Official 07-08 La Liga Thread (Barcelona sign Seydou Keita)

gah, can you please take that pic down lol.. Cristopher Walken is scary as hell.

Drenthe is awesome.. my favorite thing about him is his passion to win.

Robben will most likely miss the Roma clash as he has a heavily bruised/sprained ankle. Im seriously thankful his leg isnt broken.. That challenge was sosimiliar to the Eduardo one.

Ruud is doubtful for the Roma clash as the ankle injury he suffered a few weeks ago has been lingering thus affecting his performance.
 
Sergio Aguero is a beast, I watched him play during the FIFA U-20 WC, he's unstoppable.

Argentina is going to be stacked upfront for World Cup 2010. Messi, Tevez, Aguero, not many countries in the world have that much attacking quality.
 
We've got some cracking fixtures this weekend.
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Sat. - Real Madrid v Espanyol (Bernabeu)
Sun. - Barcelona v Villarreal (Camp Nou)

Also on Sat. - Zaragoza v Atl. Madrid (won't be easy for Atletico playing at La Romareda and Zaragoza has a new manager)
 
plus Tamudo is back for Espanyol. Meanwhile Sneijder returns to Madrid.


News/Rumors

According to Marca, Real Madrid have made contact with Jose Mourinho.

In light of this rumor, Real Madrid have released an official statemen to the public in which they back Schuster 100%.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) will be out 6 weeks following his injury during Barca's Champions League clash with Celtic. Messi wants to recuperate inArgentina.. the club thinks otherwise.

Real Madrid and the rest of Europe may have to wait for their priority transfer target, Karim Benzema after the Frenchman signed an upgraded contract extensionwith Olympique Lyonnais.

Frank Rijkaard has reportedly blocked the transfer that would have sent Ezequiel Garay (Racing Santander) to Barcelona next season. This could mean theArgentine's future rests with Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, or Manchester United.

According to TV3, FC Barcelona have sealed the signing of Sevilla's Christian Poulsen for the 07-08 season. The Dane claims this isnt true.

The English Press still sees Michael Ballack with Real Madrid for 07-08 despite the German's rise in form with the Blues.

"We have to be men, and fight for La Liga" - Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid)

Wesley Sneijder and Javier Saviola return from injury for Real Madrid's clash vs. Espanyol.

Yaya Toure and Rafa Marquez are doubtful for Barcelona's clash vs. Villareal.

Atletico Madrid will gain 500,000 Euro when Fernando Torres scores one more goal due to a transfer clause. The clause: If Torres hits 25 goals, Liverpool paysan additional 500,000 Euro.

Jo Alves (CSKA Moscow) wants to play for Valencia next season.

"Ramon Calderon and Mijatovic made my life impossible" - Ivan Helguera (Valencia, former Real Madrid)
 
What do you mean? Transfer wise? Hes definitely on the move this summer (especially if Sevilla do not qualify for Champions League next season) and his price tag (around 30) means only a couple of teams will be legitimately interested.

Imo, He'll end up at either Barcelona, Chelsea, or Real Madrid..

Chelsea -

Juliano Belletti has filled the void nicely but how long can he fill the role? and would Roman Abramovic pass on the possibility of signing argueably the best RB in the world? Rafinha is another option. Ferreira signed a contract extension but hes considered a utility player.

Barcelona -

Zambrotta has been lackluster and is probably gone next season (Milan anyone?.) Barca have found that Carles Puyol may be more effective at RB. Frank Rijkaard reportedly rejected the signing of Garay in order to keep Rafa Marquez who has been playing well alongside Gabriel Milito. Barcelona have also been tracking Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich) so if they dont land Alves its because they may been keen on the German. It should be noted Manchester United also want Lahm.

Real Madrid

It all depends on what the club wants to do with Sergio Ramos. Although Ramos is a superb RB.. the prospect of a Sergio Ramos and Pepe CB partnership is an exciting one. Dani Alves is a player that would allow Ramos play CB without missing a beat offensively on the right side.
 
Real Madrid 2, Espanyol 1

Real Madrid: Higuain (43'), Raul (Pen - 72')
Espanyol: Valdo (29')

Espanyol took charge early and capped it off with a header goal at the far post during a corner. Real Madrid clawed back with an Higuain goal assisted byMarcelo. Robinho was subbed off for Drenthe at half (I dont know why.) Wesley Sneijder returned from injury and subbed in for Julio Baptista. Sneijder andDrenthe changes added alot of energy and fluidity to the Madrid game.. Raul earned a penalty and converted it calmly.. It was mainly Madrid from there on out..Roberto Soldado came on for Gonzalo Higuain. It should be noted that the Bernabeu crowd was chanting Soldado during the match. Raul Tamudo then gets his 2ndyellow card.. AFTER the final whistle resulting in a red card
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Surprisingly.. Fernando Gago was left on the bench lol.. Mahamadou Diarra did his thing though.. MotM type performance along with Pepe and Drenthe.

Real Zaragoza vs. Atletico Madrid on right now

Barcelona vs. Villareal along with all the other fixtures tomorrow!
 
Farcelona are miserable.
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8 pts up

I'm not really pleased with Madrid's form as of late either. Need to put a foothold on the league now.
 
^i just remember seeing him in a racing game during the beginning of the season...

the commentators said that everyone at racing knows he's gunna be gone at the end of the season, and that they just hope he stays in spain so they canwatch him play.

i believe he's a very young defender. i could be wrong though since this was way back in the beginning of the la liga season.
 
Madrid's form will improve when we get Ruud, and Ramos back. Sneijder makes a mega difference as evident yesterday. I only wish he was around during the two games vs. Roma. The only time that our ideal back 4 has been fit/started at the same time.. during El Clasico at the Camp Nou when our defense was impregnable.

There are several key matches coming up including Deportivo at El Raizor (our record there isnt good,) Valencia at Home and Sevilla at home. Both RvN and Sergio Ramos return for the Valencia game.

Barcelona is without Messi for 6 weeks so its going to be interesting how they hold up. Its funny how all the hype was surrounding "The Fantastic Four" yet Xavi and Iniesta are usually the ones saving the day.

kraziegunts -

Ezequiel Garay is a 21 year old Argentine centreback that currently plays for Racing Santander. He netted 9 goals in 06-07.. just one goal short of the leading scoring defender that year - Marco Materazzi (Internazionale.) Hes 6'2 around 185. Hes a freekick specialist and even takes the penalty kicks for Santander. He scored a free kick at the Bernabeu last year.

It was reported that a deal that would send him to Barca next season was imminent as the clubs had agreed on a fee. However, during the negotiations to find a personal terms agreement.. Rijkaard reportedly opted not to sign the player as he considered his signing would mean the end of Rafa Marquez.

He'll go for around 14 million Euro at least as the reported agreed fee between Barca/Racing was 14.2 Million.In fact.. Heres a short video profiling him (the next post)
 
I think he will be a nice addition to the squad. Coupled with Pepe, Ramos, and Marcelo I see those 4 being the cornerstone of the squad for years to come. I amconcerned that the video and your description of him makes a great reference to his offensive abilities, I need him to play DEFENSE. I hope when he comes overhere that he isn't playing at lil ole Racing Santander and we have plenty of options to score already.
 
nah hes a good defender, thats a given. Its hard to tell what the club intends to do since we have several options. If a centreback is the need, they may justopt for a veteran defender (Ricardo Carvalho?). All we can do is speculate.

News/Rumors

Ruud van Nistelrooy will return for Real Madrid against Valencia CF. The Dutchman is physically able to play against Deportivo La Coruna but will be rested toface Los Che at the Bernabeu. Sergio Ramos also returns from suspension for the Valencia game.

"Even if we lose La Liga, Schuster will continue (being the Manager) if he wants to" - Ramon Calderon

"Im going nowhere" - Bernd Schuster

According to the Catalan press, Real Madrid management have already decided to sign Jose Mourinho for next season. They also claim that if the Special one ishired.. it would spell the end of Pedja Mijatovic as Sporting Director. The reason is that Mourinho would require full control of transfers/player personnel.

Ronaldinho (Barcelona) has declared that he will never join Chelsea citing their style of play. He also states that he appreciates the interest of Milan andInter but wants to continue giving his all at Barcelona.

According to the Catalan press, Real Madrid also wants Christian Poulsen (Sevilla.) It had been reported that a Poulsen to Barca deal was done but that dealhas been denied by the player's agent.

According to the Catalan press, Olympique Lyonnais claim to have a 70 Million Euro offer for Karim Benzema on the table. (yeah right)

Real Madrid are rumored to be monitoring the situation of Arsenal defensive midfielder, Mathieu Flamini.

The agent of Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) has welcomed Real Madrid interest.

Cesc Fabregas has no regrets about leaving Barcelona. In fact, the Spanish midfielder claims joining Arsenal was the best decision he ever made.

Getafe Coach, Michael Laudrup has labelled speculation that links him with the Chelsea Coaching position - "Stupid"
 
today! Deportivo La Coruna vs. Real Madrid at El Riazor.. Real Madrid have not won at Riazor in.. 17 years. This is considered a trap game. Royston Drenthe,and Roberto Soldado will start for RM!

Valencia vs. Sevilla also today

Almeria vs. Barcelona tomorrow.
Villareal vs. Zaragoza tomorrow.
Atletico Madrid vs. Levante tomorrow.
 
im annoyed with this game. Soldado hasn't done jack and Raul just squandered a perfectly good chance. Bring in Robinho and Higuain for these two
 
lol.. at this paticular point.. Id say no. The recent decline in form (February on) can be attributed to injury.

Schuster has a few things going for him:

He led the team to the best La Liga first half ever.
He raised Robinho's ability. Gago's ability has risen under Schuster as well.
Raul has marked his highest league goal tally since 2002-2003.
The team is currently first and despite the loss, still, in the driver seat for La Liga.
No one should have expected the treble this year.

My main criticism is that sometimes he appears to be tactically ******ed. The best game he coached was against Barcelona. On the flipside, Spaletti owned himin the CL.

I must admit, Im a big Jose Mourinho fan. I want stability though. Schuster has earned it thus far.


gunts, or anyone that saw the game today: What did you think of Diarra's performance? I thought he played well however I see some posters on other forumscriticizing his game. I just want to read your opinion.
 
I saw the game and thought Diarra played really well the first half. Didn't pay too much attention to his play during the 2nd.

I may be bias since he's my favorite player, but real looked much better in attack when robinho got in the game. He was the only one making somethinghappen.
 
Def agree. Robi is our catalyst so his inclusion is most of the time, a positive thing.

Drenthe was bad today. The reason that Robi didnt start the match is because of concerns over his fitness. They want to ease him back into the game as opposedto throwing him out there for 90 minutes consecutively. The club learned their lesson after Pepe reinjured himself coming back too early.

Miguel Torres was awful. He was a pleasant surprise last year. Under Capello, Torres was bright and solid.. this year hes a disaster. He seems to be acentreback playing as a fullback.

Its going to be 18 years without winning at Estadio Riazor.. that is incredible..

rooting for Almeria tomorrow.

also interesting.. Luis Fabiano continues his amazing hot streak by scoring 2 goals leading Sevilla to win vs. Valencia 2-1.
 
xblaze maybe you can shed some light on this i found it on balboas wikipedia

On November 9th 2007 Real Madrid pair Pepe and Javier Balboa came to blows at training. The pair clashed during a training game and the bust-up left Pepebleeding from the face. Balboa, says Marca, connected Pepe with a right hook

what the heck happened ?!
 
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it was your typical training fight: the rumor was that Pepe came in with a hard tackle and Balboa was angry. Although Balboa got the best of the fight, healso got the worst of the discipline; Schuster sat him a few games.

Balboa should get playing time. He was playing well.

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Almeria getting the 2-2 draw today vs. Barcelona
 
That was a great match (rooting for Almeria). Both goals off corner kicks. The Uche brothers both scored today. Milito misses the next match, plus theygot Copa del Rey this week. They're banged up right now.

I'm liking the Champions League spots right now. La Liga will represent next year.
 
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