In our previous article, we decided to take a look at what the sides in Spain’s top 10 have left to play as the season enters its final round of fixtures. Now, we take a look at what the sides in the bottom half of the table can still achieve heading into the final weekend of a thrilling season. Girona – 48 pts Just avoiding the drop has earned tiny Girona many plaudits but they still have the ability to finish inside the top ten in their debut top-flight season. However, defeat to Las Palmas on Saturday could see them slip to fifteenth but no matter happens, the season has been an … [Read more...]
FC Barcelona v Malaga – a brief history
As far as bogey teams go, this fixture takes some beating. Barcelona face Malaga tonight looking to continue their good start to the season, and will be confident of victory having won their last 12 games against them in the league. Malaga have beaten Barcelona just twice in their history, but not for over 10 years, failing to win a point against them since. Here is a brief history of the fixture. 3/12/03 Malaga 5-1 Barcelona Perhaps the result is overstated as Barca were waiting to welcome Real Madrid in the Clasico, but Juande Ramos' Malaga tore a fragile defence apart on an unforgettable … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Getafe to Rayo Vallecano
Part III of our look ahead to the new season focuses on some goalkeepers, Colombians and loan stars from the Premier League looking to impress. Getafe Getafe struggled for goals last season as they eked out their place in La Liga for another year, but boss Cosmin Contra has again promised that the goals will return to the club. He might be right too if Alvaro Vazquez's pre-season form is anything to go by. The former Swansea loanee bagged an impressive brace in Getafe's 3-1 win over Cagliari last week and could be the talisman the club needs to ensure another season of safety. Angel Lafita, … [Read more...]
Pellegrini raids Malaga for Willy Caballero
Manchester City look set to tie up a deal for Malaga's number one Willy Caballero within the next 24 hours. The goalkeeper would cost City around £10m who will use him as cover for Joe Hart following Costel Pantilimon's departure to Sunderland. Argentinian stopper Caballero, 32, would link up with former boss Manuel Pellegrini once again after the two worked together before the Chilean took over at the Etihad Stadium last season. Pellegrini tried to lure Isco away from Malaga during the summer last season but lost out to Real Madrid, but has had no such troubles with Caballero. Having played … [Read more...]
Barcelona Back On Top
Barcelona pulled off a three nil victory at home to Malaga yesterday, to return to the summit of La Liga. It is very much a three horse race now, with Barca holding the slenderest of leads. It has been a turbulent week for Barcelona following the resignation of club president Sandro Rossell. Rossell is strenuously fighting allegations that he profited from the signing of Neymar, but the club will be glad to be concentrating on passing on the field rather than passing the buck. Messi, as always, was the architect of the win. His dazzling dribbles caught Malaga out time after time, and he set up … [Read more...]
Malago 0-0 Valencia
With an exciting week of Copa Del Rey football over, La Liga action returned at La Rosaleda last night where Malaga and Valencia played out an entertaining nil nil draw. Malaga manager Bernd Schuster will have been pleased with his sides efforts but they are now winless in three games and looking anxiously over their shoulders on 21 points. The home team started well, with Valencia, much improved under new manager Juan Antonio Pizzi, slow out of the blocks. Samu and Ignacio Camacho both came close but Malaga could not find the early goal that their play deserved. Valencia wakened from their … [Read more...]
La Liga team of the week – match week nine
No more 100 percent winning records! That was the big news after Match week nine as Barcelona were forced to a goalless draw by Osasuna in Pamplona and Atletico Madrid lost to Espanyol in Catalonia. As is now our tradition here at La Liga Blog, we recognise the big performers all across the ten Primera Division games that took place last week, honoring and rewarding them with a place in our team of the week. … [Read more...]
Madrid Pinch Isco from City
New Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti wasted little time making himself known at the Bernabeu this Thursday after landing Malaga midfielder Isco on a five-year deal right from under the noses of fellow suitors Manchester City. … [Read more...]
Pellegrini denies City link but reports suggest a move is imminent
Despite a weekend of mounting speculation, Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has denied claims he has already signed a contract to become Manchester City's new manager, replacing Roberto Mancini who is expected to be sacked within the next few days. Pellegrini spoke after Malaga's 0-0 draw in the derby with Sevilla on Sunday and, contrary to the media reports, refused to give details of any links to the Manchester club. "I categorically deny that I am the new Manchester City manager," Pellegrini said on the official Malaga website. "Nothing has been signed and no agreement reached". … [Read more...]
Can the ghosts of the past inspire a Real Madrid fightback?
After their defeats at the hands of the top two in Germany last week, the Spanish big two must produce comebacks of epic proportions if they are to realise their dreams of a Clásico final at Wembley in the Champions League showpiece event. For tonight’s match against Borussia Dortmund, a communication went out to all Real Madrid club members asking them to wear their white shirts and have their Madrid scarves at the ready to create as much of a hostile atmosphere in an attempt to intimidate their teutonic opponents. The current Spanish champions will rely on memories of great battling … [Read more...]