Although they had plenty of chances to put the game out of reach, Valencia’s come from behind win against Real Madrid has knocked the Madrista’s down to only a 4 point lead in La Liga.
ps- Marchena got knocked the uck out!!!
With the latest success that La Liga side Villareal has found, fans got their wish granted as 3,200 more seats will be added before the start of the 2009 season.
After Champions League qualification and the extra push that the team has seen in revenue, President Fernando Roig seems keen to cash in. Remember, this was a team who’s El Madrigal stadium only held 7,000 supporters just ten years ago.
But with the team in the top flight of La Liga for the last seven consecutive seasons and the success they’ve enjoyed, the extra seats will now be added to the North stand where the away fans are stationed.
image via InfoDeportivo
While Iker Cassillas made his 300th La Liga appearance, it was Raul that stole the show during Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Espanyol. Stretching their lead to 8 points over Barcelona, Raul netted his 200th La Liga goal in the 74th minute after being pulled down in the box by Espanyol defender Daniel Jarque and stepping up to slot past keeper Carlos Kemeni.
Looks like that 10 grand he spent on a sleep decompression chamber was a pretty decent buy.
image via MasqueFootball
Brazil and Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano just can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to burglary and kidnapping when it comes to his family. Back in 2005, after winning the Copa America with Brazil, the “Bad Boy of Brazil” had his mother kidnapped and thankfully she was released after 61 days in captivity. Last Friday while he was away at training, his home was burgled and ransacked, the day after Sevilla’s keeper Andres Palop home was broken into while he was asleep with his family.
Good news - Sevilla went out and blasted Zaragoza 5-nil the next morning.
Here’s the “Bad Boy of Brazil” in action, squaring up with Diogo. Did ANY of the 6 to 9 haymakers land at all? Is it wrong to want to see Kimbo Slice throw just one hook at those guys?
Image via BBC
Losing three games in a row and four out of the last five games is unacceptable for a team like Real Madrid. Sunday’s contest saw Arjen Robben score what looked to be a goal, only to have it disallowed while celebrating in the corner. Getafe took full advantage of the call, counterattacking 6 on 2 and finishing what would be the decider in a 1-0 contest that saw Madrid lose their first game at the Bernabeu since February 2007.
Barcelona’s 5-1 win over Levante at the Nou Camp put them now only two points behind Madrid in the La Liga title race with the advantage looking to sway towards the team in form.
When Dutchman Ronald Koeman took helm of La Liga club Valencia in December, he immediately axed prominent players Miguel Angel Angulo, Santiago Canizares and Captain/Spanish International David Albelda. After being told he would never again feature in the 11, Albelda went to the press begging to be released from his just newly signed contract in the summer. Today Valencia offered to compensate the midfielder and allow him to leave ONLY if he signs an agreement that he won’t sign with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Villareal or Atletico Madrid. Obviously Albelda turned the demand down and it now looks as though the player and club will head to court over $40 million in compensation.
image via Sport24
When Barcelona won La Liga back in 2005, Samuel Eto’o was ecstatic. So ecstatic in fact that when he was given the microphone to address the crowd, the former Real Madrid player (1996-2000) couldn’t help himself and had a go not only at his former club, but their back sides as well while declaring Barcelona champions. Today that Spanish Soccer Federation fined the Cameroonian hitman $17,607 for actions that were deemed “very grave” and “initiating violence”.
Eto’o and his song can be found around the 2:15ish mark.
[image via SoccersPlanet]
Raul and Iker Casillas declared their love today for Real Madrid after signing life contracts on Valentines Day. While left out of the Spanish National Team set up despite being one of the hottest goal scorers in the country, the 30 year old striker signed another extension to keep him at the club until 2011. First choice for both Club and Country, Casillas signed an extension that will keep the 26 year old at the club until 2017. Both have an automatic One Year extension clause that will trigger when the player competes in 30 official matches in one season. No word on the amount of money, but I can only dream.
