It's Good To Be The King

"What's that boss, we're without Samuel for a couple of games and you need me to score? No problem." That's not a direct quote from Ronaldinho, but I'm guessing that's what he was thinking going into today's match against Sevilla. He put in two from dead ball situations, and was a thorn in Sevilla's side throughout the game. One of Argentina's 'little ones' scored the third. Frank Rijkaard had plenty of praise for his #10, but didn't fail to recognize where the game was won, in the midfield. His three anchors in the middle of the park -Thiago Motta, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta- where the difference in the game.

La Liga's other contenders all slipped up except for Atletico Madrid. They collected all three points against Recreativo Huelva after Sergio Aguero pulled out his version of the Hand Of God. Don't worry though, he's as contrite as Diego Maradona was after doing the same against England.

Going into a European midweek, Barca leads with 16 points. Atletico and Valencia trail by three while Sevilla, Real Madrid, and Deportivo La Coruna round out the top six.

Next week's big game is none other than the revival of one of the most intense rivalries in the world, Real Madrid v. Barca. Me thinks we have a pretty good shot at seeing an animal's severed head thrown out onto the pitch before the final whistle. Why don't we give it 2:1 odds.

Barca go clear after Valencia loss [CNN]
Aguero "very happy" with hand-ball goal [Tribal Football]
Today in Spain [ESPN Soccernet]

-ac