A round-up of the weekend action as Real Madrid lost in spectacular fashion in Sociedad, and both Barca and Atletico struggled past stubborn opposition. There were also wins for Valencia, Sevilla and Getafe in the final week of La Liga before the international break. Friday 29th August Getafe 1 (Vazquez) Almeria 0 http://youtu.be/6mcOqbJISWQ?list=UUTv-XvfzLX3i4IGWAm4sbmA Valencia 3 (Alcacer, Piatti, Parejo) Malaga 0 http://youtu.be/CyG7uTqowEU?list=UUTv-XvfzLX3i4IGWAm4sbmA Saturday 30th August Athletic Bilbao 3 (Aduriz, Iturraspe, Muniain) Levante … [Read more...]
Spanish Super Cup second leg review
At full time, the score reads Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid. Atletico are champions of the Spanish Supercup 2014. It was a hard fought game throughout all 90 minutes and Atletico looks like the team of last year, even with the new additions and departures. Real Madrid, despite the loss, are always a threat and when Ronaldo returns to form they will be back on track. … [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...]
Liverpool get Atletico’s Manquillo on loan
Liverpool have completed a deal to sign full-back Javier Manquillo on loan for two seasons. The Spanish youth international joins from Spanish champions Atletico Madrid, and will remain at Anfield until 2016. The Reds have fought off competition from Arsenal, who were thought to be interested in Manquillo, before signing Callum Chambers from Southampton. It now means Brendan Rodgers has taken his tally of summer signings to seven, and could bring in yet more ahead of their return to the Champions League. The club has welcomed Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Emre Can, Lazar … [Read more...]
Griezmann makes move from Sociedad to Atletico
Antoine Griezmann has ended speculation concerning his future by sealing a move to La Liga champions Atletico Madrid. The Frenchman looked set to leave Sociedad this summer, with a number of clubs interested in the winger, but will play his football next season at the Vicente Calderon, should he pass a medical. Griezmann was Sociedad's top scorer last year with 16 La Liga goals, quickly becoming one of the division's brightest young players. Having helped guide La Real into the Champions League the year previous, his talismanic presence could only haul the squad into the Europa League … [Read more...]
Filipe Luis to join Diego Costa at Chelsea
Atletico Madrid will see another of their stars from last season depart for Stamford Bridge after Chelsea agreed a fee for defender Filipe Luis. Striker Diego Costa made the move earlier this month for £32m, following weeks of speculation, and the Brazilian left-back will join him in London. Luis, 28, is likely to replace Ashley Cole who left the club for Roma and become the club's first-choice left-back. The defender will now agree personal terms with the Blues after the clubs agreed on a £20m deal, and complete a medical in the coming days. With Atletico Madrid last season, Luis enjoyed … [Read more...]
Arsenal target Atletico’s Manquillo on loan
Arsenal have interrupted Marseille's attempts to sign Atletico Madrid defender Manquillo in a bid to bring the Spaniard to London instead. It is thought that Arsene Wenger wants Manquillo to provide competition to incoming signing Mathieu Debuchy. Manquillo, 20, was due to sign with Marcelo Bielsa's Marseille but for Arsenal's interventions. The move has now been paused as news of Arsenal's interest filters through to Manquillo's representatives. Arsenal want the youngster on a season-long-loan deal to provide Debuchy with competition upon his arrival at the Emirates Stadium. A deal for the … [Read more...]
Atletico to replace Diego Costa with Mario Mandzukic
Bayern Munich Sporting Director Matthias Sammer has revealed that there is a 'verbal agreement' between the club and Atletico Madrid over the sale of striker Mario Mandzukic. The Croatian forward will cost around £18.5m and replace the void left by outgoing strikers Diego Costa and David Villa. Mandzukic, 28, made his desire to leave Bayern public earlier in the summer after the club announced they had signed Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski. Atleti have fought off competition from various teams, including reported interest from Manchester United and Arsenal, for the striker. He … [Read more...]
Atletico move for Benfica’s Oblak
Atletico Madrid have spent big to bring in a replacement for Thibaut Courtois by paying Benfica around €20m for goalkeeper Jan Oblak. The Slovenian international had an incredible season with the Eagles last year and will replace the void left by the now departed Courtois. Having already brought in Miguel Angel Moya from Getafe, Diego Simeone has been able to spend a large proportion of Diego Costa's transfer fee to bring in Oblak. According to local sources, Oblak was in Madrid on Monday completing a medical ahead of the imminent transfer. It is expected that an official announcement will … [Read more...]
Costa passes Chelsea medical ahead of £32m move
Diego Costa has undergone a medical with Chelsea ahead of a heavily-anticipated £32m transfer from Atletico Madrid. The Spanish striker scored 32 times as Madrid won La Liga and reached the Champions League Final in a fantastic season at the Vicente Calderon. Costa was part of the Madrid team that knocked Chelsea out in the semi-finals of the Champions League, and even scored from the penalty spot in the 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge. He has been linked with Chelsea for months and looks set to end the speculation over his signing if he completes personal terms with the club. The deal looks set … [Read more...]