In what will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup Final, Spain face the Netherlands in their opening Group B game, with the 'Oranje' looking to exact revenge for the 1-0 defeat four years ago. After failure at Euro 2012, will the Dutch be able to hold Spain to a draw over 90 minutes again, or steam through the group like they did in qualifying? … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2014
World Cup Group B Team Profile – Chile
Spain will face Chile in their second group B game at the iconic Maracana Stadium. Featuring in a group with two of the finalists from 2010, Chile are dark horses to qualify for the Round of 16. The South Americans will be highly charged on their home continent, but are they able to shock the current world champions? … [Read more...]
Defeat is hard to take but Atletico Madrid can look back on the season with pride
Mike Larsson, football editor at Superbetting.com takes a look at ATLMs season after they lost in the CL final. As the clock in the Estádio da Luz stadium ticked over to 90 minutes, Atletico Madrid’s season was about to go from absolutely fantastic to downright unbelievable. Diego Simeone’s team had already secured the La Liga title and broken the hegemony of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the league; something that hadn’t been accomplished since Rafa Benitez’s Valancia did so back in 2004. To the unobserved it seemed as though Atletico’s season had come out of nowhere however the steady … [Read more...]
World Cup Group B Team Profile – Australia
Spain will face Australia in the final Group B game in Curitiba, hoping that their passage to the knockout stages has already been processed. In the first profile of the three teams in Group B, La Liga Blog takes a look at whether the Socceroos can cause any trouble for the reigning World Champions. … [Read more...]
Promoted Eibar closer to relegation than La Liga
After beating local rivals Deportivo Alaves on Sunday evening, SD Eibar were promoted to La Liga following Las Palmas' defeat to Recreativo Huelva. The tiny club from the Basque Country has never featured in the top division against the likes of Barcelona, Real and Atletico Madrid in their 74 year history, but due to an absurd technicality, could be forced to wait even longer for their time at the top. Due to no fault of their own, the Basques could even find themselves demoted to the Segunda Division B if the rules stand. It is a rule which has sparked mass interest in Spain and across … [Read more...]
Real Madrid v Atletico – LIVE COMMENTARY
Two teams from Spain's capital city go head to head tonight in the Champions League Final as Real Madrid take on Atlético Madrid at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Join us here for all the latest live commentary and reaction to this highly-awaited clash of the titans. … [Read more...]
Zidane to take over should Real lose tonight
Reports in Italy claim that should Carlo Ancelotti lose the Champions League Final, Zinedine Zidane will be named as the new coach of Real Madrid. Stories had been circulating in recent weeks suggesting Zidane did not have enough experience to take charge at the Bernabeu. But Milan-based daily, Gazzetta Dello Sport say this is not the case, with the final tomorrow deciding his future. This seems quite harsh on Ancelotti ( He did win the Copa Del Rey ) but then the obstacle standing in Real,s way are noisy neighbours and recently crowned La Liga champions Atletico Madrid. … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Key Battles
Below is a round-up of the key battles we'll expect to see in tonight's Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. … [Read more...]
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid betting preview
It's the Champions League Final, it's a Madrid Derby, and it could confirm Diego Simeone as the greatest manager in the history of football (in some eyes). There's a lot to play for, the crown as European Football's Kings, as well as the ultimate bragging rights over City neighbours, and...if you fancy a flutter, there could be some money to be made too. Now I realise that Simeone will have to go some way to beat the achievements of Bryan Robson's 1996-97 season (relegation and defeat in two cup finals), but he'll be doing a pretty impressive job nonetheless. … [Read more...]
Manchester United swoop for Barcelona pair
All eyes are on Lisbon tonight, as Real play Atletico in the most anticipated Champion's League final in years (and be sure to check La Liga Blog later for live reporting and updates at http://laligablog.com/2014/05/24/real-madrid-v-atletico-live/), but Louis Van Gaal is focused on the other side of the Iberian peninsula as he aims to capture both Cesc Fabregas and Xavi from Barcelona. As yet, Van Gaal has been primarily linked with long standing targets Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller along with a handful of Dutch players. But I understand that his number one priority before next season is the … [Read more...]