Barcelona needed just a point to retain the title and they duly obliged to become the first side to win three consecutive league titles since 1993 when Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona ’Dream Team’ won the third of their four straight league crowns.

Mali midfielder Seydo Keita headed in a 27th minute opener for Barcelona only for Ecuadorian striker Felipe Caicedo to equalise on 40 minutes, but it didn’t matter as a draw gave the Catalan side the title.

“It’s always a nice feeling to win the title and the fans really deserve this,” said midfielder Xavi.

“I imagine we’re going to celebrate this title win with them tonight in the streets of Barcelona.” Barcelona stand six points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid and they lift the title courtesy of their superior head to head record over their rivals.

Coach Pep Guardiola has won the league title in each of his three seasons in charge and can now concentrate on going for the double with the Champions League final against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 28.

“Winning the title is always difficult and this one was tough just like the others were before,” said Guardiola. “Now we can enjoy this win.” Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday meant Barcelona had to finish the title job themselves.

Guardiola vowed not to rest his stars and was true to his word as the likes of Lionel Messi, David Villa and Xavi started although Andres Iniesta began on the bench.

French international Eric Abidal also started at left back in his first league start since mid-March having successfully undergone surgery on a liver tumour.

Levante sounded an early warning with Valdo firing just wide but the visitors drew first blood through Keita on 27 minutes.

Xavi picked out Keita as he made a late run into the box and he produced a terrific header.

Barcelona had one hand on the trophy but got complacent with Spanish international Gerard Pique making a schoolboy defensive mistake to confuse goalkeeper Victor Valdes and Caicedo was on hand to equalise.

Messi went close with a free-kick before the interval but at the break the title was in their hands despite a below-par display.

The champions came out with more urgency in the second half and Dutch winger Ibrahim Afellay saw a fierce shot whistle wide.

Messi then took centre stage on 57 minutes with a neat turn and dribble past three men with his quick feet but his shot crashed against the left hand post to safety.

The Ballon D’Or holder then went on another mazy run but his shot crept wide as Barcelona waited for a goal to ease their nerves.

Both teams appeared happy with the draw, with Levante moving four points above the relegation zone, as the game petered out and Barcelona popped the champagne corks.

In other matches, Valencia missed the chance to seal third spot in the league following a 2-2 draw at Espanyol.

Ernesto Galan scored a 76th minute equaliser for Espanyol to salvage a point and leave Valencia, five points ahead of fourth-placed Villarreal, needing a point from their remaining two games to clinch third and the automatic Champions League berth.

Villarreal drew 0-0 with relegated Almeria on Wednesday and have guaranteed fourth spot and a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Down at the bottom promoted Hercules, one of only two teams to beat Barcelona in the league this season, were relegated following a 2-2 home draw against Real Mallorca on Wednesday.

Hercules led 2-0 but two goals in four minutes late in the second half sees them six points adrift of safety and Getafe’s superior head to head record means they join Almeria in being relegated from the Spanish top-flight Elsewhere Real Zaragoza stay third from bottom, one point from safety, after a painful 2-1 defeat at Real Sociedad.

Source + Pic: timeslive.co.za

Spanish World Cup winners Xavi and Pedro Rodriguez put Barcelona into a two-goal lead after just 17 minutes and David Villa marked his first Clasico with a brace inside two minutes (54 min, 56) before Jeffren added a late fifth as Mourinho stomached an unforgettable first defeat in charge of Real.

“It was an important win by a big margin and it puts us top two points above Real in the table which is what we wanted,” said Villa. “However, it is only November and there are lots of games left and we have to keep on winning.”

For Barcelona it was a fifth successive Clasico win over their arch rivals as coach Pep Guardiola maintained his 100 percent record in the fixture and exacted revenge over Mourinho, whose Inter Milan side defeated Barcelona in last season’s Champions League semifinals.

Real went into the game unbeaten and hoping for a first win at Camp Nou since December 2007.

However, Barcelona gave old boy Mourinho, who used to work for the Catalan club as a translator under Bobby Robson, a night to forget with an emphatic win, one of the heaviest defeats in his glittering career, that evoked memories of the 6-2 drubbing of Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in May 2009.

“One team played to their potential and one didn’t,” said Mourinho. “It was a defeat that we fully deserved but I don’t think you can say it reflected the difference between the two sides.

“The championship isn’t over today. We are two points behind the leaders but there are lots of games left to play. We have to show character, train hard and get back to winning. I wish we were playing tomorrow.”

It was a huge psychological win for Barca in the title race and the omens are good with the winner of the first Clasico going on to be crowned champions in the last six seasons.

Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain was a last-minute withdrawal for Real due to injury so French international Karim Benzema was handed a chance to shine on the biggest stage.

Guardiola said Real were the best counter-attacking team in the world but said Barcelona would attack and they were good to their word.

In the fifth minute Messi surprised everyone by curling a beautiful left-footed chip onto the post with Iker Casillas well beaten.

It was a warning that Real didn’t heed and on nine minutes the hosts took the lead through Xavi.

Andres Iniesta fed a pass into the penalty area with Marcelo failing to intercept the pass and Xavi took advantage of a fortunate piece of control to prod calmly past Casillas to the delight of the home fans.

Real had the best defence in the league beforehand and this was only the seventh goal they had conceded under Mourinho.

The visitors responded with Angel di Maria forcing Victor Valdes to tip over a fierce shot but Barcelona were looking dangerous and struck again on 17 minutes through Pedro.

Villa went past Sergio Ramos by the touchline and Casillas could only fingertip his cross into the path of the inrushing Pedro who fired home.

Cristiano Ronaldo, top-scorer in the league with 14 goals, then took centre stage with his pass almost reaching Benzema only for Eric Abidal to avert the danger.

On the half hour mark Ronaldo started a melee when he pushed Barca coach Guardiola for holding the ball, earning him a yellow card, and then whistled a fine free-kick past the post of Victor Valdes.

Real brought off the ineffective Mesut Ozil at half-time with Lass Diarra replacing him but it was more of the same as Barcelona dominated.

Villa went close with his goal-bound shot blocked but on 54 minutes Messi fed the Spanish World Cup winner, who took the pass brilliantly in his stride before firing past Casillas.

Real complained that Villa was offside but the goal stood and two minutes later the 40-million-euro signing from Valencia struck again with his eighth league goal of the season.

A defence-splitting pass from Messi released Villa, who beat Casillas again and left Real 4-0 down before the hour mark.

Substitute Jeffren Suarez netted a fifth late on and Sergio Ramos was sent off in the final minute for a terrible foul on Messi and then shoving Carles Puyol as tempers boiled over.

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

He did however produce a moment of magic by ‘back’ passing the ball to Xabi Alonso. Check this out:

Source: goal.com

It’s been 16 years since Real Madrid gave a 17-year old Raul a chance and he will always be loyal to the club for this, he says after saying his farewells to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Real captain was a key part of one of the club’s most successful sides ever, winning three Champions League trophies and 16 titles in total, but was only a bit-part player last season and has decided to end his career elsewhere.

“It’s a hard day for me,” he said at a press conference. “I feel like a footballer still and I will keep on playing, but I will always be loyal to Real Madrid. I have tried to give everything in my time here.”

Raul is expected to sign for Bundesliga club Schalke and the striker says the time is right for a new challenge.

“A new period starts today,” he said. “I have been happy at Real Madrid and I will always be willing to help the club in whatever it needs.”

Madrid president Florentino Perez also paid tribute to the departing idol.

“We will never forget Raul,” he said. “There are many men who form part of the legend of Real Madrid, but few that are chosen to embody the club – Raul is one of those.”

Raul scored 323 goals in 741 games for Real Madrid, as well as 44 in 102 appearances for Spain.

His departure follows that of midfielder Guti, who had spent just a year less than Raul (15) in the first team.

Guti is expected to join Besiktas in Turkey and on his departure said he was closing a “glorious stage” in his career as he parted ways with Real.

“I believe you have to be aware that there are stages that close and in this case for me it is a very glorious stage at Real Madrid which is coming to an end,” the 33-year-old told a news conference.

“I think you have to make room for younger players and know that football is like that.

“It is a complicated and difficult moment but you have to know that these things happen in football and that at certain moments, regardless of the talent you have, it is your time to leave a club or leave football and life goes on.”

Source + Pic: aggbot.com

After a board meeting at Valencia in the morning, their president Manuel Llorente said they had accepted Barca’s offer for the striker who scored 21 league goals last season to finish his fifth consecutive campaign as the club’s top scorer.

“We have sold David Villa to Barcelona for 40 million euros,” he told a news conference at the Mestalla.

On the international stage, Villa is Spain’s second highest scorer with 36 goals from 55 matches, eight short of Raul’s record, and he will be spearheading Spain’s World Cup campaign in South Africa next month.

Barcelona confirmed the deal in a statement on their website (www.fcbarcelona.com), saying the 28-year-old would sign a four-year contract with an option for one more year.

The player, who Barca said ‘guaranteed goals’, will travel to Barcelona on Thursday and will take a medical before being presented on Friday at 1130 GMT.

At Barcelona he will join a formidable forward line that already includes La Liga’s leading marksman Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pedro and Bojan Krkic.

France striker Thierry Henry spent most of last season on the bench and is expected to move on.

Valencia have been forced into the sale by the precarious nature of their finances. They are burdened with debts of around 500 million euros ($620.8 million), they have a half-built new stadium, and have yet to sell their current one, the Mestalla.

“The board’s principle objective is to make sure we have economic viability for the future,” Llorente added. “We are obliged to take responsible decisions. Considering our situation it is responsible to sell this player.

“As everyone knows we could have done this deal last year but we thought at that moment it was best to keep our squad together to try and get into the Champions League.

“We have achieved that aim and finished third in the league, and he has contributed a lot towards this. We think it is good sale and necessary for the economic situation of the club.”

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

Madrid will be without Brazil playmaker Kaka, and Barcelona will be missing striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Kaka is still hampered by a groin injury while Ibrahimovic has failed to recover from a calf problem.

Both clubs have 77 points with eight games left to play.

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has called on his team to show no fear as it looks to overturn a three-game losing streak against the defending champions.

“I consider Barcelona a very good team but I’ve never been afraid of anybody,” the Chilean coach said. “A draw is always a bad result for my team. We’ve never speculated over a result and even less so at the Bernabeu where we still haven’t lost. We’ve always gone out to attack our rival from the start and on this occasion it won’t be any different.”

If the teams draw and go on to finish the season tied on points, Barcelona would win the championship with a better head-to-head record due to a 1-0 win against Madrid in December.

Madrid are enjoying a 12-game winning streak and haven’t lost in 15 league games at the Bernabeu. But Barcelona has Lionel Messi, who is coming off a four-goal performance against Arsenal that put the team into the Champions League semifinals for the third straight year.

“The game won’t be dependent on what Messi does,” Pellegrini said. “Every player has an extra motivation when two such important teams meet in a match that transcends so much.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola wants his team to be “bold,” while cautioning that last year’s record 6-2 victory would be impossible to repeat.

“We have to get back to showing that we’re capable of demonstrating and that we’re worthy of being Spanish champions again,” Guardiola said.

Guardiola, who has won all three games as coach against Madrid, will be missing left back Eric Abidal to a thigh injury, but can at least count on the return of center back Gerard Pique.

“I again want to finish the game with a very good feeling. The image we give is very important,” Guardiola said. “Doing things a certain way has gotten us very far and now, more than ever, we have to do them again.”

Source: supersport.co.za

Former England captain Beckham had been strongly linked with a second loan spell with the Rossoneri to improve his chances of making Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani claimed last week an announcement was imminent – and it has been confirmed on the club’s official website on Monday evening.

Beckham moved to the San Siro during Major League Soccer’s off-season last January, initially on a three-month loan deal, but impressed so much his stay was extended until the end of the Serie A campaign.

The 34-year-old returned to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the summer after helping Milan to fourth place in Serie A, with two goals in 18 league appearances.

Milan have announced a six-month deal on this occasion, meaning Beckham will remain in Italy up until the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said on the club’s official website: “We are very happy to see again David Beckham with the Rossoneri jersey after the splendid experience of last season.

“We are certain that this time in Europe will help the player take part in the next World Cup and to continue after his career in Los Angeles Galaxy, to whom we thank for their time.”

His first Serie A game this season could be against Genoa at the San Siro on January 6.

Galliani continued: “We are confident his loan spell will not only improve Milan, it will help the player to take part in the World Cup in South Africa and continue to enhance his career in North America with the LA Galaxy.

“We would like to thank the Galaxy and MLS for their co-operation and understanding.”

A statement from LA Galaxy read: “We have today completed the loan agreement of midfielder David Beckham to AC Milan, effective in January.

“Beckham remains under contract to the Galaxy and will play for the club throughout the MLS Cup play-offs, which continue on Sunday.

“In accordance with team and league regulations, details of the loan agreement were not released.”

Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said: “We are pleased to finalise David’s loan to AC Milan and we look forward to his return to the Galaxy after the 2010 World Cup,”

Following the conclusion of the MLS season, Beckham and the rest of the Galaxy will travel to Germany for the club’s 2009 post-season tour.

He will officially join AC Milan on December 28 and will remain with the club throughout their season, which ends on May 16, before rejoining the Galaxy when the summer transfer window opens in July 2010.

Beckham joined the Galaxy in January 2007, making his debut in a friendly against Chelsea in July of that year.

In three seasons with the club, he has appeared in 41 MLS games, scoring seven goals.

He missed the first half of the 2009 MLS season while on loan to Milan, but returned to the Galaxy in July.

Beckham is clearly looking ahead to the World Cup, which begins in South Africa on June 11.

He said: “I need to give myself the best chance possible to make the World Cup squad and playing for Milan on loan will help me to do that.

“I genuinely enjoyed my time at Milan and I look forward to meeting the players and staff again.

“I’m thankful to Tim Leiweke and Bruce Arena for allowing me this opportunity.

“I’m committed to LA Galaxy and MLS in the long term and remain as passionate as ever about growing the game of soccer in America.

“I’m completely focused on ending this season on a high note with my club by winning the MLS Cup.”

Source: teamtalk.com

It was a display of poise, attacking quality, hunger and a will to win from the heroic home side who secured the most memorable night in their 38 year history as a shambolic, disorganised Madrid looked like footballing minnows.

The first half well and truly belonged to the hosts, who dominated Real Madrid from start to finish and the three goal interval lead could have been more as the visitors looked more like the Segunda B side.

Sergio Mora, Ruben Sanz, and Borja all put Jerzy Dudek to the test before Alcorcon eventually took a deserved lead after just 15 minutes as Borja Gomez skipped past the challenge of Mali international Mahamadou Diarra before clipping the ball past the Polish stopper to send the home support into raptures.

Madrid tried to respond but Rafael Van der Vaart’s effort lacked conviction and minutes later the Galacticos were two behind. Dutch midfielder Royston Drenthe got caught out of position and Alvaro Arbeloa stuck out his foot to intercept a low cross from the right but managed only to send the ball into the top corner of the net past a hapless Dudek.

Alcorcon were playing the game of their lives and not to be outdone, goalkeeper Juanma joined in with a terrific double save from Van der Vaart and Raul and followed that up with another save, at full stretch to his right to thwart the Dutch attacker once more.

The home side were giving the visitors a lesson in desire and commitment, while exposing Drenthe at left-back once more as Borja continued to probe down that wing and the third inevitably came as Diego Cascon took advantage of Drenthe’s absence, firing in a low cross which Ernesto met at the far post to tap home to give the home side an incredible 3-0 half-time lead.

Real introduced Fernando Gago for Guti at the break but the second half continued in similar vein to the first with Alcorcon starting like a team with real ambition. From a free-kick down the right, conceded by Drenthe who was living a nightmare at left-back, Dudek’s punch failed to clear the danger and as the ball was played back in Gomez was on hand to coolly slot past the ‘keeper into the far corner of the net, from just eight yards, after excellent control with his chest.

It could have been five moments later but Cascon failed to get a touch on a low ball across the box.

As the home side began to tire in the final half hour coach Juan Antonio Anquela made changes with Fernando Bejar and the excellent Ernesto making way for Carmelo and Jeremy.

Madrid enjoyed more possession as the game drew to a close but were restricted to shots from distance as Marcelo and Ruud van Nistelrooy both entered the fray as coach Manuel Pellegrini played all his cards.

What Los Merengues did manage to create in terms of a goal threat was a result of individual craft and not team football and even then Juanma in the Alcorcon goal was rarely troubled as Karim Benzema and sub van Nistelrooy tested him on just a couple of occasions.

Juanma was booked late on for time wasting but Diarra, Guti and Raul Albiol all picked up yellow cards in petulant displays of frustration on a shocking night for Los Blancos.

There is a home leg still to come but on this display it is Alcorcon who deserve to be in the fifth round as Manuel Pellegrini’s misfiring Madrid superstars must now face an inquisition of mammoth proportions.

Source + Pic: goal.com

Messi’s entourage “knows that Barca want the player to feel good here… We are proud to have him in the team because he is the best player in the world.”

The negotiations are continuing “at a good pace,” he said.

The 22-year-old is under contract with Barca until 2010. His salary is estimated at eight million euros per year.

Coach Pep Guardiola said meanwhile said that the arrival of Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will help keep Messi on his toes, and that’s what he needs.

“If Leo isn’t under pressure, he gets bored,” he said.

Ibrahimovic was signed from Inter Milan last month on a five-year deal which involved Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o moving the other way and the Italian side receiving €46 million as well as Alexander Hleb on loan.

Source: supersport.co.za

Alvaro Arbeloa

The 26-year-old Arbeloa passed a medical on Wednesday in Madrid
before completing his £3.5 million transfer
from Liverpool.

“The results of every test are very satisfactory,” Dr Carlos
Diez said. “He is delighted about playing for Real Madrid. It’s
always been his dream. He can’t wait to join his teammates.”

Arbeloa becomes the club’s seventh offseason signing, after
Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol, Alvaro Negredo
and Esteban Granero.

“Arbeloa’s versatility allows him to play anywhere in defence,”
Madrid said on their website. “He is a very regular and consistent
player who thrives in one-on-ones.”

Arbeloa, who was part of the Spain squad that won the 2008
European championship, was with Madrid as a youth player before
moving to Deportivo La Coruna in 2006 and then on to Liverpool six
months later.

The right back was in the final year of his Liverpool contract,
having moved to Anfield for £2.6 million in January 2007. He
played 99 games for the English club and scored two goals.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has already spent £17.5 million on England right back Glen Johnson, who is expected to take
Arbeloa’s place in the side.

Liverpool also have Swiss international Philipp Degen back after
rib and lung injuries. Jamie Carragher has also filled in at right
back.

Source: supersport.co.za

Pic: goal.com