Can in-form Sevilla get all three points against the champions at the Vicente Calderon? … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2014
Villareal v Real Madrid Preview
Villarreal hosts Real Madrid at ‘el Madrigal’ this Saturday, September 27th at 10 AM EST. ‘Los Blancos’ have been scoring for fun in their last two matches and will be looking to finally begin their assault on La Liga after two straight defeats to Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad. Villarreal currently sit in 7th after a few decent results barring the home defeat to Barcelona. This is definitely one of the more attractive games of the match day. … [Read more...]
Barcelona v Granada Preview
Barcelona come into Saturday`s fixture unbeaten in La Liga and have yet to concede a single goal after five outings. This opening certainly seems impressive on paper, however the Catalans received heavy criticism in midweek for failing to register a goal against Malaga at La Rosaleda. A rather limp header from Gerard Piqué was as close as they came to breaching Kameni`s goal in a game where the home side put on a masterful defensive display. … [Read more...]
La Liga Team of the Week
It was a Match-Round blessed with so many goals, with only one game, the clash at the San Mames between Athletic Club and visitors Granada the only fixture to produce less than two goals. It’s therefore not a surprise that most of our picks for the Team of the Round either scored, assisted, or had a hand in their side’s goals. … [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...]
The mighty rise of little Eibar
It is not often in La Liga that you hear of a 'fairy tale story'. Clubs from top to bottom of Spain's top divisions are carrying huge burdens of debt, and many sides are subsequently not as strong as they used to be. However, in May 2014, the story of SD Eibar was reaching its fairy tale ending. A club who's ground holds less supporters than Dagenham & Redbridge, were promoted to the Primera Division for the first ever time in their 70 year history. But like all good stories, there was inevitably a dramatic twist on the way. Located in the Basque area of Spain, Eibar has a population of … [Read more...]
Can Madrid’s strikeforce fire them to the La Liga title?
Real Madrid have been on a scoring spree having notched 13 times in their previous two outings! The club has reinforced heavily throughout Carlo Ancelotti's reign as manager, having brought in James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale for a combined £145 million. That's not to mention the £80 million spent on Cristiano Ronaldo when he moved from Manchester United. The club also has Karim Benzema, Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez (once he recovers from injury) to make up a frightening front line. Madrid have already lost two games in La Liga this season, but with their attack beginning to click, can … [Read more...]
Perez, Real Madrid, and the Curse of the Big Signing
In winning their 10th European Cup this past summer, Real Madrid seemed to have found its ideal strategy under Ancelotti. With the work rate and skill of Di Maria, the intelligence of the midfield, and the goal scoring ability of Bale, Ronaldo, and Benzema, the club was able to defend, counter, and attack with skill, precision, and intelligence. The players knew what was expected of each other and formed a very cohesive team. On paper then and with the turnover and problems at Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid was the clear favorite to win this year’s La Liga crown. However, after … [Read more...]
Diego Simeone: Tactical genius or angry Argentinian?
With his latest act of madness on the touchline causing himself to receive an eight match ban, I want to see if the man who guided Atletico Madrid to their first La Liga title in 18 seasons is worth all the trouble that comes with the tactical genius. Simeone took over at Atletico from Gregorio Manzano, after the teams defeat in the Copa del Rey to minos Albacete Balompie. In his first season as manager they won the UEFA Europa League final in Bucharest, defeating fellow Spaniards Athletic Bilbao in the final 3-0. … [Read more...]
How Scotland can impact Spanish Football as we know it
Scotland’s upcoming independence referendum aka whether the Scottish people will opt towards a new beginning as an independent state or continue with the old order, has sparked century old Catalan nationalist aspirations. Where on Thursday 11th September, National day of Catalonia, a reported 1.8 — 2 million took to the streets of Barcelona in mass demonstration, bringing the city to a standstill, to encourage a Scotland inspired independence vote from Spain. … [Read more...]