Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid Date: 30/12/2015 Kick-off: 3:00 PM GMT / 10:00 AM EST Television coverage: Sky Sports 1/HD (UK); beIN Sports en Español, beIN Sports (USA) Online Streaming: Sky Go (UK), fuboTV (USA) Match Real Madrid News Real Madrid managed to hit back at their critics in emphatic fashion ahead of the festive period break after claiming a stunning 10-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano and the dominant manner of the triumph has most certainly filled Los Blancos with a lot of confidence. Now Madrid manager Rafael Benitez will be keen on his side using the fine win as a platform … [Read more...]
Top three Real Madrid performers in the 10-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale was one of the few players who could be handed any credit after Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Villarreal last weekend and the Welshman went on to follow it up with a stunning four goal performance in the 10-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. While Vallecano most certainly did not help themselves by getting two players sent off before the half an hour mark, Bale still had to convert the chances that came his way and he did so with much aplomb. Apart from Bale’s four goal tally, what would have pleased the Real Madrid fans even more is the fact that … [Read more...]
Match Preview: Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
Real Madrid square off against Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday and Los Blancos manager Rafael Benitez is under intense pressure to claim a victory ahead of the game. Real Madrid Real Madrid once again spurned the opportunity to close the gap on Barcelona at the top of the table after suffering a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Villarreal last time out and the result leaves Los Blancos five points adrift from the summit of the La Liga table. Now with Barcelona out of action in La Liga this weekend, Madrid will be hopeful of closing down the gap and with a game … [Read more...]
Barcelona 2015/2016 Season Preview
Last week Barcelona opened their 2015-2016 season in the same fashion they ended last season: by winning another trophy. Their 5-4 extra time victory over Seville, gave the club their 4th trophy of the calendar year. The celebration was quickly ruined however by a crushing 4-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup and then a 1-1 draw back in Nou Camp. Bilbao's victory handed them their first trophy in 41 years and ensured that Pep's 2009 Barcelona squad remains the only European club to win 6 trophies in a calendar year. … [Read more...]
Number nine on his back, can Torres rediscover spark before Euro 2016?
After six months spent without his favoured number nine on his back – a spell which delivered just six goals in 26 appearances for Atletico Madrid – Fernando Torres should feel more like his former self in 2015/16. … [Read more...]
The British influence on Basque football
The arrival of David Moyes to Real Sociedad may have been considered a surprising managerial move at the time. To many, the idea of a Scot plying his trade in Spain of all places seemed like a strange appointment, a cultural juxtaposition of football playing styles, and a rare trek for someone who prior to leaving for Spain, barely knew a word of Spanish. … [Read more...]
Club Focus: Getafe CF
Out of all the teams in Spain's top flight, Getafe are not the most exciting. Whilst Barcelona are known for their philosophy, Real Madrid for their superstars, Athletic Bilbao for their dogged physicality, Getafe are... well, just Getafe. Despite not being a particularly glamorous club, they have done well in recent years to remain in the top division, fluctuating between the top half and lower ends of the La Liga table spectrum. … [Read more...]
Where are Spain’s women on the feminine football map?
The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada has been a very enjoyable tournament so far, as we draw closer to the last 16. For the first time in it's history, the competition has expanded, with 24 nations represented on the biggest stage in women's football. … [Read more...]
Benitez at the Bernabeu: is it the real deal?
So he has returned, Rafael Benitez's imminent arrival at the club where it all began is sure to be fairy tale. Or is it? The seasoned veteran, whose management has spanned Valencia, Liverpool, and Napoli, to name a few, finds himself taking over from the now departed Carlo Ancelotti at one of Europe's grandest clubs. After leaving the Real Madrid Castilla team twenty years ago to achieve bigger and better things, Rafa's return could be perceived as the tale of a hometown hero. On his journeys he has achieved for the most part, managing some of the continent's elite teams, and managing the … [Read more...]
Why Spanish football’s European dominance looks set to continue
Sevilla CF became the first club to benefit from UEFA’s recent change of regulations which meant that winners of the Europa League from the 2014/2015 season would automatically qualify for the Champions League. This means going into next season, Spain will have a record 5 clubs competing in club football’s elite competition: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Valencia and of course Sevilla themselves. … [Read more...]