The first thing you usually hear when someone mentions La Liga to you is the response: "oh, well, it's just Barcelona and Real Madrid competing every year for the title". And while those two teams are undoubtedly the best in the planet, most football fans would agree that La Liga is not the deepest league. Serie A and the English Premier league have more teams capable of doing well in Europe and going after world class players. Outside of Malaga and the Big Two, we don't see great players going into other teams. Instead we see players like Juan Mata, David Villa, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and … [Read more...]
La Liga weekend previews and predictions
The La Liga season will finally get under way this weekend after an agreement was reached between the Spanish football league and the players’ union over unpaid wages which saw the original planned start to the La Liga season delayed. With plenty of highly-anticipated matches to get our teeth into including an Andalucian derby between Seville and Malaga, here's our previews and predictions to the weekend's matches. … [Read more...]
What the Champions League Draw Served Up For the Spanish Sides
Valencia, Villarreal, Real Madrid and Barcelona all awaited the Champions League Group Stage draw eagerly today as the coverage unfolded as smoothly as ever in Monaco. As ever, a predictable pause ensued as last year's tournament was articulately recapped in a montage of highlights and commentary. It proved a mouthwatering supplement to this year's competition as much as it wasted time for equally keen viewers. … [Read more...]
Life after Aguero and De Gea for Atletico
Lighting up Manchester with a scintillating performance on Monday night reminded all at the Vicente Calderon what they have to be prepared not to witness this season. Kun Aguero and his new Manchester City teammates can bask in their cash spewed paradise (until United once again come to town and teach them a lesson) following a routine 4-0 demolition of newly promoted Swansea City while Los Rojiblancos stare into a rather different oblique subsequent to the sale of their star men as former keeper David De Gea also settles into life in the same city. … [Read more...]
Is Mourinho planning a move away from Real Madrid?
Jose Mourinho – the self-proclaimed ‘special one’ has enjoyed an impeccable managerial career over the years. After winning silverware at Porto, Inter Milan and Chelsea as well as holding the formidable record of never suffering a home defeat in over 150 fixtures for any club managed – failure is not something the 48 year-old will be accustomed to. … [Read more...]
Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal
Arsenal's Champions League dream is well and truely over after they crashed out the competition suffering a 3-1 defeat against Barcelona at the Nou Camp this evening. Despite a stern defensive display from Arsenal the hosts atypically controlled proceedings throughout the tie and eventually took the lead on half-time when Lionel Messi latched onto a Cesc Fabregas error and provided a neat finish flicking the ball over Arsenal Keeper Fabianski and volleying home from close-range. … [Read more...]
Barcelona v Arsenal Preview
Barcelona will be looking to avenge their 2-1 defeat at the Emirates a fortnight ago as they host Arsenal in the second leg of this all-important last 16 Champions League clash Tuesday evening. Arsenal triumphed in the first leg of this tie just two weeks ago thanks to goals from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin. Barcelona originally took the lead early through a David Villa strike but Arsene Wenger's men battled back valiantly to claim a 2-1 victory. With injury worries, League Cup heartache and an unconvincing performance against Sunderland last weekend Arsenal will certainly have … [Read more...]
Holloway Eyeing Improved Performance For Chelsea Clash
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is hoping his side can churn out a much improved performance when the Tangerines host Champions League contenders Chelsea next Monday. A crushing 4-0 defeat away at Wolves last weekend put a very sour end to a positive week for the Seasiders following an emphatic 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur previously. The players returned to training today in preparation for Monday's clash with Holloway hoping his side experience a better day at the office. "I'm looking forward to a different day in the office because that wasn't nice (at Wolves)," Holloway exclaimed. … [Read more...]
Birmingham Win League Cup Thanks To Late Martins Strike
Birmingham City were 2-1 winners in today's League Cup final after Obafemi Martins was able to pounce on an Arsenal goal keeping error and snatch the winning goal right at the death. It was Birmingham City who originally took the lead through Nikola Zigic as he rose above the Arsenal defence to head home for his side half-way into the first period. It wasn't long before Arsenal conjured up a reply however and it was in-form striker Robin van Persie who was able to finish a well-taken volley into the bottom left corner - unfortunately injuring himself in the process. Both sides continued to … [Read more...]
Hutton Poised To Leave White Hart Lane
Spurs defender Alan Hutton could be ready for a move away from Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the season after a heated dressing room clash with manager Harry Redknapp. The Scottish international has been rumoured to have clashed with manager Redknapp following his side's embarrassing 4-0 FA Cup defeat against Fulham in January. Since Spurs' FA Cup exit Hutton has found his chances limited at White Hart Lane which has added more weight to the argument that the full-back has sought a move elsewhere. With his impressive performances for the Champions League side this season there'll be no … [Read more...]