Barcelona v Atletico Madrid - Preview

Neymar, Suarez and Messi

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez have scored 107 goals between them this season but after Barcelona’s celebrated trio failed to find the net in the defeat by Real Madrid, Luis Enrique defended them by declaring “they aren’t machines”.

The Barcelona manager said he was not concerned about the physical state of his all-star attacking line despite their below-par display in the 2-1 home defeat on Saturday.

Although Real halted their 39-game unbeaten run, Luis Enrique said he retained full confidence in his side as they prepared to host Atlético Madrid in the first leg of an all-Spanish Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.

Messi (37), Suárez (43) and Neymar (27) have been scoring for fun but Barcelona’s only goal against Real came from the defender Gerard Piqué.

“They aren’t machines, they are the best players in their position but they aren’t unbeatable or unsurpassable,” Luis Enrique said on Monday. “I think all my players are in perfect condition. We had forgotten what it was like to lose but when you do you remember how difficult it is to win and we all hope the defeat serves as a stimulus to win again. Looking at how we have done in the last few months, I’m optimistic.”

Piqué reaffirmed his coach’s belief in his forwards. “Our three attackers are on another level, from another world. I’m not worried about them at all, it’s impossible for us to have more faith in them, they have brutal qualities and we’re so lucky to have them at Barça,” he said.

He was also adamant Barça would bounce back but said Atlético would pose even more problems than Zinedine Zidane’s men did. “We’re not scared of them but they are having a spectacular season, they are the second best team [in La Liga] and it’s going to be even harder for us than Saturday,” Piqué said.

Diego Simeone’s side have conceded only three goals in eight Champions League games this season, the joint best record in the competition alongside Real. They also have the meanest defence in La Liga, letting in 15 goals in 31 games – 11 fewer than Barcelona.

Atlético pipped Barcelona to the La Liga title in 2014 and knocked them out of the Champions League in the same season en route to the final. They are six points behind Luis Enrique’s side in La Liga and warmed up for their trip to Barcelona by thrashing Real Betis 5-1 on Saturday.

However, Barça have beaten Atlético in all six matches under Luis Enrique. Piqué said: “We’ll see how they approach the game but it’s all down to us, we need to move the ball around quickly and for the fans to put pressure on them. If that happens we’re practically unstoppable.”

Atlético are set for the return of Diego Godin after the defender’s absence of nearly three weeks because of a muscle injury. Stefan Savic, Yannick Carrasco and José María Giménez, who had been doubtful, also made the trip to Barcelona and will be available to play.

“We are feeling strong,” the Atlético defender Juanfran Torres said. “We know that our chances rely on staying alive after the game at the Camp Nou. Then we can try to seal the deal at the Vicente Calderón.”

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Real Madrid Seeking True Colours

Real Madrid are set to return to their traditional white and purple colours from next season. Following on from several years in which red, green, orange, pink and grey have featured in the club's second strips, Adidas are intent on bringing about a return to the club's classic colours.

At present the discussions about the various models are ongoing, with a final version yet to have been decided on, the idea is for the home kit to be all white with the purple stripes of the Adidas brand, and for the second kit to be completely purple. 

It's a move which will please the Real faithful, who have been slightly unhappy at the various colour changes seen over the last few seasons. 

The return to purple marks the first time since the 2010-11 season that 'Los Merengues' will wear this colour.Purple has historically been the colour to most frequently feature in Real Madrid's second strips. 

It was in purple that 'La Quinta del Buitre' (the five home grown talents from the 1980's) burst onto the scene, that Raúl wore on his bow at La Romareda and in which Christian Karembeu netted the vital goal in Leverkusen en route to the club's seventh European Cup. 

It's a colour which has always gone hand in hand with Real Madrid triumphs. The 2002-2003 side - with Zidane and Ronaldo at the fore - wore purple in some of their games, although they also combined it with a black strip, in a season in which they finished as champions.

Nevertheless, Adidas are also working with Real Madrid on releasing a third kit, which is set to move away from the club's traditional colour scheme, and will be aimed more at being a commercial success.

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Atletico and Real Face FIFA Ban

Fifa has banned Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid from signing players in the next two transfer windows.

The ban will come into effect for the 2016 summer and 2017 January transfer windows.

The two Madrid clubs have been banned for “breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18”.

Atlético have also been fined 900,000 Swiss francs (£622,000) and Real 360,000 Swiss francs (£249,000).

The fifa statement in full

The Fifa Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned Spanish clubs Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18.

The two clubs were found to have violated several provisions concerning the international transfer and first registration of minor players as well as other relevant provisions with regard to the registration and participation of certain players in competitions.

Both clubs are to serve a transfer ban that prevents them from registering any players at national and international level for the next two complete and consecutive registration periods for breaching articles 5, 9, 19 and 19bis as well as annexes 2 and 3 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (the “Regulations”). The transfer ban, which does not affect the current registration period at all, given that it opened before the decisions were notified, applies to each club as a whole – with the exception of the women’s, futsal and beach soccer teams – and does not prevent the release of players.

Additionally, Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid have been fined CHF 900,000 and CHF 360,000 respectively, while both clubs have been issued with a reprimand and given 90 days in which to regularise the situation of all minor players concerned.

The decisions, which were notified to the parties concerned today, were made based on the specific elements of each case. They follow investigations initially conducted by Fifa Transfer Matching System GmbH (FifaTMS) and subsequently by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee as part of disciplinary proceedings. The investigations concerned minor players who were involved and participated in competitions with the clubs over various periods between 2007 and 2014 (Atlético de Madrid) and between 2005 and 2014 (Real Madrid).

Fifa works hard to protect the rights of players under the age of 18 – whether male or female, amateur or professional. This is done through the enforcement of regulations prohibiting the international transfer of minors, or the first registration of minors in a country other than their own, except in specific circumstances (cf. art. 19 of the Regulations) that must be approved by the sub-committee appointed by the Players’ Status Committee.

As such, the provisions relating to the protection of minors need to be strictly applied. This has been confirmed on various occasions by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Opening up the door to exceptions beyond those carefully drafted and included in the Regulations would unavoidably lead to cases of circumvention of the rationale for these provisions.

The web-based Transfer Matching System (TMS) provides a crucial platform to monitor the international transfer market, to ensure compliance with the rules, and to promote transparency and best practice.

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Benitez Baton Passed to Zidane

Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane was the world’s most expensive player when he arrived at the Bernabéu in 2001 from Juventus, spending five years at the club and winning La Liga and the Champions League. His unforgettable volley at Hampden Park in May 2002 in the Champions League final the highlight of an impressive ccontribution to the club - ensuring he was a fan favourite. .

Since 2014 Zizou has been coaching Real Madrid’s B team chasing his UEFA pro licence to be ready for that day he would take over the number 1 coaching job he had always wished for. Which in theory might have been next season at the earliest

He now gets that opportunity and the former Galactico becomes the 13th permanent manager in the 21st century at Real Madrid having won just one La LIga league title in the previous seven seasons.

Rafa's future was decided at an emergency board meeting on Monday in Madrid with his final act overseeing Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Gary Neville’s Valencia at the Mestalla. A game which saw Real Madrid reduced to 10 men and twice pegged back to a draw that leaves them in third place in La Liga. Four points behind the leaders Atlético Madrid.

During his seven months Benítez struggled to find favour among the supporters, a relationship made worse by the 4-0 home defeat to Barcelona in November’s Clásico. Then persistent rumours of unrest in his squad became more frequent and an indication of increasing player power at the top European clubs. 

Despite that adversity he responded to the speculation on Sunday over his future by saying: “I cannot prevent speculation about whether I continue, but I can make the team work as it has today. We were capable of getting the three points.

“With 10 players we had to make an effort, and the team has done. We can only regret that after going 2-1 ahead, we conceded in the next minute. Maybe we were lacking a bit of concentration after we went 2-1 up or maybe the opposition reacted very well.”

The club captain Sergio Ramos also spoke after the Valencia match and gave his public backing to the under-fire manager. He told Movistar: “Benítez has credit in the bank. Whoever the coach is, we’ll always get behind them.”

Well Sergio the credit seemingly ran out with the club president, Florentino Perez it seems this week, and  a man never visibly comfortable with the appointment. Even from the outstet last June.

On the otherhand for Benitez it was stuff of dreams as he returned to his home town and the club where he plied his trade in the junior ranks and discovered Raul Gonzalez. All the makings of a fairy tale having been the equivalent of Zidane in his first professional managerial sortee. 

However seven months later it has all come to a sudden end with Benitez returning to his home on the Wirral Pennisula with much sadness no doubt.

His return to Real Madrid proving to be a personal nightmare.

For Zidane the time has come to move from being the legendary former player and earn a reputation in management. No tougher place to start your apprenticeship than at the Santiago Bernabeu.

May the force be with you Zizou.

 © OSMedia 

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Fantastic Manager - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has told his critics to remember he is "a fantastic manager" - even when Chelsea are losing.

The Blues boss admitted he had forgotten what it felt like to win until his side beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0 in their Champions League opener on Wednesday night.

The comprehensive victory was just a second this season for the English champions, who are already 11 points off Manchester City's Premier League pace.

But Mourinho fiercely defended his managerial record in the run-up to the Maccabi game, and afterwards he warned critics against what he claims is kneejerk analysis.

"There are people who are not happy with so many successes," said Mourinho, who again denied any breakdown in his relationship with captain John Terry who was one of several high profile players dropped to the bench for the game.

"Wayne Rooney was a disaster, then he beats the record with England and he's suddenly the best player in the history of English football. Rooney is a fantastic player when he's not scoring goals or when he is.

"I am a fantastic manager when I'm not winning matches and I'm a fantastic manager when I am.

"You like 'up and down', but it's not like that. The pundits get big money not to say easy things. They have to be geniuses in their analysis or they don't deserve the money they get."

Cesc Fabregas scored Chelsea's fourth goal against Maccabi and will be up against old side Arsenal on Saturday

Mourinho welcomed the vocal support of the home fans during the Maccabi game, saying: "It shows that they don't read papers or they don't have short memories: if they don't read papers they'll support me, if they don't have short memories they'll support me.

"There's an easy way for them to think, which is: 'we won four premier Leagues, three with him and one with his team, so this guy is not bad. let's support him, and we have a chance to win a fifth'."

Next up for Mourinho is a meeting with Arsenal and old adversary Arsene Wenger, who recorded a first win over the Portuguese in last month's Community Shield.

He said: "For all of us to have woken up again after a defeat and two days before a London derby against Arsenal, I could imagine how it would feel."

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Champions League Draw

Champions League round of 16 draw:

• PSG v Chelsea 

• Arsenal v Barcelona 

• Juventus v Bayern Munich 

• PSV v Atletico Madrid 

• Benfica v Zenit 

• Dynamo Kiev v Manchester City

• Gent v Wolfsburg 

• AS Roma v Real Madrid

*Dates and times to be condirmed

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Van Gaal Qualifies for Europa

Manchester United suffered an early exit from the Champions League as they were beaten 3-2 by a superb Wolfsburg side on a night of high drama in Germany.

Anthony Martial put United ahead after 10 minutes, but Naldo equalised before the Bundesliga runners-up went ahead following a delicious 11-pass move that was finished by Vierinha.

A late own goal by Josuha Guilavogui gave United hope, but Naldo found the net shortly after to send the injury-hit three-time European champions out.

CSKA Moscow were unable to pull off a shock win over PSV Eindhoven, and United now face the prospect of playing Europa League football in the new year.

Manager Louis van Gaal wanted to guide United to Champions League glory, but he will have to get used to long trips to far-flung corners of Europe on Thursday nights instead.

United may have been beset by injuries, but Van Gaal cannot use that as an excuse. United were expected to cruise through this group. The Dutchman's critics will now only grow louder.

Without seven first-team regulars, Van Gaal was forced to hand defender Guillermo Varela his full debut.

The Wolfsburg fans did their best to try to make David Moyes' first signing feel uncomfortable and so did the players tearing about the pitch in white and green.

The hosts lived up to their nickname of Die Wolfe and hounded United like a pack of aggressive wolves.

Van Gaal's team were never allowed to settle on the ball. Varela drifted inside, allowing Andre Schurrle a chance to shoot but he fluffed his lines and United breathed again.

Wolfsburg were well on top but somehow found themselves behind in the 10th minute.

Daley Blind found Juan Mata, who carved open the Wolfsburg back four to set Martial free. The Frenchman went into the game in poor form, but his finish was exemplary. He took one touch before rolling the ball past Diego Benaglio.

It was a superb finish, but Wolfsburg equalised with an even better one just three minutes later.

Ricardo Rodriguez whipped in a low cross and Naldo got in front of Chris Smalling before volleying past David de Gea. United were back to square one.

Fellaini almost put them ahead again with a close-range header but Benaglio saved. Wolfsburg went on the attack at a devastating cost for United.

Wolfsburg switched the play from right to left and Schurrle drifted infield before laying the ball off to the sensational Julian Draxler. He glided past Bastian Schweinsteiger and two more United players while playing a one-two with Max Kruse before squaring to Vierinha and he slotted the ball in from close range.

It was a stunning goal, one worthy of a team seemingly bound for a place among Europe's elite.

Draxler drew yet more gasps from the despairing United fans when he wriggled free in the box, but De Gea saved his shot.

United were reeling. They needed the half-time whistle to regroup. Instead they were handed another problem as Darmian had to be replaced by 19-year-old Cameron Borthwick-Jackson because of an injury to the Italian.

United thought they had equalised when Jesse Lingard's ball sailed into the goal, but the referee ruled Mata, who was in an offside position, had interfered with play.

United performed better at the start of the second period.

Memphis Depay drew a save from Benaglio with an acrobatic volley. Wolfsburg still looked dangerous though. De Gea tipped an effort over from Schurrle and Kruse missed a sitter.

Van Gaal threw on Nick Powell for his first game in almost a year.

United supporters' spirits were raised when CSKA took the lead, but PSV soon equalised and Van Gaal's men were heading out. They needed an equaliser and they got it when Guilavogui knocked Fellaini's header into his own net, but just a minute later Naldo headed in to send the locals inside the Volkswagen Arena wild.

United pushed for an equaliser but it did not come. It would not have mattered anyway. PSV's winner in Eindhoven meant United were already out.

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United Keep Wolfsburg at the Door

Wayne Rooney admits Manchester United must rediscover their killer instinct quickly if they are to avoid an embarrassing early exit from the Champions League.

United’s place in Europe’s top club competition was put in doubt following a disappointing 0-0 draw against PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Rooney, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Morgan Schneiderlin all missed good chances as United dropped to second in Group B with one match left.

“We need to score more goals as a team,” Rooney said. “I feel we showed a lack of composure which put ourselves under pressure a lot of times. It’s a learning curve for us, but we can’t keep on saying it’s a learning curve. We have to start turning these games into victories.”

Boos reverberated around Old Trafford after the final whistle and the fans’ annoyance was understandable. United knew a win would send them through with a match to spare, but instead they rarely looked like scoring and their play was slow at times during the second half.

The last time there was a goalless Champions League fixture at Old Trafford was in September 2010, when United played Rangers. United went on to reach the final that year, but matching that feat this season seems a long shot now.

The only way United can guarantee their place in the last 16 is if they beat Wolfsburg away in two weeks’ time. If United fail to defeat the Germans and PSV beat CSKA at home, United will slip into the Europa League.

“We’re disappointed we didn’t win this game,” said Rooney, who returned to the starting XI following a throat infection. “Going out to Germany is always tough, but we have to believe in ourselves and have the confidence in ourselves.

“It’s not the way we wanted it to be before tonight’s game, but that’s the way it is and we believe we’re good enough to go out there and get the three points.”

Louis van Gaal echoed the comments of his captain. “Now we have to win in Wolfsburg and that will be difficult but we have already beaten them at home and at least we are still second in the group, in a qualifying position. Our away record is better this year as you know – but we will have to play much better than this.”

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