Mascherano: Cup can wait, stay focused on league title

BARCELONA: Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has warned his team to put any thoughts of the King’s Cup final with Real Madrid to one side and focus fully on the visit of Atletico Madrid in La Liga this weekend.

Mascherano has only been a bit part player for Barca since his summer move from Liverpool but has been a regular in the Cup side which has reached the final after eliminating Almeria this week. Real knocked out Sevilla in the other semi-final.

The Argentine has been unable to uproot Barcelona’s key midfield trio of Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets who have been the engine room of the team which has now opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the table following Real’s defeat by Osasuna.

“We need to forget about the final now as otherwise we will have problems in other competitions,” said Mascherano.

“It is important that we arrive at this game (the Cup final) in a good position but as the rival is Real Madrid everything will be built up.

“We are not machines but humans and any weekend we can lose although I am not concerned at the moment because I do not see signs of relaxation, in fact quite the opposite.

“Atletico are a strong side and we will take nothing for granted. They won the Europa League last season and beat the world champions (Inter Milan) in the Super Cup.”

With Barcelona having dropped so few points it will be a tough task for Real Madrid to claw back the difference in the league but they start against Real Sociedad.

“Now we have to focus on the league and then the Champions League,” said midfielder Angel Di Maria. “We have done what we have had to do in the Cup to reach the final and we will try to win every competition we are in.”

Di Maria also played down the fact that team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo has now not scored in four games.

“At times things don’t go for you and it is also a while since I scored. Cristiano is playing well and has to be calm knowing that the goals will start coming again.”

Villarreal came away with a victory from Espanyol’s fortress like Cornella stadium and now are within six points of Real Madrid as they prepare to take on struggling Levante, while below them Valencia face Hercules.

With bigger clubs having under-performed this season, Espanyol have taken their chances and can further consolidate their European position against second-from-bottom Almeria.

Athletic Bilbao, who play Sporting Gijon, are two points behind Espanyol in sixth but traditional powerhouses Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are well off the pace.

While Atletico are at the Nou Camp, Sevilla face a tricky Andalusian derby against Malaga, who have a better squad than their bottom place would suggest, former Real Madrid trainer Manuel Pellegrini also having signed some experienced players in the winter transfer window.

However, while they have brought in players like Julio Baptista, Martin Demichelis and Enzo Maresca they still need the results to follow and have lost their last three matches.

Zaragoza’s outlook is considerably better after three straight wins but they are still not out of trouble and have another relegation dogfight with Racing Santander.

Despite their win over Real Madrid, Osasuna are also just three points off the relegation zone and they now meet Mallorca.

It has been a disappointing season for Deportivo la Coruna, who take on Getafe. Instead of pushing for a place in Europe they are likely to finish the season with the aim of avoiding the drop. 

  

Mourinho: Mind over matter a concern for Real

MADRID: Real Madrid are not mentally prepared for a hectic fixture programme at this time of year following early exits from the Champions League and King’s Cup in recent seasons, coach Jose Mourinho said on Tuesday.

The La Liga club played nine games in January, five in La Liga and four in the King’s Cup, and a 1-1 league draw at Almeria and Sunday’s shock 1-0 defeat at Osasuna left them seven points behind leaders and great rivals Barcelona.

“Playing nine matches in a month is not a problem for players who are used to it,” said Mourinho.

“But these (Real players) are not because for several years now Madrid has been eliminated from the Cup in the first or second knockout round and in the Champions League the same.

“They are not used to it due to bad lack or circumstances but the fatigue is not physical because players of this calibre are ready to play a match every two days.

“From a psychological point of view it takes more getting used to.”

Real are bidding for a first domestic cup since 1993 and if they advance to the final will almost certainly meet Barca. Pep Guardiola’s side thrashed Almeria 5-0 in the first leg at the Nou Camp.

The final is on April 20, a few days after Real host Barca in La Liga for the second “Clasico” of the season.

The La Liga giants could also be drawn to play each other in the Champions League quarter-finals if Real get past Olympique Lyon, who knocked them out at the same stage last season, and Barca eliminate Arsenal.

Mourinho said the experience of playing so many games over such a short period would stand his players in good stead for the future.

“I hope they will be better next year and even better in two or three years because the goal is to play in all competitions,” he said.

“These players are human beings and there are human beings in other teams who play every three days.

“The human being is a creature of habit so that means they will be better used to playing more regularly next year.” 

  

Mourinho’s men aim for King’s Cup final after losing in league

MADRID: Reaching the King’s Cup final is of even greater importance than usual for Real Madrid following a demoralising setback in La Liga.

Jose Mourinho’s side defend a 1-0 lead in their semi-final second leg at home to holders Sevilla today knowing their chances of overhauling league leaders Barcelona suffered serious damage with a shock 1-0 defeat at Osasuna.

That result left them seven points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s champions, who visit struggling Almeria with a healthy 5-0 first-leg advantage in the other semi-final.

“We always have to focus on the next game and give nothing up as lost,” Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas said. “Now we have to lift ourselves and think about the cup because we are only one step from the final.”

Mourinho is expected to have Xabi Alonso back to provide a steadying influence in midfield after recovering from flu and new loan signing Emmanuel Adebayor will have had more time to get to know his new team-mates.

Real, who last lifted the cup in 1993, have won every home game this season.

Sevilla showed grit to come back from two goals down and draw 3-3 with 10-men at Deportivo Coruna on Saturday. They could be tempted to throw new signings Ivan Rakitic and Gary Medel into the fray.

Jesus Navas and Ndri Romaric should be available again after missing the Depor trip.

Barca are expected to field fringe players against Almeria, who are second-bottom of La Liga and have never reached the cup final, and will probably be without Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta who has a shoulder strain.

  

Real, Barca on track for King’s Cup final showdown

MADRID: Real Madrid and Barcelona are heading for a King’s Cup showdown after the great rivals won their semi-final first legs on Wednesday.

Real won a controversial game 1-0 at holders Sevilla thanks to a goal from Karim Benzema while Lionel Messi struck twice as 2009 winners Barca thumped Almeria 5-0 at the Nou Camp.

The wealthy pair have carried their domination of La Liga into the King’s Cup and if they advance after next Wednesday’s second legs will meet in the final on April 20, a few days after they play each other in the league at Real’s Bernabeu stadium.

Sevilla had a goal disallowed in a match littered with yellow cards at a rowdy Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in the Andalucian capital.

Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas was also hit on the back of the head by a missile thrown from the crowd after the final whistle but was not seriously hurt.

Benzema, who scored his second league goal of the season on Sunday, put Real ahead in the 17th minute.

The France striker exchanged passes with Mesut Ozil, drove into the penalty area and beat two defenders before firing a low shot past goalkeeper Andres Palop.

Sevilla thought they were level moments before halftime when Luis Fabiano rounded Casillas and sent the ball towards the empty net.

Raul Albiol slid in with a last-ditch block but television replays seemed to show the ball had crossed the line before the Spain defender kicked it away.

The passion of Sevilla’s players was not matched by their ability to create scoring chances and it was Real who almost snatched a second with just over 10 minutes left.

Ozil broke clear and fed Cristiano Ronaldo who rounded Palop but was unable to get in a shot and Ozil’s eventual effort was blocked by Alexis Ruano.

Substitute and former Real player Alvaro Negredo volleyed narrowly wide for Sevilla late on but Jose Mourinho’s side held on and will be confident of progressing to the final as they bid for a first King’s Cup since 1993.

“Some vandal chucked a bottle of water,” Casillas said in a television interview. “It’s a shame as the fans were splendid helping their team and then some idiot caused a problem.”

At the Nou Camp, Barca were out of sight by the 30th minute when Pedro netted their fourth of the night.

World Player of the Year Messi had opened the scoring in the ninth minute, Spain striker David Villa added a second two minutes later and Messi a third in the 16th.

Barca won 8-0 at Almeria earlier in the season and a repeat of that drubbing looked on the cards.

However the Andalucian club, in the last four for the first time, held the league leaders at bay until the 88th minute when substitute Seydou Keita ran on to Messi’s pass and stroked the ball past Esteban. 

  

Ron gets more laser treatment

MADRID: Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was targeted by a laser during the club’s Spa­nish King’s Cup win at cross-town rivals At­­letico, in the latest in a string of similar incidents.

The green laser was pointed at the 25-year-old’s left eye as he was about to take a free-kick, an AFP photographer at the match said.

Real won the game at the Vicente Calderon Stadium 1-0 to qualify for the semi-finals 4-1 on aggregate.

Ronaldo has been targeted by lasers at other stadiums in the past as well.

The most recent reported case was last October at an away match against Murcia, also as he was about to take a free-kick.

In March 2008, European football’s governing body UEFA fined Lyon €3,834 after the French club’s supporters used a laser on Ronaldo during a Champions League clash with Manchester United, his club at the time.

Television pictures showed Ronaldo being targeted by a green light both before and during the first knockout round tie at Lyon on Feb 20. 

  

Ronaldo secures King’s Cup semi-final spot for Real Madrid

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo fired in a first-half goal as Real Madrid edged bitter city rivals Atletico 1-0 on Thursday to reach the Spanish King’s Cup semi-finals 4-1 on aggregate.

Real will tackle holders Sevilla in the last four while Barcelona, who saw off Real Betis 6-3 on aggregate, despite losing the second leg of their quarter-final 3-1 on Wednesday, will meet Almeria. Almeria had seen off Deportivo Coruna 4-2 on aggregate in their last eight encounter.

Ronaldo, the Spanish League’s top scorer, found the target in the 23rd minute from eight yards.

Xabi Alonso created the goal with a sweet, crossfield pass to Sergio Ramos who in turn found the unmarked Ronaldo.

Atletico, last year’s runners-up, were desperately disappointing and created few chances on their home ground having lost 3-1 in the first leg last week. Fran Merida had Atletico’s best opportunity but fired weakly into the arms of Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the 51st minute. 

  

Barca reach Cup semis despite losing to Betis

MADRID: A depleted Barcelona reached the King’s Cup semi-finals with a 6-3 aggregate win over Real Betis despite losing Wednesday’s second leg to the Division Two leaders.

Barca thrashed Seville-based Betis 5-0 in last week’s first leg at the Nou Camp and coach Pep Guardiola rested several first-choice players, including World Cup-winners David Villa, Sergio Busquets and Pedro, for the return which they lost 3-1.

The 2009 winners were reeling when Jorge Molina netted twice in the first seven minutes before World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who had been largely anonymous until then, scored a trademark breakaway goal in the 38th minute.

Betis midfielder Arzu hooked the ball into the net on the stroke of halftime to revive the home side’s slim hopes and they were further lifted when Messi scuffed a penalty over the crossbar shortly after the break.

The Betis players were clearly tiring as the match wore on and they were unable to match the aggression and drive they had shown in the first half as Barca survived to book a last-four meeting with Almeria.

Despite their elimination, the home fans, who have seen their financially-troubled club slide into administration, were relishing their moment back in the limelight and enjoying their team’s performance, which suggested they will be worthy opponents if they seal promotion this season.

“Being from the second division it was a privilege to play against Barcelona,” Molina said in a television interview.

“The idea was to make the most of it and I think the supporters enjoyed it tonight and we did too,” he added.

Almeria had earlier reached the last four for the first time by knocking out Deportivo Coruna.

The Andalusian club, who are bottom of La Liga, won last week’s first leg 1-0 at home and built on Sunday’s gritty 1-1 draw at home to Real Madrid in the league to beat the Galicians 3-2 on the night for a 4-2 aggregate success.

  

Renato’s early goal sets holders Sevilla on way to last four

MADRID: Holders Sevilla led the charge into the last four of the King’s Cup when Renato’s early strike set them on their way to a 3-0 home win over Villarreal on Tuesday.

The result in their quarter-final, second leg at a boisterous Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium put the Andalusians through 6-3 on aggregate and set up a semi-final against Real Madrid or their city rivals Atletico, who meet today.

Real, who have not won Spain’s domestic Cup since 1993, have a 3-1 advantage from last week’s first leg at the Bernabeu.

Brazilian midfielder Renato fired Sevilla ahead in the seventh minute when he belted the ball into the net after Alvaro Negredo had beaten goalkeeper Diego Lopez with a dinked effort that was about to roll over the line.

Villarreal’s chances were effectively extinguished when the home side struck twice shortly after halftime.

Both goals came from corners swung over by Ivory Coast midfielder Ndri Romaric, his fellow African Frederic Kanoute of Mali nodding in the first and Alexis Ruano the second three minutes later.

The party atmosphere was a fitting setting for the return to action of Sevilla defender Sergio Sanchez after surgery on a heart condition and an absence of more than a year.

“I felt very well and very comfortable,” Sanchez said in a television interview. “I want to thank my team-mates who have made everything easier for me,” he added. 

  

Wounded Real looking for King’s Cup tonic against city rivals

MADRID: Real Madrid can give themselves the perfect tonic to help banish the effects of Sunday’s frustrating 1-1 La Liga draw at Almeria – eliminate city rivals Atletico from the King’s Cup.       

Jose Mourinho’s side, reeling after falling four points behind arch rivals Barcelona in the title race, have a 3-1 advantage from last week’s quarter-final, first leg at the Bernabeu and are chasing their first Cup triumph since 1993.       

Success across town at the Calderon tomorrow would set up a last four clash against holders Sevilla or Villarreal.

Atletico’s chances of a comeback have been hurt by an injury to Argentina forward Sergio Aguero.

“We know how much games against Real Madrid mean to our fans and our players,” Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores said after his side claimed a morale-boosting 3-0 victory against Real Mallorca in La Liga on Monday to end a poor run of form.       

“We have to go out and score quickly. It’s about more than just getting through to the semi-finals.”

Atletico have not won a Madrid derby in more than a decade and conceded a farcical third goal late in the first leg that makes their task tomorrow that much harder.

Real have progressed to the next round in all five previous domestic Cup ties in which they have won the first leg 3-1.       

While Real have one foot in the last four, Barcelona are virtually assured of their spot in the semi-finals.

Pep Guardiola’s side, who set a club record of 28 matches unbeaten in all competitions on Sunday, thumped Second Division leaders Real Betis 5-0 in the first leg, although the coach is taking nothing for granted.

“We have to prepare ourselves very well mentally,” Guardiola said at a news conference after Barca’s 4-1 La Liga win against Malaga on Sunday.

“I don’t want any lack of respect shown to an opponent as strong as Betis. We have to take the match very seriously because there could be surprises.”       

Almeria have a slight advantage over Deportivo Coruna in the other quarter-final tie after they beat the Galicians 1-0 at home last week.

If they can build on Sunday’s fine home draw against Real Madrid and go through they will face Barca in the last four. 

  

Real fight back in stormy derby

MADRID: Real Madrid fought back from a goal down to defeat city rivals Atletico 3-1 in the first leg of the Spanish King’s Cup quarter-finals on Thursday.

Atletico were ahead after just seven minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu when Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan was on target following a bright burst from Sergio Aguero which was ended by goalkeeper Iker Casillas’ clumsy challenge.

But Sergio Ramos powered in a header from an Angel Di Maria corner in the 14th minute to bring the home side level before Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil added second half strikes to give Real breathing space ahead of the second leg next week.

Atletico’s young goalkeeper David De Gea pulled off a string of fine first-half saves to keep his side in the contest, particularly alert to a header from Portuguese international centreback Ricardo Carvalho.

But he was powerless to keep out Real after the break.

Ronaldo gave his side the lead in the 61st minute when he stretched to steer in a cross from German star Ozil past De Gea.

Ozil then grabbed the third in stoppage time after a defensive error allowed him to chip the ball home from close range.

There was a bad-tempered end to the match, however, when Aguero and Ramos clashed and as their row continued, missiles were thrown on to the pitch.

In the night’s other game, Almeria edged Deportivo Coruna 1-0 thanks to a first-half own goal from on-loan Norwegian defender Knut Olav Rindaroy. 

  

Abidal saves Barca to qualify for King’s Cup quarters

MADRID: Eric Abidal crowned a superb defensive display with a rare goal to help Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday and put the La Liga leaders through to the quarter-finals of the Spanish King’s Cup on away goals.

Barca joined holders Sevilla in the last eight after the Andalusians won their second leg at Malaga 3-0 in the earlier kickoff to cruise through 8-3 on aggregate.

Deportivo Coruna also advanced but came perilously close to elimination by Second Division Cordoba before rallying to win 3-1 on the night and 4-2 over the two legs.

Bilbao held Barca to a 0-0 stalemate in last month’s first leg at the Nou Camp and a hard-fought return match at the Basque club’s San Mames Stadium looked to be heading for extra time before the France international struck in the 75th minute.

Spain playmaker Xavi picked out Lionel Messi in the penalty area and Abidal streaked in from the left wing to sidefoot the Argentina forward’s pass powerfully past Gorka Iraizoz, his first goal for the club since joining in 2007.

Abidal had started the game in central defence and did an impressive job of keeping Bilbao’s burly Spain striker Fernando Llorente quiet before switching to his normal leftback slot.

Freed from Abidal’s attentions, Llorente latched on to Andoni Iraola’s through ball and slotted past Jose Manuel Pinto in the 85th minute to give the home side hope but a spell of late pressure failed to yield a goal.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola said it had been an honour to play a match of such intensity at the San Mames, where Bilbao’s passionate fans create a dauntingly intense atmosphere.

“The fans should be very proud of the Athletic players and they should be of the fans,” he said.

“There is a great deal of merit in coming here and knocking them out on their turf in a tie that was extremely close and I am very happy with my players for managing it.”

Barca, the record 25-time winners who beat Bilbao 4-1 to win the Cup in 2009, will play La Liga rivals Getafe or Second Division Real Betis in the last eight.

Sevilla, 2-0 winners against Atletico Madrid in last season’s final, meet Villarreal or Valencia in the quarter-finals. Sevilla took the lead just after half-time in Malaga when a deflected long-range free-kick from Ivory Coast midfielder Ndri Romaric flew into the top corner.

Substitute Diego Perotti turned in a Jesus Navas centre in the 65th minute to effectively snuff out Malaga’s hopes of overturning their 5-3 defeat in last month’s first leg and Malaga defender Weligton was dismissed in the 72nd minute after picking up a second yellow card.

Brazil striker Luis Fabiano curled in another free-kick in the 89th minute to complete the rout.

Depor were held to a 1-1 draw in Cordoba last month and the Andalusians looked to be going through when captain Arteaga smashed the ball into the roof of the net in the 87th minute to make it 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate.

However, the referee ruled Jonathan Sesma had handled the ball in the penalty area two minutes later and Adrian Lopez stroked home the spot kick.

Cordoba were reduced to 10 men when defender Miguel Angel Tena was sent off moments later and Depor made the most of the advantage with Lopez scoring in each half of extra time. 

  

Barcelona face daunting atmosphere in Cup clash with Bilbao

MADRID: Barcelona must cope with the daunting atmosphere of Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames stadium if they are to reach the King’s Cup quarter-finals today after a rare off day left them vulnerable to an early exit.

The deafening roars and piercing whistles of the Bilbao fans have often given their team extra impetus in the claustrophobic, 40,000-seater arena known as the Cathedral and the Basques are right in the tie after holding Barcelona to a 0-0 draw in last month’s first leg at the Nou Camp.

“Bilbao are a team that will create problems for us,” Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said after the league leaders ground out a 2-1 home win over promoted Levante on Sunday.

Barca, who would meet Getafe or Division Two leaders Real Betis in the last eight, won 3-1 in Bilbao in La Liga in September, when midfielder Andres Iniesta was roundly booed after he was involved in the dismissal of Fernando Amorebieta.

Spain midfielder Iniesta has mostly been hailed as a hero by opposing fans for scoring the winning goal in July’s World Cup final but that achievement cuts little ice with the fiercely independent Basques.

“Now we have a life or death match,” Iniesta said after the Levante game.

Barca’s arch-rivals Real Madrid have not won the domestic Cup since 1993 but virtually secured a quarter-final berth with an 8-0 demolition of Levante in the first leg.

Jose Mourinho’s side, who play Levante tomorrow, look likely to go on and face city rivals and 2010 runners-up Atletico, who won their first leg at home to Espanyol 1-0.

In other last 16, second legs, Villarreal host Valencia tomorrow after the pair drew 0-0 at the Mestalla, Malaga are looking to overturn a 5-3 defeat by holders Sevilla and Almeria will attempt to defend a 4-3 lead at Real Mallorca.