In winning their 10th European Cup this past summer, Real Madrid seemed to have found its ideal strategy under Ancelotti. With the work rate and skill of Di Maria, the intelligence of the midfield, and the goal scoring ability of Bale, Ronaldo, and Benzema, the club was able to defend, counter, and attack with skill, precision, and intelligence. The players knew what was expected of each other and formed a very cohesive team. On paper then and with the turnover and problems at Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid was the clear favorite to win this year’s La Liga crown. However, after … [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...]
Five players who will bring Spain success again
Despite a disastrous World Cup, Spain played their first competitive game since failing miserably in Brazil by defending their European Championships crown. Vicente del Bosque fielded a side vastly different from the World Cup as retirements and injuries kept those who had represented Spain during their golden era out. There was a modicum of pressure on some of the players ahead of the home qualifier against Macedonia, especially as Spain had lost to France in a friendly beforehand, but the side stood up to the test in a half-empty Ciutat de Valencia stadium to win 5-1. Of those new players, … [Read more...]
What the Transfer Ban means for Barcelona
With the 2014 summer transfer window closed, Barcelona’s transfer ban is in effect and the club will not be able to sign any new players till January 2016. With the fast start of academy players like Munir and Sandro combined with the summer signings and departure of numerous players, the club and some pundits claim the team will not be affected by the inability to sign new players and will be able to continue to contend for trophies. However, in football nothing is ever predictable and secure and as such the seriousness of the transfer ban needs to be understood. … [Read more...]