Oh how tight the margins in football can be at times! Falling just short of Champions League qualification the previous season has setback Sevilla significantly and threatens to derail the perennial European challengers. Losing out to Villarreal meant Europa League football last season for the Andalucians but unexpectedly the club fell at the first hurdle. There's no shame in losing to Germans Hannover but failing to grasp the financial incentives which begin at the group stage proved to be the fatal loss. Consequently the exodus began. Zokora, Sanchez, … [Read more...]
Athletic Bilbao Season Preview
The escapades of last season surely ranks as one of the greatest years in Bilbao's recent history as they watched their prodigious squad reach two major finals (Europa League & Copa del Rey) as well as challenge briefly for Champions League qualification. Alas however Los Leones failed in all three pursuits, having the carpet pulled from underneath just as glory beckoned. Pride remains the predominant keyword associated with Bilbao despite the agonising lengths the club went to in their unsuccessful efforts for victory. Born and bred Basque blooded battlers both on and off … [Read more...]
Getafe Season Preview
Despite extravagant links with Dubai-based businessmen, Getafe haven't made the sort of progress they had anticipated. The Royal Emirates Group had, according to reports, agreed a deal for the club back in 2010 paving the way towards Champions League football and more for the Madrid minnows. However those hopes quickly evaporated as it became clear that the group had no intention of shovelling money into the club. Instead Getafe look on in envy at Malaga who begin their first European quest into the Champions League, heavily backed by their Qatari owners. It's a case of what might have been … [Read more...]
Real Sociedad Season Preview
Media hype and excitement has been largely focused around two or three teams in the build up to the new La Liga season and that probably suits Sociedad. In fact if it could continue for the remainder of the season then I don't imagine hearing too many complaints from Philippe Montanier as his team aim to slip beneath the radar. Levante surprised us with their determined stance last season and it appears that Sociedad are well placed to follow in their path with a vibrant squad centred around an attacking quartet which could bring many admirers. … [Read more...]
Betis Season Preview
Returning to La Liga following promotion in 2010/11, Betis' season of consolidation was about as much as could have been asked of them. A whirlwind start of five wins from their first five games triggered fans to dream and took them to the summit of the league, but inevitably it wasn't to last. A run of six straight defeats then followed until their results became more sporadic and Betis hovered above the relegation zone for a while. Avoiding the drop back down to the Segunda straight away was the first objective outlined at the start of the season and it was duly achieved as the Andalucian … [Read more...]
Espanyol Season Preview
When your Sporting Director hints at an added reliance on the youth system within the club you automatically begin to think the worst, especially if you play second fiddle to a team like Barcelona. That's the complex situation currently unfolding at Espanyol however as worrying financial details have become visible over the past year. Espanyol had no option but to watch star players leave the club last summer and have already witnessed Javi Marquez exit for Mallorca and Kalu Uche for Turkey this year as another exodus beckons. … [Read more...]
Rayo Vallecano Season Preview
As the scoreboard at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas ticked beyond the ninety minute mark a wild cheer could be heard even amongst the celebratory Madridistas in the Spanish capital. Fans burst onto the pitch sporadically but soon continuously, screaming their emotions to the sky as the final game of the season effectively ended with the decisive final kick. Rayo Vallecano fans roared in triumph with their hero Raul Tamudo, yet it could all have been so different. Winning a game deep into injury time ranks highest in football fan euphoria … [Read more...]
Zaragoza Season Preview
Of the names to have left La Romareda fans of Los Blanquillos have reasons to be both delighted and dismayed at two people who have committed to staying at Zaragoza for next season. Detested President Agapito Iglesias has refused to sell and leave the club having piled debt onto the exasperated balance sheets and made no real attempt to rid them. Thankfully however he brought in manager Manolo Jiminez who steered the club to La Liga safety in spite of the appalling circumstances and has decided to remain and avoid relegation once again. … [Read more...]
Granada Season Preview
Events surrounding Watford FC have been encapsulating during the summer break as Giampaolo Pozzo's takeover of the club kicks off. Having already fired one manager in Sean Dyche and replaced him with compatriot Gianfranco Zola it looks to be the beginning of a busy summer at Vicarage Road. As the Italian businessman's latest development roars into life another of Pozzo's ventures, Granada CF, ponder the implications of the magnate's actions and how it can work to their advantage. … [Read more...]
Deportivo La Coruna Season Preview
Depor took the Segunda title by storm last season, comfortably finishing as champions and returning to where their fans believe they belong. The club last graced La Liga just a season earlier but left the premier division a shamed side, a catastrophic mess. Financial worries had intensified and goal-shy tactics surmounted in one of the darkest days in the illustrious recent history of the Galician giants as they were relegated. … [Read more...]