Who would have thought that prior to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, La Liga’s elite players would pretty much all be heading home? It all started on Saturday when both Argentina and Portugal were eliminated in their respective games which meant that once again, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi failed to shine on the World’s biggest stage and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks likely to have to make do with just his European Championship to fall back on (its still not bad though). Just as the shock of the elimination of La Liga’s two shining stars was sinking in, Sunday dawned which … [Read more...]
Iberian Derby Thrown into Disarray as lopetegui Gets the Chop
You can almost count the hours on your fingers and toes before arch-rivals Spain and Portugal commence the war of Iberia in Russia in a game that is likely to decide who will top World Cup group B. With Iran and Morocco, the other two sides contesting the group, all and sundry firmly expect both the Portuguese and Spaniards to make it through to the knockout stages with the only thing to be decided is in which order. According to numerous sportsbooks such as https://www.apuestasdeportivas24.org/ Spain were entering the World Cup in a strong position. That was until Spain shook the … [Read more...]
World Cup Warm Up: Tunisia v Spain
The World Cup countdown is well and truly on and as we enter days as opposed to weeks until the tournament begins, the 32 teams set to enter sports biggest stage get one last chance to experiment before the grand kick off. On Saturday, Tunisia and Spain meet at the Krasnodar Stadium in Russia, with a final chance to fine-tune squads and give run-outs to those on the fringe. But what can we expect from an International friendly so close to the World Cup finals and how have the pair fared in the run-up to Russia 2018? Spain’s Recent Form It is of little surprise that 2010 World Cup … [Read more...]
Vitolo & Asenjo – Who Are Spain’s Possible Debutants?
Vicente del Bosque today announced that Vitolo and Sergio Asenjo have won call-ups to the national team squad ahead of games against Ukraine and the Netherlands. There were also recalls for Atletico Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez as well as Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose. Rayo Vallecano striker Alberto Bueno's hopes of a call-up were dashed by del Bosque, who instead preferred to name Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata in his full squad. Instead, Sevilla winger Vitolo and Villarreal goalkeeper Asenjo will hope to impress the Spain boss and win their first senior caps. Vitolo, a … [Read more...]
Is Alberto Bueno worthy of a Spanish call-up?
Spain face Ukraine and the Netherlands in the next fortnight as European football takes a short break for the international schedule to resume. One man who won't be happy to see a pause in proceedings is Rayo Vallecano striker Alberto Bueno who has been in scintillating form since the turn of the year. The former Derby man, who will turn 27 next weekend, is the top scoring Spaniard in La Liga with 15 strikes for the season. He's scored in five of his last seven games, including an incredible four in the win over Levante at the end of February. With national team selection just one week … [Read more...]
Chelsea hotshot Costa set to improve La Roja relationship
Diego Costa has been one of the most highly rated strikers in world football for the past 18 months, topping the scoring charts at Chelsea despite claims of injury from boss Jose Mourinho. With 9 goals in his first 7 games in England, Costa's reputation has already begun to change from a one-season wonder at Atletico to one of Europe's deadliest finishers. However, supporters of his national football team are yet to be convinced. Costa endured plenty of criticism for switching allegiance from Brazil to Spain months before the World Cup began, though thoroughly merited his inclusion in the … [Read more...]
Five players who will bring Spain success again
Despite a disastrous World Cup, Spain played their first competitive game since failing miserably in Brazil by defending their European Championships crown. Vicente del Bosque fielded a side vastly different from the World Cup as retirements and injuries kept those who had represented Spain during their golden era out. There was a modicum of pressure on some of the players ahead of the home qualifier against Macedonia, especially as Spain had lost to France in a friendly beforehand, but the side stood up to the test in a half-empty Ciutat de Valencia stadium to win 5-1. Of those new players, … [Read more...]
Valdes a target for United and Arsenal
Victor Valdes could be heading to the Premier League after failing a medical with Monaco this week. Both Manchester United and Arsenal are keen on the Spanish goalkeeper, who left Barcelona this summer after spending almost 20 years with the club. Valdes was due to move to the principality after announcing he would not be renewing his contract with Barca, but a knee ligament injury made matters difficult. He failed the medical this week and now could be the subject of a head-to-head battle between two English giants. New United boss Louis van Gaal would apparently be keen on Valdes, having … [Read more...]
Xabi Alonso: Spain Have Not Valued Our Success
Ahead of the final World Cup match for several Spanish stars, Xabi Alonso says that Spain may have not valued their success as it should have been. Success came in abundance for Spain in the last six years, but the air of invincibility has been taken away from them after just two defeats. The Spanish team would have been experiencing a multitude of emotions in the past few days. Sadness will be inevitable, but that is likely to be accompanied by reminisce as well. Alonso appears to be going through it. He has been speaking a lot about the ‘end of the era’ aspect – especially because he is … [Read more...]
Vicente Del Bosque’s next decision needs to be his last
After Spain’s horrific performances in Brazil, changes need to be made and the first one to go should be Spain’s manager Vicente Del Bosque, says Eric Duffy. … [Read more...]