Barcelona - Real Madrid Preview: Mourinho's side can all but seal La Liga title with victory at Camp Nou

Alexis Sanchez is a doubt for Barcelona's 219th Clasico meeting with Real Madrid, after the Chilean picked up a leg injury in the midweek Champions League defeat at Chelsea.

Pep Guardiola has no other injury concerns, with long-term absentees David Villa, Andreu Fontas and Eric Abidal the only players unavailable.

Gerard Pique should make a return to the Blaugrana defence, with Carles Puyol filling in at left-back in place of the versatile Adriano.

Real Madrid could recall Marcelo to the starting line-up, while it remains to be seen whether his compatriot Kaka - dropped to the bench in the last two matches - regains his place in the team.

Xabi Alonso is available after serving a one-match domestic ban, but Ricardo Carvalho (thigh) and Lassana Diarra (hamstring) are unlikely to be involved.

Di Maria included in Real Madrid's squad for Osasuna clash as Khedira misses out

The creative Argentine appears to be in line for a return to the team after one month on the sidelines, but he may only come on as a substitute. Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has included Angel Di Maria in his 19-man squad for Saturday's match at Osasuna. The Argentina international has been out of action since February 18 with a persistent thigh injury which has seen him feature just once since the start of the calendar year. He returned to training last week and has now made the squad again alongside Xabi Alonso, who missed the Champions League contest at APOEL in mid-week through suspension. However, Di Maria is expected to start the match on the bench as Mourinho explained that the 24-year-old 'still cannot play for 90 minutes'. Meanwhile, Sami Khedira, Ricardo Carvalho and Lassana Diarra have been ruled out of Saturday's game through injury, while Pepe will have to serve the second part of his two-game ban. Madrid are at the top of the Liga standings, with 85 points from 29 matches, while Osasuna are sixth, with 43 points.

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Cristiano Ronaldo: I have yet to reach my peak

The Portuguese star insists he is still evolving as a player, and added that everything he has has been achieved through hard work, dedication, and a little bit of luck Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has declared that he has yet to reach his peak as a player. The Portugal international has been an ever-present figure in Madrid's attack since his £80 million transfer from Manchester United in 2009, having scored 131 goals in 132 appearances for Los Blancos. And despite entering his thirties in just three years' time, Ronaldo noted that there is still a lot more to come from him. "I just hope I will keep seizing the moment year after year", he told TVI. "I have not yet reached the peak of my career. "This is all just relative. Next year, I could be at a higher mental level and not score as many goals. "Who I am today reflects all that I have been through. I have earned all that I have, because I have worked so much. "Nothing has happened by chance. It was all effort, dedication and a bit of luck." Ronaldo then stressed he is happy with life at the Santiago Bernabeu and guaranteed he will not leave the club if coach Jose Mourinho decides to embark on a new challenge. "I want to have a great season and finish it in great style," he explained. "I want to continue at Madrid. "I have three years left on my contract, let's see what the club want to do. "Mourinho? I do not follow anyone, I always follow my own path and what I do is not based on friendships." However, Ronaldo was full of praise for Mourinho, saying that his countryman is the best coach in the game. "His titles speak for themselves," he noted. "He has won things wherever he has been. Not all coaches have the privilege to do what he has done. "That is why I consider him the best. All great coaches need to succeed in different countries and he has done that. "Many coaches are considered to be amongst the best and they could not succeed in different countries. I do not agree." Portugal have been drawn in the 'Group of Death' for Euro 2012, along with Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, but Ronaldo refused rule out progression for the Seleccao. "We need to have a winning ambition and mentality," the 27-year-old noted. "If we go with a losing mentality, we will not achieve anything. "I think this will be a complicated group, but we have a good team and a good coach and we will have the support of our fans, which is an extra source of motivation. "I am confident. We will have to go step by step. The group stage is complicated, but if we go through anything is possible."

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The Clasico final is on - Barcelona and Real Madrid on course for dream showdown Jose Mourinho's men will face Apoel Nicosia in the last eight of the Champions League following Friday's draw, while Pep Guardiola's side meets Milan in the quarterfinals.

That was the one Guardiola had said he wanted to avoid, but Barca will be confident of progressing after claiming a thrilling 3-2 win over the Rossoneri at San Siro in the group stages. Should - as will be expected - both sides advance to the semifinals, Madrid will face the winner of Bayern Munich-Marseille and the Catalans will meet either Chelsea or Benfica. After Barca claimed its place in the last eight with a stunning 7-1 thumping of Bayer Leverkusen to secure a 10-2 aggregate success last week, Madrid had to keep its side of the bargain and duly did so as it thrashed CSKA Moscow 4-1 on Wednesday to remain on course for La Decima - a 10th success in European football's premier club competition. Madrid got to keep the first European Cup after winning it five times in a row from 1956-60 - and it used to be considered 'Madrid's' competition. Three triumphs in five years around the turn of the century saw Madrid add Champions League color to its 'black-and-white' successes from the 1960s. But it has now been 10 years since Los Blancos claimed the trophy and the tide has turned in Barcelona's favor in recent years. Eager to return the club to its former glory and challenge Barca's hegemony, Madrid president Florentino Perez looked to Mourinho in the summer of 2010. This was after the Portuguese had led Inter to Champions League glory at, of all places, the Santiago Bernabeu, and eliminated Barcelona in the semifinals. But Mourinho was unable to repeat that trick the following season as Madrid lost out to Barca over two games in the last four, losing 2-0 at the Bernabeu before a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou saw the club miss out on a place in the final. Dreams of La Decima died - and against the team's eternal enemy. Conspiracy theories surfaced as Mourinho attacked UEFA and almost everyone concerned with Barcelona, claiming the Catalans had referees on their side after Pepe was sent off in the first match. Tensions boiled over again in the next Clasico clashes, as Barca beat Madrid once more to the Spanish Supercopa in August, while Guardiola's side also defeated Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. But the last time Barca and Madrid met in a single game at a neutral venue, Mourinho's men came out on top, sealing victory in the final of the Copa del Rey at Mestalla last April in extra time after 90 goalless minutes. So the scene is set now for another classic Clasico, a mouthwatering May meeting in Munich - the seventh and last clash of the season between Europe's two top teams. UEFA president Michel Platini only last week said Madrid against Barcelona would make for a "great final" at the Allianz Arena. Now the dream date is a step closer to reality. Spain awaits. Europe expects.

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Emilio Butragueno: Duel Against APOEL Will Not Easy Butragueno APOEL assess potential of creating problems for Madrid, especially at the GSP Stadium.

This is the first time for Cypriots, who cruised to the quarter-finals, compared with Los Merengues that has grabbed the title of champion nine times. However, the director of institutional Los Blancos, Emiliano Butragueno, hoping to force Jose Mourinho does not look right eye Ivan Jovanovic's squad because he thinks his opponent has the potential to present problems, particularly at their base, the GSP Stadium. "The first match will be very difficult to walk because APOEL will have their own public support, but the second match will take place at the Bernabeu and the Champions League event in our stadium is always difficult for the opposing team," said Butragueno in Madrid's official website. "APOEL beat Olympique Lyonnnais dramatically in the last 16. They managed to overcome the pressure and succeed on penalties. They know how to compete, so this will not be easy," added the former Spain international striker.

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Real Madrid Ready to Lend Nuri Sahin

Jose Mourinho hopes Nuri Sahin played a lot of experience when it loaned out. Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho, is believed to be interested in Nuri Sahin loaned to another club at least for one season for the midfielder to get more playing experience before becoming a regular player in Madrid. Back to Dortmund will be the most mulis scenario, after the Germans are trying to get service in January Sahin yesterday, but Marca also reported that 23-year-old player is also in demand by several Premier League clubs.

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Pep Guardiola Will Sign New Contract Next Month

Pep Guardiola has not also give hints about the depanny with Barcelona, even though his contract runs out this season. As a result, more and more fans are anxiously awaiting a decision Azulgrana Guardiola. However, Legend Barcelona Carles Rexach Guardiola did not worry about the future that has yet to see a bright spot. Rexach Azulgrana former midfielder is optimistic it will sign a contract extension in a few weeks.

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Athletic Bilbao Defeat Manchester United

Appear extraordinary at Old Trafford, Athletic Bilbao made ​​a surprise success with Manchester United beat the hosts 3-2 in the first phase of the party 16 of the Europa League.

In a match that orders yet on Friday (9/3) pm dawn, the Los Leones up first by Wayne Rooney before turning things around via goals from Fernando Llorente, Oscar De Marcos, and Iker Muniain.

Rooney scored the second goal from the spot to change the score to 3-2 in the final minutes of the game.

This result is a very positive capital Marcelo Bielsa for the troops to advance to the round of eight will be given the second leg played at San Mames.

United itself must win by two clear goals or a goal, but with the score 4-3 to the top, if you wish to continue participation in the Blue Continent this season.

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La Liga (The Professional Football League)

La Liga (The Professional Football League) #1

Liga de Futbol Professional ("Professional Football League"), commonly known as La Liga or the Primera División is the highest football league in Spain. Founded in 1929, the league's annual competition held regularly. At present, there are 20 teams that joined the team in it. The team that won the most up to is Real Madrid with 31 times followed by FC Barcelona with 20 times. There are only three teams in the history of La Liga that has not been degraded, namely Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao.

La Liga (The Professional Football League) #2

The Primera División (First Division) of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LFP), commonly known as La Liga (The League) or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA (BBVA League) since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system. It is contested by twenty teams, with the three lowest placed teams relegated to the Segunda División and replaced by the top three teams in that division. A total of 59 teams have competed in La Liga, nine of which have been crowned champions. Since the 1950s, Real Madrid and Barcelona have dominated the championship. The former have won the title thirty-one times while the latter have won it on twenty-one occasions. However, during the 1930s and 1940s and in the last two decades, La Liga has seen other champions including Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Valencia, Real Sociedad, Deportivo, Real Betis and Sevilla . Barcelona have currently won the last three seasons of La Liga.

La Liga is currently the second strongest league in Europe according to UEFA's league coefficient. La Liga is one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the world, with an average attendance of 28,286 for league matches in the 2009–10 season. This is the sixth highest of any domestic professional sports league in the world and the third highest of any professional association football league, behind the German Bundesliga and English Premier League.

The Competition Format

The competition format follows the usual double round-robin format. During the course of a season, which lasts from September to June, each club plays every other club twice, once at home and once away, for a total of 38 games. Teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, with the highest-ranked club at the end of the season crowned champion. If points are equal between two or more clubs, the rules are:

The Trophy

·      If all clubs involved have played each other twice

·      If the tie is between two clubs, then the tie is broken using the head-to-head goal difference (without away goals rule)

·      If the tie is between more than two clubs, then the tie is broken, using the games the clubs have played against each other:

·         head-to-head points

·         head-to-head goal difference

·         head-to-head goals scored

·      If two legged games between all clubs involved have not been played, or the tie is not broken by the rules above, it is broken using:

·         total goal difference

·         total goals scored

·      If the tie is still not broken, the winner will be determined by Fair Play scales. These are:

Ø  yellow card, 1 point

Ø  doubled yellow card/ejection, 2 points

Ø  direct red card, 3 points

Ø  Suspension or disqualification to coach, executive or other club's personnel (outside referee decisions), 5 points

Ø  Misconduct of the supporters: mild 5 points, serious 6 points, very serious 7 points

Ø  Stadium closure, 10 points

·      If the Competition Committee removes a penalty, the points are also removed

·      If the tie is still not broken, it will be resolved with a tie-break match in a neutral stadium.

A system of promotion and relegation exists between the Primera División and the Segunda División. The three lowest placed teams in La Liga are relegated to the Segunda División, and the top two teams from the Segunda División are promoted to La Liga. The third team from the Segunda División to be promoted to La Liga is determined by the winner of the play-off played between the winner of the play-off between 3rd against 6th and the winner of the play-off between 4th placed against 5th. These placed teams should be considered excluding reserve teams.

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NEWS 

1. Barcelona players reaffirmed that they will not give up to chase Real Madrid for the Spanish Primera Liga title.This time it was revealed by Barcelona winger, namely Pedro. He considered his team will not give up despite the distance between Madrid and Barcelona extends more than ten points.
"The reality is we are lagging ten points from them. We must try and defeat no longer wait for Madrid and also throw points to cut the difference in points," said Pedro.
"If their lead stretched, this competition will be very complicated. We will not give up the championship and we will fight until the end."
2. Chelsea want Gonzalo Higuain, Real Madrid but rather handed Argentine striker to Manchester City in exchange for Sergio Aguero.
The Mirror reported Los Blancos make Aguero as target number one spending the summer. They will try to propose exchange Higuain with Aguero, plus funds not immediately not few in number.
Chelsea want Higuain, in an effort to rebuild his squad for next season. But the Blues are not the only club that wants the player nicknamed El Pipita this. Juventus, Inter Milan, and Paris St-Germain, is also interested in signing him. Higuain certainly left the Santiago Bernabeu, having no longer the first choice Jose Mourinho.
Sources at the Eastland said City not interested in Higuain swap Aguero, Carlos Tevez, but will use for to get the former River Plate striker born Frenchman.
3. Bayern Munich wing-back Rafinha feel happy at the news that her demand by Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Through an exclusive interview with Maximilian Bensinger and Martin del Palacio Langer of GOAL.com, Rafinha admitted a move to Santiago Bernabeu will be like a dream come true.
As you know, Rafinha is one of the three defenders who are being monitored by the Los Blancos at this time. Madrid are also reportedly interested in Ajax defender Gregory van der Wiel and Glen Johnson of Liverpool, according to news from Spain."This is the first time I heard about it. But if true, a privilege can be attractive to a club like Real Madrid," said Rafinha to GOAL.com."This is the dream of every player to strengthen the Real. This shows that I have been playing well and it motivates me to work harder."
"But of course, I am under contract until 2014 with Bayern Munich. I am very happy to be here, Bayern is a great club. "

Athletic Bilbao Defeat Manchester United

				Match				Home			Away
			P	Match	W	D	L	W	D	L	W	D	L
Iformation : P: Point    W: Win    D: Draw    L: Lost    Ma: Match
1		Real Madrid	64	24	21	1	2	11	0	1	10	: 1	1
2		Barcelona	54	24	16	6	2	11	1	0	5	5	2
3		Valencia	40	24	11	7	6	7	2	3	4	5	3
4		Levante UD	35	24	10	5	9	6	3	3	4	2	6
5		Athletic Bilbao	34	24	8	10	6	5	5	2	3	5	4
6		Málaga	34	24	10	4	10	8	2	2	2	2	8
7		Osasuna	34	24	8	10	6	7	4	2	1	6	4
8		RCD Espanyol	33	24	9	6	9	6	2	4	3	4	5
9		Atlético Madrid	32	24	8	8	8	6	4	2	2	4	6
10		Sevilla	32	24	8	8	8	6	2	4	2	6	4
11		Rayo Vallecano	31	24	9	4	11	4	1	7	5	3	4
12		Real Betis	30	24	9	3	12	5	3	4	4	0	8
13		Real Sociedad	30	24	8	6	10	5	4	3	3	2	7
14		Getafe	29	24	7	8	9	4	5	2	3	3	7
15		RCD Mallorca	28	24	7	7	10	5	3	4	2	4	6
16		Granada	28	24	8	4	12	5	4	3	3	0	9
17		Villarreal	27	24	6	9	9	5	6	1	1	3	8
18		Racing Santander	24	24	4	12	8	3	7	3	1	5	5
19		Sporting Gijón	21	24	5	6	13	3	4	5	2	2	8
20		Real Zaragoza	15	24	3	6	15	2	3	6	1	3	9