Barcelona edged their way into the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a 2-2 draw over Real Madrid. The cup holders, who were reduced to 10 men late on, lost 4-3 on aggregate in a pulsating affair. Despite Real Madrid looking the better side for the majority of the first-half, the home side grabbed the lead in the 43rd minute when Pedro coolly slotted home after an excellent Lionel Messi run….
TEAM NEWS Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola could play the same XI that won 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu last week. Goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto replaces Victor Valdes – the 36-year-old understudy has played every cup match this season. David Villa is out with a broken leg, while Mali’s Seydou Keita is away at the African Cup of Nations. Jose Mourinho has said controversial Real defender Pepe will play if fit….
Lassana Diarra insists that he wants to see out the remaining two years of his contract at Real Madrid. The 26-year-old French interntional was the subject of interest from Roma and Tottenham in the summer. A possible move to Spurs was close and Harry Redknapp confirmed talks were ongoing – but the deal fell through. Now back at the Santiago Bernabeu he is yet to feature this term, but he…
Table-toppers Manchester City visit Tottenham aiming to maintain their perfect start to the English Premier League season. Roberto Mancini’s men have shown they are a serious threat to United with consecutive wins, netting seven times in two games. City’s attacking play has been exceptional with new signing Sergio Aguero, in-form forward Edin Dzeko and playmaker David Silva all scoring twice in as many outings. Silva has been the centre of…
Arsene Wenger is being offered the chance to re-sign Lassana Diarra from Real Madrid – three years after flogging him to Portsmouth. France midfielder Diarra, who had a brief spell at Arsenal in the 2007-2008 season following a move from Chelsea, has made it clear he is fed-up at the Bernabeu and wants regular first-team football. Diarra is being offered around the Premier League and Arsenal and Liverpool have been…
In the wake of the news that Sunderland hit man Darren Bent is on the verge of a big money move to Aston Villa – which, let’s face it, no-one saw coming – join NaijaBet.com in recalling other eyebrow-raising transfers involving Premiership clubs from January transfer windows. 1. Sol Campbell to Arsenal, 2010 – The veteran centre-back had his contract terminated by mutual consent after making just one (disastrous) appearance…
Tottenham Hotspur have stepped up their interest in the Ajax striker Luis Suárez. Harry Redknapp, the Spurs manager, is determined to improve his options up front in order to secure a finish in the Premier League’s top four. The club have also checked on the availability of the Sevilla striker Luís Fabiano, who has been a target for some time. Tottenham, who have agreed a fee of £3m with Everton…
A Potential Banana Skin Talk to Silvio Berlusconi and he will tell you that Milan have the Champions League encrypted in their DNA. Which isn’t necessarily an exaggeration given that the Rossoneri are the second most successful club in European Cup history, but in coach Massimiliano Allegri they do have an inexperienced tactician and that could cost them dearly. If Milan had won their opening three matches in Group G,…