Over the past few seasons the relegation battle between some of Spain's less fashionable clubs (and some esteemed teams too e.g. Villarreal, Racing & Deportivo) has been of greater interest than the fight for the title and this season the scenario is no different. No teams have yet been relegated from the Primera Division, with four sides in with a remarkable chance of staying up or going down with just one game to play. Just two points separate 20th and 17th place as three out of Deportivo, Celta, Zaragoza and Mallorca will ultimately have to endure at least one season of Segunda Division … [Read more...]
The Battle against the Drop – who will stay up?
It has become a yearly occurrence for the bottom of Spain's premier division to take us until the final day to find out who has the privilege of hosting Real Madrid and Barcelona again in the next campaign, usually providing much greater excitement than the title race. This year is no different as Barcelona have all but sealed the league championship from Real Madrid, boasting a massive 13 point gap, whilst at the foot of the table six teams are battling for another season in the top flight. Athletic Bilbao are just about safe by our predictions so the three relegation spots are most likely to … [Read more...]
Is Emilio Nsue the one to save Mallorca?
He was once the golden boy of Mallorca's youth system but in the four years following his introduction into the first team, Emilio Nsue has failed to live up to the extreme potential forecast as a youngster representing the Spanish youth teams. As a striker Nsue had pace and skills to dazzle opposing defenders and an early goalscoring record that suggested a bright future at the head of Mallorca's formation, but his progression failed to materialise in the way many expected. Since making his international debut however, Nsue has produced signs of his early career with four strikes in his last … [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...]
Mallorca Season Preview
Over the past season Mallorca have enjoyed a swift turnaround in their fortunes. Carrying on from the narrow escape in 2011 when new Swansea manager Michael Laudrup managed to keep the club in the Primera Liga by the smallest of margins, Mallorca seemed to have ridden their luck too far in the early stages of the next season. Form dwindled and backroom staff squabbled during a turbulent time on the usually relaxing Balearic Island. As a result of poor financial health, a problem plaguing many Spanish sides over the past five years, Mallorca were not granted a licence to … [Read more...]
The magic of the Copa alive and kicking in Spain
With the recent trend of top sides putting out weakened teams for their domestic cup competition, an act claimed to be devaluing the prize and taking away that cup magic. It couldn't be more different in Spain where last year’s Copa del Rey final was fiercely fought in Valencia's Mestalla stadium by the giants of Spanish football Barcelona and Real Madrid. Fuelled by Jose Mourinho’s desire to wrestle some trophies away from Pep Guardiola’s Barca, who it seems just want to win every prize put in front of them, a new found competitiveness had revitalised the Copa del Rey. … [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...]