SkySports bosses would have been licking their lips earlier this evening at the prospect of both Real Madrid and Barcelona facing off against two teams in the bottom four of La Liga, especially without BBC’s weekly Match of the Day stealing homesick viewers; though the night disappointed those in search of plenty of goals. Just 4 came in total, all of which from the Santiago Bernabeu, meaning that one of the top two had to settle with a deadlocked 0-0. That team was Barcelona who fell 7 points behind leaders Real Madrid as Villarreal outfought their fatigued, injury stricken opponents and … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2012
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...]
The top 10 Spanish football players of all time
While England has always laid claim to being the home of football, in the last few years the beautiful game has definitely taken a holiday home in sunny Spain. The two countries' footballing histories have a lot in common. Great league and cup competitions, big-spending clubs, world-renound players, and one glorious international tournament triumph followed by years of expectation and disappointment – that is until recently. During the last five years, Spanish football has truly made its mark on the game. The current period belongs, and will forever belong, to Spain. The international side … [Read more...]
Real Trouble for Zaragoza
15,000 Zaragoza fans demonstrated against club President, Agapito Iglesias on Saturday prior to their team's 1-1 draw with Getafe at La Romareda. The club are in dire straights and currently on the brink of extinction with their board of administrators having been present for 10 days until Iglesias forced them out due to his controlling influence. Action group Salvemos El Real Zaragoza influenced supporters to protest against the chaotic manner in which their club is being run by chanting and waving placards outside before bringing banners into the ground as the match proceeded. In the 32nd … [Read more...]
Away-day syndrome: Why Barcelona have struggled on the road this season
A 1-1 draw meant Barcelona surrendered yet another valuable two points at the hands of their local rivals Espanyol on Monday night making it already their fifth draw of the domestic season with four of them being away from home. The gap between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of the table has now stretched to a worrying five points for Pepe Guardiola's men and with games coming thick and fast and time seemingly running out for the Catalonians, we ask the much debated question; exactly why have Barcelona struggled to break teams down on the road this season? … [Read more...]
Ronaldo Reacts to Real Criticism
Cristiano Ronaldo refused to celebrate his goal against Granada during the weekend rout in a reaction to jeering from the Madrid crowd who were unhappy with his recent performances. The Portuguese striker has been under fire since his below-par showing in the Clasico and some fans feel that he can be quite selfish at times. Scoring his 21st La Liga goal of the season and Madrid's 5th in the 5-1 victory, Ronaldo simply bowed his head and trudged back to the halfway line almost as though he'd put it in the wrong net, refusing to acknowledge his team mates whatsoever. Madrid based sports paper, … [Read more...]
Reyes Returns to Seville
Ex-Arsenal and Atletico Madrid winger Jose Antonio Reyes has finally rejoined his first club, Sevilla, in a 3 and a half year deal worth €3.5million. It comes after days of intense speculation in relation to his future at Madrid and desire to return to Andalucia. Reyes, 28, had a well documented public disagreement with former Atleti boss Gregorio Manzano but insists that had nothing to do with the transfer. “Sevilla have a great sporting project,” Reyes maintained. “I left there when I was very young and I think it’s time to return. … [Read more...]