Meanwhile in Spain, Real Madrid needed a win to keep up with high flying FC Barcelona. The Madridians struggled against Sevilla, and if it wasn't for Di Maria's goal in the 76th minute, the match would have probably ended in a nil - nil tie. Madrid fought dirty, earning six yellow cards along the way. Two of these were for Ricardo Carvalho who was sent off after a mid-air collision where his arm made contact with Negredo. Sevilla earned half as many yellows, but also received a red for Dabo's lash out at Di Maria. All night long Di Maria had been taunting Sevilla with dives and overreactions, it was bound that one of them would slip up due to frustration. Di Maria's goal was partly the fault of the Sevillian goalkeeper, Palop. He came to out of his own net to chase Di Maria and Angel managed to slip the ball between the hand of Palop and the goalpost. At half time there was a quarry between the coaches and if I am correct, a FIFA official was pushed down by one of the Real Madrid staff members. I haven't heard of any fines being pressed but most likely there will be.
You could go through all the different words in the entire English vocabulary but you wouldn't be able to describe the football that Barcelona have been putting on time and time again, so we'll have to settle for 'magnificent'. You sit down and watch this astonishing display of football and if you just so happen to have GolTV and live in North America, you have a few chuckles, or full out howls, just listening to Ray Hudson. If you've never heard his comment on a match, you haven't lived. He's described Messi as "a squirrel on a telegraph wire" and Xavi to have "Old chameleon eyes with that kaleidoscope vision." He even went on to describe Villa's first goal during El Clasico as a goal of orgiastic proportions. Here is a link of a few things Ray had said during the 5-0 thrashing of Madrid thanks to The Offside: http://www.theoffside.com/world-football/ray-hudson-does-el-clasico.html
Back on topic though, Barca managed to net yet another five goals in yet another derby against Espanyol. (I call El Clasico a derby because it may as well be one if you've ever seen it). These goals came through an incredible performance by little Pedrito scoring two, a great outing by Villa who got himself a brace as well, and the other goal was by none other than Xavi Hernandez. Although world number one Lionel Messi did not manage a goal, he played a crucial part as always. Pique received his fifth (boy the number five shows up a lot for Barca doesn't it?) yellow card and will miss the next match against Basque team Athletic Club Bilbao. Osvaldo scored the lone goal for Espanyol. Barca were treated as usual (hated, sworn at, and whistled at) in the Cornella-El Prat Stadium apart from Andres Iniesta who was treated as their own because of his dedication of his World Cup winning goal to Dani Jarque, the Espanyol captain who passed away. Barcelona played amazing yet again in a match that should have been difficult for them.
Atletico Madrid held a convincing 3-0 win to Malaga, a much needed win too. After being knocked out of Europa League in group stage due to a draw with Bayern Lerverkusen, the other Madrid were desperate for a confidence booster. It was Tiago with the brace and Alvaro Dominguez with the other goal for the Atletico side. Diego Forlan remained on the bench and Sergio Aguero who was subbed off for Diego Costa was evidently missing his fellow attacker.
In other news, PSV captain Ibrahim Afellay played his final game for the club today before becoming a Barcelona player. The clubs agreed terms back in November and Afellay is set to arrive in Barcelona for his medical on December 23rd. Many hugs were shared between him and his teammates before being subbed off. Here are two video's of the PSV fans reception to Afellay. (Video's are in Dutch)
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