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...]
Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 200 Madrid goals – a visual representation
During Real Madrid's 6-2 thumping of Malaga last night Cristiano Ronaldo managed to reach 200 goals for the illustrious club with a neat goal from an indirect free-kick. The Portuguese striker managed to reach the total in just 197 games having joined the club just four seasons ago from Manchester United. Despite rumours linking Ronaldo with a move away from the Bernabeu back to Old Trafford, Madrid's number 7 will go down in history as one of the club's finest ever strikers. Here is a graphical representation of his 200 strikes. … [Read more...]
Pellegrini in the frame for Chelsea and City jobs
Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini looks to be heading to the Premier League next season following a meeting between the Jesus Martinez, the Chilean's agent, and Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City's director of football. Pellegrini has expressed his desire to leave in subtle comments throughout the season, keen to avoid causing offence to Malaga fans and players whilst continuing their push for the top four, but has become increasingly frustrated at the ongoing problems with wage payments. After leading Malaga to minutes of a Champions League semi-final, Pellegrini will be a much sought after … [Read more...]
The Battle against the Drop – who will stay up?
It has become a yearly occurrence for the bottom of Spain's premier division to take us until the final day to find out who has the privilege of hosting Real Madrid and Barcelona again in the next campaign, usually providing much greater excitement than the title race. This year is no different as Barcelona have all but sealed the league championship from Real Madrid, boasting a massive 13 point gap, whilst at the foot of the table six teams are battling for another season in the top flight. Athletic Bilbao are just about safe by our predictions so the three relegation spots are most likely to … [Read more...]
Medel’s Madness – Yet another red for ‘The Pitbull’
Gary Medel's dismissal during Friday night's Seville derby allowed Betis to complete a wonderful comeback late on to draw 3-3 despite being three goals down after half an hour. Medel's earlier error had marked the turning point in the match when Dorlan Pabon clipped the ball past Sevilla keeper Beto to make it 3-1 moments before half-time but the man nicknamed 'The Pitbull' gave Betis the chance to salvage a point after lashing out at Swansea bound midfielder Jose Canas. The red was the 13th of Medel's tumultuous career to date and his fourth dismissal of the season, making the likes of Roy … [Read more...]
Malaga lose late on as Chairman screams of ‘racism and injustice’
If Tuesday's Champions League quarter final second leg wasn't dramatic enough, the response to the defeat from Malaga's Qatari chairman gave fans some added action to follow on twitter after the game. Sheikh Abdullah N Al Thani, who has funded Malaga for the past couple of years, posted several farcical tweets to the social networking site blaming racism and UEFA for targeting the Spanish club from the beginning of the season, clearly irked by the substandard officiating during the game and Malaga's impending ban from European competition. … [Read more...]
Is Emilio Nsue the one to save Mallorca?
He was once the golden boy of Mallorca's youth system but in the four years following his introduction into the first team, Emilio Nsue has failed to live up to the extreme potential forecast as a youngster representing the Spanish youth teams. As a striker Nsue had pace and skills to dazzle opposing defenders and an early goalscoring record that suggested a bright future at the head of Mallorca's formation, but his progression failed to materialise in the way many expected. Since making his international debut however, Nsue has produced signs of his early career with four strikes in his last … [Read more...]
One to Watch – Geoffrey Kondogbia
Sevilla have endured a desperately average season this year, rarely looking likely challengers for a European spot or candidates to go down. In 10th place, Sevilla sit exactly midway in the table during a season that has lacked European competition and general excitement so there hasn't been much to boast of as neighbours Malaga continue to stride on in the Champions League. One shining light of optimism comes from a player who has attracted Manchester City's attention recently - Geoffrey Kondogbia. … [Read more...]
Top clubs eye Sociedad star Griezmann
According to a number of sources, Real Sociedad youngster Antoine Griezmann is a wanted man. Griezmann, who turned 22 on Thursday, is reportedly being chased by Tottenham, Arsenal and Barcelona thanks largely to a number of brilliant performances which, coinciding with Sociedad's good form, has taken them up to fourth in the league. However, the French international spoke to Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo about his desire to remain in the Basque Country. … [Read more...]
Lack of goals could end Zaragoza’s resistance
For the past few seasons Real Zaragoza have survived relegation from La Liga by the smallest of margins, rather like Wigan continue to do in the Barclays Premier League each year. Unsurprisingly, Zaragoza are again embroiled in a fascinating relegation battle which looks destined to last until the final game of the season. Can Manolo Jiminez repeat his heroics of last season and keep Zaragoza afloat in the Primera Division? … [Read more...]