Watching the Real Madrid match against Racing Santander, reminded me just how impatient I am in looking forward to see Gonzalo HIGUAIN in an Albiceleste jersey. I keep asking just why Diego (and Coco before him) has overlooked on him again (and again) for next week friendly against France.
Back to the match against Racing, the Los Merengues fans are rejoicing a breath of fresh air (not exactly) at the Bernabau under former Spurs manager, Juande RAMOS. A sole strike from Pipita was enough to give the All-White of Madrid their seventh consecutive win.
HIGUAIN raced onto RAUL's headed flick-on, feigned to shoot before skipping inside the sliding Racing keeper, Cesar NAVAS and coolly slotting his shot into the far corner. That was his 13th goal of the season.
In Greece, a goal each from Fernando BELUSCHI and Luciano GALLETTI help Olympiakos to a 2-0 win over Panthrakikos.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
U20: After another draw, it's make or break v. COL
Watching the last few minutes of Friday night's match between the young albicelestes and Venezuela was as frustrating as it gets.
Our boys, struggling mightly in this tournament but also very very unlucky, were trying everything in their power to win and get in the driver's seat ahead of their last match against Colombia (Sunday).
They were linking up well and getting into scoring positions, but over and over again they failed.
Then Venezuela produced only one attacking opportunity and after an unreal bycicle-kick cross, RONDON found the back of the net with a good header.
It was game over for Argentina, with only a handful of minutes to go. Not only game over...it was "goodbye Egypt 2009 Youth World Cup" and the chances of defending the title we won in Canada 2007.
Argentina kept going forward and the boys gave everything they had. A draw had a horrible taste when looking at the menu before the match began, but with the circumstances BATISTA's team was under, when Marcelo BENITEZ scored on injury time, it tasted like the sweetest dessert ever.
That goal meant Argentina are still alive. What they need to do is to beat Colombia (this time they REALLY need to win) and then hope for Paraguay or Venezuela to lose their respective matches against Brazil (already champions) and Uruguay (already qualified).
It's not a pretty scenario, but at least Argentina stand a chance. Incredibly enough, with a good combination of results, Argentina could end up finishing in third place!
Here's the thing and the possible scenarios to qualify:
1. To beat Colombia and to have Brazil beating Venezuela by any goal-difference. With those two results, Argentina will get to 5 points, Venezuela will stay with 4 and Argentina will clinch fourth place.
2. Now...if Venezuela defeat Uruguay, we'll still have a chance.
Argentina need to beat Colombia and get a hand from Brazil. If both, Argentina and Brazil, win with a combined goal-difference of 5 goals, we're through as we'll surpass Paraguay on goal-difference -with both teams finishing on 5 points.
That one is not easy.
Paraguay will guarantee their ticket to Egypt with a draw.
If Venezuela draw with Uruguay and Argentina beat Colombia, we're through as we'll have a better goal-difference than the hosts.
There you go...get your calculator ready and paint your fingernails with some product that tastes bad so you don't eat them all!
Our boys, struggling mightly in this tournament but also very very unlucky, were trying everything in their power to win and get in the driver's seat ahead of their last match against Colombia (Sunday).
They were linking up well and getting into scoring positions, but over and over again they failed.
Then Venezuela produced only one attacking opportunity and after an unreal bycicle-kick cross, RONDON found the back of the net with a good header.
It was game over for Argentina, with only a handful of minutes to go. Not only game over...it was "goodbye Egypt 2009 Youth World Cup" and the chances of defending the title we won in Canada 2007.
Argentina kept going forward and the boys gave everything they had. A draw had a horrible taste when looking at the menu before the match began, but with the circumstances BATISTA's team was under, when Marcelo BENITEZ scored on injury time, it tasted like the sweetest dessert ever.
That goal meant Argentina are still alive. What they need to do is to beat Colombia (this time they REALLY need to win) and then hope for Paraguay or Venezuela to lose their respective matches against Brazil (already champions) and Uruguay (already qualified).
It's not a pretty scenario, but at least Argentina stand a chance. Incredibly enough, with a good combination of results, Argentina could end up finishing in third place!
Here's the thing and the possible scenarios to qualify:
1. To beat Colombia and to have Brazil beating Venezuela by any goal-difference. With those two results, Argentina will get to 5 points, Venezuela will stay with 4 and Argentina will clinch fourth place.
2. Now...if Venezuela defeat Uruguay, we'll still have a chance.
Argentina need to beat Colombia and get a hand from Brazil. If both, Argentina and Brazil, win with a combined goal-difference of 5 goals, we're through as we'll surpass Paraguay on goal-difference -with both teams finishing on 5 points.
That one is not easy.
Paraguay will guarantee their ticket to Egypt with a draw.
If Venezuela draw with Uruguay and Argentina beat Colombia, we're through as we'll have a better goal-difference than the hosts.
There you go...get your calculator ready and paint your fingernails with some product that tastes bad so you don't eat them all!
Friday, February 06, 2009
TEVEZ : Where Does He Go From Here?
While Carlos TEVEZ will re-focus his attention to next week friendly match against France, a lot must be going through his mind about his future in club football. This is a question which we have yet to find an answer despite his loan deal coming to end by the end of the season.
TEVEZ has suffered dramatically since Sir Alex FERGUSON decided to partner Wayne ROONEY and Dimitar BERBATOV up front. However in recent weeks, Carlitos was back in contention after scoring and assisting some crucial goals in the absence of the injured ROONEY.
He has started 22 games this season - as many as BERBATOV - a handful of those have been in the League Cup, and it has become apparent that once everybody is fit there is no place in the starting line-up for the former West Ham player.
Apparently, United are prepared to pay the €34.5 million (£30m) the 25-year-old's owners, MSI (Media Sports Investments), are asking for, plus €86,000-a-week (£75,000) in wages. While at the same time Inter Milan, Real Madrid and even Manchester City are now keen to lure away from Old Trafford.
Reports suggest that the Nerazzurri are waiting to pounce as they consider TEVEZ to be the ideal partner for Zlatan IBRAHIMOVIC. It is believed Inter will get the transfer ball rolling when they arrive in Manchester later this month for their Champions League clash with the Red Devils. The key will be to tempt the striker with a lucrative deal, in addition to convincing him that a move to Serie A would be a positive step for his career.
Meanwhile the reports from Madrid suggest that Los Merengues are willing to match, and perhaps even better, the European champions. Both Florentino PEREZ and Juan VILLALONGA, candidates for the Real Madrid presidency, are said to have already contacted MSI to begin negotiations for the striker.
As for Manchester City, it doesn’t come to surprise that they are in the picture considering a huge backing that’s comes from the oil rich Dubai family owes the club.
Now the million dollar question is, who will win the race to sign TEVEZ?
TEVEZ has suffered dramatically since Sir Alex FERGUSON decided to partner Wayne ROONEY and Dimitar BERBATOV up front. However in recent weeks, Carlitos was back in contention after scoring and assisting some crucial goals in the absence of the injured ROONEY.
He has started 22 games this season - as many as BERBATOV - a handful of those have been in the League Cup, and it has become apparent that once everybody is fit there is no place in the starting line-up for the former West Ham player.
Apparently, United are prepared to pay the €34.5 million (£30m) the 25-year-old's owners, MSI (Media Sports Investments), are asking for, plus €86,000-a-week (£75,000) in wages. While at the same time Inter Milan, Real Madrid and even Manchester City are now keen to lure away from Old Trafford.
Reports suggest that the Nerazzurri are waiting to pounce as they consider TEVEZ to be the ideal partner for Zlatan IBRAHIMOVIC. It is believed Inter will get the transfer ball rolling when they arrive in Manchester later this month for their Champions League clash with the Red Devils. The key will be to tempt the striker with a lucrative deal, in addition to convincing him that a move to Serie A would be a positive step for his career.
Meanwhile the reports from Madrid suggest that Los Merengues are willing to match, and perhaps even better, the European champions. Both Florentino PEREZ and Juan VILLALONGA, candidates for the Real Madrid presidency, are said to have already contacted MSI to begin negotiations for the striker.
As for Manchester City, it doesn’t come to surprise that they are in the picture considering a huge backing that’s comes from the oil rich Dubai family owes the club.
Now the million dollar question is, who will win the race to sign TEVEZ?
Thursday, February 05, 2009
HENRY to face his friend MESSI next week
Just a couple of days after Thierry HENRY compared Lionel MESSI with Diego MARADONA by saying: "MESSI does things with the ball I only saw MARADONA being capable of doing".
Ever since his arrival at FC Barcelona, the former Arsenal striker has expressed his awe towards MESSI. Next Tuesday, though, both players will face each other as they represent their respective countries in what looks to be a very attractive friendly match.
As expected, Raymond DOMENECH has revealed his 21-men squad for the upcoming friendly against Argentina (11 February in Marseille) and apart from HENRY, he has named veteran William GALLAS (one of 4 Arsenal players on the list), outstanding players such as Frank RIBERY and Nicolas ANELKA, together with members of the so-called "Generation of 87": Karim BENZEMA and local Marseille's hero, now at Arsenal, Samir NASRI.
Here's the full French squad that will look to cause Diego MARADONA's his first international defeat.
Ever since his arrival at FC Barcelona, the former Arsenal striker has expressed his awe towards MESSI. Next Tuesday, though, both players will face each other as they represent their respective countries in what looks to be a very attractive friendly match.
As expected, Raymond DOMENECH has revealed his 21-men squad for the upcoming friendly against Argentina (11 February in Marseille) and apart from HENRY, he has named veteran William GALLAS (one of 4 Arsenal players on the list), outstanding players such as Frank RIBERY and Nicolas ANELKA, together with members of the so-called "Generation of 87": Karim BENZEMA and local Marseille's hero, now at Arsenal, Samir NASRI.
Here's the full French squad that will look to cause Diego MARADONA's his first international defeat.
Goalkeepers:
Steve MANDANDA (Olympique Marseille), Hugo LLORIS (Olympique Lyon), Cedric CARRASSO (Toulouse).
Defenders:
Eric ABIDAL (Barcelona), William GALLAS (Arsenal), Philippe MEXES (AS Roma), Bacary SAGNA (Arsenal), Gael CLICHY (Arsenal), Julien ESCUDE (Sevilla), Rod FANNI (Stade Rennes), Sebastien SQUILLACI (Sevilla).
Midfielders:
Jeremy TOULALAN (Olympique Lyon), Alou DIARRA (Girondins Bordeaux), Lassana DIARRA (Real Madrid), Samir NASRI (Arsenal), Yoann GOURCUFF (Girondins Bordeaux)
Forwards:
Thierry HENRY (Barcelona), Karim BENZEMA (Olympique Lyon), Franck RIBERY (Bayern Munich), Nicolas ANELKA (Chelsea), Jimmy BRIAND (Stade Rennes).
Last time Argentina and France met, Javier SAVIOLA with a lovely back-heel touch, gave the Albicelestes a 1-0 win at the Stade Francais in Saint-Denis in February 2007.
See the reactions of that match at Mundo Albiceste:
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2007/02/allez-argentina.html
Feeling that lovely déjà vu?
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
The Late Comeback Show from Seville
Meanwhile in the Copa Del Rey, Sevilla left it late but they eventually managed to come from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final first leg, thanks to goals from Aldo DUSCHER and Lautaro ACOSTA.
Athletic seemed to cope better with the situation though, and Fernando LLORENTE gave them the lead just before half-time with a header from a corner.
Sevilla failed to create much and only after DUSCHER had leveled the match with a booming strike from close range after the break, did they look dangerous, but it looked to be to no avail, as Federico KANOUTE spurned a great chance to score from the spot with five minutes left.
However, with just a couple of minutes to go, Sevilla grabbed the winner as a deflected shot from DUSCHER found its way through to ACOSTA, and he beat Gorka IRAIZOZ from close range.
I just wonder, how much Checho BATISTA must have wished he had someone like ACOSTA to do him the same favour as he did for TOCALLI two years ago.
Athletic seemed to cope better with the situation though, and Fernando LLORENTE gave them the lead just before half-time with a header from a corner.
Sevilla failed to create much and only after DUSCHER had leveled the match with a booming strike from close range after the break, did they look dangerous, but it looked to be to no avail, as Federico KANOUTE spurned a great chance to score from the spot with five minutes left.
However, with just a couple of minutes to go, Sevilla grabbed the winner as a deflected shot from DUSCHER found its way through to ACOSTA, and he beat Gorka IRAIZOZ from close range.
I just wonder, how much Checho BATISTA must have wished he had someone like ACOSTA to do him the same favour as he did for TOCALLI two years ago.
U20: ARG v. URU - Win or wave the YWC goodbye?
After the disappointing and controversial 2-0 defeat against Brazil on Monday, Argentina will be in front of a crucial test if our youngsters want to keep the dream alive and keep thinking of making it to the Youth World Cup later this year.
The winning tradition the Albicelestes have in that category asks for nothing less than at least qualifying for the U20 World Cup.
Argentina, without suspended Franco ZUCULINI, will face Uruguay, a team that won all their matches except the one they lost to Brazil in the first match of the second round.
They clearly look as favourites and it'll take a lot from our boys to break the Skyblues. There's no more room for mistakes and in order to make sure we make it to Egypt 2009, we need to win our three remaining matches -or at least two, but without losing the other one-, if we don't want to rely on other results coming our way.
I still trust these boys, but they seriously need to improve.
The winning tradition the Albicelestes have in that category asks for nothing less than at least qualifying for the U20 World Cup.
Argentina, without suspended Franco ZUCULINI, will face Uruguay, a team that won all their matches except the one they lost to Brazil in the first match of the second round.
They clearly look as favourites and it'll take a lot from our boys to break the Skyblues. There's no more room for mistakes and in order to make sure we make it to Egypt 2009, we need to win our three remaining matches -or at least two, but without losing the other one-, if we don't want to rely on other results coming our way.
I still trust these boys, but they seriously need to improve.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
NBA News – Manu Leads Them Again
When it comes to converting clutch free throws, no one does it better these days than Manu GINOBILI. For one moment, it did look like San Antonio Spurs were heading for a defeat against the Golden State Warriors.
A Stephen JACKSON jumper with 1:02 left gave the Warriors a 95-91 lead but Manu was force to the free throw line on four attempts. He sank all four of his foul shots in the final 49 seconds of regulation.
It was amazing to see just how calm he was in making those shots, whilst ignoring the noise and distraction from the crowd in the Oracle Arena. JACKSON’s lean-in jumper at the buzzer fell short, sending the game into overtime.The extra minutes did not favour the home team, as Spurs breeze through to their third straight win on the road with both Manu and Tim DUNCAN leading the way. Like Timmy, this was season high performance from Manu posting 32 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and one block shot.
“Manu is really finding his stride and been playing great the last five or six games,” DUNCAN said. “It looks like he’s feeling good about it and is getting back to the basket a lot more which is only going to help us.”
A Stephen JACKSON jumper with 1:02 left gave the Warriors a 95-91 lead but Manu was force to the free throw line on four attempts. He sank all four of his foul shots in the final 49 seconds of regulation.
It was amazing to see just how calm he was in making those shots, whilst ignoring the noise and distraction from the crowd in the Oracle Arena. JACKSON’s lean-in jumper at the buzzer fell short, sending the game into overtime.The extra minutes did not favour the home team, as Spurs breeze through to their third straight win on the road with both Manu and Tim DUNCAN leading the way. Like Timmy, this was season high performance from Manu posting 32 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and one block shot.
“Manu is really finding his stride and been playing great the last five or six games,” DUNCAN said. “It looks like he’s feeling good about it and is getting back to the basket a lot more which is only going to help us.”
Monday, February 02, 2009
Diego calls VERON and 5 locals but no RIQUELME
RIQUELME fans, don't panic! The talented Boca Juniors midfielder will not be in the squad for our friendly with France on February 11 at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Both Boca stars, RIQUELME and Sebastián BATTAGLIA, won't make the trip with Diego, after the manager decided to left them play for their club on Sunday.
Boca Juniors will play in Jujuy (1654 km from Buenos Aires) on Sunday at 7:30 PM and Diego thought they'd be at risk of not making it on time to arrive in France with enough time to prepare with the rest of the squad.
MARADONA himself will board a plane on Saturday afternoon and, apart from his coaching staff, he'll be joined by a few local players he called up officialy on Monday.
The one with the heaviest luggage when it comes to international experience is Juan Sebastián VERON. On duty with Estudiantes de La Plata for the Copa Libertadores qualifying round on Wednesday at home against Sporting Cristal of Perú, VERON is suspended for the first round of Clausura 2009 matches.
Midfielder Cristian LEDESMA will play for San Lorenzo on Friday (against Tigre) and will also be traveling with MARADONA on Saturday.
A trio of other domestic players will travel on Sunday at 23:40, after they play for their clubs that day.
Left-back Emiliano PAPA (Velez) and midfielder Daniel MONTENEGRO (Independiente) are back in Diego's list, whilst Gastón ANGELERI (Estudiantes de La Plata) receives his first international call up.
He is a tough-tackling long-haired right-back that was always in MARADONA's highest of esteems.
These five players complete the list of 25. The European-based players?
Goalkeepers:
Juan Pablo CARRIZO (Lazio)
Sergio ROMERO (AZ Alkmaar)
Defenders:
Javier ZANETTI (Inter)
Martin DEMICHELIS (Bayern Munich)
Gabriel HEINZE (Real Madrid)
Daniel DIAZ (Getafe)
Nicolas BURDISSO (Inter)
Walter SAMUEL (Inter)
Midfielders:
Javier MASCHERANO (Liverpool)
Fernando GAGO (Real Madrid)
Maximiliano RODRIGUEZ (Atletico Madrid)
Jonas GUTIERREZ (Newcastle United)
Luis GONZALEZ (Porto)
Forwards:
Lionel MESSI (FC Barcelona)
Sergio AGÜERO (Atletico Madrid)
Carlos TEVEZ (Manchester United)
Ezequiel LAVEZZI (Napoli)
Lisandro LOPEZ (Porto)
German DENIS (Napoli)
Angel DI MARIA (Benfica)
Raymond DOMENECH, France's manager, despite all his crazy ways, his zodiac-based decisions such as to leave Robert PIRES out of the World Cup because he was born under the sign of scorpion and inexplicably poor results, is expected to name his squad at a press conference on Thursday.
Both Boca stars, RIQUELME and Sebastián BATTAGLIA, won't make the trip with Diego, after the manager decided to left them play for their club on Sunday.
Boca Juniors will play in Jujuy (1654 km from Buenos Aires) on Sunday at 7:30 PM and Diego thought they'd be at risk of not making it on time to arrive in France with enough time to prepare with the rest of the squad.
MARADONA himself will board a plane on Saturday afternoon and, apart from his coaching staff, he'll be joined by a few local players he called up officialy on Monday.
The one with the heaviest luggage when it comes to international experience is Juan Sebastián VERON. On duty with Estudiantes de La Plata for the Copa Libertadores qualifying round on Wednesday at home against Sporting Cristal of Perú, VERON is suspended for the first round of Clausura 2009 matches.
Midfielder Cristian LEDESMA will play for San Lorenzo on Friday (against Tigre) and will also be traveling with MARADONA on Saturday.
A trio of other domestic players will travel on Sunday at 23:40, after they play for their clubs that day.
Left-back Emiliano PAPA (Velez) and midfielder Daniel MONTENEGRO (Independiente) are back in Diego's list, whilst Gastón ANGELERI (Estudiantes de La Plata) receives his first international call up.
He is a tough-tackling long-haired right-back that was always in MARADONA's highest of esteems.
These five players complete the list of 25. The European-based players?
Goalkeepers:
Juan Pablo CARRIZO (Lazio)
Sergio ROMERO (AZ Alkmaar)
Defenders:
Javier ZANETTI (Inter)
Martin DEMICHELIS (Bayern Munich)
Gabriel HEINZE (Real Madrid)
Daniel DIAZ (Getafe)
Nicolas BURDISSO (Inter)
Walter SAMUEL (Inter)
Midfielders:
Javier MASCHERANO (Liverpool)
Fernando GAGO (Real Madrid)
Maximiliano RODRIGUEZ (Atletico Madrid)
Jonas GUTIERREZ (Newcastle United)
Luis GONZALEZ (Porto)
Forwards:
Lionel MESSI (FC Barcelona)
Sergio AGÜERO (Atletico Madrid)
Carlos TEVEZ (Manchester United)
Ezequiel LAVEZZI (Napoli)
Lisandro LOPEZ (Porto)
German DENIS (Napoli)
Angel DI MARIA (Benfica)
Raymond DOMENECH, France's manager, despite all his crazy ways, his zodiac-based decisions such as to leave Robert PIRES out of the World Cup because he was born under the sign of scorpion and inexplicably poor results, is expected to name his squad at a press conference on Thursday.
Argentina in danger of missing out of Youth WC
To make a long story short, it could be said that Argentina lost 2-0 to Brazil and now BATISTA's boys are in danger of missing out of the FIFA Youth World Cup Egypt 2009.
It would be unwise to ignore the fact that the match was played under awful weather and pitch conditions, but that is by no means an excuse. The waterlogged pitch and the heavy rain where there for both teams.
Argentina got really unlucky in the first half when the linesman raised his flag for a non-existent offside position when Cristian GAITÁN sent the ball home with a fine header.
Brazil scored twice in the second half, through Alan KARDEC and GIULIANO. Now they have 6 points in this final round and are very close from qualifying for the Youth World Cup.
Key midfielder, Franco ZUCULINI, saw the red card after a brawl between several players from both sides. PATRIC, from Brazil, was the other player sent off.
Argentina will need to improve and start winning (1 win, 4 draws and 1 defeat in this tournament). Next up will be the dangerous Uruguayans on Wednesday (the best team in the first round, but now struggling after losing to Brazil and -as I'm writing this- trailing Colombia in their two final round matches). Friday will be our showdown with Venezuela and we finally close with a match against Colombia on Sunday.
In case you don't know, four teams out of the six that qualified for this final round will secure their tickets to the Youth World Cup. Every team will face each other and qualification will be decided by points.
So far:
Brazil 6 pts
Colombia 4 pts (leading Uruguay 1-0. Still in second half)
Paraguay 1 pt
Venezuela 1 pt (Paraguay and Venezuela will play very late on Monday).
Argentina 1 pt 2 matches
Uruguay 0 pt
It would be unwise to ignore the fact that the match was played under awful weather and pitch conditions, but that is by no means an excuse. The waterlogged pitch and the heavy rain where there for both teams.
Argentina got really unlucky in the first half when the linesman raised his flag for a non-existent offside position when Cristian GAITÁN sent the ball home with a fine header.
Brazil scored twice in the second half, through Alan KARDEC and GIULIANO. Now they have 6 points in this final round and are very close from qualifying for the Youth World Cup.
Key midfielder, Franco ZUCULINI, saw the red card after a brawl between several players from both sides. PATRIC, from Brazil, was the other player sent off.
Argentina will need to improve and start winning (1 win, 4 draws and 1 defeat in this tournament). Next up will be the dangerous Uruguayans on Wednesday (the best team in the first round, but now struggling after losing to Brazil and -as I'm writing this- trailing Colombia in their two final round matches). Friday will be our showdown with Venezuela and we finally close with a match against Colombia on Sunday.
In case you don't know, four teams out of the six that qualified for this final round will secure their tickets to the Youth World Cup. Every team will face each other and qualification will be decided by points.
So far:
Brazil 6 pts
Colombia 4 pts (leading Uruguay 1-0. Still in second half)
Paraguay 1 pt
Venezuela 1 pt (Paraguay and Venezuela will play very late on Monday).
Argentina 1 pt 2 matches
Uruguay 0 pt
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Lionel Brings Magic from the Bench
A good morning to everyone. With Super Bowl 43 already underway, lets take a look at all the Albiceleste scorer from Sunday’s fixture throughout Europe.
Of course nothing can get bigger than what Lionel MESSI does. But to think of Lionel starting from the bench? Just what exactly is coach Pep GUARDIOLA think he is doing?
Barca were down 0-1 with a goal from Nikola ZIGIC in the 56th minute. Immediately GUARDIOLA turned to MESSI in his moment of need and the Argentina forward turned the game on its head with two well-taken goals.
His first was a cross from Thiery HENRY was met with a firm header by XAVI and the ball cannoned back off the crossbar into the path of the Atomic Flea, who slotted home right-footed from four yards.
If his first goal was simple in its execution, his second was sublime.
A miss-hit clearance dropped out of the sky and MESSI took the ball on his chest, showing great strength to shrug off the challenge provided by Oriol LOZANO before he unleashed an unstoppable volley into the far corner beyond the despairing dive of TONO.
Beijing Olympic gold medalist Nicolas PAREJA scored for Espanyol in their 1-1 draw with Recreativo Huelva.
In Italy, Internazionale fail to capitlize from Juventus surprise defeat a day earlier to eight points clear on top of the table. Trailing 1-0 against the other team from Turin, Torino; Nicolas BURDISSO saves them by scoring the equalizer. Hernan CRESPO had the opportunity to win it three minutes from time but his shot was tipped by the keeper.
In another fixture, Jose Ignacio CASTILLO scored the winner for Lecce in their 2-1 win over Siena. While in Portugal, Lucho GONZALEZ was on target for FC Porto in their 3-1 win over Belenenses.
Of course nothing can get bigger than what Lionel MESSI does. But to think of Lionel starting from the bench? Just what exactly is coach Pep GUARDIOLA think he is doing?
Barca were down 0-1 with a goal from Nikola ZIGIC in the 56th minute. Immediately GUARDIOLA turned to MESSI in his moment of need and the Argentina forward turned the game on its head with two well-taken goals.
His first was a cross from Thiery HENRY was met with a firm header by XAVI and the ball cannoned back off the crossbar into the path of the Atomic Flea, who slotted home right-footed from four yards.
If his first goal was simple in its execution, his second was sublime.
A miss-hit clearance dropped out of the sky and MESSI took the ball on his chest, showing great strength to shrug off the challenge provided by Oriol LOZANO before he unleashed an unstoppable volley into the far corner beyond the despairing dive of TONO.
Beijing Olympic gold medalist Nicolas PAREJA scored for Espanyol in their 1-1 draw with Recreativo Huelva.
In Italy, Internazionale fail to capitlize from Juventus surprise defeat a day earlier to eight points clear on top of the table. Trailing 1-0 against the other team from Turin, Torino; Nicolas BURDISSO saves them by scoring the equalizer. Hernan CRESPO had the opportunity to win it three minutes from time but his shot was tipped by the keeper.
In another fixture, Jose Ignacio CASTILLO scored the winner for Lecce in their 2-1 win over Siena. While in Portugal, Lucho GONZALEZ was on target for FC Porto in their 3-1 win over Belenenses.
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