Barcelona Players Rated And Slated In 3-0 Victory Vs Real Madrid: Messi, Pique And Paulinho Get 8/10

Ernesto Valverde’ first ever El Classico in charge in the La Liga ended in a comfortable victory for his side at the Bernabeu this weekend. The visitors were under pressure for most of the first half but Madrid failed to make the most of their chances, going into the break at 0-0. A good passage of play led to the first goal of the game after Sergi Roberto set Luis Suarez on goal for a simple finish.

Just 10 minutes later, a bizarre 20 seconds saw Dani Carvajal save a shot with his arm, which led to him being sent off. There was no way back for the hosts as Lionel Messi converted from the spot without much ado. Aleix Vidal added a third in stoppage time, as Barcelona opened up a 14 point gap over rivals Real Madrid with this victory. Here are the player ratings for the Catalans in this tie:

Barcelona Players Rated And Slated

Marc Andre Ter Stegen (8):

Made a superb save to deny Ronaldo in the first half and also kept out of a couple of shots late in the game, to hold on to his clean sheet.

Sergi Roberto (7):

A sensational ball to give Suarez a go on goal to open the scoring and also solid at the back, keeping Marcelo and Ronaldo at bay for most game.

Gerard Pique (8):

Kept a close eye on both Real attackers and hardly gave them any space. Made a stupendous block to deny Benzema at 0-0.

Thomas Vermaelen (6):

Looked nervous playing in his first ever El Classico but slowly grew in confidence and ended the game, dominating the Real attack.

Jordi Alba (7):

Stuck to his task well at the back, giving no space to work with for the hosts and was a constant outlet in attack, late in the game.

Sergio Busquets (8):

Was superb with his movement, interceptions and passing, and played a role in Barcelona’s opener, putting in an impressive display in the midfield.

Ivan Rakitic (7):

His charging run helped Barcelona open up Real Madrid’s defence for the opener and was also smart with his passing all afternoon, constantly troubling the hosts.

Paulinho (8):

Came close to scoring on more than one occasion and did well to regulate the midfield, keeping the ball rolling with confidence, in his first El Classico.

Andres Iniesta (7):

Was not his usual self till Real were down to 10-men but after the red, ran the game in the final third, helping his side run away with all three points.

Lionel Messi (8):

Scored his 25^th El Classico goal from six yards out, and created half chances almost every time he was on the ball, in yet another match-winning display from the Argentine.

Luis Suarez (7):

Growing in confidence by the game, Suarez scored a simple opener to set Barcelona off but was not at his usual best, in and around the box.

Barcelona pile on more misery on Real Madrid in 3-0 'Clasico' win

Barcelona exploited a lackluster Real Madrid to win the 'Clasico' 3-0 on Saturday as goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal propelled the Catalans to a 3-0 win and lifted them 14 points clear of their rivals in the standings.

Suarez capitalized on a wide open space in Madrid’s midfield to knock in a simple pass from Sergi Roberto following a breakaway move in the 54th minute. That opened the scoring after a tense but tight first half in the early afternoon sun at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Messi hammered in the second goal from the penalty spot 20 minutes later after Dani Carvajal was sent off for blocking a goal-bound header from Paulinho with his arm after Real were again easily picked apart on the counter attack.

Catalan defender turned winger Vidal hit the third in injury time to pile more misery on Madrid, who looked unrecognizable from the side that crushed Barca 5-1 on aggregate in the Spanish Super Cup in August.

Real failed to capitalize on their chances in the first half as Karim Benzema’s header came off the post and Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by the flailing leg of Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. However, the European and Liga champions collapsed after the interval and Barca took full advantage.

“We are feeling very angry because it’s a defeat that hurts a lot but we are not going to give up,” Real coach Zinedine Zidane told a news conference.

“It’s a complicated moment because of the defeat and the three goals, I could say we don’t deserve this but football is like this. This is a very painful defeat, we are all sad, especially me. But we will come back much stronger.”

Barca are nine points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid at the top of the standings although Valencia could climb to second and close the gap to eight points later on Saturday if they beat Villarreal. Real are 14 points adrift but have a game in hand.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said it was premature to assume that his side had wrapped up the title or to count Real out of the running.

“Of course not, the first round of fixtures hasn’t even finished. We’ve got the advantage, but we don’t focus on that,” he said.

Cristiano Ronaldo one of best in history, deserves respect: Ramos

Amid fresh doubts over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Real Madrid, the Spanish football club’s captain Sergio Ramos rated the Portuguese five-time Ballon d’Or winner as a “legend” who deserves respect.

“Our No. 7 is a forward like we have never seen,” Ramos said. “He is already a legend, and will be recognised as one of the best players in the history of football. Cristiano has a very important weight in the team, we all respect him,” Ramos told Telefoot and was quoted by ESPNFC.

Ronaldo’s goal helped Real win the the Club World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Gremio on Saturday.

According to another report by Marca, Ronaldo’s main bone of contention is moolah with both FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar possessing bigger contracts than his current Real deal.

Further complicating matters is Ronaldo’s ongoing issues with the Spanish tax authorities, who still maintain that he has committed a 14.7 million euro ($17.38 million) tax fraud.

Real president Florentino Perez on Saturday refuted the rumours saying the former Manchester United star should see out his career at the club, but added that the 32-year-old still has three-and-a-half years to run on a deal signed just over 12 months ago.

Read More: http://www.thestatesman.com/sports/cristiano-ronaldo-one-of-best-in-history-deserves-respect-ramos-1502547443.html

Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend shares cosy family photo as they all lounge at home after saying she's "luckiest woman in the world"

Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend treated fans to another look at their adorable family after welcoming little girl Alana Martina back in November.

Georgina Rodriguez , 23, uploaded a shot of the Portugese footballer, twins Matteo and Eva who were born earlier this year, seven-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo Jr and the newest addition to the family all lounging at home.


Mum and dad, who are both dressed casually, are cradling a baby each, while Cristiano Jr is holding onto little Matteo, who is dressed in a light blue babygro.

The cosy family post comes after she said they have become closer as a couple since welcoming their first child together.

Georgina also told of her pride in her famous partner, with whom she said she has a "beautiful relationship".

Georgina first introduced daughter Alana Martina, who was born on November 12 in Madrid, in Hello! magazine earlier this month and said: "It has definitely brought us closer. We're happier together than ever."

Read More: http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/cristiano-ronaldos-girlfriend-shares-cosy-11719313

Clasico win will give Barcelona a happy Christmas, says Messi

Lionel Messi wants Barcelona to beat Real Madrid in Saturday's (AEDT) El Clasico clash to ensure his side can enjoy a happy Christmas.

Barca head to the Bernabeu with an 11-point lead over rivals Madrid in the La Liga table, and six points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Victory for Ernesto Valverde's men would give Barca an overwhelming lead from last season's champions, who have a game in hand due to their trip to the FIFA Club World Cup.

And Messi, who missed out on this year's Ballon d'Or to Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, is keen for Barcelona to go into the winter break on a high.

Read More: https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/12/19/clasico-win-will-give-barcelona-happy-christmas-says-messi

Henk ten Cate proud of Al Jazira players after giving Real Madrid a fright in Fifa Club World Cup

The Arabian Gulf League leaders led at half time against the Spanish and European champions before goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale took Zinedine Zidane's men to a 2-1 victory.

On the eve of the biggest match of each of his players’ lives, Al Jazira manager Henk Ten Cate joked that they would have to park three buses in front of their goal to stop Real Madrid. And then maybe borrow a couple more, just to give themselves a chance.

In the end, all they actually needed was one Ali Khaseif. While the UAE national team goalkeeper was on the field, nothing that Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Isco, or any other Galactico you could care to mention could find a way past.

Khaseif’s heroism didn’t need a subplot. Fatefully, though, it got one, in the form of a first-half thigh strain. He battled on gamely, repelling everything that came near him, until he could last no longer.

Read More: https://www.thenational.ae/sport/club-world-cup/henk-ten-cate-proud-of-al-jazira-players-after-giving-real-madrid-a-fright-in-fifa-club-world-cup-1.684285

Man Utd star: My heart told me to join Manchester United instead of Real Madrid

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has revealed that he had been in contact with Real Madrid prior to his switch to Old Trafford from Juventus. The France international sealed his Old Trafford return in the summer of 2016 after United paid a then-world-record fee of £89.3m.

Speaking on the ‘Beyond the Pitch’ podcast, the 24-year-old confirmed that he had considered a move to the Bernabeu, but the opportunity to make a comeback with Manchester United changed his eventual decision.

“To be honest, Real Madrid came to me and I was thinking to go there, and I was thinking to go to Manchester United too. But I always felt it in my heart. My heart told me to come back here [Manchester], I don’t know why, I didn’t know what was going to happen. But I did it, and I don’t regret. I never regret my choice,” he said h/t Sky Sports.

Pogba had a mixed first season under Jose Mourinho as he struggled to find the right balance between attack and defence. The Frenchman’s tendency to push forward often left a space in midfield which the opposition could capitalise on.

However, he has made a vast improvement in his second year, although suspension and a hamstring injury have restricted him to just 11 appearances for United across all competitions. The Frenchman has still stood out with his showing, contributing three goals and five assists in the English top-flight.

Pogba is certain to miss the Bournemouth game on Wednesday night as he serves the second game of a three-match suspension, which he received for a rash but yet unintentional challenge on Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin earlier in the month.

Read more: http://www.thefaithfulmufc.com/man-utd-star-heart-told-join-manchester-united-instead-real-madrid/