Real Madrid's woeful start to the new La Liga season continued last night as Getafe humbled Los Blancos and took a 2-1 victory at La Coliseum. Goals from Juan Valera and Abdelaziz Barrada turned the game around in the second half after Gonzalo Higuain had given Real the lead, which infuriated boss Jose Mourinho so much that he publicly blasted his star studded team. Having now lost two and drawn one of their three games so far it stands as one of the worst beginnings to a new campaign in decades for Madrid. … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2012
Modric move to Real Madrid set to be completed subject to a medical
The ongoing transfer saga of Luka Modric's proposed move to Real Madrid looks to be finally over today as Spurs and Madrid have finally reached an agreement to transfer the player for a reported fee of £33 million. The want-away Croatian's departure to Madrid could not have come any sooner for both clubs with Madrid and Spurs enduring disappointing starts to their respective domestic campaigns. … [Read more...]
Can all three promoted sides remain in La Liga this season?
As the new La Liga season cools off after a rip-roaring opening matchday we have been able to witness many similarities and differences likely to feature more predominantly as the season progresses. Whilst Barcelona continued to pulverise the life out of teams bordering below the European qualification line like a well oiled machine even under new management our attention turned to another team shorn of a personality or two. It seemed as if Bilbao had gone away with their buccaneering European dynasty fable of last year and instead endured a tumultuous summer more reminiscent of a game of … [Read more...]
Kaka linked to Manchester United in loan deal
With Luka Modric's proposed move to Real Madrid supposedly nearing completion, seldom-used midfielder Kaka could be deemed surplus to requirements according to the Daily Mail and it's Manchester United among others who are interested in taking the Brazillian on loan. … [Read more...]
Can Barcelona reclaim their title this season?
Last season was a tough one for Barcelona and their supporters, with the loss of their La Liga title to deadly rivals Real Madrid and the Champions League one to Chelsea, coupled with the departure of massively successful manager Pep Guardiola at the end of the season. Now the club is starting again with their new manager – Guardiola’s former assistant Tito Vilanova – and the question on the lips of football pundits and die-hard Barca fans alike who line the Nou Camp terraces every week is, can they regain the title they lost last year? … [Read more...]
Málaga set for Fateful Night in Greece
The future of Málaga CF will be decided on Greek soil, when the Spanish hopefuls play Panathinaikos in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff. The clubs were drawn together at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon on Friday, and the last week of August is now a do-or-die period for Málaga. With financial troubles rife at the cash-strapped club, progression to Europe’s elite club competition may be the only way to stop them plummeting down La Liga this season. … [Read more...]
Valencia Season Preview
Can Valencia win La Liga? I was always told it was best to begin with a joke. Maybe humour isn't my strong point... The fact that the question above is usually followed by an instant dismissal of Valencia's title dreams, almost as quick as Messi changes direction, makes glum reading for Valencia supporters. … [Read more...]
Malaga Season Preview
From what appeared to be a season stating their intent, the situation at Malaga has suddenly changed in the past few days. Reports have emerged over unpaid wages and transfer fees which could result in UEFA having to take firm action on the Champions League newcomers. Malaga could incur serious penalties and see players leave just as their illustrious world-conquering dream begins to take shape. Star player Santi Cazorla has been one of Los Boquerones to make his unhappiness known about the current situation has since been sold to Arsenal. A rumoured 30-40% of the players' wages have not been … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid Season Preview
Monaco is the venue where two managers who were given similar tasks last year will meet to discuss how they fared. Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo managed to steer his beloved club to a maiden Champions League victory against all odds in Munich last May whilst concurrently Diego Simeone guided Atletico Madrid to an emphatic Europa League final win in Bucharest and both will be vying to win the European Super Cup on August 24th. Simeone had only been in charge since the winter break ended in late January but revitalised the club and leads them into … [Read more...]
Real Madrid Season Preview
Before we begin lets make one thing clear. Whether or not Real Madrid retain the title depends greatly on how well Barcelona will perform. It is as simple as that. Barcelona can only take back their La Liga crown based on how well Madrid play. The bafflingly simple logic of the situation mocks the overwhelming importance of the La Liga title yet it proves stunningly elementary. However strong the challenge is from one, the other must match and surpass it. … [Read more...]