At the end of the 2009/10 Spanish top-flight season Barcelona were celebrating their 20th La Liga title, Atletico Madrid were left frustrated down in ninth and Xerez had just been relegated from their one and only appearance in the big time (the club now plays in the fourth tier of Spanish football). However, there was another story that went under the radar unless you hail from a city located in the Madrid metropolitan area known as Getafe. That season, the club achieved its highest ever finish since the club’s reformation in 1983. Sixth place a still unbeaten haul of 58-points … [Read more...]
The Big One: Barcelona v Inter Milan Preview
On Wednesday evening Barcelona welcome Italian heavyweights Inter Milan to the Camp Nou in a game that is perhaps worthier of being the final rather than a group game. However, that scenario may still come true as both Barcelona and Inter Milan find themselves locked together on six points as the top two in a difficult group B. We will learn much about both these sides during this encounter with both teams champions league final odds set to take a dramatic turn for better or for worse depending on the outcome. So, who will win? And who has the edge coming into this titanic Champions … [Read more...]
Champions League Fall Out: Barcelona and Real Made to Look Vulnerable
There was a time, not so long ago when the indomitable forces of Real Madrid and Barcelona would fail to be threatened by any side in Europe after taking such a healthy first-leg lead but if this week is anything to go by, that unbeatable far factor has disappeared opening-up this seasons Champions League. Barcelona may have the La Liga title all but wrapped up this season but on Tuesday night against Roma, but a significant chink in the armour was exposed that teams such as Atletico, Valencia and Sevilla will look to expose next season as the Italians came back to knock Ernesto Valverde’s … [Read more...]
PSG v Real Madrid – All Still to Play for in the French Capital
Eighty minutes in and it looked like PSG were going to come away from the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium with the perfect score draw and thus putting the balance power in the hands of Paris. However, Ronaldo and Marcelo had other ideas and late strikes by the pair gives the defending European title holders a heavy advantage as they head to the Parc des Princes for a critical last sixteen-second leg tie. But do not think for a second that it is game over. If Real have proved anything this season, it is that they have the capability to implode as witnessed once again at the weekend when they … [Read more...]
Leganes Dancing in the Streets as Cup Exit Leaves Zidane on the Brink
It was only the other week we reported that Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane was signing a contract extension until 2020. But just a matter of days later, Zidane is facing a very uncertain future. Football is a fickle business where one week you are king and the next in line for the boot, but the signs have been poor for awhile despite the man at the helm guiding Los Blancos to a successful defence of their Champions League title and a 33rd La Liga title just eight months ago. However, eight months in football is an eternity and now Zidane has found himself in the arduous … [Read more...]
Zidane Signs Until 2020
Despite many suggesting the Real Madrid hierarchy have been a little unsettled of late with Los Blancos trailing arch rivals Barcelona by sixteen points at the half way stage in the league, head coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed to press last night after his sides 2-2 Copa Del Rey draw that he has signed a contract extension until 2020. "It's signed, I'm enjoying what I do every day, because that's the way it is. I can't imagine myself as a coach in two, three years, because things are not like that. I know how it goes, nothing more, even with this contract it does not change anything." … [Read more...]
Will La Liga Dominate Europe this season?
Spanish fans had to endure a bit of a nightmare during the European Championships in France; getting taken apart by Italy in the round of 16 left many saying that Spain’s golden era is over. Whereas that might be true on the international stage, Spain still dominates when it comes to club football and this year see’s Spain represented by 5 clubs in the Champions League. The usual suspects will be there and Barcelona and Real Madrid will be the favourites as there is every chance of another all Spanish final. See the betting lines for all the Champions League teams’ odds. Last year saw … [Read more...]
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid – Can Atleti get revenge on rivals?
This weekend it's the big one as Madrid rivals Real and Atletico lock horns in Milan to decide who will be crowned winner of the Champions League. In a game that mirrors the 2014 final, Diego Simeone's men will be looking to exact revenge after a late Sergio Ramos equaliser and extra time winner from Gareth Bale broke Atleti hearts in the Estádio da Luz two years ago. With Real manager Zinedine Zidane adjusting well to the learning curve of managing unarguably the most successful team in world football, his side are at odds of 7/5 at the time of writing going into Saturday's tie, according … [Read more...]
Luis Enrique’s Chance for Barcelona
When Luis Enrique steps out onto the pitch tonight for the first leg of the Champions League Semifinal he may as well be invisible. With Pep’s return to Nou Camp, the semi-final re-match with Bayern Munich, and the players involved in the game most will not spare a thought for the Barcelona manager. Yet, amongst all who will have a hand in deciding the game, nobody has more invested in the outcome than Luis Enrique. … [Read more...]
Can we expect Spanish domination in Europe this year?
We've reached late April and three Spanish clubs have a chance of silverware in Europe. For Sevilla, a Europa League semi-final is becoming familiar ground, for a club who have thrived in the competition in recent years. The Europa league holders overcame a stern test in Russia as they triumphed over Zenit St Petersburg, despite a shaky display from goalkeeper Beto. Kevin Gameiro hammered in the winner to make the score 2-2 and put the Spanish outfit through on aggregate. The Andalusians will face Fiorentina in their semi-final showdown. … [Read more...]