Following Las Palmas' promotion on Sunday, all 20 teams for next season's La Liga campaign are known. Alongside the Gran Canarians are Segunda champions Real Betis and Sporting Gijon. Plenty has been made of Betis with the return of Pepe Mel causing quite a stir, and it will be interesting to see whether their free-scoring style will continue next season. However, less is known about Sporting, the side that finished second ahead of Girona by a whisker. Here are three things you need to know before seeing them next year. Defensive solidity Although Sporting ended the season in second place … [Read more...]
Late strike sends Las Palmas into La Liga on away goals
Sergio Araujo's 84th minute goal helped Las Palmas beat Real Zaragoza on away goals and promotion into La Liga for the first time in 13 years. Zaragoza travelled to Gran Canaria as favourites having won the first leg 3-1, but Las Palmas recorded a 2-0 victory which saw them through on away goals. Roque Mesa opened the scoring on 33 minutes to give the hosts real belief of finding a second as Araujo left it late to clinch promotion. The moment was sweet for Las Palmas boss Paco Herrera who previously managed Zaragoza between June 2013 and March 2014. Veteran Juan Carlos Valeron, the … [Read more...]
Mandzukic off to Juve as Atletico miss out on Tevez
Mario Mandzukic is likely to complete a transfer from Atletico Madrid to Juventus according to reports in the Italian media. Several newspapers in Italy are claiming that a deal has been agreed and both parties are happy with the €18 million fee. Juve will pay €15 million up front and the rest depending on Mandzukic's performances in Turin. Carlos Tevez was expected to be included in the deal from early negotiations as Diego Simeone chased his Argentine compatriot, but the former Manchester United striker now appears to be heading to Boca Juniors. General Director at Juventus, Beppe … [Read more...]
Zaragoza close in on La Liga with first leg victory over Las Palmas
Real Zaragoza went one step closer to a return to La Liga as they came from behind to win the first leg of the play-off final last night. Goals from Diego Rico, Pedro Sanchez and Willian Jose gave them a 3-1 win over Las Palmas with the return leg to be played on Sunday. Fresh from a dramatic 10 days in the Segunda, Zaragoza found themselves 1-0 down at La Romareda courtesy of a strike from ex-Valencia man Jonathan Viera. However, having come from 3-0 down against Girona in the first leg of the semi-finals, Zaragoza roared back and ensured that they will travel to Gran Canaria with the … [Read more...]
Copa del Rey Final: Three Key Battles
Barcelona will look to seal their second trophy of an incredible season against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to maintain their chances of winning the treble. Having already wrapped up the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey would sign off their domestic season in some style ahead of the Champions League Final against Juventus. The match will be staged at the Nou Camp, much to Barca's advantage, and is also expected to be the final match on home soil for midfielder Xavi which would make it an even more special occasion. Despite having already qualified for the Europa League by finishing 7th, … [Read more...]
The Fight for Survival in La Liga
Almeria, Eibar, Granada and Deportivo La Coruna head into the final day of the La Liga season knowing that they need a result to avoid relegation back to the Segunda Division. Two of those teams will be going down, with just two points separating them and head-to-head records making matters even more interesting. Deportivo face the toughest task and will be reliant on the other teams below them not picking up results. They have to travel away to the Nou Camp to face a Barcelona side ready to pick up the title. However, with Depor requiring a result and Barca players wary of picking up … [Read more...]
Three Reasons Why Betis Are Storming Back to La Liga
Real Betis' relegation from La Liga last season was an absolute shambles, finishing a massive 15 points from safety in the end. Down long before the season's climax, the club are now making waves in La Segunda and look to be heading back to the big time. To bounce straight back up to La Liga is uncommon, although Deportivo did manage the feat last season as runners-up to Eibar. Yet looking further down this season's table, we see many ex-Primera Liga sides squandering such as Mallorca, Racing Santander and Osasuna in 17th, 18th and 19th respectively. Having suffered a 14 match winless streak … [Read more...]
Modric and Bale injuries could damage Real’s season
Both Luka Modric and Gareth Bale came off injured during yesterday's 3-1 win over Malaga at the Bernabeu. Bale was the first to come off, lasting just five minutes before suffering a calf strain, whilst Modric hobbled off with knee ligament problems. It has emerged that the Croatian will miss the remainder of the season, though Bale should return after a few weeks. These injuries took the gloss off of another win that keeps Madrid hot on Barcelona's heels at the top of La Liga, and Cristiano Ronaldo's 50th goal of a stellar campaign. With Atletico Madrid coming up in the midweek Champions … [Read more...]
Vitolo & Asenjo – Who Are Spain’s Possible Debutants?
Vicente del Bosque today announced that Vitolo and Sergio Asenjo have won call-ups to the national team squad ahead of games against Ukraine and the Netherlands. There were also recalls for Atletico Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez as well as Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose. Rayo Vallecano striker Alberto Bueno's hopes of a call-up were dashed by del Bosque, who instead preferred to name Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata in his full squad. Instead, Sevilla winger Vitolo and Villarreal goalkeeper Asenjo will hope to impress the Spain boss and win their first senior caps. Vitolo, a … [Read more...]
Is Alberto Bueno worthy of a Spanish call-up?
Spain face Ukraine and the Netherlands in the next fortnight as European football takes a short break for the international schedule to resume. One man who won't be happy to see a pause in proceedings is Rayo Vallecano striker Alberto Bueno who has been in scintillating form since the turn of the year. The former Derby man, who will turn 27 next weekend, is the top scoring Spaniard in La Liga with 15 strikes for the season. He's scored in five of his last seven games, including an incredible four in the win over Levante at the end of February. With national team selection just one week … [Read more...]