"El Classico" And A Dani Alves Screamer (Video)

In the latest edition of the " El Classico," Real Madrid once again finds it impossible to defeat Barcelona in their Copa Del Rey second leg tie, at the Camp Nou. It was another frustrating evening for the "Los Blancos," and Jose Mourinho as they drew on the night, yet do not progress due to a 4-3 aggregate score from last weeks defeat.

Once again Madrid exploded out of the gates, with Gonzalo Higuain squandering a chance inside the first minute from a Barcelona defensive mix-up. Madrid looked like scoring first, yet couldn't muster a goal. I heard the great Ray Hudson talking on a radio show earlier in the day where he said that it's almost a detriment to score first against Barcelona. It's kind of like aggravating a tiger. The beast already want's your throat, pulling it's tail only increases this hunger.

The deciding goal was absolutely howitzer-ed home by the Brazilian fullback putting the game out of reach for Madrid. Check the video below, paying close attention to the celebratory dance starring goal scorer Alves and Eric Abidal...It's an absolutely classic jig, for an absolutely classic occasion.

Real Madrid's European (3rd) Kit

Knowing that I was turning on the T.V. to watch the Champions League game between Real Madrid and Dinamo Zagreb, It still took me about 5 minutes into the match to acknowledge that I was watching Real Madrid. This is because of the sole reason that they were wearing a bright red kit, which is their new 2011/12 third kit. This kit includes the CL star-ball patch in recognition of their 9 European titles, located  on the left sleeve. Having defeat Zagreb this week, the Los Blancos will face Olympique  Lyon, and Ajax in group play. A bit dodgy in my opinion, as I find their 3rd kit should always be blue.

Transfer Talk 7/26/11

Fiorentina look set to swoop for want-away Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani, as he is now seen as excess, with their growing depth in midfield . Once Rafa Benitez's 20 million pound signing, Aquilani's stock has dropped significantly, due to injury and lack of performance at Liverpool. Though, after a successful loan spell at Juventus, he has his desires set on playing in his home country of Italy. Juventus had the option of buying him when his loan expired for the price of 8 million Euro's, but they declined. A decision in which then coach Luigi Del Neri ended up rooing. If Aqulani is not bought by the viola, he looks set to join the team on loan, a move which will be vastly welcomed by both sides involved.

Wigan play-maker Charles N'zogbia looks set to finalise his move to Aston Villa this week, seeing the Birmingham side beat suitors, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sunderland to land Wigan's most instrumental player last season. The fee is rumored to be around 9.5 million pounds, a decent sum for a player that will bolster the ranks at Villa, and replace recent departure's Ashley Young, and Stewart Downing.

Spain's newest super club Malaga continue to sign quality players with their quest in securing Villarreal's midfielder-winger hybrid Santi Carzola. The Spanish International, who also is being tracked by Arsenal, has been valued by Villarreal at a fee of 30 million Euros, but  he looks like he will be bought for 20 million + bonuses. Carzola could be fantastic at Arsenal,  working well in their system, with his skill, his pace and adaptability. He will be the newest addition at the Spanish Man City (Malaga), joining a team, based off recent signings, emphasizing width and experience.

Lastly, Sergio"Kun" Aguero's transfer prayers might be answered, not by a magic genie, but by the big spending Man City. Besides City, El Kun is being chased by Spanish giants Real Madrid, but Mourinho seems to have given some slack to that pursuit, with his pleading cries for Santos' Neymar.  The Manchester spenders  have accepted  a 60 million pound price tag, for the Argentinian who scored 20 goals in 32 appearances last season for Athletico. The speedy forward would be a serious loss for the Madrid outfit, and on top of that, co-striker Diego Forlan has reiterated that he would like to leave as well. The forlorn Forlan and the want-to-go Aguero both might be heading to the Premier League, with Tottenham in for Forlan. It has been reported that Aguero will travel to London on Wednesday to meet with Man City's representatives.

LA Galaxy 1:4 Real Madrid, World Football Challenge

                   Some highlights from Real Madrid's intergalactic performance over LA.

On Cristiano's goal, keeper should not be beaten at that angle. Making him look better than he is.

Nifty footwork tho.

Sneijder for Scholes....Manchester United agree to 35.2 million pounds for Wesley Sneijder.

It looks like it wont take Sir Alex Ferguson very long to find a replacement for the retired Paul Scholes, as the transfer fee for Inter's Wesley Sneijder was agreed today. The Ajax academy graduate has spent time  playing for Ajax first team, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and now possibly for Manchester United....not a bad resume is it? There is no denying he is one of the best midfielders in the game and with a soft spot in Man U's center of midfield, he will slot in nicely. One thing I will be interested in seeing is how he works with Wayne Rooney. Man U's number 10 likes to drop deep from his forward position, to collect the ball and spray passes around. The one he played last night at Gillette Stadium to Fabio was sublime! Rooney often plays behind Chicharito in a 4-4-1-1, a position that Sneijder operates in well also. Sneijder is very much a similar player to Rooney, less so in an attacking sense where Rooney is considered a forward, but none the less possesses similar attributes, with dynamic passing abilities and skills from a dead ball situation. Sneijder and Rooney also posses the same mental toughness and work ethic. Sneijder has been the driving force for Inter Milan and his International team Holland for years, and if the transfer goes through he will undoubtedly show that same drive and work ethic at Old Trafford next year. With the introduction of the Dutch maestro and influence in midfield for United will bring the best out of the players around him, providing more excellent service and a attacking engine. With Sir Alex stating that he wants to back competing for the Champions League, the acquisition of Sneijder looks to increase those chances 10-fold.