Athletic Bilbao's resounding victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday sent shockwaves of fear reverberating around the Primera Division. In a repeat of the 2012 Europa League final, Bilbao gave Atletico a real lesson and a slice of revenge for the humiliation in Bucharest last season, winning 3-0. We saw shades of Bilbao returning to the force they once were and the team we'd yearned to see for so long, but can the team achieve moderate success in light of their outstanding season in 2011/12? … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2013
Courtois proves Atletico are more than just Falcao
Thibaut Courtois and the rest of the Atletico Madrid team have been unfairly overlooked in recent weeks thanks to Falcao's brilliance in firing the team up to second in the league. Whilst nothing should be said to undermine the all round team effort of Atletico Madrid, there are certainly some stars who have shone brighter than others this season and Chelsea loanee Courtois is definitely one of them. … [Read more...]
Mourinho Abuse is Getting to Players – Ronaldo
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has pleaded with supporters in the La Liga sports betting news to lay off Jose Mourinho and to get behind the Portugese manager as the team aim for glory in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. … [Read more...]
Real Sociedad v Barcelona match preview
Barcelona will be looking to continue their 19 game unbeaten streak in the Primera Division this weekend as they face a trip up north to the Basque country's very own Real Sociedad in what should be a comfortable encounter for Tito Vilanova's men. … [Read more...]
The second half of the La Liga season – a brief preview
A new year is upon us, and with it comes the introduction of the ‘business end’ of the season. Managers face their final chance to strengthen their squads during the January transfer window as a scramble begins for the survival, for European spots, and for the title. … [Read more...]
Lionel Messi – The greatest player to ever live
A record 4-time Ballon d’Or winner, with 289 goals for Barcelona in 356 appearances, holder of many records, Leo Messi is surely deserving of all his praise. … [Read more...]
Why La Liga is not the best league worldwide
La Liga dominated the Ballon d'Or gala with all eleven players in World Team of the Year coming from the Spanish league. Despite some odd inclusions such as Dani Alves and Gerard Pique, both of whom spent large parts of 2012 out injured and out of form (Javier Mascherano arguably performed better at centre back than Pique last year), the system of voting was carried out in the most democratic way possible - selected by fellow professionals from every FIFA nation. As a result it led to pundits proclaiming La Liga to be the 'best league in the world', which can be instantly dismissed due to the … [Read more...]
Is Mourinho ignoring his own policy?
Iker Casillas' recent omission can be justified, according to the man responsible. Jose Mourinho believes that no man should be seen as bigger than the team and based on Casillas' irregular form over the first half of the season, Mourinho has reacted based on his performances. The severity of the switch cannot be thought of as merely rotation given Casillas' illustrious career as Mourinho further antagonised both the fans and directors above with his decision, perhaps confirming what Florentino Perez intends to do with Mourinho's contract in the summer. Yet by causing such mayhem that has made … [Read more...]
5 La Liga stars who could be on the move this January
Having arrived on British shores unknown in the summer, Swansea striker Michu has exploded onto the scene, briefly topping the Premier League scoring charts with 13 goals to his name. Priced at roughly £2m, he is proving to be the bargain of the season and other clubs have begun to focus on what gems could be unearthed beneath the Barca-Real dominance. We detail 5 potential exports who could make a similar impact in foreign leagues from some of the unheralded La Liga teams. … [Read more...]