Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Real Madrid's vital game against Villareal on Saturday, after losing his appeal against the red card he received last weekend against Athletic Bilbao. Real Madrid sit just three points behind Atletico, but in a tight three way race they can't afford to drop any more points. Ronaldo will be a big miss, but Gareth Bale may well be back after the latest in a string of injuries. Ancelotti insists that Bale will play tomorrow, but Los Blancos fans have heard that all too often. The red card was a farcical one. Ronaldo brushed Iturraspe's forehead, and he promptly went … [Read more...]
Real And Barcelona Take Commanding Leads
Real Madrid and Barcelona both took commanding leads last night, in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-finals. Real Madrid won 3-0 at home to cross city rivals Atletico. This wasn't the flowing match that I'd expected. Ancelotti's side took a much more pragmatic approach. They marked Atletico's danger men closely. It was a rough and tumble match, with the home side in particular testing the referee's patience. Diego Costa was kicked at every opportunity. Finally losing his temper, he kicked back, and received a yellow card that will keep him out of the return. An injustice at every … [Read more...]
An Emotional Night As Atletico Go Top
Atletico Madrid stormed to the top of La Liga with a 4-0 thrashing of Real Sociedad on Sunday. It was a night their former manager and player Luis Aragones would have been proud of. The scoreline is a little flattering, Sociedad are an in-form side and more than held their own in the first half. A David Villa goal, from a Diego Costa cross, on 38 minutes was all that separated the teams. Simeone's team were much better after the break. It was Costa himself who scored the second on 72 minutes. The naturalised Spaniard is finding his goal scoring touch again after a mini drought. Miranda headed … [Read more...]
Luis Aragones, 1938-2014
Spain, and the world of football, is today mourning the loss of the legendary Spanish coach Luis Aragones. Aragones died in Madrid this morning, at the age of 75. He had suffered a short illness, and his passing took many by surprise. His loss will be particularly felt by fans and former players of Atletico Madrid. He managed Atleti on four occasions, winning them the La Liga title and lifting the Copa Del Rey three times. Atletico will be holding an emotional minute's silence before their game against Real Sociedad on Sunday. As a player, Aragones made nearly 400 appearances for Atletico. A … [Read more...]
Breaking Transfer News – West Bromwich Albion Sign Thievy
It has been a remarkably quiet transfer deadline day in La Liga. The deadline has just passed but news is coming through that West Bromwich Albion have signed Thievy from Espanyol. Thievy Bifouma is a 21 year old French forward who has spent his career at the Barcelona club and at Las Palmas. He hasn't set the world alight yet, scoring 15 goals in 70 games over three years. He is known, if anything, more for his fluctuating hairstyles than his goalscoring prowess. Pepe Mel, however, was impressed by him whilst he was manager of Real Betis. He has taken the young striker on loan until the end … [Read more...]
Racing Santander Banned After Copa Protest
Racing Santander have been banned from next season's Copa Del Rey, after their protest saw last night's quarter final abandoned. Racing were the lowest placed team left in the competition, but their story wasn't to have a happy ending. Racing are a club in financial turmoil. As recently as 2008 they were La Liga big hitters, fighting for a European spot. It's been a tale of mismanagement, on and off the pitch, since then. They now languish in the third tier of Spanish football. The Santander players and staff haven't been paid in seven months. Last night,with the spotlight on their big match … [Read more...]
La Liga transfer deadline day
It's been the usual January transfer window in Spain. Lots of rumour, but little action until the last day. We are now approaching the deadline, and deal making will be frantically taking place behind the scenes. La Liga Blog will bring you live reports on any big transfers that happen this evening. Be sure to keep your eyes on this site from 8pm. Let's assess the likelihood of transfers between Spanish and English teams: Fabio Coentrao to Manchester United: David Moyes is desperate to sign a left-back before the deadline, but it seems more likely that Milan will snatch the Real Madrid … [Read more...]
Atletico set up mouth watering semi-final
Atletico Madrid won a close encounter with Athletic Bilbao 2-1 to progress into the Copa Del Rey semi-finals. There was little to separate the teams on paper. Atletico are still joint-top of La Liga, but it is Athletic who have been in the better form. Atletico held a 1-0 win from last week's first leg but as Athletic had never been beaten at their new Sam Mames arena, it was the Bilbao team who were favourites in many people's eyes. Athletic started the match full of confidence. Atletico's on loan keeper Thibault Courtois keeping them in the game against a tide of aggression. Diego Simeone … [Read more...]
Arsenal Back In For Real Madrid Striker
With the transfer deadline looming, Arsenal look set to finally make a move for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. Arsene Wenger has been monitoring the 21 year old since the start of the season, and always had him on his transfer window radar. Initial interest was rebuffed when Carlo Ancelotti insisted that the forward was not for sale, but news from the Bernabeu today should give Arsenal renewed hope. Morata is a hot prospect, he has scored 12 goals in 11 matches for Spain's under-21 side. His chances for Madrid this season, however, have been severely limited. Ancelotti sees Alvara as one … [Read more...]
Milan Join The Race For Coentrao
Fabio Coentrao is the most in demand defender in Europe this January. AC Milan have joined Manchester United in a three way battle for the services of the Real Madrid left back. It is well known that Coentrao is a long time target of United. Moyes thought he had his man on the final day of the last transfer window, only for the deal to collapse in farcical fashion. Having completed the signing of Juan Mata, the Manchester United manager has made a left back his next priority. Leighton Baines has signed a new deal at Everton and Southampton have issued a stern hands off warning over young … [Read more...]