As always in early January there are lots of transfer rumours but little firm action. I have it on very good authority that at least one big name player will be joining an English Premier League club next week – be sure to read www.laligablog.com every day for the confirmation. In the meantime we can reveal a done deal – Javier Acuna has joined Osasuna on loan from Watford. Acuna is a 25 year old Paraguayan who has represented his country at under-20 level. He can pay either as a conventional centre forward or as a winger and has notched 33 goals in 148 career appearances. Acuna … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona
It was stalemate at the Vicente Calderon last night as co-leaders Atletico and Barcelona fought out a nil-nil draw in front of a vociferous crowd. Some nil nil draws can be boring fare but this had excitement and flair, it was like a game of chess being played out by grandmasters Diego Simeone and Tata Martino. Barcelona boss Martino surprised many pundits, myself included, by leaving both Neymar and the back from injury Messi on the bench. This news seemed to galvanise Atletico and it was they who took the game to Barca in the early stages. Atleti's Turkish winger Arda was pulling the … [Read more...]
Results Round-Up
There have been five matches in La Liga so far this weekend, with significant results for clubs at both the bottom and top of the Primera Division. Here is the Sunday morning round-up. Athletic Bilbao 6-1 Almeria Ernesto Valverde's Athletic side continued their impressive campaign with a thumping victory over UD Almeria. Bilbao were three goals to the good within half an hour thanks to goals from Rico, Herrera and Laporte. Almeria pulled one back on 34 minutes through on loan midfielder Helder Barbosa but it was a brief respite. Aduriz and Ibai Gomez added further goals after the break before … [Read more...]
Ferdinand Begged Ronaldo To Join Manchester United
Manchester United's veteran defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he begged Cristiano Ronaldo to re-join Manchester United during the summer. United had just appointed a new manager in David Moyes and they were desperate to make a marquee signing. A last minute move to hijack the Gareth Bale to Real Madrid transfer failed but it does show that the Old Trafford club had the money to make a serious splash in the summer market. Ronaldo is still a legend at Manchester United, having scored 84 goals in 196 appearances for the Red Devils. Earlier in 2013 Ronaldo had said that he felt unhappy at … [Read more...]
Match Preview: Atletico Madrid v Barcelona
Tonight sees the most hotly anticipated game of the La Liga season so far – El Clasico has been knocked, temporarily, off its perch as the eyes of Spain and the footballing world turn to Atletico Madrid v Barcelona. Barca and Atleti sit on top of the La Liga table this morning, five points in front of Real Madrid. They have identical records: both sides have an identical record having won 16, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their games so far. Barcelona are on top thanks to a slightly superior goal difference but that could all change tonight as they travel to the Vicente Calderon. Barcelona are in … [Read more...]