Well, they don’t come much bigger than this. On Wednesday 26th September these sides face what is arguably their sternest test of the new season domestically (although due to Sevilla’s patchy form perhaps not). The two sides have a strong history of competitive action and come the end of the season, both will expect to be in the upper echelons of Spain’s top flight, as well they both should be too. As Real prepare to enter the cauldron of Sevilla’s Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, what are the chances of each side? And can Sevilla upset the Los Blancos giants in front of their adoring … [Read more...]
Bookies expect Barcelona to double-up with another La Liga title win
The summer carnival of football is over with France beating Croatia at the World Cup final in Moscow. It was a rather disappointing effort from the betting favourites though. Germany bowed out at the group stage, Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals and Spain topped Group B ahead of Portugal but lost to hosts Russia in the round of 16. Fans will be delighted to see the return of club football and the new La Liga season is fast approaching, the big kick-off scheduled for Friday 17th August. Major divisions are getting underway across Europe with the English top-tier out the starting … [Read more...]
Real Madrid on Red Alert after Willian Passport Fail
It is common knowledge that Real Madrid have money in the bank after the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus a couple of weeks ago and it is common knowledge that Los Blancos have submitted a £100 million bid for Chelsea duo Thibaut Courtois and Willian. However, it has emerged that talks between Real and Chelsea shot-stopper Courtois have come to a standstill even though the Real Hierarchy insist they still want Courtois at the club. That has not stopped the interest in Willian and the rumour mill has gone into overdrive after the Times reported that Willian failed to turn up for … [Read more...]
What Next for Real Madrid as Key Figures Depart
First Zinedine Zidane went, now Cristiano Ronaldo has gone, on the face of it, this looks like worrying times for the 33-times La Liga champions Real Madrid. But are we right to be concerned, or are the Real hierarchy pulling off masterstroke for future footballing dominance? Club president made it quite clear that finishing 17-points behind rivals Barcelona is utterly unacceptable and that even winning three Champions League’s in a row is not good enough. That resulted in Zinedine Zidane departing the hot-seat after two and a half years at the club to be replaced by sacked Spain … [Read more...]
La Liga Misery in Russia
Who would have thought that prior to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, La Liga’s elite players would pretty much all be heading home? It all started on Saturday when both Argentina and Portugal were eliminated in their respective games which meant that once again, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi failed to shine on the World’s biggest stage and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks likely to have to make do with just his European Championship to fall back on (its still not bad though). Just as the shock of the elimination of La Liga’s two shining stars was sinking in, Sunday dawned which … [Read more...]
Iberian Derby Thrown into Disarray as lopetegui Gets the Chop
You can almost count the hours on your fingers and toes before arch-rivals Spain and Portugal commence the war of Iberia in Russia in a game that is likely to decide who will top World Cup group B. With Iran and Morocco, the other two sides contesting the group, all and sundry firmly expect both the Portuguese and Spaniards to make it through to the knockout stages with the only thing to be decided is in which order. According to numerous sportsbooks such as https://www.apuestasdeportivas24.org/ Spain were entering the World Cup in a strong position. That was until Spain shook the … [Read more...]
Zidane Walks, So What Next for Madrid?
When Real Madrid announced a press conference would take place just hours after Zinedine Zidane was due to sit down with club president Florentino Perez, social media went into overdrive and just a few hours later, it was confirmed, the man who guided Los Blancos to three Champions League titles in a row would be vacating the hot seat. When Frank Lampard and Marco Silva were making headlines in England for joining new clubs Derby County and Everton respectively, Zidane was making headlines for the opposite. As expected, much like landing a Bitcoin Bitzstars bonus, the rumour mill and … [Read more...]
Champions League Fall Out: Barcelona and Real Made to Look Vulnerable
There was a time, not so long ago when the indomitable forces of Real Madrid and Barcelona would fail to be threatened by any side in Europe after taking such a healthy first-leg lead but if this week is anything to go by, that unbeatable far factor has disappeared opening-up this seasons Champions League. Barcelona may have the La Liga title all but wrapped up this season but on Tuesday night against Roma, but a significant chink in the armour was exposed that teams such as Atletico, Valencia and Sevilla will look to expose next season as the Italians came back to knock Ernesto Valverde’s … [Read more...]
Mauricio Pochettino proving his worth as future Real Madrid boss
Taking on the mantle as manager of a club as gigantic as Real Madrid takes Europe’s absolute elite, proven by past alumni Vicente del Bosque, Fabio Capello, Jupp Heynckes, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez, but it’s hard to know which direction to take next after getting through all of world football’s highest rated coaches. Former club legend Zinedine Zidane stands as current manager, enjoying records of conducting a side with the fifth most amount of goals scored in club history, and achieving the third ever lowest amount of goals conceded by a Real Madrid manager in charge … [Read more...]
Can Ronaldo Hit the Limelight Once Again and Save Real Madrid?
Few can argue that Real Madrid are slightly off the boil at present despite putting three past PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday night. League form has been a significant cause for concern for the Real hierarchy with head coach Zinedine Zidane’s job hanging in the balance. So much so in fact, that unless an unprecedented third straight Champions League title is secured, a P45 will no doubt be finding its way onto the world cup winners doormat. However, it is not all doom and gloom for the Madrid side, as mentioned, Los Blancos have one foot in Europe’s elite club competition … [Read more...]