Key players in Barca-Real showdown
It didn't take long for 2012 to throw another Clasico into an extraordinary run of matches between Spain's two richest clubs, which has seen Pep Guard…
King's Cup appeal grows in Spain
"Why can't the league be this much fun?" wondered a commentator during a midweek King's Cup match. He was watching Mallorca against the visiting Real …
Madrid hopes to consolidate its lead
As 2011 becomes 2012, we pick six teams with much to do in the new year, and a few resolutions between them that, for varying reasons, must be fulfill…
Mourinho's Real fails yet again vs. Barca
If the scene was set for a first Real Madrid league triumph over Barcelona under the tutelage of José Mourinho before a ball was kicked in the Santia…
Barca feeling the heat ahead of Clasico
Going into the first Clasico of the season, the panorama is quite different for Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid than it was last year. The Portuguese's te…
How vulnerable is Barcelona?
"Pulling back six points on Real Madrid isn't the greatest challenge I've ever had," said Pep Guardiola after a Saturday evening in the Spanish capita…
Will the Madrid derby again be one-sided?
The Madrid derby doesn't get quite as much attention as it used to, the biggest rivalry in Spain's most popular sport -- one also infused with a fair …
Best starting XI not on Real, Barca
As La Liga returns after another round of internationals, Real Madrid and Barcelona have occupied the top of the standing for the past two weeks, an…
Five reasons why Spain will win Euro 2012
Spain's latest setback in international soccer, a 1-0 loss to England at Wembley Stadium, did not cause a great deal of hand-wringing in the homelan…
Messi and Ronaldo rewrite record books
The shortlist for the Ballon d'Or was released earlier this week, generating absolutely no surprise whatsoever. Twenty-three names may have been inclu…
