La Liga 2009-10

I agree with Pique (the poster not the Barcelona player!) it was an evenly matched game but barcelona amde the key plays while Madrid did not. I do nt know what to thin of Sergio Ramos, with Spain he plays so well on both ends of the field but at Real Madrid his urge to go forward leaves him often lazy in getting back to defend. Barcelona's goal was a great example of this as somebody already pointed out he just left Ibrahimovic make a solo run inside the penalty area and receive Dani Alves cross to score the game's only goal. Why does not he show the defensive commitment he has with Spain when he plays for Real Madrid?

Speaking of losing concentration that is what happened with Sevila against Malaga and thus they fell behind. Ok, they fought back and gained a draw but tying at home, where Sevilla is always so difficult to beat, against one of the league's poorest team is a costly slip up by Sevilla. All I can hope is that it will not come back and hurt the club at the end of the season in the title race.

Haha, maybe you have invented a word there Simon!

Sorry, but a quick google search for "galacticism" threw up 946 results, including one used by The Guardian's Sid Lowe talking about Madrid itself...better luck next time with the word-coining!

Curses! Or, should I say 'critznizzle!'

Because of their participation in the World Club Cup, Barcelona have moved up their game scheduled for the weekend of 13 December to today. So in an hour or so they'll kickoff against Xerez at the Nou Camp. First in the league against last. Come on Xerez, make some history!

Second division Las Palmas have announced on their website that they and Rayo Vallecano plus 7 individual players are being investigated for betting on matches they were involved in,

Gambling Investigation in Spain

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) said on Tuesday they were opening an enquiry into players suspected of betting on the outcome of matches they were competing in, and others, after a tip-off from European football’s governing body UEFA.

Last month, the German authorities uncovered what UEFA described as the biggest match-fixing scandal on the continent.

“The RFEF have started a disciplinary enquiry into Las Palmas, Rayo Vallecano and various footballers from other teams to investigate the participation of professional footballers in betting on matches,” Las Palmas said.

The Canary Island club named seven players in their statement, none of whom were in their squad.

Goalkeeper Javier Lopez Vallejo of promoted La Liga club Real Zaragoza and Rayo striker Piti were the highest profile players named.

No word on whether this in any way relates to the arrests in Germany involving attempted match fixing. But this will be a story which will not go away quickly.