When we consider an Atletico Madrid team, playing at their best, we only have to look at the workmen-like team spirit, employed by their bullish manager Diego Simeone. Tough, physical and robust describe their players, roared on by a packed Vicente Calderon stadium. To be worthy of a place in the champions line-up you must prove yourself as fighter, someone willing to put their head in where it hurts most, a quality in which strikers Falcao, and Diego Costa have shown in recent times. … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2015
Ronaldo leads our La Liga team of the week
Barcelona were dealt a huge blow in the title race as the fell 0-1 at home against a spirited and tactically superior Malaga side. … [Read more...]
Infographic: Lionel Messi’s penalty misses
If there's one glaring weakness in Lionel Messi's near-perfect game, it is his penalty taking. Lately the Barcelona record-breaker has made headlines because of his awry penalties rather than the bucketload of goals he grabs every week. His miss against Manchester City last night was the fifth penalty Messi has missed in the last 12 months for club and country, proving that he is in fact human after all. It is a weakness slowly growing into Messi's game after he had almost perfected the art of penalty taking, rarely missing from the spot. However, it appears as if an element of pressure has … [Read more...]
Ings focused on Burnley despite Sociedad talks
Burnley manager Sean Dyche has spoken out about striker Danny Ings' recent trip to Sociedad ahead of a proposed transfer. The Clarets boss said that Ings is enjoying his football at Turf Moor and remains fully committed to their fight against relegation. He also revealed that he has no concerns with Ings' intentions, making light of the 22-year-old's weekend sojourn. "You know the hats and the donkeys you used to get back in the 70s, which my folks used to bring back and tell me they were fantastic - he brought me one of them, which I thought was a nice gesture,” the Burnley boss told … [Read more...]
Atletico vs Almeria preview
Atletico Madrid will go into Saturday’s game with Almeria knowing anything less than a win may all but end their slim title ambitions. Diego Simeone’s side were unable to replicate the performance that earned them a 4-0 victory over rivals Real Madrid earlier in the month, slipping to a 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo last week and moving seven points behind the leaders. Despite that setback,defender Jesus Gamez believes the champions are in a good position to retain their title: … [Read more...]
Messi leads our La Liga Team of the week
Champions Atletico Madrid suffered a huge setback in their quest to retain the title they won against all odds last season after a 2-0 loss away at Celta Vigo. It’s no surprise therefore that Celta’s key men headline this week’s best XI. … [Read more...]
Isco the shining light in a gloomy Real camp
Everyone seems to be pointing fingers with Real Madrid at the moment after the humiliation to city rivals Atletico, and this weekend’s win against Deportivo was no exception. One that has evaded the limelight in recent months is Isco, who has put in some fantastic performances since being brought into the side after injuries to Modric and Kroos. … [Read more...]
La Liga teams to dominate the Champions League again?
Given the fact the three premier Spanish sides reached the last 8 last season with relative ease, many believe nothing has changed thus history will repeat itself once more. Actually, I believe Barcelona would have reached last year's semi final had they been given a tie against PSG or Chelsea rather than a fellow Spanish side in Atletico. So, this would have give La Liga three Spanish sides in the final 4 and not for the first time. … [Read more...]
Messi outshining CR7 as Barca surge continues
Barcelona and Lionel Messi are breaking records once again, rekindling the memories of the team that won multiple honours under Pep Guardiola. The club have won their last 11 games since defeat at Real Sociedad, equalling the run set under Guardiola in 2008/09. Manager Luis Enrique received plenty of criticism early on in the season, yet is quick to dismiss these records comparing him to Guardiola and Tito Vilanova. "I care about titles, not records," the former Barca man was quoted at the weekend. Enrique may receive his titles with the club firing in all three major competitions, and Real … [Read more...]
Transfer News: AC Milan in for Illaramendi
Italian newspaper Il Sussidiario is reporting AC Milan are willing to make a ‘significant’ offer for Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illaramendi. … [Read more...]