valencia-soccer news

Liverpool back in for Valencia playmaker Aimar

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is ready to return to Valencia for Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar.

Aimar, 26, has been reduced to little more than bit-part player at Valencia under coach Quique Flores' strict 4-4-2 formation.

Now the man who cost £14million from River Plate five years ago could link up with former boss Benitez for little more than a third of that, after being transfer listed yesterday.

Rafa confirms interest in Valencia's Macia

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed that Valencia coach Eduardo Macia has been shortlisted for a possible role at Anfield.
With Paco Herrera having left the club, Rafa needs to find a replacement and Macia is an option.
Rafa said: "We have a number of options and he is one.

"But Paco is working with us until July 1st and we won't be making an appointment until after this.

"It's too early to say who'll be replacing him."

Morientes joins Valencia

Fernando Morientes has left Liverpool and returned to Spain to join Valencia in a deal worth about £3m.

The 30-year-old former Real Madrid striker has only been at Anfield for 16 months, but scored just 12 goals in 61 games.

To compound a disappointing season, he was left out of the Spanish squad for this summer's World Cup.

Morientes moved to Liverpool from Real Madrid for £6.3m in 2005 after impressing during a one-year loan spell at Monaco.

"Everybody at Liverpool would like to wish 'Nando' all the best with his new club in Spain," said a statement on the Liverpool website.

Morientes, who had two years to run on his contract on Merseyside, conceded that he had "never felt right" at Liverpool. "I cannot stay if I don't play," he said last week on learning that Benítez hoped to bring in new players up front.

Morientes began his career with Albacete in 1993 and joined Real Zaragoza two years later where he went on to score 28 league goals in two seasons.

In 1997 Real Zaragoza sold him for £4.5m to Real Madrid.

The striker won three European Cups and two league titles with Real but following the implementation of the club's Galactico policy, he saw his first team chances limited and moved on loan to Monaco, helping the French club reach the Champions League final in 2004.

He returned to Real Madrid at the start of the 2004-2005 season, but the arrival of Michael Owen again saw his chances restricted and in January 2005 he joined Liverpool.

Platinum One sports new office in Spain

FINTAN DRURY’S Platinum One sports and events management agency has opened an office in Barcelona. Drury has signed up La Liga clubs Valencia, Espanyol and Sevilla, the reigning Uefa Cup winners, and is seeking pre-season friendlies for the clubs.

Drury has hired Greg Davies, formerly of IMG, the world’s most influential sports management group, to head the operation in Spain, which he hopes will provide a springboard for business in continental Europe. “We hope to grow our franchise throughout Europe from Barcelona,” said Drury. “Greg has a lot of experience in professional

Drury plans to target football, golf, conferences and event management in Spain and hopes to work with sports federations across Europe. This is Drury’s second geographic expansion this year. In January, he acquired a sponsorship company owned by the former Scotland and Lions rugby captain Gavin Hastings, who now chairs that business. “We see the Spanish market as providing a mirror image of what we’re doing in Ireland and Scotland,” said Drury. Platinum One has about 30 staff. It is expected to post profits this year of up to €800,000 on turnover of about €6m. Drury represents a number of leading soccer and rugby internationals, including Liam Miller, Gordon D’Arcy, Shane Horgan and Denis Hickie. He has also acted as agent to Brian Kerr, the former manager of the Irish soccer team, and the FAI technical director Packie Bonner. The agency has worked with the PGA European Tour since 1994 and has been retained by Ryder Cup Limited since 1998 on the staging of the 2006 tournament in Ireland. Hastings’ company was involved in the successful bid to secure the Ryder Cup for Scotland at Gleneagles in 2014, an event that Drury is targeting. Drury is also chairman of Paddy Power and a non-executive director of Anglo Irish Bank. He stepped down as chairman of the RTE Authority earlier this year to avoid a potential conflict over television coverage of the Ryder Cup. RTE was seeking free-to-air rights for the event, which had been acquired by Sky Sports. The communications minister Noel Dempsey eventually decided against designating the event for terrestrial coverage.

golf and football in Spain, which are our two key markets.”

Osasuna snatched first Champs League outing

OSASUNA capped a tremendous Primera Liga season.

They beat Valencia 2-1 to clinch Champions League qualification for the first time in the club's history.

The hosts knew a victory would be enough to clinch fourth place ahead of Sevilla, while the visitors needed to better Real Madrid's result to clinch second place and an automatic Champions League spot, making it an anxious first half at the Estadio El Sadar. 

Two goals in five minutes at the start of the second period from Savo Milosevic and David Lopez settled their nerves.

Ludovic Delporte tormented Portuguese right-back Miguel before crossing from deep on the left, his centre perfect for Milosevic to head firmly past Canizares, who was rooted to the spot.

Four minutes later, Lopez made it two after more good work on the left by Delporte.

Although a superb stoppage-time free-kick from David Villa had Osasuna sweating late on, they managed to hold on.

Spanish clubs aim to complete unfinished business

Barcelona have already pocketed the title but there is still unfinished business to be concluded in the Spanish league on Tuesday.

On the eve of Barca's Champions League showdown with Arsenal, four of the top five teams battle it out to decide the minor places in the title race and divide up the remaining European spoils.

Second-placed Real Madrid, only one point ahead of Valencia, need to win their away match with UEFA Cup winners Sevilla to ensure they claim the runners-up spot and the all-important berth in next season's Champions League group stage.

Sevilla have everything to play for as a victory could help them leapfrog Osasuna to finish fourth and snatch a place in the third qualifying round of the money-spinning European competition.

Osasuna, who have only once before finished in the top four, will be defending their position when they host third-placed Valencia in what is guaranteed to be one of the most intense encounters of the season.

Real Madrid head into their game at the Sanchez Pizjuan trying to salvage some pride from yet another disappointing season, their third in a row without winning a major trophy.

"It has been a very complicated year, possibly the worst one of the last three," says club captain Raul.

"There have been changes in the presidency, the sporting directors and the coaching staff this season and now there is going to be a presidential election.

FIFA allows Spanish league to postpone deadline for matches

FIFA has agreed to let the Spanish league play its final games of the season beyond the May 15 deadline.

    The Spanish soccer federation said Tuesday that soccer's governing body accepted a proposal to rearrange a fixture delay caused by FC Barcelona and Sevilla reaching the Champions League and UEFA Cup finals.

    Three games will be played after the FIFA-imposed limit, which was intended to allow players preparation time for the June 9-July9 World Cup.

    On May 16, Sevilla will host Real Madrid, and Valencia will visit Osasuna in games affecting the Champions League qualifying places. All four teams will be able to field their international players.

    The league season will conclude on May 20 when champion FC Barcelona visits Athletic Bilbao. Although it won't be able to field any of its international players, Barcelona has already won the title and will barely be affected as the game has no important bearing on the standings.

    Barcelona's game with Sevilla, whose postponement last month added to the jam, will now be played on May 13, along with seven more matches.

    FIFA told the federation last week that Barcelona and Sevilla had to play on May 20 in what would have been the final game of the season.

    However, other Spanish clubs claimed this would have favored Sevilla, which is challenging for a Champions League place, because Barcelona would have been forced to field a depleted team lacking all its World Cup players.

    Spain's Football League made a legal appeal against a FIFA ruling, although this will now be withdrawn. Enditem

STALEMATE IN VALENCIA

Valencia returned to second place in the Primera Liga on Saturday, but a frustrating draw against Atletico Madrid may yet prove costly in the race for an automatic Champions League berth.

David Villa's penalty gave the hosts a promising start to the fixture, but their lead lasted just nine minutes before Atletico grabbed a share of the spoils with Maxi Rodriguez' strike.

Valencia are now level on points with nearest challengers Real Madrid, and sit above them because of a better head-to-head record.

But victory over Villarreal on Sunday would once more put Real in the driving seat, leaving Valencia with it all to do in the final round in order to avoid having to go through Champions League qualifying.

Valencia started brightly and were unlucky not to go ahead after four minutes when Villa's clever pass picked out the run of Mario Regueiro. The Uruguayan went clear of the defence but Leo Franco ran across and was able to put him off his shot.

Six minutes later Valencia again sprung the Atletico offside trap. This time it was Villa who went clear but as he tried to round Franco, the Argentinian goalkeeper made contact, bringing him down for a penalty.

Villa took the spot-kick himself rolling it straight down the middle as Franco dived to his left for his 25th goal of the season, one behind Samuel Eto'o in the race to be Spain's top scorer.

Atletico drew level on 20 minutes with practically their first threat on goal.

Antonio Lopez curled a free kick into the area finding Maxi unmarked at the far post. The Argentinian winger's volley was blocked by Santiago Canizares, but rebounded back for him to prod home from six yards.

Spurred on by the goal Atletico began to dictate the play and should have scored when Fernando Torres passed inside for Maxi.

Emiliano Moretti's strong challenge drew calls for a penalty, but play was waved on and the ball fell to Mateja Kezman, who could only blast wide from 10 yards out.

Regueiro again went close 10 minutes before half-time. Miguel Angulo's cross from the right found the former Racing Santander player 12 yards out, but his header lacked direction and failed to trouble Leo Franco.

Valencia came out with renewed purpose in the second half and were unlucky not to take the lead three minutes after the restart when Atletico failed to clear the ball inside their area.

The ball fell to Regueiro 20 yards out who hit a crisp left footed shot that beat the unsighted Franco only to rebound off the post.

However, the resurgence was short-lived and the game reverted back to the pattern of the first half with Atletico dominating possession and Valencia trying to break through Regueiro and Villa.

The only notable moment came when the freshly introduced Vicente Rodriguez, just back from long-term injury, fired a shot across goal from the edge of the area, but Franco easily held on for the save.

In the last 10 minutes both sides could have decided the game. First, with seven minutes remaining, Valencia were nearly gifted a goal when Juan Velasco's casual pass was easily intercepted by David Albelda.

The Valencia captain took the ball into the area, but his low shot across goal lacked power and was easily gathered by Franco.

Then, debutant striker Julian Vara could have scored the winner as the game went into stoppage time.

The Atletico youngster, on as a substitute for the dying minutes, found space at the far post and looked to have headed Antonio Lopez's cross past Canizares until the veteran goalkeeper made a fine one-handed save to turn the ball over the bar.

Spain coach Luis Aragones has named a 27-man squad for a pre-World Cup gathering on May 8.

Several notable players have been omitted from the squad including Valencia winger Vicente, Real Madrid midfielder Guti and Espanyol playmaker Ivan de la Pen.

Of the outsiders called up to the last get-together in April only Villarreal defender Javi Venta and Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta have made the cut.

Spain have been drawn alongside Ukraine, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia in Group H at the World Cup which begins on June 9.
Squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Santiago Canizares (Valencia)

Defenders: Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Juanito (Real Betis), Asier del Horno (Chelsea), Joan Capdevila (Deportivo Coruna), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Javi Venta (Villarreal)

Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Joaquin (Real Betis), Luis Garcia (Liverpool), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), David Albelda (Valencia), Ruben Baraja (Valencia), Marcos Senna (Villarreal)

Forwards: Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Morientes (Liverpool), Raul (Real Madrid), David Villa (Valencia)

Mallorca muffle Valencia for Barca to claim title

Real Mallorca took a big step toward avoiding relegation and inadvertently handed Barcelona their 18th La Liga title when they beat Valencia 2-1 in the Spanish La Liga on Wednesday (03/05).

Goals from Venezuelan striker Juan Arango and Italian defender Cristiano Doni proved to be the difference between the two sides, although Miguel Angel Angulo's first half equaliser gave Valencia some hope of delaying Barca's celebrations, at least until the weekend.

Mallorca remain four points above the drop zone, but there are now only two games left in Spain's domestic season.

Valencia travelled to the Estadio Son Moix in Mallorca on Wednesday knowing that anything less than a win would extinguish their slim La Liga title hopes and hand Barcelona their 18th title.

But they were up against a Real Mallorca side who were battling for their lives at the other end of the table and they broke through the most frugal defence in the league in only the ninth minute.

Victor Castano evaded two Valencia tackles before slipping the ball to Venezuelan striker Juan Arango, who tucked in his tenth goal of the season.

Valencia equalised eight minutes later in a move started and finished by Miguel Angel Angulo - however, in between David Villa appeared to handle the ball in getting past Jose Carlos Nunes.

The referee waved play on and Angulo duly scored, but the replay clearly showed Villa's infringement, which really ought to have been picked up by the officials.

The lively Jonas Gutierrez then had a shot kicked off the line by Valencia right back Miguel as Mallorca regained the initiative, but Valencia survived to the interval.

Parity lasted just 110 seconds into the second half though, after David Cortes' speculative ball into the Valencia penalty area was volleyed home with aplomb by Italian midfielder Cristiano Doni - Santiago Canizares in the Valencia goal was given no chance.

Valencia tried to ring the changes and raise their game, but it all came to nothing as the Mallorca defence for once this season held firm - they survived a Valencia set piece with four minute to go and soon after secured just their ninth win in 36 games.

Three precious points took Mallorca to 40, points, but they are still not yet out of trouble as Alaves, the team occupying the third relegation spot, beat Real Betis 2-0.

But they remain four points clear of the drop zone, with just two games to go in the domestic season.

Valencia saw their title hopes evaporate, and can now be caught by Real Madrid for La Liga's second automatic Champions' League spot.

Valencia loss seals title for Barcelona

Barcelona could earn its 18th La Liga title Wednesday if Valencia  fails to lose its match when the Spanish league returns to the field for a full slate of mid-week fixtures.

With the season winding down, Barcelona continues to hang onto the league's first place spot with 76 points through 34 matches.

The club holds an eight point lead over second place Valencia, and looks to be on its way to a second consecutive league title.

Barcelona travels to Vigo to face fifth place Celta, where a win would guarantee the league title. Barcelona will also benefit from a Valencia loss. The second place club is on the road to face Mallorca in a match with a kickoff one hour earlier than the start of the Barcelona match.

Barcelona head coach Frank Rijkaard is expected to rest some of his starting lineup. However, Samuel Eto'o is expected to make an appearance in the Wednesday match.

Overall, Celta holds the advantage in the series, with five wins compared to Barcelona's two.

The rest of the league also is scheduled to play Wednesday and Thursday as well.

Valencia win delays Barca celebrations

Valencia's  emphatic 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Alaves meant that Barcelona had to put the champagne to celebrate their second successive championship back on ice yesterday.

After Barca's 1-0 win over Cadiz on Saturday, the Catalan club were hoping that their nearest rivals Valencia would slip up against the Basque visitors but the 2004 champions were never in the mood to oblige.

However, Barcelona remain eight points clear at the top of the Spanish first division and a win at Celta Vigo on Wednesday will give them an unassailable lead.

Valencia took the game to Alaves from the kick-off and only a mixture of bad luck and bad finishing stopped them scoring before Ruben Baraja got their opener after 25 minutes.

The Spanish international midfielder latched on to an outstanding pass from Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar to stab the ball home from a stride inside the six-yard box.

Aimar, who has made a phenomenal recovery from an alarming if ultimately harmless bout of benign meningitis two weeks ago, then found the net himself seven minutes later with Mario Requeiro providing the service.

David Villa added to the home side's tally from the penalty spot five minutes into the second-half, after Jose Maria Mena had clumsily brought down Miguel Angel Angulo, before Valencia stepped off the gas.

Valencia have now won their last five games while Alaves have not won in their last six outings and are still stuck in the drop zone, two places off the bottom.

Real Madrid stayed in third after their 1-0 win at fourth-placed Osasuna.

Julio Baptista got the only goal of the game from the penalty spot six minutes into the second half after the Brazilian striker had been shoved over by Raul Garcia.UEFA Cup finalists Sevilla stay sixth but kept alive their slim hopes of playing in the Champions League for the first time next season with a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad.

Jesus Navas got Sevilla's first after 58 minutes with a lightening dash down the left flank that was finished with a superb left foot strike.

Sevilla went further ahead 10 minutes later from a Jose Marti penalty after Real Sociedad's Aitor Lopez Rekarte had blocked a Jordi Lopez shot with his hands. In the bargain, Lopez Rekarte was shown a red card.

Real Sociedad were reduced to nine men after 84 minutes when Nihat Kahveci was also sent off for hacking down Antonio Puerta but got a surprising consolation goal when Jordi turned the ball into his own net four minutes from the whistle.

At the other end of the table, Malaga's seven-year stint in the top flight of Spanish football came to an end when they went down 3-2 at home to fellow strugglers Racing Santander.

Francisco Casquero put Racing ahead after 17 minutes with a thunderbolt shot from the edge of the area but Malaga were determined not to go down without a fight.

Alexis Ruano headed Malaga back level after 25 minutes and then put the Costa Del Sol side in front five minutes later.

But Perez Antonito and Juan Juanjo scored either side of a missed Antonito penalty to give Santander the win.

KLUIVERT ON MARSEILLE WISH LIST

Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo has confirmed that Valencia  striker Patrick Kluivert is on a three-man list of players he would like to bring to the club in the winter transfer window.

The Mediterranean outfit are looking to bolster their attack ahead of the Ligue 1 restart in January, and have already been linked with a move for Liverpool´s Djibril Cisse.

However with Cisse now looking likely to stay at Anfield, Marseille have turned their attention to a trio of fellow forwards, with former Barcelona and Ajax ace Kluivert, current Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez and Valencia´s Marco Di Vaio all attracting Anigo´s interest. "We are working on the possibility of getting Kluivert, Di Vaio and Maxi Lopez," Anigo told the Marseille L´Hebdo magazine.

Valencia slip will give Barca first shot at title

Barcelona will be presented with their first chance to claim the league title this weekend if rivals Valencia betting fail to beat relegation-threatened Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

As long as Valencia lose or draw against the Basque side in the early match, the Catalans will be able to secure their second successive league crown with victory at sixth-placed Sevilla in Sunday's late match.

With bigger European fish to fry, Barca coach Frank Rijkaard may decide to rest some players for the Sevilla game.

The Dutchman's most pressing concern is to ensure his side head into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against AC Milan with a full complement of fit players.

Barca beat the Italians 1-0 at the San Siro on Tuesday but they have suffered a string of injuries recently. Defender Oleguer is the latest to join the absentee list and Rijkaard is likely to take a cautious approach to the Sevilla match.

His team enjoy a 11-point lead over Valencia at the top of the table with only five games left and he knows the title will drop into Barcelona's lap sooner or later.

TITLE SETTLED

Striker Samuel Eto'o would like the issue settled as soon as possible.

"We all want to win the league as soon as we can," the Cameroon international said this week. "If we get the chance why shouldn't we take it?

"As for being rested, I feel more tired if I don't play. I need to play to feel right."

As well as Oleguer, Barca will also be without Sweden striker Henrik Larsson and Argentine forward Lionel Messi who have thigh injuries.

In view of his shortage of resources up front Rijkaard may give Messi's Argentine colleague Maxi Lopez a run against UEFA Cup semi-finalists Sevilla.

Valencia have edged two points clear of Real Madrid in the race for the runners-up spot, which guarantees an all-important berth in the Champions League group stage, after winning their last three games.

Bilbao, who are just two points above the relegation zone after last week's 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid, are in desperate need of a win to stop them dropping out of the top flight for the first time in their history.

Fellow strugglers Malaga, who are seven points adrift at the bottom of the table, will be trying to cling on to their last hopes of survival when they take on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Real have won one and drawn six of their last seven games and will be keen to stave off further criticism with an emphatic victory in front of their home fans.

Valencia moves ahead of Real

Valencia  opened up a two-point lead over Real Madrid in the battle for the Spanish Primera Liga runner-up spot when it crushed King's Cup winner Espanyol 4-0 and Real was held to a 1-1 draw at Getafe in a Madrid derby.

Julio Baptista gave Real the lead in the 61st minute, but Manuel Tena equalized in the 83rd.

With five games left, Real has 60 points to Valencia's 62. Barcelona leads with 73.

Baptista had three more chances to score for Real, hitting the crossbar in the 12th, forcing home defender Ruben Pulido to make a tough save in the 27th and missing after a free kick from substitute David Beckham in injury time.

Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas kept his team in the match with several saves, including two in the 24th.

A first-half penalty from leading scorer David Villa, second-half headers from Argentine center-back Roberto Ayala and substitute Mista and a late strike from Ruben Baraja earned Valencia a comfortable victory at the Mestalla.

The results mean that Barcelona will have a chance of retaining its league title next week if it wins at Sevilla and Valencia slips up at Athletic Bilbao.

Fourth-placed Osasuna is a point behind Real after its 1-1 draw with basement side Malaga.

In other matches, it was: Real Betis 0, Celta Vigo 2; Zaragoza 1, Cadiz 2; and Atletico Madrid 1, Bilbao 0.

Fernando Torres scored the only goal in the 82nd at the Vicente Calderon to lead Atletico past Bilbao, which had most of the possession and appeared more dangerous throughout.

Dutchman Hiddink to coach Russian squad

Russian federation head Vitaly Mutko said Wednesday that the two-year contract would be for two million euros ($2.8 million Cdn). However, federation spokesman Andrei Malosolov later said the contract would be for that amount for each year.

Hiddink, who currently coaches Australia and Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, would be the first foreigner to coach Russia's national soccer team. The Dutchman led the Netherlands to the semifinals of the World Cup in 1998, and then took South Korea to last four in 2002.

Last year, Australia qualified for its first World Cup in 32 years with Hiddink as coach.

Hiddink is expected to come to Moscow on Friday to sign the contract, which will be paid by the National Soccer Academy, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. The non-commercial fund is headed by Roman Abramovich, the Russian oil billionaire who also owns Chelsea.

Hiddink's contract with PSV expires at the end of this season. His commitment to Australia ends after the World Cup.

Hiddink, who has led PSV to six Dutch titles and the 1988 European Cup, has also coached Valencia, Real Madrid, Real Betis and Fenerbahce.

Former Russia coach Yuri Syomin resigned in November, following less than a year at the helm, after his team failed to qualify for the World Cup despite never losing a match with him in charge

Valencia take advantage of Madrid draw to go second

Valencia  moved up to second place Saturday in the Spanish 'Liga' with a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo.

Valencia took full advantage of Real Madrid's disappointing 1-1 draw earlier in the evening at home to Real Sociedad.

The results leave both Valencia and Real with 59 points from 32 games. Real have a superior goal difference, but Valencia are now above them due to the Spanish direct results system.

Valencia won in Vigo in their classic style, with a solitary goal and some solid defending.

The goal came in the 29th minute, when a long shot from Miguel Angel Angulo was let in by shaky Celta keeper Jose Pinto.

The hosts then dominated possession but failed to break down the meanest defence in Spain of the last five years.

'I would have liked us to have attacked more tonight,' said Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores.

'But the important thing is the result, which allows us to recover second place.'

The defeat leaves Celta in sixth place with 51 points, their dream of returning to the Champions League in jeopardy.

Two hours earlier in Madrid, Real had to settle for just one point against Real Sociedad.

Ronaldo had shot the 'galacticos' into the lead in the 26th minute, volleying home a free-kick from Zinedine Zidane.

It was Ronaldo's 100th goal in white but did little to improve his torrid relationship with the critical Bernabeu fans. Midway through the second half Ronadlo limped off with a thigh strain.

Sociedad came out of their shell in the second half and deservedly levelled in the 62nd minute. Real keeper Iker Casillas clumsily dropped a centre from Xabi Prieto, and Mark Gonzalez gladly turned in the rebound.

Real came forward again at the end but were hamstrung by the sending-off of midfielder Guti Hernandez. Once again, they were booed off the field by their long-suffering 'aficionados'.

'I think we deserved a draw at the very least,' said Sociedad keeper Asier Riesgo. 'We worked really hard tonight.'

The draw leaves Sociedad third from bottom with 32 points. Second from bottom on 28 points are Cadiz, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Betis.

In Saturday's other match, bottom team Malaga suffered a depressing last-minute 2-1 defeat at home to Getafe, which leaves them with just 23 points and practically down.

Both of Getafe's goals were put away by Serbian striker Veljko Paunovic and will boost his hopes of going to the World Cup finals.

Lehmann agrees new one-year deal

Although the German has yet to put pen to paper on the deal, Wenger considers the matter completed.

"It is not signed yet, but it is agreed," Wenger said. "I consider that to be done."

Another player who is out of contract in the summer is midfielder Pires.

Arsenal have a policy of not offering more than a one-year, rolling deal to senior players, as was adopted in the past with veteran striker Dennis Bergkamp.

But at 32, French World Cup winner Pires is holding out for a longer offer.

The likes of Rangers, Benfica and Valencia are said to be monitoring the situation.

Wenger is, however, keen to retain Pires' services for when the club move into their new 60,000 Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal boss commented: "There is no news. I hope to have some soon, but there is nothing at the moment.

"He is in a situation where he can afford to talk to everybody.

"Robert knows he has me available because he knows I want him to stay.

"Maybe he listens to offers and waits for a moment when he is ready to make a decision.

"For me the sooner the better."

It's Raining Cats and Grog In La Liga

For all those complaining about the standard of referees in the Premiership, be grateful you don't live in Spain - where the simple act of calling a referee a "sh*thead" can see you sent from the field of play. Outrageous...

In an alternate dimension not far from our own, Barcelona were facing Real Madrid on Saturday night in an encounter that was actually meaningful. In this idyllic parallel universe - where Vernon Kay's parents had never met and where Wednesdays don't exist - Ronaldo had scored his last minute penalty three weeks ago to defeat Valencia  and the galacticos had then thrashed Real Betis, to close the gap on a faltering Barcelona to just seven points. It was game on.

Unfortunately, in our own grim reality, Ronaldo had missed his spot kick and a lacklustre Real had drawn 0-0 with Betis, to face the league leaders in the latest instalment of 'el classico,' a near insurmountable eleven points behind. For this reason and despite some half hearted attempts in the Spanish media at hype, the build up to this particular encounter was the most subdued in years. As the locals put it - the match was 'decaf'.

With Barcelona already having one hand on the championship trophy and more occupied with a Wednesday night Champions League date with Benfica, the main interest in the clash was seeing whether Real could gain revenge on opponents who had humiliated them in November with a 3-0 footballing lesson in the Bernabeu.

Despite the well-publicised problems besetting Real, there were signs that a shock could have been possible in the rematch. The visitors to the Nou Camp were still high from a morale boosting 4-0 thumping of Deportivo, whilst Barca were struggling to find the net, having had two successive 0-0 draws from their previous outings.

However, indiscipline from the Real ranks and interference from the referee - as is now fashionable in Spain - ensured that a victory was always going to be a uphill struggle for Lopez Caro's men.

The game started brightly enough, with both teams bristling with attacking intent - Barca's gangly Mark Van Bommel, in particular, enjoying the space afforded to him by the less than defensive-minded midfield pairing of Guti and Julio Baptista.

The breakthrough for the home team was to arrive in the 20th minute and naturally it was in dramatic circumstances, with Van Bommel throwing himself to the ground in response to Roberto Carlos' sliding tackle, to win a spot kick that even the Dutch midfielder doubted was valid, "I felt contact, but I don't know if it was a penalty." Footballer-speak for "I dived like Greg Louganis."

The diminutive Brazilian full back then found himself in the referee's book for the first time after continuously preventing Ronaldinho from taking the subsequent spot kick - which his compatriot duly converted. This only incensed Roberto Carlos further and he soon let referee, Medina Cantalejo, know his feelings, by reportedly informing him that "both you and you (pointing to the linesman) are a couple of sh*theads." Nice.

The predictable response to this unwise but arguably valid observation was Roberto Carlos' first dismissal since 2001, at the hands of a short-tempered referee who has had the pleasure of red carding David Beckham twice in the past. 

This moment of madness from the vice-captain ended any realistic aspirations Madrid may have had in winning the encounter, although they did equalise in the 36th minute with Ronaldo scoring for the third successive game. Julio Baptista fed a perfectly weighted through ball for his Brazilian team-mate, who then beat the offside trap, outsprinted Thiago Motta - who pulled up with a hamstring problem - and chipped the ball beautifully over Victor Valdes.

The second half was a furious Barca assault on the Real goal, but thanks to a combination of yet another miraculous performance from Iker Casillas - officially the busiest 'keeper in the league - and some awful finishing from the league leaders, Madrid were able to hang on for a draw. Not the result they wanted, but respectable under the circumstances.

Frank Rijkaard also seemed fairly content with the point - "with a bit of luck, we could have scored more" - but he will now be very concerned with the growing number of injuries that his side are picking up. Added to the long term absences of Xavi, Leo Messi and Rafael Marquez are Motta and quite possibly Carles Puyol, who suffered concussion from a nasty clash of heads with Sergio Ramos. All in all, a serious problem with Benfica coming to town.

Despite Real dropping two more points, they remain in second place after Osasuna's incredible 4-0 home defeat to Getafe - with Serbian striker, Veljko Paunovic contributing two goals to one of the most surprising scorelines of the season.

Valencia put an argumentative week behind them by knocking five goals past second from bottom Cadiz, in their first victory in six. Whilst Quique Flores may have been alarmed to see his side concede three in return, he will have been cheered by the appearance of ex-Arsenal midfielder Edu for his first match of the season, after a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

The victory lifted Valencia above Osasuna to third, two points from Real Madrid. Celta hung onto fifth place after a 3-0 away day thumping of Atletico Madrid - a result that almost certainly condemns the rojiblancos to another disappointing season.

All the home fans in Calderon could do to express their frustration was wave their "we're fed up" signs at the referee and watch as he made one of the worst penalty decisions in history, by interpreting a clumsy miskick and tumble from a Celta midfielder, Borja Oubiña,  as a foul.

The home support, like may fans across Spain this weekend, were left wishing that the men in black had gone ahead with their threatened strike, after all - a sentiment shared by midfielder, Gabi, "I think the club should do something about about the referees, so they stop treating us like fools."

Villarreal continued their fight for another season of European football with a handy 1-0 victory at Zaragoza to remain in eighth, one place behind Deportivo who beat Racing Santander 2-0.

In the drop zone, Malaga continue their isolation in last place after a 3-0 away defeat at Real Sociedad, who themselves remain third from bottom. Mallorca are one place above them after a 0-0 draw with Espanyol - a team slowly being sucked into the relegation mire. Alaves also managed a 0-0 draw, against Athletic Bilbao.

The most intense encounter on La Liga's calendar was saved until Sunday evening - Real Betis' clash with fierce city rivals Seville, a match where thrills and spills are always guaranteed.

The build up to this particular game started as early as Wednesday, with Betis' penny pinching president, Manuel Ruiz de Lopera responding to criticism of a ticket price hike for the visiting Seville fans with the barbed comment that, "if you want to watch a Champions League team, you have to pay for it" - a bit of a dig at the UEFA Cup status of the opposition, whose Champions League spot Betis nicked in a dramatic finale to last season.

Seville supporters responded in turn by smashing the windows of Betis' club shop and hurling red paint at the ticket office the following day. By the time the game kicked off at 9pm on Sunday night, the tension levels had increased to such an extent that running battles between the two sets of fans, in the bowels of the stadium, were as inevitable as corruption scandals in Marbella.

On the field - onto which a whole manner of objects had been hurled, ranging from golf balls to empty rum bottles - Seville were hoping to continue their chase for a Champions League spot whilst Betis, now looking safe from relegation, were looking for three more points to make their league situation more comfortable - whilst putting one over their despised rivals in the process.

Betis took the lead in the 15th minute when Robert was brought down in the box in a clumsy challenge by David Castedo. The Brazilian forward duly scored the penalty and triggered scenes of absolute mayhem in the Betis stands, which already resembled a post-apocalyptic wasteland of burning fires and flares.

Seville equalised in the 26th minute after a neat spin and shot from Javier Saviola, but their opponents regained the lead just before half time with a tremendous strike from Iogro Verela - his first for the club - making it 2-1.

Despite the occasional crunching tackle and booking, much of the second half was fairly quiet, so the pyromaniac Betis fans occupied themselves by setting fire to both a Seville flag and their own seats. They also released a cat onto the pitch. Happily the feline intruder was unfazed by the experience and bounded across the field into the arms of a steward - who then clubbed it to death. Not really.

However, this being the Seville derby, controversy was not far off and the visitors had a clear penalty turned down in injury time when Saviola was pulled to the ground by Betis' Oscar Lopez. The referee turned down the frantic appeals from the Seville players, having decided that it was yet another dive from the Argentinean striker - or that the risk to his own personal safety and that of his car was too high to award a spot kick. A wise decision. 

So, the three points and local pride went to Betis, who move into a very comfortable mid-table spot, whilst Seville held onto to fifth, four points behind Osasuna.

In another forgettable weekend for the Spanish league's referees, the main footballing headlines were taken, unsurprisingly, by the events at the Nou Camp - in the clash of La Liga's very own two Ronnies. With eleven points still separating Barcelona from Madrid and just seven matches left, it really is goodnight from at least one of them.

Sevilla beat Valencia 1-0 to challenge top four

Jordi Lopez put Sevilla in the hunt for a Champions League place next season by scoring a late goal to sink Valencia  1-0 in the Primera Liga on Sunday.

The midfielder had scooped a penalty against the bar in the 76th minute after Roberto Ayala had brought down Argentine compatriot Javier Saviola in the area.

Ayala was sent off to leave visitors Valencia down to 10 men and in time added on at the end Daniel Alves crossed for Jordi to bury a header in the top corner.

Fifth-placed Sevilla climbed to within two points of Valencia, who are fourth with 53 and occupy the last Champions League qualification spot in Spain.

Valencia's faltering title challenge leaves runaway leaders Barcelona 13 points clear at the top with 68 points despite their 0-0 draw with bottom side Malaga on Saturday.

Second-placed Osasuna have 55 points after losing 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao also on Saturday. Real Madrid are a point behind in third and can cut Barca's lead to 11 points with a win at home to Deportivo Coruna later on Sunday.

First-half goals from Pablo Contreras and Fernando Baiano gave Celta Vigo a 2-0 win over Real Mallorcato put the Galicians sixth on 48 points.

Malaga prop up the table with 23 points after Saturday's draw at home to Barca and are three points below Cadiz who are at home to Atletico Madrid later on Sunday.

Real Sociedad are third from bottom with 28 points after losing 2-1 at Getafe.