Barcelona will face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on April 19 after they drew 1-1 away to Real Sociedad on Wednesday to progress 3-1 on aggregate. Lionel Messi continued his return to goalscoring form after netting twice against Sevilla on Sunday, with a fine solo run and finish to put Barca in front midway through the first-half. The hosts were then thankful to a number of saves from Enaut Zubikarai to prevent Barcelona extending their lead on the night, but the Basques got some recompense for their efforts three minutes from time when Antoine Griezmann thumped Chory Castro’s low cross past Jose Manuel Pinto. Barca boss Gerardo Martino showed he wasn’t prepared to rest on last week’s 2-0 win in the first leg at the Camp Nou as he named a strong side. The visitors managed to take the sting out of the game early on by dominating possession without overly threatening the Sociedad goal. However, after Zubikarai had parried a long-range effort from Dani Alves, the ‘keeper would have been disappointed to see Messi’s low strike squeeze under his outstretched arm and trundle into the net. Zubikarai quickly made amends, though, as he denied Pedro Rodriguez from close range. At the other end Carlos Vela had Sociedad’s best chance of the first half, but, after knocking the ball past Pinto, Dani Alves was on hand to clear off the line. Barcelona continued to look the more likely to score after the break as Andres Iniesta fired just wide from the edge of the area before Zubikarai made a brilliant double save to deny Messi and Cesc Fabregas. Sociedad did though have clearer sights of goal themselves in the second period and Vela was unlucky to see his sensational curling effort come back off the underside of the bar. Zubikarai came to Sociedad’s rescue again 15 minutes from time when he blocked Alves’s shot after the Brazilian had been played clean through on goal. And the ‘keeper’s heroics were rewarded with at least a draw on the night for his side when Griezmann finished off a fine team move involving Sergio Canales and Castro to register his 17th goal of the season.
Showing posts with label Real Madrid News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Real Madrid News. Show all posts
Ronaldo banned as title chase hots up
Real Madrid will have to do without Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo when they welcome fifth-placed Villarreal to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday as the Portuguese misses out through suspension. 
Ronaldo was sent off in his side's 1-1 draw away to Athletic Bilbao last weekend and has provisionally been banned for three La Liga games, although the suspension could be reduced as Real have announced their intention to appeal. Those two dropped points against Athletic allowed Atletico Madrid to open up a three-point lead over both Real and Barcelona at the top the table. However, Real were handed a timely confidence boost as they beat Atletico 3-0 on Wednesday in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal to exact revenge for defeat to Los Rojiblancos in last year's final. Croatian Luka Modric was once again a shining light in the Real midfield in midweek and he believes the rest of his teammates will need to step up against Villarreal to compensate for the loss of Ronaldo. "It is not fair because he didn't do anything bad, but there is nothing we can do. We all need to give more when Cristiano is not there because he is a very important player," he told the club's website. Los Blancos should at least have Gareth Bale fit to return in place of Ronaldo. The Welshman has missed Real's last three matches as he recovers from a calf injury, but coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Wednesday that he will start at the weekend and Modric insisted there was no need to rush his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate back into action. "He has trained normally in the last two or three days. The coach didn't want to force him because we have another important game on Saturday and Cristiano cannot play. It is important to give him a rest because we don't have any rush." Atletico are also in action on Saturday night as they travel to relegation-threatened Almeria. Spanish internationals Koke and David Villa will be missing for Diego Simeone's side due to suspension and injury respectively, but Diego Ribas could make his first league start in his second loan spell at the club after crowning his return with a goal as Atletico moved top for the first time since 1996 with a 4-0 win over Real Sociedad last weekend. It was a shock defeat for Barcelona that allowed Atletico the chance to go top as they were beaten at home in La Liga by someone other than Real Madrid for the first time since 2010, Valencia coming away from the Camp Nou with a 3-2 win. It is the first time in 59 league games that Barca will not go into the weekend as leaders and they face another tricky game as they travel to Sevilla on Sunday. However, former Sevilla right-back Dani Alves has criticised some of the negativity that has dogged Barca this season despite another record-breaking start to the campaign. "It is important to win. We live with that and when you have bad results it is normal that people have doubts. The one thing we cannot do though is doubt our team or be pessimistic," he told Barca TV. "Everyone defends the colours of their team and tries to do things as best they can, but it is always a joy to go back to Sevilla. That was my home for many years and I have a lot of respect for them." Barca boss Gerardo Martino is likely to once again be without Brazilian forward Neymar, although he has stepped up his recovery from an ankle injury. Defenders Jordi Alba and Javier Mascherano will also miss out as they are both suspended.
Ronaldo was sent off in his side's 1-1 draw away to Athletic Bilbao last weekend and has provisionally been banned for three La Liga games, although the suspension could be reduced as Real have announced their intention to appeal. Those two dropped points against Athletic allowed Atletico Madrid to open up a three-point lead over both Real and Barcelona at the top the table. However, Real were handed a timely confidence boost as they beat Atletico 3-0 on Wednesday in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal to exact revenge for defeat to Los Rojiblancos in last year's final. Croatian Luka Modric was once again a shining light in the Real midfield in midweek and he believes the rest of his teammates will need to step up against Villarreal to compensate for the loss of Ronaldo. "It is not fair because he didn't do anything bad, but there is nothing we can do. We all need to give more when Cristiano is not there because he is a very important player," he told the club's website. Los Blancos should at least have Gareth Bale fit to return in place of Ronaldo. The Welshman has missed Real's last three matches as he recovers from a calf injury, but coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Wednesday that he will start at the weekend and Modric insisted there was no need to rush his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate back into action. "He has trained normally in the last two or three days. The coach didn't want to force him because we have another important game on Saturday and Cristiano cannot play. It is important to give him a rest because we don't have any rush." Atletico are also in action on Saturday night as they travel to relegation-threatened Almeria. Spanish internationals Koke and David Villa will be missing for Diego Simeone's side due to suspension and injury respectively, but Diego Ribas could make his first league start in his second loan spell at the club after crowning his return with a goal as Atletico moved top for the first time since 1996 with a 4-0 win over Real Sociedad last weekend. It was a shock defeat for Barcelona that allowed Atletico the chance to go top as they were beaten at home in La Liga by someone other than Real Madrid for the first time since 2010, Valencia coming away from the Camp Nou with a 3-2 win. It is the first time in 59 league games that Barca will not go into the weekend as leaders and they face another tricky game as they travel to Sevilla on Sunday. However, former Sevilla right-back Dani Alves has criticised some of the negativity that has dogged Barca this season despite another record-breaking start to the campaign. "It is important to win. We live with that and when you have bad results it is normal that people have doubts. The one thing we cannot do though is doubt our team or be pessimistic," he told Barca TV. "Everyone defends the colours of their team and tries to do things as best they can, but it is always a joy to go back to Sevilla. That was my home for many years and I have a lot of respect for them." Barca boss Gerardo Martino is likely to once again be without Brazilian forward Neymar, although he has stepped up his recovery from an ankle injury. Defenders Jordi Alba and Javier Mascherano will also miss out as they are both suspended.
Ancelotti was thrilled with Real Madrid's 3-0 win over rivals Atletico
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti admits he hopes his side play every game to the same standard following their 3-0 win over rivals Atletico Madrid . 
Goals from Pepe, Jese Rodriguez and Angel Di Maria secured an impressive first-leg win in the Copa del Rey semi-final, and Ancelotti could not hide his delight with his team's efforts. "The desire is that we always play this well," he told a press conference. "I am completely satisfied, we have done very well. We had good ball recovery, we took advantage of the wings and had a compact team." The Italian was particularly impressed with his side's defensive showing as they kept a ninth clean sheet in 10 games since the turn of the year. "The back four were perfect," he said. "We had to be careful with him [Diego Costa] because he is someone who attacks the space very well. "It's normal that there are discussions, there was a lot of aggression and fouls are normal." Finally, Ancelotti confirmed that Gareth Bale would be fit to feature in the weekend clash with Villarreal, and made it clear he hopes to see Cristiano Ronaldo's three-game suspension reduced. "It's not a normal sanction and I hope they take some games away," he added.
Goals from Pepe, Jese Rodriguez and Angel Di Maria secured an impressive first-leg win in the Copa del Rey semi-final, and Ancelotti could not hide his delight with his team's efforts. "The desire is that we always play this well," he told a press conference. "I am completely satisfied, we have done very well. We had good ball recovery, we took advantage of the wings and had a compact team." The Italian was particularly impressed with his side's defensive showing as they kept a ninth clean sheet in 10 games since the turn of the year. "The back four were perfect," he said. "We had to be careful with him [Diego Costa] because he is someone who attacks the space very well. "It's normal that there are discussions, there was a lot of aggression and fouls are normal." Finally, Ancelotti confirmed that Gareth Bale would be fit to feature in the weekend clash with Villarreal, and made it clear he hopes to see Cristiano Ronaldo's three-game suspension reduced. "It's not a normal sanction and I hope they take some games away," he added.
Real Madrid record huge win against Atletico
Real Madrid took a huge step towards reaching the Copa del Rey final as they beat local rivals and holders Atletico Madrid 3-0 thanks to two own goals in their semi-final, first leg on Wednesday. 
Atletico beat Real at the Santiago Bernabeu in last year’s final, but the hosts quickly set about making amends for that defeat as Emiliano Insua deflected Pepe’s effort into his own net after just 17 minutes. Jese Rodriguez, who was only starting because of Gareth Bale’s late withdrawal from the squad due to a calf injury, doubled Real’s advantage with a low finish from Angel di Maria’s pass just before the hour mark. Di Maria was involved again as Real all but secured their place in the final when his deflected strike 17 minutes from time was credited as another own goal by Atletico defender Miranda. Defeat ends a 24-game unbeaten run for Atletico and they will now need a remarkable fightback to retain their title in the second leg at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday. In a typically intense encounter whenever these two sides meet, it was the home side who threatened first as Karim Benzema’s header was blocked just in front of his own goal line by Atletico captain Gabi. Arda Turan then had Atletico’s best effort of the first-half as he nipped in front of Alvaro Arbeloa, but his header was palmed away to safety by Iker Casillas. It was Real who were posing a more consistent threat, though, and they went in front when Pepe wandered forward to meet Xabi Alonso’s pass and his shot deflected off Insua and past the helpless Thibaut Courtois. Miranda nearly restored parity moments later from Koke’s free-kick as Casillas again came to Real’s rescue. Di Maria then saw another deflected effort fly just over, whilst Courtois saved from Ronaldo and Luka Modric as Carlo Ancelotti’s men ended the half in the ascendancy. Atletico coach Diego Simeone reacted at half-time by introducing Cristian Rodriguez for Diego Ribas. And Atletico nearly rewarded Simeone with an equaliser as they started the second period brightly but Diego Godin headed over from point-blank range. However, Real dealt the visitors a sucker punch of a blow just before the hour mark as Di Maria found Jese with a lovely through ball and the Spanish under-21 international’s effort squeezed under Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper was fortunate not to see another strike slip through his grasp a minute later as he spilled Di Maria’s powerful drive. A brilliant goal line clearance from Modric prevented Godin from halving the deficit 18 minutes from time. And within 60 seconds, Real had added to their advantage when Di Maria’s long-range effort cannoned off Miranda to once again wrong-foot Courtois.
Atletico beat Real at the Santiago Bernabeu in last year’s final, but the hosts quickly set about making amends for that defeat as Emiliano Insua deflected Pepe’s effort into his own net after just 17 minutes. Jese Rodriguez, who was only starting because of Gareth Bale’s late withdrawal from the squad due to a calf injury, doubled Real’s advantage with a low finish from Angel di Maria’s pass just before the hour mark. Di Maria was involved again as Real all but secured their place in the final when his deflected strike 17 minutes from time was credited as another own goal by Atletico defender Miranda. Defeat ends a 24-game unbeaten run for Atletico and they will now need a remarkable fightback to retain their title in the second leg at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday. In a typically intense encounter whenever these two sides meet, it was the home side who threatened first as Karim Benzema’s header was blocked just in front of his own goal line by Atletico captain Gabi. Arda Turan then had Atletico’s best effort of the first-half as he nipped in front of Alvaro Arbeloa, but his header was palmed away to safety by Iker Casillas. It was Real who were posing a more consistent threat, though, and they went in front when Pepe wandered forward to meet Xabi Alonso’s pass and his shot deflected off Insua and past the helpless Thibaut Courtois. Miranda nearly restored parity moments later from Koke’s free-kick as Casillas again came to Real’s rescue. Di Maria then saw another deflected effort fly just over, whilst Courtois saved from Ronaldo and Luka Modric as Carlo Ancelotti’s men ended the half in the ascendancy. Atletico coach Diego Simeone reacted at half-time by introducing Cristian Rodriguez for Diego Ribas. And Atletico nearly rewarded Simeone with an equaliser as they started the second period brightly but Diego Godin headed over from point-blank range. However, Real dealt the visitors a sucker punch of a blow just before the hour mark as Di Maria found Jese with a lovely through ball and the Spanish under-21 international’s effort squeezed under Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper was fortunate not to see another strike slip through his grasp a minute later as he spilled Di Maria’s powerful drive. A brilliant goal line clearance from Modric prevented Godin from halving the deficit 18 minutes from time. And within 60 seconds, Real had added to their advantage when Di Maria’s long-range effort cannoned off Miranda to once again wrong-foot Courtois.
