It has been a very long goodbye but finally, on Monday evening, journalists crowded into the press room at the Santiago Bernabéu to hear Real Madrid club President Florentino Pérez confirm what everyone has known for months: José Mourinho will leave at the end of the season. His three years at the club have been marred by controversies and there were numerous other occasions when it was felt he might depart, but in recent months, with results going against Los Blancos and his own players turning against him, his position at the helm of one of the biggest clubs in the world had become untenable. In his first season, Madrid won the Copa del Rey, in the second they stormed to their first … [Read more...] about La Liga: The end of a controversial era for Real Madrid
spanish football
La Liga: Atlético seek to make most of Real Madrid’s civil war
It has been 14 years since Atlético Madrid last took the scalp of their neighbours. Their inferiority complex has lasted since 1999, and on Friday the cross-town rivals meet in the Copa del Rey final. At times during that period, Los Rojiblancos have played better than Real Madrid but still the latter have taken victory. The occasional draw is about as close as Atlético have come to breaking the jinx and despite renewed optimism earlier this season when Diego Simeone’s men were in fine form, they lost again. Twice, in fact: the latest la liga game between the two at the Vicente Calderón just over two weeks ago saw a second-string Madrid side who were without Cristiano Ronaldo win … [Read more...] about La Liga: Atlético seek to make most of Real Madrid’s civil war
La Liga: Barcelona close in on long-awaited title
Finally, the day is near. It has been long overdue for a team that have left all others in their wake in La Liga, and were seemingly champions elect by Christmas, but FC Barcelona have still yet to officially win their long-awaited title. A Lionel Messi-inspired 4-2 win against Real Betis at the weekend leaves his side just two points from the prize, which could be secured on Wednesday if Real Madrid fail to win at home against Málaga or at the weekend, when Tito Vilanova’s men travel to Atlético Madrid. Last season, Barcelona lost the liga crown they had held for three consecutive years to José Mourinho’s team and as the curtain was raised in August with the league opener – the … [Read more...] about La Liga: Barcelona close in on long-awaited title
La Liga: Real Sociedad stake Champions League claim
Currently without a permanent president after Manuel Llorente’s tearful resignation earlier in the month; without their new stadium which has been years in the making due to the club’s financial problems; and possibly without a manager as Ernesto Valverde is stalling over committing his future to the club - Valencia could also be without Champions League football next season. Heading into the weekend clash at Real Sociedad – their direct rivals for a coveted spot in Europe’s premier competition – Los Che’s manager led a rallying call, billing the game the most important since he took charge of the club. "This is the closest game we've had to a final until now," he said. "Real … [Read more...] about La Liga: Real Sociedad stake Champions League claim
La Liga: Simeone’s extended stay lifts Atlético
The week may have ended on a sour note with a loss at the Vicente Calderón, but Atlético Madrid still have reason to smile with news that coach Diego Simeone has extended his contract at the club. Arda Turan, Cristian Rodríguez and Koke all tested their luck in the opening stages against Real Sociedad with long-range strikes from the edge of the area but failed to threaten the visitors’ goal. The hosts improved after the break but eight minutes after the restart, the Basque side took the lead with a swift counterattack that saw Antoine Griezmann pump the ball up the pitch for Xabi Prieto to run on to. The forward – who was in an offside position – ran into the box unchallenged and … [Read more...] about La Liga: Simeone’s extended stay lifts Atlético
La Liga: Wins give Real Madrid and Barça belief ahead of clásico
More often than not it comes down to this. In a league dominated by the ‘Big Two’ of Real Madrid and Barcelona, when the business end of the season arrives, it’s the arch-rival that stands in the way. They are familiar foes and yet the rivalry does not dim, does not lose its edge, it only seems to get bigger and more meaningful, with more riding on their meetings every season. This week there will be two Clásicos in the space of five days, the first tonight, is the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Camp Nou, while the other, on Saturday, is a league fixture to be played at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid will most likely be conceding their league title to the Catalans come … [Read more...] about La Liga: Wins give Real Madrid and Barça belief ahead of clásico
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: Rayo Vallecano defy the odds to keep riding high
They are not the first, second, or arguably, even the third team in Madrid, but they are already in position for a Europa League place and currently sit one point away from the Champions League spots. It is an even more impressive feat given that this is a club in administration, a team that was almost relegated to segunda on the final day of last season and that lost both its manager in the summer and a total of 13 players including their star, Michu, who is currently lighting up the Premier League. Rayo Vallecano are defying all expectations. While Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid sit in second and third respectively, the other team from the capital are just a point behind Málaga in … [Read more...] about La Liga: Rayo Vallecano defy the odds to keep riding high