Latest La Liga News

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REVENGE IS SWEET FOR MALAGA

Malaga emphatically gained revenge for their mauling at the hands of Atletico Madrid on the opening weekend of last season by crushing the Rojiblancos 3-0 at La Rosaleda.

Twelve months ago at the Vicente Calderon, Atletico were 4-0 victors over Malaga in what was the Andalusian club's first match back in the Primera Division following their promotion.

Malaga bounced back from that heavy loss to finish last season in eighth spot though, and they could be set for another memorable campaign this time around after getting off to a flying start against the La Liga heavyweights.

Nabil Baha put the hosts ahead in the 34th minute with an acrobatic overhead kick, before Atletico's old defensive lapses returned in the second half to allow Malaga to add further goals from Manu and Xavi Torres.

Atletico had brought in highly-rated goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo and veteran former Spain defender Juanito this summer in a bid to solve their defensive frailties, but some dismal set-piece marking by the home side led to Manu and Torres both netting.

The defeat will be a concern for Atletico coach Abel Resino, and he cannot use rustiness as an excuse as his team have already played two European matches, beating Panathinaikos 5-2 on aggregate to make it through to the Champions League group stages.

The second leg of that tie was played on Tuesday when Atletico recorded a 2-0 home win, but the Rojiblancos were unable to build on that despite a promising start against Malaga.

The hosts went close first when Torres fired over from close range, but then visiting midfielder Raul Garcia headed a gilt-edged chance over from a corner after Malaga had left three Atletico players unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box.

That was in the sixth minute and Simao went even closer seven minutes later when he bravely threw himself at Sergio Aguero's cross to send a header goalwards that Malaga goalkeeper Gustavo Munua did brilliantly to tip onto the crossbar.

Simao suffered a sickening clash of heads with Patrick Mtiliga in that incident and the Malaga man, with blood pouring from his scalp, was unable to continue.

Just before the half-hour, Atletico coach Resino was sent to the stands by the referee, but his side continued to create the better chances and Aguero was denied by Munua after being put away by Diego Forlan.

It was Malaga who would break the deadlock though, and it was some goal as Manolo Gaspar's deep cross was volleyed back into the danger area by Duda where Baha sent an unstoppable bicycle kick into the far corner of the net.

That goal was all the separated the teams at the break, and Atletico came close to cancelling it out at the start of the second half when Cleber Santana's well-struck 25-yard shot was well stopped by Munua.

However, Atletico's attempted recovery suffered a huge blow in the 63rd minute when they conceded a soft second goal.

A deep free-kick found Albert Luque ghosting in unmarked at the far post, and although his header was pushed out by Asenjo, Manu was an hand to smash the ball home from close range.

Atletico had no response to that and their misery was made complete in the 89th minute when more non-existent marking allowed Torres to head Selim Benachour's corner into the roof of the net, making it happy homecoming for Malaga coach Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz following his return to the hotseat this summer.

 

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SOLDADO STARS IN GETAFE ROMP

Roberto Soldado made a blistering start to the new Primera Division season with his hat-trick helping Getafe claim a comfortable victory at Racing Santander.

Rafa Lopez was also on target for the visitors, with Medhi Lacen's goal the only bright spot for a Racing side who were torn apart in the first 35 minutes.

New Racing coach Juan Carlos Mandia had already warned his players of the threat posed by Getafe's strikeforce before a ball had been kicked at Estadio El Sardinero.

And alarm bells should have been ringing in the home defence when Daniel Parejo's 12th-minute effort fell just wide of the left post.

Yet Racing still found themselves trailing moments later. Mandia's men failed to deal with Adrian Gonzalez's inswinging corner from the right allowing Rafa to find some space and head home from a few yards out.

Racing's back-line was looking ragged and a corner from Parejo after 19 minutes caused further panic before midfielder Manuel Arana cleared the danger.

But Getafe were proving more than a handful and they doubled their lead after 28 minutes from the boot of Soldado, who nipped into the area before nestling a shot into the bottom left corner.

Soldado was unfortunate not to add another four minutes later, when the former Real Madrid striker saw his curling right-footed strike blocked on the line by home goalkeeper Antonio Tono.

But he got the better of Racing's defence again after 34 minutes and this time it paid dividends, with a low right-footed effort finding the left corner from 10 yards.

It took the home side 38 minutes to register their first shot on goal, but Oscar Ustari was alert to Arana's drive and managed to get his body behind the ball.

However, Racing reduced the arrears two minutes before the interval when Lacen smashed a 25-yard strike into the bottom left corner.

Getafe coach Michel, who helped the club avoid relegation last season, would have been delighted with his team's first-half performance up front.

The visitors continued to get forward in numbers after the restart, and although Tono did well to keep out Parejo's shot from distance, the Racing keeper conceded a fourth goal after 55 minutes.

Again it was Soldado, Getafe's top scorer last season, who found the target with another low drive which flew into the bottom right corner.

That put the result beyond doubt and the match quickly descended into a scrappy affair, with Ustari, Soldado and Jose Manuel Mane all going in the referee's book for the visitors within a 10-minute spell.

The fight had completely gone out of Racing and only Arana seemed interested in trying to salvage something from the match.

But the midfielder saw one shot from distance saved by Ustari, while another 20-yard strike five minutes from time landed wide of the mark.

 

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XEREZ SUFFER OPENING LOSS

Xerez's first-ever game in the Primera Division ended in disappointment as they slipped to defeat against Real Mallorca and also had two players sent off.

Sixty-two years after the club was founded, Xerez finally clinched a place in the top flight after winning the Segunda Division title last season, but it was not to be a happy debut for the Andalusian outfit.

The dismissal of Leandro Gioda for a second booking in the 40th minute put Xerez on the back foot and Mallorca took full advantage to take the points thanks to second-half goals from Aritz Aduriz and Tuni.

There was no way back for Xerez after that and Jose Angel Ziganda's side lost a second player to a red card late on when Carlos Calvo was handed his marching orders after also picking up a second yellow.

The defeat was tough on Xerez, who started the match well and continued to create chances even when they were a man down, and despite the defeat they can take encouragement for the coming campaign.

Most of the early attacking was done by the visitors, and Abel Gomez had a great chance to put Xerez ahead in the 12th minute but he could not direct his half-volley on target with only Dudu Aouate to beat.

Gomez then saw another effort loop agonisingly over the bar after Momo's cross from the left had caused problems, before Mallorca created their first chance in the 29th minute, Victor Casadesus firing straight at Renan Brito from seven yards.

That was a decent opening for Mallorca, and Xerez can consider themselves somewhat fortunate not to have fallen a goal behind.

The visitors were not so lucky five minutes before the break though when Argentinian centre-back Gioda picked up the second of two bookings following a challenge near the halfway line.

Inevitably with a man advantage, Mallorca started to feature more strongly as an attacking force in the second half and Aduriz blazed over before Gonzalo Castro was denied by a goal-saving diving block by Renan following a jinking run.

The hosts were not to be denied in the 57th minute though as last season's top scorer Aduriz gave them the lead.

Tuni floated a teasing cross into the area and Aduriz climbed between his marker and goalkeeper to hammer a powerful header into the top corner.

Mallorca almost lost their lead just 60 seconds later, however, as Xerez created a great chance for the unmarked Giancarlo Maldonado, whose left-footed shot was well saved by Aouate.

That proved to be key moment, as a minute later Mallorca were celebrating their second goal, and with it the points were virtually theirs.

Tuni and Aduriz were again involved, with Tuni playing a one-two with the former Athletic Bilbao striker before the left winger's cross-shot took a deflection off a Xerez defender before flying over the stranded Renan and into the net.

Even though the game was slipping away from them, Xerez still pushed forward and they deserved a goal as they went close three times in quick succession, Aouate brilliantly tipping over Victor Sanchez's shot, Alex Bergantinos having a header cleared off the line and Francis Perez volleying wide.

It was not to be for Xerez though, and they suffered another blow late on when Calvo picked up his second yellow for handball.

 

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VILLARREAL HELD TO STALEMATE

Villarreal had to settle for a point at Osasuna as the sides cancelled each other out in the first round of the Primera Division in Pamplona.

The Yellow Submarine took the lead through the excellent Santi Cazorla just after the half-hour mark, but Walter Pandiani struck the equaliser six minutes later for Osasuna, who managed to survive a wave of attacks from the visitors late on to seal a hard-earned point.

Villarreal had signalled their intentions on Thursday night, when they thrashed Dutch side NAC Breda at El Madrigal 6-1 with a stunning attacking performance.

And that had been achieved without their big summer signing, Nilmar, who was rested.

The Brazilian returned for this game to partner Giuseppe Rossi up front for Villarreal, who were also starting the season under a new coach after Ernesto Valverde replaced Manuel Pellegrini earlier this summer.

But Osasuna play with great intensity at home and Valverde therefore decided to field three combative men in midfield, with Sebastien Eguren, Cani and Marcos Senna charged with winning the battle in the centre of the park and Cazorla the sole creative outlet behind the front men.

Villarreal almost went ahead through an unlikely source after 23 minutes, when centre-back Diego Godin saw his header cleared off the line.

But eight minutes later, they were ahead as Cazorla lashed a deflected long-range effort past a helpless Ricardo.

And five minutes later, it could have been two, but Nilmar shot straight at Ricardo.

Osasuna then went up the other end and levelled.

Pandiani controlled a long ball with his head and fed Carlos Aranda, who held off his marker and set up the Uruguayan for a clinical low finish which gave Diego Lopez no chance.

It was probably about fair at this stage, but Villarreal were far superior after the break.

Nilmar sent a shot spinning just wide of the target four minutes after the interval and Cazorla was brilliantly denied by the busy Ricardo just after the hour mark as the visitors looked to make their superiority count.

And in an attempt to win the match, Valverde sent on the more creative talents of Robert Pires and Ariel Ibagaza late on.

The visitors were in complete control now and Ricardo did well to deny Pires with 13 minutes left.

The Osasuna goalkeeper was then alert to clear as Nilmar was ready to pounce after 86 minutes.

There was only one likely winner now, but Osasuna were desperate to hang on for a point and defended in numbers late on.

And time was running out fast for the visitors.

Pires could have won it with just two minutes left, but blasted over from close range when he really should have hit the target.

That was the last chance for Villarreal, who will definitely see this as a missed opportunity.

Valverde will be encouraged by his team's performance, nevertheless, and Osasuna will be content to begin with a hard-earned point as well following last season's miserable campaign which almost saw them relegated.

 

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OPENING LOSS FOR ESPANYOL

Espanyol marked their first competitive match since the death of former captain Dani Jarque with defeat, going down to Athletic Bilbao in the opening round of the Primera Division.

Athletic striker Gaizka Toquero scored the only goal of the game 12 minutes from time to hand the Basques a perfect start to the campaign.

It was not the result hoped for by Espanyol, who are still in mourning over the tragic death of Jarque from a heart attack earlier this month.

In truth, Joaquin Caparros' side had something of a head-start on Espanyol in this encounter, given that this match was already their seventh competitive game of the season.

Athletic had already played four Europa League qualifying matches, advancing to the group stages of the competition last week, as well as the two legs of the Spanish Supercup, which they lost to Barcelona.

And that extra edge showed early on as Athletic looked the sharper of the two sides.

The home side almost went ahead after nine minutes, when Fernando Llorente rose majestically and crashed a powerful header towards goal, but Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni made a fine reflex save to deny the Spain striker.

Eight minutes later, Kameni was the hero again for the visitors, this time moving brilliantly to push away Toquero's close-range header.

Espanyol should have taken the lead after 23 minutes, but the unmarked Joan Verdu wastefully shot wide with only Athletic keeper Gorka Iraizoz to beat.

The midfielder, a summer signing from Deportivo La Coruna, was making his debut in midfield, and should have done much better with that effort.

And Mauricio Pochettino's side squandered another glorious opportunity just before the break, when Ivan Alonso rose above his marker Xabi Castillo, but could not keep his header down and saw the ball sail over the bar.

That was the last meaningful action of an entertaining and evenly-disputed first half.

After the break, both sides struggled to find their rhythm early on.

Gurpegui blasted well over from distance as the two teams were restricted to long-range efforts.

As the game wore on, it looked as if one goal may well win it.

And it fell to Athletic with 12 minutes left, when Toquero beat his marker Javi Chica and despatched a clinical shot past an exposed Kameni to give the home side the lead.

Llorente should have made it two with a minute left, but shot wide with only Kameni to beat and there were nervous moments for Athletic in the closing seconds as the Espanyol keeper moved into the area for a corner.

But Iraizoz claimed the ball to keep his former team-mates at bay and ensure a happy afternoon for Athletic.

For Espanyol, it was a frustrating start to the season which had promised so much when the Catalans thrashed Liverpool 3-0 on the inauguration of their new stadium just a few weeks ago.

There, following the international break, the Catalans will host Real Madrid in what will be another huge tribute to their former captain.

 

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VALENCIA MAKE WINNING START

Juan Mata and Pablo Hernandez struck in the second half to secure Valencia a winning start to the Primera Division campaign against a Sevilla side down to 10 men for over half the match following the dismissal of Fredi Kanoute.

The former Tottenham frontman was sent off in first-half stoppage time for two bookable offences and the hosts ruthlessly made their extra man pay dividends after the interval, running out 2-0 winners.

Mata put his side ahead within two minutes of the restart and Pablo made the points safe 10 minutes from time with an effort possibly aided by the terrible playing surface at the Mestalla.

Carlos Marchena produced the first shot of the match for Valencia in the fifth minute but Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop was more than equal to it.

Palop was also on hand to comfortably deal with Pablo's effort 10 minutes later as the hosts continued to press.

The visitors were forced into an early change in the 21st minute when Ndri Romaric had to go off injured, meaning Manolo Jimenez handed new summer signing Didier Zokora a Primera Division debut off the bench.

Kanoute was given his first yellow card midway through the opening period for an aerial collision with Bruno which left the right-back dripping with blood from a head wound.

David Villa, who was linked with a move away from Valencia for much of the summer, looked to be through on goal in the 25th minute but Palop came off his line well to gather at the feet of the prolific Spain striker.

Another of Los Che's prized assets, David Silva, passed up a half-chance just before the interval. Pablo produced a dangerous cross from the right but Silva was unable to unduly test Palop.

Valencia were presented with the upper hand in first-half stoppage time when Kanoute was given his marching orders for raising his studs in a challenge on Marchena.

And the hosts took less than two minutes of the second period to make their numerical advantage tell.

Ever Banega, who started the match despite having been heavily linked with a summer switch to Everton, scurried in from the left and was just about to let fly with his right foot when Mata nipped in and lashed a left-footed shot past a static Palop.

Alvaro Negredo, a recent acquisition from Real Madrid, was afforded a Sevilla debut as a 55th-minute replacement for Diego Perotti as Jimenez looked to give his side a much-needed spark.

But the bulk of the chances continued to materialise in the home team's favour.

Palop came off his line sharply to block from Mata following Silva's neat ball from the left and the Sevilla keeper was also on hand to make a routine save from a long-range blast from Banega just before the hour mark.

Villa worked himself some space midway through the second half with an elusive diagonal run but could not get his shot away and was shepherded to safety by Sebastien Squillaci.

A slick move 14 minutes from time culminated in Villa crossing from the right towards Silva but again there was no way past Palop.

The clinching goal finally arrived on the counter-attack in the 80th minute.

Banega evaded a couple of Sevilla challenges on a quick breakaway before spreading a pass with the outside of his right boot out to Pablo, who - whether intentionally or otherwise - clipped past Palop.

 

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CHYGRYNSKIY SET FOR BARCA MEDICAL

Dmytro Chygrynskiy is set to be presented as Barcelona's latest addition on Monday afternoon after undergoing his medical with the treble winners in the morning.

Chygrynskiy arrived in Barca on Sunday to put the finishing touches on his switch from Shakhtar Donetsk, which Spanish media are reporting will cost the Catalan giants 25million euros.

The 22-year-old defender's final game for Shakhtar was Friday's European Super Cup clash against Barca, which his future employers won 1-0.

Chygrynskiy told Barca TV: "I feel lucky to sign for Barca. I'm hoping to improve and form a part of this great team.

"It wasn't easy (to leave Shahktar). Shakhtar thought they would be involved in the Champions League. What's more they have just opened a new stadium and the president wanted me to stay."

Shakhtar, last season's UEFA Cup winners, will compete in the Europa League this term after losing on away goals to Romanian minnows Politehnica Timisoara in their Champions League qualifier earlier this month.

The Ukraine international will undergo his medical and, if all goes well, will be presented as Barca's fourth summer signing - after Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Maxwell and the loaned-out Keirrison - at 1330 at the Nou Camp.

Barca, whose triumph in the European Super Cup was the fifth trophy they have won under coach Pep Guardiola after claiming the Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League last season, and the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month, start the defence of their league title against Sporting Gijon on Monday night.

 

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XEREZ START LIFE AT TOP WITH LOSS

Xerez's first-ever game in the Primera Division ended in disappointment as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Real Mallorca and also had two players sent off.

The dismissal of Leandro Gioda for a second booking in the 40th minute put Xerez on the back foot and Mallorca took full advantage to take the points thanks to second-half goals from Aritz Aduriz and Tuni.

There was also a red card late on for the newcomers when Carlos Calvo was handed his marching orders after also picking up a second yellow.

Malaga emphatically gained revenge for their mauling at the hands of Atletico Madrid on the opening weekend of last season by crushing the Rojiblancos 3-0 at La Rosaleda.

Twelve months ago at the Vicente Calderon, Atletico were 4-0 victors over Malaga in what was the Andalusian club's first match back in the Primera Division following their promotion.

Malaga bounced back from that heavy loss to finish last season in eighth spot though, and they could be set for another memorable campaign this time around after getting off to a flying start against the La Liga heavyweights.

Nabil Baha put the hosts ahead in the 34th minute with an acrobatic overhead kick, before Atletico's old defensive lapses returned in the second half to allow Malaga to add further goals from Manu and Xavi Torres.

Espanyol marked their first competitive match since the death of former captain Dani Jarque with defeat, going down to 1-0 Athletic Bilbao.

Athletic striker Gaizka Toquero scored the only goal of the game 12 minutes from time to hand the Basques a perfect start to the campaign.

Villarreal had to settle for a point at Osasuna as the sides cancelled each other out 1-1 in Pamplona.

The Yellow Submarine took the lead through the excellent Santi Cazorla just after the half-hour mark, but Walter Pandiani struck the equaliser six minutes later for Osasuna, who managed to survive a wave of attacks from the visitors late on to seal a hard-earned point.

Juan Mata and Pablo Hernandez struck in the second half to secure Valencia a winning start against a Sevilla side down to 10 men for over half the match following the dismissal of Fredi Kanoute.

The former Tottenham frontman was sent off in first-half stoppage time for two bookable offences and the hosts ruthlessly made their extra man pay dividends after the interval, running out 2-0 winners.

Roberto Soldado made a blistering start to the new season with his hat-trick helping Getafe claim a comfortable 4-1 victory at Racing Santander.

Rafa Lopez was also on target for the visitors, with Medhi Lacen's goal the only bright spot for a Racing side who were torn apart in the first 35 minutes.

In Sunday night's match, Real Valladolid overcame the early dismissal of Nivaldo to earn a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Almeria.

The Brazilian defender saw red after just 13 minutes, but Hugo Sanchez's men were unable to make their numerical advantage count.

Kalu Uche hit the woodwork in the second half, but that was as close as Almeria came to claiming victory.

On Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo was on the scoresheet as Real Madrid got their campaign off to a winning start, but they were given a few scares along the way before seeing off Deportivo La Coruna 3-2 at the Bernabeu.

Manuel Pellegrini selected seven of the club's eight summer arrivals in his starting XI, including superstars Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema, but it was one of their existing and less heralded players, Lassana Diarra, who earned Madrid the spoils.

Diarra fired home a low 25-yard shot on the hour mark to secure victory for Madrid after battling Depor had twice drawn level to cancel out goals by Raul and Ronaldo, the visitors scoring through Riki and Juan Carlos Valeron.

Ronaldo's goal, like two of his previous three since his summer move from Manchester United, came from the penalty spot after Raul had been sent sprawling by Aranzubia.

The pressure was on Ronaldo, under the spotlight after a fairly low-key pre-season, but the FIFA World Player of the Year showed no signs of nerves as he drilled his spot-kick just inside the post.

Real Zaragoza began life back in the Spanish top flight with a narrow 1-0 win at home to fellow promoted side Tenerife.

Javier Arizmendi struck the only goal in a lively encounter 17 minutes from time to secure three precious and rather fortuitous points for Marcelino Garcia Toral's side.

 

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GUARDIOLA: ROBINHO NOT JOINING BARCA

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has ruled out the possibility of Robinho joining the treble winners before the end of the transfer window, admitting his side are unlikely to make any more signings this summer.

Barca had been linked with a big-money swoop for Brazil forward, who played for the Catalan giants' arch rivals Real Madrid before moving to Manchester City on transfer deadline day 12 months ago for a British record £32.5million.

However, Guardiola has poured cold water on the chance of Robinho moving to the Nou Camp, and also on the likelihood of any new player being brought into the squad save from Shakhtar Donetsk defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy.

"Something extraordinary will have to happen for someone to come in," Guardiola was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo.

"Robinho will not come. He was the star signing of City last year and it would make no sense that they'd let him go now."

Guardiola did admit, though, that he felt Barca's squad was a little thin having only brought in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Maxwell and Chygrynskiy this summer. He would have liked a midfielder, but nevertheless believes the youngsters coming through can fill any gaps.

"The prices (being asked for players) were exorbitant. I have a lot of faith that the young players can help maintain the balance of the team," he added.

With regards Ukraine defender Chygrynskiy, who is currently undergoing his medical with Barca as he puts the finishing touches on what is reportedly a 25million euro move from Shakhtar Donetsk, Guardiola said: "We have made a good signing.

"We've asked a lot about and and we've seen him a lot, and I think that he can help us."

 

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RESINO LAMENTS OPENING LOSS

Atletico Madrid coach Abel Resino admits his side have plenty of work to do on the training ground after suffering a dismal start to their Primera Division campaign.

Atletico travelled to opening-weekend opponents Malaga in buoyant mood having last week completed a 5-2 aggregate win over Panathinaikos to progress to the Champions League, but there was precious little to cheer on the south coast for Resino's men.

Malaga had lost 4-0 to Atletico on the opening day of last season, but they gained revenge by humbling the same opponents 3-0 on Sunday, exposing some weaknesses in the Rojiblancos' side in the process.

"That was the worst we have played since returning back for pre-season," said Resino.

"They closed down at the back and we had a tough time opening them up. We also had difficulties moving the ball quickly.

"It's not normal that a team like ours fails to score in a match, and we had our chances."

It was at the back that Resino was most concerned though, as his side gifted Malaga their second two goals with dismal marking at a free-kick and a corner.

Atletico had looked to have strengthened their much-maligned backline with the summer acquisitions of highly-rated goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo and veteran centre-back Juanito, but it seems there is still plenty of work to be done.

"During the whole of pre-season we hadn't conceded a goal from set-pieces and against Malaga we conceded two," he said.

"We have to keep working and believe in the project here. You have to know where the problems are and try to resolve them so that they don't happen again."

 

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RACING LAND XISCO AND BARCA ACE

Racing Santander are set to add two new faces to their squad after agreeing one-year loan deals for Barcelona defender Henrique and Newcastle striker Xisco.

Brazilian Henrique, 21, joined Barca 12 months ago from Palmeiras before spending last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen - while 23-year-old Spaniard Xisco moved to Newcastle from Deportivo La Coruna last September.

Racing confirmed on their website that they had reached agreements with both Barca and Newcastle to take the two players on loan until June 30, 2010 - adding that the pair will be added to the Cantabrian club's squad once they pass their medicals.

Racing, under new coach Juan Carlos Mandia, started their Primera Division campaign with a 4-1 home defeat by Getafe on Sunday.

 

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PIENAAR HOPES HEITINGA SIGNS

Steven Pienaar reckons Johnny Heitinga would be a "great" deadline-busting signing for Everton.

Toffees boss David Moyes confirmed on Sunday the club have agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid for defender Heitinga.

Everton have offered £5million for the Dutchman, though Moyes admits there is still work to be done on personal terms before the deal is finalised.

Pienaar, though, is hoping Heitinga signs before the transfer window shuts as Moyes looks to bolster his squad.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "We hope a few more faces will come in to boost our confidence and it will make us more alert because we will all be fighting for places.

"I hope Johnny is one of them. I know him really well - he's a good defender, a good professional and his record shows that as he's played for Ajax, Atletico and Holland.

"He'd be a great signing for us. He can play in a few positions - right-back, centre-back or just in front of the defence. He's a quality player."

 

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CHYGRYNSKIY SEALS BARCA MOVE

Dmytro Chygrynskiy has completed his 25million euro move from Shakhtar Donetsk to Barcelona.

The Ukraine international successfully underwent his medical with the treble winners on Monday morning before putting pen to paper on a five-year contract this lunchtime.

The 22-year-old defender, who has a buy-out clause of 100million euros in his contract, will be presented by Barca on Monday afternoon.

Chygrynskiy becomes Barca's fourth signing of the summer, following Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Maxwell and Keirrison, who has been loaned out to Benfica for this season.

Chygrynskiy's final game for Shakhtar came against Barca in Friday's European Super Cup in Monaco, which the Catalan giants won to pick up their fifth trophy of the year after the Primera Division, Copa del Rey, Champions League and Spanish Super Cup.

 

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GETAFE SWOOP FOR TORRES

Getafe have swooped for defender Miguel Torres from local rivals Real Madrid.

Although Getafe gave no details of the deal save that Torres will be presented at midday local time on Tuesday, Spanish media report that the 23-year-old has agreed a five-year deal and will cost 2million euros.

Locally-born Torres came up through the youth ranks at Madrid and made his senior debut during the 2006/07 season. He helped Real win back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008, playing 38 matches in the process.

 

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INJURY SIDELINES ROMARIC

Sevilla's start to the Primera Division season went from bad to worse on Monday with the news that midfielder Ndri Romaric is set to be sidelined for up to a month with injury.

Romaric, who was substituted 21 minutes into Sunday's match at Valencia, underwent further tests on his injured knee on Monday morning and club doctor Adolfo Munoz confirmed the Ivory Coast international is likely to be out for between three and four weeks.

The loss of Romaric comes after Sevilla suffered a 2-0 defeat at Valencia in their season-opener, a match which also saw them lose striker Fredi Kanoute to a red card.

 

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VAN DER VAART STAYING AT REAL

Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, linked with a move to Tottenham, has been told he still has a future at Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants needed to cut their squad after their lavish summer spending spree, which brought in the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xabi Alonso.

Van der Vaart was told he could leave the club and not only had to train away from the first-team squad but was not even given a squad number for this season.

But the departure of fellow Dutchmen Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder last week for Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, respectively, has handed Van der Vaart a reprieve.

The 26-year-old and his lawyer, Robert Geerlings, recently met with Real coach Manuel Pellegrini, technical director Jorge Valdano and general director Jose Angel Sanchez.

And having already turned down a move to Turkish champions Besiktas this summer, Geerlings admitted it was unexpected to hear Van der Vaart was still wanted at the Bernabeu.

"At the meeting Rafael was urgently requested to stay at Real," he told weekly football magazine Voetbal International.

"The squad has been decreased to 25 players and that made them decide that Rafael doesn't have to leave anymore.

"For us, it was very surprising, and Rafael has decided to fight for his place in Madrid."

Geerlings also claimed that two English clubs made offers for Van der Vaart but he now insists: "It's official, Rafael will stay at Real Madrid."

Van der Vaart made 32 league appearances for Real last season after a summer move from Hamburg, but only 15 were starts.

 

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MONACO COMPLETE GUDJOHNSEN SWOOP

Monaco have reached an agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of Eidur Gudjohnsen to the French club.

The fee for the 30-year-old Iceland international could rise to 2million euros depending on performances, Barca have confirmed.

Gudjohnsen joined Barca from Chelsea in 2006 and although he was unable to tie down a regular first-team spot at the Nou Camp, he played 72 league games and helped the Catalan giants win the Champions League, Primera Division and Copa del Rey last season.

In a statement confirming the deal on club website www.asm-fc.com, Monaco revealed Gudjohnsen had signed a two-year deal at Stade Louis II and would wear the number nine shirt.

Monaco also confirmed they have completed a deal to sign 23-year-old midfielder Mathieu Coutadeur from Le Mans on a four-year deal.

 

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BARCA OFF TO WINNING START

Barcelona began their quest for a second successive league title under Pep Guardiola with a routine 3-0 win over Sporting Gijon in the first round of Primera Liga action at the Nou Camp.

First-half goals from Bojan Krkic and Seydou Keita set an under-strength Catalan side on their way and summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic grabbed his first for the club late on as Guardiola's side strolled to a comfortable victory.

Pedro was rewarded for his winning goal in the UEFA Super Cup win over Shakhtar Donetsk last week with a place in the starting XI, replacing Lionel Messi who is on international duty with in Argentina.

Keita, Bojan and Maxwell all started in a new-look Barcelona side, as Thierry Henry and Yaya Toure were left on the bench and Rafa Marquez and Andres Iniesta - on their way back from injury - watched on from the stands, along with new signing Dmitro Chygrynsky.

Barca dominated from the outset and Ibrahimovic showed some neat touches early on.

The first real chance of note fell to the former Inter Milan forward, but he dragged a poor effort across the box from a good position after just four minutes.

Sporting came into this game with five players missing through injury and coach Manuel Preciado opted to field all five summer signings from the start.

The northerners began well and Diego Castro should have given them the lead after 10 minutes when he poked his shot harmlessly over the bar with only Victor Valdes to beat.

Seven minutes later, Barca were ahead. Keita cleverly flicked on Xavi's corner with his head and Bojan was on hand to apply the finishing touch with a diving header at the back post.

Maxwell's suicidal back pass almost set up David Barral for an equaliser after 32 minutes, but Valdes was alert to the danger.

Ibrahimovic then cut the ball back in the area brilliantly after 40 minutes, but his weak shot was easily saved by Sporting keeper Juan Pablo Colinas at the near post.

Two minutes later, Bojan went on a mesmerising run and was allowed to shoot by a Sporting defence expecting the killer pass to a team-mate.

His effort was eventually deflected wide and from the resulting corner, Barcelona went two up.

This time it was taken short to Dani Alves, who whipped in a pinpoint cross towards the far post where three Barca players were queuing up to apply the finish.

The first in line was Keita, who crashed an unstoppable header past Juan Pablo to give Barca a two-goal lead at the break.

Bojan almost put the Catalans three up not long after the break, but Sporting kept fighting and came close through Mate Bilic and Barral midway through the second period.

Bojan then had another chance straight after that and Ibrahimovic saw a header saved by Juan Pablo with 15 minutes left.

It was proving something of a frustrating evening for the Swede, but he finally got his reward eight minutes from time when he was left all alone to finish with ease at the back post after Sporting had once again failed to deal with a Barca corner.

The Barca striker looked to be in an offside position, but he will hardly care now that he is off the mark for his new club.

Further chances came and went in the closing minutes, but this was still an impressive win for a Barca side with several players in reserve and paying well within themselves.

After one round of fixtures, the Catalans sit joint top alongside Getafe and Malaga, who both won by three-goal margins yesterday.

 

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BAGGIE VALERO RETURNS TO MALLORCA

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Borja Valero has completed his return to Real Mallorca on a season-long loan.

Valero joined the Baggies from Mallorca last summer in a club record £4.7million deal and he made 34 appearances under Tony Mowbray last season.

However, Roberto Di Matteo's appointment at the Hawthorns saw Valero fall down the pecking order and he had made just two appearances this term.

Di Matteo confirmed last month that two Spanish clubs had expressed an interest in taking Valero back to La Liga.

Valero was keen to rejoin his former club and finalised his switch back to Mallorca before the close of the Spanish transfer window.

Mallorca also have the option to sign the 24-year-old on a permanent basis if he enjoys a productive campaign.

 

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RIBERY DENIES REAL MADRID DEAL

Franck Ribery has denied that there is a deal already in place between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich that would see him leave for Spain next summer.

Bayern rejected all approaches for the French winger in the summer with Real thought to be among a host of top clubs interested.

Many expected that the £22million arrival of Arjen Robben from Real last week would pave the way for Ribery to finally leave the Allianz Arena after a summer of speculation.

Despite Bayern's defiance the 26-year-old has now revealed that he will play in Spain at some point in his career although a deal for next summer has not yet been agreed.

"Is there an agreement between Bayern and Real for a transfer next summer? Never, I deny it. That is fake. Absolutely nothing has been sorted out so far," he told France Football.

"Bayern officials didn't propose me any extension. Maybe we will talk. I have never closed any door.

"My preference is to move to Spain. One day I will play in La Liga."

The former Marseille man also admitted that his relationship with coach Louis van Gaal had started frostily, further fuelling rumours that his long-term future lay away from the Bundesliga giants.

"For the start of the season in Germany, I was not fit enough for Van Gaal," he added. "He said I was injured. It was a lie, I was not injured.

"It is true I have been upset. I showed Van Gaal I could be in the group, but he made his decision. The most important thing is trust with the coach, and it is complex.

"We should all laugh a little more too. It is the first time I don't have a positive contact with a coach. I have less feeling. We only have a professional relationship."

However, Ribery revealed that he was now looking forward to linking up with Robben and, after the Dutch international scored a debut brace in a 3-0 win over champions Wolfsburg at the weekend, the Frenchman is hoping his new team-mate can lift the sombre mood around the club.

"This is a great signal from the club," he told TZ.

"Robben is a very good player, I am very happy. I had been longing for a player like Robben.

"Recently I felt the players being under a certain sort of blockade, nobody was smiling and no one was out to say a thing, everyone was just serious.

"I do not think this club is needing toughness, you always need to find the right mixture of toughness and joy, and really I was lacking the joy in terms of my team-mates and the daily life at the club."