It is not often in La Liga that you hear of a 'fairy tale story'. Clubs from top to bottom of Spain's top divisions are carrying huge burdens of debt, and many sides are subsequently not as strong as they used to be. However, in May 2014, the story of SD Eibar was reaching its fairy tale ending. A club who's ground holds less supporters than Dagenham & Redbridge, were promoted to the Primera Division for the first ever time in their 70 year history. But like all good stories, there was inevitably a dramatic twist on the way. Located in the Basque area of Spain, Eibar has a population of … [Read more...]
Diego Simeone: Tactical genius or angry Argentinian?
With his latest act of madness on the touchline causing himself to receive an eight match ban, I want to see if the man who guided Atletico Madrid to their first La Liga title in 18 seasons is worth all the trouble that comes with the tactical genius. Simeone took over at Atletico from Gregorio Manzano, after the teams defeat in the Copa del Rey to minos Albacete Balompie. In his first season as manager they won the UEFA Europa League final in Bucharest, defeating fellow Spaniards Athletic Bilbao in the final 3-0. … [Read more...]
How Scotland can impact Spanish Football as we know it
Scotland’s upcoming independence referendum aka whether the Scottish people will opt towards a new beginning as an independent state or continue with the old order, has sparked century old Catalan nationalist aspirations. Where on Thursday 11th September, National day of Catalonia, a reported 1.8 — 2 million took to the streets of Barcelona in mass demonstration, bringing the city to a standstill, to encourage a Scotland inspired independence vote from Spain. … [Read more...]
The FC Barcelona query
It is really hard to remember the last time Barcelona were looking into the new season with so many question marks over their head, probably not since Pep Guadiola was first appointed coach. Since then, Barcelona had two mini cycles. First was defined by Pep's legacy, in which the late Tito Vilanova managed to win the title but subsequently failed to repeat that level of performance in the Champions league, whilst dealing with a life threatening disease. Last season Tata Martino made a huge leap away from the Barcelona that was lauded as the 'best Barca team in history', installing new ideas … [Read more...]
La Liga players to watch out for this season
With just over a week until the new La Liga campaign kicks off, let’s take a look at seven youngsters set to make their mark this season. Let’s start with an obvious one – it has to be World Cup wonder James Rodriguez. He dazzled us in Brazil with his inspired attacking and that stunning volley against Uruguay. A deserving winner of the Golden Boot and arguably a better Golden Ball candidate than Messi, Real Madrid’s £60 million signing is reason enough to tune in to Los Blancos’ opening game against Cordoba. … [Read more...]
Raul Jimenez signs for Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are in need of strengthening their attack and Raul Jimenez may be the last piece Simeone needs for his new look attack. The departures of Diego Costa and Adrian Lopez this off season have left Atletico without two key attacking players that played a vital role in their La Liga championship run. Simeone has already signed Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich and Antoine Griezmann from Real Sociedad to supplement his team’s attack. Both players are great signings and no doubt will provide goals all throughout the season. ‘El Cholo’ is looking to add one more striker to the fold and … [Read more...]
Battle for the Barcelona number one
Barcelona fans will have awoken to the news this morning that goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen injured his back in a training session on Monday afternoon. He will now train alone for the next few days while the extent of the damage is analysed. The young German shot-stopper, along with Chilean custodian Claudio Bravo, are new signings at Camp Nou this season as the club aims to replace the seemingly irreplaceable and influential Víctor Valdés who decided to take up the option of departing the club on a free transfer to stimulate himself with new challenges having amassed an amazing 21 major … [Read more...]
Valencia’s lack of identity
Only three seasons ago Valencia CF was unanimously viewed as being the third foremost powerhouse in Spanish football. Unfortunately the combination of an absence of romanticism at the Mestella, coupled with serious financial woes, resulted in La Liga's "big two" expanding irrevocably. Furthermore sides such as Atletico Madrid, Bilbao and Sevilla have all overtaken Valencia domestically and in European competition thus stripping Los Che of its prestige. … [Read more...]
Who will be La Liga’s top scorer this season?
There are more candidates for Spain's illustrious Pichichi this season than ever in recent times. It has been the Messi - Ronaldo show for some time now, you have to go back to the 2008/2009 season when a player other than Messi or Ronaldo finished top scorer of La Liga, Diego Forlan of Atletico Madrid. This season however, the likes of Suarez, Mandzukic and even Falcao(if you follow the transfer gossip) can top the charts ahead of Messi and Ronaldo. … [Read more...]
Vermaelen an astute signing for Barca
FC Barcelona has been quite busy this transfer window in preparation for the 2014/2015 La Liga season and their latest signing is Belgian center-back Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal. The fee is reported to be around 10 million Euros and consists of a five year deal according to fcbarcelona.com. The former Arsenal captain will bring much needed depth to a Barcelona back line that has been lacking true center-backs bar Pique and Bartra. … [Read more...]