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RONALD KOEMAN has reportedly accused Riqui Puig of leaking information in front of his Barcelona team-mates. The Dutchman took charge at the Nou Camp this summer but quickly informed the 21-year-old Spaniard he did not feature in his plans. Barca defeated Elche 1-0 last night thanks to a LIonel Messi strike, but the midfielder was […] More
BARCELONA welcome Levante as they look to kickstart their stuttering La Liga campaign.
The Catalan giants sit in mid-table after a poor start to the season, losing 2-1 last time out to Cadiz.
Barcelona have made a poor start to the seasonCredit: Reuters
That was Messi and Co’s second defeat in three games, while the visitors are unbeaten in five matches.
When is Barcelona vs Levante?
This La Liga clash will be held on Sunday, December 13.
Kick-off is at 8pm GMT.
When the sides met at the Nou Camp last season, Barcelona ran out 2-1 winners after a brace from Ansu Fati.
Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
You can catch this game live on LaLiga TV here in the UK.
Coverage begins at 7.45pm.
The action can be streamed through the Premier Player, with a subscription costing £9.99/month, or get LaLiga TV access for £6.99.
What is the team news?
Ronald Koeman is without Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique and Ousmane Dembele for this league clash.
Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann look set to feature, with Martin Braithwaite and Pedri battling for the another attacking spot.
For the visitors, they are missing Enis Bardhi, Jose Campana and Cheick Doukoure through injury.
Match odds
Barcelona to win – 2/7
Draw – 24/5
Levante victory – 17/2
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication More
JAN OBLAK conceded an unlucky own goal as Atletico Madrid fell to a first La Liga defeat of the season to rivals Real Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane’s side moved to within three points of their neighbours at the top of the table following a 2-0 win on Saturday night.
Jan Oblak conceded an own-goal as Atletico Madrid lost to rivals RealCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Slovenian had Dani Carvajal’s strike hit the post and go in off his backCredit: AP:Associated Press
Casemiro’s early header from a Toni Kroos’ corner gave defending league champions Real a deserved lead at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
Yet Atletico were still in the game until goalkeeper Oblak’s unfortunate own-goal just after the hour mark.
Dani Carvajal’s well-hit half-volley from outside the box cannoned back off the post only to go in off the back of the Slovenian.
One tweeted: “Oblak got unlucky but man, that strike from Carvajal!”
Another said: “What a strike by Carvajal. Hits the post and bounces back off of Oblak but a goal is a goal!!!”
A third added: “That Carvajal goal is a goalie’s nightmare. Nothing Oblak can do with that one”.
Madrid’s win has seen them climb to third while Atletico remain one point above Real Sociedad at the top of LaLiga.
It also relieves some more pressure from the shoulders of boss Zidane, whose future was under severe doubt prior to Wednesday’s successful Champions League rescue mission against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Diego Simeone’s side had came into the derby having won seven consecutive league games.
Madrid moved to within three points of the summit following the 2-0 win over AtleticoCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
Yet they only mustered one shot on target with Saul Niguez denied late on by a good save from Thibaut Courtois.
Thomas Lemar had gone closest for Atleti before Oblak’s own-goal but the Frenchman fired wide from Marcos Llorente’s low cross and the away side were made to pay.
Real Sociedad now have the chance to claim top spot when they face Eibar on Sunday.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid – Watch LIVE, channel info and kick-off time More
REAL MADRID closed the gap on fierce rivals Atletico Madrid at the top of the La Liga table with a 2-0 win in Spain’s capital.
Casemiro and Dani Carvajal were on the scoresheet for the home side in their deserved victory.
RESULT: Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico Madrid
TV/Live stream: Premier Sports
Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Kroos, Benzema, Modric, Casemiro, Vasquez, Vinicius Jr, Mendy
Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Trippier, Savic, Felipe, Hermoso, Carrasco, Koke, Herrera, Llorente, Surez Felix
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
THAT’S ALL FROM MADRID
Real Madrid appear to be back in business following a dominant 2-0 win over rivals Atletico Madrid at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium.
Real were superior in every way throughout the match and opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a thunderous header by Casemiro.
Los Blancos made it two in the 63rd minute with an incredible shot by Dani Carvajal, which deflected on Jan Oblak’s back and went down as an own goal.
Zinedine Zidane’s men ended Atletico’s undefeated streak in La Liga and are firing up the league table.
Real are now third with only three points separating them from Diego Simeone’s team.
After beating Sevilla away and topping their Champions League group before tonight’s derby win, Real appear to be reinstating themselves as legitimate title contenders this season.
Goodnight
SIMEONE REACTION
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone recognised Real Madrid’s dominance and admitted that improvements need to be made.
Simeone said: “I think we did not start the game well, they started better with the control of the game, they had more of the ball, being better positioned, we could not have the same possession like several other games.
“I take important things from the defeat, surely in the coach level I have to improve, they have been superior.
“We cannot tell something that was not seen.”
GETTY IMAGES – GETTY
CARVAJAL CELEBRATION
Dani Carvajal, whose thunderous shot was marked down as an own goal, insists tonight’s result was the perfect way to celebrate the birth of his child.
Carvajal said: “It has been a very difficult week for us.
“We played tonight against a tough Atlético side. We’ll keep going – there are lots of games.
“We’re doing well, its hard to know how the season will play out. It’s not your typical season with injuries etc. We were well on top tonight, pressed high, they had two chances.
“We’re still in a very early stage of the season, but it was important to win tonight and we have Athletic Club during the week.
“I had a new baby this week and there was no better way to celebrate the birth than the way I did!”
NOT GIVING UP
Atletico Madrid captain Koke sent a defiant message following his team’s first league loss of the season.
The midfielder insists the campaign has only just begun and reminded the fans that Atletico are still top of the table.
Koke said: “The league season is long and we’re still top, we’ll go again.
“They have played better than us tonight especially in the first half and they are small margins that make the difference but we continue and go again.
“We almost drew the game. We’re not thinking about who is going to win the league, but just looking forward to the Copa del Rey coming up this week.”
KROOS CONTROL
Toni Kroos put together an incredible and borderline historic performance in the Madrid derby.
Kroos completed 96.7 per cent of his passes, a return rate so impeccable it hasn’t been repeated in La Liga since 2006.
No wonder Real Madrid dominated against such incredible opposition…
STILL UNDEFEATED
As mentioned earlier tonight, Atletico Madrid have been unable to beat Real Madrid in La Liga ever since February 2016.
Their latest defeat at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium marks their fourth loss in nine league matches throughout these last four years.
Real’s run continues, but can they keep it up?
GETTY IMAGES – GETTY
UNDEFEATED NO MORE
Atletico Madrid’s undefeated run in La Liga has come to an end.
Atletico started this match having won eight of their first 10 matches in the league.
But Real Madrid managed to end that streak and slow down their title challenge.
Real also became one of the few sides that managed to beat Jan Oblak, who had only conceded two goals before kick-off.
GETTY IMAGES – GETTY
MATCH STATS
Real Madrid dominated 56.5 per cent of possession as Atletico Madrid picked up the pace following a miserable first half.
As mentioned below, Atletico didn’t produce a single shot in the first 45 minutes but got five in the second half.
Real had a total of 11 shots, three on target, whereas Atleti only managed one shot on Thibaut Courtois’ goal.
A far more busy night for Jan Oblak who made two crucial saves.
GETTY IMAGES – GETTY
FT: REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
Real Madrid pick up a huge victory in the Madrid derby thanks to a goal by Casemiro and an own-goal by Jan Oblak.
Casemiro opened the scoring after 15 minutes and a stunning shot by Dani Carvajal in the 63rd minute hit the back of Oblak.
Real dominated the game against a totally underwhelming Atletico side, which failed to worry former goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois throughout the encounter.
A major win for Los Blancos who seem to be turning the tide following a miserable start to the season.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FINAL WHISTLE GOES!
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
90+3 We can confirm that the second goal was an own-goal by Jan Oblak.
Shame for Dani Carvajal as his thunderous shot may be a goal-of-the-season candidate.
Shame for Jan Oblak as well…
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
90 Referee gives four minutes of extra time.
Real Madrid close to ending Atletico Madrid’s undefeated run in the league this season
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
90 WHAT A CHANCE!
Real Madrid almost make it three with Lucas Vazquez.
Federico Valverde steals the ball from Atletico Madrid’s defence and passes it to Karim Benzema.
Benzema finds Lucas whose powerful shot is saved by Jan Oblak.
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
87 SUBSTITUTION
Federico Valverde returns for Real Madrid as he takes Luka Modric’s place.
Modric was instrumental, as always, when it comes to this big win that could see Real turning the tide on their league campaign
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
83 WHAT A CHANCE!
Atletico Madrid are not giving up as we approach full-time in Madrid.
Thomas Lemar, Atletico’s best player so far, produces a beautiful shot outside of the box.
However, Lemar’s shot is too high and doesn’t trouble Thibaut Courtois.
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
83 We’re close to full-time and it seems like Atletico Madrid are going to suffer their first La Liga loss of the season.
Real Madrid have been dominant throughout the Madrid derby with high pressing and exceptional passing.
But the match is not over yet…
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
80 WHAT A CHANCE!
Renan Lodi produces a beautiful cross from the left flank for Saul Niguez.
Saul gets the header right in front of Thibaut Courtois, who catches the ball just in time.
That was Atletico’s best opportunity of the match
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
78 SUBSTITUTION
Rodrygo comes in for Vinicius Junior whereas Dani Carvajal makes way for Marco Asencio.
Those were Zinedine Zidane’s first substitutions
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
75 Another shot by Atletico Madrid, the second of the night.
Saul Niguez produces a powerful strike outside of the box but doesn’t worry Thibaut Courtois.
Can Atletico produce a late comeback…?
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
73 SUBSTITUTION
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone makes his final substitution.
Geoffrey Kondogbia replaces Luis Suarez, who was also absent throughout the Madrid derby
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
71 If the goal stands for Dani Carvajal then that will be the right-back’s first goal of the season.
It would be a shame if it went down as an own-goal by Jan Oblak as Carvajal scored an absolute stunner.
GETTY IMAGES – GETTY
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
65 YELLOW CARD
And this is another yellow card for Atletico Madrid.
Mario Hermoso is the fourth player to get booked following a rough challenge.
It seems like a red card in the next few minutes is not totally out of the question…
REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID
63 Dani Carvajal doubles Real Madrid’s lead with a sensational strike outside of the box.
Carvajal chests the ball down and his powerful shot hits Jan Oblak’s post on the left before getting a deflection on the Slovenian goalkeeper’s back.
It seems like this is an own-goal by Oblak, we will keep you updated about it
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL
REAL MADRID DOUBLE THEIR LEAD!
REAL MADRID 1-0 ATLETICO MADRID
61 YELLOW CARD
This is unbelievable….
Saul Niguez gets booked as well just a few seconds after coming in for Atletico Madrid.
Saul gets booked for apparently complaining to the referee.
The Spaniard is the third substitution to see yellow after Thomas Lemar and Angle Correa
Load more entries… More
REAL MADRID face local rivals Atletico in the first Madrid derby of the season tonight.
Real head into the crunch La Liga game buoyed by their Champions League success over Borussia Monchengladbach in the week, but face a visit from table-toppers Atletico.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico sit top of the La Liga table
When is Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid?
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid takes place on Saturday, December 12.
The match kicks off at 8pm GMT – that’s 9pm local time.
Real’s Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano plays host.
What TV channel and live stream is Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid on?
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid will be broadcast live on Premier Sports in the UK.
You can sign up to Premier Sports’ rolling six-month contract which will set you back £9.99 a month.
Or you can pay £11.99 for a single month.
Premier Sports is available for streaming via their Premier Sports Player service, which can be downloaded onto a mobile or tablet device.
What is the team news?
Eden Hazard will again miss out for Real Madrid following injury set backs this season.
His Belgium team-mate, Thomas Vermaelen, defended the playmaker.
The former Chelsea Eden Hazard has made just six appearances for Real in this campaign
Vermaelen told Goal.com: “Firstly, everybody is very quick to say that he’s got an injury – that he’s injury-prone and that kind of stuff. I think he had a knock on his ankle and that’s not his fault. It must be a muscle injury. I don’t think it’s too bad.
“For me personally he’s a world-class player. I played against him in England.
“He will come back. He’s very positive. When he comes back and starts playing the game you’ll see the best of him. I’m not worried about him. He’ll come back.”
What have they said?
Real boss Zinedine Zidane, after guiding Real to the Champions League knockout stage this week: “‘I want to enjoy and I don’t know how long I’m going to stay here.
“I just think about how lucky I am to be here but I do not know until when!
“There are many years left in Madrid and I want to continue.” More
“QUINI is free — and Spain win at Wembley for the first time.”
March 25, 1981 is a date Spanish football will never ever forget.
Quini is held up by authorities following release after 25 days as hostageCredit: YouTube
Four decades ago, Barcelona legend Quini, who passed away in 2018 aged 68, was at the centre of one of the darkest episodes in football history.
In 1980, the Nou Camp giants signed one of the best strikers in Spain as they looked to win their first title in six years.
Quini was a three-time top scorer in Spain’s top flight with Sporting Gijon — even netting 21 as they finished bottom in 1975-76.
In 11 seasons at the club, only once did ‘Quinigol’ fail to hit double figures, and cost Barcelona around £450,000.
He started off the season superbly but, on March 1, 1981, his life would change forever.
KIDNAPPED
Barcelona had just hammered Hercules 6-0, with Quini netting two, and the striker then went home to get changed before heading off to the airport to collect his wife, who was returning from a holiday.
However, two men turned up to his house — and took him away at gunpoint.
A tearful Quini waves to crowd following release from kidnappersCredit: YouTube
Quini was part of Spain squad, which travelled to 1978 World Cup finalsCredit: PA:Press Association
Quini talks to former Spain manager Luis Aragones back in 2005Credit: Reuters
His wife’s confusion at not finding her husband at the airport as expected turned to concern when she got home and found the lights still on.
Enrique Castro ‘Quini’ scores some classic goals for Barcelona
She called the club and the police before filing a formal missing persons report the following day.
A CALL FROM THE CAPTORS
Later that day, she received a phone call from Quini’s captors, who were alleged to have been members of a group known as Batallon-Catalan-Espanyol, and insisted they did not want Barcelona to win the ‘separatists’ league.
On March 8, one week later, they were due to face leaders Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona were two points behind — at a time when it was two points for a win — and were the form team ahead of the fixture.
Quini embraces Bernd Schuster as he rejoins Barcelona team after kidnapping
Quini was a three-time LaLiga top goal scorer before joining Barcelona in 1980Credit: Getty
It appeared the timing of the kidnapping was to ensure he would not play in the match, and several Blaugrana players claimed they were not in the right frame of mind to face the Rojiblancos.
Spain was in the midst of a tense political atmosphere, which didn’t help matters, and police were besieged with prank phone callers claiming to be the captors.
In the days leading up to the match, Barcelona’s president and several players were looking after Quini’s wife and children, fearing for their safety — which was not ideal preparation for the biggest match of the season.
Quini in action for Spain at 1982 World Cup, which came after kidnapping ordealCredit: Getty
“Freedom for Quini” — fans across Spain plead for release of Barcelona strikerCredit: YouTube
Quini in action for Spain during a friendly against Scotland in 1982Credit: Getty
GAME ON
As there was no sign he would be released, the match went ahead and Atletico won 1-0. Then things started to completely unravel for the Catalans.
They would take just one point from the next five games to completely fall out of the title race.
Spain was in a state of shock, with fans in stadiums across the country holding banners begging for the striker’s release.
RANSOM
Three weeks after his disappearance, and with fears growing that he would never be seen again, one of the kidnappers contacted team-mate Jose Ramon Alexanko and claimed a sum of around £500,000 deposited into a Swiss bank would see Quini released unharmed.
Quini sadly passed away at age of 68 after suffering heart attack in 2018Credit: Getty
Quini refused to press charges against captors following releaseCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Quini has a shot saved by Dino Zoff in an international just months after releaseCredit: 1980 AP
As pressure mounted, the police acted and transferred the money into an account which reportedly belonged to one Victor Manuel Diaz Esteban.
The authorities waited patiently and, on March 25 — the same night Spain won at Wembley for the first time in their history — a man withdrew around £5,000 from that account.
This allowed the police to trace and seize three unemployed Spanish men in a garage in Zaragoza, where Quini had been kept.
Juan Mata meets former Barcelona striker Quini back in 2012Credit: Reuters
Quini was held captive for 25 days before eventually being releasedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Just months after release, Quini helped Barcelona win Copa del Rey final
REFUSED TO PRESS CHARGES
Aside from his beard being significantly longer, the Barcelona striker was in decent health and amazingly refused to press charges against his captors — even after they had been sent to jail.
He would never even claim his personal damages award of £25,000.
Even more incredibly, Quini was back playing just weeks later, where he received rousing ovations at every ground, and would astonishingly go onto finish as top scorer that season, helping the Catalans win the Copa del Rey.
A year later, he scored the winner in the Cup Winners’ Cup final and would be part of Spain’s 1982 World Cup squad that summer, having finished the campaign as LaLiga’s top scorer once again.
In 1984, he returned to Sporting Gijon, where he remained for three years before retiring.
Lionel Messi signs a shirt for Barcelona legend Enrique Castro ‘Quini’ More
LIONEL MESSI’S transfer saga has left some Barcelona team-mates feeling ‘undervalued’.
The Argentine was desperate to leave his boyhood club in the summer, following a decline which culminated in last season’s 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Messi, 33, experienced his latest Barcelona humiliation against JuventusCredit: Reuters
Messi, 33, has spoken of feeling ‘alone’, while criticising the board.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, some of his team-mates have been upset by Messi’s comments, which imply that he’d rather they had not been recruited.
Having failed to depart in the summer after it became clear that he’d have to drag the club to court, Messi has been back on the pitch this season.
But even he has not been able to halt their poor results in LaLiga.
Barca sit ninth after ten games, having only managed to win four of them.
Prior to this week, Ronald Koeman’s men had found solace in the Champions League, however.
But their 3-0 humbling at home to Juventus provided a reminder of how far off the mark they are among Europe’s elite.
Messi has appeared subdued this season, having seen his pal Luis Suarez be forced out to Atletico Madrid in September.
Some Barca stars feel ‘undervalued’ by MessiCredit: Reuters
And fans commented on how he has appeared ‘lonely’ in training.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner continues to be linked with a move away – with Manchester City believing they are in a good position to sign the ace at the end of the season.
And Neymar stoked PSG rumours last week, when he claimed that he is ‘sure’ that he will play with Messi again next season.
The saga is set to take another twist next month, as Barcelona’s latest presidential election rolls around – with former chief Joan Laporte hoping to return to the hotseat.
Dominant Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 as Ronaldo betters Messi by scoring twice More
ARSENAL are reportedly considering a move for Maxi Gomez from Valencia.
The 24-year-old has a buy-out clause of a whopping £125million – but the Gunners could sign him for a fraction of that.
Maxi Gomez has also attracted interest from Wolves Credit: Getty Images – Getty
According to the MailOnline, Valencia are planning to sell Gomez either in January or next summer.
And the Spanish side will reportedly consider offers of ‘considerably less’ than the striker’s buy out clause.
Valencia are understood to be in desperate need of funds to keep the club afloat due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
This could open the door for Arsenal, who are long-term admirers of the Uruguay ace.
The source states that Wolves are also interested in signing him next month.
While Manchester City, Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool have all been linked to him in the past.
Gomez has only been at the Mestalla since 2019, when he joined from Celta.
He has scored three goals in ten appearances for Valencia this season.
Arsenal have also been linked to AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.
But the Ivorian midfielder – who also attracted interest from Spurs – could set them back £45m.
Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil has a ’90 per cent’ joining Fenerbahce in January.
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
Piers Morgan blasts Arsenal’s Ozil on GMB and says it’s a ‘long journey from being world champ to playing on Playstation’ More
