The Spanish Saga
It was a great last season for Spain with Barcelona and Sevilla being crowned the Champions League and UEFA Cup winners respectively. Being a Barcelona fan, I couldn't be more happy but I would not lie if I say that I look forward to the next season with a bit of apprehension. It's never easy for a club to be motivated especially after a great season conquering Spain and Europe as well.
But Barcelona have made some good buys already this season. Though Gudjohnsen is no Larsson, he was one of the most impressive playmakers for Chelsea whenever he featured for the Blues - surprising given the fact that he is a striker! Luring Thuram and World Cup winner Zambrotta from relegated Juventus means Barcelona have strengthened their Achilles' heel - their defence. At 34, Thuram still looks amazingly fit.
In addition, the Spanish players, Ronaldinho, Messi et al would be fired up to make up for their failure in the World Cup. Barcelona still have one of the greatest squads around and it would definitely not mean success if they do not conquer Spain and Europe again this season.
Real Madrid have been busy too in the transfer market, raiding Juventus and signing on Italian World Cup-winning captain Cannavaro and Emerson. Kaka, Cesc, and Robben seem to be out of Real's grasp as their respective clubs have warned these players aren't for sale. Real need a good striker and signing them Ruud and re-uniting him with Becks would do both these players and the club a world of good. I feel Real are being really stingy here by bidding just 10 million pounds for a striker who guarantees a bucketload of goals every season. They risk losing him to Bayern if they don't up their offer meeting the 15 million evaluation of ManUtd.
Real need to replace Zidane who has retired, get a left winger, and a striker if they have to challenge Barca this season for the title. Now that Perez is no more the President of the club, his galacticos-policy is gone, I guess the club will start to do better. Fabio Capello, the new manager will see to that.
Valencia have under-achieved the last 2 seasons after winning the title in 2003-2004. I expect a lot from them every season, with some great players in their team - Ayala, Vicente, Albelda, and Villa. Aimar has moved on to Zaragoza. Villa has to fire away this season just as he did last season and Vicente has to recover from his injuries and recapture his sizzling form from the Euro'04 if Valencia hope to challenge Barca and Real for the title.
Athletico Madrid is a team to watch out for. They have made so many signings this season and Torres has also opted to remain at the club, giving a boost to their small hopes to challenge the other big teams this season.
Being a great fan if La Liga, I am very much eager for the new season to start!
But Barcelona have made some good buys already this season. Though Gudjohnsen is no Larsson, he was one of the most impressive playmakers for Chelsea whenever he featured for the Blues - surprising given the fact that he is a striker! Luring Thuram and World Cup winner Zambrotta from relegated Juventus means Barcelona have strengthened their Achilles' heel - their defence. At 34, Thuram still looks amazingly fit.
In addition, the Spanish players, Ronaldinho, Messi et al would be fired up to make up for their failure in the World Cup. Barcelona still have one of the greatest squads around and it would definitely not mean success if they do not conquer Spain and Europe again this season.
Real Madrid have been busy too in the transfer market, raiding Juventus and signing on Italian World Cup-winning captain Cannavaro and Emerson. Kaka, Cesc, and Robben seem to be out of Real's grasp as their respective clubs have warned these players aren't for sale. Real need a good striker and signing them Ruud and re-uniting him with Becks would do both these players and the club a world of good. I feel Real are being really stingy here by bidding just 10 million pounds for a striker who guarantees a bucketload of goals every season. They risk losing him to Bayern if they don't up their offer meeting the 15 million evaluation of ManUtd.
Real need to replace Zidane who has retired, get a left winger, and a striker if they have to challenge Barca this season for the title. Now that Perez is no more the President of the club, his galacticos-policy is gone, I guess the club will start to do better. Fabio Capello, the new manager will see to that.
Valencia have under-achieved the last 2 seasons after winning the title in 2003-2004. I expect a lot from them every season, with some great players in their team - Ayala, Vicente, Albelda, and Villa. Aimar has moved on to Zaragoza. Villa has to fire away this season just as he did last season and Vicente has to recover from his injuries and recapture his sizzling form from the Euro'04 if Valencia hope to challenge Barca and Real for the title.
Athletico Madrid is a team to watch out for. They have made so many signings this season and Torres has also opted to remain at the club, giving a boost to their small hopes to challenge the other big teams this season.
Being a great fan if La Liga, I am very much eager for the new season to start!
posted by Lucas @ 9:45 AM
9 Comments:
With Capello as manager, Real look to be headed in the right direction. For starters, Real's transfers, so far, have been most impressive. Now we will have to wait and see if they can come together as a team...
I dunno if Real needs a striker. they surely need a central midfield player. Beckham, guti, gravesen, garcia & baptista.. doesnt look impressive at all. And they need a central defender too.. but if Woddgate stays out of injuries it wud be nice. Though I hate to say..Barcelona starts stronger.
Valencia have also signed Moro and Del Horno so they are strong.
Real have to get their formation right i feel. If u play Emerson that means that gravesen, Garcia,guti etc. wont find a place. At least with Capello they can expect the right players to be playing.If Raul is out of form then he will be made to sit. Who replaces Zidane is the million dollar question.Any team that loses Figo and Zizou in consecutive seasons will lack a bit in terms of quality.
With cannavaro coming in,Helguera will also have to sit on the bench as Ramos will definitely be the other defender. Cicinho on the right is yet to convince me.I d rather have Salgado there...steady and efficent. Is Carlos leaving? If yes then where is the cover? Dont tell me that Raul Bravo will play there. :)
I am hoping that Robinho converts his immense talent to something productive this time around. A lot will also depend on whether or not Nistelrooy comes to Real.
Barca will be full of confidence and they will be favs for the La liga again. There will be a fight for places this season...more than last time and Rijkaard will be under pressure to keep them all happy.
Eto,ronnie,Gudjohnsen,Giuly,Messi,Maxi(Is he on loan??),deco...so much quality.
Even after signing Thuram i feel that their defense is slightly weak.
I think Barca is much better in defence with Thuram partnering Puyol. But Marquez would be worried abt his place, as would Guily and Gudjonsen since Messi is likely to make that right attacking position his. Deco will definitely feature in the starting lineup along with Ronnie, Eto'o and Xavi. The remaining places would be up for grabs.
As for Real, I have to agree Salgado is much better than Cicinho, at least in defending. Emerson is an excellent buy. Zizou needs to be replaced and they need a left winger too. And a striker too, just because Ron isn't good these days, Raul is no more effective! Am waiting to see who else Real buys...wat other options do they have?
Athletico have signed on the striker Mista from Valencia and Costinha and are looking to get Maniche too! Athletico does look strong this season!
Yes I agree. Atletico is proving to be a strong side this year.
An upbeat Spanish flair would be greatly expected with the new imports of Spainsh players in the past months. Mista, Miguel, Pernia proved to be first-class players in the football scene, and with other intakes like Aguero, Costinha, who are talented in their own ways, this is a side not even Barca can be trifled with.
In addition I predict Torres, who decided to stay with them, would duplicate the form he did for the last 2 seasons, and could feature high up in the goalscoring charts, with Mista, Kezman, and MaxiRod in the wings too.
@Soccerguy
I agree...Athletico looks a much better squad than Real at the moment...if they can play well as a team, I am sure they will do really well...a top 4 finish at least.
U forgot Sergio Aguierre, another much talked about Argentine teenager like Messi who has signed for Atletico.
Emerson doesn't convince me like his brazilian understudy Gilberto.
Capello is a super coach. But he's methodical and doesn't mind winning ugly. Cannavaro gives Real Madrid "the pure defender" who doesn't want to move forward. Italian catennachio will prevail over the flowing one-twos associated with Madrid. Anywayz, getting back to winning ways is more important now than style for a club of Madrid's stature.
I'm looking forward to Ruud-Beckham reunion. Robben on the left would have been ideal. But things don't go by the script.
I would want Capello to give the armband to Cannavaro. Raul should be made to fight for his place. Dump these Spanish sentiments. Wenger gave it to Vieira, Bergkamp and Henry ahead of Cole and Campbell. Fergie gave to Keane ahead of Gary Neville and Scholes.
Barcelona are far and ahead. Look at the signings, a very adaptable Gudjohnsen, a versatile Zambrotta and the age-defying Thuram.
@Marauder
Agree with you...Raul shd fight for his place...i feel Ruud will definitely provide the goals if he gets the sort of service from Beckham he got when at OT. I feel Emerson is a very good player...i will be surprised if he doesnt perform.
Also, watch out for this youngster at Barcelona...he is a Mexican named Giovanni Dos Santos...he was apparently incredible in Barca's warm-up match win over a Danish side. He cuts across from the right wing just as Messi does...it would be great to see this new kid break into the team and do well this season.
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