Two eye-catching games took place on Friday 30th August as early table-toppers Seville host Celta Vigo whilst Athletic Bilbao with their own designs on top spot hosted perennial mid-table outfit Real Sociedad. Here’s what happened… Sevilla 1 Celta Vigo 1 Sevilla head coach Julen Lopetegui will view this as a missed opportunity as a former Barcelona man came back to haunt the former Real Madrid manager with a late equalizer to see his side knocked off top spot after three games. The first half gave little to write home about with the home side as expected edging the contest. … [Read more...]
Bilbao win to give Gaizka Garitanoa a perfect start
It was meant to be the match that kick-started new Bilbao head coach Gaizka Garitano’s La Liga reign off to the perfect start to follow up that sublime 4-0 thumping of Huesca in the Copa Del Rey midweek. And that is exactly what it proved to be despite leaving it until the 90th minute in order to beat highflying Girona on Monday night thanks to an Aritz Adruiz penalty. That means that since taking over the Bilbao hot seat on the 4th December, Garitano has already achieved the same number of victories (2) as his predecessor managed. Two matches and two wins is a superb start and it … [Read more...]
La Liga Final Weekend Breakdown Part Two: 11th – 20th
In our previous article, we decided to take a look at what the sides in Spain’s top 10 have left to play as the season enters its final round of fixtures. Now, we take a look at what the sides in the bottom half of the table can still achieve heading into the final weekend of a thrilling season. Girona – 48 pts Just avoiding the drop has earned tiny Girona many plaudits but they still have the ability to finish inside the top ten in their debut top-flight season. However, defeat to Las Palmas on Saturday could see them slip to fifteenth but no matter happens, the season has been an … [Read more...]
Probable Barcelona Lineup vs Athletic Bilbao – Suarez and Neymar to return
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona Date: 17/01/2016 Kick-off: 7:30 PM GMT / 02:30 PM EST Television coverage: NOW TV, Sky Sports 4/HD (UK), beIN Sports USA, beIN Sports en Español, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. (USA) Online Streaming: fuboTV (USA), Sky Go (UK) Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was handed his expected rest during the second leg encounter against Espanyol in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night and there is no questioning the fact that the Chilean international will be making a return to the starting lineup in the La Liga clash against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Defence Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba … [Read more...]
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao: Preview, Predicted Lineups and Prediction
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona Date: 17/01/2016 Kick-off: 7:30 PM GMT / 02:30 PM EST Television coverage: NOW TV, Sky Sports 4/HD (UK), beIN Sports USA, beIN Sports en Español, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A. (USA) Online Streaming: fuboTV (USA), Sky Go (UK) Match Barcelona News As expected, Barcelona went on to seal their place in the Quarter Finals of the Copa Del Rey with a comfortable 6-1 aggregate victory over Espanyol and more than the result, manager Luis Enrique would perhaps have been pleased at his side coming away from the clash without any injuries or suspensions. Now Barcelona refocus … [Read more...]
Copa del Rey Final: Three Key Battles
Barcelona will look to seal their second trophy of an incredible season against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to maintain their chances of winning the treble. Having already wrapped up the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey would sign off their domestic season in some style ahead of the Champions League Final against Juventus. The match will be staged at the Nou Camp, much to Barca's advantage, and is also expected to be the final match on home soil for midfielder Xavi which would make it an even more special occasion. Despite having already qualified for the Europa League by finishing 7th, … [Read more...]
Player Profile – Inaki Williams
Inaki Williams has quickly become a hit with the Athletic Bilbao fans since his promotion from the youth feeder team, Bilbao Athletic. The 20-year-old starred in last week's 1-0 win over Real Madrid and received a standing ovation from the San Mames upon his substitution. More was known about how a player with the name 'Williams' came to appear in the Basque-only zone that is Bilbao, rather than his footballing ability. That has all changed however since becoming the first Black player to score for the club, and many of Europe's top sides are turning their heads in his direction. Williams, … [Read more...]
What has happened to Iker Muniain?
Three years ago, Iker Muniain found himself being lauded as a major part of a talented Athletic Bilbao side who wowed worldwide audiences as they ripped through Manchester United on the way to the Europa League final. Playing as part of a front three alongside Fernando Llorente and Markel Susaeta, Muniain flourished and was heralded as one of the best young players in the world. Although Bilbao were defeated in the Europa League final by Atletico Madrid, Muniain’s stock went through the roof. Soon links with the world’s biggest clubs were being made, hyperinflated valuations were being placed … [Read more...]
Arsenal Transfers: Illarramendi a target
Asier Illarramendi is reportedly a target for Arsenal, but the midfielder may have to wait until the summer to complete a move to the Emirates Stadium. Illarramendi has been linked with a number of clubs after struggling to break into the team this season, with Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Inter Milan leading the chase to sign him. However, Marca has today reported that Arsenal are monitoring the 24-year-old's situation, but won't be signing him until the summer. This is because Arsene Wenger is focussed on bringing in a defender rather than any other player, making steady progress in … [Read more...]
Ones to Watch in La Liga – Almeria to Celta Vigo
With the new season just days away, we have assembled a list of players who are most likely to cause an unexpected stir in La Liga this season. La Liga has been the breeding ground for the Premier League for a few seasons now, and some of these future stars could be bound for England next summer. Almeria There was no mistaking which area Almeria struggled most with last season as they survived in La Liga by a whisker, despite conceding a whopping 71 times. If anything, credit must go to the attacking department, for without their contributions, Almeria would have been sent straight back down … [Read more...]