The Andalusian rivalry that has seen club directors pushed around in their plush seats, family members insulted and a manager passing out on the pitch after being hit on the head with a bottle thrown from the stands was back this weekend with some of its usual drama including a last-minute victory, a glut of goals and plenty of middle fingers in the air. When the two sides met in November, Sevilla emerged triumphant over Real Betis as two goals by José Antonio Reyes ensured a 5-1 thrashing of their city neighbours, but while Los Rojiblancos may have enjoyed bragging rights for a short time, they now find themselves in the same predicament as in the autumn, trailing both the Verdiblancos … [Read more...] about La Liga: Seville and Betis share the honours
Spain football
La Liga: Despondent Benzema searches for form
Last week, Karim Benzema was booed by the home crowd as he departed the Stade de France during a World Cup qualifier against Spain. It was not the first time this season he has been heckled by his own fans. Whilst the same has not yet occurred at the Santiago Bernabéu, the Frenchman is struggling to score, with every passing week and every goalless game sending his confidence plummeting. Brought in to the club by President Florentino Pérez, who flew to Lyon to personally secure his signing in 2009, Benzema’s trajectory at Real Madrid has been up and down to say the least, going from a cat to a lion and perhaps now back to the cat again. It was coach José Mourinho who, in his first … [Read more...] about La Liga: Despondent Benzema searches for form
Tensions high ahead of Galician derby
The Galician derby between Deportivo la Coruna and Celta Vigo is usually one of La Liga’s most emotive occasions. Friday’s clash at Riazor should continue this tradition, for better or worse. A decade ago the game was a meeting of two of Spain’s top sides, with players like Mauro Silva, Alexander Mostovoi, Juan Carlos Valerón, Fran and Mazinho on show. Times have changed though. This year’s Riazor derby is the first in Primera Division for six seasons. Next season’s is likely to take place in La Segunda, as Depor are currently 20th in the table, Celta 19th, and both on the slide. Depor are really in trouble. Current coach Fernando Vázquez is their third boss this season, and he has … [Read more...] about Tensions high ahead of Galician derby
La Liga: Pellegrini engineers Málaga’s miracle run
Málaga are the unlikeliest of Champions League challengers, following a summer of discontent during which they were forced to sell some of their best players, including Santi Cazorla and Salomón Rondón, while others had to be persuaded not to take legal action against the club for unpaid wages. But tonight is the biggest game in the club’s history, a last-16 meeting at FC Porto. The two-legged knockout tie is given all the more prominence given that this could be the only European action Málaga experience for up to four years regardless of where they end up in the liga table at the end of the season, after UEFA declared the Andalusian side will be banned from European competition due to … [Read more...] about La Liga: Pellegrini engineers Málaga’s miracle run
La Liga: Mourinho eyes Manchester United clash and Madrid exit
In 2004, with a manic run down the Old Trafford touchline to celebrate knocking Manchester United out of the UEFA Champions League, José Mourinho announced himself to the world. It was to be the start of a new era for him and “The Special One” was born a few months later when Porto clinched the title and Chelsea came calling. Tomorrow, Mourinho faces Manchester United again, first at the Santiago Bernabéu and then at The Theatre of Dreams in the return leg of the last-16 tie and it could mark a new era in his career, the beginning of the end at Real Madrid. Ahead of the game, Los Merengues hosted Sevilla on Saturday night looking to put memories of their paltry performance at Granada … [Read more...] about La Liga: Mourinho eyes Manchester United clash and Madrid exit
La Liga: Struggling Mallorca fire “great coach” Caparrós
With only one win in 17 league games leaving the team in the drop zone, it is none too surprising that a 3-0 defeat against Real Sociedad at the weekend was the final straw for Mallorca, who dismissed manager Joaquín Caparrós on Monday night. Unusually, however, the club were quick to praise the departing coach. "I respect Caparrós so much. I know that we have sacked a great coach. I would like to thank Joaquín and his coaching staff for their honour, dedication, desire and for helping the club grow in every sense” said acting president Llorenç Serra Ferrer. The islanders took to the pitch at the weekend with new names Fernando Tissone and Alan Hutton – brought in during the January … [Read more...] about La Liga: Struggling Mallorca fire “great coach” Caparrós
La Liga: Depor find fortune on pitch despite financial woes
In a week when Deportivo La Coruña filed for bankruptcy protection, you would think a club which is €99 million in debt would not have much to smile about. But the Galicians, who currently sit in 19th place in the league table, seem to be slowly turning around their fortunes on the pitch with the help of their new manager. Drafted in during the winter break to replace José Luis Oltra, who was at least not given his marching orders until after he had enjoyed Christmas day, Domingos Paciência got off to the best possible start in his first match in charge when his new team beat high-flying visitors Málaga 1-0 thanks to a goal by Luis Pizzi for their first win in two months. The … [Read more...] about La Liga: Depor find fortune on pitch despite financial woes
La Liga: Messi’s Ballon d’Or highlights gulf dividing Barça and Real
As liga action resumed after a short break for Christmas, it seemed not much had changed in Spanish football. Barcelona continued their winning run and got their manager Tito Vilanova back following surgery after his cancer was found to have returned, José Mourinho was still stirring the pot at Real Madrid by continuing to leave Iker Casillas on the bench, Fernando Llorente still wants out of Athletic Bilbao and Lionel Messi once again stood in Cristiano Ronaldo’s way to take the FIFA Ballon d’Or. The Argentine was awarded the prize for the fourth consecutive time in Zurich on Monday night, beating teammate Andrés Iniesta and the Portuguese forward to the prestigious honour in a year when … [Read more...] about La Liga: Messi’s Ballon d’Or highlights gulf dividing Barça and Real
La Liga: Fallen hero Llorente eyes Bilbao exit
When Athletic Bilbao took to the pitch at the Iberostar Stadium at the weekend, Fernando Llorente was on the bench. It is a place the once-talismanic striker has become accustomed to, as he has been occupying that spot pretty much all season. He wasn’t needed as Aritz Aduriz's 11th-minute header condemned Real Mallorca to defeat – for the ninth time in 11 league games. The visitors went ahead early on at the Iberostar Stadium with their first serious attack as Andoni Iraola – who has returned after missing several weeks through injury – launched a high ball up to the far post, where Aduriz rose to head into the far corner of the goal. However, the visitors had goalkeeper Gorka … [Read more...] about La Liga: Fallen hero Llorente eyes Bilbao exit
Choosing the Iberians of 2012
Picking a person of the year is difficult enough in times of economic calm and social stability, but in times of crisis it’s arguably harder. When the economy is struggling and leaders are held in low esteem, it’s hard to find individuals whose achievements make them stand out, for better or worse. So inevitably, the shortlist of Iberians of 2012 that managing editor Andrew Eatwell and I have drawn up has been dominated by the crisis that the peninsula – in particular the Spanish side of it – is suffering. There’s always a risk that calling those nominated the “people of the year” glorifies them, or at least suggests they are being cast in a positive light. But our nominees are not … [Read more...] about Choosing the Iberians of 2012