MESSI MAKES BEST START TO LIGA SEASON EVER

The Argentine brought his total to 11 goals in seven league matches – the best opening to a season in his career

Lionel Messi's double against Las Palmas on Sunday meant the Argentine is now off to the best goalscoring start of his Liga career.

With Camp Nou closed to fans due to clashes between protesters and police in Barcelona over the Catalan independence referendum, Barcelona defeated Las Palmas 3-0 on the strength of two second-half Messi strikes.

Read More: http://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-off-to-best-goalscoring-start-of-la-liga-career/14aoe23p9hctp19lnal0zrnzw5

La Liga Breakdown - Terry Gibson analyses Real Madrid weaknesses

Sky Sports’ La Liga expert Terry Gibson reviews Girona's impressive 2-1 victory over Real Madrid from gameweek eight in La Liga.

Ahead of their Champions League clash against Tottenham at Wembley on Wednesday night, Gibson highlights some of Real's weaknesses after suffering a shock defeat at the hands of the newly-promoted La Liga side.

Cristhian Stuani and Portu struck quickfire goals in the second half to wipe out Real's first-half lead given to them by Isco, as Girona wrote themselves into history in their first league meeting against the champions.

Mauricio Pochettino's side currently sit top of Group H, ahead of the defending champions on goal difference, after their 1-1 draw with Real at the Bernabeu last time out.

With both teams six points ahead of third-placed Borussia Dortmund and last-placed Apoel Nicosia, victory for either would see them progress to the last 16.

Is there hope for Spurs at Wembley? Watch the video above to see Terry's analysis

Read More: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11835/11107243/la-liga-breakdown-terry-gibson-analyses-real-madrid-weaknesses

Real Madrid will improve against Tottenham after dreadful Girona loss, Guillem Balague warns

After their "dreadful" showing at Girona, Guillem Balague has warned Real Madrid will be "a completely different team" when they take on Tottenham at Wembley.

The Spanish champions suffered a shock defeat of the season at the weekend as La Liga newcomers Girona came from behind to claimed a historic 2-1 victory.

After handing the initiative to Barca in the La Liga title race, Real will hope to have more success as they continue the defence of their Champions League crown.

The reigning European champions head to Wembley for the very first time on Wednesday, and Balague believes Real's performance will be in stark contrast to that seen in Girona.

"You will see a different Real Madrid," the Sky Sports Spanish football expert said. "The same guys that played so poorly at Girona will raise their game.

"Real Madrid have never played at Wembley and the game is being billed as one of the games of the week after Spurs' impressive display at the Bernabeu.

"Spurs were a little unlucky at Manchester United, the game could've gone either way, especially if Dele Alli had scored.

"It will be a serious encounter, it cannot be any other way."

Though Balague expects to see a Real Madrid with renewed focus in north London, he admitted there have been "obvious problems" at the Bernabeu.

Read More: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11835/11105850/real-madrid-will-improve-against-tottenham-after-dreadful-girona-loss-guillem-balague-warns

Why wouldn’t Cristiano Ronaldo swap shirts?! Girona player reveals all

Cristiano Ronaldo is a competitive man and he really doesn’t like losing.



Nevertheless there’s a certain unwritten code when it comes to footballers, that no matter what the score you will swap shirts when asked. This is especially pertinent for someone like Ronaldo, who is one of the most desirable shirts to receive.

Yet, as it turns out, he wasn’t in a particularly swapping mood after Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss to Girona on the weekend.

Girona vice-captain Alex Granell revealed in an interview on Spanish radio that Ronaldo had told him he didn’t want to swap shirts because of how Girona saw out the game.

Read More: http://lebuzz.eurosport.co.uk/viral/hadnt-liked-managed-final-minutes-girona-player-reveals-ronaldo-wouldnt-swap-shirts-33287/

Valverde: We took a step forward despite draw

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde felt his team took a "step forward", but he lamented their 0-0 draw with Olympiacos in the Champions League.

The LaLiga leaders failed to score in a Champions League group-stage match for the first time since 2012 as they were held in Greece on Tuesday.

Despite the result, Barcelona retained a three-point lead atop Group D after Juventus drew with Sporting CP.

Valverde praised his players for their efforts despite not getting the result they wanted.

"We were lacking a goal. We tried to get closer to their area on the basis of longer possession," he said.

"But they did a great job in defence and tried to hit us on the counter-attack, spurred on by their fans.

"You could see what amazing people there are here. We wanted to secure qualification but we failed.

"It was still a step forward, but not the one we wanted. The players emptied their tanks out there."

The clash marked a return to his former club for Valverde, who coached Olympiacos in two stints in 2008-09 and 2010-12.

Despite being on the opposite side of the fanatical Olympiacos support, Valverde praised the fans.

"The answer to everything is how well our opponents played. They stuck tight together as a unit. We were up against an opponent that did their job well from start to finish," he said.

"I always had this atmosphere in my favour and today it was against me. I know what the Champions League means to these fans because I've experienced it myself many times.

"It may have come as a surprise to people coming from Barcelona, even though everyone knows how intense Greek football support can be. It was extraordinary. Really nice."

Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/valverde-we-took-a-step-forward-despite-draw#a53AsT1srS6WjmTd.99

Neymar plotting shock Real Madrid move due to PSG discomfort

Unai Emery's tactics and a mammoth contract would mean the end of the Brazilian's adventure in France to join Los Blancos.

Neymar's return to La Liga might happen sooner than expected, but some fans will be disappointed by the team he's set to return to.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Don Balón, Neymar's father has been holding meetings with Florentino Pérez to have his son joining Real Madrid. The Brazilian player, currently the world's most expensive footballer. would be keen on returning to La Liga if things don't improve for him at PSG.

The report states that Unai Emery's tactics at PSG are not satisfying enough for the Brazilian, especially because he hasn't been able to establish himself as the group's leader. Furthermore, his complicated relationship with some members of the squad -namely Edinson Cavani- have him ready to force a move back to Spain, but wearing Real Madrid's jersey.

Even if he has a wonderful relationship with his former team-mates, things between the player, his father, and Barcelona's execs didn't end in the best of terms, ruling out the possibility of a comeback. The option of playing for Real Madrid seduces Neymar, especially if he takes the starring role as Cristiano Ronaldo's replacement.

Both parties have allegedly agreed to wait, as Neymar still wants to give it a try as PSG's star. If the Brazilian sees that winning the UCL and the Ballon D'Or with Les Parisiens is possible, he will not push for an exit. If the team's run this season isn't satisfying enough, then his move to Los Blancos could take place next summer.

Read More: http://www.livesoccertv.com/news/24429/neymar-plotting-shock-real-madrid-move-due-to-psg-discomfort/

Barcelona, Liverpool move in on Arsenal target Thomas Lemar

With the January window on the horizon, there's plenty brewing in the transfer market. All the latest deals and potential deals can be found here.

TOP STORY: Arsenal face stiff competition for Lemar

Arsenal maintains an interest in Thomas Lemar but the Mirror reports that Barcelona and Liverpool will now rival them for the Monaco star.

The Gunners identified the France international as a potential replacement for Alexis Sanchez in the summer following Manchester City's late push for the Chilean.

Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev insists a deal for Lemar to move to the Emirates was "really close" with a £90 million offer tabled. But with the deal falling through ahead of the deadline, the Gunners pulled the plug on Sanchez's proposed move to the Etihad.

Lemar is expected to use the increased interest to command wages of up to £250,000-per-week when he does eventually move -- likely after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.


Thomas Lemar Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

Barcelona monitor new deal for Dybala

Paulo Dybala's new contract with Juventus looks close to being finalised, but Barcelona are monitoring the details of the Argentinian's extension, according to Calciomercato.

The No. 10's release clause could be set at a huge €230m, which was a previously unthinkable sum before Paris Saint-Germain grabbed Neymar from the Blaugrana this summer for around £200m.

The former Palermo star's rise has continued for the Old Lady this term, striking 11 times in just 10 Serie A appearances, meaning that fee could become an attractive figure by next year for some of Europe's richest clubs.

A potential linkup with compatriot Lionel Messi has always fuelled speculation of interest from Barca, but the steep price could now dissuade them after forking out £135.5m for Ousmane Dembele last summer.

Juve offered Rafinha

While Barca are looking to boost Ernesto Valverde's squad, others may be moved on with Sport reporting that Juventus have been offered Rafinha.

The Brazilian, who is on the fringe of the first team when fit, has been plagued by injuries recently and has just two years remaining on his contract at the Camp Nou.

It remains to be seen whether the Old Lady will bite and submit an offer for the 24-year-old, possibly in January, with the player aiming to play at the World Cup next summer.

Arsenal prepare summer move for Jorginho

Napoli star Jorginho could be the centre of attention for Arsenal scouts tomorrow in their Champions League game with Manchester City, according to the Sun.

The Brazilian has already played international football for Italy but remains eligible for both countries having not played a competitive match for either. Giampiero Ventura's reluctance to select him for the Azzurri is baffling after Jorginho's excellent performances as the pass master for Maurizio Sarri's side.

The 25-year-old is under contract until 2020, but the Gunners appear to be readying an offer next summer to add a focal point to their midfield.

Read More: http://www.espn.in/football/blog/transfer-talk/79/post/3253391/barcelona-liverpool-move-in-on-arsenal-target-thomas-lemar