shared with rival Barcelona.
Madrid to rest Ronaldo in Copa del Rey match against Sevilla
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane will not use Cristiano Ronaldo in the second leg against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey on Thursday. Zidane will also rest Luka Modric when Madrid tries to defend a 3-0 win from the first leg.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Carli Lloyd win FIFA Best Player awards
Capping what he called the best year of his career, Cristiano Ronaldo won his fourth FIFA best player award on Monday. The double European champion with Portugal and Real Madrid beat rival Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann to complete a sweep of top individual awards.
Real honour Cristiano Ronaldo’s record
Cristiano Ronaldo was honoured by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu yesterday in a ceremony to mark the Ballon d’Or award he earned last month for world player of the year – the fourth Golden Ball he has won. Cristiano Ronaldo then went on to help Real Madrid tie Barcelona’s Spanish record of 39 games unbeaten in all competitions by crushing Granada 5-0.
Real Madrid hammer Granada to equal record
Real Madrid equalled a Spanish record of 39 games unbeaten in all competitions by crushing struggling Granada 5-0 on Saturday to go six points clear at the top of La Liga.
Tomas Mejias set for Rayo Vallecano loan after falling down Boro pecking order
Mejias has found himself fourth in line at the Riverside Stadium this season behind compatriot Victor Valdes, Brad Guzan and Dimi Konstantopoulos, and has been a frustrated by-stander for the entire campaign to date. Indeed, he made the last of his 17 senior appearances in Boro’s 2-1 FA Cup third round defeat by Burnley on January 9 last year, and Segunda Division Rayo have offered him the opportunity to play some football.
Real Madrid loanee Vallejo working for Bernabeu dream
The dream of playing for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu motivates Jesus Vallejo to keep impressing on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt. Jesus Vallejo hopes his impressive spell on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt will be rewarded with the chance to represent Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Los Blancos Rumours After January Window Opens
That’s according to AS , which also suggested that Barcelona and Manchester City hold an interest in the Germany international. However, it looks as though Los Blancos lead the way for a youngster dubbed the “next Sergio Busquets.”
Zidane: 2016 has been the dog’s bollocks
Real Madrid’s triumph at the Club World Cup capped what the coach hailed as a year of remarkable success for the side unbeaten in 37 games in all competitions now Zinedine Zidane described 2016 as “the dog’s bollocks” after Real Madrid lifted the Club World Cup after extra time in Yokohama on Sunday. A hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo after an early strike from Karim Benzema sealed a hard-fought win over a spirited and dangerous Kashima Antlers side to secure the trophy and extend Madrid’s unbeaten run to 37 games.