Spain Football

Glenn Hoddle has taken on his first batch of young English footballers who were released by their clubs and are now hoping to take a second chance to launch a career in the game. (and thanks to bbc.co.uk for this article by the way)

For the first time this season, FC Barcelona went top of the Liga after beating Málaga 4-1 in a difficult game at La Rosaleda. As the wet pitch didn't faciltate Barça's one-touch football, the blaugrana, playing in their yellow away kit, changed tactics putting together a long ball game that left the malagueños without answer.

Although Villarreal had beaten Athletic 4-1, Barça were mathematically top at 10 pm, before the Valencia-Racing match kicked off in Mestalla. A win b...

Well, another weekend of Liga football ahead of us after the Copa del Rey this week. Here are the fixtures for Primera.

Barça's tremendous victory has got to the headline this week, but there were also a lot of surprises, Sevilla lost to Málaga and Valencia only managed to draw against Recre.

The game I really wish I'd seen is Villarreal 4 Atlético 4. Sounds incredible!

In principle, we have a relatively predictable weekend's football ahead of us this weekend and, although these might be famous last words, the top of the table is likely to look very similar on Monday morning; Valencia should beat Recre, Barcelona should have no problems with Almeria, and ditto Sevilla against Málaga. After a disappointing performance mid-week against Juventus, I'd expect Real Madrid to be out for blood and dispatch a limited Athletic Club with summarary efficiency. I daren't...

Barcelona make history in Basel

FC Barcelona were in commanding form as they equalled a Champions League record by knocking five goals past FC Basel without reply in St. Jakob Stadium last night.

On the ground where the club won the European Cup Winers' Cup in 1979, Barça completed a stunning display that saw all the goals come from players that have come up through the youth system at Camp Nou. Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Boj...

A very lethargic Real Madrid got deservedly beaten in Turin last night. Given Jevetus' poor start to the season in the Serie A, I'd predicted a win for the merengues but from the moment the ball was in play, things didn't go Madrid's way.

Del Piero put Juventus ahead in the fifth minute, but RM didn't react throughout the whole of the first half. They looked lethargic and their apathy was mirrored by Schuster, who just sat on the bench fiddling with his hands,...

Some good games tonight! All kick-offs 8.45 pm CET.

I'll be watching Juventus-Real Madrid, the first of the two key matches in the group. Madrid should be feeling pretty confident after snatching the points in the Madrid derby on Saturday and Juventus aren't doing particularly well in the Serie A at the moment. There are six points in play over this and the next game in the Bernabéu, and whoever gets the upper hand is virtually guaranteed of finishing top of the group. On form, I'd pu...