MADRID (Reuters) – Holders Barcelona will continue their bid for a record-extending 28th Spanish King’s Cup against local rivals Espanyol and Atletico Madrid will face Rayo Vallecano in another city derby following Friday’s draw for the last 16. Barca, who play at Espanyol in La Liga on Jan. 2, will host their Catalan rivals in […]
By Brian Homewood YOKOHAMA (Reuters) – South America’s top players will be playing against the team from their continent rather than for them when Barcelona meet River Plate in the Club World Cup final on Sunday. In theory, the match is a meeting between the best teams in Europe and South America. In practice, it […]
By Brian Homewood YOKOHAMA (Reuters) – Barcelona coach Luis Enrique described Luis Suarez as “a penalty area assassin” after the Uruguayan grabbed a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over China’s Guangzhou Evergrande in the Club World Cup semi-finals on Thursday. Suarez, relishing the added responsibility in attack after Lionel Messi missed the game with the […]
YOKOHAMA, Japan, (Reuters) – Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick, including an exquisite second goal, as Barcelona strolled into the Club World Cup final with a 3-0 win over Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande on Thursday. Guangzhou gave the European champions a couple of scares in the first half but the Chinese side were utterly outclassed by […]
OSAKA (Reuters) – Barcelona defender Gerard Pique made all the right noises about the Club World Cup on Wednesday, describing the tournament as enjoyable and prestigious, ahead of their semi-final against China’s Guangzhou Evergrande. Pique also warned that the Asian champions, coached by Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, may try to disrupt Barcelona’s game with tactical fouling […]
REUTERS – A tax fraud case involving Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and his father Jorge should be dropped because of errors in the investigation and court proceedings, their lawyers said on Wednesday. The pair are accused of defrauding the Spanish state of 4.2 million euros ($4.589 million) in tax from 2007 to 2009 and a […]
OSAKA (Reuters) – Speaking softly and thoughtfully to the media, River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo, nicknamed “the Doll” due to his small stature and boyish looks, gives the impression that butter would not melt in his mouth. Behind the innocent exterior, however, lies one of the world’s most astute coaches who River president Rodolfo D’Onofrio […]
OSAKA (Reuters) – Barcelona’s performance at the Club World Cup will affect the rest of their season as they try to win a league, cup and Champions League treble for the second time in a row, defender Javier Mascherano said on Tuesday. Barcelona face Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande in their semi-final on Thursday and either […]
MADRID (Reuters) – Atletico Madrid turned up the heat on champions Barcelona when they fought back to secure a 2-1 win at home to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday as Real Madrid slipped off the pace with a 1-0 loss at Villarreal. Atletico’s battling victory put them level at the top on 35 […]
NYON, Switzerland (Reuters) – Holders and Spanish league leaders Barcelona will play Premier League leaders Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League, 10 years after the sides faced each other in the final, following Monday’s draw for the first knockout stage. Spanish league leaders Barcelona, chasing a sixth title, prevailed 2-1 in the […]
MADRID (Reuters) – If Atletico Madrid’s 2013 King’s Cup triumph was a shock and their 2013-14 La Liga title a surprise, few would raise an eyebrow if Diego Simeone’s ruthlessly efficient side were to win another major trophy. Atletico have quietly been going about their business while Spain’s big two, Real Madrid and Barcelona, have […]
