Μέσι: Ηγέτης 700 αγώνων

Γιορτή για τα 700 παιχνίδια με τη φανέλα της Μπαρτσελόνα, γκολ, ασίστ, ρεκόρ «θυμάτων» στην κορυφαία ευρωπαϊκή διασυλλογική διοργάνωση. Ένα όνομα, μια ιστορία δίχως τέλος. Ο μύθος του Λιονέλ Μέσι, συνεχίζεται...

Μόλις λίγες μέρες πριν από την εκδήλωση για την απονομή της Χρυσής Μπάλας για το 2019 (2 Δεκεμβρίου) και με τις φήμες περί θριάμβου του Λιονέλ Μέσι να έχουν πάρει διαστάσεις, ο Αργεντινός ηγέτης της Μπαρτσελόνα έδωσε ακόμα μια παράσταση το βράδυ της Τετάρτης στην αναμέτρηση με τη Μπορούσια Ντόρτμουντ στο «Καμπ Νόου».

Ήταν σημαδιακή βραδιά για τον μεγαλύτερο αστέρα που έχει δει η Μπαρτσελόνα τα τελευταία 15 χρόνια, αφού, συμπλήρωσε 700 συμμετοχές με τη φανέλα του καταλανικού συλλόγου και δεν θα μπορούσε ν' αφήσει την περίσταση να φύγει δίχως να τη συνοδεύσει με κάτι καλό εντός γηπέδου.

Και τα έκανε όλα. Πρώτα «σέρβιρε» με ένα άγγιγμα τόσο – όσο προς τον Λουίς Σουάρες για το 1-0, έπειτα το πήρε πάνω του από ασίστ του κολλητού του από την Ουρουγουάη και στο δεύτερο ημίχρονο έκανε την κάθετη μπαλιά προς τον Αντουάν Γκριεζμάν, ο οποίος πέτυχε το πρώτο του γκολ στο Champions League ως μέλος της Μπαρτσελόνα.

Η ομάδα του Ερνέστο Βαλβέρδε κατάφερε με τη νίκη απέναντι στους Βεστφαλούς στη Βαρκελώνη να εξασφαλίσει την πρωτιά του γκρουπ στο οποίο συμμετέχει και στο οποίο βρίσκονται επίσης οι Ίντερ και Σλάβια Πράγας, με τους «μπλαουγκράνα» να έχουν πετύχει πλέον κάτι εντυπωσιακό. Για 13η διαδοχική αγωνιστική περίοδο στην κορυφαία ευρωπαϊκή διασυλλογική διοργάνωση, το κλαμπ περνάει στους «16» από την πρώτη θέση του ομίλου στον οποίο έχει κληρωθεί ν' αγωνιστεί στο ξεκίνημα του τουρνουά! Το σερί ξεκίνησε από τη σεζόν 2007-2008 και συνεχίζεται μέχρι και φέτος...

Ο Μέσι, στην 700η του εμφάνιση με τη φανέλα του συλλόγου της Καταλονίας, βρίσκοντας δίχτυα κόντρα στη Ντόρτμουντ, έκανε πλέον 34 τις ομάδες απέναντι στις οποίες έχει σκοράρει όταν... κουνιέται το σεντόνι στο γήπεδο και ο αριθμός των «θυμάτων» του αποτελεί ρεκόρ για ποδοσφαιριστή στον κορυφαίο θεσμό! Από αυτή τη λίστα δεν θα μπορούσαν να λείπουν ο Παναθηναϊκός και ο Ολυμπιακός, ενώ και ο ΑΠΟΕΛ είχε την... τιμή να τον δει να στέλνει τη μπάλα στα δικά του δίχτυα σε αναμέτρηση του Champions League.

Οι μοναδικές ομάδες τις οποίες έχει αντιμετωπίσει ο Αργεντινός και έχει αποτύχει να σκοράρει είναι οι Ρούμπιν Καζάν, Ατλέτικο Μαδρίτης, Μπενφίκα, Ουντινέζε και Ίντερ, με τους «νερατζούρι» να έχουν δεχθεί δυο γκολ από τον Λουίς Σουάρες στο πρώτο μεταξύ τους ματς τη φετινή σεζόν και να έχουν πλέον το δεύτερο «ραντεβού» στο Μιλάνο, στην τελευταία αγωνιστική της φάσης των ομίλων. Η Άρσεναλ είναι εκείνη που έχει δεχθεί τα περισσότερα γκολ από τον Μέσι (9) και έπειτα έρχονται οι Μίλαν και Σέλτικ (8)

Ο απόλυτος «βασιλιάς» της Βαρκελώνης, ο άνθρωπος που πραγματικά μεταμορφώνεται όταν φοράει τα μπλαουγκράνα σε αντίθεση με όσα κάνει τις στιγμές που καλείται να προσφέρει τις υπηρεσίες του στην εθνική ομάδα της Αργεντινής, έχει μετρήσει πλέον 613 τέρματα στην ποδοσφαιρική του καριέρα και 237 ασίστ με τις δύο που μοίρασε σε Σουάρες και Γκριεζμάν την Τετάρτη. Έχει σκοράρει 40 χατ-τρικ, πέντε φορές στην μέχρι στιγμής παρουσία του στα γήπεδα έχει πετύχει 4+ γκολ, έχει κατακτήσει 34 τίτλους, έχει αναδειχθεί 6 φορές κορυφαίος σκόρερ στην Ευρώπη και φυσικά έχει και 5 Χρυσές Μπάλες... αναμένοντας την 6η.

Μέσα στο ημερολογιακό έτος 2019 με τη φανέλα της Μπαρτσελόνα χει 40 τέρματα, 15 ασίστ, ξεκίνησε βασικός στα 36 από τα 43 ματς που έχει αγωνιστεί, έχει ολοκληρώσει 198 ντρίμπλες, έχει δημιουργήσει 120 ευκαιρίες για γκολ, του ανήκουν 39 καθαρές φάσεις μπροστά από την αντίπαλη εστία και έχει πραγματοποιήσει 1.821 ακριβείς μεταβιβάσεις της μπάλας.

Και να σκεφτεί κανείς πως η τρέχουσα αγωνιστική περίοδος τον άφησε γι' αρκετό καιρό εκτός δράσης αφού έπρεπε ν' αντιμετωπίσει μυϊκά προβλήματα τραυματισμών...

Τα χρόνια περνούν, τόσο εκείνος όσο και ο Κριστιάνο μεγαλώνουν και προσπαθούν όσο γίνεται να διατηρηθούν στο υψηλότερο επίπεδο από άποψη φυσικής κατάστασης και η αλήθεια είναι ότι τα καταφέρνουν μια χαρά. Ο Μέσι στα 32 του, συνεχίζει να παίρνει τη Μπαρτσελόνα από το χέρι και να προσπαθεί ακόμα και στις πολύ δύσκολες περιόδους, να της χαρίζει νίκες ηρεμίας, προκρίσεων, επιτυχιών και να διανύει τη διαδρομή ως ηγέτης προς την επίτευξη των στόχων που θέτει κάθε χρόνο η ομάδα.

Έπειτα από την περσινή... κατραπακιά με το 4-0 από τη Λίβερπουλ στο «Άνφιλντ», εκεί όπου τα... ανεξήγητα φαινόμενα στο γήπεδο της Λίβερπουλ παρέσυραν τη Μπαρτσελόνα και οι Καταλανοί δεν ήξεραν τι τους συνέβαινε, ο Μέσι δεν ήθελε να πει πολλά στον κόσμο του συλλόγου στην καθιερωμένη ομιλία του στην έναρξη της νέας ποδοσφαιρικής χρονιάς. «Πρέπει να εκτιμήσουμε το γεγονός πως πήραμε το 8ο πρωτάθλημα τα τελευταία 11 χρόνια. Σε μερικά χρόνια θα μπορούμε ν' αντιληφθούμε το μέγεθος της επιτυχίας, αν και τα πράγματα δεν τελείωσαν καθόλου καλά την περασμένη σεζόν. Είμαστε γεμάτοι ενέργεια και δύναμη για να δώσουμε μάχες και φέτος και θέλουμε να είστε έτοιμοι κι εσείς» είπε απευθυνόμενος στον κόσμο... Και αυτή η δύναμη και η ενέργεια, κρατάει σταθερά το «τιμόνι».

read more...

Real Madrid is seeking to be King of Europe

The 50s made Real Madrid the King of the European Cup, the club then chaired by Santiago Bernabeu winning the first five titles; something that, 60 years later, no one has been able to match.

That manita of titles was followed by the sixth in 66, with Paco Gento at one with Alfredo di Stefano. 

Madrid's domination could not be matched by those teams with extended periods of success - Bayern and Ajax added three consecutive titles each - but there would be a passage of 32 years in which Los Blancos wouldn't sit atop the European pile again. 

In fact, by 1994, Milan came to within one cup win of toppling Real from the summit. 

The team that had ruled since 56 was more threatened than ever, by the aforementioned Milan, with five titles, and Liverpool and Ajax, with four European Cups each.The 90s arrived and so did the new format of the tournament, now under the denomination 'Champions League'.

And so it was that the European greatness of Real returned. Amsterdam Arena. 

Taking on Juventus, led by a Zinedine Zidane who ruled the core of a team that came as a big favourite, Madrid, on that May 20, began to write its modern day history.

The eighth arrived against Valencia in 2000 and the ninth, two years later, against Bayer Leverkusen. 

The goal, that unforgettable volley rescued from the sky in Glasgow, was scored by the same player who suffered the rebirth of Los Blancos in the competition four years earlier. 

La Decima and La Undecima have already been conquered in the recent past and the fight for the twelfth will rage in Wales on June 3.

A race to be the King of Europe in the modern era. 

A race in which Barcelona is immersed, first with Johan Cruyff on the bench and later with Lionel Messi on the pitch, has reached five titles.

Despite its current bad situation, it's also a race that Milan has always been in. 

Fifteen of the last 30 titles have been shared by Milan, Barcelona and Madrid. 

The other teams have moved well into the background, even Bayern Munich and Manchester United have added just two. 

Other champions since 1987 have not repeated the feat.With this scenario, Madrid will head to Cardiff looking for a 12th title that would give them total dominance over their rivals, as they had in the 50s.

A sixth title in the modern era to take them ahead of everyone else.

read more...

Messi shows who's in charge at 'clasico' against Madrid

Lionel Messi took off his shirt and lifted it high in front of him, boldly displaying his name and number to the stunned crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

He stood there for a few seconds, staring at the fans, as if making sure they knew who was really in charge.

Messi had just scored a last-minute goal that gave Barcelona a crucial 3-2 come-from-behind victory against Real Madrid, putting the Catalan club back in the Spanish league title race and adding to his dominance in the ''clasico.''

There's been no one better than Messi when the two Spanish powerhouses meet. He now has 23 goals in games between the two clubs, five more than Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano and eight more than Cristiano Ronaldo.

While Ronaldo faltered throughout Sunday's game at the Bernabeu, failing to score goals that could have given his team a commanding lead over its rival in the league standings, Messi came through for Barcelona once again.

He also scored the team's first goal, helped set up the second by Ivan Rakitic and drew the foul that led to a red card for Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, leading Barcelona to a victory that reignited its chances of winning a third straight league trophy.

''Leo's greatness is that he keeps surprising us,'' Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta said. ''After years and years, he continues to be decisive. For us, it's an honor to play with him. And for the club, it's a blessing. We have to try to keep up with him as much as possible so we can all play well and stay in contention in La Liga, which is wide open.''

Messi's late winner allowed Barcelona to tie Madrid on 75 points at the top of the Spanish league standings with five rounds to go. Barcelona has the lead on the head-to-head tiebreaker, but Madrid still has a game in hand, at Celta Vigo.

''Messi was decisive, as always he always is,'' Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen said. ''He makes the difference. There is not a lot to talk about him. He is a very special player.''

Messi is enjoying another remarkable season, with 47 goals in 46 games. He has scored 14 goals in his last 10 Spanish league games, and is the competition's leading scorer with 31 goals, seven more than teammate Luis Suarez and 12 more than Ronaldo.

Messi had been going through a scoring drought in the ''clasico'', unable to find the net in six straight games. The last time he had scored against Madrid was with a hat trick at the Bernabeu in a 4-3 win in the league in 2014.

Playing with a bloodied mouth after a collision with Madrid left back Marcelo, Messi ended the drought by clearing two defenders with a run inside the area before sending a low shot past Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas in the first half at the Bernabeu.

His second goal decided the game, a left-footed shot from the top of the area with 12 seconds left in stoppage time after a low pass by Jordi Alba.

Messi's celebration, parading his shirt, sparked a fierce reaction from many Madrid fans on the stands behind the goal, where only a few people wearing Barcelona colors could be seen. The visitors' section was behind that same goal, but in the opposite side of where Messi ran to celebrate. Messi eventually was shown a yellow card for taking off his shirt.

The two goals on Sunday gave the 29-year-old Messi a total of 500 for his career with Barcelona, the most of any other player who has ever played for the club.

''Leo's 500th goal had to be special, just like he is,'' Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said. ''I hope he will only retire several years from now.''

read more...

Where will Isco fit in against Bayern Munich?

Injury to Gareth Bale means that Zinedine Zidane will be forced to tinker with his Real Madrid side against Bayern Munich.BBC are without one B and it is expected that, following his impressive two goal haul last time out, Isco will be the man to fill in for him.There are many options available to Zidane but it would appear that the former Malaga man is currently the frontrunner to replace the Welshman.

Without Bale, Real will be much more balanced by including Isco in the side, a player who is capable of filling in at any position Zidane asks of him.The question remains, how will Zidane slot the playmaker in order to make best use of his talents and those of the team as a whole.Of course, he could be used as a direct replacement for Bale but he isn't the same type of player.The most natural position for Isco to take up would perhaps be at the tip of the midfield diamond in a 4-4-2 system for Real.4-4-2 DiamondThis is the most natural solution to the problem for Zidane and is also one which would best suit the qualities of Isco.He would play behind an attacking duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, just in front of the deeper lying Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.There would be more freedom on the ball for the Spain international and more time to unlock the German defence with his bag of tricks.Standard 4-4-2Another option available to Zidane would be to use Isco in a flat midfield quartet and would give more balance to the side, while also eliminating Bayern's attacking threat.Isco would be an active part of Los Blancos' defensive work without the ball, which will be vital, particularly with threats like Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery out wide.He could be called upon to plug a gap on the left flank and limit Bayern down the right hand side, a position that would be nothing new for the player who actually played there during Carlo Ancelotti's time in charge at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.4-3-3Zidane may decide not to change system whatsoever and simply deploy Isco as a direct replacement for the injured Bale.Attacking, Isco would take up his role on the right of the front three, dropping into a more defensive wider position in a 4-4-2 when Real are without the ball.

read more...

Bale targeting early winter return

With the January transfer window approaching and clubs urgently targeting reinforcements to their squads, Gareth Bale is hoping to return to action ahead of schedule in a bid to become a different kind of winter addition for Real Madrid.

Out for over a month after having surgery on an ankle injury, it had been feared that the Welshman would miss the majority of the rest of the season as a result of the blow.

But the attacker has been working day in, day out at Valdebebas in an attempt to make himself available sooner for Los Blancos, and is targeting a comeback by February at the latest.

The dislocation of his peroneal tendon forced Bale to miss Real's gruelling December schedule, including games against Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, as well as the entirety of the successful Club World Cup campaign.

He will also definitely be absent for the early-January double-header against title rivals Sevilla, although the hope is that he should be back in action in time to face Napoli in the Champions League in February.

Bale's early return would be a huge boost to Zidane's men, who are looking to make history in retaining Europe's premier club competition for the first time in its history.

read more...

Mourinho: I'm too young to go to China

Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho has insisted he has no plans to coach in China and hopes to remain at his current club for the long haul.

Arriving in the summer after leaving Chelsea midway through last season, the Portuguese tactician claimed he has settled well to life at Old Trafford.

In fact, so happy is Mourinho with United that he would instantly sign a contract extension at the club if he was offered one.

"I've had a lot of support here and the feeling that three years [the length of his contract] is not the length of time I'll be here," Mourinho told Sky Sports.

"I've always had the feeling that I'll stay for a long time. I'm loving it here, at every single level. I love my job at Manchester United and if the club brought me another contract one day, I'd sign it.

"I don't even need my advisers, I'd sign it because I love it here. The money in China would be attractive to anyone but more than that, I love football at the highest level.

"At 53, I'm too young. I have too many years of football left to go to a place like China. I want to stay at the most difficult place to win so I'm in the right place."

In recent days, the Red Devils have also been heavily linked with a move for Benfica's Swedish defender Victor Lindelof but Mourinho claimed that speculation is a case of stories being made where there are none.

"In Portugal, the front pages say that every player is coming to join Manchester United," continued Mourinho. "It is normal. The same thing happened when I was at Chelsea and Real Madrid.

"But I keep saying the same thing, that I like my squad as it is. I am also happier in the summer transfer market that the winter one.

"There is more time, more choice. I think that one is better but we'll see what happens."

read more...

Chelsea wins 9 in a row

After the first three wins at the start of the season, Antonio Conte began landing in fact the Island. While Chelsea was ahead in the score Swansea won and followed results with large groups were unsuccessful in Liverpool (1-2) and Arsenal conceding three goals by half-time (3-0). It was that point that allenatore took an important decision, which was to change not only the fate of the group but also the image and feeling of the Premier League. The 47 year old did something that gave him a lot of solutions when the results were dificult for Juventus and the Italian national. Turned the system to 3-4-3.

That's it. The Blue returned directly to the three pointers to double in Hull (0-2) with Diego Costa and Willian and took great victories especially psychologically against the champions, Leicester (3-0) and the alleged contenders, Manchester United ( 4-0). The common denominator in these three successes was that Chelsea's defense had received no goal and this ... Italian was to have a future. Followed the important away win against gritty, Southampton (0-2) and then had the Everton.

The Merseisainters at Stamford Bridge have not passed it away and lost 5-0 in a match in which the keeper, Thibaut Courtois, did not touch the ball and said he did "extra warm up at half-time." The journey to the seat of Middlesbrough was happy return since with another goal from Diego Costa, Chelsea defeated (0-1) for the 6th consecutive games without a clean sheet. This streak was alone omen title for Londoners, since from 7 teams in the past have done something similar in season Premier League, five in the end celebrated the title.

But the stage was and then he wins sometimes give much more than three points. The Tottenham early prior to the visit to Stamford Bridge and looked in complete control for 45 minutes but was enough a moment of magic from Pedro and the best goal for November to turn around the match. Beyond the points victory to dope 2-1 Blue showing and believe that they can succeed even when things go wrong seriously. As that happened the next race, the strongest test once run his winning streak, away against Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola's team prior to half time and at the beginning of repetition had crazy chances to finish Chelsea, but they didnt. By Diego Costa scoring goals, gives world-class assist to Willian and Azhar to end the party, the fabulous Blue took victory at Etihad making clear that they are favorites for the title (1-3). Against teams like the Spurs and the creation of Citizens, Conde just pulled passion, and intensity , but the next obstacle was completely different.

After battles against City and Tottenham, Chelsea did not have this luxury in Sunday home games (11/12) with the special defense, West Bromwich Albion, but again Diego Costa was there to clean up. Tony Pioulis team has done exceptionally job,  but the Spaniard made the stage alone stealing ball and ending with goal from difficult angle. It was the 12th goal of top scorer in the league with which the Blue reached nine consecutive wins in the Premier League for the 5th time in their history and became the first team to do something similar.

The Blues reached nine consecutive victories in October 2005 and April 2007, and have put the bar even higher. In January 2006 they went up to 10 consecutive wins, but the record remains in September 2009 when with coach Carlo Ancelotti had risen to 11. 3 of the 4 previous runs were in seasons where at the end, they conquered the championship. Better record is only from Arsenal, who in August 2002 reached 14 consecutive wins and Manchester United had 12 just two years ago.

It is most common image with Conde entering the terrain and congratulates each player separately, either the absolute protagonist or eight minutes subtitutes, just as he did in his first season at Juventus. "I do not care about the streak," he said after the ninth consecutive victory. "What interests me is to get wins in every match." The good thing for Chelsea and their fans is that these two go together ...

read more...

Arda turan is back

Arda Turan scored a hat-trick to help Barcelona cruise past Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday night at the Camp Nou to wrap up Champions League organization C movement.

Having already clinched first place, Barcelona completed their group degree campaign with 15 factors way to the Turkey worldwide's 3 desires, which observed an early Lionel Messi score that gave the Argentine a whopping 10 goals inside the group degree, one shy of Cristiano Ronaldo's all-time Champions League organization degree document.

After a run of 3 disappointing attracts, which includes the 1-1 final within the Clasico last Saturday, Barcelona got a comfortable and convincing win as a way to sincerely repair a few self assurance. possibly the biggest takeaway for manager Luis Enrique may be the exceptional performances he were given from fringe players like Aleix Vidal and Denis Suarez, every arguably gambling their pleasant ever fit in a Barcelona shirt.p.c. Alcacer, Vidal and Jasper Cillessen had been the novelties in Barcelona's starting XI, and for Alcacer, it marked the primary healthy that the previous Valencia guy had a risk to play along Lionel Messi. 

Centre-returned Samuel Umtiti and left-returned Lucas Digne have been restored to the line-up, even as Andres Gomes and Suarez additionally were given nods in midfield with Andres Iniesta, who made his first begin in over 5 weeks.Gladbach's intentions were apparent from the begin. 

The Germans settled into a formation which basically consisted of a six-guy returned line, with 3 inside the center after which a lone participant, forward Andre Hahn, to serve as the goal guy up front.Undaunted, Barcelona started to probe and pry and found a manner beyond the Gladbach blockade way to Messi. la Pulga performed a brief one- combination with Turan that ended with Messi firing in a left-footer that whizzed beyond Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer.Barcelona's possession-based football had Gladbach scrambling and pegged of their own half of. 

Andre Schubert's guys have been truly unable to hold the ball; they both gave away ownership in a panic or ran out of alternatives. It left Gladbach chasing the Barcelona gamers, and at the same time as they managed to maintain up the rest of the half of, there was still every other full 45 minutes to move for the fatigued traffic.meanwhile, Luis Enrique became getting a efficient night out of his reserves. Vidal impressed at proper-back and blended properly with Suarez right before halftime thatalmost led to Barcelona's 2nd. Suarez performed an notable back-heel again to Vidal, whose move for Messi turned into blocked out for a corner kick.It changed into more of the equal to begin the second one half and soon sufficient the hosts made it 2-0. Vidal performed a ball down the proper to Suarez, who despatched in a move that became deflected. and prefer a Rafa Nadal topspin lob, the ball fell right to the charging Turan, who had a fairly clean header in at the a ways put up for the purpose.The Turkey worldwide struck again simply mins later. Messi filtered in a perfectly weighted skip to Vidal on the proper, and the cross observed an unmarked Turan who swept in past Sommer to increase the lead to a few-0.approximately the most effective hassle at the day for Barcelona turned into Javier Mascherano getting stuck out midway through the second one half to provide Gladbach a unprecedented scoring risk, however Umtiti did well to cowl for the Argentine and won the ball off the falling Hahn.

The cozy 3-purpose lead and the heavy Gladbach legs made created the right event for Alcacer to attempt to get his first Barcelona goal of the season. but as an alternative Alcacer unselfishly installation Turan for Barcelona's fourth with a deep move that the former Atletico guy slammed in past Sommer to make it a 4-0 affair.even as Sommer continued a miserable night time in goal for Gladbach, he did also make a superb store whilst he denied Messi's factor-blank variety header with a diving left-exceeded keep. 

Gladbach have been keen on scoring a comfort intention and nearly did so through Fabian Johnson inside the very last minutes, however the u.s. international failed to complete after rounding Cillessen.

read more...