Real Betis' relegation from La Liga last season was an absolute shambles, finishing a massive 15 points from safety in the end. Down long before the season's climax, the club are now making waves in La Segunda and look to be heading back to the big time. To bounce straight back up to La Liga is uncommon, although Deportivo did manage the feat last season as runners-up to Eibar. Yet looking further down this season's table, we see many ex-Primera Liga sides squandering such as Mallorca, Racing Santander and Osasuna in 17th, 18th and 19th respectively. Having suffered a 14 match winless streak … [Read more...]
Betis make officiating display viral
Real Betis have taken an alternative approach to a contentious refereeing performance - by taking clips from the recent game against Athletic Bilbao of controversial decisions and putting them on YouTube! Betis were incensed by three decisions by Spanish official Gil Manzano during the weekend game, which finished 2-0 to Bilbao. The video has amassed 14,000 views by Tuesday but was published on the club's official YouTube channel as a response to the performance of Manzano. The three incidents which Betis complained about were that Ruben Castro was denied a penalty, Athletic's penalty was … [Read more...]
Third Manager In Six Weeks At Betis
The managerial merry-go-round is revolving again at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville. Juan Carlos Garrido has been sacked after just 47 days in charge. It has been an unhappy, if mercifully brief, tenure for Garrido. The writing was on the wall from the moment that Real Madrid thumped them 5-0 on Saturday. A Madrid team in full flow, as they were for the first time in a while, can do that to anyone but the result was symptomatic of the poor displays that Betis have produced under Garrido The Betis fans chanted for Garrido to go throughout the game, and more dangerously for the manager … [Read more...]
Pepe Mel Takes Charge At West Bromwich Albion
Former Real Betis manager Pepe Mel has today become the new head coach of Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion. Steve Clarke had performed wonders with Albion on a limited budget before being sacked on December 14th following a barren start to the season. This is remarkably similar to Mel's record who was himself sacked by Betis in December after eight games without a win despite performing miracles to win them promotion and then gaining them Europa League football. Mel was tipped for the job from the very start but in a strange twist WBA had announced in late December that they … [Read more...]
Copa Del Rey Round-Up
There were four matches in the Copa del Rey last night and La Liga Blog, your first stop for all the latest Spanish football news, brings you the details here. AD Alcorcon 1-0 Espanyol The Madrid based minnows Alcorcon made light of their Segunda Division form, they are currently in a lowly sixteenth position, by taking a one nil victory over Espanyol in the first leg of this round of 16 match. The goal was scored by second half substitute Dani Pacheco, once of Liverpool, but they will have it all to do on their return leg in Barcelona next week. Real Betis 1-0 Athletic Bilbao Real Betis, at … [Read more...]
Mel no longer a contender for Baggies job
Former Real Betis boss Pepe Mel has ended negotiations with West Brom concerning their vacant managerial position after a reported disagreement over backroom staff. Mel, who guided Betis to promotion in his first season and European qualification in his second, was looking the most likely candidate to succeed Steve Clarke but negotiations have broken down and Mel has returned to Spain. … [Read more...]
La Liga team of the week – round 14
The international break is finally over -at least for the next 5 months-and the return of La liga feels like early Christmas. As has become the tradition right here on La Liga blog, we recognise and salute the outstanding performers after every match week in our unique Team of the Week feature. Unsurprisingly, the team is dominated by players from Atletico Madrid (the round's biggest winners). … [Read more...]
Derby defeat for Betis may push Mel closer to the edge
"I don't know if my players are good or if my players are bad, all I know is that they are my players and I have to pick them up” said a dejected Pepe Mel after he had watched his Real Betis side dismantled against Sevilla. He had just had to watch Sevilla's indulge in the 4-0 thrashing with their fans who chanted "Let Pepe Mel jump” around the Sanchez Pijuan and the 2.1 mile journey back to the Villamarin would have felt like the longest of journeys as, in another fact Sevilla's faithful were quick to point out, Betis were heading to the Segunda. … [Read more...]
Punto Cuarto – the race for the fourth La Liga spot
The football season has witnessed a lot of ups and downs for many teams. La Liga is no different. With Barcelona having virtually sealed their 22nd domestic crown and the Madrid clubs vying for the 2nd and 3rd spot (automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League), the fight for the 4th spot (punto cuarto) is all set to be a nail biting affair. … [Read more...]
Opening La Liga weekend in threat of strike action for second year in a row
A dispute between 13 La Liga clubs and their broadcasting partners is putting the first round of matches at risk. Should an agreement not be reached then strike action could postpone the opening round of fixtures for the second season in succession. Clubs are unhappy with a number of factors with 11pm kick-off times causing the greatest amount of fuss. Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Betis, Celta Vigo, Espanyol, Getafe, Granada, Mallorca, Osasuna, Vallecano, Soceidad, Sevilla and Zaragoza all attended a meeting in Madrid today demanding changes to agreements between themselves and two media … [Read more...]