Copa Del Rey Final: Real Madrid vs Barcelona Live

Location: Mestalla Valencia
Date: 4/20/2011 1:00 PM PST

Facts:

• Barcelona have never gone more than 6 games unbeaten by Real Madrid. Todays game would be the 7th.
• Barcelona have won more Spanish Cups a total of 25
• Pep Guardiola has never lost a final he has played.
• Jose Mourinho has never beaten Pep Guardiola in Spanish Soil
• Jose Mourinho is one of the few coaches that has beaten Pep Guardiola by more than 1 goal

Line Up
Real Madrid : 

1. Casillas 
2. Arbeloa
3. Ramos
4. Carvaloh
5. Marcelo
6. Khedira
7. Pepe
8. Xabi Alonso
9. Di Maria
10. Ozil
11. Cristiano
    

FC Barcelona:

1. Pinto
2. Alves
3. Mascherano
4. Pique
5. Adriano
6. Busquets
7. Xavi
8. Iniesta
9. Pedro
10. Messi
11. Villa

Players are on the pitch!

Players are on the pitch

UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals

                      The first leg of the quarter finals is done, 3 of the 4 potential teams qualifying have more than done enough in their first leg  to move into Semifinals Territory.  Lets look at each game, my guess were that there might be a Cinderella story in these match ups and we weren't disappointed.

Inter Milan vs Shalke 04 - This game was the Cinderella story, out of nothing this team has managed to beat  Inter at their home 5-2. Lets not forget people, they are the current UEFA Champions League Champions. Will they be able to come back from this 5-2 I don't know . They managed to do something similar at Bayern Munich its a possibility but my guess this is where the road ends for them. that means they have to score at least 4 goals and leave Shalke at 0 for them to move through, but Inter having done something similar with Bayern I'll give them an 40% chance of  turning the tie over.
First Leg Final Score
Inter 2 -  5 Shalke  
2ndleg to played on Wednesday April 13 2011

Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspurs - This one was another candidate for the Cinderella story but it just wasn't meant to be. Being down to 10 man in the opening quarter of the game is not a good sign for any team. Hotspurs just were not able to answer Real Madrid. The probabilities of turning this one around is slim so I will have to give Real Madrid here 100%  they are through. After seeing Tottenham handle AC Milan to a draw in their home I don't think is in them They would have to manage to score 5 -0 and no one has done that to Madrid except ummm Barcelona at the Nou Camp... So this tie is over and done with. Next for Madrid...
First Leg Final Score
Madrid 4 - 0 Tottenham  Spurs 
2ndleg to played on Wednesday April 13 2011

Barcelona vs Shaktar Donetsk - This was a tricky game for Guardiola it had many people wondering if the catalans were able to move towards the semifinals again. Well within two minutes being up on the score is a good sign for Pep's team but boy they did they have a lot of problems at the back. The final score was 5-1 but it could of been more even if Shaktar would of taken their chances. So the Probably of this team going through is close 100% but like Pep has said in recent interviews this is not done. If all go's as planned and barring any miracles they are set to meet their next Rivals.. Real Madrid.. So the possibility of 4 Classico's in 30 days will result in a feast to all soccer fans around the globe. I say bring it on!
First Leg Final Score
Barcelona 5 - 1 Shaktar Donetsk 
2ndleg to played on Tuesday April 12 2011

Chelsea vs Manchester United - Well this is one of the toughest matches or at least the more evenly matched ties of the quarter finals. Two English teams with great teams, great coaches, it didn't disappoint the margin was really small and anything can happen at old trattford but if there is something we know is that it will be a tough cookie for Chelsea to win at Old Trattford so I say Manchester United is back in Semi's  at least with a 60 to 70% chance. Fernando Torres the big signing from Chelsea has to do something for his team if he manages to score and Chelsea move through..... it will make worth his huge transfer fee from Liverpool.
First Leg Final Score
Chelsea 0 - 1 Manchester U.
2ndleg to played on Tuesday April 12 2011

A Comeback to Remember

I don't have too much time watching football, one of the things I enjoy the most now is following these great teams, they appear invincible at times but they're not well almost borderline.. Manchester united were down 2-0 at half time against West Ham United. Ferguson opted to bring his star signing from the summer Javier Hernandez.. This team even though it has a lack in defense wont give up to the end they end up turning the game around with a 2-4 victory. That is tough, even more in away games... Rooney which current kept being questions managed to get himself a hat trick Thank You Very Much.. And Hernandez was able to add one more to the scoreline.. This team is getting far this season.. possibly a treble.. keep in mind they are still in FA CUP, CHampions League and leaders of the Premier League.. Possible treble in the making

La Liga Match Day 30

So we begin on Match Day 30 of La Liga BBVA. The Number 1 and 2 both play Saturday April 2. The Merengues play first @ 9:00 AM PST. and the Bluegrana play @ 14:00 PM PST. Both of the matches looked to be very challenging for both teams as Madrid have significant players on the bench, Alonso(yellow cards) Marcelo(Injury), Ronaldo(Injury), Benzema(Injury). However good news is Pipita Higuain was back after being out for 4 months due to injury. The game was sloppy to say the least the fluidity of the team was not there. Xabi Alonso and Marcelo were heavily missed alongside Ronaldo. Up to the 69 minute it appeared that the Madrids perfect home record would gent tinted but then the unexpected happened. Sportin Gijon from a quick counter managed to strike from a difficult position and caught Casillas off guard, Madrid 0 - 1 Sportin Gijon. a nightmare at the bernabeu. Madrid threw  everything they had looking for an equalizer but it was just not meant to be. Its one of those days when you say to yourself I can't believe the ball is not going in. After Madrid lost for the first time in their home record Mourinho's 150+ home league record broke as well. Meanwhile Villareal was getting ready to breakdown Barcelona which also came with a lot injuries, Abidal, Puyol, Messi, Pedro, Xavi through suspension. Everything looked to be a big task for Guardiolas team almost impossible, also given the fact that declarations from RAI about Guardiolas departure from the Catalan Giants was looming in the atmosphere. First half for Barca went 0-0 with barcas dominion of possesion as always. Then in the second half it was time to bring Messi in. from which the whole team changed can this one player really make a difference?. the answer is yes. weather its in the players head or weather they feel he is a reference point everyone in the team stepped up their game. it wasn't long before more chances were being generated by Barcelona meanwhile stellar Valdez did some amazing saves which denied the Villareal crowd. There were at least 3 clear chances. at the end of the night Barca had won by the most minimal of margins 1-0 and gained an 8 point lead of madrid. Is the league done? Depends who you ask.. Guardiola will tell you no and if we think that we wont win. Mourinho feels is next to impossible and they should focus on other competitions like Copa del Rey Final and Champions League. Since I have started watching football i have always seen the leaders of their leagues go the farthest in the Champions League competition. For example lets look at past champions Manchester United 2006/2007 Won the Premiere League and Champions, 2007/2008 Barca won all three comptetions. 2009/2010 Inter won all three compettions and this year the team in most competitions I believe is favored which could be Manchester , Barca, Inter or Wildcard Madrid but it is not out of their reach. Well this week we have champions league We will see how they are on the return leg but these matches for as easy as they look or appear wont be easy neither for barcelona or real madrid

Weekend Derby and Getafe

This past weekend Barcelona Hosted Getafe at the Nou Camp and was able to overcome a dreadful week. Barca took 3 points. Meanwhile while Madrid jumped on the pitch they knew that Barca were 8 points ahead. As the ball rolled Madrid knew that they had to Win or else their chances would diminish considerably.  After Barca scoring two Bojan and Alvez and Manu pulling one back on the 88 minutes. It was  close one for barca. as the defence still suffers. Even worst Xavi landed a yellow card which will keep him from the Villareal game next 2 weeks. Madrid next opponent is Sportin Gijon at the bernabeu which should be an easy game for them. The leaders remain the same distance, 5 points apart. This weekend and week La Liga comes to a halt to give way for EURO Qualifiers and International Friendlies. Barca's Next match will be tough no doubt and if they are to come off unbeaten through the several tough away games including the visit to the Bernebeu, they will be that much closer to clinching their third Liga CUp in a row. Also on their sight is the Spanish Cup Final and also the CHampions League Quarter Finals. While La Liga is at recess both Guardiola and Mourinho are carefully planning their next games.. Until two weeks

Barca Look to Move Away from Madrid

Barca this weekend look to receive Getaefe another team from madrid at the nou camp @ 12:00 PM PST. Pep Guardiola has warned not to take Getafe lightly. With injuries still plaguing the team, Pedro still out and Puyol is out, also Abidal out due to a tumor being removed looks to be available until August. The defense looks weak so the attacking will have to be crisp and sharp. At the same time Atletico Madrid will be receiving Real Madrid and hoping that Madrid drops some points at the Vicente Calderon. Away games have been specially hard for Madrid this season having lost all of its points in stadiums away from the Bernabeu. If Barca win and Madrid loose they would be 8 points clear. However if the opposite happens and Madrid win and Barca Loose Madrid will have cut the 7 point lead to just 2 points. In the case they bot draw they will be 5 points apart.

Probable Line Up for Barcelona
Valdez, Alvez, Pique, Busquete, Adriano, Xavi, INiesta, Macherano, Bojan, Messi, Villa.

Probable Line up for Madrid

Casillas, Marcelo, Cravaloh, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Khedira, Ozil, Di Maria,  Cristiano, Benzema.

UCL Quarter Finals

One of the things that get me going are the UEFA Champions league quarter finals! Today was the drawing for the UEFA champions league Quarter Finals, and this is how the match ups came about

1st Leg
APril 05 2011 12:45 PST

Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspurs
Inter Milan vs Shalke 04
 April 06 2011 12:45 PST
Chelsea vs Manchester United
Barcelona vs Shaktar Donetsk


2nd Leg
APril 12 2011 12:45 PST
Manchester United vs Chelsea
Shaktar Donetsk vs Barcelona
APril 13 2011 12:45 PST
Tottenham Hotspurs vs Real Madrid
Shalke 04  vs Inter Milan

One of things i noticed is that most of the major teams aspiring to win the cup or the favorites are the ones playing the first leg ; Madrid, barca, inter, and Chelsea, Only exception is Manchester for obvious reasons. Which goes to show that all the smaller teams have the upper hand, Teams like to close in their home stadiums it makes for a better. atmosphere for the team mainly.. BUT it doesn't always work. Look at last years elimination from Barca and this years Bayern Exit. I say doesn't matter where you play last it just matters how you play period. Another curiosity is that if Barca and Madrid are to progress to the semifinals they will face each other, which could give up to 5 Spanish Classicos in one season. How those games play out will be interesting.. Barca have beat them at the nou camp by 5 goals this season BUT if there is anything we have learned from Mourinho is that it doesn't happen twice.. see the group stages how they were beaten last season and on the semifinals the lost to Inter. I don't think Neither Barca or Madrid will get a treble. A lot of bad things can be said about Mourinho but he is alive in all three competetions from a team that had the potential but couldn't win anything last season.

My predictions for semifinals are
Manchester Move Through
Shalke 04(underdog Moves Through)
Barcelona (Hard but will move through)
R Madrid (tough time as well but move through)