Tottenham had the joint-best defence in the Premier League last season, but Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly planning to add to his defensive options for the new campaign. According to Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, who contributes FourFourTwo and La Gazzetta dello Sport among other publications, Pochettino is planning to reignite a proposed move for Valencia centre-back Mateo Musacchio. The Belgian pair of Toby Alderweireld and the fit-again Jan Vertonghen are set to be Pochettino's first choice defensive pairing again this year, but with Federico Fazio joining Roma on loan … [Read more...]
Barcelona To Hijack West Ham’s Calleri Move?
Argentine striker Jonathan Calleri was expected to join West Ham United on loan after the Olympic Games, but La Liga champions Barcelona are reportedly planning to hijack the move. Calleri, who scored Argentina's winner against Algeria at the Games at the weekend, is a Boca Juniors player but spent last season on loan at Sao Paulo. According to a report by Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Calleri is one of a number of attackers Barcelona are considering bringing to Camp Nou to boost their forward line. While the fabled MSN strikeforce of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez is … [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...]
Zaragoza close in on La Liga with first leg victory over Las Palmas
Real Zaragoza went one step closer to a return to La Liga as they came from behind to win the first leg of the play-off final last night. Goals from Diego Rico, Pedro Sanchez and Willian Jose gave them a 3-1 win over Las Palmas with the return leg to be played on Sunday. Fresh from a dramatic 10 days in the Segunda, Zaragoza found themselves 1-0 down at La Romareda courtesy of a strike from ex-Valencia man Jonathan Viera. However, having come from 3-0 down against Girona in the first leg of the semi-finals, Zaragoza roared back and ensured that they will travel to Gran Canaria with the … [Read more...]
Barcelona stars lead our La Liga team of the week following 8-0 rout at the weekend
The La Liga title race is going down to the wire but the elite players of Spain’s top tier are certainly stepping up to make it a worthy contest. … [Read more...]
Messi leads our La Liga Team of the week
Champions Atletico Madrid suffered a huge setback in their quest to retain the title they won against all odds last season after a 2-0 loss away at Celta Vigo. It’s no surprise therefore that Celta’s key men headline this week’s best XI. … [Read more...]
The best La Liga XI of the 21st Century
La Liga has hosted many of the modern day greats. Yet, many pundits in the United Kingdom are keen to criticise the apparent monopolization of resources by Barcelona and Real Madrid. Is this really any different to Manchester United and Liverpool until recently, anyway? Or in Germany where Bayern Munich essentially buy off the competition? Or about in Italy where Juventus appear to be on track for a fourth Serie A title? Since 2000, five, yes five different teams in La Liga have won the league. This number is more than all the other major leagues, including England. Valencia, Deportivo, … [Read more...]
Five things the Premier League can learn from La Liga
For once let us not get into this subjective and yet a futile debate on whether La Liga is better than the Premier League and vice-versa. Why can’t we be happy with the notion that both are great leagues in their own right and have enriched the beautiful game in various manners. … [Read more...]
Has Torres been reborn?
Every self-respecting football fan is well aware of Fernando Torres' sad decline over the last four years. He went from being a Euro 2008 winning player. And match-winner in that final, to a misfiring shell of his former self. While, I believe we saw a slight resurgence of Torres under Rafa's brief stewardship, it was nothing to get too excited about. More importantly, he'd show signs of class but that'd quickly disappear. However since returning 'home' to the Vincente Calderon, a new wave of optimism has been borne. His two goals against Real Madrid have largely contributed to this. In his … [Read more...]
Sevilla’s fine form
Top of the La Liga form table during the last six games, picking up 16 points out of the possible 18, the oldest club in Seville are on fantastic form. Upon facing Valencia at the weekend, Sevilla sit 4th in the table behind Atletico and Barcelona and just six points from leaders Real Madrid. Their top scorer, Carlos Bacca, is also 4th in the standings for the La Liga golden boot. … [Read more...]