Sergi Guardiola signs for Granada B

According to Granada, Sergi Guardiola, the footballer passed up by Barcelona following his controversial tweets against Catalonia and in favour of Real Madrid, has signed for Granada B.
"F*** Catalonia and long live Real Madrid", Guardiola tweeted in 2013, a message which cost him a move to the Catalan giants. Barcelona unveiled him on 28th December as Barça B's latest signing, but, just eight hours later, decided to terminate the contract because of those tweets.
Guardiola apologised, but that was not enough to make Barcelona reconsider their decision to not sign him. Now without a club, Granada have decided to sign him for their B team. Coincidentally, the Granada first team face a tough away game against Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Marca

Spanish La Liga Matchday 19 Fixtures

		January Sat. 9 - Sun. 10
	R. Sociedad	Valencia        Sun - 4.00 pm
	R. Madrid	Deportivo	Sat-8:30 p.m.
	Villarreal	Sporting	Sun-12:00 p.m.
	Getafe	Betis	Sat-6:15 p.m.
	Eibar	Espanyol	Sun-6:15 p.m.
	Sevilla	Athletic	Sat-6:15 p.m.
	Las Palmas	Málaga	Sun-6:15 p.m.
	Barcelona	Granada	Sat-4:00 p.m.
	Celta	Atlético	Sun-8:30 p.m.
	Levante	Rayo	Sat-10:05 p.m.

Michu gets huge ovation on his return to football

Michu felt the blood pumping through his footballing veins once more. The Spaniard came on in the second half of the match between Langreo and Covadonga, both teams currently competing in group 2 of Spain's Tercera División, the fourth highest tier in the Spanish football league system. And the fans greeted his return with a huge welcome.
The former Oviedo, Celta, Rayo Vallecano, Swansea and Napoli star had been training with Langreo for months now, at the orders of his brother Hernán, the team coach.

Marca

Bucs turning to rival in search for new head coach

Barely 24 hours after firing Lovie Smith, and on the same day that general manager Jason Licht explained the reasoning behind the surprising decision, NFL on FOX Insider Peter Schrager reported late Thursday that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are meeting with  Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott this weekend to discuss their new head-coaching vacancy.

While quarterback Cam Newton seems like a near lock to win NFL MVP honors, perhaps the biggest reason the Panthers finished an NFL-best 15-1 this regular season was the play of their defense.
Carolina finished sixth in total defense, 11th against the pass and fourth against the run. The Panthers also surrendered the sixth-fewest points in 2015 and finished first or tied for first in the NFL in interceptions (24), fumble recoveries (15) and turnover margin (+20).
With the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC, the Panthers have a bye this weekend.

FoxSports

Niger Tornadoes captain and goalkeeper, Mustapha Aliko has said the three-week preseason camping in llorin will adequately prepare the side for the expected daunting life in the top flight.
The promoted side arrived llorin, the Kwara state capital on Monday to commence a two, three-week camping exercise that will see the side engage top sides in warm-up matches.
Aliko said the management is on spot with international practices to have approved the closed camping for the side ahead the kickoff of the league.
“That’s the standard practice in Europe and I think the management has done the needful to take us away from our immediate homes for a closed camping.
“We have wholeheartedly embraced the sacrifice and will certainly go the extra-mile to justify every dime put into the exercise.
“The exercise will put us on good stead for the expected tough life in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) later in the month.
“Though we are waiting to get to the bridge but we have told ourselves that we won’t be pushovers in the top flight but compete favourably,” said Aliko to supersport.com.
The Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 4 winners are one of the promoted sides to the NPFL.

Rafa Benitez bids farewell to Real Madrid

Former Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez has thanked the club for the opportunity to coach at the Santiago Bernabeu, while wishing successor Zinedine Zidane the best of luck.
Benitez was dismissed on Monday after seven tumultuous months at the Santiagio Bernabeu and was replaced by club legend and Castilla coach Zidane.
The Spaniard ultimately paid the price for an underwhelming campaign which included a 4-0 Clasico hammering at the hands of Barcelona, while constant reports of dressing-room unrest did little to aid his cause.
But in a statement on his official website, Benitez assured there were no hard feelings over his dismissal.
"Now, at the end of my time as first team coach of Real Madrid, I would like to use this article to say goodbye to everyone at every level of the club," he said.
"I want everyone at the club from the board of directors to every last supporter, including the executives, employees and all of the fans, to know that it has been an honour and privilege to be in charge at this club, where I grew up as a person, player and coach from the lowest categories through to the first team.
"As a Madridista from Madrid, steeped in the traditions and values of this institution, which I learned in the old sports city of Castellana, it has been an honour to work for these colours.
"I would especially like to thank everyone at the new sports city and the Santiago Bernabeu who since my first steps through the door have supported me and made my work easier. Thanks to all for helping.
"With all that I have said still in mind, I would like to wish the best of luck to Zinedine Zidane, my successor, and his staff. To all the players, coaches and staff in both Valdebebas and Bernabeu, I wish you all the best and also good luck.
"With all my respect and thanks... HALA MADRID and NOTHING ELSE."
Benitez was up against it from the moment of his appointment, which was not well received by a notoriously demanding fan base.
He won 11 of his 18 league matches and secured progress from the Champions League group stages, but supporters were not impressed by his pragmatic approach.
Zidane took training for the first time on Tuesday and later held his first news conference as Madrid boss in which he promised attacking football, but paid tribute to the "fantastic" job Benitez had done.

Goal

CHERRIES WAIT ON ITURBE WORK PERMIT

Bournemouth will find out this week whether their loan deal for Roma forward Juan Iturbe will receive international clearance.
It is understood that the work permit hearing for the 22-year old will be held in the coming days. The Cherries, who announced his signing subject to an FA endorsement and a work permit at the weekend, remain hopeful of having him available in time for next Tuesday's visit of West Ham.