Jose Mourinho

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...getafe?cc=4716

Real Madrid sneak past Getafe
February 4, 2012

Leaders Real Madrid did just enough 2 earn a 6th consecutive Primera Liga win, as defender Sergio Ramos returned fr injury 2 secure a 1-0 victory @ city rivals Getafe.

Ramos celebrated his match-winining return @ the Coliseum Alfonso Perez aft 18 mins, muscling in 2 head home a Mesut Ozil corner fr 6 yards.

While Madrid failed 2 add 2 the veteran defender's goal they were rarely threatened & were not made 2 pay 4 the 2nd-half profligacy of Karim Benzema. Getafe, unbeaten in 6 league games b4 the match, offered little as an attacking force,

Lionel Messi scored 1 goal & set up another as Barcelona stayed 7 points behind Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad @ the Nou Camp - but Pep Guardiola's men were made 2 work hard 4 their triumph.

Messi's fine pass led 2 youngster Cristian Tello opening the scoring early on & the Argentina international doubled his side's lead in the 72nd minute with his 23rd league goal of the campaign.

However, Sociedad, who had caused Barcelona several problems @ the back during the match, pulled a goal back immediately thru substitute Carlos Vela 2 leave the home side facing a nervy finale.

Barcelona held on 4 the win though 2 ensure tat Madrid, who beat Getafe earlier in the evening, would not edge any further ahead in the title fight.

Juan Albin scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Espanyol rescued a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Athletic Bilbao @ San Mames.

Athletic had dominated the early stages & deservedly took the lead when Oscar de Marcos battled his way thru the Espanyol defence 2 fire under Kiko Casilla.

The lead lasted only 7 mins though as Ndri Romaric curled in fr outside the area b4 Espanyol went in front just aft half-time thanks 2 a wonder strike fr Vladimir Weiss.

Athletic's threat fr set-pieces turned the game around again as Fernando Llorente headed in Markel Susaeta's free-kick b4 Javi Marquez nodded home 7 mins later 2 put the hosts 3-2 ahead.

However, the drama did not end there as Albin latched onto Kalu Uche's thru-ball in the 93rd minute 2 power a ferocious shot past Gorka Iraizoz & maintain Espanyol's 2-point advantage over Athletic in the race 4 a Champions League place.

Levante's hopes of catching city rivals Valencia in 3rd place suffered another setback as they were held 2 a 1-1 draw @ home by struggling Racing Santander.

Arouna Kone put the hosts in front midway thru the 1st half with a close-range header, but they wasted further chances 2 extend their lead, & relegation-threatened Racing drew level thru Manuel Arana's leveller on the hour mark.

Chori Castro scored the only goal of the game as 9-man Real Mallorca held on 2 beat Real Betis 1-0.

Tomer Hemed & Michael Pereira were denied by Betis keeper Espinosa Casto early on b4 Castro curled in a wonderful free-kick on 23 mins. Victor Casadesus came within inches of extending the lead b4 referee Carlos Velasco Carballo took centre stage in the 2nd period by brandishing 3 red cards.

Mario was 1st 2 go 4 the visitors b4 Mallorca duo Ivan Ramis & Victor followed suit for 2 bookable offences, but even with the extra man 4 the final few minutes Betis rarely threatened 2 find an equaliser.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...madrid?cc=4716

Butragueno expects Jose 2 stay
February 5, 2012

Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno believes Jose Mourinho will stay @ the club beyond the end of the season.

Mourinho is reportedly planning 2 leave Madrid in the summer, with a source quoted in last week's Sunday Times as saying the Portuguese is "sick & tired" of the in-fighting & behind-the-scenes politics @ the Bernabeu.

However, Butragueno insists the club hv no knowledge of Mourinho's apparent desire 2 return 2 England.

"We r not aware of Mourinho having any doubts over his future," he told Canal Plus. "We r very happy with him & I believe he will stay @ the club. The rumours appear all the time, but they don't affect us."

Butragueno was speaking aft Madrid's 1-0 victory over Getafe, which ensured their 7-point lead @ the top of La Liga remains intact.

"We clearly deserved 2 win," Butragueno said. "It was a very important game - Barcelona dropped 2 points last week & we couldn't show any sign of weakness."



http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...report?cc=4716

Jose 2 return to England next season?
January 29, 2012

Jose Mourinho is ready 2 quit Real Madrid in the summer & return 2 England, according 2 reports on Sunday.

Mourinho, whose Madrid side currently hold a 7-point advantage over arch-rivals Barcelona in La Liga tis season, has reportedly grown tired of the in-fighting & behind-the-scenes politics @ the Bernabeu, & is now looking 4 a return 2 the country where he made a real impression during 3 years as manager of Chelsea.

"Jose is sick & tired of tis situation @ Madrid," a source close 2 the manager told The Sunday Times. "It doesn't matter if he wins tis season or not. It's not abt the money.

"He's decided 2 come back 2 England & he will go in the summer."

Mourinho has long been tipped as SAF's eventual successor @ ManU, while he could also be of interest 2 ManC's ambitious owners.

Tottenham could also hv a vacancy if current boss Harry Redknapp is offered the England job - although it is not out of the question tat 'The Special 1' would be open 2 taking on an international role with the 3 Lions aft Fabio Capello steps down following Euro 2012.

Real Madrid beat Real Zaragoza 3-1 on Saturday evening, meaning the club hv now won 17 of their 20 league games so far this season.

[joew2005]

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fit...084117843.html

‘Give the England job to Mourinho’

Who's the best man for the job?

That's the burning question on the lips of every long-suffering England fan following the sudden departure of Italian Fabio Capello aft 4 years in charge.

With the European Championships in Ukraine & Poland slightly over 4 months away, the search is never going 2 be easy. But already, several managers hv been touted as potential replacements, with 1 name ringing louder than the rest — Harry Redknapp.

Timing-wise, it seems perfect as the 64-year-old Spurs manager has just been cleared of tax evasion charges — thought 2 be the only thing clouding his candidacy — just hours b4 Capello cleared his desk. Heck, Redknapp's even got the stamp of approval fr Wayne Rooney, who went on Twitter 2 proclaim him the ideal candidate.

Bookmakers in Britain hv also slashed the odds on Redknapp being offered the job, with William Hill changing the odds fr 2/1 to 1/2. It's not hard 2 see why as other names in the frame include WBA manager Roy Hodgson (surely not) & Newcastle's Alan Pardew (definitely not).

But is ol' Harry really the man 4 the job? I don't think so.

Redknapp is without doubt a fine manager, with Spurs flying high in the Premier League. But with such gifted players like Gareth Bale, Emmanuel Adebayor & Rafael Van der Vaart playing the best football of their careers so far, can they NOT be soaring?

My point is any half decent manager will be able 2 achieve the same results — or more — with Spurs' glittering wealth of talent.

The Spurs manager may be widely lauded 4 his man-management skills but he certainly left those abilities behind when he embarrassed Darren Bent aft a match against Portsmouth in 2009.

Then, aft the hapless striker missed an easy header 2 score, Redknapp famously uttered the words "my missus could hv scored it".

2 be fair, Redknapp has since apologized 4 his gaffe but with Bent among the leading candidates set 2 shoulder England's goal-scoring hopes in the Euros (Rooney suspended 4 the 1st 2 games), the duo will make 4 an uneasy relationship. The other big question, of course, is would Harry 1 the job? He's guided Spurs in2 a serious title contender, & even he — though he's openly admitted interest in the England job b4 — may 1 2 see tis thru.

But if not Redknapp then who? The easy answer: look 2 Spain. More specifically, @ Madrid where a certain sulking Portuguese maestro is making his unhappiness known in no uncertain terms.

Jose Mourinho is the perfect man 2 take over the poisoned chalice tat is the England football manager's job 4 several reasons.

He has the right credentials & experience having won domestic & continental titles with almost every team he's managed. And his ability 2 bring out the best in his charges is unquestioned. More importantly, he will be able 2 massage Terry's ego @ losing the captaincy 4 the 2nd time fr their time 2gether @ Chelsea, while also making sure the Blues skipper is committed 2 the cause.

At a time when England's other options @ centre-half r either chronically injured (Rio Ferdinand), not getting regular games @ their clubs (Gary Cahill) or 2 inexperienced (Chris Smalling & Phil Jones), Terry's whole-hearted participation & dedication in Ukraine-Poland is critical.

The charismatic Mourinho's skilled handling of the British press will also be crucial. 1 of Capello's major failings as England manager was his inability 2 engage the unrelenting media hacks. In contrast, Mourinho seems 2 hv an unfinished love relationship with the journalists & will hv no problem getting their support & endorsement — yet another pre-requisite 4 any aspiring England manager.

Ideally, Mourinho can be England manager all the way thru till the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014 (provided England qualifies), b4 stepping down 2 take over fr SAF @ ManU (heh, tat's my wish anyway).

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez would be a major stumbling block 2 Mourinho becoming available but with the FA having deep pockets 2 pay 4 any compensation, Perez being Perez can surely be bought.

So, it's time 2 act now, FA. Get Mourinho in the hotseat quickly b4 the real battles begin on the pitch in June.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...audrup?cc=4716

Jose will not return to Blues - Laudrup
March 5, 2012

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho will not be the answer 2 Chelsea's growing problems @ Stamford Bridge, according 2 4mer Madrid star Michael Laudrup.

Laudrup, who's brother Brian spent an injury-ravaged year @ Chelsea, is a former La Liga winner with Madrid, having joined the Spanish giants fr Barcelona. He has also managed Madrid's 3rd club Getafe & - more recently - Mallorca in Spain, building a strong network across the country.

The 47-year-old was as surprised as any1 2 see AVB axed by Chelsea less than a year into his self-titled 'project' in west London, but he is convinced tat Villas-Boas' exit will not make way 4 Mourinho.

The bookmakers currently hv Mourinho as the fav 2 take the reins in the summer, aft he completes wat appears 2 be a title-winning season @ Madrid.

The Portuguese won 2 Premier League crowns, 2 League Cups & 1 FA Cup during his 1st spell in charge of the Blues, but Laudrup insists it will be impossible 4 him 2 cut the likes of John Terry & Didier Drogba, the men on which he built his 1st Chelsea team.

"They r in a moment of transition & they will hv 2 change some of the older players," Laudrup told Sky Sports.

"And some of those older players were some of the key players when Mourinho was last @ Chelsea.

"So u hv yr key players, u leave, & then u come back & tell your ex-key players: 'I'm sorry, now u hv 2 leave. I hv 2 build a new team.'

"I don't believe tat [he can do tat]."



http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature...-sides?cc=4716

Pep and Jose should swap sides
March 4, 2012

Only the most 1-eyed wonder any longer whether tis generation of Barcelona r the greatest club team of all time, yet the title has all but been awarded 2 Real Madrid by complacent default.

At tis point, Guardiola's 1st serious failure 2 meet expectations, u might expect the knives 2 be out. Now, with Jose Mourinho delivering wat Real Madrid fans could only dream of last year, u might also expect endless jeroboams & prophylactics 2 be sent his way by his bosses. The reality though, is tat Barcelona 1 2 keep the prevaricating Guardiola while Mourinho faces internal struggles, perhaps ultimately forcing him out.

There's an easy solution 2 all tis wrangling. The 2 managers should simply swap seats: Guardiola styling it @ Real Madrid, & Mourinho poking eyes @ Barcelona. Both teams & both managers would benefit.

At Real Madrid, Mourinho is not lacking Euros. He may come up against the buffers in the quest 4 an extra striker, but he's not exactly short. Amongst others, he has been able 2 bring in Sami Khedira, Nuri Sahin, Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao, Angel di Maria & Mesut Ozil. In the future, with Real's turnover, they will continue 2 spend extensively even under Financial Fair Play. Guardiola, on the other hand, has seen his transfer clout diminish despite his own increasing returns. In the summer of 2011, Barcelona took out a loan of over £100 million 2 pay wages, & were only able 2 buy Cesc Fabregas - a £50 million player by any1 else's judgement - becos of the cloying emotional facade 2 a business deal.

Mourinho wouldn't necessarily need the huge money available @ Real 2 re-establish Barcelona. The number of reports stressing Mourinho's team building abilities make any further demonstration unnecessary. Adding 2 Cech, Terry & Lampard with the signing of Drogba he created the most durable spine of the Premier League era. At Inter he did something similar with Cesar, Lucio, Sneijder & Eto'o. At Barcelona plenty of the replacements r already there in the reserves. The emotional ties players claim 2 hv 4 Barcelona would only help Mourinho create his desired team spirit. There is no reason 2 doubt he could create a new foundation 2 rejuvenate ambition in a team tat occasionally seems happy 2 go thru the, admittedly impressive, motions.

Perhaps a fantasy rather than a blueprint, but Catalonia's Jose would give the neutral the most enjoyable sights in history. He'd force the tiki-taka students 2 grind out soulless, relentless, 1-0 victory aft 1-0 victory. Messi, occasionally forgetting himself & assisting a Xavi goal, backheeling a thru ball aft a saucy 40-yard stepover slalom, would be chided with, 'Hey! we don't 1 2 win tis 4-0.' Iniesta would be reduced 2 10-minute cameos, replacing Barca's new penalty hero, Frank Lampard. A ridiculous idea, but there r signs tat their possession football is in need of something novel.

Barcelona's ennui is now their biggest weakness. Few great teams manage 2 dominate football 4 longer than 3 years, & Barcelona appear only slightly different. Tat difference is tat they remain the fav 4 the Champions League, though, no they can longer match their rival's consistency. Mourinho would change tat. At Chelsea, he created a team so relentless tat youth development took a hit in England. No longer could ManU & others afford 2 blood youngsters so indulgently, the margin of error had withered. His switching betw 4-4-2 & 4-3-3, resting in possession & ability 2 take 3 points instead of 1, displays his desire 4 the league as a priority. At Inter, he saw off a challenge fr the 1st true post-Calciopoli title race, the greatest enemy proving a journalist's chin rather than any other team. He could wrest back his own title.

Guardiola would change more fundamentally. Real hv long wanted 2 improve their youth production line, their Pavons never hit the heights of Barca's Pedros. With Mourinho tis is impossible, but Guardiola is steeped in the culture of La Masia. There would be nobody better 2 overhaul Madrid's youth system. If Real Madrid lack anything in their team, it is a true local hero. Josep 'Pep' Guardiola would finally solve Real Madrid's fans' inferiority complexes on more than tat front. Madrid r winning tis league playing football tat demanded their boos; barely attempting 2 play in the 1st 2 Clasicos of the season. Guardiola offers a commitment 2 a style of football tat most ppl adore, & he would give Ronaldo the chance 2 become a great team-mate as well as a great player.

Beyond the pitch, Guardiola offers another advantage. Real Madrid make a great play of their worldwide reach in order 2 maximise revenue. As good as Ronaldo is, Real hv something of the night abt them. Pepe is a thug in boots. The rest of his team r more excellently effective than skilfully glamorous. Guardiola, though, has lead Barcelona 2 be internationally feted. It makes business sense 4 Real Madrid's style & attitude 2 match the PR claims.

On the other hand, Mourinho could add steel 2 a fey Barcelona. They r attacked 4 their playacting thru the antics of Busquets & Alves, whereas Fabregas was alleged 2 hv done something far worse 2 Frederic Kanoute tis season. Mourinho would be able 2 draw the attention away fr the players' transgressions by accepting the negative press as part of his role. The fuss abt Barca's diving would be diverted 2 whatever Mourinho had decided 2 get up 2 on the sidelines, either lobbing sweets @ a manager, or making a pass @ the assistant referee. More practically, with Makelele & Materazzi, Mourinho's always been able 2 make the best of the less attractive parts of the game. So just imagine wat he could do with Busquets.

Both sides would benefit; football's most intense rivalry of the last 2 years would hv an incredible new angles. Weaknesses would be addressed & staid players would be challenged. It won't happen, but it definitely should.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...e-draw?cc=4716

Mourinho happy despite draw
March 19, 2012

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho had few complaints abt his team's performance despite being held 2 a 1-1 draw by Malaga @ the Bernabeu on Sunday.

Karim Benzema's opener was cancelled out by Santi Cazorla's stunning stoppage-time free-kick 2 halt Real's 11-match winning run in the Primera Division.

The result allowed Barcelona 2 close the gap @ the top to 8 points, but Mourinho appeared 2 take it all in his stride.

"Drawing or losing a match is normal in a championship," he said on the club's official website. "I would hv a reason 2 be dissatisfied or critical 2wards my men if they dropped 2 points due 2 having a bad attitude, but I cannot criticise them becos they gave their all & gave a great performance in the 2nd half.

"We always dominated the match & we had many chances, while Malaga hardly had any. It was hard 4 us 2 get in the game. Malaga r a quality side currently in the Champions League qualifying positions.

"They made things difficult 4 us in the 1st half, but not in the 2nd. We only scored 1 goal fr the many chances we had. Scoring 1 or failing 2 do so is normal 2. I don't think I hv reasons 2 be critical of my men - they didn't lack ambition.

"There r 11 games left & 33 points still @ stake, meaning the championship is still open. We only worry abt wat we do becos we'll win if we take enough points."

[joew2005]

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/real...0200--spt.html

Real Madrid's Mourinho revealed as world's highest-paid manager - report

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has been revealed as the highest-paid coach in world football, in a list compiled by France Football.

The 4mer Chelsea boss picks up €14.8 million per year while 2 of his predecessors @ Stamford Bridge r also included in the top 10.

Carlo Ancelotti is the 2nd-best paid coach @ PSG, trousering €13.5m every 12 months while Guus Hiddink is the 5th-highest on the list, paid €8.6m a year 2 spearhead the Anzhi Makhachkala revolution.

Barcelona's success has far exceeded tat @ the Bernabeu in recent years but Pep Guardiola is still not as well paid as Mourinho, sitting 3rd on the list with a salary of €9.5m.

4 English based coaches make the list. Arsene Wenger is the richest manager in the Premier League with, paid €9m a year despite Arsenal's 7-year trophy drought.

ManC boss Roberto Mancini is currently trying 2 catch neighbouring rivals ManU, & is falling behind SAF in pay stakes. The Italian pocketing €5.9m each year compared 2 the 70-year-old's €8m.

Recently departed England boss Fabio Capello was handed €8.5m during his spell in charge of the 3 Lions.

2 other international managers make the top 10, Russia boss Dick Advocaat is rewarded with €7m 4 his efforts while 4mer Real Madrid coach Jose Antonio Camacho receives €6.1m per year as manager of the newly rich Chinese national team.

Jose Mourinho (Real Madrid) - €14.8m
Carlo Ancelotti (PSG) - €13.5m
Pep Guardiola (Barcelona) - €9.5m
Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) - €9m
Guus Hiddink (Anzhi) - €8.6m
Fabio Capello (Ex-England) - €8.5m
SAF (Man Utd) - €8m
Dick Advocaat (Russia) - €7m
Jose Camacho (China) - €6.1m
Roberto Mancini (Man City) - €5.9m

[mazdamx5]

I won't be surprised he is the most well paid Manager around... that said, I will be wondering if he is going to stay in Real Madrid.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ragoza?cc=4716

Real Madrid held by Villarreal
March 21, 2012

9-man Real Madrid suffered another Primera Division title wobble @ El Madrigal as Marcos Senna struck an 83rd-min equaliser 2 grab a 1-1 draw 4 struggling Villarreal.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring on 62 mins 4 Jose Mourinho's men, who had seen their 11-match winning run in La Liga ended by a home draw with Malaga on Sunday.

Aft Senna's leveller, the visitors imploded with Mourinho sent fr the dugout & Sergio Ramos & Mesut Ozil both red carded as Madrid were forced 2 settle 4 limping 6 points clear of 2nd-placed Barcelona.

Mourinho was dismissed 4 his reaction 2 the equaliser, Ramos 4 a 2nd yellow card & Ozil 4 apparent dissent, all in the space of 3 mins.

Apono scored twice as 9-man Real Zaragoza came fr a goal down 2 stun Valencia 2-1 @ the Mestalla & claim a huge 3 points in their survival bid.

Zaragoza, the Primera Division basement boys, looked destined 4 a 17th loss of the season when a goal & a man down aft only 21 mins, but frustrated their hosts & snatched victory thanks 2 Apono's accurate finish 13 mins fr time.

Pablo put the 3rd-placed hosts in front aft only 9 mins & they looked in 4 a comfortable evening when Pablo Alvarez was sent off in the 21st minute, but Apono levelled fr the spot 9 mins later &, with Valencia unable 2 make the most of their chances, put the visitors ahead deep in2 the 2nd half.

Zaragoza lost Franco Zuculini 2 a 2nd yellow card in the 88th min, but held on 4 a much-needed win.

A 2nd-half double fr Radamel Falcao secured a vital 3 points 4 Atletico Madrid in the race 4 next season's European places as they beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1.

Aft an uneventful 1st 45 mins, the hosts took the lead 4 mins in2 the 2nd half as Adrian Lopez freed himself just inside the area & aft his initial shot was well saved by Gorka Iraizoz, Falcao was on hand 2 bundle home the rebound.

The Colombian doubled Atletico's advantage with a fine diving header 20 mins fr time b4 Javi Martinez pulled a consolation goal back in stoppage time.

Levante came fr behind 2 beat 10-man Real Sociedad 3-1 & keep their surprise challenge 4 European qualification on track.

Jose Barkero's 12th-minute penalty cancelled out an early strike fr Carlos Vela b4 Arouna Kone put Levante ahead. Sociedad were reduced to 10 men aft 57 mins when defender Gorka Elustondo was sent off 4 a 2nd bookable offence.

Levante wrapped up the victory with an injury-time strike fr replacement Xavi Torres 2 move within 3 points of Valencia in 3rd place.

Real Mallorca took another big step 2wards Primera Division survival & left opponents Sporting Gijon further in the relegation mire aft edging a hard-fought match 3-2 @ El Molinon.

Mallorca twice took the lead thru Jose Carlos Nunes & an own goal fr Pedro Orfila, but were pegged back both times thru goals fr Adrian Colunga & Alberto Botia. However, Sporting could not find a third equaliser 2 cancel out Alvaro Gimenez's 77th-minute strike as Mallorca took the spoils.

The victory lifted the Balearic Island side 12 points abv the bottom 3 & now within sight of safety, but Sporting remain stuck in the bottom 2 following their 16th defeat of the season.

[joew2005]

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soc...170935374.html

Real Madrid building $1 billion resort island in the UAE

Hv u ever dreamed of a place where the warm sun dries Iker Casillas' tears b4 they reach his cheek, the Persian Gulf breeze blows thru Xabi Alonso's beard & Pepe stomps some1 2 death on the beach? Then welcome 2 Real Madrid Resort Island -- a $1 billion resort on an artificial island in the UAE scheduled to open in January 2015.

A presentation @ the Bernabeu on Thursday showed plans 4 sports facilities, a marina, luxury hotels & villas, an amusement park, a club museum & a 10,000-seat stadium with 1 side open 2 the sea.

"It is a decisive & strategic step tat will strengthen our institution in the Middle East & Asia," said Real president Florentino Perez.

The 4.6 million-square-foot venture is in partnership with the government of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah & is expected 2 attract a million visitors in its 1st year of operation. But since tat's a whole 3 years away, Jose Mourinho probably won't be 1 of them.

Hopefully Barcelona will build its own island right next 2 Real Madrid's, but make it so everything is miniature & inhabited by Ewoks.

[joew2005]

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/leva...6--soccer.html

Title race heats up after Real held by Valencia

MADRID (Reuters) - Valencia blew the title race wide open when they held Real Madrid 2 a 0-0 draw on Sunday tat trimmed the leaders' advantage over chasing Barcelona to 4 points with 7 La Liga games left.

Goalkeeper Vicente Guaita was the hero 4 the visitors in a tense encounter @ the Bernabeu as he produced a string of superb saves 2 frustrate Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria & Karim Benzema.

Real, who play Barca @ the Nou Camp later tis month, hv 79 points fr 31 matches, with Barca on 75 aft Saturday's 4-1 win at Real Zaragoza & Valencia in 3rd on 49.

Champions Barca, chasing a 4th straight title, can cut the gap to 1 point with a win @ home 2 Getafe on Tuesday, with Real not playing @ Atletico Madrid until Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho's Real side had a 10-point lead over their arch rivals 3 weeks ago but slipped 2 consecutive draws against Malaga & Villarreal & were held again on Sunday by a spirited and well-organised Valencia side.

Ronaldo struck a fierce drive against the post in the 8th minute & was again denied by an upright with a deflected effort 11 mins into the 2nd half.

Valencia had chances 2 & a 25th-minute Ricardo Costa header & a powerful Tino Costa shot fr long range in the 55th also struck the frame of the goal b4 Iker Casillas brilliantly denied Jordi Alba with just over 5 mins left.

Real poured players forward in the final minutes but could not find a way past an inspired Guaita & now need 2 regroup 4 the potentially tricky clash @ Atletico.

It was their 1st goalless draw @ the Bernabeu in more than 5 years.

"We still hv the advantage & we hv 2 keep going," Real midfielder Xabi Alonso said in a television interview.

"Every point is fundamental now & we r focused on our next game," he added.