For all the reported leaks in the footballing world right now — Cristiano Ronaldo rape allegations, Financial Fair Play improprieties, Sergio Ramos testing positive for a banned substance — one leak is more surprising than any other this season. The one in Real Madrid’s defense. In particular, Thibaut Courtois stats with Los Blancos after a shocking 3-0 loss to Eibar on Saturday.
Five years ago, Real Sociedad was playing in the Champions League after a campaign in which the club scored 70 goals — the most in LaLiga apart from Barcelona and Real Madrid. Instrumental to Sociedad’s success was a 22-year-old forward by the name of Antoine Griezmann and his strike partner, the 24-year-old Mexican Carlos Vela.
When it comes to transfer rumors and Paris Saint-Germain, you never get further than the superstar front three of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.
Real Betis became the first side to score four at the Camp Nou in league play since 2003, and the Seville-based club registered its first victory at the legendary stadium in two decades during Sunday’s rip-roaring 4-3 encounter in Catalonia.
Betis raced to a 2-0 first half lead, and every time Barcelona managed to pull a goal back in the second half, the Béticos found a response.
Diego Godín is one of the world’s greatest defenders, a terrifying monster who gobbles up attackers like the Cookie Monster eats cookies. He’s not a flashy player with step-overs for days like Cristiano Ronaldo, unnecessary flair like Neymar or blazing speed like Kylian Mbappé, but make no mistake Godín is one of the world’s best players, and a perfect example of what he means to Atlético Madrid was on display on Saturday with this Godin goal vs Bilbao.
When Lionel Messi broke his arm against Sevilla back on Oct. 20, the prognosis was that he’d need three weeks to recover. By the time Barcelona hosts Real Betis on Sunday, that timeframe will’ve been achieved. But will Messi actually suit up for the Blaugrana with the assurance of November’s international break directly following the game, giving Messi an extra two weeks of rehabilitation before the titanic clash with Atlético Madrid at the Wanda on Nov. 24?
While Real Madrid is in sporting CRISIS (the club’s top of its Champions League group, essentially through to the Copa del Rey Round of 16 and only three points behind second-place Sevilla in LaLiga, boohoo), the side from the Spanish capital can at least celebrate a financial achievement which comes close to matching the one Barcelona achieved in 2016: According to MARCA, Real and Adidas have reached a 10-year, $1.26 billion jersey sponsorship agreement, meaning the
A look at five games this weekend that should provide excellent drama both in the U.S. and in Europe. We're focusing on the best soccer on TV this weekend.
MLS and USL are in the midst of the 2018 playoffs, while the Premier League has another Top 6 clash to highlight its Saturday lineup. Meanwhile, the train wreck that is Real Madrid at the moment gets to find out how the team responds after dismissing coach Julen Lopetegui.
1. USL Semi-Finals: Louisville City vs. New York Red Bulls 2
It’s been 11 days since Lionel Messi broke his right arm against Sevilla during Barcelona’s 4-2 LaLiga victory, an injury that ruled the Argentine star out for three weeks.
Barcelona heaped the pressure on crisis-stricken Real Madrid Sunday with a 5-1 El Clásico victory at the Camp Nou. The first half was dominated by the home side and both Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez helped Barça to a 2-0 lead by the interval. But Real answered through Marcelo in the 50th minute and came extremely close to equalizing on a number of occasions before Suarez’s brilliant header in the 75th minute gave the league-leaders some breathing room.