SPANISH & ITALIAN FOOTBALL
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SPANISH PRIMERA
MADRID, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Barcelona reclaimed the leadership of the Primera Liga on Sunday after a 3-0 win over basement side Gimnastic Tarragona left them leading the table on goal difference ahead of title rivals Sevilla and Real Madrid.
An early strike from the in-form Javier Saviola, who took his tally to seven goals in four games, and second half goals from French winger Ludovic Giuly and midfielder Andres Iniesta ended Gimnastic's stubborn resistance.
Real Madrid joined Sevilla and Barca at the top after a superbly struck free kick from Jose Antonio Reyes allowed them to sneak a barely deserved 1-0 win at struggling Real Mallorca.
All three teams are locked on 38 points at the head of the table, but with a game in hand Barcelona can pull clear at the halfway mark in the Spanish season and claim the symbolic title of winter champions if they win away at Real Betis on Wednesday.
In what is one of the tightest title races in recent memory, Valencia trail the leading trio by just two points after chalking up their sixth Primera Liga win on the trot with a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad thanks to a free kick from David Villa.
Sociedad keeper Victor Bravo was left rooted to the spot when the Spain striker whipped a 25-metre shot over the wall and into the top corner shortly before the half-hour mark.
League champions of 2005/2006 season: Barcelona
Spanish cup winners of 2005/2006 season: Espanyol
Promoted to the first division: Recreativo, NÃ stic, Levante
Relegated to the second division A: Málaga, Cádiz, Alavés
Clubs taking part in European competitions in 2006/2007 season:
Champions league: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia, Osasuna
UEFA Cup: Espanyol, Celta, Sevilla
Intertoto: Villarreal
ITALIAN SERIE A
Internazionale strengthened their lead in Italy's Serie A, recording their 13th win in a row - 3-1 at home to Fiorentina - and going 11 points clear at the top. Fiorentina briefly threatened an upset when Luca Toni headed them into an early lead but goals by Dejan Stankovic, Adriano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic secured victory for Inter.
Second-placed Roma were held to a 1-1 draw at Livorno. The home side went ahead when Cristiano Lucarelli scored from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Philippe Mexès. Francesco Totti equalised in the 74th-minute but he was later sent off for kicking out at the Livorno defender Fabio Galante.
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Spanish Primera 2007 fixtures
Villarreal - Mallorca
Levante - Zaragoza
R Sociedad - Deportivo
Betis - Recreativo
Atlético - R Madrid
Getafe - Sevilla
Barcelona - Athletic
NÃ stic - Valencia
Celta - Racing
Osasuna - Espanyol
Day 24 - Feb 25
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Espanyol - Villarreal
Mallorca - Levante
Zaragoza - R Sociedad
Deportivo - Betis
Recreativo - Atlético
R Madrid - Getafe
Sevilla - Barcelona
Athletic - NÃ stic
Valencia - Celta
Racing - Osasuna
Day 25 - Mar 4
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Levante - Villarreal
R Sociedad - Mallorca
Betis - Zaragoza
Atlético - Deportivo
Getafe - Recreativo
Barcelona - R Madrid
NÃ stic - Sevilla
Celta - Athletic
Osasuna - Valencia
Racing - Espanyol
Day 26 - Mar 11
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Espanyol - Levante
Villarreal - R Sociedad
Mallorca - Betis
Zaragoza - Atlético
Deportivo - Getafe
Recreativo - Barcelona
R Madrid - NÃ stic
Sevilla - Celta
Athletic - Osasuna
Valencia - Racing
Day 27 - Mar 18
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R Sociedad - Levante
Betis - Villarreal
Atlético - Mallorca
Getafe - Zaragoza
Barcelona - Deportivo
NÃ stic - Recreativo
Celta - R Madrid
Osasuna - Sevilla
Racing - Athletic
Valencia - Espanyol
Day 28 - Apr 1
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Espanyol - R Sociedad
Levante - Betis
Villarreal - Atlético
Mallorca - Getafe
Zaragoza - Barcelona
Deportivo - NÃ stic
Recreativo - Celta
R Madrid - Osasuna
Sevilla - Racing
Athletic - Valencia
Day 29 - Apr 8
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Betis - R Sociedad
Atlético - Levante
Getafe - Villarreal
Barcelona - Mallorca
NÃ stic - Zaragoza
Celta - Deportivo
Osasuna - Recreativo
Racing - R Madrid
Valencia - Sevilla
Athletic - Espanyol
Day 30 - Apr 15
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Espanyol - Betis
R Sociedad - Atlético
Levante - Getafe
Villarreal - Barcelona
Mallorca - NÃ stic
Zaragoza - Celta
Deportivo - Osasuna
Recreativo - Racing
R Madrid - Valencia
Sevilla - Athletic
Day 31 - Apr 22
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Atlético - Betis
Getafe - R Sociedad
Barcelona - Levante
NÃ stic - Villarreal
Celta - Mallorca
Osasuna - Zaragoza
Racing - Deportivo
Valencia - Recreativo
Athletic - R Madrid
Sevilla - Espanyol
Day 32 - Apr 29
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Espanyol - Atlético
Betis - Getafe
R Sociedad - Barcelona
Levante - NÃ stic
Villarreal - Celta
Mallorca - Osasuna
Zaragoza - Racing
Deportivo - Valencia
Recreativo - Athletic
R Madrid - Sevilla
Day 33 - May 6
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Getafe - Atlético
Barcelona - Betis
NÃ stic - R Sociedad
Celta - Levante
Osasuna - Villarreal
Racing - Mallorca
Valencia - Zaragoza
Athletic - Deportivo
Sevilla - Recreativo
R Madrid - Espanyol
Day 34 - May 13
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Espanyol - Getafe
Atlético - Barcelona
Betis - NÃ stic
R Sociedad - Celta
Levante - Osasuna
Villarreal - Racing
Mallorca - Valencia
Zaragoza - Athletic
Deportivo - Sevilla
Recreativo - R Madrid
Day 35 - May 20
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Barcelona - Getafe
Nà stic - Atlético
Celta - Betis
Osasuna - R Sociedad
Racing - Levante
Valencia - Villarreal
Athletic - Mallorca
Sevilla - Zaragoza
R Madrid - Deportivo
Recreativo - Espanyol
Day 36 - May 27
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Barcelona - Espanyol
Getafe - NÃ stic
Atlético - Celta
Betis - Osasuna
R Sociedad - Racing
Levante - Valencia
Villarreal - Athletic
Mallorca - Sevilla
Zaragoza - R Madrid
Deportivo - Recreativo
Day 37 - Jun 10
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NÃ stic - Barcelona
Celta - Getafe
Osasuna - Atlético
Racing - Betis
Valencia - R Sociedad
Athletic - Levante
Sevilla - Villarreal
R Madrid - Mallorca
Recreativo - Zaragoza
Espanyol - Deportivo
Day 38 - Jun 17 -
Italian Serie A reports
Brief reports of Italian Serie A matches played on Sunday:
CATANIA 0 CAGLIARI 1
Cagliari striker David Suazo put an end to Catania's unbeaten home record this season, tumbling over home defender Mauro Minelli to earn an eighth-minute penalty, which he then converted. The win put a seven-point gap between Cagliari and the Serie A relegation zone.
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EMPOLI 2 SAMPDORIA 0
Empoli continue to be one of the surprises of the season with a win that keeps them in the hunt for an unlikely top-four finish and a place in next season's Champions League. Luca Saudati put them ahead from the penalty spot early in the second half after Ighli Vannucchi was tripped by Luigi Sala. Davide Matteini sealed the win two minutes from the end with a goal on the break.
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INTER MILAN 3 FIORENTINA 1
Inter Milan appear to be cruising towards this season's title after notching up their 13th win in a row and moving 11 points clear of second-placed AS Roma. Fiorentina briefly threatened an upset when Luca Toni headed them into an early lead. But goals by Dejan Stankovic, Adriano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sealed the win.
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LAZIO 0 AC MILAN 0
AC Milan's run of three Serie A wins in a row came to an end at Rome's Olympic stadium, where they were outplayed by Lazio. Goran Pandev and Stefano Mauri both missed from close range for the hosts, and Milan keeper Dida turned a shot by Tommaso Rocchi round his post just before the interval.
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LIVORNO 1 AS ROMA 1
Roma made a poor start, Philippe Mexes tugging needlessly on Cristiano Lucarelli's shirt to concede a penalty, which Lucarelli fired home. Francesco Totti's 74th-minute equaliser rewarded a bright second-half performance by the visitors, but his late sending-off for kicking out at Livorno defender Fabio Galante ended Roma's hopes of winning the match.
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PARMA 1 TORINO 0
Italy Under-21 striker Giuseppe Rossi, who arrived at Parma earlier this week on loan from Manchester United, capped a lively Serie A debut in the 75th minute, when he dribbled past two defenders and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of Torino's net.
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SIENA 2 CHIEVO VERONA 1
Behind at halftime to a strike by Chievo midfielder Matteo Brighi, Siena turned the match around with two goals in five second-half minutes. Midfielder Luca Antonini struck first, bursting forward on the break to angle the ball past keeper Vincenzo Sicignano. Daniele Portanova got their second when he headed in from a corner.
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UDINESE 1 MESSINA 0
Italy striker Vincenzo Iaquinta gave Udinese a well-deserved win when he headed in from a corner 14 minutes from the end. The defeat left Messina hanging one point above the relegation zone.
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Played on Saturday:
ASCOLI 1 ATALANTA 3
Bottom-placed Ascoli seemed on course for a share of the points after Michele Paolucci cancelled out Riccardo Zampagna's opening goal for Atalanta. But two goals in the last six minutes by Brazilian defender Adriano and playmaker Cristiano Doni gave Atalanta the points to continue their challenge for Italy's fourth and final Champions League berth.
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REGGINA 0 PALERMO 0
Palermo's pursuit of second place in the division suffered a setback at the Granillo stadium, where relegation-threatened Reggina's effective rearguard action neutralised their attack. Cristian Zaccardo wasted the visitors best chance of winning the match in the 66th minute, when he blasted the ball over the bar from close range.
Juve leads Serie B and seems a sure bet for promotion... Diego Maradona's Napoli looks like they may come back into Serie A too after all these years.
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nice to see a new real madrid. with de la red, fernando gago, gonzalo higuain... but 1-0 is a scrappy win
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Real Madrid need to sort out their off-field problems if the team is to fulfil its potential, fullback Michel Salgado said on Wednesday.
"I've always said that they have to sort things out from the top down," the Spain international told a news conference. "It looks like there are going to be some more problems soon and that isn't going to help."
Real have experienced a turbulent start to the year with David Beckham, Ronaldo and Antonio Cassano being ostracised by coach Fabio Capello and president Ramon Calderon having to apologise for his outspoken criticism of players.
Calderon's future as president is also in the balance as the club await the outcome of two key legal decisions that could hasten the end of his tenure. A provincial court is expected to make a ruling over the decision to suspend the count of the postal vote in last July's presidential election on Thursday, while next week a judge will decide if some or all of the embargoed ballot papers are valid.
It is widely believed that if the 10,511 postal votes are counted Calderon will be unseated as president after winning the elections by a margin of just 246. "All this talk about the postal vote affects the team," said Salgado. "This is the first thing that has to be resolved. After all, the players belong to Real Madrid not to any particular person and this will affect all of us."
Salgado also backed club captain Raul's recent criticism of the club's decision to sideline Beckham, Ronaldo and Cassano. "Above all they are Real Madrid players and they can help us win trophies," he said. "It doesn't seem like a good idea to leave three or four players out before the end of the season. It isn't good for the squad, but in the end it is down to the coach to make these decisions."
Beckham has announced he will be joining MLS side LA Galaxy at the end of the season, while Real are negotiating the sale of Ronaldo to AC Milan. -
BARCA MISS OUT
Barcelona missed the chance to go three points clear at the top of the Primera Liga summit on Wednesday after being held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Real Betis.
The match was the re-arranged fixture from before Christmas, which was postponed due to Barcelona's involvement in the FIFA World Club Championship in Japan.
Barca's participation in that tournament ended in disappointment after they lost to Brazilian side Internacional in the final, and there was more frustration in store for Frank Rijkaard's side in Seville on Wednesday.
They had climbed to the top of the Primera Liga table at the weekend with a 3-0 win over Gimnastic Tarragona, and could have moved three points clear of Sevilla and Real Madrid with a victory over Betis.
But a first-half goal from Betis striker Robert put Barca on the back foot, and in the end the reigning Spanish champions were indebted to Rafael Marquez's 61st-minute equaliser just to salvage a point.
Betis, belying their lowly league placing, were much the quicker of the two sides out of the blocks and Rafael Sobis (twice) and Marcos Assuncao both tested Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes from distance in the opening 10 minutes.
The Catalan visitors had to wait until the 12th minute for their first serious effort on goal, with Andres Iniesta firing in a shot from outside the box which was saved by Antonio Doblas.
Both teams continued to look for the opening goal and Betis defender Melli had a chance to give his side the lead in the 25th minute, but he was unable to get his header on target after meeting Assuncao's inswinging corner.
Javier Saviola, who had netted seven goals in his last four Barca appearances, then looked to continue his rich scoring streak but his shot from the right-hand side of the area went wide.
The home side were back on the attack soon after that though, and they were rewarded for their promising start with the opening goal of the game in the 37th minute.
An Assuncao corner from the left was met by Victoriano Nano and his header in turn found Robert who was able to nod home from close range.
That goal put Betis on top at the break, but Barca came out after the interval in determined mood and Thiago Motta saw a shot blocked before Ronaldinho saw his free-kick from the edge of the box saved by Doblas.
The visitors did not have to wait much longer to get back on level terms however, with Marquez netting just after the hour-mark.
The Mexican defender was quickest to react to Deco's corner and he was able to guide his header past Doblas and into the back of the net.
Barca coach Rijkaard quickly shuffled his pack after that goal, replacing Saviola with Eidur Gudjohnsen up front.
However, it was Betis who had the better of the chances in the closing stages, with Fernandez Fernando and substitute Martin Dani both firing wide from close range.
Dani's miss came deep into injury-time at the end of the game, spurning the chance to net what would surely have been a crucial - and memorable - winner against their high-flying visitors. -
Spanish Primera Liga 2006/07:
Channel 22
SAT 27
Villarreal vs Real Madrid - 5am - (Live)
SUN 28
Barcelona vs Celta - 2am - (Live)
Betis vs Valencia - 4am - (Live) -
MADRID, Jan 27 - Real Madrid slumped to their third defeat in five games when they went down 1-0 at Villarreal in the Primera Liga on Saturday.
Villarreal, who had won once in their previous six outings, notched up their first ever victory against Real when 19-year-old midfielder Marcos clipped the ball home after a slick passing move midway through the second half.
Real, missing AC Milan-bound Ronaldo, David Beckham, the injured Raul and the out-of-favour Antonio Cassano, barely managed to threaten the Villarreal goal in a toothless performance at the Madrigal.
The result meant Fabio Capello's side remain in third place in the table, a point behind leaders Barcelona who host Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid's hopes of keeping the pressure on the leading pack were frustrated when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Racing Santander at the Calderon earlier on Saturday. Atletico fell behind when Racing's little-and-large partnership of Pedro Munitis and Nikola Zigic manufactured a classy goal 17 minutes from time.
Despite the absence of out-of-favour playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, who was looking on from the stands, Villarreal dominated against Real as they clipped the ball around the midfield and hit the visitors on the break.
They would have taken the lead on the half hour had it not been for some superb goalkeeping from Iker Casillas, who got a hand to a Diego Forlan shot, blocked a follow-up effort and closed down Matias Fernandez as he tried to blast the ball into the net.
But they finally broke the deadlock midway through the second half, when Marcos fired home with a first-time shot after Fernandez had slipped the ball past the Real back four. -
whats happening to madrid again
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Primera Liga reports
MADRID, Jan 28
Brief reports of matches played in the Primera Liga over the weekend:
Played Sunday:
BARCELONA 3 CELTA VIGO 1
In-form Argentine striker Javier Saviola set Barca on their way to victory with a header from Giovanni van Bronckhorst's cross in the 34th minute. But Barca eased off in the second half and Celta levelled from the penalty spot through Brazilian Nene in the 67th. Barca won a disputed penalty in the 78th which Ronaldinho put away, and substitute Ludovic Giuly scored the third on a breakaway four minutes from time. Celta finished with 10 men after defender Matias Lequi was sent off at the end. - - - -
GETAFE 2 OSASUNA 0
Getafe struck a psychological blow ahead of Wednesday's King's Cup quarter-final, first leg between the two sides. Striker Daniel Guiza sprinted on to Mario Cotelo's header to score after 27 minutes, and used his pace once again to double Getafe's lead when he was put clear by Angel Vivar Dorado's pass in the 45th. Osasuna, who had four players sent off last weekend, lost defender Josetxo to a red card in the 77th minute. - - - -
GIMNASTIC 4 ESPANYOL 0
Gimnastic's former Real Madrid striker Javier Portillo headed in from close range after eight minutes and was brought down for a penalty in the 18th. Alejandro Campano scored from the spot. A sliced clearance out of defence fell to Antonio Pinilla to score at the second attempt in the 26th and after Portillo had put a free header against the post defender Cesar Navas headed the fourth from a corner in the 43rd. Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni made a string of second-half saves to deny the league's bottom club more goals.
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LEVANTE 2 SEVILLA 4
Sevilla had not won a league game in 2007 but took the lead when winger Antonio Puerta broke down the left and crossed for Mali striker Frederic Kanoute to sidefoot home his 16th of the season. Youngster Alejandro Alfaro showed great skill to set up Russian striker Alexander Kerzhakov for his first goal for Sevilla in the 55th and forced the third when his surging run ended up with Italian Damiano Tommasi scoring in his own net from outside the area in the 66th. Levante's Frenchman Frederic Dehu scored a near-post header from a corner in the 68th and three minutes later Gustavo Reggi headed in Ian Harte's free kick but Alfaro rose to settle the game in the 76th with an unopposed header from a free kick. - - - -
REAL BETIS 2 VALENCIA 1
Valencia had won six league games on the trot and were given an early lead when David Villa raced on to David Silva's pass to score in the 10th minute. But Betis have been given resilience and belief by new coach Luis Fernandez and they levelled five minutes later from the boot of Brazilian striker Robert. Robert scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 68th after Capi had been fouled, deservedly dragging the side out of the relegation places.
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REAL MALLORCA 2 RECREATIVO HUELVA 1
Mallorca went ahead when defender Sergio Ballesteros scored with a thundering first-time shot in the 39th minute. Portuguese defender Jose Carlos Nunes headed the second from a corner in the 45th. Recre pulled one back when Javi Guerrero volleyed in Aitor's deep cross in the 49th. Mallorca's Ballesteros was sent off 11 minutes from time.
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REAL SOCIEDAD 0 ATHLETIC BILBAO 2
A poor punch from Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo allowed Andoni Iraola to volley the opener from the edge of the area in the 13th minute of the Basque derby. Sociedad had the chance to level when they won a penalty for handball in the 37th but Daniel Aranzubia saved Xabi Prieto's attempt.
Iraola settled the match with another volley from the edge of the area to leave Sociedad deep in trouble.
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REAL ZARAGOZA 1 DEPORTIVO CORUNA 1
Depor's Angel Arizmendi found space on the right and crossed for Uruguayan striker Sebastian Taborda to score with a firm header after 21 minutes. But Depor's first away win of the season eluded them when Taborda gave away a penalty and was sent off in the 79th minute. Zaragoza's Argentine striker Diego Milito scored his 13th of the campaign from the spot.
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Played Saturday:
ATLETICO MADRID 1 RACING SANTANDER 1
Atletico missed their chance to keep pressure on the leaders with another disappointing performance at the Calderon. Racing took the lead when Serbian striker Nikola Zigic fired home after a clever overhead pass from Pedro Munitis 17 minutes from time. Atletico equalised almost immediately, centre-back Pablo Ibanez marking his 100th appearance for the club when he skimmed a header into the net after a free kick, but the point did little to boost their hopes of a top-four finish.
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VILLARREAL 1 REAL MADRID 0
Real slumped to their third defeat in five games after midfielder Marcos clipped the ball past Iker Casillas to put to the finishing touch to a slick passing move involving Diego Forlan and Matias Fernandez midway through the second half. The 19-year-old's classy strike earned Villarreal their second victory in seven outings and their first ever league win over Real Madrid. -
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AYALA TO MAKE VILLARREAL SWITCH
Valencia defender Roberto Ayala will join Villarreal on a free transfer at the end of the season. The 33-year-old's current deal at the Mestalla expires in the summer and Los Che refused to discuss an extension. He has, therefore, decided to make the short trip to El Madrigal after the Yellow Submarines offered him a three-year contract.
Ayala joined Valencia in 2000 and played a key role as the club won two Primera Liga titles and the 2004 UEFA Cup. He is expected to make his 107th appearance for Argentina against France in Paris later on Wednesday, making him his country's most-capped player. -
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Spanish Primera Liga 2006/07:
Channel 22
SAT 10
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid - 3am - (Live)
Betis vs Sevilla - 5am - (Live)
SUN 11
Barcelona vs Racing - 2am - (Live) -
San Siro declared an unsafe venue following last week's violent incidents.
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I can see that Inter Milan is cruising.
Well, it's about time they win the big trophy after so many years. -
Beckham now the toast of Madrid after return
David Beckham earned the plaudits of his team mates, Fabio Capello and the Spanish media after he marked his return with a goal that helped Real Madrid to a 2-1 comeback victory at Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Beckham, sidelined for a month by Capello following his announcement that he would join MLS side LA Galaxy at the end of the season, cancelled out Sociedad's early lead with a trademark free kick eight minutes before halftime. Ruud van Nistelrooy secured the victory with a brave header, three minutes into the second half to give Real their first points in three games.
'Beckham spares the life of his executioner,' was Marca's verdict on the midfielder's goal, saying that Capello was in debt to the former England captain after his performance. 'A gift from Beckham to Capello,' was El Pais's description of the goal, while most papers were agreed that the victory had saved the former Juventus coach from dismissal.
Capello, who said Beckham's professional attitude in training had persuaded him to reverse his decision to exclude him for the rest of the season, was delighted with his performance. 'You have to be happy when players score important goals and David's goal was very important,' the Italian told a news conference after the game. 'He played a great game and deserves the credit. 'As I said before, the mark of an intelligent person is one who knows how to rectify his mistakes.'
Van Nistelrooy also heaped praise on his former Manchester United colleague. 'Beckham has been fantastic, his attitude has been brilliant,' said the Dutchman. 'When you go for a month without playing it isn't easy to be at your best but he always trains hard and has a very positive attitude. That's why you can always bet on him. It was a great day for him.' -
Ronaldinho double earns Barca win
Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho made a spectacular return to form by scoring both goals in Barcelona's 2-0 win over Racing Santander in the La Liga. Ronaldinho netted a stunning second-half free-kick and later headed his 15th goal of the season.
Further good news for Barca came when Argentine teenager Lionel Messi made his first appearance after three months out with a broken bone in his foot. Barcelona are three points clear of Sevilla with Real Madrid in third.
Sevilla were held to a 0-0 draw by local rivals Real Betis and are now just two points ahead of Real Madrid. Real won 2-1 on Saturday, a win in which David Beckham scored on his return to the starting line-up.
The 31-year-old equalised with a 25-yard free-kick in the 37th-minute of his first start since 20 December. Madrid coach Fabio Capello had vowed Beckham would not play for Real again after he last month agreed to a lucrative move to Los Angeles Galaxy but had a change of heart last week.
"I am happy that Beckham scored," said Capello. "All the team is happy for him. "He played a great game and deserves the credit. As I said before, the mark of an intelligent person is one who knows how to rectify his mistakes."
Fourth-placed Valencia lost ground on the leaders when they were beaten 3-0 by Getafe. -
MADRID, Feb 12 - Brief reports of matches played in the Primera Liga on Sunday:
ATLETICO MADRID 1 ATHLETIC BILBAO 0
A classy goal from Sergio Aguero decided this one at the Calderon, the Argentine teenager turning inside a defender and tucking a low shot inside the near post after he plucked a Yourkas Seitaridis cross out of the air in the 64th minute. Defeat left Bilbao hovering above the drop zone on goal difference. - - - -
BARCELONA 2 RACING SANTANDER 0
Ronaldinho put the recent criticisms of his form behind him when he struck twice to lead his side to a confident win that put them three points clear at the top of the table. Barca keeper Victor Valdes saved a first-half penalty from Argentine Ezequiel Garay, but Ronaldinho then took control.
The Brazilian opened with a magnificent free kick six minutes after halftime and took his tally for the season to 15 with a fine header. - - - -
CELTA VIGO 0 ESPANYOL 2
Celta boss Fernando Vazquez will come under heavy pressure after his side dropped into the relegation zone with this costly defeat at home to a lively Espanyol. Luis Garcia put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute, poking home after some scrappy defending and fellow striker Walter Pandiani made it 2-0 when he put the finishing touch to a slickly worked counter attack early in the second half. Celta's Romania defender Gabriel Tamas was sent off 19 minutes from time. - - - -
GETAFE 3 VALENCIA 0
Getafe knocked Valencia out of the Cup last month and Bernd Schuster's men got the better of them again with this thumping win at the Coliseo.
Skipper Mario Cotelo broke the deadlock when he rifled home at the near post early in the second half, leading striker Daniel Guiza made it 2-0 with his seventh of the season and midfielder Nacho completed the rout when he lashed in late on. - - - -
GIMNASTIC TARRAGONA 2 OSASUNA 3
Osasuna took an early lead through Carlos Cuellar, but basement side Gimnastic looked to be on course for a rare win when sharply taken goals from striker Javier Portillo and defender Cesar Navas put them 2-1 up on the hour. But Roberto Soldado struck twice inside four minutes to turn the tables on the home side, the former Real Madrid player opening his account with a close-range header and then stroking home after good work by Savo Milosevic. - - - -
LEVANTE 2 RECREATIVO HUELVA 1
New signing Salva Ballesta followed up his debut goal in last weekend's 1-0 win over Real Madrid with a great double.
He notched his first when he dinked the ball over the keeper after latching on to a long pass from midfield and made it 2-0 with a great diving header, throwing himself in front of a defender to meet a fine cross from Manolo.
Recreativo pulled one back when Florent Sinama-Pongolle scored from the penalty spot early in the second half, but even though Levante lost defender Frederic Dehu as a result of the incident the home side held on for the win. - - - -
REAL MALLORCA 2 REAL ZARAGOZA 1
Zaragoza striker Diego Milito put Zaragoza ahead when he bundled in an Andres D'Alessandro cross 10 minutes after the break to take his tally for the season to 14. But the islanders staged a fierce fightback, Jose Carlos Nunes equalising almost immediately when he got his foot to a free kick and Serbian forward Bosko Jankovic cracking home from the edge of the area six minutes from time. - - - -
VILLARREAL 0 DEPORTIVO CORUNA 2
Deportivo took the lead when midfielder Marcos Senna skimmed the ball past Mariano Barbosa and into his own net as he tired to head clear a Sergio free kick in the 20th minute. Young striker Joan Verdu ensured the Galicians of a second win in a row when he fired a spectacular 20-metre shot into the top corner 11 minutes from the final whistle. - - - -
Played on Saturday: REAL SOCIEDAD 1 REAL MADRID 2
David Beckham marked his Real Madrid return after a month on the sidelines by sparking their comeback win with an equaliser eight minutes before halftime. The former England captain scored his third league goal of the season when he sent a 25-metre free kick skidding under keeper Claudio Bravo to cancel out an early header from Sociedad midfielder Mikel Aranburu.
Former Manchester United colleague Ruud van Nistelrooy secured the win three minutes into the second half by heading in a fine cross from right back Miguel Torres. - - - -
REAL BETIS 0 SEVILLA 0
Another missed opportunity for Sevilla, who have won only one of their six league games in 2007. Improving city rivals Betis had the best chances, Brazilian striker Robert missing a 12th-minute penalty and firing straight at keeper Andres Palop after going clear late on. -
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Serie A returns amid empty stands
Serie A football made a low-key return in Italy on Sunday with four matches played behind closed doors. All football was suspended last week after the death of a policeman in crowd trouble in Sicily and many stadia are shut until they meet safety standards.
A minute's silence was observed at the start of all matches in memory of Filippo Raciti, who died on 2 February. Reigning champions Inter Milan played in front of empty seats at Chievo's Bentegodi stadium, where they won 2-0.
Adriano and Hernan Crespo sealed the victory which extended Inter's Serie A winning record to 15 straight league matches. The San Siro was only open to its 37,000 season-ticket holders but it made little difference as AC Milan defeated Livorno 2-1.
Ronaldo made his Milan debut, coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute, but Gennaro Gattuso and Marek Jankulovski were the scorers. The start of the Sicilian derby between Messina and Catania, which was also played behind closed doors, was delayed because of a waterlogged pitch.
It was at Catania's match with Palermo that Raciti was struck by a blunt object during rioting. The Italian government is now drawing up strict new anti-hooliganism measures in response to the violence.
Italy - Sunday, Feb 11
AC Milan 2 - 1 Livorno
Atalanta 0 - 0 Lazio
Cagliari 2 - 2 Siena
Chievo Verona 0 - 2 Inter Milan
Fiorentina 2 - 0 Udinese
Messina 1 - 1 Catania Calcio
Palermo 0 - 1 Empoli
Roma 3 - 0 Parma
Sampdoria 2 - 0 Ascoli
Torino 1 - 2 Reggina
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Juventus draws 2-2 with Vicenza in Serie B
VICENZA, Italy: Juventus conceded two goals in six minutes Saturday, dropping into a tie for first place in the Serie B after a 2-2 draw with Vicenza. Italian soccer resumed Saturday, more than a week after being suspended for fan violence. All Serie A games are being played Sunday.
Raffaele Palladino gave Juventus the lead in the sixth minute and Alessandro Del Piero added the second in the 60th. Pavel Nedved set up both goals. Evangelos Nastos and Gabriele Paonessa then scored for Vicenza in the 73rd and 78th minutes to level the score.
"After going two goals up, you just can't throw away two points like that," Juventus coach Didier Deschamps said. "We sat back too deep and let them attack us. "Our attitude is all wrong when we take the lead. It's like the players think the game is already in the bag. We really need to start winning away from home if we're going to open up a gap at the top of the table."
Juventus, which was demoted and docked nine points in the Italian match-fixing scandal, has 40 points and is tied for first with Napoli, which beat Piacenza 1-0. Vicenza has 22 points.
Twenty-five stadiums in Italy's top two divisions were closed on Thursday for failing to meet the safety standards. Juventus looked to be cruising to its 15th win of the season after Del Piero tucked Nedved's through-ball past Vicenza goalkeeper Adriano Zancope. But Nastos' superb diagonal shot from the edge of the area stunned the Turin powerhouse and Paonessa capitalized with a header to grab a point for the hosts.
"We played some good football right up until the second goal," Deschamps said. "But for the umpteenth time this season, we suffered a physical drop. "Credit has to go to Vicenza, they never stopped believing, but the blame lies with us," Deschamps added. "We lost our concentration and their first goal really rattled us. It's like we thought they'd already drawn level."
A minute's silence was held before kickoff for 38-year-old Filippo Raciti, the policeman killed in the riots.
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Erm, I thought Raciti was killed by an IED? THose Mafias become lke terrorists liao.
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Originally posted by iveco:Erm, I thought Raciti was killed by an IED? THose Mafias become lke terrorists liao.
Filippo Raciti
Filippo Raciti (17 January 1967 - 2 February 2007) was an Italian police officer ("ispettore di polizia" ) who died in violence between Calcio Catania supporters and police officers.
Born in Catania, Sicily, Raciti joined the Italian police in the June of 1986, and was included in the local flying squad in late 2006. He lived in Acireale, in the Catania neighbourhood, with his wife and two children, aged 15 and 9.
A week before his death, Raciti gave evidence at the trial of a football hooligan, who was then freed by the local magistrate. According to one of his colleagues, the hooligan laughed in his face as he left the court.
Raciti died in Catania on February 2, 2007, after the end of the football derby between Catania and Palermo, because of liver damage caused by blunt object trauma, disproving an initial hypothesis which claimed his death was caused by a homemade firecracker.
Raciti's death, which brought all Italian football matches to be suspended for an indefinite time, caused strong emotion in Italy, with a great and somewhat uncommon amount of solidarity towards the Italian law enforcement forces, and massive coverage worldwide.
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Mancini Hits Out Over Stadia Ruling
Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini believes the Italian season should end now if clubs continue to be forced to play behind closed doors.
Four matches were played at empty grounds at the weekend after government regulations - implemented following the death of a policeman during trouble between Catania and Palermo supporters - meant the stadia did not match new safety requirements.
Mancini said: "This is not football. We might as well quit right here and start again in September. "My words are clearly a provocation, but to play without fans makes no sense. "We should do as they do in Formula One - when the conditions to continue are no longer favourable, they stop and the one who is leading wins.
"What happened in Catania was very serious and no family should lose a father in such an absurd situation. "But let's not forget that in Italy nothing has been done, we always delay our reaction. "Our stadia are old and let's not talk about the state of the pitch. Like this, it's impossible to attract people to the stadia."
Mancini has also warned his players not to become complacent after they equalled Bayern Munich and Real Madrid's European record for consecutive league wins. Inter secured their 15th successive victory after beating Chievo 2-0 thanks to goals by Adriano and Hernan Crespo.
But Mancini added: "It's great, but this hasn't yet given us a title. Fantastic things are not remembered by consecutive victories but by the trophies they bring home at the end."