Since Unai Emery's messy resignation last season, Mauricio Pellegrino has had trouble in succeeding the unpopular manager at Valencia. Having led the team to a hat-trick of Champions League qualifications in La Liga, Emery's time at Los Che came to a sad ending and was ultimately forced out amid constant financial constraints and a perceived lack of improvement. Despite a Europa League semi-final last year, it was deemed that another coach would have to continue from where Emery left off. Of Argentine nationality, Pellegrino hails from the same country as Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa, … [Read more...]
La Liga Youngsters – My Starting Eleven
La Liga - many of you watch it, many of you don't. But whether you like the football in Spain's top division or not, the players that make their money in Spain are incredible to watch. What impresses me more is the rate at which La Liga is churning out brilliant youngsters. The academies of these clubs and the various 'B' teams in lower leagues really seem to be helping the youngsters along the line. Even taking in loanees, they help advance them incredibly. … [Read more...]
Copa del Rey draw could see El Clasico semi-final
The draw for the latter rounds of the Copa del Rey was made today, setting up a potential semi-final between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Last year the two clubs met at the same stage with Barcelona progressing 4-3 on aggregate and the year before that the two met in the final. To find a season where the top two Spanish clubs didn't meet in the domestic cup you have to go back to the season before (09/10) when neither team made the final and Madrid were wiped away 4-1 on aggregate by third-tier Alcorcon. … [Read more...]
Chelsea among favourites to land Falcao signature in January transfer window
There are no two ways about it, Atletico Madrid are on a roll in La Liga right now. With 19 points from their first seven games they sit level with league leaders Barcelona in La Primera Division and their win against fellow high flyers Malaga at the weekend proved to everyone that Diego Simeone's side will be a force to be reckoned with this season. … [Read more...]
Problems within Espanyol appear to lead to imminent plight
As one Catalan club sits top of the La Liga table, another remains firmly rooted to the bottom. Espanyol have always been stranded in the imperious shadow of Barcelona, even when their boardroom crisis arguably merits more column inches than another El Clasico. Spanish website Mundo Deportivo.com revealed on Monday that the entirety of Espanyol's boardroom had resigned and allowed for elections to take place on the 25th November. This news comes as no shock concerning the recent and obvious dissatisfaction of the supporters of Espanyol. … [Read more...]