SPANISH & ITALIAN FOOTBALL
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Beckham sits out training again
David Beckham again sat out training as Real Madrid continued preparations for the Primera Liga finale at the weekend.
The 32-year-old England midfielder has not trained so far this week after suffering a recurrence of an ankle injury in the closing minutes of Saturday's dramatic 2-2 draw at Real Zaragoza.
Beckham initially damaged the joint in England's 3-0 win in Estonia last Wednesday.
Fabio Capello's team will clinch the Primera Liga title with victory over Real Mallorca at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
After Wednesday's training session, coach Capello met with club president Ramon Calderon. -
Eidur blow for Barca
Eidur Gudjohnsen has been ruled out of Barcelona's crucial clash with Gimnastic this weekend.
The Icelandic international is struggling with a knee injury he picked up in training.
The former Chelsea and Bolton man will not make the trip to Gimnastic as he has been told to rest the knee.
The news is a blow for Barca boss Frank Rijkaard as Barca go into the final game of the season fighting Real Madrid and Sevilla for the title.
Barca need to win and hope Real Madrid slip up at home to Real Mallorca to retain their title. -
Rijkaard Makes One Final Call
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has urged his players to dig as deep as they can, get rid of their negativity, and play with pride, ahead of Sunday's season finale.
"The team must think only about their own job," he said during a press conference on Friday evening.
"We must dig deep, not think negatively, and play with pride."
Barcelona need to clearly better Real Madrid's result on the night in order to win the title, but Rijkaard refused to speak of miracles.
"ItÂ’s not miracles I believe in, but in what outcomes are possible," he insisted. "Every game can produce a surprise.
"We have to win points, and thereÂ’s still a possibility. ThereÂ’s still one game left and anything can happen. We have to hope.
"However, we must focus on our own game and get a good result.
"It would be very sad if Real Madrid slipped up but we did nto take advantage."
"For Nastic, itÂ’s an important game, as they will want to finish [their stint in La Liga] on a high, and give their fans something to celebrate," he warned.
"We must prepare ourselves in the best possible way." -
Becks gets green light for Real
David Beckham has been named in the Real Madrid squad for Sunday's match against Real Mallorca, which will be his final game in La Liga.
Beckham had been unable to take a full part in training this week due to the left ankle injury he picked up while on England duty and then appeared to aggravate during last Saturday's draw at Real Zaragoza.
However, the former England captain has steadily increased his fitness work throughout the week and, after training alongside his team-mates this morning, was included in a 19-man squad for the title-deciding clash with Mallorca. -
Messi: Ronaldinho Is Tired
Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi has jumped to the defence of team-mate Ronaldinho.
The Brazilian has been criticised for some under-par performances this season, with many blaming him for BarcaÂ’s recent woes.
Messi said: "He is tired - the people who work with him understand that.
"For three seasons he's been playing in the Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League, World Cup, qualifiers and friendlies. My situation is different. I had three months of forced vacations (because of injury), I am 19 years old and I am crazy to play in my first Copa America."
Messi has been linked with a move to Inter but again insisted that he sees his future at the Nou Camp.
"I have a contract until 2014 and do not think to leave," he said. "I had a complicated year, affected by injury, but I am finishing the season in excellent condition.
"For that same reason, I want to play in the Copa America."
On Sunday evening Barca play away to Gimnastic knowing that if Real Madrid defeat Mallorca at the Bernabeu, they will claim the Liga title. -
SPANISH PRIMERA LIGA FIXTURES
Sunday, 17 June 2007
Athletic Bilbao v Levante, 11:00
Celta Vigo v Getafe, 11:00
Espanyol v Deportivo La Coruna, 11:00
Racing Santander v Real Betis, 11:00
Valencia v Real Sociedad, 11:00
Osasuna v Atletico Madrid, 3:00
Gimnastic v Barcelona, 3:00
Real Madrid v Mallorca, 3:00
Recreativo Huelva v Real Zaragoza, 3:00
Sevilla v Villarreal, 3:00
Spanish Primera Liga June 2007 :
Matches on Tv:
Channel 22
SUN 17
Valencia vs Real Sociedad - 11pm - (Live)
Real Madrid vs Mallorca - 3am - (Live) (Mon Morning) -
Celta And Real Sociedad Go Down On Dramatic Final Day
It was a pulsating four way race for the final two sports in top flight, but one which ended with the usual suspects - Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad - going down.
That is not to say there was any certainty about the evening, as all the four teams found themselves in the drop zone over the 90 minutes.
In the end, Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao picked up 2-0 wins to secure their places in top flight.
Celta also picked up a brave win over Getafe, but it was not enough, as they go back into La Segunda for the second time in four years.
Real Sociedad safe for a while, leacing Valencia at the Mestalla, but a 3-3 draw was all they could do, leaving them 19th.
Results:
Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Levante
Racing Santander 0-2 Real Betis
Celta Vigo 2-1 Getafe
Valencia 3-3 Real Sociedad