Real Madrid 1-1 Valencia: Below-par Blancos held at home in La liga Opener

Real Madrid were less than convincing as they begun the defence of their La Liga crown with a 1-1 draw against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu.

 Things began promisingly for the reigning champions as Gonzalo Higuain, who was picked ahead of Karim Benzema, put them ahead after just 10 minutes.

 But they soon became guilty of sitting back and failing to make their ball retention count and shortly before the break Jonas resotred parity.

 Los Blancos were unable to regain their advantage in the second half and thus had to settle for a point in front of disgruntled and frustrated home supporters.

 Madrid signalled their intent to score an early goal with an intense start that saw both Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo take shots from long-range.

 Neither managed to work Diego Alves but it did not take much longer for Los Blancos to find the net. Di Maria clipped the ball up to Higuain, who had sprung the offside trap, and the striker controlled the ball exquisitely.

 Yet after seeing his initial and follow-up efforts saved by the keeper the third time proved a charm as he rifled a volley into the back of the net with just 10 minutes on the clock.

 Following the goal Jose Mourinho's men played a far more patient game but despite controlling possession, opportunities to find the net were sparse as Valencia sat deep.

 With 25 minutes played Xabi Alonso narrowly missed the target with a powerful attempt from wide on the left that lacked the whip to bend in at the far post.

 But patience soon turned to complacency for the hosts and Los Che capitalised by netting an equaliser three minutes before the break. Iker Casillas failed to clear Tino Costa's fantastic delivery and Jonas duly headed the ball into the vacated goal.

 The keeper did however succeed in injuring Pepe who was subsequently withdrawn at half time.

 Madrid began the second half as they did the first and after eight second-half minutes they missed a great chance to regain the lead. Mesut Ozil fed Di Maria but the winger failed to hit the target from a central position inside the box. The game became absurdly stale with neither side offering much in the attacking department.

 Mourinho was the first coach to change things around as he replaced Lass with Karim Benzema on the hour mark. It seemed to galvanise his side and six minutes later they almost scored their second of the night.

 A great centre from Di Maria found Alves out of position but Higuain's header rattled the bar before being cleared away.

 The effect soon dissipated though as Los Blancos lacked urgency to find a winner and it was not until the 82nd minute that they tested Alves. An extremely quiet Ronaldo drilled a cross into the area but Benzema's ferocious strike was parried away by the Valencia stopper.

 Mourinho's men were unable to find the net again as the two sides shared the spoils on the opening weekend of La Liga. They will need to be far more clinical when they face Barcelona in the Super Cup in midweek.

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Barcelona agree €14m deal for spain star

Barcelona have announced on their official website that they have agreed a fee with Valencia for the signing of Jordi Alba. 

 The Blaugrana had long been linked with a move for the left-back, and are now one step closer to completing the deal after negotiating a €14 million fee. 

 Alba will undergo a medical next week, and sign a five-year deal upon successful completion of his physical examination. 

Barcelona announce that today an agreement with Valencia has been reached for the transfer of Jordi Alba, pending a medical examination. 

The player will undergo in Barcelona next week," an official statement reads. "The cost of the transfer will be €14m and the player will sign a contract for the next five seasons. 

Alba, 23, is a product of the Barcelona youth academy, but failed to break into the first team at Camp Nou and left the club in 2005. 

 He will now return to his boyhood outfit after spells with Cornella, Gimnastic and Valencia.

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Valencia resigned to losing Jordi Alba - report

Valencia are resigned to losing Jordi Alba in the summer transfer window as Barcelona continue to chase the impressive left-back, Sport reports.

Los Che were initially determined to hold onto the 23-year-old beyond the 2011-12 campaign, but have now supposedly accepted that the player's departure is inevitable, with sporting director Braulio Vazquez admitting Valencia are aware of the Blaugrana's desire to sign him.

"I suppose Barcelona want him because he's Catalan and plays on the left wing. We are obviously talking about an excellent player, and it's only normal that Barcelona are keen to sign him," Braulio Vazquez stated to Radio Galega.

The La Masia-trained star has a contract with Mauricio Pellegrino's side until the summer of 2013, but they are ready to him leave for a fee in the region of €15 million.

Barca have reportedly already agreed personal terms with the defender, but they have yet to table an official offer.

The Catalans are expected to open talks with the side who finished third in La Liga in the upcoming weeks, though, as they want to wrap up the transfer before the start of pre-season.

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