It has been a remarkably quiet transfer deadline day in La Liga. The deadline has just passed but news is coming through that West Bromwich Albion have signed Thievy from Espanyol. Thievy Bifouma is a 21 year old French forward who has spent his career at the Barcelona club and at Las Palmas. He hasn't set the world alight yet, scoring 15 goals in 70 games over three years. He is known, if anything, more for his fluctuating hairstyles than his goalscoring prowess. Pepe Mel, however, was impressed by him whilst he was manager of Real Betis. He has taken the young striker on loan until the end … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2014
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...]
La Liga transfer deadline day
It's been the usual January transfer window in Spain. Lots of rumour, but little action until the last day. We are now approaching the deadline, and deal making will be frantically taking place behind the scenes. La Liga Blog will bring you live reports on any big transfers that happen this evening. Be sure to keep your eyes on this site from 8pm. Let's assess the likelihood of transfers between Spanish and English teams: Fabio Coentrao to Manchester United: David Moyes is desperate to sign a left-back before the deadline, but it seems more likely that Milan will snatch the Real Madrid … [Read more...]
Barcelona Messiless yet Merciless Against Levante
It was five and easy for Barcelona, as they crushed Levante 5-1 to move into the Copa Del Rey semi-finals 9-2 on aggregate. The match was as good as over after their 4-1 victory in Valencia last week. Certainly, that was the way the Catalan fans felt. The stadium was barely a quarter full to watch what amounted to little more than a practise match. Tata Martino rested key players like Lionel Messi but it made little difference as Levante were put to the sword yet again. Surprisingly, it was the away side that took the lead. Vyntra headed the goal on 9 minutes, although it had a suspicion of … [Read more...]
Atletico set up mouth watering semi-final
Atletico Madrid won a close encounter with Athletic Bilbao 2-1 to progress into the Copa Del Rey semi-finals. There was little to separate the teams on paper. Atletico are still joint-top of La Liga, but it is Athletic who have been in the better form. Atletico held a 1-0 win from last week's first leg but as Athletic had never been beaten at their new Sam Mames arena, it was the Bilbao team who were favourites in many people's eyes. Athletic started the match full of confidence. Atletico's on loan keeper Thibault Courtois keeping them in the game against a tide of aggression. Diego Simeone … [Read more...]
Arsenal Back In For Real Madrid Striker
With the transfer deadline looming, Arsenal look set to finally make a move for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. Arsene Wenger has been monitoring the 21 year old since the start of the season, and always had him on his transfer window radar. Initial interest was rebuffed when Carlo Ancelotti insisted that the forward was not for sale, but news from the Bernabeu today should give Arsenal renewed hope. Morata is a hot prospect, he has scored 12 goals in 11 matches for Spain's under-21 side. His chances for Madrid this season, however, have been severely limited. Ancelotti sees Alvara as one … [Read more...]
Record Breaking Real Into Copa Semi-Finals
Real Madrid continue to break club records as they progressed to the Copa Del Rey semi-finals. A hard fought 1-0 home victory over Espanyol was enough to see them progress 2-0 on aggregate. It was expected to be a comfortable win for Los Blancos, but Espanyol sensed an upset. They are a team full of inconsistencies, either good or awful, but they have saved some of their better performances for this competition. Espanyol defended with passion, goalkeeper Kiko was their star man keeping out Ronaldo time after time. They were undone early on, however. In only the seventh minute, Xabi Alonso … [Read more...]
Bale Injury Not As Bad As Feared
When Gareth Bale failed to re-appear for the second half of Real Madrid's game against Granada on Saturday, fans feared the worst. But there is good news on the injury front. Carlo Ancelotti has rushed to quell the rumours about the world's most expensive player: “Bale tried to train but had discomfort in his left leg. We prefer that he recovers and he will not play on Tuesday. He should be available on Sunday.” Bale suffered a heavy challenge from Granada's Murillo, and limped off the field at half time in some discomfort. It has been a stop start first season at the Bernabeu, he has spent as … [Read more...]
Milan Join The Race For Coentrao
Fabio Coentrao is the most in demand defender in Europe this January. AC Milan have joined Manchester United in a three way battle for the services of the Real Madrid left back. It is well known that Coentrao is a long time target of United. Moyes thought he had his man on the final day of the last transfer window, only for the deal to collapse in farcical fashion. Having completed the signing of Juan Mata, the Manchester United manager has made a left back his next priority. Leighton Baines has signed a new deal at Everton and Southampton have issued a stern hands off warning over young … [Read more...]
Everton And Fulham Battle It Out For Canales
It looks certain that Valencia midfielder Sergio Canales will be heading to the English Premier League this week – the only question is where will he be heading? Everton and Fulham are battling for his signature. Canales is a 22 year old attacking midfielder on the fringes of the Valencia team. He started his career at Racing Santander and was seen as one of the hottest prospects in Spanish football when he moved to Real Madrid in 2010. It was then that he picked up his first major injury – a knee ligament injury that sidelined him for six months. He returned for Madrid, but five games later … [Read more...]