Benzema edges Real towards semis
24 Jan 2014 4:35 AM IST
Karim Benzema got the only goal of the game as he headed home Alvaro Arbeloa’s cross on 25 minutes. Espanyol were indebted to goalkeeper Kiko Casilla for not having an even greater deficit to overcome next Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu as he made a string of fine saves to keep his side in the tie.
However, they should have snatched a draw on the night as Colombian striker Jhon Cordoba fired straight at Iker Casillas when played through on goal eight minutes from time. Real boss Carlo Ancelotti named a strong side with Xabi Alonso the only first team regular to drop onto the bench.
And the Italian was rewarded with a commanding display from his side as they extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 games. Cristiano Ronaldo fired an early effort across goal before Espanyol passed up a huge chance to take the lead when Pizzi blasted over Sergio Garcia’s neat cut-back from inside the area. Thereafter it was one way traffic before the break as Casilla turned another low effort from Ronaldo onto the inside of the post.
Madrid did take the lead midway through the half as Gareth Bale flicked on Arbeloa’s cross and Benzema powered home a header for his 14th goal of the season.
Judge to hear lawsuit into cost of Neymar transfer
MADRID: A Spanish judge agreed on Wednesday to hear a lawsuit brought by a Barcelona club member against president Sandro Rosell regarding the cost of the transfer for Brazil striker Neymar. After a preliminary examination of the contracts involved in Neymar’s signing, judge Pablo Ruz wrote in a ruling that there is ‘sufficient elements for the admission of the lawsuit’ brought by club member Jordi Cases. On Monday, Rosell insisted that the total cost of 57 million euros (then $74 million) to bring Neymar from Brazilian club Santos announced at the player’s presentation last June was correct. Cases told newspaper on Monday that ‘the lawsuit is against Rosell, not against Barca.’
However, they should have snatched a draw on the night as Colombian striker Jhon Cordoba fired straight at Iker Casillas when played through on goal eight minutes from time. Real boss Carlo Ancelotti named a strong side with Xabi Alonso the only first team regular to drop onto the bench.
And the Italian was rewarded with a commanding display from his side as they extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 games. Cristiano Ronaldo fired an early effort across goal before Espanyol passed up a huge chance to take the lead when Pizzi blasted over Sergio Garcia’s neat cut-back from inside the area. Thereafter it was one way traffic before the break as Casilla turned another low effort from Ronaldo onto the inside of the post.
Madrid did take the lead midway through the half as Gareth Bale flicked on Arbeloa’s cross and Benzema powered home a header for his 14th goal of the season.
Judge to hear lawsuit into cost of Neymar transfer
MADRID: A Spanish judge agreed on Wednesday to hear a lawsuit brought by a Barcelona club member against president Sandro Rosell regarding the cost of the transfer for Brazil striker Neymar. After a preliminary examination of the contracts involved in Neymar’s signing, judge Pablo Ruz wrote in a ruling that there is ‘sufficient elements for the admission of the lawsuit’ brought by club member Jordi Cases. On Monday, Rosell insisted that the total cost of 57 million euros (then $74 million) to bring Neymar from Brazilian club Santos announced at the player’s presentation last June was correct. Cases told newspaper on Monday that ‘the lawsuit is against Rosell, not against Barca.’
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