Adriano tips Neymar & Messi to forge lethal partnership

The full-back says the pair will flourish together on the pitch as their friendship blossoms off it, and also has plenty of praise for Gerardo Martino's impact at Camp Nou

Barcelona defender Adriano believes Neymar's partnership with Lionel Messi will only improve as the duo become better acquainted off the field.

There has been plenty of debate over how effectively the pair can operate in tandem but, despite both stars experiencing mixed fortunes in the goalscoring stakes thus far this season, Adriano is convinced the duo will soon combine to devastating effect.

"Neymar and Messi are very well connected," he told Goal. "From day-to-day on the field, they are becoming better friends and know each other better.

"Everyone is delighted with them and it shows when they are both on the pitch together.

"Neymar helps Leo, with his philosophy on the game, the way he likes to play and I think he has done very well for the team."

When asked whether or not his fellow Brazilian could usurp his Argentine counterpart as the world's greatest player, the 28-year-old added: "It is complicated. Both can be the best in their own positions.

"Leo is the best in his position and will probably remain the best, while Neymar will surely be one of the best in his role.

"The great thing is that we have the two of them together in the same team."

The former Sevilla full-back went on to praise coach Gerardo Martino for the impact he has made at Camp Nou since succeeding Tito Vilanova at the helm during the summer.

"I like that he makes us believe that we can replicate the same style as before; pressing, stealing possession and regaining the spark we had before," he continued.

"The freshness is back and we want to make history. We want to win La Liga and the Champions League again.

"Tata coaches the team in a different way. He has a clear philosophy, but he told us that he did not come here to change anything, but he has brought with him the experience of coaching Argentine clubs and Paraguay.

"We are delighted with him and how he works and hopefully we can get the results he wants us to get and continue the story of Barcelona."

Neymar dived a lot in Brazil, says Edmilson

The 37-year-old has stated his young compatriot is playacting less than before, before adding that the attacker has adapted well to his new surroundings at Camp Nou

Edmilson believes that Neymar no longer dives as much following his summer move from Santos to arcelona.

The 21-year-old has been heavily criticised for his tendency to go to the ground easily, but the formerSelecao defender feels his compatriot is already showing signs of improvement.

"Neymar dived a lot in Brazil. He still dives some, but in most cases, the defenders tackle him late," Edmilson told Esports Cope.

"Every time he gets tackled, he really gets tackled."

Edmilson, who wore the Barca jersey from 2004 until 2008, then went on to praise the way Neymar's adapted to his new surroundings.

"Neymar is doing great at Barca, playing very well," he enthused. "He's adapted very quickly to the team's tactics and players. 

"I hope he continues along those lines, creating a good atmosphere and settling into the team. 

"He was aware of the difficulties he faced at the beginning, but he set about every game very well and is very comfortable with his teammates."

Neymar has netted three goals in 11 appearances for Barcelona so far this term.

Iniesta will stay & I like Courtois - Rosell

The Barcelona chief is confident the Spain international will end his career at Camp Nou and added that he is a fan of the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell is confident that Andres Iniesta will end his career with the club. 

The Spain international has been holding contract extension talks in recent weeks but is yet to reach an agreement with the Spanish champions.

But Rosell appears unperturbed by the delay, hinting that a bumper new deal will eventually be signed.

"Iniesta will end his career at the club," Rosell told Cadena SER. "If I had to bet on his future, I would do so on that.

"We believe he should be the second-highest salary behind Messi."

Barca are still on the hunt for a new goalkeeper, with current no.1 Victor Valdes set to run out his contract next summer, and rumours that a move for Thibaut Courtois could be in the pipeline have been fuelled by the president's praise of the Chelsea shot-stopper, who is spending his third season on loan at Atletico Madrid.

"Courtois is a keeper that I really like - he is very good," he added.

Barcelona have made a perfect start to the new Liga season, winning all eight of their matches to date, and resume their campaign with a trip to Osasuna on October 19.

La Liga Team of the Week: Neymar & Alexis Sanchez sparkle in Messi absence

Barcelona's South American forwards were outstanding as the Catalans thrashed Valladolid 4-1 and Diego Costa joins them following another superb show for Atletico Madrid

Round 8 of La Liga brought 30 goals, with wins for Barcelona, Atletico, Real Madrid, Villarreal, Sevilla, Getafe, Elche, Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna.

Barcelona and Aleti both preserved their perfect records, while Madrid needed a last-gasp Cristiano Ronaldo strike to overcome Levante in Valencia. Here, Goal takes a look at the standout performers from the latest round of action in Spain's Primera Division.

In goal, Andres Fernandez helped Osasuna to an unexpected win at Malaga with a couple of fine saves in the second half of the Navarrans' 1-0 success at La Rosaleda.

Filipe Luis won a penalty and was superb going forward as Atletico edged out Celta Vigo in a 2-1 win at the Vicente Calderon. Right-back Dani Alves was excellent in a similar role for Barcelona on the other side as the Catalans cruised past Valladolid, while the Brazilian's team-mate Marc Bartra showed he is developing into a fine young centre-back with a mature display in the heart of the defence. David Rodriguez Lomban completes the back line following his solid showing in the 2-1 victory over Espanyol.

Pedro Leon netted twice for Getafe (one a wonder strike, the other a header) as Getafe beat Betis 3-1;Cani was outstanding for Villarreal in the Yellow Submarine's 3-0 win over Granada, while Ivan Rakiticgave Sevilla all three points with a late strike against Almeria in the 2-1 success at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

Neymar shone in Lionel Messi's absence through injury with a goal and an assist for two-goal Alexis Sanchez, who also set up the Brazilian's strike in a brilliant performance. Finally, man of the momentDiego Costa is back in again after hitting the two goals for Atletico in their win over Celta and taking his Liga tally to 10 for the season.

Valdes: My time at Barcelona is over

The Spain international is out of contract at the end of the season and has his heart set on a move abroad, revealing that he wants to try his luck in a different league

Victor Valdes has reiterated his internation to leave Barcelona next summer, explaining that he feels that his time at Camp Nou is over.

The Spain international is out of contract at the end of the season and announced during the summer that he would not be signing an extension.

A number of Barca players, including midfielder Andres Iniesta, have publicly stated that they have tried to persuade Valdes to change his mind and stay in Catalunya, but the 31-year-old shot-stopper says he has his heart set on a move abroad.

"My time here is done," the goalkeeper told Antena3. "They offered me the chance to renew [my contract] but my decision had been made."

"I am seeking new challenges. I want to play in another league and be with my family in another place.

"But this season I have still been feeling the love and support of the people and that is greatly appreciated."

Valdes, a product of Barcelona's youth academy, has spent his entire professional career to date at Camp Nou.

Bale must stand up to Ronaldo to succeed at Madrid - Redknapp

The QPR boss insists the Welshman needs to work with the Portuguese superstar while not being intimidated by him if he is to justify his world-record price tag

Gareth Bale will have to stand up to Cristiano Ronaldo if he is to survive and thrive at Real Madrid, according to former manager Harry Redknapp.

Bale, who first broke into the Tottenham team under the current QPR boss, eclipsed Ronaldo's transfer record by making an €100 million move to Real Madrid this summer.

And Redknapp believes Santiago Bernabeu's biggest superstar presents the biggest obstacle to the Welshman making a success of his time in Spain.

"His biggest test will be to step out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo with confidence. That won’t be easy," the QPR boss wrote in his new autobiography, serialised in the Daily Mail.

"Ronaldo is a huge star at Madrid and will probably want to take nine out of 10 free-kicks - at least. Gareth will have to assert himself and that will require a strong mind.

"He has to think ‘I’m an £86million player’ and act like it, taking responsibility, claiming the ball when he fancies his chances. 

"And yet at the same time he cannot dwell on his fee and what it means too much because that would put him under immense pressure. It is a tricky balancing act. 

"He will have to be ready for the matches when he goes it alone, has a shot, misses and Ronaldo starts throwing his arms up in the air.

"He cannot, at that point, go into his shell and become this timid little creature. But it is not natural for Gareth to behave in an assertive way. Don’t get me wrong, he knows he is good. 

"The fee is crazy, amazing money, but he wouldn’t have fought so hard to get the deal done if he didn’t fancy his chances of living up to expectations in Madrid.

"Yet, equally, Gareth is a quiet lad, who spends time with his girlfriend and family, and I’m not sure being in the same bracket as Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will suit him.

"If Ronaldo feels threatened by Gareth’s arrival, Madrid could be a lonely place so he will need to lean a lot on Ancelotti, who speaks good English, and Paul Clement, Carlo’s assistant, who is English.

"Luka Modric is another old friend who could help him settle in.

"The one thing the club cannot provide for Gareth and Cristiano is a ball each — so they will need to work hard on that partnership because they are such similar players."

Redknapp insists he recognised Bale's potential very early on - even if the Welshman did seem a little too preoccupied with his hairstyle.

"He drove me mad in training," the QPR boss added. "Technically, he was outstanding but he always seemed to be playing with his hair. It was never right. 

"He’d be flicking the fringe or wiping it out of his eyes and I would be going quietly mad, just watching. ‘Gareth, leave your barnet alone! Gareth! Stop touching your hair!’"

Neymar: I'm still the same player

The Selecao ace is now drawing plaudits after a slow start to his Blaugrana career but he says he is no different than before

Neymar has dismissed suggestions that he has had to change his game in any way to fit in at Barcelona, insisting that he is "still the same player" that shone for Brazil at the Confederations Cup.

The 21-year-old attacker has been under constant scrutiny since his summer switch to Camp Nou from Santos, with the likes of Johan Cruyff suggesting that he was simply not compatible with Blaugranasuperstar Lionel Messi.

Neymar has been excelling in the absence of the injured Argentine, playing a key role in last week's wins over Celtic and Valladolid, but he says that it is not as if he is suddenly performing anything differently just become Barca's No.10 is out of action.

“Nothing has changed," he told reporters on Monday. "I’m still the same player, playing the same football, but right now everything is going well.

“When we made the decision [to move to Barcelona], we didn’t know if it would turn out to be the right one or not. It’s down to you. 

"Whether playing in Brazil or Spain, I wanted to develop as a player.”

Neymar was the star of the show during the Selecao's stirring Confederations Cup success this summer, prompting speculation that he could be in the running for this year's Ballon d'Or.

However, the former Santos starlet insists that he has not even given the award a second thought since his switch to Catalunya.

“It isn’t something that worries me,” he said. “I just want to play the same football and help my team-mates at Barca and in the Brazil team."

Neymar is currently away on international duty, with the World Cup hosts set to face South Korea in Seoul on Saturday.

Abidal: Benching Benzema isn’t an option

The 34-year-old has backed the France striker to rekindle his form ahead of clashes with Australia and Finland, despite his 15-game run without a goal for the national team

Monaco defender Eric Abidal has jumped to the defence of struggling France striker Karim Benzema, saying his drought and lack of confidence will not be solved by dropping him.

The Real Madrid forward has been under-fire, as his goalless run with les Bleus has reached a staggering 15 games, with his last goal coming in a friendly against Estonia in June 2012.

France coach Didier Deschamps decided to drop the former Lyon striker in favour of Olivier Giroud in their most recent qualifier, a 4-2 demolition of Belarus, but he could be in line to play against Australia and Finland, and Abidal has urged Deschamps to keep faith with the 25-year-old.

“I don’t think leaving him on the bench or in the stands is the solution,” he told beINSport.

Despite his well-documented struggles at international level, Benzema's record with Madrid is more reassuring for Deschamps, with four goals and four assists this season, and has been called up for France’s friendly with Australia and their final qualifier against Finland.

Abidal, who spent six seasons with Barcelona, also offered his thoughts on Atletico Madrid’s form, suggesting their sizzling start has come as no surprise to him.

He added: “Atletico Madrid have always been a good team and they deserve the good start to the season they are having.”

Atletico Madrid 2-1 Celta Vigo

Diego Simeone's side dominated the opening 45 minutes and the visitors had goalkeeper Yoel Rodriguez to thank for saving a Costa penalty on 25 minutes and pulling off a number of other saves to keep the home side at bay early on.

However, Atleti's dominance continued and on 42 minutes they took the lead when Costa bundled home from close range to put them 1-0 in front at the half-time interval.

The striker then doubled his and los Rojiblancos' lead in the just past the hour mark with a well taken finish and though Nolito pulled a goal back for Celta with 20 minutes remaining, the hosts held on to pick up a deserved victory.

The win sees Atleti draw level with Barcelona - who beat Valladolid 4-1 on Saturday - at the top of La Liga, with both sides continuing their 100% starts to the season.

The Copa del Rey holders are next in league action when they take on Espanyol on October 19 following the international break.

Ronaldo rescues Real's title challenge, but Madrid look nowhere near ready for Barcelona test

The Portuguese struck a 94th-minute winner to claim all three points for Real after they had looked like losing at Levante, but it was yet another poor performance away from home

There was no refereeing controversy this time. Real Madrid's last-gasp win at Elche recently had come about thanks largely to the helping hand of match official Cesar Muniz Fernandez, who awarded a highly-contentious penalty deep into added time. On this occasion, however, it was more Madrid's fight and unwillingness to lie down that brought the reward of a late leveller and, subsequently, a 94th-minute winner.

Carlo Ancelotti's side had looked second best for most of the night, twice going behind to a spirited and hard-working Levante side. But like last season, Alvaro Morata popped up with a last-minute effort - this time to level the scores - and Cristiano Ronaldo then hit home via a deflection to seal a sensational 3-2 win.

Ronaldo rescued Real's fast-faltering hopes of winning La Liga and the strike spared Ancelotti's blushes, yet it could not hide a multitude of sins on another depressing night's football for the capital club. Marcadescribed Madrid's performance as "dreadful", noting that the team had played with the "spirit" they have always shown - if "little else". "Ronaldo and Morata get Madrid out of intensive care," the paper added.The goal meant much to Madrid's players. Ronaldo removed his shirt to earn a booking he hardly seemed to care about, while goalkeeper Diego Lopez raced off his line and ran down the pitch to join in the wild celebrations. And on the bench, Ancelotti cut a relieved figure.

"The victory was very important because it was a very difficult match," the Italian explained. "We never gave in, but we gave two goals away and we need to concentrate better because that made things complicated. But, when our team plays, we can win a game in five minutes..."

On the road, however, Madrid have struggled in La Liga all season. An unconvincing 1-0 win at Granada in Real's first away game this term was followed by a 2-2 draw at Villarreal which, on a different night, could eaily have been a defeat. Then came the highly-controversial 2-1 victory at Elche, and now another success achieved in extremis on Saturday.

But more worrying than the results, which have been generally good, will be the nature of the performances in those matches. On Saturday, Madrid began poorly and even though they were the better team by the interval, Levante came out stronger again and took the initiative with the first goal and also the third after Sergio Ramos had cancelled out Baba's opener.

In the first half, it had looked like Madrid's more technical players held the key to breaking the Levante resolve, yet Ancelotti once again chose to take off the influential Isco and leave on the ineffectual Karim Benzema. To the Italian's credit, however, all three of his substitutions worked out as Morata netted the equaliser, fellow youngster Jese (who did replace the French forward late on) helped set up that goal and Marcelo changed the flow of the match with his penetrating attacks down the left flank.

Still, there appeared to be no definite pattern to their game. Madrid, playing against a back line defending deep, needed to generate the play - and they are still struggling to do so.

The sheer intensity of the home side caught the visitors off guard, too, and on this evidence, Xabi Alonso cannot return fast enough to add both solidity and creativity to a Madrid midfield which is currently lacking in both departments.

And as so often before, Ronaldo was the hero. The Portuguese now has 12 goals from Madrid's opening 10 games in all competitions (matching his best season start, last term, although that included four penalties instead of two) and 50 strikes for club and country in 2013. But it was the result that mattered most for his side as it kept Madrid within five points of Barca (still with a perfect record in the Primera Division) with eight rounds of La Liga completed and ahead of the Clasico clash at Camp Nou later in October.

That trip to the Catalan capital will be the greatest test of Madrid's title credentials but, given their continued struggles away from home, Ancelotti's side currently look nowhere near ready to face it.

Athletic Bilbao-Valencia Betting Preview: Why at least three goals look likely

Phil Kitromilides thinks Athletic's leaky defence and the visitors' ability in attack will combine to produce a high-scoring affair on Sunday night

So far so good for Athletic Bilbao at their new home, with the Basques having recorded two wins from two at the Estadio Nuevo San Mames. 

Ernesto Valverde's side, however, have been conceding goals at an alarming rate and the boss will be hoping to halt their defensive slide when Valencia visit on Sunday night. 

Los Che have weathered something of a storm of late, responding to three successive defeats with three successive victories in La Liga, and BetVictor offer them at 6/4 (2.50) to claim all three points, while a home win is priced at 4/7 (1.57).Yet it is to the goal markets where we should be looking for this game, with Athletic's leaky defence suggesting a high-scoring encounter could be on the cards. 

The Basques have kept only one clean sheet all season, and in four of their last five matches they have conceded at least twice. Valencia, for their part, have not been prolific but they have been scoring consistently. 

In fact, los Che have netted in each of their last 18 matches in the Primera Division. Both teams to score, therefore, looks highly likely but is priced at just 8/13 (1.62).

Instead, a better option is backing over 2.5 goals at 4/5 (1.80). This bet has paid out in all but two of Athletic's games this season and also in four of the last six meetings between the two sides.

Neymar is like Messi, says Martino

The coach also praised Alexis Sanchez and Cristian Tello for stepping up to the mark in the Argentine's absence, as the Blaugrana strolled to victory at Camp Nou

Gerardo Martino saluted Neymar as being just as influential for Barcelona as talisman Lionel Messifollowing the team's 4-1 triumph over Valladolid.

The Argentina international missed the match due to injury but his fellow South American slotted into the No.10's role seamlessly.

And it was the Brazilian prodigy's impact, in conjunction with Alexis Sanchez and Christian Tello's form, that had Martino purring after the game.

"He [Neymar] is a player that, like Messi, no matter whether he plays left, right or centre, always plays well," Martino enthused to reporters. 

"Neymar dominates every facet of the game and keeps striving to improve. In two months, he has integrated into our system. It is very difficult to find such players of his age.

"Alexis knows the opinion I have of him as a player. I had said I wanted to see the Sanchez that played for Marcelo Bielsa's Chile. He played an excellent game today.

"Tello played a fine, he created various situations for us and made a decisive goal for us. It isn't easy for him as he's played less minutes."

Martino is the first coach in the history of la Liga to win his opening eight matches but he was more satisfied with the way in which his side had responded to falling behind early on.

"In the first part of the game we lacked intensity but I liked the second half my team put on, we had control of the game," the 50-year-old concluded. 

"I always had the feeling we were in charge. We only have to improve on the first 20 minutes."

Barcelona 4-1 Valladolid

Alexis Sanchez struck twice as Barcelona came from behind to beat Valladolid 4-1 at Camp Nou on Saturday night.

The Blaugrana were stunned by the concession of an early goal to Javi Guerra but the hosts' Chile international levelled matters in spectacular style moments later.

Xavi put Barca ahead early in the second half before Neymar and Alexis set one another up for goals, as the reigning champions made it eight Liga wins out of eight so far this season

Levante 2-3 Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo scored an injury-time winner as Real Madrid twice came from behind in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Levante on Saturday night.

Going into the match, Levante coach Joaquin Caparros had only won a single league match against Real from a possible 12 and his side looked capable of improving on that run as they took a 57th-minute lead through Baba Diawara.

Ramos levelled things before Nabil El Zhar restored the hosts' lead in the 86th minute, but Alvaro Morata and Ronaldo scored to give Real what looked like an unlikely win.

The hosts came into the fixture unbeaten in their last six and coach Joaquin Caparros made just the three changes from their win over Osasuna, as David Navarro, Jordi Xumetra and Andreas Ivanschitz returned.

Carlo Ancelotti continued his rotation policy as he made five changes from the Champions League win over Copenhagen in midweek.

Iker Casillas, Pepe, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal and Asier Illarramendi all dropped to the bench, as Diego Lopez, Alvaro Arbeloa, Ramos, Fabio Coentrao and Isco came into the side.

Levante started the match confidently and on-loan Sevilla forward Diawara tried to catch former team-mate Lopez off his line with an effort from around 35 yards, but the shot flew just over.

A minute before the break Lopez was the visitors' saviour as Baba hit a ferocious half-volley towards goal from range, but the keeper tipped it over the bar in dramatic fashion.

After cutting in from the right, Ronaldo struck the outside of the post in the 53rd minute with a left-footed shot and Levante made the most of their luck by opening the scoring.

Xumetra chipped a wonderful diagonal pass over the Madrid defence and Baba guided the ball past Lopez for only his second Liga goal since May 2012.

They were not ahead for long, however, as Real restored parity in the 61st minute. Di Maria whipped an inviting corner towards the back post and Ramos stuck a foot out to direct it past Keilor Navas and into the goal.

Ancelotti's side were piling on the pressure by the 70th minute and Marcelo should have given them the lead, but he somehow missed the target from eight yards out following an excellent cutback from substitute Alvaro Morata.

El Zhar looked to have won the match for Levante with four minutes left as he held off his marker before shooting past Lopez, but the hosts would end up disappointed.

Morata showed quick feet in the area before firing past Navas and then Ronaldo appeared in stoppage time to find the net via a wicked deflection, extending their unbeaten run away from home to 11 matches.

Modric: Ronaldo is a phenomenon

The Croatian claims the Portugal star is the hardest-working player at Real Madrid and is refusing to comprehend another trophy-free campaign

Luka Modric has described Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as "a phenomenon" after being amazed at the Portuguese's work ethic in training.

The 28-year-old has scored a remarkable 212 goals in 208 games in his four-year stint at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Modric - who joined the club from Tottenham in the summer of 2012 - believes the former Manchester United man possesses an incredible work ethic.

"I knew he was a beast as a player, but I soon realised he is the number one to watch in training, or to apply himself. He's a phenomenon," he told Sportske Novosti.

Modric endured a trophyless campaign in his first season in the Spanish capital and the Croatia international is determined to avoid the same scenario in 2013-14.

"The crowd always expect a lot from us, as it should be at Real Madrid. I couldn't say what the most important title is, but what I can't think about is another blank year," the 28-year-old added.

"We need to be more compact, to defend well and attack in harmony between the lines. We know the expectations are always growing and one cannot relax for a moment."

Modric also had high praise for new boss Carlo Ancelotti, claiming the Italian brings an air of calm to the dressing room.

"Ancelotti transmits an atmosphere of peace over the team. I heard he was very temporamental as a player, but he's a great guy," he said.

Modric has enjoyed some of his finest form to date in a Madrid shirt in the absence of the injured Xabi Alonso but, while the former Dinamo Zagreb man admits he is relishing the creative freedom afforded him so far this season, he insists the team will benefit from the return of the Spain international.

"I like playing in central midfield as a creator, but my preference is not important. We're waiting for Xabi, we will improve with him," the Croatian continued.

"I want to have more responsibility, to step forward and lead the game. I won't hide, I'm fully matured. I grew a lot last year."