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Friday, August 31, 2012

Atl Madrid 4 - 1 Chelsea

Chelsea were comprehensively beaten in the Super Cup as Radamel Falcao scored a hat-trick to inspire c to victory in Monaco.
Falcao struck a shot against the crossbar before beautifully dinking in his first past keeper Petr Cech.
He curled in a shot with Chelsea in disarray and ended a counter attack with a left-foot finish for his third.
Miranda slotted in a ruthless Atletico's fourth, while Gary Cahill lashed in a shot for the Blues.
In a match pitting European champions Chelsea against the Europa League winners, it was the latter who deservedly came out on top with Falcao in irresistible form.
The Colombian, who scored 24 La Liga goals and 12 in Europe last season, came into the game on the back of a hat-trick and quickly took advantage of a lethargic Chelsea defence.
Having seen an early shot come back off the crossbar, he expertly lifted the ball over the on-rushing Cech when played through on goal.
A stunned Chelsea were being overrun and another incisive move ended with Falcao curling a left-foot shot into the top corner from just inside the box.
Roberto Di Matteo's side were exposed time and again, the scale of their defeat coming as a surprise given they had gone into the game leading the Premier League after three straight wins.
But Atletico had an intensity and urgency missing from Chelsea's play, and Falcao was again denied by the woodwork when he headed against the post.
However, he did not have long to wait to complete his hat-trick as Atletico countered, Chelsea backtracked and Falcao latched on to an Arda Turan pass before slotting past Cech.
Chelsea's lacklustre play was epitomised by their lazy response to a free-kick as Mario Suarez diverted the set-piece to Miranda, who steered home a shot.
Cahill scored a late goal for Chelsea but it did nothing to disguise the dominance of Atletico. StumbleUpon

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Getafe Beat real Madrid : 2-1

 [foto de la noticia]
Real Madrid crashed to a shock 2-1 defeat to city neighbors Getafe in the second round of the Spanish La Liga season Sunday.
After being held 1-1 by Valencia in their opener, Jose Mourinho's champions are left with a solitary point after two games, trailing arch rivals Barcelona by five points.
Gonzalo Higuain put Real ahead after 26 minutes and they appeared set for a routine derby victory.
But Juan Valera was unmarked as he headed Getafe level after 52 minutes from a free kick.
Real's star-studded attack led by Cristiano Ronaldo pressed for the winner, but it was the home side who grabbed their second with Abdelaziz Barrada scoring in the 74th minute after an assist by Adrian Colunga.
Earlier, Lionel Messi came to Barcelona's rescue with a late double as they beat Osasuna 2-1 to go top of the standings on goal difference from Rayo Vallecano after two games.
New Barca coach Tito Vilanova had been sent off for complaining to the referee as they trailed to a 17th-minute goal from Joseba Llorente.
The former European champions had wasted a string of chances until Messi struck in the 75th and 80th minutes.
Osasuna's Francisco Punal was shown red for his protests after Messi's first goal, claiming he was offside.
Barcelona and Real Madrid will resume their rivalry Wednesday as the Catalans take a 3-2 lead to the Santiago Bernabeu after first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.
In Serie A, the start of the season has seen contrasting fortunes for the Milan clubs.
AC Milan lost 1-0 in the San Siro to newly promoted Sampdoria with Andrea Costa scoring the winner in the second half.
But Inter Milan showed their city rivals how it should be done with a 3-0 win at another promoted side Pescara to top the early standings with Napoli, who won 3-0 at Palermo.
On Saturday, Juventus began their defense of the title with a 2-0 victory at home to Parma.
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Valentino Rossi To Go back to Yamaha in 2013

Rossi left Yamaha in 2010, having won 46 races for the Japanese team. However, that year the man known as "The Doctor" lost his world title to younger teammate Lorenzo.
They are two of the biggest names in motorcycle racing, and tensions were high the last time they were on the same team, but Jorge Lorenzo says rival Valentino Rossi's return to Yamaha is "good news."
Rossi left the Japanese team in 2010 after Lorenzo won his first world MotoGP championship, ending the Italian's two seasons of dominance.
Rossi, who won the world title four times with Yamaha and three with Honda, has struggled to be competitive since joining Ducati, managing just two podium placings in 28 races.
The 33-year-old has agreed a deal for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, resuming a partnership which Yamaha described as a "super team" when the news was announced last Friday."I think our relationship has got better, though maybe it's got better because we were in different teams," Lorenzo said on the MotoGP website ahead of this weekend's Indianapolis Grand Prix.
"It's good news for Yamaha because we achieved a lot of good results together. It's a big motivation to have him back because I always like to have the best riders in my garage.
"Valentino is one of them. I assume trying to beat me will be a big motivation for him. For Yamaha, it will be a good thing, that's the most important thing."
Rossi won 46 races in his seven years at Yamaha, but his final season was blighted by injuries and Lorenzo took full advantage.
The Spaniard lost his crown to Casey Stoner last year but tops this season's standings by 23 points from Honda's Dani Pedrosa with five wins and four second-placings from 10 of the 18 races so far.
Rossi is eighth overall, but still ahead of Lorenzo's 10th-placed American teammate Ben Spies, who will leave Yamaha at the end of this season.
"Someone who has talent normally keeps it and doesn't lose it like this in two years," Lorenzo said of Rossi.
"He is still young enough. He is 33, he has won a lot of races. With the Yamaha a better bike this year, it will be easier for him.
"It's true that us younger riders are getting stronger, more experienced and more consistent, but we have to remember that Valentino has won a lot of races. We have to respect that and keep it in mind."
The 25-year-old missed out on a podium place at Indianapolis last year when Spies passed him to take third, but won the U.S. race in 2009 and has twice been third himself.
"I really enjoy riding the Indy track, and have good memories here from my podiums in 2008 and 2010 and my great win in 2009," Lorenzo said.
"Last year I really struggled with grip in the race so I hope we can improve that this year. I've had a nice break but also been training to make sure I'm fit for this weekend!"
Honda's Stoner and Pedrosa have won the last two Indianapolis races, and both are seeking to cut Lorenzo's lead following MotoGP's midseason break.
"In these two weeks I was able to relax a little, enjoy time with friends and get back into my training," Pedrosa said.
"At this time of year, Indianapolis is normally very hot so fitness is always key. I enjoy riding at this track and I've had good results in the past. I am really looking forward to this race and will fight to win and maintain the consistency we have showed in the first part of the championship."
Stoner is 32 points adrift of Lorenzo in third place despite winning four races this season, which will be his last as he plans to retire after the final race in Valencia at the relatively young age of 27.
"I'm not the biggest fan of Indy, mainly because we don't go on the historical track but the infield and in the wrong direction," said Australia's two-time world champion.
"The track is very flat and plain, also very tight. There are a couple of corners that can be fun but the majority are difficult, tight and there isn't any natural flow to the track."
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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid


he Spanish Super Cup remains delicately poised after Barcelona claimed a pulsating 3-2 win against Real Madrid in the first leg.
Real's Cristiano Ronaldo first headed in a corner, which Pedro levelled immediately from the kick-off.
Lionel Messi scored a penalty after Andres Iniesta was fouled, before Xavi slotted home a sublime third.
Angel Di Maria then pounced on keeper Victor Valdes' mistake to breathe life into next Wednesday's second leg.
The match was the first time the two giants had met since Pep Guardiola ended his reign as Barcelona manager and was replaced by assistant Tito Vilanova.
Jose Mourinho's Madrid side looked to pounce on the counter attack from the off, and could have gone ahead if former Manchester United winger Ronaldo had played a firmer pass to Karim Benzema on the edge of the penalty box.
Reigning Fifa World Player of the Year Messi - already on the receiving end of a strong challenge from the visiting defender Fabio Coentrao - then blazed over from 20 yards before Pedro tested Iker Casillas.
The first half continued in the standard tempo of a 'Clasico' as Spanish Cup holders Barcelona dominated the ball with their relentless 'Tiki-taka' passing, and La Liga champions Real threatened with their incisive speed and power on the break.
Their patience was rewarded in the 55th minute as Ronaldo freed himself from marker Sergio Busquets and headed in a Mesut Ozil corner to claim a goal in his fourth successive visit to the Nou Camp. Barcelona hit back one minute late as Javier Mascherano played in Pedro to slot under Casillas for a quickfire equaliser.
Messi then put Barcelona ahead from 12-yards after Sergio Ramos' clumsy foul, before midfield pair Xavi and Iniesta produced the move of the night as their artistry cut open Real for the latter to score a potentially decisive third goal.
Barcelona seemed to have the trophy sewn up, before Valdes dawdled on the ball and substitute Di Maria robbed him to slot home a vital away goal.
Mourinho jabbed Vilanova in the eye in a melee at the end of last year's Super Cup, but there was no repeat of that controversial scene on the final whistle ahead of next week's decider. StumbleUpon

Monday, August 20, 2012

Alex Song has moved to Barcelona

Alex Song
Alex Song has completed his move to Barcelona from Arsenal.
The 24-year-old Cameroon international midfielder has signed a five-year contract at the Nou Camp after the clubs agreed a £15m deal.
Song, whose contract will contain a release clause of 80m euros (£63m), passed a medical on Monday.
Arsenal are close to signing 23-year-old Turkey international midfielder Nuri Sahin on a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid as a replacement.
Song did not play in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Sunderland, after which Arsenal confirmed an agreement had been reached with Barca.
The Spaniards will present him to the media on 11:00 BST on Tuesday.
"It's always frustrating losing good players, but we have plenty of players in midfield," said Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
"We are looking to bring one more midfielder in, and maybe one defender as well because we still feel we are short in some positions."
Sahin joined Real Madrid from Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund last summer but struggled to make an impact, and head coach Jose Mourinho has said he is free to find a new club.

Song stats

  • Born: 9 September 1987 in Douala, Cameroon.
  • Clubs: Bastia (2004-2006), Arsenal (2005-2006, loan), Arsenal (2006-2012), Charlton (2007, loan) Barcelona (2012-)
  • International caps: 30
Song, who had two years left on his contract, joined Arsenal as a 17-year-old from French side Bastia in 2005.
He initially arrived on a one-year loan deal, with a £2.75m fee agreed to make the move permanent.
Song went on to make more than 200 appearances for Arsenal, including 34 in the Premier League last season.
With Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky returning to match fitness, Wenger says he is happy with his midfield options.
Arsenal have signed striker Olivier Giroud, forward Lukas Podolski and midfielder Santi Cazorla, but captain Robin van Persie - who scored 30 league goals last season - has joined Manchester United. StumbleUpon

Barcelona wins Real Sociedad 5-1

Lionel Messi scored two first-half goals as Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 5-1 on Sunday.
Three-time world player of the year Lionel Messi outlined his and Barcelona's intention to win back the club's Spanish and European crowns after Sunday's season-opening 5-1 victory over Real Sociedad.
The Argentine forward, who scored 50 league goals last season and 73 overall for the Catalan side, netted twice in the opening 15 minutes of Barca's first competitive match under new coach Tito Vilanova.
It gave Barca an early edge in the title race as defending champions Real Madrid drew 1-1 with Valencia ahead of Thursday's first leg of the Spanish Super Cup -- which will be the first "El Clasico" clash of the 2012-13 campaign.
Sunday's match also saw Spain striker David Villa make a goalscoring comeback from a broken leg which had sidelined him since December and caused him to miss his country's triumph at Euro 2012.
"We are a team that wants to keep on winning important titles for the club," Messi told BarcaTV.
Under previous coach Pep Guardiola, Barca won three league titles and the European Champions League on two occasions but last season the Catalans' only success came in the Spanish Cup.
"I want to win it all, just like Tito," the 25-year-old Messi said. "It will be difficult, but we'll try. It's important to start off winning."
Barca will face Jose Mourinho's Real at the Camp Nou on Thursday, with Messi and his teammates looking to win the Spanish season's annual curtain-raiser for the fourth year in a row.
"Despite having a new manager, the team continues to play with the same philosophy," said Messi. "We're playing with the same style of play.
"It will be a complicated match because they are an experienced rival. The key to success is that all players actively participate so that we can score goals."
After the win over Sociedad, Barca's players spoke of their delight at seeing Spain's all-time leading goalscorer Villa return to action as a late substitute.
"Villa's return is the best piece of news of the game," said Spain forward Pedro, who scored Barca's fourth goal just before halftime. "He scored a goal and it's an absolute joy to have him with us."
Barca captain Carles Puyol opened the scoring with an early header on his return to competitive action after missing Euro 2012 due to knee surgery.
"I'm really happy that we won and that El Guaje (Villa) scored!" the veteran defender wrote on Twitter.
Meanwhile, midfielder Alex Song arrived in Barcelona on Monday to complete his switch from English Premier League team Arsenal. The Cameroon star was set to undergo a medical ahead of move worth a reported $23.5 million.
The 24-year-old becomes the second high-profile exit from the Emirates Stadium in the last week, following Robin van Persie's transfer to Manchester United.
"He's a footballer that gives us a bit of height. He'll surprise us with his skill, he's a great player," said Vilanova, who added that Song would provide backup for holding midfielder Sergio Busquets and would also be used as a central defender.
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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Serena Williams in brief !!!

Serena Williams displays her "super crazy" hairstyle before her Cincinnati opener against Elena Daniilidou. Williams has now won 35 of her last 36 singles matches, having claimed the Olympic women's title for the first time as well as defending her doubles crown with older sister Venus. StumbleUpon