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MADRID: Real Madrid are back within touching distance of the top of La Liga after they punished another Atletico Madrid slip against Levante on Saturday (Feb 20) by beating Real Valladolid 1-0. Atletico had the chance to stretch their lead to 11 points this week by winning back-to-back games against Levante but instead they followed a 1-1 draw on Wednesday with a surprise 2-0 loss, meaning a five-point advantage became only six. Real Madrid cranked up the pressure again by edging to a win over struggling Real Valladolid, Casemiro's second-half header cutting the gap to just three points, albeit with Atletico still owning a game in hand. "It's not because Atletico lost. We believe we can win the league," said Casemiro. "There are still 42 points left, that's a lot of points." The swing in momentum comes at a bad time for Atletico, who face Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday, and it feels significant given it has coincided with a resurgence, in La Liga at least, for … [Read more...] about Football: Real Madrid close on top spot after Atletico stumble again

MADRID: Zinedine Zidane has said he would like to coach France one day but remains focused on his current role with Real Madrid - even as he grows more frustrated with the constant media speculation over his future. French national soccer federation president Noel Le Graet said in a Saturday interview with French radio network RTL that Zidane would be his number one candidate to succeed Didier Deschamps. Speaking ahead of Real's La Liga match at home to Valencia on Sunday, Zidane said he had a close relationship with Le Graet but was not thinking about the national team yet. "We'll see but right now my mind is focused on here. I'm the Real Madrid coach and I enjoy every day of it. But you never know what will happen in the future. I've always said that the national team was an objective but right now I'm here," he said. Zidane made 108 appearances for France and was their key player when they won the 1998 World Cup on home soil. He captained them to the final in 2006, where … [Read more...] about Football: France an objective one day – but not for now, says Real’s Zidane

BARCELONA: Lionel Messi marked his record 506th appearance for Barcelona in La Liga by scoring a penalty, but the Catalans could only draw 1-1 with Cadiz on Sunday (Feb 21) after conceding a spot kick late on. The Argentine overtook former team mate Xavi Hernandez in the all-time list of Barca appearances in the league, and opened the scoring in the 32nd minute by calmly passing the ball into the bottom corner from the spot after Pedri had been tripped by Cadiz's Iza. Fielding the same starting 11 that had been thrashed 4-1 at home to Paris St-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, a rusty looking Barca failed to build on their lead and paid the price when Clement Lenglet gave away a penalty for striking Cadiz forward Ruben Sobrino as he tried to clear the ball. Cadiz's Alex Fernandez made no mistake from the spot in the 89th minute to disrupt Barca's run of seven straight league wins as the Catalans failed to take advantage of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid's surprise … [Read more...] about Football: Late Cadiz penalty disrupts Barca winning streak in La Liga

MADRID: Injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic are starting to take their toll in the Liga title race, with all three teams involved: leaders Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona - missing a number of key players this weekend. A depleted Real could be without nine first team regulars as they look to keep their slim hopes of retaining the title alive when they host Valencia on Sunday. Full-back Marcelo is the latest to join a lengthening injury list, which includes captain Sergio Ramos and Eden Hazard, after picking up a calf problem in midweek. Second-placed Real sit five points behind Atletico having played two games more. Atletico will have a chance to maintain their advantage at the top when they travel to Granada on Saturday. Diego Simeone's side have been hit hard by several positive COVID-19 cases, with Thomas Lemar, Hector Herrera, Joao Felix, Moussa Dembele and Mario Hermoso all isolating. The Argentine continues to remain philosophical when speaking of … [Read more...] about Soccer-Injuries and COVID-19 take toll in La Liga title race

TURIN: Real Sociedad will play with the handbrake off against Manchester United in Thursday's Europa League last-32 first leg, coach Imanol Alguacil said ahead of his side's 'home' game which is being played in Italy due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Basque side are renowned for their attacking flair and led the La Liga standings until mid-December before sliding down to fifth. They sneaked into the knockout phase of the Europa League ahead of AZ Alkmaar thanks to a stoppage time equaliser against Napoli and the coach said his side would not stray from their buccaneering approach against the 20-times English champions. "We are of course excited about playing Manchester United but Real Sociedad offer our own excitement, because of how we play the important games," he told a news conference. "We overcame the group of death by playing great teams and even though United are a step up, we can look them in the eye. But we'll be aware of their power, the fact they're a historic … [Read more...] about Real Sociedad ready to look Man United in the eye, says coach