El Clásico - It ended all square at the Camp Nou

Sergio Ramos cancelled Luis Suarez opener in the dying moments and rescued a point for Real Madrid.

With this draw Real Madrid increased their winning run to 33 games and maintain six points lead over 2nd placed Barcelona.

The match had all the drama. An early penalty shout by Real Madrid denied by the referee, niggling fouls by both the teams, some nervy moments and of course the two headed goals.

As it all happened, both teams dominated either half of the game and in the end the draw was an apt result.

Real Madrid had fair number of chances in the first half and could have gone up but somehow it remained nil nil.

Barcelona took the lead under 10 minutes into the second half through Luis Suarez after Varane fouled Neymar on the left flank, after the goal they had 3-4 chances gone begging and ultimately paid the price, when Luka Modric's delivery found Sergio Ramos header who saved the day for Los Blancos.

Messi has now gone 6 Clásicos without finding the back of the net. He had a chance in this game but he dragged his shot wide. 

Barcelona needed a win to revitalize their dull season, however for Real Madrid it's job done as they would be happy to leave away with a point.

The draw keeps Los Blancos on top of the table and their streak intact.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Cristiano Ronaldo closing in on another record

After starting this season tad slow, Cristiano Ronaldo has been among the goals recently. A hat-trick at Vicente Calderon then followed by a brace against Sporting Gijon. he is already leading the race for the Pichichi. 

Ronaldo has established himself as a prolific goal scorer since joining Real Madrid in 2009. He is already the leading goal scorer for Real Madrid. His movements in the box coupled with his finishing and heading skills makes him a deadly in front of the goal.

A player who was more of a midfielder at his previous club, Manchester United, has transformed himself into one of the best strikers in the world.

Cristiano is just 12 goals away...

All his goal scoring has brought him to this position and now he has just two men ahead of him.
In the all-time record of top goal scorers from the top 5 European leagues, only Gerd Muller 365 goals and former Spurs man Jimmy Greaves with 366 goals are ahead now.

The goal scoring ratio Cristiano has he can beat this record in about 10 La Liga matches. Leo Messi isn't too far behind either and he must also have somthing to say on this record.
Well time will tell who breaks more record between Ronaldo and Messi.

Most goals ever in top 5 leagues Europe:

366 ― Jimmy Greaves
365 ― Gerd Müller
354 ― Cristiano Ronaldo
321 ― Leo Messi
317 ― Steve Bloomer

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Zinedine Zidane calls for players to show flexibility to fill void left by Gareth Bale

After it is confirmed that Gareth Bale will be out for a significant period of time. Zidane feels the available players should show some versatility to fill up the void left by Gareth Bale's unprecedented injury.

Real Madrid are the current LaLiga toppers and head to Camp Nou for the first El Clasico of the season next weekend.

And Zidane believes it's time, the depth of squad will be tested. With players like Kroos and Morata still on the sidelines, Los Blancos are given some boost as Casemiro and Pepe are back in training and available to play this Saturday against Sporting Gijon.

"It's quite hard to see those injured players miss out," said Zidane, whose LaLiga leaders travel to Barcelona for the first Clasico of the season next weekend. "We do everything in our power, but sometimes that is not enough. Things happen when you play.

"We know we are doing things well. It is upsetting when you see a player out injured – our latest injury for example, Gareth Bale. He is going to be out for quiet a while.

"We are going to maintain our focus on Saturday's game, which is a tough game after two demanding outings.

"Sometimes you may think we might change formations or what our plans are, but we have a set idea and a lot of versatile footballer who can play in many positions That's the benefit of having great players." 

Zidane was asked whether delaying Bale's surgery until after El Clasico was a possibility and he confirmed taking such a risk was never realistically on the table.

"We looked at all the options, we spoke to all the best doctors and they all agreed," he explained.

Following the controversy around James Rodriguez's alleged bad behaviour after being left out on the bench against Sporting CP midweek, Zidane was asked if he would leave the club if he were in his shoes,

Zidane replied: "No, what a question.

"It's not true that he's not playing at all. I'd stay here at the club, a great club, and he will play."

Zidane added: "A player of his standing, of course he wants to play more, but it is down to me to decide.

"I know he is going to be an important player for Real Madrid. He hasn't been playing recently because others have come in and done a very good job.

"There's not much more to say – you look at the rest of the footballers and they are playing very well too, but James is a key player."

The Frenchman tried clearing the cloud over James Rodriguez's move away from Santiago Bernabeu and says he will get time to play.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Massive blow for Real Madrid ahead of next month's El Clasico

​Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale will miss next month's Clasico clash with Barcelona after picking up an ankle injury in Tuesday night's Champions League win over Sporting CP.

The European champions have now confirmed Bale has damaged tendons in his ankle, and according to the ​Star, it's likely he will miss out on the blockbuster clash because of the expected recovery time from his injury. 

The club confirmed in a statement on Wednesday: "After tests our player Gareth Bale today at University Hospital Sanitas La Moraleja has been diagnosed with a traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendons in his right ankle."

Bale has been in excellent form this season and helped Real destroy neighbours Atletico 3-0 at Vicente Calderon in their last league outing.

Los Blancos are already marred by some injuries lately. But this come as a heavy blow for them as the time of season they are heading in is crucial.

The biggest club football game on planet, El Clasico is on 3rd December which will be followed by Champions league encounter with Borussia Dortmund. The match against Dortmund will be a decider as who will top the table. Real Madrid need to win the match.

Tight schedule continues in December as they will travel to Japan for Club world cup.

Zinedine Zidane's squad depth will be put to test as the season enters to a crunch part.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Madrid is white!!!

Real Madrid wins at Vicente Calderon in a convincing manner.

It was an emotional night for Atletico as they were playing their last Madrid derby at Vicente Calderon following the fact that they will move to their new stadium from next season. 

Los Blancos completely outclassed Atletico Madrid on their turf after producing an exceptional performance.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick in one of the most important games of the season. He was subbed off in the 83rd minute. He silenced all his doubters by scoring 3 goals on the night when it mattered the most.

Real Madrid pressurized Atletico's defense in the 1st half, and in the 23rd minute when Savic brought Lucas Vasquez down in a dangerous area. Ronaldo rose to the occasion and his free kick took a deflection off Savic and into the back of the net.
Real Madrid ended first half on a high.

Diego Simeone  incited something magical into his boys as they came out firing in the second half. A plethora of attacks on the Real Madrid's goal for the first 20 minutes of the second half. But Zinedine Zidane's boys stood firm and foiled every attack.

Ronaldo earned a penalty when Savic brought him down in the box as he chased a long through ball. 

He calmly put the ball into the net and celebrated with a mannequin celebration.

As Atletico were chasing the game, Los blancos took full advantage of it as Isco freed Bale on the left flank who sprinted down the wing and crossed it for Cristiano who with the simplest of finishes completed his much important hat trick. Cristiano answered all his critics in style.

The match was fast paced from start to finish. 

And Real Madrid dominance showed why they are top of the pile.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Malaga frustrate Barcelona

An exciting last 20 minutes of football at the Camp Nou. 

Barcelona were without Messi as he fell ill prior to the match and Luis Suarez who was out due to a suspension.

Barcelona did everything but score. The Catalans almost threw everything but they couldn't break a stubborn Malag defense.

It was all going well for Malaga until 69th minute when Diego Llorente picked up a red card for a cynical challenge on Neymar. It was tipped as it would be the game changing moment of the match as Malaga were down to 10 men and there was still 20 minutes of football left to be played.

But credit to Malaga resilience, they didn't allow Barcelona to score a goal. Pique went closest to scoring a goal but it was disallowed. Andre Gomes effort came off the bar and Carlos Kameni made a point blank range save from Neymar's header. Barcelona threw everything in the last minutes. Malaga even saw a 2nd red of the match when Juankar showed a bit of dissent with the referee when Barcelona was given a corner in the 97th minute, although only 4 minutes of stoppage time was given.
It ended 0-0 and Malaga were more than happy as they take away a point to Andalusia.
With this draw Barcelona threw away the chance to go top of the table.

Final score Barcelona 0-0 Malaga

©sportskafun.blogspot.com