LEGANES, Spain — “And then he hit it bloody brilliantly, so I ended up looking like a champ.” Javier Aguirre bursts out laughing, and not for the last time. He’s reflecting on Manuel Negrete’s superb, acrobatic volley at the 1986 World Cup — and Aguirre’s “assist” for the goal, if that’s not too generous a
Leganes
Javier Aguirre remembers watching Lionel Messi for the first time in 2002 and had “no doubts” he’d be great. 17-year-old Lionel Messi lists Maradona, Ronaldinho and Pablo Aimar as his idols. Sid Lowe explains why Lionel Messi is likely to remain at Barcelona despite recent turmoil at the club. Five years ago today, Pele said
“I like a tap in,” Martin Braithwaite said, and then he started laughing. It was October, cold and misty outside at Leganes’ training ground, where huge letters painted across the wall facing the pitch demand “train, compete, fight but above all, enjoy and dream.” The Danish striker had been asked what kind of chances he
Steve Nicol thinks Antoine Griezmann still hasn’t fully settled in at Barcelona despite his goal vs. Getafe. Shaka Hislop says Barcelona’s back line will leave fans on the “edge of their seat” even with a lead. Shaka Hislop delves into Barcelona’s over-reliance on Lionel Messi after their 2-1 win over Getafe. Barcelona have completed the
Steve Nicol thinks Antoine Griezmann still hasn’t fully settled in at Barcelona despite his goal vs. Getafe. Shaka Hislop says Barcelona’s back line will leave fans on the “edge of their seat” even with a lead. Shaka Hislop delves into Barcelona’s over-reliance on Lionel Messi after their 2-1 win over Getafe. Barcelona expect to complete
8:37 AM ET Atletico Madrid missed the chance to close the gap on La Liga pacesetters Real Madrid and Barcelona on Sunday with a dismal goalless draw at home against 19th-placed strugglers Leganes. Atleti went into the game on the back of a chastening league defeat to Eibar and a Copa del Rey loss to
Former Zaragoza president, Agapito Iglesias was handed a 15-month prison sentence. A Spanish court has on Monday cleared 41 people, including Leganes coach Javier Aguirre, and Second Division side Real Zaragoza of match-fixing charges in a Liga fixture between Levante and Real Zaragoza in 2011. A total of 41 people, including 36 current and former
8:17 AM ET Sevilla beat basement club Leganes 1-0 at home in an enthralling encounter on Sunday to climb up to second in La Liga. The win lifted them to 30 points after 15 games, one behind leaders Real Madrid, who have a game in hand, although Barcelona, on 28 points, will climb back above
12:37 PM ET Troubled Valencia’s joy at beating Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek was punctured by a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to basement club Leganes in La Liga on Sunday. Valencia took the lead in coach Albert Celades’ first home game when Daniel Parejo slammed home a penalty in the 21st minute