A new year is upon us, and with it comes the introduction of the ‘business end’ of the season. Managers face their final chance to strengthen their squads during the January transfer window as a scramble begins for the survival, for European spots, and for the title. … [Read more...]
Why La Liga is not the best league worldwide
La Liga dominated the Ballon d'Or gala with all eleven players in World Team of the Year coming from the Spanish league. Despite some odd inclusions such as Dani Alves and Gerard Pique, both of whom spent large parts of 2012 out injured and out of form (Javier Mascherano arguably performed better at centre back than Pique last year), the system of voting was carried out in the most democratic way possible - selected by fellow professionals from every FIFA nation. As a result it led to pundits proclaiming La Liga to be the 'best league in the world', which can be instantly dismissed due to the … [Read more...]
Mallorca’s winless streak continues – could they be going down?
Mallorca missed out on a chance to go three points clear of the relegation zone after another lacklustre performance at the Iberostar Stadium. Their winless streak in La Liga stretched to nine games as they drew 1-1 at home to Real Zaragoza in a game which should have seen them emerge victorious. … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid – a club destined for success
Many say that there are only 2 teams in a very one-sided La Liga division; Barcelona and Real Madrid. But I implore you to take a good long look at the rest of the teams that occupy Spain's top division. Valencia for example, who won their last league title in 2003/04. Málaga, who are showing what a good club they are and finally Atlético Madrid, the team I will be analysing today. … [Read more...]
Lionel Messi wins goal of the week with a thunderous strike against Real Madrid
After an exciting weekend of La Liga action in which the shares were spoiled in the all too anticipated El Clasico, we decided that Lionel Messi's second goal - a perfectly placed free kick to take Barcelona into a 2-1 lead in the second half of Barca v Real is our goal of the week. Barca fought back from a one goal deficit after Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for Jose Mourinho's side in the opening twenty-five minutes. … [Read more...]
City win temporarily covers dressing room cracks
Major inconsistency has blighted a campaign which appeared destined to go one better than last season for Real Madrid. In spite of recent cup victories over Barcelona and Manchester City, Mourinho's squad remains divided, rarely performing to the pinnacle of their combined abilities, especially in La Liga. Damaging defeats to teams who were once dominated by Ronaldo and co has plagued the beginning to their title defence. Rumours of rows within the team appear on the front pages of Marca almost daily and post-match criticism from Mourinho fuels added animosity. Two weeks ago Cristiano Ronaldo … [Read more...]
Can Barcelona reclaim their title this season?
Last season was a tough one for Barcelona and their supporters, with the loss of their La Liga title to deadly rivals Real Madrid and the Champions League one to Chelsea, coupled with the departure of massively successful manager Pep Guardiola at the end of the season. Now the club is starting again with their new manager – Guardiola’s former assistant Tito Vilanova – and the question on the lips of football pundits and die-hard Barca fans alike who line the Nou Camp terraces every week is, can they regain the title they lost last year? … [Read more...]
Málaga set for Fateful Night in Greece
The future of Málaga CF will be decided on Greek soil, when the Spanish hopefuls play Panathinaikos in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff. The clubs were drawn together at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon on Friday, and the last week of August is now a do-or-die period for Málaga. With financial troubles rife at the cash-strapped club, progression to Europe’s elite club competition may be the only way to stop them plummeting down La Liga this season. … [Read more...]
FC Barcelona Season Preview
Last season ended on a sombre note for the fans and players of Barcelona. Having witnessed arch rivals Real Madrid storm to the La Liga title in a similar way to which they themselves had done for the past few years, the club bid a fond farewell to one of the most successful and beloved managers of recent years. Pep Guaridola's decision not to renew his contract signaled the end of an era which heralded 14 trophies in quite scintillating fashion. Nevertheless, it has opened the door for understudy Tito Vilanova to prove his credentials. Formerly Pep's assistant, the Barca board promoted him to … [Read more...]
Win a copy of Jimmy Burns’ brand new book – La Roja!
In conjunction with Simon and Schuster, La Liga Blog has a very exciting competition for you all to get involved in. Jimmy Burns, a well-respected football writer and the author of the critically acclaimed Diego Maradona biography has released a new book this week entitled 'La Roja' which takes you on a fascinating journey through the roots of Spanish football. The book is a must-read for any La Liga lover or indeed anyone with even the remotest interest in the history of Spanish football. To celebrate the release of this new book, Simon and Schuster have given us 10 free copies to give away … [Read more...]