City knock out Barca..again

For the second season in a row Manchester City have knocked out World Champions Barcelona from the UEFA Champions League.

"Today was tough." SB conceded how difficult the two matches were against City.

"They weren't very good themselves, we were just worse than them today."

Barcelona's exit at the Quarter Finals stage marks what could be the end of a marvelous career as boss of the Catalonia club in Champions League, as speculation continues as to SB's possible coaching whereabouts next season.

The treble is now completely out of reach for SB and Barcelona this season, and the double is looking just as unlikely with Barcelona sitting way out of contention in La Liga at the present time.

The road ahead in the Champions League now, Manchester City have been pitted up against another Spanish big gun in Real Madrid, who disposed of an uninspired Liverpool to move through to the Semi-Final.

The other Semi-Final will be fought between Bayern Munich and AC Milan.

Manchester City Celebrate another vistory against Barcelona

Champions League knock-out draw announced

The Champions League draw was annouced over the weekend at UEFA headquaters in Zurich, with some saying Barcelona receiving all the luck as they are drawn Russian champions Zenit over the home and away ties.

On the flip side, main rivals for the title Real Madrid have been pitted against old enemies Juventus - having been knocked out by the Italians at the same stage in last season's tournament.

"Some might say it is unlucky to be drawn a good side like Juve, when other teams get an easier draw." JM said to waiting media.

"I would say I rather play a good opponent like Juve, we will get our revenge for last year (going down in a close Penalty Shoot-out), and we will progress."

And when asked about Barcelona's upcoming fixture with Russian side Zenit.
"I think playing in a cold, and snowy place with Zenit could still cause many problems for Barceloan - I'm just saying, yes." JM added.

The Champions League draw in Zurich over the weekend

La Liga Golden Boot: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo look set to battle all the way for the top scorer prize

While Barcelona and Real Madrid continue to struggle in La Liga, Barcelona's Messi and Real Madrid's Ronaldo will battle out the honour of La Liga top goal scorer.

Bookmaker Bet365 is offering a market on the leading scorer in La Liga this season and it will surprise no-one to see who the two leading candidates are.

La Liga: Top Goalscorer - Bet365
Player (total goals to date)	Price
Cristiano Ronaldo (22)	1.8
Lionel Messi (22)	1.9

Tied on 22 league goals apiece at the moment, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are way ahead of the rest in the betting although surprisingly they are not the same price. Ronaldo is considered the favourite at 1.8, marginally shorter than the Argentine, who is also odds-on, at 1.9.

It is tough to separate the two, and given his fractionally better price, Messi would surely have to be the better bet.

There's no doubt that Roberto Soldado, Falcao and Karim Benzema are all top strikers, but their prices indicate that they are not in the running this year. Benzema suffers from the presence of Higuain, but also the same problem as the Argentine in terms of rotation.

Crucial part of season now for La Liga big guns...

As La Liga well and truly passes the half way point, every game is as crucial as the next as the battle for top honours continue.

Perhaps none more critical at this stage than Barcelona's next two opponents in 2nd and 1st placed Valencia and Athletico Madrid.

"I would say this is the season on the line in these next 2 games". Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said as he left training yesterday.

"Its been a battle but we feel we can still win everything on offer this year."

A loss against either side will most certainly spell the end for Barcelona and the trailing pack including traditional rivals Real Madrid, even with so much football left to play.

Barca looking the goods

It's only early days in the new season but Barcelona finally seem prepared to win their first La Liga title since the now infamous treble victory all those seasons ago.

Barcelona have sat among the leaders all season thus far and haven't suffered to same 'slump' as main title contenders Real Madrid, although some suggest this could be just around the corner.

"All of a sudden they have dropped points against very weak opposition." An FPA consultant said.
"It could very easily turn into a slump if they start losing another one or two games in quick succession."

Barcelona have also shrugged off an early upset loss in the Champions League to win back to back against Salzburg and convincingly against Napoli.

 Barca celebrate a big win against Napoli in the UCL match day 3

"Tough Season" says JM

It started a tough season for one of Spain's big guns Real Madrid and it hasn't gotten any easier as we pass the first quarter mark of the new season.

"It's been a very tough start to the season." JM said after their 12th round victory.
"But it does look like things are improving and I am happy with the team at this point."
"We clearly had a poor pre-season in Australia and this hasn't helped us when the new season kicked off." He added.

All this as speculation continues as to the likely destination for JM next season as he has all but made up his mind of moving on next season.

"I definitely plan to test myself in counties like England and Italy over the next few years - I want to win silverware everywhere no!."

Reports have linked the Madrid boss to Manchester United, Tottenham and AC Milan recently. However a final decision isn't expected until seasons end.

Real Madrid currently sit 7th in La Liga.

Sharing a moment with his team

JM to England next season?

JM is ready to quit Real Madrid in the summer and head to England, according to reports on Sunday.

JM has guided Real Madrid for many successes in the past few seasons

Mourinho, whose Madrid side currently sit mid table in La Liga this season, has reportedly grown tired of the in-fighting and behind-the-scenes politics at the Bernabeu, and is now looking to head to England to start fresh and create history with a new club.

"JM is sick and tired of this situation at Madrid," a source close to the manager told The Sunday Times. "It doesn't matter if he wins this season or not. It's not about the money.
"He's decided to come back to England and he will go in the summer."

JM has long been tipped as Sir Alex Ferguson's eventual successor at Manchester United, while he could also be of interest to Manchester City's ambitious owners.

Tottenham could also have a vacancy if current boss Harry Redknapp is offered the England job - although it is not out of the question that 'The Special One' would be open to taking on an international role with the Three Lions after Fabio Capello steps down following Euro 2012.

The speculation continues.