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...]
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...]
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...]
Celta Vigo Season Preview
The upcoming La Liga season welcomes the return of the Galician derby between two of the division's new boys. Not since 2007 has the encounter been played in the top tier but Celta Vigo's final day draw ensured they'd meet rivals Deportivo La Coruna the following season. Unlike their west coast neighbours, who only dropped down for a single campaign, Celta gained promotion back to La Liga via the scenic route, narrowly avoiding going out of business and a further relegation from the Segunda Division. Star players were sold to balance the books and … [Read more...]
Who is Tito Vilanova?
Whilst the footballing world may still be in shock that someone with the success that Pep Guardiola has enjoyed over the past few years may want to leave Barcelona, the unknown quantity of his successor has further confused us. Tito Vilanova, formerly the assistant manager behind Guardiola, has been given the job of guiding Barcelona to win back the La Liga title, which is surely headed to Madrid, as of next season. Many of football's top managers must have been licking their lips in excitement at the prospect of managing such an array of players when rumours circled of … [Read more...]
El Clasico Preview
Despite two disappointing European defeats in midweek, Real Madrid and Barcelona will face off knowing that nothing less than 100% effort will be tolerated. As always, El Clasico is vitally important for everyone and everything surrounding it, but this is a big one because the destination of the league title could be decided by its outcome. Real hold a four point lead over Barca but travel to the Nou Camp knowing a defeat would severely affect their title prospects. A 3-1 defeat at the Bernabeu for Los Blancos was tough to take; a similar result in Cataluña would be even tougher to swallow. … [Read more...]
La Liga – The race for Europe
9 games remain in this seasons' Primera Liga and while the title will surely head to one of the two Spanish giants, the race for European football next season could provide more excitement. Just 6 spots are made available for teams looking to challenge the continent next season but as Real Madrid and Barcelona sprint towards the title, teams below have a huge few games ahead of them to ensure they manage to finish in the top dozen. Here I survey the contenders; … [Read more...]
Simeone has transformed a stagnating Atletico side into stubborn contenders
Far from pretty, a lifeless Atletico Madrid secured 3 valuable points against lowly Granada in the race to contest in Europe next year with a 2-0 win at the Vicente Calderon. Toward the end of the game, enigmatic coach Diego Simeone could be seen trying to fire up the home fans in spite of a game which would fail to inspire even the most seasoned of supporters. Generating a reaction from the players however has been moderately successful as Madrid has since lost just one of his 13 games in charge following the departure of Gregorio Manzano in December. … [Read more...]
Barca’s Lack of Depth Gives Madrid a 7 Point Lead in Title Race
SkySports bosses would have been licking their lips earlier this evening at the prospect of both Real Madrid and Barcelona facing off against two teams in the bottom four of La Liga, especially without BBC’s weekly Match of the Day stealing homesick viewers; though the night disappointed those in search of plenty of goals. Just 4 came in total, all of which from the Santiago Bernabeu, meaning that one of the top two had to settle with a deadlocked 0-0. That team was Barcelona who fell 7 points behind leaders Real Madrid as Villarreal outfought their fatigued, injury stricken opponents and … [Read more...]