The stand out fixture of Spain’s top flight this weekend can be none other than Barcelona’s trip to Atletico’s brand-new Wanda Metropolitano. So far in the league things have been going well for the Madrid outfit in their new home with wins over Malaga and Sevilla on home turf already in the bank, however, now they face the stiffest visiting opponent of all in Barcelona. Seven matches in to the new season and Barce head coach Ernesto Valverde has guided his side to seven straight wins and five points clear at the top. However, what will be of more importance to the Barce faithful is … [Read more...]

Barcelona were powerless to prevent Neymar moving for a world record transfer fee €222 million to Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window. What followed was the Catalan club struggling to negotiate with Liverpool for Philippe Coutinho before settling on a €105 million deal to sign Ousmane Dembele for Borussia Dortmund. The French international had only shone in the German Bundesliga for one season after his move from Rennes, and had only made his professional debut two years before becoming the second most expensive player in the world at the age of 20. Whilst the … [Read more...]

They say in life you should never go back.  For Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid may be the only option. The Chelsea striker was told he was no longer part of the manager’s plans at the end of last season but neither the club nor player found a resolution. Costa is currently on the books at Stamford Bridge and cannot move again until the January transfer window.  Reports state that he’s been out partying in his country of birth, Brazil. The 28-year-old made his name as one of the best striker’s in the world during the 2013-14 season when he scored 27 goals in 34 La Liga games for Atletico … [Read more...]

Six players currently contracted for Spanish La Liga clubs have been shortlisted for the 2017 Golden Boy award. The award is run by Italian newspaper, Tuttosport, with the award given to Europe’s most-impressive footballer under the age of 21. 25 of the most promising players in Europe are shortlisted each year, dating back to 2003 when the Golden Boy award first started. Real Madrid forward Borja Mayoral is among the nominees.  The 20-year-old came through the youth system before spending last season on loan at VfL Wolfsburg.  He scored and provided the cross for the own goal which … [Read more...]

The first international break of the season comes around quickly for La Liga teams and although only having started their campaigns two weekends ago, already find themselves with time off to reflect on their opening couple of fixtures. It may be far too early to read too much into the new campaign, but based on what we have seen in the 180 minutes each side has had to show case their talents, we can take some strong assumptions as to how the season may pan out. Asensio looks the Real deal Marco Asensio’s double against Valencia at the weekend proved what we already knew, that the … [Read more...]

Real Madrid’s five year wait to reclaim the La Liga title for a record 33rd time in the competitions 88-year history, but the question this season is can they retain the trophy they had to wait half a decade for? If the transfer window is anything to go by, then Barcelona’s sale of Neymar Jr to Paris St Germain for an astronomical £190m has only enhanced Los Blancos title credentials (at least until Barcelona splash the cash on his replacement) but Zinedine Zidane will be wary of former Athletic Bilbao and Valencia head coach Ernesto Valverde who leaps into the Camp Nou hotseat. The … [Read more...]

The transfer window merry go round is in full swing and one of the stories dominating the back pages is where Cristiano Ronaldo will go next? The news broke last week that Real Madrid’s record goal scorer wants away after being accused by the Spanish Government of tax evasion with Ronaldo feeling he has received little support from the Real Madrid hierarchy However, this appears to be a theme in La Liga with other high profile players such as Neymar Jr and Lionel Messi all falling foul of Spanish tax laws. Ronaldo’s lawyers are claiming that if anything, The Portuguese forward has … [Read more...]

Interesting fact, Sporting Gijon’s home ground ‘El Molinón’ is the oldest professional football field in Spain. That is a nice fact, however, it will do little to help the side of they lose to Eibar on Sunday night. Anything other than three points against José Luis Mendilibar’s mid table warriors will see Sporting Gijon return to the Segunda division after a two-season period in the top flight. The gap to Deportivo La Coruna in seventeenth is five points with both sides still with two matches to play. However, the odds are stacked firmly against Gijon who are 1/10 for the drop with … [Read more...]