Real and Barça alerted by news of Chelsea clearout .

According to Jose Mourinho, there are going to be changes at Chelsea in the wake of their Champions League semi-final exit earlier this week. The possibility that the likes of Lampard, Carvalho, Essien and Robben could be up for sale is reported to have aroused the keen interest of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

After failing to lure their top two targets to the club (Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká), Real Madrid are likely to renew last summer's unsuccessful bid to sign Arjen Robben, who is very reasonably priced at €18 million euros.

However they could face competition from their Catalan rivals, who are also rumoured to be interested in signing Essien and Lampard to reinforce their midfield while Frank Rijkaard is also said to be interested in Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho.

Real Madrid win option on Boca Juniors star trio.

Boca Juniors' rejection of a Barcelona bid for Rodrigo Palacio may be linked to the Argentine club's new relationship with Real Madrid.

After turning down a �13 million bid from Barca for the striker, Boca president Mauricio Macri revealed Real had negotiated first option on three of their players - defenders Matias Cahais and Jonatan Maidana plus midfielder Ever Banega.

"Before we sell, Real Madrid have the opportunity to match any offer for them," confirmed Macri.

Macri is close friends with Real director Franco Baldini and worked with the Madrid club's powerbrokers over the sale of Fernando Gago last week.

Real Madrid still keen on £100M Barcelona whiz Messi.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon hasn't given up his interest in Barcelona superkid Lionel Messi.

The Argentine whiz was a target for Real presidential candidates before Calderon's election victory over the summer.

DiarioSport says sources close to Calderon insist he hasn't shelved plans to prise Messi away from the Nou Camp and would even consider to paying his £100 million buyout clause should the youngster indicate he's ready to quit Barca.

Match Report: Real Madrid Vs Barcelona.

First Division - Day 7

Real Madrid 2 - Barcelona 0 Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Iván Helguera, Roberto Carlos; Diarra, Emerson; Raúl, Guti (Beckham 82'), Robinho; Van Nistelrooy (Reyes 79'). 4-2-3-1. Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Zambrotta, Puyol, Thuram, Sylvinho; Iniesta, Xavi, Deco (Giuly 56'); Messi, Gudjohnsen (Saviola 65'), Ronaldinho. 4-3-3. Team changes: Madrid: Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Raúl, Robinho for Mejía, Raúl Bravo, Beckham, Cassano / Barça: Zambrotta, Deco for Belletti, Motta. Goals: 1-0. 03. Raúl. Got behind defence to head Sergio Ramos cross wide of Valdés. 2-0. 51. Van Nistelrooy. Got on end of Robinho cross to steer ball past keeper. Report to follow.

Real exacts revenge on Barca.

The Spanish title race is well and truly on as Real Madrid produced its best performance this season to defeat Barcelona, while Valencia and FC Sevilla enjoyed wins.

At the Bernabeu, Real Madrid gained some revenge for last season's home thrashing by Barcelona, as it defeated the Catalans 2-0, with Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy scoring on either side of half-time.

The result probably came as a shock to Real fans who watched their club produce one of its worst ever worst performances as it lost to Getafe last week, yet, many of them had not even taken their seats when Raul's powerful header from Sergio Ramos's cross beat Victor Valdes.

Real continued to mount waves of attacks, but just as Barca started asserting some control over the contest, Jose Maria Guti dummied his way through its defence before setting up van Nistelrooy who poked home.

The result sees Barcelona remain on top of the Primera Liga table, although it is on equal points with second-placed Valencia, while Real climbs to fourth and is just two points behind its Catalan rival.

Title race on after Real beat Barca.

Real Madrid produced their best display of the season to beat Barcelona 2-0 in the Spanish derby and gain a little revenge on their Catalan rivals.

Frank Rijkaard's side had humbled the Galacticos in the Bernebeu last season, thrashing them 3-0 on their own patch in a match which served to highlight the huge gulf in class between the two sides.

However, there would be no repeat this time around as Fabio Capello's side convincingly despatched their rivals with a goal in each half from Raul and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, which moves them to within two points of Frank Rijkaard's team after seven rounds of the Spanish League.

Real Madrid scored a deserved victory which leaves them just two points behind the Catalans. Fabio's Capello's side is back in business and the title race is well and truly on in Spain.

Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona

Real Madrid completed one of their best weeks in a long time with a 2-0 victory over arch rivals Barcelona. Within three minutes they were already a goal up, Raúl heading a Sergio Ramos cross past Víctor Valdés, and the team captain came close to making it two with another shot against the bar. Messi caused some problems for the local defence, but Van Nistelrooy connected with Robinho's cross to make it two after the restart, and the Dutch striker hit the post again before the end. Madrid move back up to fourth, just two points now behind Frank Rijkaard's side.

Real Madrid			Barcelona
2			0
GOALS
Raul Gonzalez 3 Ruud van Nistelrooij 51
YELLOW CARDS
Emerson 21 Ruud van Nistelrooij 56 Guti 70 David Beckham 86			Gianluca Zambrotta 54 Ronaldinho 82

Ronaldo ruled out of Barça clash.

The Spanish Sporting Disclipline Commission (CSDD) ruled against Real Madrid's appeal for the suspension imposed on Ronaldo following his sending-off against Getafe last weekend, to be suspended, which definitely rules him out of the first 'classic' of the season that will take place in the Nou Camp tommorow night at 9pm in Canal +'s televised game.

The Brazilian striker was sent off after picking up two yellow cards after coming on a substitute during last Sunday's disappointing defeat to Getafe.

The first came in the 81st minute for "pushing over an opponent in a challenge for the ball," according the referee's report, which explains that the second, in the 89th minute was for "a blatant protest" after the referee yellow-carded Ruud van Nistelrooy for the same offence.

Since his return from knee surgery, the former Nou Camp old boy has played just 56 minutes of first-team football in two appearances as a substitute.

For their part, the champions are without Samuel Eto'o, who is in danger of missing the rest of the season after picking up a serious knee injury.

Real Madrid Vs Barcelona : 'El Clásico'.

REAL MADRID Vs BARCELONA

Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona go into battle at the Santiago Bernabéu this weekend on the back of mixed fortunes in European competition. As past encounters have shown, though, form can count for little when it comes to 'El Clásico'.

Expeditions in Europe
The two sides meet on Sunday evening after experiencing contrasting results on their midweek travels in the UEFA Champions League. A 4-1 triumph at FC Steaua Bucuresti was just the tonic Madrid needed to lift flagging spirits while, conversely, Barça were left somewhat crestfallen following Wednesday's defeat at Chelsea FC.

Different story
Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro, however, believes the game will be as closely contested as ever. "The Champions League is completely different to La Liga," he said. "Madrid-Barcelona matches are special. They are the kind of matches every player dreams about taking part in and past results don't come into it."

Helguera praise
Cannavaro added that he is delighted to be playing alongside Iván Helguera, who is back in favour with coach Fabio Capello. "Iván is a quality defender who never shirks away from his duties on the pitch. I have always had the greatest admiration for him and I am pleased he is back and playing so well." Helguera's restoration must also be a relief to Capello, who has had to rejig his defence while right-backs Cicinho and Míchel Salgado recover from injury.

Ronaldo ruled out
Barring any late setbacks, Capello is likely to stick with the side that beat Steaua. Ronaldo, though, will be ineligible to face his old club as he serves a one-match ban following his dismissal in the reverse against Getafe CF last weekend. José Antonio Reyes has finally shaken off a thigh problem but could start on the bench.

Rijkaard record
Frank Rijkaard is the only Barça coach to have won twice at the Bernabéu and will be seeking a famous treble to keep his team top of the table, with Madrid currently in fifth. The Dutchman is deprived of Juliano Belletti, who rests a shoulder injury, and long-term casualty Samuel Eto'o, although Carles Puyol should feature despite sustaining a back complaint against Chelsea.

Defiant Deco
Midfielder Deco is convinced the only way Barça can assuage their European disappointment is to win on Sunday. "That would put our experience in London firmly behind us," he said. "We will be going all out for victory. No one wants it as badly as we do. But it is not going to be easy as Madrid are going to be as determined as we are. The last thing they want is to lose at home."

Zizou: Real Madrid can end two years of hurt.

Zinedine Zidane says victory for Real Madrid on Sunday against Barcelona will kickstart their Liga season.

Zizou, who has just agreed a commentary deal with Canal+, said: "To tell the truth, I have not seen a single game of Madrid this campaign.

"I find out what is happening because some friends inform me who I left there. I know that the team has had bumps, but a win over Barcelona will recover a little of the confidence that was lost during the past few years."

On his personal plans, Zizou added: "I do not regret retiring. I've run a little, played some tennis. But football? I haven't done anything."

Ronaldo to miss Barcelona clash.

Real Madrid striker Ronaldo is set to miss Sunday's clash with Barcelona after the Spanish Football Federation upheld his one-match suspension.

Ronaldo was sent off in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Getafe but Madrid had hoped his first yellow card would be rescinded.

However, the RFEF have stated the booking was just, denying the former Barcelona man a reprieve.

Madrid still have the option of appealing against the RFEF's decision.

Gago agent prefers Real Madrid over Barcelona.

The agent of Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago would prefer to see the youngster play for Real Madrid than Barcelona.

Both Spanish giants have been linked with the youngster, whose agent Marcelo Lombilla said: "People saying you can play for either Barcelona or Real Madrid is just like saying you can go to Disneyland.

"But Madrid is a great club and the `White House' is the great dream of any player."

Barcelona aim to trump Real Madrid for Gago.

Barcelona have made a cheeky move for Boca Juniors starlet Fernando Gago.

Real Madrid director Franco Baldini is travelling to Buenos Aries to open talks with Boca for the exciting midfield talent.

However, after news broke yesterday of Real's intentions, Barca sports chief Txiki Begiristain met with Boca president Mauricio Macri in the afternoon and asked about Gago's availability. Begiristain and Barca president Joan Laporta are in Argentina this week to launch their junior development partnership with Arsenal.

Begiristain will be in Argentina until Sunday, when he intends to watch Gago in action against River Plate. Baldini is also expected to be at the big match.