In what will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup Final, Spain face the Netherlands in their opening Group B game, with the 'Oranje' looking to exact revenge for the 1-0 defeat four years ago. After failure at Euro 2012, will the Dutch be able to hold Spain to a draw over 90 minutes again, or steam through the group like they did in qualifying? … [Read more...]
Promoted Eibar closer to relegation than La Liga
After beating local rivals Deportivo Alaves on Sunday evening, SD Eibar were promoted to La Liga following Las Palmas' defeat to Recreativo Huelva. The tiny club from the Basque Country has never featured in the top division against the likes of Barcelona, Real and Atletico Madrid in their 74 year history, but due to an absurd technicality, could be forced to wait even longer for their time at the top. Due to no fault of their own, the Basques could even find themselves demoted to the Segunda Division B if the rules stand. It is a rule which has sparked mass interest in Spain and across … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Key Battles
Below is a round-up of the key battles we'll expect to see in tonight's Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. … [Read more...]
Manchester United swoop for Barcelona pair
All eyes are on Lisbon tonight, as Real play Atletico in the most anticipated Champion's League final in years (and be sure to check La Liga Blog later for live reporting and updates at http://laligablog.com/2014/05/24/real-madrid-v-atletico-live/), but Louis Van Gaal is focused on the other side of the Iberian peninsula as he aims to capture both Cesc Fabregas and Xavi from Barcelona. As yet, Van Gaal has been primarily linked with long standing targets Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller along with a handful of Dutch players. But I understand that his number one priority before next season is the … [Read more...]
Real Madrid v Atletico match preview
The 2014 Champions League season comes to an end this Saturday, with an all Madrid final. Real Madrid overcame the title holders, Bayern Munich, overwhelmingly in the semi-finals, while Diego Simeone’s men beat Chelsea in the other semi-final to set up the first City derby final in the history of the competition. … [Read more...]
Champions League Final Preview
On the back of a historic week, Atletico Madrid must mount one final surge to cap off a season which has defied all expectations. Having won the La Liga title just seven days ago, Diego Simeone will lead his side out in a Champions League final against city rivals Real Madrid, who are gunning for their tenth European Cup. … [Read more...]
Del Bosque may opt to discard Negredo
Atletico Madrid’s veteran striker David Villa could benefit from Alvaro Negredo’s fall from grace by being included in Vicente Del Bosque's 23-man squad for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. … [Read more...]
Man United and Liverpool among clubs in the race for Antoine Griezmann
Real Sociedad star Antonine Griezmann is wanted by a host of Premier League clubs including Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal the Sunday Mirror reports. The 23 year old French winger has lit up the Primera Division this season with a series of top drawer performances, netting 16 goals in the process. … [Read more...]
Diego Costa on his way to Chelsea
Chelsea are set to sign highly rated Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa this summer according to UK newspaper, the Metro. The 25 year old has been in sensational form this season, more than capably filling the void left by his departed predecessor Radamel Falcao with 35 goals in all competitions for Atleti. … [Read more...]
Paco Jemez shows a lack of respect for convention as he aims to keep Vallecano in La Liga.
Real Madrid went into last Saturday evening's match with Rayo Vallecano having lost their last two matches but very few people expected it to become a third. Their neighbours from the capital's suburb of Vallecas were obliging opponents as Real sought to keep pace with title rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid who had both won earlier in the day. The scoreline was 5-0, keeping Real 3 points behind Atletico and 40 ahead of Vallecano who sit in mid-table still conscious of the threat of relegation. … [Read more...]