Liverpool representatives were in Vallecano last night, but transfer target Saul Niguez scored an own goal as Rayo Vallecano lost 4-2 at home to Atletico Madrid. It was a welcome return to winning ways for Atleti, after two La Liga draws in a row. The win put them level on points with Barcelona at the top, one point above a resurgent Real Madrid. The three way battle should continue until the last round of the season. Atletico were full of attacking intent from the start. Turkish international Arda, having a fine season on the opposite flank to Koke, was menacing Vallecano at every … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2014
Messi ‘not for sale’, but the vultures are circling
After a turbulent week for Barcelona, new club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has had to publicly announce that Lionel Messi is not for sale. Bartomeu stepped into the void when previous president Sandro Rossell resigned over a forthcoming court appearance relating to the misappropriation of funds from the Neymar transfer deal. Rossell denies all charges, but now a larger shadow is looming – could Barca be on the brink of losing their star player? Last summer, Messi was linked with the champions of Europe, Bayern Munich. Any interest was quickly slapped down, but the German giants lay waiting … [Read more...]
Barcelona Back On Top
Barcelona pulled off a three nil victory at home to Malaga yesterday, to return to the summit of La Liga. It is very much a three horse race now, with Barca holding the slenderest of leads. It has been a turbulent week for Barcelona following the resignation of club president Sandro Rossell. Rossell is strenuously fighting allegations that he profited from the signing of Neymar, but the club will be glad to be concentrating on passing on the field rather than passing the buck. Messi, as always, was the architect of the win. His dazzling dribbles caught Malaga out time after time, and he set up … [Read more...]
Athletic Romp To Victory Over Osasuna
Athletic Bilbao eased to a superb 5-1 victory at Osasuna, cementing their place in the fourth Champion's League spot. Athletic's previously off-form striker Aritz Aduriz regained his scoring touch. He grabbed two goals and set up another for substitute Ibai Gomez. A man of the match performance. Osasuna are only three points from the drop zone now. Their problem all season has been scoring goals, but when Armanteros scored a tenth minute free-kick equaliser to cancel out a fourth minute goal from Athletic's Susaeta, things were looking promising. Little did they know that the floodgates were … [Read more...]
Almeria 1-0 Getafe
Almeria secured a vital 1-0 victory at home to Getafe today, a win that lifts them above Real Valladolid and out of the La Liga bottom three. A win looked unlikely in the first half. Getafe had more possession, and looked more of a threat when they had the ball. They were particularly unlucky in the twentieth minute when midfielder Michel had the ball in the net, only for it to be wrongly ruled offside. By half time, Almeria were hanging on. A Lopez header that cannoned back of the crossbar was just one of the efforts that should have given the away side a lead. Getafe seemed dejected to go in … [Read more...]
Liverpool Pull Off Saul Niguez Coup
Liverpool have landed a major transfer coup by pulling off the capture of the hottest prospect in Spanish football – Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez. Niguez, currently on loan at Rayo Vallecano, had been tipped to join David Moyes' Manchester revolution, but there was also known interest from Arsenal and Real Madrid. The news from Merseyside is that Brendan Rogers has beaten them all to the 19 year old's signature. The Spanish Under-21 international has been a revelation at Vallecano this season. With a maturity beyond his years, he has grabbed games by the scruff of the neck and has been the … [Read more...]
Real Valladolid 1-0 Villareal
Real Valladolid pulled out a shock 1-0 victory over Villareal today to move out of the La Liga relegation zone. It was a welcome victory for Vallodolid, who were in the bottom three going into this game at the Zorrilla. Villareal, on the other hand, have been enjoying a fine campaign, and are locked in a battle with Athletic Bilbao for the fourth champion's league spot after three consecutive wins. It was a tight start to the game, Bilbao seemed nervoud and without their fluency. There were few chances on either side until the breakthrough came in the 39th minute. A Fausto Rossi free kick was … [Read more...]
Real Madrid’s Magnificent Seven
Normal service has been resumed at the top of La Liga, Real Madrid's 2-0 victory at home to Granada saw them open a two point gap over Barcelona and Atletico, both of whom have yet to play this weekend. It was a record breaking result, if not a pulse racing performance. The win marked a magnificent seven wins in a row without conceding a single goal – a Real Madrid record. Carlo Ancelotti's side have hit top gear now, an ominous sign for their title rivals. The party atmosphere was soured somewhat by an injury to record signing Gareth Bale, who had to be replaced by Jese at the start of the … [Read more...]
Modric leads the La Liga team of the week
It’s the second half of the La liga season now officially and it’s crunch time as the top three are closer than ever. After Real Madrid’s comfortable whitewash of Real Betis on Saturday, the top 2 could not keep up with the pace, thereby putting Los Blancos just one point away from first position. At the bottom it’s now or never for some teams as the scramble continues for the likes of Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis, Real Valladolid and Celta Vigo. For us at La liga blog, we take this time to bring to you the best eleven performers of Match Round 20 after carefully combing through the ten centres … [Read more...]
Liverpool And Arsenal Battle For Tello
Barcelona forward Cristian Tello finds himself in a transfer window tug of war, with both Liverpool and Arsenal battling to secure his services. The tall, wiry 22 year old has been a peripheral figure in the Barcelona side and may have to leave to gain more first team football. Arsenal boss Wenger has said that he isn't in the market for a player this January, but is he playing a canny game and keeping his hand hidden? Liverpool are also in the market for an attacker. They have little back up to Suarez and Sturridge, and see Tello as a player with more promise than Aspas and Victor Moses. He … [Read more...]