Argentina coach Sergio Batista hailed star Lionel Messi for his performance in their 3-0 win over Costa Rica in the Copa America on Monday. A double from Sergio Aguero and an Angel Di Maria strike in Cordoba put the hosts through to the quarter-finals, securing second place in Group A. But it was Barcelona star Messi who ran the show in the attacking third, providing two assists in a man-of-the-match…
Barcelona can hardly wait for Saturday to come. That’s when they will be able to put behind them Wednesday’s shock cup final defeat against Real Madrid – by taking another step towards their third straight Liga title. Pep Guardiola’s talented team were out-fought and out-punched on Wednesday by Real, who overcame the odds to win their first trophy since 2008. Barca will face Real in the semifinals of the Champions…
José Mourinho is happy to endure more criticism if it means more trophies after Real Madrid beat Barcelona 1-0 on Wednesday to win their first Copa del Rey trophy in 18 years. Mourinho was criticised for his defensive tactics in Saturday’s 1-1 league draw against Barcelona. The Madrid honorary president, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and Johan Cruyff hit out at the Portuguese coach, with Cruyff saying Mourinho worked only for titles…
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho said anything less than his side’s 3-0 win over Lyon on Wednesday would have been a ‘failure’. Real secured their first trip to the Champions League quarter-finals in seven years at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, advancing on a 4-1 aggregate thanks to goals from Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria. Mourinho, who is one step closer to his stated aim of winning the European…
Goalkeeper Juan Calatayud (Hercules) Hercules continue to be difficult to defeat on their return to the Primera Division and the performances of shot-stopper Calatayud have been instrumental. The promoted side came within 10 minutes of another impressive win, this time on the road against Almeria, and the 30-year-old made a string of inspired stops to frustrate the hosts. Although he was eventually beaten, the Alicante side have their glovesman to…