This week, FC Barcelona confirmed as part of Neymar's high-profile move to Catalonia that they will stage a double header friendly against his old team Santos in the build up to the 2013-2014 season in August. … [Read more...]
Valencia miss out on Champions League – and possibly lose Roberto Soldado
With Valencia’s 4-3 defeat to Sevilla on the last day of the La Liga season, Los Che missed out on a place in next season’s Champions League, being pipped at the post by Real Sociedad. The blow for the Mestalla club is obvious – however the biggest repercussion of Europa League, rather than Champions League football, could well be the departure of star striker Roberto Soldado. … [Read more...]
La Liga’s final day relegation battle
Over the past few seasons the relegation battle between some of Spain's less fashionable clubs (and some esteemed teams too e.g. Villarreal, Racing & Deportivo) has been of greater interest than the fight for the title and this season the scenario is no different. No teams have yet been relegated from the Primera Division, with four sides in with a remarkable chance of staying up or going down with just one game to play. Just two points separate 20th and 17th place as three out of Deportivo, Celta, Zaragoza and Mallorca will ultimately have to endure at least one season of Segunda Division … [Read more...]
Neymar ready for Barcelona challenge
Whilst it has been two years in the making, Brazilian starlet Neymar has finally become a Barcelona player this week and left native club Santos for an undisclosed fee. His new side Barca have been licking their wounds recently after finding themselves caught in the middle of a wave of German footballing dominance but the Catalonian giants will be hoping the 21 year old Samba star can lead their quest to reclaim past glories and take the pressure off the heavily relied upon Leo Messi. … [Read more...]
Mourinho’s Madrid legacy
Jose Mourinho leaves Real Madrid at the end of the season, as everybody expected he would, following a season of discontent, public spats and underwhelming performances in a trophyless campaign. If Chelsea is to be his destination following his Madrid exit then he will add to the list of managers in the decade since Roman Abramovic took charge of the Blues, a club whose modern legacy began under 'The Special One'. The list of departed managers at the Bernabeu extends longer then Chelsea's does however, but do Mourinho's achievements in Spain merit his tenure to be classed a success? … [Read more...]
Copa del Rey Final Preview
In what is set to be one of Jose Mourinho's final games in charge of Real Madrid, the Portuguese manager aims to bow out of Spain on a high as he so usually does by beating arch rivals Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey Final. 'The Special One' has led Real to one league title, one Super Copa and a Copa del Rey already in his three years in charge but defeat would mean he ends the season trophyless for the first time in five years. Atletico meanwhile will be vying to overturn their horrific record against Real having not beaten their neighbours in over 13 years. … [Read more...]
Pellegrini denies City link but reports suggest a move is imminent
Despite a weekend of mounting speculation, Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has denied claims he has already signed a contract to become Manchester City's new manager, replacing Roberto Mancini who is expected to be sacked within the next few days. Pellegrini spoke after Malaga's 0-0 draw in the derby with Sevilla on Sunday and, contrary to the media reports, refused to give details of any links to the Manchester club. "I categorically deny that I am the new Manchester City manager," Pellegrini said on the official Malaga website. "Nothing has been signed and no agreement reached". … [Read more...]
Mourinho exit rumours put Chelsea’s Roman on red alert
José Mourinho could well have reached the end of his tenure at Real Madrid, considered by many as the world’s biggest club, with his third exit at the semi-final stage of the Champions League against Borussia Dotmund on Tuesday. The dream of winning la Décima, the tenth, European Cup will have to wait another year, but the weight of expectation would appear to have buckled the back of the self proclaimed "special one". … [Read more...]
Camp Nou clamours for another epic night of pride
The dream of an all Spanish Champions League final ended last night with Real Madrid’s elimination from the competition by 4 goals to 3 on aggregate to Borussia Dortmund. Real Madrid had a good opening 15 minute spell and an heroic last 8 minutes that would have seen them through with one more goal. Alas it wasn’t to be and apart from those short spells at either end of last night’s 90 minutes, Dortmund were the better side over the two legs and deserved to go through. F.C. Barcelona will face an even harder task this evening in the 2nd leg of their semi final against the newly crowned … [Read more...]
Can the ghosts of the past inspire a Real Madrid fightback?
After their defeats at the hands of the top two in Germany last week, the Spanish big two must produce comebacks of epic proportions if they are to realise their dreams of a Clásico final at Wembley in the Champions League showpiece event. For tonight’s match against Borussia Dortmund, a communication went out to all Real Madrid club members asking them to wear their white shirts and have their Madrid scarves at the ready to create as much of a hostile atmosphere in an attempt to intimidate their teutonic opponents. The current Spanish champions will rely on memories of great battling … [Read more...]