One of the most historically significant venues in all of the world, Santiago Bernabeu is home to who other than, Real Madrid. And the venue is not only the second biggest regarding stadium capacity in all of Spain with over 80,000 seats, but it is also home to a whopping 31 La Liga titles.
Built in 1947 Santiago Bernabeu has seen many dramatic changes over its time as a center to football. The original capacity was more then it is today, but with the roof added in the 1980’s many available seats became obsolete and many more seats were reduced due to comfort. The stadium was host to many of the biggest 1982 World Cup matches including the final which was Italy against West Germany. Read more... (258 words, 3 images, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)
photo credit: Wild Guru Larry
Their flag is drooping today…
Sevilla hasn’t won in 7 matches and Manolo Jimenez paid the price with his job.
Mallorca has jumped in front of Sevilla on the Premier Division table and now Sevilla is on the outside looking in for the Champion’s League. They were able to play it the Champs this year, but if they’re out next year it just sets them back so far that Jimenez realistically couldn’t keep his job. Read more... (4 words, 4 images, estimated 1 secs reading time)
In a press conference on Monday to discuss financial matters of the club, Barcelona general director Joan Oliver mentioned that Barca will be touring Asia this summer.
With the World Cup taking place from June 11 until July 11 the pre-season tour will be more difficult to schedule but it is believed that it will take place the beginning of August.
A yet to be announced FIFA match has also been scheduled for the club on August 15. Read more... (145 words, 2 images, estimated 35 secs reading time)
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola insists he would rather win the Primera Liga title than the Champions League.
The Catalan giants remain on course to claim both crowns this term, sitting well placed in the league and safely through to the last eight in Europe.
Barca took both trophies last season, as part of an historic Treble, and are keen to ensure that both remain at Camp Nou.
However, with Real Madrid currently leading the way in the league, Guardiola admits seeing off the challenge of Barca’s arch-rivals remains his top priority this year. Read more... (208 words, 3 images, estimated 50 secs reading time)
photo credit: Peter Fuchs
The Pick: I think you can learn more about a player by looking at their legacy rather than their league stats. Johnny Unitas may have stats that pale in comparison to Dan Marino’s, but when the Norton’s Anthology of American Football is written, it will have a longer section on Unitas because he revolutionized the game. I feel the same way about Rivelino. Sure, he had the stats, but it was his fluid style that set him apart from many of his peers. Read more... (201 words, 4 images, estimated 48 secs reading time)
This is a preview of
The Bard’s 100 Best Soccer Players: Rivelino (#81)
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Read the full post (201 words, 4 images, estimated 48 secs reading time)
There is quite a competition going on between Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi to see who is the best player on the planet.
Lionel Messi’s sensational form continued Sunday with his second consecutive Liga hat-trick as Barcelona rejoined leaders Real Madrid at the top following a 4-2 win at Real Zaragoza.
Doubtful for the trip with a tooth abscess, Messi followed up his treble against Valencia last weekend with yet another three-goal haul, taking his tally to 25 strikes in 24 league outings and ten goals in his last four matches in all competitions. Read more... (239 words, 3 images, estimated 57 secs reading time)
photo credit: ViPier
Greece
The Keeper
Kostas Chalkias will be the likely starting keeper this summer and the 35 year old will also be playing in what will likely be his first and last World Cup. Chalkias is probably considered to be around the middle of the pack in the keeper category and the keeper also has a decent amount of international experience with around 30 caps. Overall this unit is pretty solid though.
Grade: C +
The Defense Read more... (413 words, 4 images, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)
photo credit: alexdecarvalho
France
The Keeper
Steve Mandanda of Marseille will probably start and Hugo Lloris of Lyon is a great backup if that is the case. Definitely one of the best clubs overall department by department in all of the Cup and one of the strongest defenses around. And they are solid in the net with two of the French Leagues finest.
Grade: B
The Defense Read more... (415 words, 3 images, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)
photo credit: Laureà
This stadium could tilt more than once this season…
Barcelona is in a good position to take their Champion’s League momentum and put it in into high gear in “La Liga” when they return to league action on Sunday.
They have upcoming: Zaragoza, Osasuna, Mallorca, and Bilbao before they play Real Madrid on April 11th. What kind of a tear can they go on between now and then? How much momentum can they build up before they clash with Real? Read more... (299 words, 3 images, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)
photo credit: kevindooley
The Glass is Half Full
Henry, Ribery, Anelka, Benzema, Gourcouff, Malouda, Evra, Gallas. In other words France has the big names and they also have more depth then just about any other squad playing in the Cup this summer. They also have a nice blend of experienced Cup players and young budding stars that are ready for the big stage. But most importantly they are (historically) one of the best nations at football and they regularly make a run at taking home the title. In fact very few teams have played in as many finals and semi-finals as France has. And in the last 20 years very few teams have achieved the type of record that France has. And the good news is that they already survived a near-death experience once this year, so in other words they have nothing left to fear. Read more... (335 words, 3 images, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)
