Of the names to have left La Romareda fans of Los Blanquillos have reasons to be both delighted and dismayed at two people who have committed to staying at Zaragoza for next season. Detested President Agapito Iglesias has refused to sell and leave the club having piled debt onto the exasperated balance sheets and made no real attempt to rid them. Thankfully however he brought in manager Manolo Jiminez who steered the club to La Liga safety in spite of the appalling circumstances and has decided to remain and avoid relegation once again. … [Read more...]
Granada Season Preview
Events surrounding Watford FC have been encapsulating during the summer break as Giampaolo Pozzo's takeover of the club kicks off. Having already fired one manager in Sean Dyche and replaced him with compatriot Gianfranco Zola it looks to be the beginning of a busy summer at Vicarage Road. As the Italian businessman's latest development roars into life another of Pozzo's ventures, Granada CF, ponder the implications of the magnate's actions and how it can work to their advantage. … [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...]
How to develop muscular power like Cristiano Ronaldo
Love him or hate him, no one can deny that Real Madrid and Portuguese international footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is an absolute marvel to watch. As well as possessing unrivalled technical ability and tactical cunning, the root of his success as an attacking midfielder comes from the sheer power he is able to produce from his legs, core and upper body allowing him to glide past players with ease and out-muscle opponents in possession. … [Read more...]
Five things we learnt about Spain at the Euros
If you haven't been living under a rock for the past twenty four hours you'd be aware of the fact that Spain have once again been crowned champions of Europe after an awe-inspiring 4-0 victory over Italy in last night's Euro 2012 final. In spite of arduous comments from the media that their 'Tiki-Taka' style of football had become boring, La Roja silenced their critics once again by retaining their European Championship under the lights of Kiev's Olympic stadium with a quite dazzling display of football. Here's five important things we learned about Spain after the successful defence of their … [Read more...]
El Clásico – More than a game
Since the 1950's Spanish football has been thoroughly dominated by just two clubs – Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The knock-out format of cup competitions may throw up a surprise winner here and there but La Liga has for a long time been considered a two-horse race. These two clubs have won Spain's Primera Division 52 times between them, with Real's 31 championships leading the way. Barca however just pip Real on total tournament wins with 75 and hold all the current bragging rights, with their recent tournament wins setting them apart in Spain, Europe and the World. So it's no surprise that … [Read more...]
Euro 2012: Time for Spain’s unknown quantities to make a name for themselves
Fernando Llorente, Iker Muniain and Roberto Soldado have only 24 international caps between them, yet with David Villa on the treatment table and Fernando Torres and Pedro enduring torrid seasons, these three must be ready to be called upon to join David Silva and Juan Mata in Spain’s Euro 2012 front line. Probably not exactly household names for most, they soon will be if they shine in Poland and Ukraine. Let’s run the rule over the pretenders to La Roja’s attack. … [Read more...]
Athletic Club: A model for all to follow
I must confess, I knew very little about Athletic Bilbao before I witnessed their footballing master class against Manchester United in the Europa League earlier this year. How glad I am that I flicked over to Channel 5 that night to gaze in awe as the Basque side put English football’s finest to the sword. Quite a spectacle it was. … [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...]