by Will Salvarinas on June 17, 2010
As we approach the culmination of this season’s Spanish Segunda League, it’s time to look at which three new sides will be appearing in La Liga during the 2010-2011 campaign.
Real Soceidad:
Real Soceidad defeated Celta Vigo 2-0 last Sunday to mark their return to Spain’s top league. After being absent for three years, the blue and white kit of Real Soceidad will once again be prevalent in Spain’s top league. Real Soceidad possess a rich tradition of winning and will look to stay in La Liga for a long while. They have also developed some solid players, most recently with current Spanish national team member, Xabi Alonso. Having already won Primera League titles in 1981 and 1982, the Segunda division champions will be keen on continuing their success in La Liga. Read more... (433 words, 2 images, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)
by Will Salvarinas on June 8, 2010
If Spain wish to meet their lofty expectations of winning soccer’s grandest trophy at this year’s World Cup in South Africa, star striker Fernando Torres will certainly have to be at his best.
More often than not, Torres is on form and is one of the most lethal finishers the sport has to offer. Although when he’s at his best, Torres claims to work his magic in the world’s best league, the English Premiership. In a recent interview, the one dubbed “El Nino” claimed that England’s domestic league is far superior to La Liga, and said he prefers the level of competition, and insisted that honing his skills in England have made him a better player. Read more... (613 words, 1 image, estimated 2:27 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on September 25, 2008
The Juan Mata-David Villa combination again proved deadly for Valencia as Los Che triumphed 2-0 at Malaga on Thursday to reclaim their place at the top of the Primera Liga.
Villa’s brace in the final 20 minutes – the second coming in stoppage time shortly after a straight red card for Malaga substitute Salva Ballesta – was enough to see off a spirited challenge by the Andalusians at La Rosaleda.
The Spain striker will be grateful for Mata’s part in providing both chances when it seemed a glaring first-half miss might prove costly. Villa sliced over the bar with the goal at his mercy after quarter-of-an-hour. Read more... (335 words, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on September 22, 2008
Real Madrid will bid to heap more misery on Sporting Gijon when the sides meet at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.
Newly-promoted Sporting were the victims of a 6-1 mauling at the hands of Barcelona on Sunday and Madrid will be confident of making it three wins in a row in the league to continue their recovery from an opening-day loss to Deportivo La Coruna.
Madrid’s latest La Liga win came with a workmanlike 2-0 triumph at Racing Santander on Sunday, and forward Gonzalo Higuain has called on his team to build on the result which leaves the capital club sixth in the standings after three matches. Read more... (1561 words, estimated 6:15 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on September 22, 2008
Barcelona registered their first win of the Primera Liga season in emphatic style as they crushed newly-promoted Sporting Gijon 6-1 on Sunday evening.
The pressure had been on new Barca coach Pep Guardiola following a return of just one point from their opening two games but the Catalan giants were back to their free-flowing best in Gijon.
Xavi and Samuel Eto’o gave Barca a commanding half-time advantage and an own goal from Jorge Garcia further strengthened their position.
Although Francisco Maldonado pulled one back for Sporting immediately, the hosts’ task was rendered almost impossible by the sending-off of Gerard. Read more... (451 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on September 18, 2008
The city of Seville takes centre-stage for the third week of La Liga action as local rivals Real Betis and Sevilla clash at the Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera. Sevilla did the double over their neighbours last season, winning 3-0 at home and 2-0 away, but Betis have splashed out big money this summer and will be desperate to put one over their old enemies.
To do that though, Betis will need to improve on a disappointing run of results that has left them without a win since mid-April and with just one point from their opening two games against Recreativo Huelva and Getafe this season. Read more... (540 words, estimated 2:10 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on September 14, 2008
Promoted Numancia twice took the lead before falling 4-3 to champions Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in La Liga.
The newcomers from Soria, who beat Barcelona 1-0 on the opening day of the season, took an early lead through Joan Carlos Moreno. Jose Barkero restored their advantage just after Guti had levelled for Real.
Gonzalo Higuain, Rafael van der Vaart on his league debut, and an own-goal from Domingo Cisma gave the home side what appeared to be a comfortable 4-2 halftime lead.
But Bernd Schuster’s side were the ones hanging on at the end after Moreno’s superb second-half free-kick had the visitors chasing an unlikely point in the closing stages. Read more... (512 words, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on September 11, 2008
Promoted Numancia have set their sights on another massive Liga upset when they travel to the Bernabeu on Sunday to take on champions Real Madrid.
Numancia humbled Barcelona 1-0 at home in the opening round of league matches and coach Sergio Kresic believes his side have every reason to believe they can pull off another shock result.
“What the theory says and what happens in reality can be different for any number of reasons,” Croatian Kresic said.
“The fans can have an effect, the pitch and of course the players, but just like the other day when we had chances [against Barca], we’ll also have them on Sunday and we have to make the most of them.” Read more... (331 words, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)
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La Liga Week 2 Preview – Numancia eye second upset
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by David Wilson on September 1, 2008
Real Madrid were again undone at bogey ground Riazor 2-1 by Deportivo La Coruna on the opening day of the Liga season while promoted Numancia spoiled Pep Guardiola’s league debut as Barcelona coach with a 1-0 win.
Real have not won in La Coruna since 1991 and were soon trailing when home striker Mista, who had already hit the bar, rose to head in from a free-kick in the 27th minute.
Visiting full-back Marcelo hit the bar with a cross-cum-shot just before the interval, but two minutes after the re-start Ruud van Nistelrooy pounced to volley home a deflected shot. Read more... (438 words, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on August 28, 2008
The Primera Liga season begins this weekend with champions Real Madrid looking to end a dismal run of form against bogey side Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor.
Madrid, chasing a hat-trick of La Liga titles for the first time since the late 1980s, have not managed to win in La Coruna since a 3-0 triumph during the 1991/92 campaign.
Last season the Spanish giants suffered their 11th defeat in 16 meetings at the Riazor after going down 1-0 to a Pepe own goal, but confidence is high in the Madrid camp heading into this weekend’s game. Read more... (624 words, estimated 2:30 mins reading time)
