Bizarre rumour of the day: [url=http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/futbol-juande-pide-fichaje-extremo/dasftb/20081212dasdaiftb_45/TesRamos wants Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson[/url. Presumably from the same source that said they were going to sign that lad from Hibs.

Apparently [url=http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/futbol-diarra-favorito-suplir-mahamadou/dasftb/20081212dasdaiftb_48/TesLassana Diarra[/url is a target as well.

Also - [url=http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/schuster-podria-estar-negociaciones-cska/dasftb/20081211dasdasftb_24/TesSchuster could be off to CSKA Moscow[/url, replacing Valery Gazzaev.

This weekend's preview to follow.

Diarra is a good player, but not someone Real should be looking at imo.

why not? They need to do something about that defence. He's a damn sight better than Fernando Gago.

Very true.



What do you think to Diarra already at Madrid? I have mixed feelings about him at Madrid.

He's injured, hence the need for a replacement. He's out till June.

He's alright, not in the same class as someone like Xavi or Makelele in his pomp but reasonable enough. He certainly is preferable to Gago.

Preview

Saturday December 13
13 Dec, 19:00 Valencia v Espanyol
13 Dec, 21:00 Barcelona v Real Madrid

Sunday December 14
14 Dec, 16:00 Athletic Bilbao v Sporting de Gijón
14 Dec, 16:00 Getafe v Mallorca
14 Dec, 16:00 Recreativo Huelva v Osasuna
14 Dec, 16:00 Valladolid v Deportivo la Coruna
14 Dec, 16:00 Málaga v C.D Numancia
14 Dec, 16:00 Almeria v Racing Santander
14 Dec, 18:00 Sevilla v Villarreal
14 Dec, 20:00 Atlético de Madrid v Real Betis Balompié

So then, set your videos and prime your armchairs, as El Classico is upon us. Ultimately this could prove to be one of the most one-sided Barcelona-Real Madrid derbies in years, as Pep Guardiola’s men look invincible right now whilst Real Madrid, coming off two consecutive losses and having dispensed with Bernd Schuster on Tuesday, look anything but. Or, a Ramos-inspired Real Madrid could pull off an unlikely win at the Camp Nou (spurred on by memories of their win there last year) and get back in the title race, handing Barcelona their first defeat since the opening day. Ramos re-jigged the formation for Tuesday’s game against Zenit and it seemed to work, so confidence in the team will be up. The big question is whether Madrid’s patchy defence can cope with Barcelona’s attacking might. I know where my money’s going.

Saturday’s main event is preceded by Valencia hosting Espanyol, a team themselves getting used to a change of management. Valencia were simply ripped to shreds by Barcelona last week so Unai Emery will need all his managerial skills to pick his team up and dispose of a team who will have Luis Garcia back leading the line after his ban.

On Sunday, there are several games of significance at the other end of the table as the bottom two face off at the Nuevo Colombino. Recre have the worst home record in the league, Osasuna the worst away; Unsurprisingly this game is not on the TV schedule. Sevilla, fresh from helping bringing about Schuster’s demise, now face the none-too-easy task of playing Villarreal, who are just about capable of anything depending on their mood and whether Nihat’s fit. Sporting Gijon take their surprisingly good away record to the San Mames and two of the season’s over-achievers thus far, Valladolid and Deportivo, meet at the Estadio José Zorrilla. Atletico Madrid, in free-scoring league form, come up against an improving Real Betis outfit having secured qualification to the next stage of the Champions league. Will they take their foot off the pedal? I would advise not missing any of the four TV games this weekend, they look like belters.

Also according SSN Zokora is wanted by Ramos

Also according SSN Zokora is wanted by Ramos

Guillem Balague says so, too, but doesn't he work for AS, or did he?

Apparently Ramos was close to signing Johnson at Spurs, but the deal fell through, apparently he wants him at Real.

I'd be surprised if they splashed as much as is being speculated on him, especially when they can sign Capel.

Iker Casillas is showing why he is the worlds best. Brilliant penalty save denying Eto'o and then another stop again denying Eto'o and the rebound from Messi.



Messi has been hacked down for the full first half, poor lad.

He's not even Spain's best.

Game o v e r