Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini looks to be heading to the Premier League next season following a meeting between the Jesus Martinez, the Chilean's agent, and Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City's director of football. Pellegrini has expressed his desire to leave in subtle comments throughout the season, keen to avoid causing offence to Malaga fans and players whilst continuing their push for the top four, but has become increasingly frustrated at the ongoing problems with wage payments. After leading Malaga to minutes of a Champions League semi-final, Pellegrini will be a much sought after … [Read more...]
Malaga must face reality after death of Champions League dream
Last Tuesday’s Champions League exit at the hands of Borussia Dortmund will stick long in the memory of Malaga fans. Not only was the result a harsh reflection on a great team effort by the Andalusians but also it could mark the start of this team’s decline. The comments by president Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Thani that the 3-2 defeat was down to “racism” have given the fans something to distract them in the aftermath but once the hum-drum of the league kick backs in then it will be time to take stock of what the future might hold. … [Read more...]
Malaga lose late on as Chairman screams of ‘racism and injustice’
If Tuesday's Champions League quarter final second leg wasn't dramatic enough, the response to the defeat from Malaga's Qatari chairman gave fans some added action to follow on twitter after the game. Sheikh Abdullah N Al Thani, who has funded Malaga for the past couple of years, posted several farcical tweets to the social networking site blaming racism and UEFA for targeting the Spanish club from the beginning of the season, clearly irked by the substandard officiating during the game and Malaga's impending ban from European competition. … [Read more...]
Málaga Buoyant For Birthday Bash With Borussia
On the 3rd of April, 1904, the Málaga Football Club was formed. 109 years later to the day, the latest incarnation of football in the city, Málaga Club de Fútbol will take to the Rosaleda pitch in the biggest match of the clubs history. The name has changed over those 109 years as have the owners, but never has such success been witnessed in the city and many still believe it is all a dream. The journey began on a warm August evening with a final qualifying round tie against Panathinaikos of Greece to decide who would play in the competition proper. Panathinaikos are an historic name in … [Read more...]
Punto Cuarto – the race for the fourth La Liga spot
The football season has witnessed a lot of ups and downs for many teams. La Liga is no different. With Barcelona having virtually sealed their 22nd domestic crown and the Madrid clubs vying for the 2nd and 3rd spot (automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League), the fight for the 4th spot (punto cuarto) is all set to be a nail biting affair. … [Read more...]
Messi, The Perfect 10, Sets Yet Another Record
Lionel Messi completed the perfect personal half of a la Liga season on Saturday evening, in the process setting another record, by scoring against all 19 Primera opponents in consecutive matches (coincidentally, 19 was his squad number before being given the coveted number 10 shirt on Ronaldinho's departure from the Camp Nou). Cristiano Ronaldo scored against all 19 opponents in Madrid's record breaking last season, but not in consecutive matches. … [Read more...]
English Euro Crisis Boosts Spanish and German Fortunes
With no representatives in Friday's quarter final draw of the UEFA Champions League, can the English Premier League still seriously lay claims to being the best league in World football, or is it time to acknowledge that they have slipped behind La Liga and the Bundesliga (with 3 and 2 clubs representing each respective domestic league). … [Read more...]
Málaga Fortress Awaits European Visit of Porto
Málaga C.F. face F.C. Porto at the Rosaleda in tonight's return leg of their last 16 clash in the Champions League having never been defeated at their home stadium in European competition. This is the clubs second European adventure and they will hope the legend of la Rosaleda will continue against the Portuguese giants. … [Read more...]
Real Sociedad Revival in Race for Fourth
After a weekend when the duopoly at the top of La Liga has been given an untimely boost by the defeat of Atlético Madrid at the Vicente Calderón, Real Sociedad's rise up the ranks makes the fight for fourth, and a Champions League berth, the big story of round 27. … [Read more...]
Spanish football in numbers: A Statistical Analysis of La Liga
A Guest post by Liam Corbett of www.averageopposition.com - a new stats based site with a difference - it measures the team and player performances not just on the normal numbers, but on the level of opposition. Liam gives us his take on La Liga this week. … [Read more...]