Carles Puyol, eternally exemplary

I said in the post about the game between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano , the controversy and celebration featuring Thiago Alves after scoring the fifth goal of the game wanted to treat it in a separate post. First, not wanting to mix with something as purely footballing side, and second because I'm sure it's an issue where there will be a wide disparity of views and is well to have them all concentrated here.

I start from the obvious basis that neither Thiago Alves or have committed no crime, but have become the football in a spiral of shit where any nonsense is worthy of debate and controversy. So the players should be free to celebrate a goal as they please, as the home crowd recriminárselo rival. But a goal is a happy time, and each expressed as the feel and flow, provided it does not lead to a clear lack of respect for the opponent, and as far as I know, dancing is not an offense. Many who are fed up to give those who wear suits are applauding one year Neymar carousels videos doing the same.

Notes of the Week 36

Each week we scored Football Notes, from 1 to 5, the least and what we liked most of the day the first division. These are the notes of the thirty-sixth day of the season.

"The Second Racing is already

It was a matter of time and the time ruled out with three days when the box Santander said goodbye to the First Division with an inconsequential defeat by the Real. Racing is fired and a championship that was installed a decade ago after moving up with Quique Setion in 2001-2002. His centenary will live in the Second and the best reward for your hobby is, safe return.

"Espanyol are entangled in your own hair

Apparently it was a propitious time to peek in positions of Europe, but as always it is the scope, Pochettino suffer a bump. With Clemente Sporting executioner, the week has been Perico bit moved within, with no continuity of Javi Marquez as a backdrop and words crossings as protagonists. Much noise and little football for Cornella-El Prat that brought handkerchiefs.

Barca recover the joy

0-7 final victory for FC Barcelona during his visit to Vallecas, which not only served to delay the alirón white , but also to lick his wounds in the last ten days. A feast of goals and good football, because he did not carry the slab of the objective and duty, loosened its grip on the legs and we were finally able to see this game of vertigo, missing against Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Guardiola put an eleven on the pitch full of alternate-Pinto, Montoya, Keita, Thiago Pedro ... - and they wanted to match him on their first date after announcing his departure , with gratitude for four-year history. This time there was only Messi, although he participated in almost all the goals. This time we returned to see the best Peter, that of 2009/2010, electricity.

Barca recover the joy

0-7 final victory for FC Barcelona during his visit to Vallecas, which not only served to delay the alirón white , but also to lick his wounds in the last ten days. A feast of goals and good football, because he did not carry the slab of the objective and duty, loosened its grip on the legs and we were finally able to see this game of vertigo, missing against Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Guardiola put an eleven on the pitch full of alternate-Pinto, Montoya, Keita, Thiago Pedro ... - and they wanted to match him on their first date after announcing his departure , with gratitude for four-year history. This time there was only Messi, although he participated in almost all the goals. This time we returned to see the best Peter, that of 2009/2010, electricity.

Sporting Gijon fight for the miracle

With the best game since the arrival of Javier Clemente, Sporting Gijon won Saturday in Cornella-El Prat by a convincing 0-3 to Espanyol, who remains hopeful red and white, especially with the later Villarreal draw against Osasuna.

The goals in the second part of Adrian Colunga, Trejo and Bilic materialized three golden points in one of his more serious games of the year. For one day, was a defensive safety and success in the attack that do not correspond to that seen during the season. You can tell when a team is playing life, and how much the other has lost the intensity of the objectives.

The Cibeles, pending Vallecas

3-0 win for Real Madrid against Sevilla in the match played this morning at the Bernabeu forcing the FC Barcelona not to lose tonight alirón Vallecas to avoid white. A goal from Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema, for two, served to impose a Seville with wet gunpowder in the attack, and very weak on defense. It is true that he was caught a legal goal to Fazio in the early stages of the encounter, which would have the less complicated things to set frosting.

Jose Mourinho repeated the same eleven that last Wednesday against Bayern Munich , with the only change for Khedira Barn. The difference kit according to the presence of each is exemplified in this game: with Granero, Madrid chews over the play when the ball passes through the midfield and the game becomes more dynamic. However, it suffers much more to steal the ball and defensive fragility is emphasized.

Racing is underway with the intention of returning

All that remained was mathematically confirmed and it was given yesterday in San Sebastian, where the Racing lost 3-0 against Real Sociedad and signed his descent to the second division. A goodbye expected at first that has been cooking day after day in recent weeks and the greenish-white fans could only hope against a team that resigned from the beginning of the season showed signs of not being prepared to compete in the top division our football. The economic, institutional and sports has resulted in the decrease to the second division, where the racing will regenerate almost completely to address not only the return to first, but also to lay a foundation in which the club needed to find stability ensure a future free of complications.

The descent into the category of silver, after the longest stage of the mountain in the first division team, is the result of the show in which he became the club in recent months, full of eager merchants headed by Mr. Ali revenues, which seemed to come to start a golden age in the club and it was the beginning of the end. In the credit of Pernia and company will be the success of the two cup semi-final or qualifying for Europe, but the price has been high. Poor planning, resource depletion, generosity in salaries ... The club had another exit to the Insolvency Act does not disappear, and the plot was affected sports to the point of being unable to form a competitive workforce.

How about the arrival of Tito Vilanova the Barca bench?: The question of the week in Football Notes

The question of the week could not have another issue that the news of the day: The relay Tito Vilanova in the dugout after Barca's Pep Guardiola progress . The rapid decision to announce the replacement club has saved us weeks of speculation and covers talking about possible candidates, but we have Football Notes curious to see what our readers think about all these aspects.

How about the arrival of Tito Vilanova the Barca bench?

Do you think that is right for FC Barcelona with his appointment? Is he up? Can he keep the line drawn by Pep Guardiola? Or on the contrary think that can be great? Do you think the candidate would have preferred adecuadro or another? In that case, what would have been welcome? Leave your opinion in our Notes section Football Responses .

Tito Vilanova, a commitment to continuity

Admittedly, FC Barcelona has solved a tragic ballot with honors. The day came all Barça looked scared, but aware that it was getting closer. Pep Guardiola's march was certified in the worst week of FC Barcelona in the last four years: defeat in the Nou Camp against Real Madrid which leaves lost the Champions League and elimination at the hands of Chelsea. But in these two painful defeats is where it has been shown Guardiola's greatest achievement over the many titles, the union of FC Barcelona, ​​unconditional love to a club with a philosophy established with cement, the strength that has made ​​a hobby historically withdrawn.

And I say that FC Barcelona has solved the ballot with honors, because the bet Tito Vilanova has become a matter of seconds which seemed to be the most tragic day for FC Barcelona in the last four years, a transfusion of illusion and energy. Barca made ​​easier Pep output and saves weeks of rumors and speculation.

Pep Guardiola left Barcelona in the hands of Tito Vilanova

It was an open secret that in recent hours gathering reverberated throughout soccer. After four years full of success, Pep Guardiola will not renew with FC Barcelona. The news and the attention of President Rosell and technical director Andoni Zubizarreta, he communicated to his players this morning and Guardiola himself just a few minutes it was publicized in the press conference just ended.

Nonrenewal of Guardiola, who, as we all know, has always signed every year, means the end of a stage, Pep Team, in which the club has become the best team in the last decades and, for not a few voices of authority, the best of all time. Santpedor coach leaves behind an age that has achieved 13 of the 18 tournaments he has played, which could add a title if he can initialed last cycle Blaugrana coach lifting the Copa del Rey that Barca played on 25 May with Athletic Club Bilbao.

Bucharest expects a dream Athletic

Driven by the eternal roar of San Mamés, Athletic Club did so epic qualification for the finals of the Champions League which will take on Atletico Madrid on Wednesday 9 May in Bucharest. It was 87 minutes, the tie was matched ( 2-1 in the first leg and 2-1 in those moments in the round) and the extension appeared. But then a hanging ball to pot fell Ibai boots, that dizzy and gave his marker to Llorente, pluperfect, to make it 3-1.

It was a huge red and white ram. He participated in almost all the attacks of Athletic and in all goals. His stellar performance was at the height of a semifinal outrageously entertaining and with a happy ending for those of Marcelo Bielsa, who streaked to a eminent level. They managed to reverse the result against and against a team like Portugal to Sporting Lisbon after the victory came to the Cathedral ready to make war and about were of fuss.

Atletico gives the ticket to the final of the Europa League

A perfect definition of Hadrian in the second half, when uncertainty prevailed at the Mestalla after injury Channel, eventually collapsing the dream of Valencia, who gave the witness of illusion to Atletico Madrid will play its second final of Europe League in three years. The advantage of Simeone left with the first leg (4-2) and were limited to putting the nail (0-1) to a team that deserved more in the first half. Bucharest will witness a Spanish final.

The Atletico picked up their ticket in a game that asserted their impressive advantage gained at the Vicente Calderon . Table visitor learned to play his cards in a first installment in a commanding Valencia. Unai Emery's knew the season was going to achieve an epic comeback and it had the support of the crowd. The approaches to the area of Courtois, who was the best team in the first 45 minutes, were steady but flawed.

A team split into two

I've never been very keen on the accumulation of troops in the center of the field, double and triple pivots become parties in battles in the center circle that prevent more arrivals to the areas, where the show is cooked. The problem is that if today desguarneces the midline and lose the battle you have many options to have a contrary result. The Real Madrid home games have become in recent weeks in a Russian roulette of constant comings and goings in which has been unable to dominate the midfield. In that circumstance Bayern took advantage yesterday , in which a talented footballer but Kroos irregular field at home. The German team could only score a goal and was a penalty, but their dominance in midfield caused the of Heynckes sent out in much of the game.

A great goalkeeper, a good defense with two good power and weakness on the flanks and a devastating attack with Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema in a great moment, more irregular Ozil and Di Maria in bad shape. The problem is in midfield. I do not think it is for the players: Xabi Alonso formed by Khedira and discussed, a player who rarely misses a ball complicated or compromised, a double pivot seems formidable, but rather by the collective concept: the Madrid many times is divided into two blocks and German and Sebastian have to multiply in aid. They can not go to church and ring the bells. Also are indisputable and it is likely that the accumulation of matches will be taking its toll.

A team split into two

I've never been very keen on the accumulation of troops in the center of the field, double and triple pivots become parties in battles in the center circle that prevent more arrivals to the areas, where the show is cooked. The problem is that if today desguarneces the midline and lose the battle you have many options to have a contrary result. The Real Madrid home games have become in recent weeks in a Russian roulette of constant comings and goings in which has been unable to dominate the midfield. In that circumstance Bayern took advantage yesterday , in which a talented footballer but Kroos irregular field at home. The German team could only score a goal and was a penalty, but their dominance in midfield caused the of Heynckes sent out in much of the game.

A great goalkeeper, a good defense with two good power and weakness on the flanks and a devastating attack with Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema in a great moment, more irregular Ozil and Di Maria in bad shape. The problem is in midfield. I do not think it is for the players: Xabi Alonso formed by Khedira and discussed, a player who rarely misses a ball complicated or compromised, a double pivot seems formidable, but rather by the collective concept: the Madrid many times is divided into two blocks and German and Sebastian have to multiply in aid. They can not go to church and ring the bells. Also are indisputable and it is likely that the accumulation of matches will be taking its toll.

The sweet revenge of Robben

The intriguing semifinal of Champions League that brought us the match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich had, like every match in height, its protagonists. The chronic stress to hit upon the immense work of Schweinsteiger, Kroos the pervasiveness of the young or the double hit of the porters in the shootout. All components contributed their bit for better or for worse, but there was one who felt the Bavarian pass as a great little personal revenge.

It is not Jupp Heynckes, who may well be . The German coach, somehow, it was Chamartín with the homework done: the seventh European Cup white. More insipidus was the march of Arjen Robben three years ago: Florentino Perez left because I needed to cash after investments in Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Benzema. It was very reluctantly, because he wanted to stay . He went through the back door, from one day to another. Saying goodbye to the small mouth.

Bayern snatches the Bernabeu sleep of the Tenth

Bayern Munich certified in the penalty shoot-out humbling that Chelsea began Tuesday. A humbling experience for the press and fans, we frotábamos hands at the prospect of living a historic match in the final of the Champions League. Never to Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, ​​that at no time minusvaloraron rivals.

Madrid won its match against Bayern 2-1, but only enough to force overtime and immediately knocked out in the lottery of penalties. Iker Casillas, cheered by the Santiago Bernabeu, lived up to expectations stopping two penalties, but their work was not sufficient to failures of Christian-first penalty fails in Madrid, Kaka and Sergio Ramos.

Didier Drogba, the blue beast

What are the reasons for the removal of FC Barcelona at the hands of Chelsea? Many. The blue wall, for example accumulation of defense and not good defense. The fate, this time denied by Barca and ally of the London team. Cule the wrong time, of course, because it is undeniable that this boat is the level at which we are accustomed. Petr Cech, who for two games again the great keeper of his best years. And above all, Didier Drogba, a beast, a show.

It is undisputed that Drogba has become its own right in the man of this tie. He has done it all: score, leading the attack, defense work, oxygenate the game and to cut the rate culé stopping the match over and over again, especially at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea: less is more

The revenge was conceived. The reply to Iniestazo became so violent a manner as unusual . Chelsea arrived in Barcelona by plane but on the pitch put the bus. The team of Roberto Di Matteo achieved for the final classification as Racana, as unattractive as effective and directly proportional to the epic, the feat and heroism they displayed in the Camp Nou turf warriors English, who were reduced to ten players in the first half and managed to score two goals.

Chelsea put the cards on the table in London, where he saw the avalanche of cases that led to his opponent again and again encountered the blue defensive wall. He took oil at home and no secret that home would be the same tactics. Unlike the club, the League was played against Madrid, the Italian coach was able to rest many of the headlines last weekend against Arsenal. With the same eleven that won at Stamford Bridge were planted in the Stadium.

Televisions trying to silence the original protest Sanchez Pizjuan

The party that played on Saturday Sevilla FC and Levante UD began with a half hour behind the usual schedule of 22:00 h at night. This delay was granted and imposed on the clubs by the Football League and laSexta, channel that televises the game open every day. The intent of this postponement was nothing that could deliver that laSexta a program post-Barça-Madrid match and press conferences for the technical (or seconds) and passage through the mixed zone of the players .

Again, it is shown that the powers that be in this business, most importantly, about the only thing that interests them, are FC Barcelona and Real Madrid as well as their coaches, presidents, managers, players and girlfriends of players, representatives, spokespersons ... After all, are the other teams, continually treated as mere pawns in a game designed to win always the same. And this does not just mean that the League BBVA As designed, only white or Blaugrana can win, but especially to all those men who form the lobby pocket generated from the conversion of the clubs in corporations.

You do not you deserve that shirt

This weekend we witnessed one of the most disgusting and deplorable chapters we have ever seen on a football field. Party at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, 53 minutes, locals lost 0-4 against AC Siena. At that time the ultras of Genoa CFC moving from bottom to the mouth of locker rooms and begin to throw objects in the field until forced the referee to stop the match. Having achieved that, demanded that the players on his team to take off the shirts because they thought were unworthy of dress. The sad thing is that, following the example of captain Marco Rossi, Grifoni most, some in tears born of rage, indignation, or, why not say, humiliation, met with the imposition of hooliganism, and took off their shirts.

All no. There were two brave men who refused to obey. One was the French goalkeeper Sebastien Frey, fourteen years in the calcium, the latter two, Genoa, which was faced with the crowd shouting This shirt is mine. And the second was Giuseppe Sculli, a six-year veteran on the team (with a lapse of some time in the SS Lazio). The midfielder born in Locri took over the case and climbed the fence of the stands occupied by the most violent tifossi to try to reason with the leader of the Ultras.

Classic Notes

"Unrecognizable Barca with the ball

Without statistics, I do not think that Barca Guardiola never lost so many balls as they lost on Saturday. The construction of FC Barcelona game was a continual drain of errors, caused partly not, partly due to pressure Madrid. Never has cost both Barca link all its lines.

"Guardiola came with the key

Rarely can you criticize something Pep Guardiola, but not prohibited. This time, Guardiola had the wisdom not to raise the party to which we are accustomed and also slow to react from the bench. It was much the Madrid did not play so comfortably against Barca, because although the possession was FC Barcelona, ​​was played as the merengue group wanted. However, the world continues .

Notes of the Week 35

Each week we scored Football Notes, from 1 to 5, the least and what we liked most of the day the first division. These are the notes of the thirty-fifth day of the season.

"Alvaro Cervera has not been salutary

In nine days, zero victories. The overwhelming statistic is part of Racing Santander since arriving Cervera, who could not straighten the course Cantabria in the league and sportsmanship assumes that the future is in second. The coach also has had several problems (personal and health) have not helped your hard work. The Racing sum, total, 16 consecutive games to achieve a win.

"At Seville he is the Champions League again

Despite being re-engaged to the upper area of ​​the table just a couple of days, with a series of good results that only truncated Athletic, the last two have been catastrophic for those of Michel. First, falling thrashed against Getafe and tying this weekend at home against a direct rival as the Levant, with a goal included ... Koné. The Champions League, six points.

Anyone tell you you have to run

State Lotteries has put his finger to his new advertising campaign. A very short notice, less than half a minute, with which they capture the attention of potential consumers of your product. One is surprised to be the first to Jose Maria Gutierrez Guti, then laughs with all or some of the scenes, as with the proud slogan Guti himself loose in satirical reference to his own career (Let no one tell you you have to run ) and, finally, just applauding the good humor of which for many is the greatest untapped talent of our football.

Tyrion Lannister said it best: Never forget what you are, because of course the world will not forget. Make it your best weapon and will never be your weakness. Use it as armor and nobody can use it to hurt you. And that is what makes Guti in this announcement (or what you have agreed to do) laugh at yourself and be the first to joke about the disgrace that he hung a few years ago: to be a little vague and quite vivant. A success both for the interests of LAE as for the image of Guti.

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Official Website | State Lotteries

The world continues

The Barcelona on Saturday recovered the bitter feeling let out a title. Just a month ago the League was 10 points and conquer seemed utopian. But after swimming and swimming for Real Madrid he drowned on the shore. A KO was not in the most optimistic plans. I would say that neither of the pessimists. The three points were taken for Camp Nou together-not by the club, then by the media and most fans, but escaped in the most painful.

Playing against the leader is what you have. Whites showed more packaging than its rival and ended up conquering Blaugrana enemy territory with a booty worth its weight in gold: the League. The Jose Mourinho put an end to the hegemony FC Barcelona, ​​which lasted three courses. But the trees do not prevent us from seeing the forest. Because it is true that Barca let slip a golden opportunity, but before it has a chance to recover in less than two days. And how.

The world continues

The Barcelona on Saturday recovered the bitter feeling let out a title. Just a month ago the League was 10 points and conquer seemed utopian. But after swimming and swimming for Real Madrid he drowned on the shore. A KO was not in the most optimistic plans. I would say that neither of the pessimists. The three points were taken for Camp Nou together-not by the club, then by the media and most fans, but escaped in the most painful.

Playing against the leader is what you have. Whites showed more packaging than its rival and ended up conquering Blaugrana enemy territory with a booty worth its weight in gold: the League. The Jose Mourinho put an end to the hegemony FC Barcelona, ​​which lasted three courses. But the trees do not prevent us from seeing the forest. Because it is true that Barca let slip a golden opportunity, but before it has a chance to recover in less than two days. And how.

Joaquin Caparros saves Mallorca

The election victory of Joshua Urrutia, Athletic Club last summer left a bad place to Joaquin Caparros, who, linked to the candidacy of Fernando García Macua, saw Marcelo Bielsa (finally chosen by the president) took possession of Biscayan a stool which he had been a tenant for the past four seasons. Thus, Utrera had to leave for the first time in his career far from our borders to do the best is given: to coach a team.

I got an offer from Neuchatel Xamax on an ambitious plan that was falling apart from the very moment when he knew who managed: Bulat Chagaev, Chechen magnate objectionable from the beginning always wanted to have more importance than any other employee of the set Swiss. The adventure lasted only a few months Caparrós: ​​in September, and after a heated argument with the person above, he packed his bags and returned to Spain.

FC Barcelona - Real Madrid: The baton Football Notes

If we took all the attractions of a good game, Shove in a pot and let it simmer, hence would call exquisite delightful Classic. One day in red for lovers of football has arrived and with it the club Football Notes, as usual in this type of duties. The editors hope that the blog will be a great Barça-Madrid, with a personal duel, that of Messi and Cristiano, which promises a great show. Then our forecasts waiting to read yours in the comments. You roll the ball!

• Bruno Sanxurxo : After the defeat of Real Madrid in Munich thought that if FC Barcelona won in London, the Catalans would have a psychological advantage over whites. But the bitter defeat at Stamford Bridge may not have been so bad Barça with a view to the Classic, it can function as an important reminder: nothing is done until it's done. So I think that Barca will come out with the proper voltage to be imposed on the Madrid and put the league on fire. My prediction: 2-0, with goals from Busquets and Messi.

• Gabriel Knight : I have not a single successful club in the classics, so if you spend here, abandon all hope. But I happened to have extra time in the Cup final, so let's take a chance on the predictions. Mourinho will see how the game raises given that the advantage in the table is yours. Guardiola will want an open game, where they develop their own best, and the Portuguese coach may prefer Barcelona football hinder their chance and look at the counter, and I think we get a 1-1 start at the Camp Nou.

Madrid takes half the league at Camp Nou

The quintessential classic of Spanish football has recently acquired new Carices by adopting different styles both teams, antagonistic, so different that the differences are accentuated. Today we faced at the Camp Nou Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​one to defend positions and one for assaulting. Football is great because there are many ways to play it and now Mourinho's team has shown that a style is effective not only if you use their strengths but also if you know to minimize the opponent. It was not the most lucid of the Madrid game, but one of the most effective and complete in its way: it has taken advantage of their chances and has prevented Barça develop his game. That's also football. 1-2 victory leaves the white team to a championship over increasing the gap to seven points with twelve.

It was a match for frills or saved in the newspaper archives show on the shelf, was a party slate of intensity, of pieces on the board, and this game was Mourinho who won the round by Guardiola. Resigned trivote, perhaps because Lass and does not count, but also the Madrid team was tactically very strong, rock that never was complicated in the balloons split, he knew Barca ring axis, the triangle formed by Messi, Xavi and Iniesta and in which Sergio Ramos and Pepe taught teachers from the center of defense. Possession was Barca, but Casillas just worried around the shock.

Who do you think it is more difficult to reach the final between Real and Barca?: The question of the week in Football Notes

The defeats of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the first leg of the semifinals of the Champions League caught off guard a lot. Few expected that Real Madrid and Barca fell on their travels to Munich and London, complicating face the second leg at their respective stadiums, something that inevitably hold two Spanish representatives in the continental showpiece. That is why this week, NDF, we want to ask:

Who do you think it is more difficult to reach the final between Real and Barca?

To those of Mourinho, who managed to score at the Allianz Arena , would be enough a goal in the Bernabeu to be in the final. Something that, seeing the numbers that handles all white, does not sound crazy. Guardiola, who ended his locker to zero , will have a touchdown to even the tie and another to get a ticket to Munich. In favor of whites and the result plays against the opponent. At the opposite happens Blaugrana: for, the rival, and against the result. Who has it harder? Do you agree with that Bayern is the Chelsea team but, however, the result of the trip is best for Real Madrid for the Catalans? Particularly I think both will and the more tortuous is the brunt of Madrid against an opponent who has more arguments than the counter and see them come, strategy Chelsea against Barca. As always, I appreciate that contestéis in the Answers section .

The transition from third

Today we have a big showdown in the Champions League where the Spanish league has expanded its flag, so is the match between Athletic and Sporting Portugal, but the Spanish derby between Atletico and Valencia will be a clash between two teams that have the same competition with effective and has significant accounts receivable from a couple of years with controversial plays and torn shirts. Not only that: it will be a game between two teams who have or have had with that title invisible third team in Spain behind Real Madrid and Barcelona unattainable. Apart from the two giants are those with larger budgets and greater gain in the television distribution, and an important social mass of followers, however, only endorses Valencia with this condition results. Let's see which teams have taken turns that honorable third place in the Spanish league in the last two decades, where Deportivo Coruna and Sevilla also have much to say.

Although the Athletic Club has always been in first division, is the second team with more Cups and has won eight leagues, recovering two of them in the early eighties the League dominance of the hand of Clement, is Atletico Madrid who has traditionally had the title of third team in Spain. Nine leagues, the same number of drinks, some European titles and can often be seconded to the team that gave him the two giants such honor, especially in the seventies when he won three league titles, one of them and with Luis Aragones on the bench. In the eighties there were more alternate titles with Real Sociedad and Athletic Madrid but the club was still a regular at the top places.

Such boundless inches ...

Everything has been a matter of centimeters. These boundless centimeters. Those who make a difference, those who bless some and condemn them all. Those left over to Alexis and Peter when they hit the stick, which he missed Cesc to impale a rebound Thiago Franco or to deflect the shot that Cech Puyol deflected in extremis. Those who did were able to exploit the Blues in the only mistake the Blaugrana.

The party discoursed by the expected paths. The Chelsea FC planted with nine men focused on defending the place, including among them Mata, sacrificed for a task improper Hadrian steeper than Drogba. The lighthouse served as ivory shuttle is wrapped up as a war veteran and sent to the network the only time he was offered. FC Barcelona, ​​how could it be otherwise, was true to his philosophy: to have the ball, displaying his positional play and attack, attack, attack.

The price you pay Coentrao

One of the players in the game last night at the Allianz Arena was Fabio Coentrao. Its inclusion in the starting lineup again reflect the confidence he has in his countryman Jose Mourinho, who despite having Marcelo, chose the side born in Vila do Conde to one of the most important events of the season. Your participation at the expense of Brazilian, surprised more than one to know the other alignments and angered many by achieving the second goal for Bayern.

Undoubtedly, Coentrao is the player who stopped worst defeat has left Madrid in Germany. However, 'the' last night is just the tip of the iceberg. Many white fans as well as related news, do not forgive the major events that constantly embrace error. Already paid the piper against Barca in the league, when he had to act right side, a leg changed. Did not improve his image a snapshot where he was seen smoking on the birthday of CR7.

Playing tie is usually lost

Bayern Munich last night reminded him a basic lesson to Real Madrid, which are taught in all schools when children begin to know what it means to compete: playing tie is usually lost. Nothing new under the sun: the philosophy of Jose Mourinho is well known and shared by many coaches and fans. It is entirely respectable (and there are plenty of successful teams from that way of understanding football as strong argument), but also very questionable, especially if carried to extremes, as when Mourinho and his players defended the course last to a goalless draw at home in the first leg of a Champions League semi-finals, was a result not only acceptable, but desired. Or, like yesterday, when one is not able to see beyond that idea.

Last night, at the time that Madrid managed to tie the game at the Allianz Arena, Mourinho made a decision: get back and settle for a tie. Of course, one matched with away goals is a good crop for any set, but it is disappointing that a team with the greatness of Madrid, with the players we have, not try to kill when he smells the blood of his rival and instead this, only settle for having hurt him. Bayern, as a good German team, not one of those who are frightened and hide to lick his wounds: his competitive gene leads them to fight to the end. And yesterday they found the prize with a goal late in the match that gives advantage to move the tie. One advantage that it can be swallowed at the Santiago Bernabeu within seven days, but an advantage after all.

Chelsea is classified to the FA Cup final

Chelsea have thrashed by 1-5 to Tottenham Hotspurs not easy, which failed to qualify for the FA Cup final, known in English FA Cup and also the important result that means coming to an end, this match served to give us that the Blues will come in great shape to duel against Barcelona Champions League.

One of the best men on the field was former Valencia Juan Mata, with two assists and a goal (somewhat controversial but figured in the scoring after all). The first goal was scored by Didier Drogba, with a powerful left-footed shot that beat Cudicini.

Although the Harry Redknapp led to several minutes had control of the ball, failed to take advantage of possibly a lack of attitude to the pressure, something I have been accused before. Thus came the second goal by Mata, but I must say that the ball did not pass the finish line and had to be canceled.

The Spurs pulled through the left-handed Welshman Gareth Bale, who took advantage of Petr Čech clearing in an action in which the Czech goalkeeper penalty committed on a player 'Spur'. Until Mata appeared again to send a pass to Ramires, who alone against the goalkeeper got the third.

After a spectacular free kick from Lampard put the room, and Florent Malouda capped the scoring with a knife, again with assistance from Mata. The bad news for Chelsea was the injury of David Luiz, who undoubtedly will miss the semi-final in the Champions League at nothing less than the club. Do you have a forecast for the party?

A 'black beast' that once was white

"We are the 'black beast' of Madrid and we respect very much." They are words of Jupp Heynckes, a veteran coach who at 66 can take the leave to boast of the exploits of his team, Bayern Munich, to whites. However, the eight clashes in playoffs (not in league games), equality is greatest . On four occasions the Germans and were classified in as many whites. The last, in 2007 and in the second round of the Champions League, the Bavarians went through the fastest goal of the competition, the work of Makaay.

At that time, had just resigned Heynckes as coach of Borussia Moenchengladbach after stringing consecutive twelve days without victory and it seemed that his career was on its last legs unnoticed. After two years standing, and 63, received a frantic call from Uli Hoeness, who had just fired Jurgen Klinsmann. The challenge was none other than save the season Bayern ranking for the next edition of the Champions League and fight to the end of the Bundesliga. In the end, he finished second ... and left.

Marius Ebbers, the example to follow

Spain is the country of Lazarillo, the picaresque. Socially is best appreciated as a smartass, a crook, to be honest and honorable. Here who hesitates is lost and if you can take advantage of something and you do not, is that you are stupid. This would be very difficult, very unlikely, that we lived an event similar to that in Germany, during the match between FC St. Pauli with 1. FC Union Berlin, the second division of the Bundesliga.

The St. Pauli, unique equipment where available, is struggling to return to the top flight of German football. This past weekend played a key game against the capital of FC Union Berlin, the rise of Die Freibeuter (The Pirates) involves, among other things, not to give any points at home. With the score tied at one, striker Marius Ebbers topped a center with the hand the ball stayed in the goals. The referee and his assistants ate out and got the goal for good, despite the angry complaints of the visiting players.

Inigo Cabaças killed by a police force abuse

In Football Notes have wanted to miss a few days to gather as much information as possible before publishing a post to address a sensitive topic. Today we know much of what happened, different versions, but, above all, the irreparable consequence: Inigo Cabaças Liceranzu, 28 year old Amateur Athletic Club of Bilbao, this week has died from injuries caused her to firing an agent of the Ertzaintza.

The information about what happened are still unclear. At first they said the Ertzaintza was forced to act to break up a fight between radicals and Athletic Club Schalke 04, but many witnesses say it did not. The secrecy and the usual accessory corporatism has made ​​an appearance as usual happens in these cases, Rodolfo Ares, Minister of the Interior of the Basque Government, at the head.

A moment of silence for Piermario Morosini

Another blow has hit hard football Saturday in Pescara, where the home side got to Livorno in a meeting for the Italian Serie B. Everything was naturally until 31 minutes, Piermario Morosini (07.05.1986), which at that time was in the left wing, began to totter to fall on the lawn. Then, tried to rise, but could not. He stopped the match, came the assists, the ambulance and took him to hospital where he has arrived late. The tragedy, increasingly common in this sport, was confirmed. A heart attack has taken it. Another heart attack football.

All football matches in Italy (and I suppose in many other countries) keep a minute of silence for Morosini.

Riposa in pace, Piermario.

Update (18:02): The Italian Football Federation has suspended all day football in Italy in mourning.

A moment of silence for Piermario Morosini

Another blow has hit hard football Saturday in Pescara, where the home side got to Livorno in a meeting for the Italian Serie B. Everything was naturally until 31 minutes, Piermario Morosini (07.05.1986), which at that time was in the left wing, began to totter to fall on the lawn. Then, tried to rise, but could not. He stopped the match, came the assists, the ambulance and took him to hospital where he has arrived late. The tragedy, increasingly common in this sport, was confirmed. A heart attack has taken it. Another heart attack football.

All football matches in Italy (and I suppose in many other countries) keep a minute of silence for Morosini.

Riposa in pace, Piermario.

Update (18:02): The Italian Football Federation has suspended all day football in Italy in mourning.