Over the past few seasons the relegation battle between some of Spain's less fashionable clubs (and some esteemed teams too e.g. Villarreal, Racing & Deportivo) has been of greater interest than the fight for the title and this season the scenario is no different. No teams have yet been relegated from the Primera Division, with four sides in with a remarkable chance of staying up or going down with just one game to play. Just two points separate 20th and 17th place as three out of Deportivo, Celta, Zaragoza and Mallorca will ultimately have to endure at least one season of Segunda Division … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2013
Neymar ready for Barcelona challenge
Whilst it has been two years in the making, Brazilian starlet Neymar has finally become a Barcelona player this week and left native club Santos for an undisclosed fee. His new side Barca have been licking their wounds recently after finding themselves caught in the middle of a wave of German footballing dominance but the Catalonian giants will be hoping the 21 year old Samba star can lead their quest to reclaim past glories and take the pressure off the heavily relied upon Leo Messi. … [Read more...]
Pellegrini Confirms Malaga Exit
Manuel Pellegrini has finally ended speculation surrounding his future at Malaga by revealing that he will leave the Spanish side during the summer. The Chilean, 59, is widely tipped to take charge at Premier League moneybags Manchester City following the departure of Roberto Mancini two weeks ago. … [Read more...]
Mourinho’s Madrid legacy
Jose Mourinho leaves Real Madrid at the end of the season, as everybody expected he would, following a season of discontent, public spats and underwhelming performances in a trophyless campaign. If Chelsea is to be his destination following his Madrid exit then he will add to the list of managers in the decade since Roman Abramovic took charge of the Blues, a club whose modern legacy began under 'The Special One'. The list of departed managers at the Bernabeu extends longer then Chelsea's does however, but do Mourinho's achievements in Spain merit his tenure to be classed a success? … [Read more...]
Copa del Rey Final Preview
In what is set to be one of Jose Mourinho's final games in charge of Real Madrid, the Portuguese manager aims to bow out of Spain on a high as he so usually does by beating arch rivals Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey Final. 'The Special One' has led Real to one league title, one Super Copa and a Copa del Rey already in his three years in charge but defeat would mean he ends the season trophyless for the first time in five years. Atletico meanwhile will be vying to overturn their horrific record against Real having not beaten their neighbours in over 13 years. … [Read more...]
Pellegrini denies City link but reports suggest a move is imminent
Despite a weekend of mounting speculation, Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has denied claims he has already signed a contract to become Manchester City's new manager, replacing Roberto Mancini who is expected to be sacked within the next few days. Pellegrini spoke after Malaga's 0-0 draw in the derby with Sevilla on Sunday and, contrary to the media reports, refused to give details of any links to the Manchester club. "I categorically deny that I am the new Manchester City manager," Pellegrini said on the official Malaga website. "Nothing has been signed and no agreement reached". … [Read more...]
Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 200 Madrid goals – a visual representation
During Real Madrid's 6-2 thumping of Malaga last night Cristiano Ronaldo managed to reach 200 goals for the illustrious club with a neat goal from an indirect free-kick. The Portuguese striker managed to reach the total in just 197 games having joined the club just four seasons ago from Manchester United. Despite rumours linking Ronaldo with a move away from the Bernabeu back to Old Trafford, Madrid's number 7 will go down in history as one of the club's finest ever strikers. Here is a graphical representation of his 200 strikes. … [Read more...]
Mourinho exit rumours put Chelsea’s Roman on red alert
José Mourinho could well have reached the end of his tenure at Real Madrid, considered by many as the world’s biggest club, with his third exit at the semi-final stage of the Champions League against Borussia Dotmund on Tuesday. The dream of winning la Décima, the tenth, European Cup will have to wait another year, but the weight of expectation would appear to have buckled the back of the self proclaimed "special one". … [Read more...]
Camp Nou clamours for another epic night of pride
The dream of an all Spanish Champions League final ended last night with Real Madrid’s elimination from the competition by 4 goals to 3 on aggregate to Borussia Dortmund. Real Madrid had a good opening 15 minute spell and an heroic last 8 minutes that would have seen them through with one more goal. Alas it wasn’t to be and apart from those short spells at either end of last night’s 90 minutes, Dortmund were the better side over the two legs and deserved to go through. F.C. Barcelona will face an even harder task this evening in the 2nd leg of their semi final against the newly crowned … [Read more...]