Real Sociedad's star player Antoine Griezmann took to Twitter yesterday to refute rumours of a move to PSG being completed. The 23-year-old Frenchman was the subject of an apparently confirmed news story suggesting he had agreed terms with the Ligue 1 club. The Sociedad youth prospect answered back to these claims, saying ,"Having seen this news, I want to deny any discussions or an agreement with a club. … [Read more...]
An Emotional Night As Atletico Go Top
Atletico Madrid stormed to the top of La Liga with a 4-0 thrashing of Real Sociedad on Sunday. It was a night their former manager and player Luis Aragones would have been proud of. The scoreline is a little flattering, Sociedad are an in-form side and more than held their own in the first half. A David Villa goal, from a Diego Costa cross, on 38 minutes was all that separated the teams. Simeone's team were much better after the break. It was Costa himself who scored the second on 72 minutes. The naturalised Spaniard is finding his goal scoring touch again after a mini drought. Miranda headed … [Read more...]
Racing Santander Banned After Copa Protest
Racing Santander have been banned from next season's Copa Del Rey, after their protest saw last night's quarter final abandoned. Racing were the lowest placed team left in the competition, but their story wasn't to have a happy ending. Racing are a club in financial turmoil. As recently as 2008 they were La Liga big hitters, fighting for a European spot. It's been a tale of mismanagement, on and off the pitch, since then. They now languish in the third tier of Spanish football. The Santander players and staff haven't been paid in seven months. Last night,with the spotlight on their big match … [Read more...]
Chelsea To Sign Real Sociedad Forward
Jose Mourinho is set to bring in his second signing of the transfer window – Real Sociedad's young Frenchman, Antoine Griezmann. Juan Mata will be leaving Stamford Bridge within 48 hours, although it's still not certain to be Manchester United rather than Atletico Madrid, and Mourinho is moving swiftly to secure a replacement. Griezmann has youth on his side. Aged only 22, he has already made over 160 appearances for the San Sebastian club, scoring 42 goals in the process. He can play as a centre forward, although he is more often deployed as a left winger. This has been a breakthrough season … [Read more...]
Copa Del Rey Round Up: Sociedad Gain Revenge
This week's Copa Del Rey action witnessed a remarkable turn around for Real Sociedad. They were beaten four one at Villareal on Monday night, see the report here on La Liga Blog: http://laligablog.com/?p=3590 but they managed to regroup in time for Thursday night's clash at the same ground. Villareal won 1-0 at El Madrigal thanks to a goal from Javi Ros and progressed through to the quarter finals after a goalless first leg. Villalreal had a great chance to equalise from the penalty spot, after a dubious decision, but Perbet's attempt was dreadful - high, wide and not at all handsome. Surely … [Read more...]
La Real suffer dismal Champions League experience
As Carlos Vela slalomed through a static Lyon defence to delicately chip home a fourth goal for Sociedad back in August, there were few doubts that the side were capable of beating some of Europe's top sides. The Mexican's second of the night in front of almost 29,000 Basques rounded off a 4-0 aggregate win for Sociedad over the French side on a wonderful night that perfectly capped off the previous 12 months of industry. A squad full of creativity, passion and nous were the young trendsetters in European football; the next big thing from behind the Real-Barca curtain. At least it looked that … [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...]
Messi, The Perfect 10, Sets Yet Another Record
Lionel Messi completed the perfect personal half of a la Liga season on Saturday evening, in the process setting another record, by scoring against all 19 Primera opponents in consecutive matches (coincidentally, 19 was his squad number before being given the coveted number 10 shirt on Ronaldinho's departure from the Camp Nou). Cristiano Ronaldo scored against all 19 opponents in Madrid's record breaking last season, but not in consecutive matches. … [Read more...]
Top clubs eye Sociedad star Griezmann
According to a number of sources, Real Sociedad youngster Antoine Griezmann is a wanted man. Griezmann, who turned 22 on Thursday, is reportedly being chased by Tottenham, Arsenal and Barcelona thanks largely to a number of brilliant performances which, coinciding with Sociedad's good form, has taken them up to fourth in the league. However, the French international spoke to Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo about his desire to remain in the Basque Country. … [Read more...]
Xabi Alonso Linked With Premiership Return
With his contract due to expire in June of 2014, Xabi Alonso could be one of the highest profile players to exit the Bernabeu should coach José Mourinho seek a new challenge elsewhere this summer. … [Read more...]