Some encouraging signs recently though, maybe a final appearance can be a springboard?

Barça will have to stump up alot of money aswell as Hleb for Ribery i would imagine.

Madrid derby this weekend, [size=59dare i say Atleti 1-0 win?[/size

Can't wait for this.

I think a 2 - 1 win to Real.

after giving it to barça last sunday, i fully expect atletico to pull their pants down this weekend and we could see the lead down to just 1 point.

Agreed. Lightning can't possibly strike twice for Atletico. The new Ramos-inspired Terminator Real will obliterate them.

1-0? With that defence



The only possible way for Atléti to win is if it's another crazy game, a 4-3 or something, Real are too disciplined for that to happen - though they do have one or two defensive injury concerns.

As has been proven over the last couple of seasons whether we take the lead in the first 30 seconds, or equalise in stoppage time, we still find a way to balls it up against them.

Hope so. It's still a very young side and their experiences this year will stand them all in good stead. Need some support for Fernando Llorente though. And Javi Martinez is quality.

Your biggest problem is keeping hold of Llorente. With Exteberria in the twilight, someone who can score goals consistently is the difference between a solid showing and a relegation dogfight. We've all seen the quality in midfield, but Llorente is the key man. However, an 8 million euro bid here or there could see him offski.

Would hope that 8 million wouldn't be enough to tempt the management, but they may have no choice in the matter.

haven't seen or heard any definite clubs linked with him. in spain you're ok till one or two clubs or constantly linked with the player. that's usually the signal for an imminent move.

So 1-0 to Atleti at half time in the Bernabeu, time for the "in what way will they feck it up" sweepstake.

who scored?
just waiting for the barça-athletic 2nd half to kick off. 2-0 to barcelona so far.
just watched girona draw... again! 1-1 away at rayo vallecano, decent game

Forlan, superb team goal started on the edge of our own box.

Well worth the lead to be honest, could have had another (Aguero missed a decent chance), Real have threatened but created nothing clear cut, I will regret saying this but Atleti are defending with a previously unseen discipline.

you would jinx it...


barça are all over athletic

eto'o alone has missed 2 complete sitters

my girlfriend has just remarked that caparros bears a striking resemblance to michael 'batman' keaton.

Well a point is better than the norm, quality goal from Huntelaar but Atleti really should have won it, we carved them open on the counter time and time again, Forlan, Sinama-Pongolle and Aguero (twice) all should have done better.

Real had plenty of play but not much in the way of clear-cut opportunities, it was another decent game but it's disappointing not to win, hopefully the level of performance can be maintained.

ive got sevilla or atletico to win la liga w/o barça, madrid so i'll certainly be keeping my fingers crossed.
fancy vila-real to do espanyol tonight but keeping my money in my pocket.

just seen the highlights. you were unlucky and huntelaar was offside!

Very open derby tonight and a great watch.
Awsome goal from Forlan and unlucky with his second effort
Huntelaar was offside but i think Atleti were excellent.

Barca given minimal breathing space now, hope they can kick on again now.

Atleti really missed out, without Pepe Real Madrid were all over the place at the back and you carved them open time and again. Aguero guilty of the worst misses.

Oh, and whoever in the Espanyol team who is responsible for deciding penalty takers - I hope you're sacked. There is absolutely no way, in such a crucial game at a crucial time of the season, you should be allowing that utter donkey Luis Garcia to take a pen when he's not scored since October, you buffoons.

Barcelona looked to have got some of their groove back, they should have beaten Athletic by five or six!

Weekend in full:

Barcelona 2-0 Athletic
Deportivo 5-3 Racing
Getafe 1-2 Malaga
Mallorca 3-3 Real Betis
Numancia 2-1 Valencia
Osasuna 1-2 Sporting
Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Recreativo 2-3 Valladolid
Sevilla 2-1 Almeria
Villarreal 1-0 Espanyol

some absolute cracking goals.
your mate negredo might have put away the penalty but it was my old pal pablo piatti who earned it

He (Negredo) also managed to fluff an absolute sitter from a header in the second half as well, but then with my predictive abilities I shouldn't be surprised.

That game also featured an absolutely outstanding save off Uche by Andres Palop - arguably the second best goalie in La Liga.

Valencia have held talks with Manchester City regarding the possible transfer of David Villa.

[urlhttp://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=international_feed/09/03/12/SOCCER_Spa-Valencia_Villa.html[/url