The 2017/18 Copa Del Rey semi-finals second legs complete this week with a place in the final just 90 minutes away (barring extra time of course). Across the two semi-finals it is all to play for with Leganes and Sevilla entering their second leg finely poised at 1-1 with Barcelona holding a slender 1-0 lead over a resurgent Valencia. However, with Barcelona soon set to resume their Champions League campaign, the Valencianistes are eyeing a chance to take the crown away from the three-time defending champions with chinks in the seemingly unbreakable Barcelona armour starting to … [Read more...]
Zidane Signs Until 2020
Despite many suggesting the Real Madrid hierarchy have been a little unsettled of late with Los Blancos trailing arch rivals Barcelona by sixteen points at the half way stage in the league, head coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed to press last night after his sides 2-2 Copa Del Rey draw that he has signed a contract extension until 2020. "It's signed, I'm enjoying what I do every day, because that's the way it is. I can't imagine myself as a coach in two, three years, because things are not like that. I know how it goes, nothing more, even with this contract it does not change anything." … [Read more...]
La Liga Self Destructs as Barcelona Wrap up the Title
As Dani Carvajal saw red and Lionel Messi slammed in the resulting penalty to put Barce 2-0 up at the Bernabeu, you could see the whole of Spain outside of Catalonia’s shoulders slump and raise the white flag. Aleix Vidal added a third in injury-time to leave Zinedine Zidane’s men to face the baying home support as his side slipped to fourteen points behind their great rivals with the season not even at the half way stage. Catastrophe This week has been a catastrophe for Barcelona’s rivals but a triumph for the Blaugrana as the quartet of Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Real Madrid and … [Read more...]
Just who are Girona?
Who? Aren’t they Italian? That is the response we have mostly been getting when we rave about Girona and their antics in their debut La Liga season. The Spanish minnows deserve plenty of credit in the footballing world than perhaps they have been receiving for their heroic exploits in their first ever five months in Spain’s top flight. Sixteen games in and little Girona sit seventh in the table after six wins and five draws leaving Pablo Machín’s band of unfancied warriors above the likes of Spanish heavyweights Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad. A superb home win over Real Madrid … [Read more...]
All over for Bale at Madrid? We’ve been here before
Not for the first time in Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid career, the doom mongers have already declared the dream is over for the man from Cardiff after only three league goals this calendar year. However, those who know Bale the best will be well aware of the man’s ability to rise above adversity and once again remind the world why Real Madrid paid a healthy £85.1million for the winger in September 2013. Injuries have been a swear word in the Bale household and after numerous absentees since 2016 have called Bale’s Madrid career into question once again but this is not the first time that … [Read more...]
The Rise of Valencia: La Liga’s Sleeping Giant
It's hard to believe that just under two years ago Spanish giants Valencia were in free fall, in relative crisis. Things were so farcical at one point that owner Peter Lim turned to friend and well-respected Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, despite his distinct lack of management experience, and appointed him manager until the season's end. The ill-thought through experiment didn't last long needless to say. Just shy of four months in fact, after only three wins from his 16 league matches in charge. How things have changed in Spain's third largest city. After consecutive 12th and 13th placed … [Read more...]
Can Las Palmas continue their 100% record?
After the international break, La Liga resumes with a full fixture list this weekend and it is an unfamiliar name which sits on top of La Liga (albeit on goal difference). Unfancied Las Palmas have got off to a flyer this season defeating Valencia 4-2 Away in their opening game then putting Granada to the sword 5-1 in their opening home game last time out. Granted, it is still very early days but could Las Palmas be about to do a Leicester city and fly under the radar to glory? In the betting stakes, these Spanish minnows are unfancied, with this review of Bovada.lv putting them at … [Read more...]
Barcelona want €10million alternative if they miss out on €40million Marquinhos deal
Barcelona will pursue Las Palmas defender Mauricio Lemos if they miss out on the signing of PSG star Marquinhos, according to reports from Goal. With Javier Mascherano, Thomas Vermaelen and Jeremy Mathieu all entering their thirties, Barcelona are currently in the market to sign a new central defender and Paris Saint-Germain star Marquinhos has been seen as the main target for the Spanish champions. According to various reports, Barcelona are very keen on securing the services of Marquinhos and will be ready to splash as much as €40 million in order to recruit the 22-year-old this … [Read more...]
Analysis – Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Who will win the Champions League this season
To predict the winner of the UEFA Champions League at the current stage of the competition is virtually impossible and this season is no different as there are a number of strong contenders as well as dark horses who are capable of going all the way. In the betting on the Champions League, the bookies feel that Spanish duo Barcelona and Real Madrid have the best chance of claiming triumph in the Champions League this season, with their odds being priced at 2/1 and 9/2 respectively. Given the embarrassment of riches in terms of talented players in both Barcelona and Real Madrid, it is no … [Read more...]
The best La Liga XI of the 21st Century
La Liga has hosted many of the modern day greats. Yet, many pundits in the United Kingdom are keen to criticise the apparent monopolization of resources by Barcelona and Real Madrid. Is this really any different to Manchester United and Liverpool until recently, anyway? Or in Germany where Bayern Munich essentially buy off the competition? Or about in Italy where Juventus appear to be on track for a fourth Serie A title? Since 2000, five, yes five different teams in La Liga have won the league. This number is more than all the other major leagues, including England. Valencia, Deportivo, … [Read more...]