Ignore all of the Gareth Bale hyperbole, the stand-out signing for Real Madrid this summer was 21 year-old Isco. The diminutive playmaker has been a revelation since signing from Malaga for roughly 1/3 of Bale's transfer fee but has eclipsed even Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu so far this season. He's so far managed 5 goals in his first 8 games for Madrid, just one less than Ronaldo at this point in the season with both contributing the same number of assists. But Isco didn't join to provide competition for Ronaldo - he came to revolutionise an ageing midfield with the Spanish flair … [Read more...]
Los Che end an incredible week with Djukic on top
Last Thursday Miroslav Djukic looked to be one poor result away from the sack after a dismal loss to Swansea in the Europa League. 7 days later and a newly unified squad, albeit with the exception of Adil Rami, have put an end to their hopeless league form with two wins that have transformed their entire outlook. A last minute winner against Granada, greeted with euphoric celebrations from the players and coaching staff, would have seemed impossible to imagine just last week. Jonas' strike ensured another three points and maintained their position in 7th place … [Read more...]
La Liga team of the week – game week five
The games are starting to come in thick and fast, as the men are being separated from the boys in La Liga. Espanyol and Athletic Bilbao rounded up matches for Week 5 on Monday night, and here at La Liga Blog, it’s time for us to honour those players who covered themselves in glory and gave a showing worthy of mention, especially in a week laden with goalless games. … [Read more...]
The best La Liga players of the 21st Century
La Liga is arguably the biggest and best league in the world, with the attraction of Real Madrid and Barcelona, along with the draw of a fantastic climate and more lax tax laws, it is easy to see why the Spanish league has the best players in the world participating in it week in, week out, however, the biggest argument against La Liga is the lack of competition outside of the top two, Real and Barca. Since the turn of the millennium, the history of La Liga, I think, can be split into three periods of dominance for various teams, not based on who won the league, but who was seen as “the … [Read more...]
La Liga Team of the week – match week four
The league has started to heat-up, as teams start to drop points, play some desperate football and have their character tested. Atletico Madrid and Champions Barcelona still maintain their lead at the top of the table after securing maximum points as Real Madrid and Villareal cancel each other out-resulting in their first dropped points of the season. … [Read more...]
Bale signing creates Ancelotti dilemma
Following months of speculation and negotiations, Real Madrid finally got their man on Sunday evening as Gareth Bale completed his world record move from Tottenham. On current form, the Welshman is arguably the most dangerous player in the world when running at pace and will certainly add an extra dimension to a team who already love to hit their opponents on the counter-attack. … [Read more...]
Real May Regret Ozil’s Sale
The seemingly endless Gareth Bale saga is finally over and Real Madrid have landed their man, but with the last-minute departures of the likes of Mesut Ozil and Kaka, are Carlo Ancelotti’s side really any stronger? … [Read more...]
Goalkeeping dilema for Del Bosque ahead of Finland clash
Vicente Del Bosque faces a decision headache when it comes to selecting the 1st name on his team sheet this evening. Iker Casillas would normally be his 1st and only choice to play between the sticks. However, the stopper from Mostoles hasn't played in a competitive match for his club side since January. … [Read more...]
Galactico-Gate for Bale and Özil on Deadline Day
There had been much hype and headlines this summer over Gareth Bale's protracted move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid. Not many doubted that the deal would actually take place, but the announcement of Gareth Bale's transfer to Real Madrid went tantalisingly down to the last day. The big surprise and story for the UK media on deadline day, however, was the late news that Mesut Özil would be moving in the opposite direction to Spurs great rivals Arsenal, for a club record fee of £42.4 million (interestingly, it is also the highest fee Madrid have ever received for a player). … [Read more...]
Real Madrid’s Bale Conundrum
On the surface, there would appear to be little wrong in Madrid. The club, fresh from a 3-1 win against Chelsea in the final of the Guinness International Champions Cup, are preparing for a new Welsh-inspired era of dominance. That will cost the princely sum of £105m. Oh, and they have Cristiano Ronaldo and Champions League-winning coach Carlo Ancelotti. So a new season for Real Madrid and what might it hold? … [Read more...]