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European football leagues (La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A, etc.) 2019-20 Discussion Thread
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Real Madrid say that gastroenteritis - not an anxiety attack - led to Thibaut Courtois' half-time substitution on Tuesday in the Champions League.
The Belgian goalkeeper was replaced by Alphonse Areola at the break with his side trailing 2-0 to Club Bruges at the Bernabeu - a game which ended 2-2.
Reports in the Spanish media claimed Courtois, 27, had an anxiety attack at half time.
In a statement released on Friday, Real said these claims are 'false'.
The goalkeeper has instead been treated for acute gastroenteritis and is responding well to treatment, according to the Spanish club.
Former Chelsea keeper Courtois has come under criticism since replacing the departed Keylor Navas as Real's first-choice.
He has let in five of the nine shots he has faced in the Champions League this season and has just two clean sheets from six league games.
But in an interview with Marca published on Friday, the Belgian said: "If you want to be a Real Madrid goalkeeper, you have to accept this pressure."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49932445
The Belgian goalkeeper was replaced by Alphonse Areola at the break with his side trailing 2-0 to Club Bruges at the Bernabeu - a game which ended 2-2.
Reports in the Spanish media claimed Courtois, 27, had an anxiety attack at half time.
In a statement released on Friday, Real said these claims are 'false'.
The goalkeeper has instead been treated for acute gastroenteritis and is responding well to treatment, according to the Spanish club.
Former Chelsea keeper Courtois has come under criticism since replacing the departed Keylor Navas as Real's first-choice.
He has let in five of the nine shots he has faced in the Champions League this season and has just two clean sheets from six league games.
But in an interview with Marca published on Friday, the Belgian said: "If you want to be a Real Madrid goalkeeper, you have to accept this pressure."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49932445
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Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane says will fight 'until his last day'
Under-pressure Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane says he is "going to fight right until my last day".
Despite his side leading La Liga after seven games Zidane has been criticised, with Real under-performing in Europe.
Real, who fought back from two goals down to earn a first Champions League Group A point against Club Bruges on Tuesday, face second-placed Granada in La Liga at home on Saturday.
On his position, Zidane said: "I know where I am and that's always the case."
He added: "That's what the role of a coach is like for all of us. I'm going to fight right until my last day because I enjoy what I do and feel as if I'm up to it."
Real are one point ahead of promoted side Granada, who have already stunned champions Barcelona 2-0 this season.
Real remain unbeaten in the Spanish top flight, having won four and drawn three of their opening fixtures and - after two barren years domestically - Zidane said in April the league would be Madrid's priority this season.
But apart from their win at Sevilla in September, Real have looked well below their fluent best, and suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat by Paris St-Germain in Europe.
On the criticism his team has received, Zidane added: "We're not such a bad state as people outside of here say we are.
"This is Real Madrid and we're focused on what we can do out on the pitch because we've now got a game where we can show why we're top.
"We want to make sure we remain top at the final whistle. Tomorrow [Saturday] it's first versus second and that means a lot. We know that we're up against a side that are having a good season, just as we are."
Real's match against Granada begins at 15:00 BST on Saturday. Meanwhile, on Sunday, third-placed Atletico travel to Real Valladolid (15:00 BST) and champions Barcelona - in fourth - host Sevilla (20:00 BST).
'Nobody is a guaranteed starter'
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was withdrawn at half-time with Real trailing 2-0 against Bruges in midweek, and the club later said the Belgian had been suffering from gastroenteritis - rather than an anxiety attack as claimed in the Spanish media.
Courtois - who has kept clean sheets in his last two league appearances either side of being benched against Osasuna - was jeered by members of the home support, alongside Spaniard Lucas Vazquez, with the Bernabeu crowd not afraid to vocalise their discontent.
On Courtois, Zidane said: "Regardless of whether it's fair or not, it is what it is. He's strong and is aware of the situation. The first-half performance the other day was down to everyone.
"The important thing is how he's feeling. He's not the only one who was responsible for that first half against Bruges. At Real Madrid you're not allowed to make any mistakes, we can never concede and always have to score. Whenever that doesn't happen, bad things are always going to be said about Real Madrid. We always have to give our all.
"Nobody is a guaranteed starter, not Courtois or anybody else. I never said that. I'm going to use all of them."
Speaking about Vazquez, the Real boss added: "If I was to say that the jeers don't affect you I'd be lying. They affect you, but you've got to accept them. Lucas has also done some really good things and has received applause.
"When things aren't going so well for you, you've got to react and that's what we want to see for the good of the team."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49939450
Under-pressure Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane says he is "going to fight right until my last day".
Despite his side leading La Liga after seven games Zidane has been criticised, with Real under-performing in Europe.
Real, who fought back from two goals down to earn a first Champions League Group A point against Club Bruges on Tuesday, face second-placed Granada in La Liga at home on Saturday.
On his position, Zidane said: "I know where I am and that's always the case."
He added: "That's what the role of a coach is like for all of us. I'm going to fight right until my last day because I enjoy what I do and feel as if I'm up to it."
Real are one point ahead of promoted side Granada, who have already stunned champions Barcelona 2-0 this season.
Real remain unbeaten in the Spanish top flight, having won four and drawn three of their opening fixtures and - after two barren years domestically - Zidane said in April the league would be Madrid's priority this season.
But apart from their win at Sevilla in September, Real have looked well below their fluent best, and suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat by Paris St-Germain in Europe.
On the criticism his team has received, Zidane added: "We're not such a bad state as people outside of here say we are.
"This is Real Madrid and we're focused on what we can do out on the pitch because we've now got a game where we can show why we're top.
"We want to make sure we remain top at the final whistle. Tomorrow [Saturday] it's first versus second and that means a lot. We know that we're up against a side that are having a good season, just as we are."
Real's match against Granada begins at 15:00 BST on Saturday. Meanwhile, on Sunday, third-placed Atletico travel to Real Valladolid (15:00 BST) and champions Barcelona - in fourth - host Sevilla (20:00 BST).
'Nobody is a guaranteed starter'
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was withdrawn at half-time with Real trailing 2-0 against Bruges in midweek, and the club later said the Belgian had been suffering from gastroenteritis - rather than an anxiety attack as claimed in the Spanish media.
Courtois - who has kept clean sheets in his last two league appearances either side of being benched against Osasuna - was jeered by members of the home support, alongside Spaniard Lucas Vazquez, with the Bernabeu crowd not afraid to vocalise their discontent.
On Courtois, Zidane said: "Regardless of whether it's fair or not, it is what it is. He's strong and is aware of the situation. The first-half performance the other day was down to everyone.
"The important thing is how he's feeling. He's not the only one who was responsible for that first half against Bruges. At Real Madrid you're not allowed to make any mistakes, we can never concede and always have to score. Whenever that doesn't happen, bad things are always going to be said about Real Madrid. We always have to give our all.
"Nobody is a guaranteed starter, not Courtois or anybody else. I never said that. I'm going to use all of them."
Speaking about Vazquez, the Real boss added: "If I was to say that the jeers don't affect you I'd be lying. They affect you, but you've got to accept them. Lucas has also done some really good things and has received applause.
"When things aren't going so well for you, you've got to react and that's what we want to see for the good of the team."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49939450
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Eden Hazard scored his first Real Madrid goal as Zinedine Zidane's side survived a Granada fightback to stretch their lead at the top of La Liga.
Hazard, who signed from Chelsea in June, lobbed Rui Silva at the end of the first half after Karim Benzema's second-minute opener for the hosts.
Luka Modric added an excellent third in the second half, but Darwin Machis and Domingos Duarte responded for Granada.
James Rodriguez then scored late in stoppage time to ensure Real's victory.
The result sees Real open up a four-point gap over second-placed Granada.
Third-placed Atletico Madrid travel to Real Valladolid on Sunday (15:00 BST), while fourth-placed Barcelona host Sevilla later that day.
Real avoid late collapse
With his side criticised following another below-par performance against Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday, manager Zidane called on his side to show why they began the weekend top of La Liga as they welcomed their closest challengers, Granada, to the Bernabeu.
Benzema's finish - his sixth in eight league games - from Gareth Bale's sublime pass using the outside of his left foot provided the ideal start on Saturday, while Hazard's delightful first goal for the club on the stroke of half-time ensured the scoreline reflected the hosts' early dominance.
Real appeared to be coasting as Modric smashed in his side's third from outside the area after 61 minutes, but in keeping with their season to date it was not to be so straightforward.
Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, in for the ill Thibaut Courtois, made a mess of a back pass eight minutes later before bundling over Alvaro Vadillo - and Machis took his opportunity from the penalty spot.
Then, with 12 minutes remaining, Vadillo's corner was flicked on by Victor Diaz at the near post for centre-back Duarte to ratchet up the tension in the Spanish capital.
Silva denied Benzema a second as Real pressed for a fourth, before Rodriguez's strike on the break wrapped up a victory that half an hour previous seemed almost guaranteed.
Top and unbeaten after eight league matches, the pressure on Zidane appears to be lifting - domestically at least.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49939443
Hazard, who signed from Chelsea in June, lobbed Rui Silva at the end of the first half after Karim Benzema's second-minute opener for the hosts.
Luka Modric added an excellent third in the second half, but Darwin Machis and Domingos Duarte responded for Granada.
James Rodriguez then scored late in stoppage time to ensure Real's victory.
The result sees Real open up a four-point gap over second-placed Granada.
Third-placed Atletico Madrid travel to Real Valladolid on Sunday (15:00 BST), while fourth-placed Barcelona host Sevilla later that day.
Real avoid late collapse
With his side criticised following another below-par performance against Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday, manager Zidane called on his side to show why they began the weekend top of La Liga as they welcomed their closest challengers, Granada, to the Bernabeu.
Benzema's finish - his sixth in eight league games - from Gareth Bale's sublime pass using the outside of his left foot provided the ideal start on Saturday, while Hazard's delightful first goal for the club on the stroke of half-time ensured the scoreline reflected the hosts' early dominance.
Real appeared to be coasting as Modric smashed in his side's third from outside the area after 61 minutes, but in keeping with their season to date it was not to be so straightforward.
Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, in for the ill Thibaut Courtois, made a mess of a back pass eight minutes later before bundling over Alvaro Vadillo - and Machis took his opportunity from the penalty spot.
Then, with 12 minutes remaining, Vadillo's corner was flicked on by Victor Diaz at the near post for centre-back Duarte to ratchet up the tension in the Spanish capital.
Silva denied Benzema a second as Real pressed for a fourth, before Rodriguez's strike on the break wrapped up a victory that half an hour previous seemed almost guaranteed.
Top and unbeaten after eight league matches, the pressure on Zidane appears to be lifting - domestically at least.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49939443
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Abdullah719
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: AC Milan have just announced they have parted company with head coach Marco Giampaolo.</p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1181627314385379329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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AC Milan have appointed Stefano Pioli as their new manager, following Marco Giampaolo's sacking on Tuesday after just three and a half months in charge.
Italian Pioli, 53, is the Rossoneri's ninth full-time manager since they last won the Serie A title in 2011.
The hashtag #PioliOut was the top trend on Twitter in Italy on Tuesday, with fans unhappy at the prospect of his appointment.
Milan are 13th in Serie A, three points above the relegation zone.
Milan beat Genoa 2-1 on Saturday after Pepe Reina saved a penalty in injury time for only their third win in their opening seven games and it followed three successive defeats before that, against rivals Inter, Torino and Fiorentina.
Giampaolo, 52, succeeded Gennaro Gattuso in June after the former Italy midfielder quit because Milan missed out on Champions League qualification.
He had left Sampdoria at the end of last season after guiding them to a ninth-placed finish in Serie A.
Former Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio manager Pioli has signed a two-year deal at the San Siro.
AC Milan, seven-time champions of Europe, have not played in the Champions League since 2013-14.
The club would have qualified for this year's Europa League but are currently serving a one-year ban from European football over breaches of Financial Fair Play rules.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49980722
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Ivorian forward Gervinho has extended his contract with Italian Serie A side Parma for another season.
The club confirmed that the new deal extends his stay at the club until 30 June 2022.
The 32-year-old former Arsenal player has been rewarded for his good performances since joining Parma in August 2018 from Chinese club Hebei China Fortune.
He scored 11 goals in 30 league games for Parma last season.
He has also featured in the club's seven league matches so far in the ongoing Serie A campaign where he has scored one goal, netting a further two goals in the Italian cup.
Gervinho played for Arsenal from 2011 to 2013, scoring 11 goals in 63 games.
He then spent three seasons with Roma, leaving with 26 goals from 88 games.
Gervinho has also had stints with French clubs Lille and Le Mans as well as Belgian outfit Beveren.
He has been capped 84 times by Ivory Coast scoring 22 goals but has not been called up for international duty for almost two years.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50029021
The club confirmed that the new deal extends his stay at the club until 30 June 2022.
The 32-year-old former Arsenal player has been rewarded for his good performances since joining Parma in August 2018 from Chinese club Hebei China Fortune.
He scored 11 goals in 30 league games for Parma last season.
He has also featured in the club's seven league matches so far in the ongoing Serie A campaign where he has scored one goal, netting a further two goals in the Italian cup.
Gervinho played for Arsenal from 2011 to 2013, scoring 11 goals in 63 games.
He then spent three seasons with Roma, leaving with 26 goals from 88 games.
Gervinho has also had stints with French clubs Lille and Le Mans as well as Belgian outfit Beveren.
He has been capped 84 times by Ivory Coast scoring 22 goals but has not been called up for international duty for almost two years.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50029021
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Spain - Political turmoil may have thrown next weekend's Clasico into doubt but Barcelona and Real Madrid cannot afford to let focus waver ahead of what could prove a pivotal period in their seasons.
Ahead of their trip to Eibar in La Liga on Saturday, Barca held their press conference a day early to allow them to begin a 589-kilometre journey to Ipurua by bus on Friday and avoid the chaos at El Prat airport.
But the game will go ahead, which cannot be said for sure of the Clasico against Real Madrid, scheduled to take place on October 26 at Camp Nou.
The fixture will be the club's first at home since nine Catalan independence leaders were jailed on Monday, a decision that has sparked an array of violent protests in the city.
La Liga have proposed relocating the match to the Santiago Bernabeu or it could be postponed, with December 18 a possible date, given it falls in a week when other sides will be involved in the Copa del Rey.
Yet Barcelona and Madrid want the fixture unchanged next Saturday, at the end of a week when both clubs, as well as Atletico Madrid, are involved in the third round of the Champions League group stage.
"There would be a few away games in a row and not only for that reason but to respect the fixture list," said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde on Thursday.
"We trust our people and we want to play in our stadium."
Barcelona, Madrid and Atletico are all scrapping for qualification in Europe, after Barca and Atleti took four points from their opening two games while Madrid sit bottom of Group A, desperately needing victory away at Galatasaray on Tuesday to bring them back into contention.
The international break has not been kind to coach Zinedine Zidane, who would have seen two of his key players injured if he was watching Croatia play Wales on Sunday.
Luka Modric's thigh problem is likely to keep him out of Saturday's visit to Mallorca and his availability either for Galatasaray or Barcelona is by no means guaranteed.
Gareth Bale's limping was put down to cramp by Wales coach Ryan Giggs but he was yet to return to training even on Thursday.
If Madrid overcome Mallorca, who ended a seven-game winless run by beating Espanyol two weeks ago, they will stay top of the table and at least preserve their two-point lead over Barcelona ahead of the scheduled showdown next weekend.
But Barca will be chasing a fifth consecutive victory against Eibar that would push further into the distance their own stumbling start to the season.
Their upturn has coincided with Lionel Messi's comeback, the fit-again Argentinian scoring his first of the campaign in a 4-0 win over Sevilla last time out.
Messi's availability also increases the pressure for places up front although Antoine Griezmann's omission against Sevilla is likely to prove a one-off for now, given Ousmane Dembele, having just returned from injury, is suspended.
Dembele is likely to come in for the visit to Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Barcelona tied with Borussia Dortmund in their group.
Atletico play Bayer Leverkusen at home and while Diego Simeone's side may not have a Clasico looming, they could also be on the move after La Liga asked the Spanish Football Federaion (RFEF) to allow their game against Villarreal on December 6 to played in Miami.
La Liga unsuccessfully attempted to stage Barcelona's game against Girona in Miami last season.
Atletico face three tough home games next, starting on Saturday against Valencia before entertaining Athletic Bilbao next weekend, with Leverkusen in between
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/In...esting-week-amid-clasico-uncertainty-20191018
Ahead of their trip to Eibar in La Liga on Saturday, Barca held their press conference a day early to allow them to begin a 589-kilometre journey to Ipurua by bus on Friday and avoid the chaos at El Prat airport.
But the game will go ahead, which cannot be said for sure of the Clasico against Real Madrid, scheduled to take place on October 26 at Camp Nou.
The fixture will be the club's first at home since nine Catalan independence leaders were jailed on Monday, a decision that has sparked an array of violent protests in the city.
La Liga have proposed relocating the match to the Santiago Bernabeu or it could be postponed, with December 18 a possible date, given it falls in a week when other sides will be involved in the Copa del Rey.
Yet Barcelona and Madrid want the fixture unchanged next Saturday, at the end of a week when both clubs, as well as Atletico Madrid, are involved in the third round of the Champions League group stage.
"There would be a few away games in a row and not only for that reason but to respect the fixture list," said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde on Thursday.
"We trust our people and we want to play in our stadium."
Barcelona, Madrid and Atletico are all scrapping for qualification in Europe, after Barca and Atleti took four points from their opening two games while Madrid sit bottom of Group A, desperately needing victory away at Galatasaray on Tuesday to bring them back into contention.
The international break has not been kind to coach Zinedine Zidane, who would have seen two of his key players injured if he was watching Croatia play Wales on Sunday.
Luka Modric's thigh problem is likely to keep him out of Saturday's visit to Mallorca and his availability either for Galatasaray or Barcelona is by no means guaranteed.
Gareth Bale's limping was put down to cramp by Wales coach Ryan Giggs but he was yet to return to training even on Thursday.
If Madrid overcome Mallorca, who ended a seven-game winless run by beating Espanyol two weeks ago, they will stay top of the table and at least preserve their two-point lead over Barcelona ahead of the scheduled showdown next weekend.
But Barca will be chasing a fifth consecutive victory against Eibar that would push further into the distance their own stumbling start to the season.
Their upturn has coincided with Lionel Messi's comeback, the fit-again Argentinian scoring his first of the campaign in a 4-0 win over Sevilla last time out.
Messi's availability also increases the pressure for places up front although Antoine Griezmann's omission against Sevilla is likely to prove a one-off for now, given Ousmane Dembele, having just returned from injury, is suspended.
Dembele is likely to come in for the visit to Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Barcelona tied with Borussia Dortmund in their group.
Atletico play Bayer Leverkusen at home and while Diego Simeone's side may not have a Clasico looming, they could also be on the move after La Liga asked the Spanish Football Federaion (RFEF) to allow their game against Villarreal on December 6 to played in Miami.
La Liga unsuccessfully attempted to stage Barcelona's game against Girona in Miami last season.
Atletico face three tough home games next, starting on Saturday against Valencia before entertaining Athletic Bilbao next weekend, with Leverkusen in between
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/In...esting-week-amid-clasico-uncertainty-20191018
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This month's El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid has been postponed because of fears of civil unrest.
The match was scheduled for 26 October but there have been days of protest in Barcelona after nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed on Monday.
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid disagreed with calls to switch the game to Madrid.
The clubs must agree a new date by Monday.
Manager Ernesto Valverde had said Barcelona were against switching the game to Madrid as they visit Slavia Prague in the Champions League on 23 October, three days before El Clasico had been scheduled.
La Liga made the postponement request because of "exceptional circumstances beyond our control" as more protests are expected in Barcelona on the day of the match.
Protests have continued into a fifth day in Spain's Catalonia region with protesters clashing with riot police.
Hundreds of thousands of people waving pro-independence flags and chanting "freedom for political prisoners" took part in marches across Catalonia on Friday
At least 96 people have been hurt across the region.
Catalonia is a semi-autonomous region in north-east Spain and in a referendum on 1 October 2017, declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court, about 90% of Catalan votes cast backed independence. Turnout was 43%.
The nine separatist leaders were convicted of sedition over their role in the referendum and handed jail sentences of between nine and 13 years by Spain's Supreme Court.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50096390
The match was scheduled for 26 October but there have been days of protest in Barcelona after nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed on Monday.
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid disagreed with calls to switch the game to Madrid.
The clubs must agree a new date by Monday.
Manager Ernesto Valverde had said Barcelona were against switching the game to Madrid as they visit Slavia Prague in the Champions League on 23 October, three days before El Clasico had been scheduled.
La Liga made the postponement request because of "exceptional circumstances beyond our control" as more protests are expected in Barcelona on the day of the match.
Protests have continued into a fifth day in Spain's Catalonia region with protesters clashing with riot police.
Hundreds of thousands of people waving pro-independence flags and chanting "freedom for political prisoners" took part in marches across Catalonia on Friday
At least 96 people have been hurt across the region.
Catalonia is a semi-autonomous region in north-east Spain and in a referendum on 1 October 2017, declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court, about 90% of Catalan votes cast backed independence. Turnout was 43%.
The nine separatist leaders were convicted of sedition over their role in the referendum and handed jail sentences of between nine and 13 years by Spain's Supreme Court.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50096390
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Barcelona moved to the summit of La Liga as goals from Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez earned them victory at Eibar.
They were on their way to a fifth successive win in all competitions in the 13th minute when Griezmann fired low past goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.
Suarez had an effort ruled out for offside after the break before Argentine Messi slotted in the second.
Messi then provided a square ball to Suarez who tapped in the third.
It was a unselfish gesture from the 32-year-old forward having forsaken an almost certain 17th league goal in 10 games against these opponents.
The champions' second-half dominance was in great contrast to the opening period when they repeatedly failed to stop Eibar getting behind them on the wings.
However, the only occasion Marc-Andre ter Stegen's goal was threatened was when Pedro Leon swept a 15-yard shot over the bar.
Moments after that miss France World Cup winner Griezmann gave Barca the lead when his shot went in off the post.
The visitors went up the gears after the break. Suarez had a goal disallowed before Messi finished off a move in the area involving his Uruguayan strike partner and Griezmann.
The trio combined again for the third when summer signing Griezmann put Messi through, who laid a gift of a pass to Suarez.
Barca's victory comes a day after next weekend's scheduled El Clasico home match against Real Madrid was postponed because of fears of civil unrest.
The city of Barcelona has experienced days of protest after nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed on Monday. The team had travelled to the Basque region on Thursday to avoid the general strike in Catalonia on Friday,
Rivals Real can retake the lead from Barcelona if they win at Mallorca later on Saturday (20:00 BST).
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50108533
They were on their way to a fifth successive win in all competitions in the 13th minute when Griezmann fired low past goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.
Suarez had an effort ruled out for offside after the break before Argentine Messi slotted in the second.
Messi then provided a square ball to Suarez who tapped in the third.
It was a unselfish gesture from the 32-year-old forward having forsaken an almost certain 17th league goal in 10 games against these opponents.
The champions' second-half dominance was in great contrast to the opening period when they repeatedly failed to stop Eibar getting behind them on the wings.
However, the only occasion Marc-Andre ter Stegen's goal was threatened was when Pedro Leon swept a 15-yard shot over the bar.
Moments after that miss France World Cup winner Griezmann gave Barca the lead when his shot went in off the post.
The visitors went up the gears after the break. Suarez had a goal disallowed before Messi finished off a move in the area involving his Uruguayan strike partner and Griezmann.
The trio combined again for the third when summer signing Griezmann put Messi through, who laid a gift of a pass to Suarez.
Barca's victory comes a day after next weekend's scheduled El Clasico home match against Real Madrid was postponed because of fears of civil unrest.
The city of Barcelona has experienced days of protest after nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed on Monday. The team had travelled to the Basque region on Thursday to avoid the general strike in Catalonia on Friday,
Rivals Real can retake the lead from Barcelona if they win at Mallorca later on Saturday (20:00 BST).
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50108533
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Real Madrid suffered their first league defeat of the season as they lost at La Liga newcomers Mallorca on Saturday night.
Mallorca's Lago Junior scored the only goal of the game after just seven minutes when he drove in from the left and fired into the far corner.
Karim Benzema went closest for Madrid when he hit the bar while Alvaro Odriozola saw red late on.
Zinedine Zidane's now side sit second in La Liga, one point behind Barcelona.
Barcelona beat Eibar to go top
Meanwhile, Mallorca rose to 14th, having sat in the relegation zone before the game.
Zidane named a weakened side in Mallorca as Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos all missed out through injury while Eden Hazard was unavailable following the birth of his fourth child on Friday night.
Nonetheless, Los Blancos were favourites going into the match, given the fact Mallorca had won consecutive promotions to find themselves in the Spanish top flight this season.
But the hosts' goalkeeper Manolo Reina was relatively untroubled as Madrid struggled to create chances throughout despite naming a forward-thinking line-up.
Summer signing Luka Jovic partnered Benzema in attack, but the Serbia international's lean run of form continued and he was substituted midway through the second half - he is yet to open his Los Blancos account.
Meanwhile, an ultra-attacking midfield four of Casemiro, Isco, James Rodriguez and Vinicius Junior failed to prise open a stubborn Mallorca backline, with left-back Fran Gamez performing particularly well up against 19-year-old Vinicius.
And it could have been worse for Zidane's team as Ante Budimir also had the ball in the net for the hosts during the first half - only to see it correctly ruled out for offside.
Their night then went from bad to worse on 74 minutes as full-back Odriozola was sent off for a second bookable offence following a mindless lunge on goalscorer Lago.
There is little time for reflection on the defeat for Zidane and his team, however, as they face Galatasaray in Istanbul in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50109887
Mallorca's Lago Junior scored the only goal of the game after just seven minutes when he drove in from the left and fired into the far corner.
Karim Benzema went closest for Madrid when he hit the bar while Alvaro Odriozola saw red late on.
Zinedine Zidane's now side sit second in La Liga, one point behind Barcelona.
Barcelona beat Eibar to go top
Meanwhile, Mallorca rose to 14th, having sat in the relegation zone before the game.
Zidane named a weakened side in Mallorca as Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos all missed out through injury while Eden Hazard was unavailable following the birth of his fourth child on Friday night.
Nonetheless, Los Blancos were favourites going into the match, given the fact Mallorca had won consecutive promotions to find themselves in the Spanish top flight this season.
But the hosts' goalkeeper Manolo Reina was relatively untroubled as Madrid struggled to create chances throughout despite naming a forward-thinking line-up.
Summer signing Luka Jovic partnered Benzema in attack, but the Serbia international's lean run of form continued and he was substituted midway through the second half - he is yet to open his Los Blancos account.
Meanwhile, an ultra-attacking midfield four of Casemiro, Isco, James Rodriguez and Vinicius Junior failed to prise open a stubborn Mallorca backline, with left-back Fran Gamez performing particularly well up against 19-year-old Vinicius.
And it could have been worse for Zidane's team as Ante Budimir also had the ball in the net for the hosts during the first half - only to see it correctly ruled out for offside.
Their night then went from bad to worse on 74 minutes as full-back Odriozola was sent off for a second bookable offence following a mindless lunge on goalscorer Lago.
There is little time for reflection on the defeat for Zidane and his team, however, as they face Galatasaray in Istanbul in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50109887
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La Liga is considering legal action after the postponed El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid was rescheduled for 18 December by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
The match was set for 12:00 BST on Saturday in Barcelona but was postponed at La Liga's request due to fears of civil unrest.
There was a week of protests in Barcelona after nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed earlier this month.
La Liga had proposed 4 December.
Both clubs put forward Wednesday, 18 December after being asked to agree on a new date by RFEF's competitions committee, who signed off the decision on Wednesday.
The first round of the Copa del Rey is set to take place on the same date.
"La Liga doesn't agree with the competition committee's decision to stipulate 18 December - after an agreement was reached between Barcelona and Real Madrid, despite La Liga's objections - as the date in which the postponed Clasico should be played," La Liga said in a statement.
"We are studying the documentation that we have recently received regarding the process in which the decision was taken.
"This is in order to evaluate taking possible legal action and against whom it should be tabled, before the relevant and opportune public organisations or legal organisms."
Barcelona and Real Madrid disagreed with La Liga's earlier call to switch the game to Madrid.
Catalonia is a semi-autonomous region in north-east Spain and in a referendum on 1 October 2017, declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court, around 90% of Catalan votes cast backed independence. Turnout was 43%.
The nine separatist leaders were convicted of sedition over their role in the referendum and handed jail sentences of between nine and 13 years by Spain's Supreme Court.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50152024
The match was set for 12:00 BST on Saturday in Barcelona but was postponed at La Liga's request due to fears of civil unrest.
There was a week of protests in Barcelona after nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed earlier this month.
La Liga had proposed 4 December.
Both clubs put forward Wednesday, 18 December after being asked to agree on a new date by RFEF's competitions committee, who signed off the decision on Wednesday.
The first round of the Copa del Rey is set to take place on the same date.
"La Liga doesn't agree with the competition committee's decision to stipulate 18 December - after an agreement was reached between Barcelona and Real Madrid, despite La Liga's objections - as the date in which the postponed Clasico should be played," La Liga said in a statement.
"We are studying the documentation that we have recently received regarding the process in which the decision was taken.
"This is in order to evaluate taking possible legal action and against whom it should be tabled, before the relevant and opportune public organisations or legal organisms."
Barcelona and Real Madrid disagreed with La Liga's earlier call to switch the game to Madrid.
Catalonia is a semi-autonomous region in north-east Spain and in a referendum on 1 October 2017, declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court, around 90% of Catalan votes cast backed independence. Turnout was 43%.
The nine separatist leaders were convicted of sedition over their role in the referendum and handed jail sentences of between nine and 13 years by Spain's Supreme Court.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50152024
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Robert Lewandowski became the first Bundesliga player to score in his club's first nine matches of the season as Bayern Munich went top of the table with a 2-1 win over Union Berlin.
The Poland striker scored his 19th goal of the season early in the second half to double Bayern's advantage, after Benjamin Pavard's first-half opener.
Sebastian Polter pulled a goal back for Union Berlin but Bayern held on.
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund went third after a goalless draw with Schalke
Lewandowski - the world's best striker?
Bayern's win moves them one point above Freiburg, who moved up to second after beating RB Leipzig 2-1. Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg can return to the top two places if they win their games on Sunday.
Robert the record-breaker
This year, no other player has scored more goals for their club than Lewandowski, with this latest strike taking his tally for 2019 to 37 in as many appearances. That is more than Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.
The winner against Union Berlin beats the previous Bundesliga scoring record set by current Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored in each of the first eight games of the 2015-16 season.
In total, the 31-year-old has scored 19 goals in his 14 appearances in all competitions this campaign, including in each of Bayern's past 13 games. His only blank came in the 2-0 defeat by Dortmund in the German Super Cup back on August 3.
He even scored a hat-trick for Poland in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Latvia earlier this month.
The Poland striker scored his 19th goal of the season early in the second half to double Bayern's advantage, after Benjamin Pavard's first-half opener.
Sebastian Polter pulled a goal back for Union Berlin but Bayern held on.
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund went third after a goalless draw with Schalke
Lewandowski - the world's best striker?
Bayern's win moves them one point above Freiburg, who moved up to second after beating RB Leipzig 2-1. Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg can return to the top two places if they win their games on Sunday.
Robert the record-breaker
This year, no other player has scored more goals for their club than Lewandowski, with this latest strike taking his tally for 2019 to 37 in as many appearances. That is more than Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.
The winner against Union Berlin beats the previous Bundesliga scoring record set by current Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored in each of the first eight games of the 2015-16 season.
In total, the 31-year-old has scored 19 goals in his 14 appearances in all competitions this campaign, including in each of Bayern's past 13 games. His only blank came in the 2-0 defeat by Dortmund in the German Super Cup back on August 3.
He even scored a hat-trick for Poland in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Latvia earlier this month.
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Two Italian footballers have been given one-match bans for blasphemy during Serie A matches.
Sassuolo's Francesco Magnanelli and Parma's Matteo Scozzarella were shown on television making blasphemous remarks in separate incidents.
There is a strict ban on taking God's name in vain in Italy, and the nation's football association has disciplined players heard doing so since 2010.
Udinese midfielder Rolando Mandragora was banned for the offence in 2018.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50221110
Sassuolo's Francesco Magnanelli and Parma's Matteo Scozzarella were shown on television making blasphemous remarks in separate incidents.
There is a strict ban on taking God's name in vain in Italy, and the nation's football association has disciplined players heard doing so since 2010.
Udinese midfielder Rolando Mandragora was banned for the offence in 2018.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50221110
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Abdullah719
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Bayern Munich have relieved coach Niko Kovac of his duties after Saturday's 5-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to return to Italian club AC Milan at the end of his spell with LA Galaxy, says Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.
The Swedish striker joined the Los Angeles side in March 2018 but his deal runs out at the end of the year.
"Zlatan is such an interesting guy," Garber told ESPN. "He keeps my hands and inbox full. He's a thrill-a-minute.
"He is a 38-year-old guy who is being recruited by AC Milan, one of the top clubs in the world."
Ibrahimovic played for Serie A giants Milan between 2010 and 2012, scoring 42 goals in 61 league appearances.
The former Sweden international's most recent game for LA Galaxy was a 5-3 defeat by Los Angeles FC in the Major League Soccer Cup play-offs.
Ibrahimovic has scored 53 goals during his time in the United States and was named in the MLS best XI teams of 2018 and 2019.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50343317
The Swedish striker joined the Los Angeles side in March 2018 but his deal runs out at the end of the year.
"Zlatan is such an interesting guy," Garber told ESPN. "He keeps my hands and inbox full. He's a thrill-a-minute.
"He is a 38-year-old guy who is being recruited by AC Milan, one of the top clubs in the world."
Ibrahimovic played for Serie A giants Milan between 2010 and 2012, scoring 42 goals in 61 league appearances.
The former Sweden international's most recent game for LA Galaxy was a 5-3 defeat by Los Angeles FC in the Major League Soccer Cup play-offs.
Ibrahimovic has scored 53 goals during his time in the United States and was named in the MLS best XI teams of 2018 and 2019.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50343317
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Spain's all-time top goalscorer David Villa will retire next month, at the end of Japan's J-League season.
The former Barcelona striker will end a 19-year career, in which he won the 2010 World Cup and 2008 European Championship with his country.
The 37-year-old, who also won two La Liga titles and the Champions League with Barca, said he had been thinking about the decision "for a long time".
"I wanted to retire from football, not be forced to retire," he added.
Villa, who has been playing for Vissel Kobe this year after four seasons in the United States with New York City, will become an investor in Queensboro FC, a new franchise based in the New York district of Queens that will play in the second tier of US football.
"Even though I will no longer be on the pitch, I will continue to be involved in football in other ways and will continue to contribute to the football world," he said.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50401494
The former Barcelona striker will end a 19-year career, in which he won the 2010 World Cup and 2008 European Championship with his country.
The 37-year-old, who also won two La Liga titles and the Champions League with Barca, said he had been thinking about the decision "for a long time".
"I wanted to retire from football, not be forced to retire," he added.
Villa, who has been playing for Vissel Kobe this year after four seasons in the United States with New York City, will become an investor in Queensboro FC, a new franchise based in the New York district of Queens that will play in the second tier of US football.
"Even though I will no longer be on the pitch, I will continue to be involved in football in other ways and will continue to contribute to the football world," he said.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50401494
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Jadon Sancho was on target as 10-man Borussia Dortmund won in Jurgen Klinsmann's first game in charge of Hertha Berlin.
Goals from Sancho and Thorgan Hazard gave Dortmund an early two-goal cushion, before Vladimir Darida pulled a goal back for hosts Hertha.
Mats Hummels was sent off for a second bookable offence before half-time, but Lucien Favre's side held on.
The result lifts Dortmund up to fifth in the Bundesliga table.
Former Germany and United States boss Klinsmann was appointed Hertha's interim manager earlier this week following the sacking of Ante Covic.
Hertha piled on the pressure following Hummels' dismissal but failed to convert their second-half dominance into goals.
Sancho has now scored in three successive games for Dortmund after netting in last weekend's 3-3 draw with Paderborn and the 3-1 defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50616528
Goals from Sancho and Thorgan Hazard gave Dortmund an early two-goal cushion, before Vladimir Darida pulled a goal back for hosts Hertha.
Mats Hummels was sent off for a second bookable offence before half-time, but Lucien Favre's side held on.
The result lifts Dortmund up to fifth in the Bundesliga table.
Former Germany and United States boss Klinsmann was appointed Hertha's interim manager earlier this week following the sacking of Ante Covic.
Hertha piled on the pressure following Hummels' dismissal but failed to convert their second-half dominance into goals.
Sancho has now scored in three successive games for Dortmund after netting in last weekend's 3-3 draw with Paderborn and the 3-1 defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50616528
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Real Madrid 1-0 Espanyol
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FULL-TIME
Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol
Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol
The Viper
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<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 57.500%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/3ohfn/nmpzop" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
Suarez's unbelievable goal!
Suarez's unbelievable goal!
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">10 - With only 10 <a href="https://twitter.com/LaLigaEN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaLigaEN</a> games for <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBarcelona</a> this season, Lionel Messi is the player with the most:<br><br>12 - Goals scored ☑<br>4 - Direct free-kick goals ☑<br>7 - Goals from outside the box ☑<br>52 - Dribbles completed ☑<br>5 - Through balls played ☑<br>12 - Big chances created ☑<br><br>Ace. <a href="https://t.co/btDnUoowKs">pic.twitter.com/btDnUoowKs</a></p>— OptaJose (@OptaJose) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJose/status/1204103643236098049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Saint-Etienne's stadium has been closed until further notice after "massive use" of fireworks and flares in the stands during their 4-0 defeat at home by Paris St-Germain on Sunday.
Kylian Mbappe's 89th-minute goal was scored against a backdrop of fireworks and flares being let off by fans.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel issued the closure notice on Monday.
"In view of the particularly serious facts, there will be a total closed-door measure," it said.
PSG moved seven points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with the 4-0 win thanks to two goals from Mbappe and one each from Leandro Paredes and Mauro Icardi.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50816701
Kylian Mbappe's 89th-minute goal was scored against a backdrop of fireworks and flares being let off by fans.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel issued the closure notice on Monday.
"In view of the particularly serious facts, there will be a total closed-door measure," it said.
PSG moved seven points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with the 4-0 win thanks to two goals from Mbappe and one each from Leandro Paredes and Mauro Icardi.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50816701
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Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane says they "have to believe" Wednesday's El Clasico against fierce rivals Barcelona will go ahead.
The La Liga match was originally scheduled for 26 October but was postponed because of fears of civil unrest in Catalonia.
Both sides are level on 35 points but Barca top the table on goal difference.
"In games like this you've got to produce your best throughout the 90 minutes," said Zidane.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50817875
The La Liga match was originally scheduled for 26 October but was postponed because of fears of civil unrest in Catalonia.
Both sides are level on 35 points but Barca top the table on goal difference.
"In games like this you've got to produce your best throughout the 90 minutes," said Zidane.
The game has been delayed by two months after days of protest took place in Barcelona as nine Catalan separatist leaders were convicted of sedition over their role in the referendum and handed jail sentences of between nine and 13 years.
La Liga made the postponement request because of "exceptional circumstances beyond our control" as more protests were expected in Barcelona on the day of the match.
Both clubs disagreed with calls to switch the game to Madrid, but will share the same hotel in the lead-up to Wednesday game and travel at the same time two hours before kick-off amid security concerns.
Zidane said: "That's something different for us. We've been told that we have to leave together and that's what we'll do.
"There's nothing else to explain. The important thing is that the game goes ahead."
Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde added: "I think we could have played the game on the original day and there is no reason why we can't play the game tomorrow.
"It is unlikely in a situation like this that the players will meet before the game, so I probably won't see Zidane, but I have a lot of respect for him."
Match stats
Head-to-head
Barcelona have won more La Liga games against Real Madrid than any other side (72), while Real Madrid have beaten Barcelona the most often in the competition (72).
Barcelona could record more league wins than Real Madrid for the first time in El Clasico history.
Barcelona are one goal away from reaching 400 goals in the fixture in all competitions and just four goals away from equalling Real Madrid's total of 403.
Real Madrid have gone six La Liga meetings without winning against Barcelona (D2 L4), their worst such run in El Clasico since December 2011 when they had seven.
Barcelona
Lionel Messi has failed to score or assist in his last three games against Real Madrid in all competitions. The Argentine has never gone four consecutive appearances against them without scoring or assisting.
Luis Suarez could become the third Barcelona player to reach 10+ goals against Real Madrid in La Liga history, after Lionel Messi (18) and Cesar Rodriguez (12).
Sergi Roberto has provided six assists in eight appearances against Real Madrid in La Liga, with five of those assists resulting in Luis Suarez goals. They have combined for more La Liga goals in El Clasico than any other duo in the 21st century (five).
Real Madrid
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has the chance to become the player with the most appearances in El Clasico history (43), surpassing Manolo Sanchís, Francisco Gento and Xavi (42 each).
Zinedine Zidane is unbeaten in his four managerial games at Camp Nou in all competitions (W2 D2) and he could become the first Real Madrid manager to remain unbeaten in five away Clasicos.
La Liga made the postponement request because of "exceptional circumstances beyond our control" as more protests were expected in Barcelona on the day of the match.
Both clubs disagreed with calls to switch the game to Madrid, but will share the same hotel in the lead-up to Wednesday game and travel at the same time two hours before kick-off amid security concerns.
Zidane said: "That's something different for us. We've been told that we have to leave together and that's what we'll do.
"There's nothing else to explain. The important thing is that the game goes ahead."
Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde added: "I think we could have played the game on the original day and there is no reason why we can't play the game tomorrow.
"It is unlikely in a situation like this that the players will meet before the game, so I probably won't see Zidane, but I have a lot of respect for him."
Match stats
Head-to-head
Barcelona have won more La Liga games against Real Madrid than any other side (72), while Real Madrid have beaten Barcelona the most often in the competition (72).
Barcelona could record more league wins than Real Madrid for the first time in El Clasico history.
Barcelona are one goal away from reaching 400 goals in the fixture in all competitions and just four goals away from equalling Real Madrid's total of 403.
Real Madrid have gone six La Liga meetings without winning against Barcelona (D2 L4), their worst such run in El Clasico since December 2011 when they had seven.
Barcelona
Lionel Messi has failed to score or assist in his last three games against Real Madrid in all competitions. The Argentine has never gone four consecutive appearances against them without scoring or assisting.
Luis Suarez could become the third Barcelona player to reach 10+ goals against Real Madrid in La Liga history, after Lionel Messi (18) and Cesar Rodriguez (12).
Sergi Roberto has provided six assists in eight appearances against Real Madrid in La Liga, with five of those assists resulting in Luis Suarez goals. They have combined for more La Liga goals in El Clasico than any other duo in the 21st century (five).
Real Madrid
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has the chance to become the player with the most appearances in El Clasico history (43), surpassing Manolo Sanchís, Francisco Gento and Xavi (42 each).
Zinedine Zidane is unbeaten in his four managerial games at Camp Nou in all competitions (W2 D2) and he could become the first Real Madrid manager to remain unbeaten in five away Clasicos.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50817875
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Lionel Messi scored his 50th goal of 2019 as Barcelona beat Alaves to end the year unbeaten at home.
Luis Suarez assisted three goals and scored the other as Barcelona went three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Antoine Griezmann scored the opener and then Arturo Vidal blasted in a second, before Pere Pons' header for Alaves.
But Messi smashed home an excellent 25-yard strike and then Suarez scored a penalty following a handball.
Barcelona end 2019 with 24 wins and four draws at the Nou Camp - their first unbeaten year at home since 2011.
They will be top of La Liga over Christmas, unless Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao by six goals on Sunday (20:00 GMT).
Argentina forward Messi also had a goal disallowed before reaching his half-century of goals for club and country this year. He has reached that landmark in nine of the past 10 years.
He is set to finish as Europe's top goalscorer in 2019 - with 34 goals in 32 La Liga games leaving him five clear of anyone else yet to play.
Barcelona are unbeaten in 11 matches, while Alaves have gone five without a win - including a cup defeat by third division Real Jaen on Tuesday.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50869492
Luis Suarez assisted three goals and scored the other as Barcelona went three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Antoine Griezmann scored the opener and then Arturo Vidal blasted in a second, before Pere Pons' header for Alaves.
But Messi smashed home an excellent 25-yard strike and then Suarez scored a penalty following a handball.
Barcelona end 2019 with 24 wins and four draws at the Nou Camp - their first unbeaten year at home since 2011.
They will be top of La Liga over Christmas, unless Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao by six goals on Sunday (20:00 GMT).
Argentina forward Messi also had a goal disallowed before reaching his half-century of goals for club and country this year. He has reached that landmark in nine of the past 10 years.
He is set to finish as Europe's top goalscorer in 2019 - with 34 goals in 32 La Liga games leaving him five clear of anyone else yet to play.
Barcelona are unbeaten in 11 matches, while Alaves have gone five without a win - including a cup defeat by third division Real Jaen on Tuesday.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50869492
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AC Milan suffered their heaviest defeat for more than 21 years as they were thrashed 5-0 by Atalanta in Serie A.
Stefano Pioli's side are 10th in the table and could go into Christmas in the bottom half if Sassuolo or Bologna win later on Sunday.
Alejandro Gomez scored a stunning opener, nutmegging Andrea Conti before firing home, and Atalanta's final three goals came in the last half hour.
Mario Pasalic scored and Josip Ilicic netted twice before Luis Muriel struck.
Atalanta, who are in the Champions League knockout stages, rise to fifth in the table.
Milan had not lost by five goals in any competition since being beaten 5-0 by Roma in May 1998.
Pioli, the club's third manager of 2019, said: "This cannot be the real Milan.
"[We] approached the match in the wrong way and you just can't afford to do that against this team.
"Today's performance was seriously insufficient. I expected a reaction from us in the second half but it didn't come. In fact, we were even worse."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50875016
Stefano Pioli's side are 10th in the table and could go into Christmas in the bottom half if Sassuolo or Bologna win later on Sunday.
Alejandro Gomez scored a stunning opener, nutmegging Andrea Conti before firing home, and Atalanta's final three goals came in the last half hour.
Mario Pasalic scored and Josip Ilicic netted twice before Luis Muriel struck.
Atalanta, who are in the Champions League knockout stages, rise to fifth in the table.
Milan had not lost by five goals in any competition since being beaten 5-0 by Roma in May 1998.
Pioli, the club's third manager of 2019, said: "This cannot be the real Milan.
"[We] approached the match in the wrong way and you just can't afford to do that against this team.
"Today's performance was seriously insufficient. I expected a reaction from us in the second half but it didn't come. In fact, we were even worse."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50875016
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KingKhan12
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Borussia Dortmund have signed Norway striker Erling Braut Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg.
The 19-year-old has joined the German side, who are fourth in the Bundesliga, on a deal until 2024.
Leeds-born Haaland, the son of former Nottingham Forest and Leeds footballer Alf-Inge Haaland, joined Salzburg from Norwegian side Molde in January.
He has scored 16 goals in 14 appearances in the Austrian top division this season.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50940894
The 19-year-old has joined the German side, who are fourth in the Bundesliga, on a deal until 2024.
Leeds-born Haaland, the son of former Nottingham Forest and Leeds footballer Alf-Inge Haaland, joined Salzburg from Norwegian side Molde in January.
He has scored 16 goals in 14 appearances in the Austrian top division this season.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50940894
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Bayern Munich have announced that Schalke goalkeeper Alexander Nubel will join the club on a free transfer in the summer.
The ex-Germany Under-21 international, 23, has agreed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga champions.
Nubel was named Schalke captain before this season after becoming first choice after the winter break in 2018-19.
He told the club in December that he would not be renewing his contract, which expires at the end of June.
Nubel is serving a four-match ban after being sent off for a chest-high tackle on Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Mijat Gacinovic on 15 December.
He has made 35 appearances in Germany's top flight and could be a long-term successor to Manuel Neuer, who has been at Bayern since 2011.
Neuer also joined from Schalke and has gone on to make 233 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern, helping them win the league seven times and the Champions League in 2013.
The 33 -year-old Germany international's contract is due to expire in 2021.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50992409
The ex-Germany Under-21 international, 23, has agreed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga champions.
Nubel was named Schalke captain before this season after becoming first choice after the winter break in 2018-19.
He told the club in December that he would not be renewing his contract, which expires at the end of June.
Nubel is serving a four-match ban after being sent off for a chest-high tackle on Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Mijat Gacinovic on 15 December.
He has made 35 appearances in Germany's top flight and could be a long-term successor to Manuel Neuer, who has been at Bayern since 2011.
Neuer also joined from Schalke and has gone on to make 233 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern, helping them win the league seven times and the Champions League in 2013.
The 33 -year-old Germany international's contract is due to expire in 2021.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50992409
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Vandals have toppled a statue of former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic by sawing it off at the ankles.
The statue, which is outside Malmo's stadium in Sweden, previously had its nose cut off after Ibrahimovic invested in a rival club in December.
The damage was discovered at 3.30am local time on Sunday, and there was graffiti reading "take away", written in Swedish, next to the statue.
Ibrahimovic, 38, made his professional debut for Malmo 20 years ago.
The statue's face was also covered by a shirt bearing the Swedish badge.
"I can understand that many people are disappointed in Zlatan's behaviour, but vandalising a statute is simply unworthy," Malmo deputy mayor Frida Trollmyr told AFP.
"Better to express your dissatisfaction in a democratic way."
The 3.5-metre bronze structure was sprayed with paint, set on fire and had a toilet seat put over its arm after it was announced that Ibrahimovic had bought 25% of the shares in Hammarby.
Police erected a fence around the statue, which was unveiled in October 2019, after an attempt to saw through its feet in December.
Ibrahimovic's house in Stockholm was also vandalised, with "Judas" painted on the front door.
The statue's artist Peter Linde has previously appealed for people to stop the vandalism.
Former Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Manchester United and LA Galaxy player Ibrahimovic has just re-signed for AC Milan.
He is expected to make his second debut for the Serie A side on Monday when they host Sampdoria.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50998844
The statue, which is outside Malmo's stadium in Sweden, previously had its nose cut off after Ibrahimovic invested in a rival club in December.
The damage was discovered at 3.30am local time on Sunday, and there was graffiti reading "take away", written in Swedish, next to the statue.
Ibrahimovic, 38, made his professional debut for Malmo 20 years ago.
The statue's face was also covered by a shirt bearing the Swedish badge.
"I can understand that many people are disappointed in Zlatan's behaviour, but vandalising a statute is simply unworthy," Malmo deputy mayor Frida Trollmyr told AFP.
"Better to express your dissatisfaction in a democratic way."
The 3.5-metre bronze structure was sprayed with paint, set on fire and had a toilet seat put over its arm after it was announced that Ibrahimovic had bought 25% of the shares in Hammarby.
Police erected a fence around the statue, which was unveiled in October 2019, after an attempt to saw through its feet in December.
Ibrahimovic's house in Stockholm was also vandalised, with "Judas" painted on the front door.
The statue's artist Peter Linde has previously appealed for people to stop the vandalism.
Former Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Manchester United and LA Galaxy player Ibrahimovic has just re-signed for AC Milan.
He is expected to make his second debut for the Serie A side on Monday when they host Sampdoria.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50998844
The Viper
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic said scoring his first goal for AC Milan since rejoining the club made him "feel alive" as his side eased past Cagliari in Serie A.
Rafael Leao had given the Rossoneri the lead just after half-time before Ibrahimovic, starting for the first time since his return, doubled their advantage with a left-footed strike.
The former LA Galaxy and Sweden striker had another goal ruled out for offside.
"I'll celebrate like a God at San Siro, not here," Ibrahimovic said.
"The important thing is that I feel good. I missed a few balls at the beginning of the game, but I need to play games to get back in shape."
Ibrahimovic, 38, signed a six-month deal at the Serie A side in December, with the option of another season.
He scored 42 goals in 61 league games for the club between 2010 and 2012. His strike on Saturday was his 57th goal for Milan and 123rd in Serie A, having also played for Inter Milan and Juventus.
"I feel good, the coach just wanted to think about my age and see if I needed a rest, but there's no problem" added Ibrahimovic.
"My brain is always the same and the body has to follow."
It was AC Milan's first win since early December and they move to within four points of sixth-placed Cagliari who occupy the league's final Europa League spot.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51076434
Rafael Leao had given the Rossoneri the lead just after half-time before Ibrahimovic, starting for the first time since his return, doubled their advantage with a left-footed strike.
The former LA Galaxy and Sweden striker had another goal ruled out for offside.
"I'll celebrate like a God at San Siro, not here," Ibrahimovic said.
"The important thing is that I feel good. I missed a few balls at the beginning of the game, but I need to play games to get back in shape."
Ibrahimovic, 38, signed a six-month deal at the Serie A side in December, with the option of another season.
He scored 42 goals in 61 league games for the club between 2010 and 2012. His strike on Saturday was his 57th goal for Milan and 123rd in Serie A, having also played for Inter Milan and Juventus.
"I feel good, the coach just wanted to think about my age and see if I needed a rest, but there's no problem" added Ibrahimovic.
"My brain is always the same and the body has to follow."
It was AC Milan's first win since early December and they move to within four points of sixth-placed Cagliari who occupy the league's final Europa League spot.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51076434
The Viper
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