How Real suffer without Benzema, Ronaldo goals

Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema heads the ball between Sevilla's French defender Lionel Carole (L) and Sevilla's French defender Clement Lenglet (R) during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid and Sevilla. Photo: AFP
Six goals between Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the current LaLiga season is a woefully disappointing return, according to MARCA.

Therein lies an explanation for many of Real Madrid problems this season, with a 14 point gap between the reigning champions and the current league leaders, Barcelona, who look destined to lift the trophy.

That statistic is particularly worrying in the case of Cristiano Ronaldo, a player who has always averaged more than a goal a game since his arrival in Spain.

With 422 strikes from 416 outings , his average is 1.01 goals per game.

This season though, he has become a Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde style player, unstoppable in the Champions League with nine goals in six games, but weak in LaLiga with only four goals, against Getafe, Malaga and Sevilla (a brace).

This time last year, the Portuguese international had notched 12 times.

The campaign didn’t get off to the greatest of starts for Ronaldo, having to serve a suspension for his sending off in the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana and missing the opening four league games as a result.

Without their talisman in attack, Zinedine Zidane’s team got off to a slow start, with draws against Valencia and Levante in his absence, and on both occasions a goalscorer could have turned one point into three.

Even with Ronaldo back in the side, things didn’t improve.

Read More: http://punchng.com/how-real-suffer-without-benzema-ronaldo-goals/

Versatile Barcelona Midfielder Now On Liverpool’s Radar: Just The Kind Of Player They Are Missing?

Liverpool are reportedly lining up a move for Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto. A report in the English press has claimed that the Reds are set to battle with their rivals Manchester United in pursuit of the Spanish midfielder’s signature. Some bookies are suggesting that the 25-year-old could be used on the right-back position by both clubs if they are successful in their attempts to convince Barcelona to part ways with their prized asset.

Nathaniel Clyne is currently out with a long-term injury and Joe Gomez, who is more of a centre-back is filling out as a makeshift right-back. The youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold has also featured in the position for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool this season although he has been used sporadically so far. So the German manager is likely to have identified the position as an area he needs to address soon as his side prepares to fight for a Champions League spot for next season.

Borussia Dortmund is also being reported to have joined in on the race for Roberto with the reigning Premier League champions Chelsea an outside shout to come in with an offer for him. BetStars Director of Trading Ian Marmion has shed some light on Roberto’s future destinations. He said:

“Manchester United and Liverpool are both interested in signing Barcelona’s versatile midfielder Sergi Roberto in the January transfer window. “Roberto has spent much of the last two seasons playing at right-back and United may see him as a long-term successor to Antonio Valencia, whereas Liverpool could use him immediately, with first-choice right-back Nathaniel Clyne still out with a recurring back injury.

Read More: http://the4thofficial.net/2017/12/versatile-barcelona-midfielder-now-liverpools-radar-just-kind-player-missing/

Messi breaks yet another record!

Lionel Messi became the all-time top scorer in Europe’s top five leagues for a single club after he scored from the penalty spot as Barcelona opened up a 14-point gap over their rivals Real Madrid with a resounding 3-0 win at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Messi's goal was his 526th in all competitions for Barcelona, giving him the very enviable honour.

Bayern Munich legend Muller scored 525 times for the Bundesliga club in 572 appearances between 1965 and 1979 while Messi's total has been achieved in 608 appearances for the Barca.

Messi has also scored more El Clasico goals than any other player throughout the history of the famous fixture. He has now scored 25 goals in 37 El Clasico games, with Real Madrid legend second with 18, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 17.

Read More: http://www.barcalens.com/2017/12/messi-breaks-yet-another-record.html

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