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LaLiga Probable Line-Ups: Week 4

LaLiga Probable Line-Ups: Week 4

LaLiga Probable Line-Ups: Week 4

LaLiga Probable Line-Ups: Week 4

EIBAR-LEGANES (Friday, 21:00 - all times CET)

LEVANTE-VALENCIA (Saturday, 13:00)

GETAFE-BARCELONA (Sat, 16:15)

BETIS-DEPORTIVO (Sat, 18:30)

ATLETICO-MALAGA (Sat, 20:45)

ALAVES-VILLARREAL (Sunday, 12:00)

GIRONA-SEVILLA (Sun, 16:15)

LAS PALMAS-ATHLETIC (Sun, 18:30)

R. SOCIEDAD-R. MADRID (Sun, 20:45)

ESPANYOL-CELTA (Monday, 21:00)

LaLiga still full of unbeaten teams

LaLiga still full of unbeaten teams

Not since 2002/03 have eight LaLiga teams made it to Week 4 of the season without being beaten.

Heading into the weekend; Barcelona, Levante, Valencia, Real Sociedad, Athletic Club, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Real Madrid have all managed to avoid that sinking feeling thus far.

However it's not all positive news as both Real and Atletico hold great uncertainties following two disappointing draws amongst a single win.

Barcelona and Sociedad are the only to have claimed victory in all three games of the 2017/18 campaign to this point, while the Catalans are joined by Athletic as the only teams yet to concede.

This has only happened once before in LaLiga's 20-team period, which also involved Barcelona, Madrid, Atletico, La Real and Valencia as part of the successful eight.

By the end of that campaign, only Real Madrid and Real Sociedad ended up in the Champions League places and the two do battle at Estadio Anoeta this weekend, along with fellow unbeaten teams Valencia and Levante.

Real Madrid boast €178m transfer budget

Real Madrid boast €178m transfer budget

The financial outlook for Real Madrid following the double winning 2016/17 campaign has been revealed ahead of the club's Annual Assembly on October 1.

Real president Florentino Perez and his board of directors must gain official approval from the members to pass the budget, as well as its forecasts for the 2017/18 season.

Coming out of the previous campaign with a whole host of silverware, Los Blancos earned 674.6 million euros in operating income with operating profit amounting to 137.8m euros.

Furthermore, the treasury balance of Real Madrid is due to be settled at 178m euros, the second highest in club history as Zinedine Zidane holds vast swathes of transfer funds at his disposal.

While there was great success on the pitch, in reality this meant higher outlays in terms of expenses and bonuses, totalling 70m euros.

Operating income increased 8.8 percent year on year, excluding the capital gains of player sales, while club equity reached 463.5m euros, up 21.2m euros.

Profit after tax and securities was named as 21.4m euros for 2016/17.

Looking ahead to the end of the 2017/18 season, Madrid chiefs forecast earnings to expand to 690.3m euros with a pre-tax profit of 48.6m euros.

The Valverde effect

The Valverde effect

Neymar left him, he didn't sign Inigo Martinez, Real Madrid beat him in the Spanish Super Cup, the transfer market closure did not bring him any new players... but Barcelona are still under the bewitching spell of Ernesto Valverde.

To top it off, the team has disconnected with the management of Josep Maria Bartomeu, who still has a motion of censorship hanging over him.

The coach could never have imagined a reception quite like this but to his credit, Valverde has taken advantage of the situation using his experience.

In all of his speeches to the media he has shown great serenity, and has also transmitted that calm to the squad.

He has applied common sense where required too, which has meant that players like Messi, Alba, Iniesta, Rakitic and Semedo are already showing their best version.

1. Still positive after the transfer window.

Robert Fernandez was in charge of breaking the news to Valverde that there were no new signings at the end of the transfer window.

"We are, and will remain, calm," was the coach's response.

2. Messi is free.

For a new coach, the face-to-face with Lionel Messi is no easy task but Valverde has managed it with skill and without great fuss.

The result offers no doubts: eight goals and six shots against the woodwork.

3. Relying on Rakitic.

Valverde has opted for Ivan Rakitic, a footballer for whom Luis Enrique made life impossible the previous season, and has given him confidence by making him a starter from the beginning.

As such, the Croatian is responding.

4. Use the best players.

Valverde has used his best players in every game, leaving no room to doubt his preferred XI.

5. A winger called Alba.

The great beneficiary of Neymar's departure as he has already made the left wing his own.

6. The friendly face.

When Barcelona's board began looking at coaches, one of the required qualities was to maintain composure in the press conferences.

Valverde has stoically endured the harassment of the media in the absence of new signings, the doubts created by the team in the Super Cup games and the anger of club members.

7. The ball is King.

Valverde has returned to the essence of Barcelona's game.

His teams go hunting for the ball, caress it and use it well both in attack and defence.

8. The importance of Iniesta.

Valverde believes Iniesta is remarkable and the reason that the captain is still hesitating to sign his renewal is because he needs to continue to feel important to the team.

The coach has proven that to be the case as he has always given Iniesta a starting berth.

Isco: There was some contact with Barcelona but I never listened to it

Isco: There was some contact with Barcelona but I never listened to it

Thursday's announcement came as a huge relief to Real Madrid supporters, asIsco renewed his contract with the club until June 2022 and the Spaniard has confirmed that there were talks with Barcelona before settling on an extended stay at Los Blancos.

Breaking into the first-team in the 2016/17 season was difficult for the former Malaga playmaker and everyone was acutely aware of his contractual situation.

As such there were links with both Barcelona and Manchester City, yet it was the links to the Camp Nou that greatly alarmed those within Valdebebas.

"There was some contact but I never listened to it, my intention was always to succeed here in a team that had confidence in me, I want to consolidate my position as a starter and win many titles," he explained to the assembled press.

Despite not always being a regular first-team member since he arrived at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Isco can call upon numerous positive memories and he believes winning La Decima was his finest Real Madrid moment.

"I would say that La Decima was memorable, it was the club's most desired European Cup, there have been bad moments, the beginning of last season when I suffered an ankle injury, that really angered me," he noted.

Zinedine Zidane didn't initially know how best to use the Spanish midfielder when he took the job, it took time for the Frenchman to trust Isco in a footballing perspective, yet the midfielder recalls the belief the Frenchman gave him from day one.

"From the first day [Zidane] arrived, he told me he believed in me," said the player.

"He showed me his confidence from the very first moment and I've been patient, in the end this is a team game and you must wait for your moment."

Negotiations over the renewal, which includes a 700 million euro buy-out clause, have been ongoing for a number of months although this is largely because Isco wanted to focus on football.

"The timing is merely anecdotal, I could have renewed last year but I wanted to be focused on the season, I was always determined to re-sign," said Isco.

Injuries and suspension has forced former Castilla coach Zidane to adapt to a new 4-4-2 formation of late and in doing so he has found the perfect position for Isco.

Coming in off the left into a central midfield position has allowed Isco to thrive, and the player himself believes it is better to be a key part of an incredibly gifted unit.

"We have a very competitive team, we are all crucial," he stated.

"I don't feel as though I'm an automatic starter but it is very important that the team unit is exceptional."

Bale urges Real Madrid fans to be patient

Bale urges Real Madrid fans to be patient

The motivation to win titles has not been lost from Real Madrid this season, according to Gareth Bale, and the Welshman has urged fans to be patient following to poor draws.

Both Levante and Valencia have taken a point home from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in recent weeks, dropping Real off the early pace.

"We need to be calm and take it game by game," he told an Adidas event in Madrid.

"We had a great start with the two titles, but we want to keep winning. Our goal has not been achieved yet and we want to win everything.

"We have been the first team to win two Champions Leagues in a row and now there is the motivation to win a third."

There are plenty of objectives on Bale's mind for the season ahead, including World Cup qualification with Wales, while he also discussed his favourite ever goal.

"The World Cup is a huge challenge for us, as was the European Championship a year ago," he added. "We will fight until the end to qualify.

"Probably the Decima goal is the most important of my career and I will never forget it.

"Every goal is important and special with Madrid, and hopefully I'll score in more important matches."

Nobody at Real Madrid doubts Gareth Bale

Nobody at Real Madrid doubts Gareth Bale

There is a calmness, as well as complete confidence and trust in Gareth Bale. When it comes to the Welshman, there are no doubts. Directors, coaches and teammates all know that the former Tottenham player will soon return to the form that he showed during the first months of last season and that made him a reference point for this team. He can count on the support of all sectors of the club. While it's true that there were some jeers for him at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, the applause covered the critics.

Bale has not had a simple start to this season. The injury he suffered, which was more serious than it seemed, isn't simple to recover from, not physically or mentally. Confidence comes with matches and that is what the Welshman has been lacking.

The forward knows that he is currently the focus of criticism, but his cool character will help him to carry this burden. He trusts in his chances and in the gestures of support from his teammates, who applauded him when he was substituted on Wednesday and who showed Bale and the fanbase that they have confidence in him.

It hasn't been necessary for directors or coaches to sit down with Bale to convey their support. He already has it. His way of being makes it easier to overcome these delicate moments. Now the question is one of feeling, of working out if his body is at its peak again, something he is working towards.

During the discussions that were had with Bale during pre-season, he always tried to keep things calm and to convey his usual relaxed character. Nothing has forced him to change, not even the rumours of a possible exit and the interest of Jose Mourinho.

In his relationship with his teammates there has always been one obstacle, that of the language barrier. As such, he has sometimes sought refuge by speaking to Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo, who speak perfect English. However, what has been clear is that Bale and his teammates do understand each other on the pitch, no matter what language they speak. That is because of football, a universal language.

Gareth Bale: Four years of ups and downs in Madrid

Gareth Bale: Four years of ups and downs in Madrid

When Real Madrid broke the world transfer record to sign Gareth Bale in 2013, many envisaged the Welsh forward to be the long-term heir to Cristiano Ronaldo at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, yet it has been four years of ups and downs for Bale in the Spanish capital.

Mediapro

It was exactly four years ago today that Los Blancos' newest acquisition made his official debut against Villarreal and he immediately caught the eye with a goal, in addition to a number of incisive runs down the flank which got supporters off their seats.

Four years, however, is a long time in football and in September 2017, there remains serious doubt that the former Southampton academy graduate will ever reach the levels expected of him.

From the perspective of trophies lifted, Bale's career with Real Madrid has been staggeringly successful with three Champions Leagues, one LaLiga title, three UEFA Super Cups, two Club World Championships, one Supercopa de Espana and one Copa del Rey all being won by his team.

Irrespective of such success, there is a feeling of unease from supporters towards the 28-year-old given his injury record and lack of consistency in recent years.

2013/2014 Season: Hero in Valencia and Lisbon

Bale couldn't have asked for a better opening campaign with Los Blancos as he became an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti's team.

Whilst not always operating as the main-man, so to speak, the Welshman provided two moments that will certainly stand the test of time within club folklore.

Along with his 22 goals and 19 assists in 44 matches, Bale's individual run in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona at the Estadio Mestalla was a phenomenal feat of athleticism and desire.

He knocked the ball down the touchline and embarrassed Marc Bartra by running off the pitch to get to the ball ahead of him, before scoring a goal at the near-post.

A month later he was the hero again, this time in the Champions League final in Lisbon.

As the match went into extra-time, it was Bale who scored the crucial goal that handed Los Blancos a lead they wouldn't surrender en route to La Decima.

2014/2015 Season: No injuries or major titles

The term second season syndrome is banded around a lot within the confines of modern football, yet it perfectly encapsulates the Cardiff born forward's second year in Madrid.

There were no trophies won as Ancelotti would eventually lose his job, whilst Bale would manage an entire season without injury, scoring 17 goals and contributing 12 assists.

2015/2016 Season: Decisive at a crucial stage of the season

Rafael Benitez's arrival seemed to signal a change of role for the Welsh international, a centre-forward birth was mooted yet the former Liverpool coach didn't even last half a season.

Bale had been assured he would be a key figure by Benitez and as a result was left perturbed by his departure.

It's interesting to note he was one of the few first-team members to personally wish the coach farewell.

Zinedine Zidane arrived as the individual to spearhead a new era in Real Madrid's history yet it was unclear just how he would use Bale, despite having been one of the driving forces behind bringing him to LaLiga in the first place.

The Frenchman reassured Bale that he would be integral and the response was immediate, as he scored a hat-trick in the former Castilla coach's first match in charge.

As January arrived though, injuries began to take their toll on him, even if it didn't impact his productivity.

When he was able to play, he did actually prove to be more decisive than ever at a crucial stage of the season.

In Ronaldo's absence, Bale carried Los Blancos in the Champions League semi-final and LaLiga with crucial goals.

He then went onto to play what is considered as his finest match in a Real Madrid shirt in the Champions League final.

2016/2017 Season: Contract extension and a serious injury

Having ended the previous campaign in a rich vein of form, Bale started the first full season under Zidane's stewardship in an electric manner.

Finally talk of him taking the place of the former Manchester United great wasn't so farfetched, until injuries took hold.

Shortly after he signed a contract extension until June 2022, the wheels came off courtesy of an ankle injury suffered against Sporting Clube in the Champions League.

The initial prognosis was a five to six month lay-off, yet this turned into three and a half months due to his incredible work in rehab.

Missing football is never nice for a top level player and a determination to return quickly probably ended up costing Bale more than the patience to wait for his injury to heal.

He played a part in the final stretch of the season as Los Blancos won both the Champions League and LaLiga, but the former Tottenham winger only got through matches with the aid of painkilling injections.

A recurrence of his ankle injury forced him off mid-way through El Clasico and it kept him from starting the Champions League final held in his own country.

2017/2018 Season: Exit rumours and Zidane's support

The summer of 2017 saw the transfer market explode in a way that few could have seen coming.

All of a sudden it didn't seem so farfetched that Los Blancos would receive their entire investment back if Bale was to leave the club.

Manchester United and Jose Mourinho courted him, sometimes publicly, yet he never considered leaving Spain and refuted any notion of a move to Old Trafford.

His place in Zidane's best team is still unclear when everybody is fit, but he continues to have the support of his coach, as the 45-year-old made abundantly clear.

"He is working to recapture his best form, soon we will all see that on the pitch," he explained.

Supporters whistling Bale is nothing new but there remains confidence within both the dressing room and the player's own mind that he will shine this season and enjoy a campaign with more ups than downs.

Marcelo confesses: Who his best teammate is and his toughest rival

Marcelo confesses: Who his best teammate is and his toughest rival

At the press conference presenting his new contract, Marcelo did not shy away from any of the media questions, including who he's most enjoyed playing alongside and who's been his toughest opponent.

The Brazilian also talked about his career and more than ten years at Real Madrid, plus the influence of his grandfather.

One of the most challenging and difficult questions to answer was the choice of the best he has played alongside.

"I played with greats like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Ruud van Nistelrooy... " he said.

"But because I've been training with him for a long time, giving him passes and celebrating goals, I'll say Cristiano.

"The most difficult to stop I think has been Neymar, with whom I play in the national team."

Zidane: "Cristiano is the best in the world, he could have scored four tonight"

Zidane: "Cristiano is the best in the world, he could have scored four tonight"

Zinedine Zidane appeared in front of the cameras after his Real Madrid side beat APOEL Nicosia 3-0 thanks to a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo and a chilena from Sergio Ramos.

"I am happy," he said, "because we got our first victory in the competition. In the second half we were a lot better. We started very well and we came away with the victory."

APOEL closed up shop in the first half: "Now there are no teams that you can think will play against you tamely. APOEL have experience and have players that are not overawed by the Bernabeu. If you switch off, they can give you a fright!"

Cristiano: "He is the best in the world. He is always there and today he might have scored four!"

Ramos' goal: "I wouldn't have been able to do that. There are few people who could manage it and normally he scores goals with his head so it's strange for him but I'm happy that he scored it."

More injury trouble for Real Madrid: Kovacic

More injury trouble for Real Madrid: Kovacic

More bad news for Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, during the Champions League match against APOEL at the Bernabéu, with midfielder Kovacic forced off injured.The Croatian hurt himself playing what appeared to be an easy ball to Marcelo, apparently suffering a muscle strain in his left leg. 

Kovacic was forced to leave the pitch, in the 19th minute, and was clearly highly upset by what had happened. He was replaced by Kroos, who took several minutes to take the pitch, as he wasn't prepared to come on. 

Karim Benzema is also out, having picked up an injury on Saturday against Levante.

Real Madrid 3-0 APOEL Champions League: match report, goals, action

Real Madrid 3-0 APOEL Champions League: match report, goals, action

Real Madrid 3-0 APOEL Nicosia: match report

Real Madrid got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start against APOEL Nicosia on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu with a brace from Ronaldo and a cheeky chilena from Sergio Ramos.

With Cristiano Ronaldo suspened for five games to start the domestic campaign, the Portuguse wasted little time to make a mark in Europe.

He slotted home a Gareth Bale cross at the back post after 12 minutes to give Real Madrid a lead that they were never in danger of losing. They had plenty of efforts in the first half but failed to convert any of them although it just seemed like a matter of time before they would clinch the game and a handy to start to their Champions League campaign.

It would take a little bit of luck, however, as Ronaldo converted a penalty from a questionable hand-ball from Roberto Lago as it appeared to hit his shoulder as opposed to his arm. The referee decided it hit his arm, however, and Ronaldo made no mistake from the penalty spot driving it low and to the right of Boy Waterman.

Two goals to the good, Real Madrid were home and dry and Sergio Ramos locked up the full three points on 61 minutes when Gareth Bale headed down a Marcelo cross only to see the Real Madrid captain swing a bicycle kick at it and put the game to bed.

Real Madrid, maybe, were not as sharp as they might have liked to be but got all three points after a difficult LaLiga opening, which has seen them draw twice against Valencia and Levante in the first three weeks.

They travel to Dortmund at the start of October as the challenges they face continue to grow while APOELA Nicosia welcome Tottenham as their Champions League group stages refuses to get easier.

Messi ties up the loose ends

Messi ties up the loose ends

Although the list consisting of teams that Lionel Messi hasn't scored against isn't that long, the Argentinian has managed to cross Juventus out after beating Gianluigi Buffon twice on Tuesday.

Chelsea, Liverpool, Inter and Benfica are the teams that remain to have held firm against an onslaught from the No.10.

Messi has faced the London club eight times, only managing a single win along with five draws and two defeats.

He also couldn't find the net in two games against Liverpool and Benfica respectively, and three against Inter.