Bayern Munich are in the process of signing Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, with the midfielder set to undergo a medical today. Alonso, who announced his retirement from the Spanish national team this week, will be allowed to leave after five seasons at the Bernabeu. The news comes just days after Manchester United completed a £59m move for Angel Di Maria, as another of Carlo Ancelotti's trusted players looks set to make way. Alonso and Di Maria were key players in Madrid's rejuvenation last season, as the club embarked on a long unbeaten run. Madrid have brought in Toni Kroos and James … [Read more...]
Bernat makes move from Valencia to Bayern
Bayern Munich have completed the signing of highly-rated Valencia full-back Juan Bernat on a five-year deal. Bernat, 21, joins Pep Guardiola's side for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around €10m, after an impressive season with Los Che in 2013/14. The Spanish Under 21 starlet made 49 appearances for Valencia last season having come up through their academy system, as they made it to the semi-finals of the Europa League. He now joins compatriots Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez in Bayern's multi-talented and multi-cultural squad. Bernat only switched to full-back in 2013 but has since … [Read more...]
GUEST POST: Making the game Beautiful again…Thanks Tito Vilanova
I like many La Liga Blog readers first knew about Tito Vilanova from seeing him take over as Barcelona manager in 2012 although I began getting properly into Spanish football thanks to the Barcelona team run by his predecessor, Pep Guardiola. That team was absolutely brilliant and It's only since beginning to follow Spanish football properly that I realised just how big a part to play Tito Vilanova had for Barca. So I wanted to thank him for making the beautiful game beautiful once again... Barcelona to me have always been one of the really big clubs. However for years I always had them on a … [Read more...]
Xavi rewrites the history books
Xavier "Xavi" Hernández i Creus became the most successful player in Spanish football history last night with Futbol Club Barcelona's Supercopa de España win against Atlético de Madrid at the Camp Nou, breaking a longstanding record of trophy wins for one player. Francisco "Paco" Gento López held the previous record with 24 trophies, won with Real Madrid and Spain during the 1950's and 60's, including 6 European Cups with Madrid and one European Championship with Spain. … [Read more...]
Camp Nou clamours for another epic night of pride
The dream of an all Spanish Champions League final ended last night with Real Madrid’s elimination from the competition by 4 goals to 3 on aggregate to Borussia Dortmund. Real Madrid had a good opening 15 minute spell and an heroic last 8 minutes that would have seen them through with one more goal. Alas it wasn’t to be and apart from those short spells at either end of last night’s 90 minutes, Dortmund were the better side over the two legs and deserved to go through. F.C. Barcelona will face an even harder task this evening in the 2nd leg of their semi final against the newly crowned … [Read more...]
Malaga’s Isco linked with Manchester City move
With the current season drawing to a close there has been much speculation over player ins and outs in recent days. Málaga Club de Fútbol have been no exception in this circumstance with their star player, Isco, having been linked with two clubs. His Manager, Manuel Pellegrini, has also been linked with a move away from the Costa del Sol side and it could be all change for the club nicknamed the Boquerones. Isco is one of the hottest properties in European football and his Golden Boy award, the Under 21 equivalent of the Ballon D’Or, this year came as no surprise following his performances … [Read more...]
Barça Rely on Camp Nou Spirit for Champions League Comeback
F.C. Barcelona went through a light training and preparatory session at lunchtime today at the Camp Nou in advance of the return leg of their last 16 Champions League tie against A.C. Milan this evening. However, the Blaugrana know that their attitude and approach to the game once the match has kicked off can be anything but light as they seek to overturn a first leg deficit. … [Read more...]
La Liga dominates Ballon d’Or shortlist as 7 Spaniards vie for title
FIFA has announced a 23 man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or award which will be announced at a gala on January 7th 2013. Included in the list are seven players from the victorious Euro 2012 Spanish squad whilst 12 of the 23 selected ply their trade in La Liga. 6 Real Madrid players are named and 5 from Barcelona with Atletico Madrid's Falcao being the sole candidate exempt from the big two teams. FIFA and a group of experts from France compiled the list for national team coaches, captains and various journalists to vote from. … [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...]
Who is Tito Vilanova?
Whilst the footballing world may still be in shock that someone with the success that Pep Guardiola has enjoyed over the past few years may want to leave Barcelona, the unknown quantity of his successor has further confused us. Tito Vilanova, formerly the assistant manager behind Guardiola, has been given the job of guiding Barcelona to win back the La Liga title, which is surely headed to Madrid, as of next season. Many of football's top managers must have been licking their lips in excitement at the prospect of managing such an array of players when rumours circled of … [Read more...]