Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping that Manchester United can end their European exile and qualify for the Champions League this season. The Red Devils face Manchester City on Sunday, hoping their late draw with Chelsea last week will spur them on against their out of form rivals. Whilst 9 points off of leaders Chelsea, United are looking to firstly step back into Europe, having invested heavily during the summer. Under David Moyes, United missed out on European qualification last season and now find themselves in the unusual position of watching Europe's elite on TV every fortnight. Ex-United man … [Read more...]
Sociedad to dispense with Arrasate
Real Sociedad will sack manager Jagoba Arrasate this week after the side continued their awful start to the new season. Former Mainz boss Thomas Tuchel is the favourite to take over at the Anoeta, with ex-West Brom and Real Betis manager Pepe Mel also in contention. The news comes following Sociedad's weekend draw with Cordoba as La Real conceded a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with the newly promoted side. With that result, Sociedad extended their winless run to seven games and dropped down to 17th place, yet to win since their 4-2 victory over Real Madrid. Arrasate, who took on the role of … [Read more...]
10 of the best Messi moments from his Barca decade
Lionel Messi celebrates 10 years since making his full Barcelona debut this week, having broken all sorts of records in the decade in between. His career has been littered with trophies, goals, scintillating play and the occasional bit of heartbreak. However, here are 10 of the moments that stand out most of all. Debut vs Espanyol The world was shown its first glimpse of Messi on this day ten years ago, when the 17-year-old was sent on by Frank Rijkaard in the La Liga game against Espanyol. Messi had come a long way to make his debut, despite becoming the youngest Barca player to appear in La … [Read more...]
Chelsea hotshot Costa set to improve La Roja relationship
Diego Costa has been one of the most highly rated strikers in world football for the past 18 months, topping the scoring charts at Chelsea despite claims of injury from boss Jose Mourinho. With 9 goals in his first 7 games in England, Costa's reputation has already begun to change from a one-season wonder at Atletico to one of Europe's deadliest finishers. However, supporters of his national football team are yet to be convinced. Costa endured plenty of criticism for switching allegiance from Brazil to Spain months before the World Cup began, though thoroughly merited his inclusion in the … [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...]
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...]
Five players who will bring Spain success again
Despite a disastrous World Cup, Spain played their first competitive game since failing miserably in Brazil by defending their European Championships crown. Vicente del Bosque fielded a side vastly different from the World Cup as retirements and injuries kept those who had represented Spain during their golden era out. There was a modicum of pressure on some of the players ahead of the home qualifier against Macedonia, especially as Spain had lost to France in a friendly beforehand, but the side stood up to the test in a half-empty Ciutat de Valencia stadium to win 5-1. Of those new players, … [Read more...]
Homesick Negredo set for Valencia loan
Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo could be about to join Valencia after complaining of homesickness. The Spaniard signed for City last summer but endured a dismal end to the 2013/14 season after injuries and a loss of form. It was initially thought that Negredo would move back to Spain to accommodate a loan deal for Radamel Falcao, but the Colombian chose to play for Manchester United instead. With Stevan Jovetic, Edin Dzeko and the injury-prone Sergio Aguero as City's only strikers, it looked unlikely that Negredo would leave the Etihad. However, the striker has been unhappy in … [Read more...]
Atletico sign Alessio Cerci
Atletico Madrid have today completed a deal to sign Alessio Cerci from Torino after the forward completed a medical with the La Liga champions. Italian international Cerci joins on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. 27-year-old Cerci scored 11 times for Torino last season as he and Ciro Immobile formed a formidable forward duo for the Turin club. He helped them to qualify for the Europa League, but Serie A's leading scorer Immobile departed for Borussia Dortmund, and Cerci followed him out of the Torino door. Atletico, who struggled past lowly Eibar at the weekend, need to reinforce … [Read more...]
Saints close in on Alderweireld
Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld could be on the move this transfer window with Southampton looking the most likely destination for the Belgian. Alderweireld has been out of favour at Atletico since his arrival last season, making just 12 appearances for the La Liga champions. The deal with Southampton is likely to be only on a temporary basis, but will still be good business by the Saints. Alderweireld played for Belgium at the 2014 World Cup and had been a target for Arsenal earlier in the window. Having lost many of their key players this summer, including Luke Shaw, Calum … [Read more...]