[SPA] La Liga 2007/2008 (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter JCK
- Start date
the news on alves is that if madrid want robben/and ballack then madrid have to back off with alves to allow chelsea a clear path and chelsea will talk to madrid over robben and ballack
i wana know wtf an ass devil is, then perhaps i might too even agree with u about being post of the month
WHAT A JOKE PEOPLE!! POST OF THE FREAKIN' MONTH
:rofl2:
what a cracker, this guy's killing me!!!
:rofl2:
what a cracker, this guy's killing me!!!
i wana know wtf an ass devil is, then perhaps i might too even agree with u about being post of the month
Logical, but I doubt they will mind, if they can get Ballack and/or Robben, they will have no problem letting go of Alves.
Don't think they have a mediocre team, but they surely took risks witht heir transfers this season, Sneijder, Drenthe are both unproven on the highest level, I am curious to see how they will have done at the end of the season.
Don't think they have a mediocre team, but they surely took risks witht heir transfers this season, Sneijder, Drenthe are both unproven on the highest level, I am curious to see how they will have done at the end of the season.
Real Betis agreed to pay Villarreal €650,000 (US$883,000) to take Argentina midfielder Leandro Somoza on loan Tuesday.
Somoza is the fifth player signed by new coach Hector Cuper this summer, as he looks to rebuild Betis after a season where it finished 16th in the 20-team Spanish league.
Betis retains an option to buy Somoza, who made 23 appearances in his debut season after arriving from Argentine club Velez Sarsfield, for €4.5 million (US$6.1 million) at the end of the season.
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FC Barcelona defender Juliano Belletti is considering offers from other clubs.
The Brazilian right back saw his playing time drop last season with the arrivals of defenders Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram from Juventus.
"It's difficult. Barcelona told me it wants me to stay and I want to stay, but we're hearing other things," Belletti said Tuesday. "My (agent) is here listening (to offers) and the club too, I think."
Belletti, who scored the winning goal in Barcelona's 2-1 Champions League final win over Arsenal in 2006, will travel with the club to Munich after being named in coach Frank Rijkaard's squad for Wednesday's friendly against Bayern Munich.
Belletti's playing time is unlikely to increase after the arrival of defenders Eric Abidal and Gabi Milito this summer.
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Espanyol rejected an offer from Ajax for midfielder Alberto Riera Tuesday.
"After the sale of Walter Pandiani and Gorka Iraizoz, we will not sell any other players," the club said in a statement posted on its Web site. "(Riera) is an important player for the team."
The former Manchester City and Bordeaux player scored four goals in 28 league games last season.
Somoza is the fifth player signed by new coach Hector Cuper this summer, as he looks to rebuild Betis after a season where it finished 16th in the 20-team Spanish league.
Betis retains an option to buy Somoza, who made 23 appearances in his debut season after arriving from Argentine club Velez Sarsfield, for €4.5 million (US$6.1 million) at the end of the season.
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FC Barcelona defender Juliano Belletti is considering offers from other clubs.
The Brazilian right back saw his playing time drop last season with the arrivals of defenders Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram from Juventus.
"It's difficult. Barcelona told me it wants me to stay and I want to stay, but we're hearing other things," Belletti said Tuesday. "My (agent) is here listening (to offers) and the club too, I think."
Belletti, who scored the winning goal in Barcelona's 2-1 Champions League final win over Arsenal in 2006, will travel with the club to Munich after being named in coach Frank Rijkaard's squad for Wednesday's friendly against Bayern Munich.
Belletti's playing time is unlikely to increase after the arrival of defenders Eric Abidal and Gabi Milito this summer.
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Espanyol rejected an offer from Ajax for midfielder Alberto Riera Tuesday.
"After the sale of Walter Pandiani and Gorka Iraizoz, we will not sell any other players," the club said in a statement posted on its Web site. "(Riera) is an important player for the team."
The former Manchester City and Bordeaux player scored four goals in 28 league games last season.
Factbox on the 2007-08 Primera Liga season
TOP CLOSE SEASON TRANSFERS:
PLAYER FROM TO FEE
(millions of euros)
Fernando Torres Atletico Madrid Liverpool 36
Pepe Porto Real Madrid 30
Wesley Sneijder Ajax Real Madrid 27
Thierry Henry Arsenal Barcelona 24
Diego Forlan Villarreal Atletico Madrid 21
Simao Sabrosa Benfica Atletico Madrid 20
Gabriel Milito Real Zaragoza Barcelona 17
Nikola Zigic Racing Santander Valencia 17
Eric Abidal Olympique Lyon Barcelona 15
Royston Drenthe Feyenoord Real Madrid 14
Raul Garcia Osasuna Atletico Madrid 12
Jorge Andrade Deportivo Coruna Juventus 10
Giuseppe Rossi Manchester United Villarreal 10
Jose Antonio Reyes Arsenal Atletico Madrid 9
Yaya Toure Monaco Barcelona 9
Mariano Pavone Estudiantes Real Betis 7
Angel Arizmendi Deportivo Coruna Valencia 6.5
Roberto Ayala Villarreal Real Zaragoza 6
Cleber Santana Santos Atletico Madrid 6
Mark Gonzalez Liverpool Real Betis 6
Diego Lopez Real Madrid Villarreal 6
Alexis Getafe Valencia 6
Luis Garcia Liverpool Atletico Madrid 4
Ricardo Pereira Porto Real Betis 4
Christoph Metzelder Borussia Dortmund Real Madrid free
Javier Saviola Barcelona Real Madrid free
Jerzy Dudek Liverpool Real Madrid free
Ivan Helguera Real Madrid Valencia free
Khalid Boulahrouz Chelsea Sevilla loan
Ricardo Oliveira AC Milan Real Zaragoza loan
MANAGER CHANGES SINCE END OF LAST SEASON:
MANAGER FROM TO
Bernd Schuster Getafe Real Madrid
Victor Munoz Panathiaikos Recreativo
Michael Laudrup - - - - Getafe
Marcelino Recreativo Racing Santander
Miguel Angel Lotina Real Sociedad Deportivo Coruna
Hector Cuper - - - - Real Betis
Joaquin Caparros Deportivo Coruna Athletic Bilbao
FIXTURES FOR OPENING WEEKEND:
Saturday, August 25 and Sunday, August 26:
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna
Deportivo Coruna v Almeria
Espanyol v Valladolid
Racing Santander v Barcelona
Real Murcia v Real Zaragoza
Real Mallorca v Levante
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
Recreativo v Real Betis
Sevilla v Getafe
Valencia v Villarreal
2007-08 EUROPEAN ENTRANTS:
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Real Madrid (group stage)
Barcelona (group stage)
Sevilla (3rd qual round)
Valencia (3rd qual round)
UEFA CUP:
Villarreal
Real Zaragoza
Getafe
Atletico Madrid
2006-07 REVIEW:
Champions: Real Madrid
Runners-up: Barcelona
Relegated: Celta Vigo, Gimnastic Tarragona, Celta Vigo
Promoted: Valladolid, Almeria, Real Murcia
King's Cup final: Sevilla 1 Getafe 0
UEFA Cup final: Sevilla 2 Espanyol 2 (Sevilla won 3-1 on penalties)
Reuters
TOP CLOSE SEASON TRANSFERS:
PLAYER FROM TO FEE
(millions of euros)
Fernando Torres Atletico Madrid Liverpool 36
Pepe Porto Real Madrid 30
Wesley Sneijder Ajax Real Madrid 27
Thierry Henry Arsenal Barcelona 24
Diego Forlan Villarreal Atletico Madrid 21
Simao Sabrosa Benfica Atletico Madrid 20
Gabriel Milito Real Zaragoza Barcelona 17
Nikola Zigic Racing Santander Valencia 17
Eric Abidal Olympique Lyon Barcelona 15
Royston Drenthe Feyenoord Real Madrid 14
Raul Garcia Osasuna Atletico Madrid 12
Jorge Andrade Deportivo Coruna Juventus 10
Giuseppe Rossi Manchester United Villarreal 10
Jose Antonio Reyes Arsenal Atletico Madrid 9
Yaya Toure Monaco Barcelona 9
Mariano Pavone Estudiantes Real Betis 7
Angel Arizmendi Deportivo Coruna Valencia 6.5
Roberto Ayala Villarreal Real Zaragoza 6
Cleber Santana Santos Atletico Madrid 6
Mark Gonzalez Liverpool Real Betis 6
Diego Lopez Real Madrid Villarreal 6
Alexis Getafe Valencia 6
Luis Garcia Liverpool Atletico Madrid 4
Ricardo Pereira Porto Real Betis 4
Christoph Metzelder Borussia Dortmund Real Madrid free
Javier Saviola Barcelona Real Madrid free
Jerzy Dudek Liverpool Real Madrid free
Ivan Helguera Real Madrid Valencia free
Khalid Boulahrouz Chelsea Sevilla loan
Ricardo Oliveira AC Milan Real Zaragoza loan
MANAGER CHANGES SINCE END OF LAST SEASON:
MANAGER FROM TO
Bernd Schuster Getafe Real Madrid
Victor Munoz Panathiaikos Recreativo
Michael Laudrup - - - - Getafe
Marcelino Recreativo Racing Santander
Miguel Angel Lotina Real Sociedad Deportivo Coruna
Hector Cuper - - - - Real Betis
Joaquin Caparros Deportivo Coruna Athletic Bilbao
FIXTURES FOR OPENING WEEKEND:
Saturday, August 25 and Sunday, August 26:
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna
Deportivo Coruna v Almeria
Espanyol v Valladolid
Racing Santander v Barcelona
Real Murcia v Real Zaragoza
Real Mallorca v Levante
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
Recreativo v Real Betis
Sevilla v Getafe
Valencia v Villarreal
2007-08 EUROPEAN ENTRANTS:
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Real Madrid (group stage)
Barcelona (group stage)
Sevilla (3rd qual round)
Valencia (3rd qual round)
UEFA CUP:
Villarreal
Real Zaragoza
Getafe
Atletico Madrid
2006-07 REVIEW:
Champions: Real Madrid
Runners-up: Barcelona
Relegated: Celta Vigo, Gimnastic Tarragona, Celta Vigo
Promoted: Valladolid, Almeria, Real Murcia
King's Cup final: Sevilla 1 Getafe 0
UEFA Cup final: Sevilla 2 Espanyol 2 (Sevilla won 3-1 on penalties)
Reuters
Moving SuperCoppa talk in a thread other than the coming league play...
http://www.juventuz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22549
http://www.juventuz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22549
Season preview
La Liga returns with a vengeance on Saturday night following the most exciting ending to a season for many years last time out.
The final match finished with Real Madrid needing a win to triumph over bitter rivals Barcelona after four years without a trophy - and they managed it with a scintillating second-half comeback.
The big two will be in the Champions League places once again, eurosport.yahoo.com predicts; but there could be a newcomer at the expense of one of the recent challengers.
To see who we reckon will finish in the top four, the UEFA Cup spots - one of them through the Copa del Rey - and the dreaded drop zone, read on:
Champions: Barcelona - Barca could have made it three out of three domestic titles if Madrid had failed to beat Mallorca, but they did not deserve it. The players who swept them to victory before could not find the same form. President Joan Laporta has sensibly opted to keep faith with the club's coach Frank Rijkaard, who has repaid that by attracting men of the calibre of defenders Eric Abidal and Gabi Milito and midfielder Yaya Toure to the Camp Nou - and of course superstar striker Thierry Henry. The Blaugrana also retained three of the other most frightening attackers on the planet in Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi; add to that a pair of exceptional youngsters and quality throughout the squad and you have a mix hotter than a cheerleader's bum. The departures of Javier Saviola, Juliano Belletti and most of all Maxi Lopez will not matter a jot; of the others Ludovic Giuly would no longer get into the side anyway and Giovanni van Bronckhorst was generally understudy to Sylvinho in the last campaign.
Star man: Thierry Henry - following his £16.5 million move from Arsenal, Henry will be devastating from either the left side coming in or the point of the attack when Eto'o disappears for the African Cup of Nations.
Emerging talent: Giovani dos Santos - The 18-year-old impressed during the club's pre-season tour and great things are expected of him. The other prospect, Bojan Krkic, also showed his quality but is less likely to be given game time as he is still 16.
Runners-up: Valencia - Los Che will enjoy a better domestic challenge this time around if they can avoid the injury problems that plagued them last year. Strike star David Villa and Fernando Morientes are joined in attack by huge hit-man Nikola Zigic and with Joaquin, David Silva, Ruben and Vicente providing the ammo, they are capable of scoring many goals. Quique Sanchez Flores has signed young defender Alexis from Getafe and paired him with Real Madrid veteran Ivan Helguera following the departure of Roberto Ayala, which will keep things tight at the Mestalla. We back them to run Barca close, at least up to the final few weeks of the season.
Star man: David Villa - a rampant pocket of energy that delivers goals time and time again for his club.
Emerging talent: Alexis - Real Madrid were more than interested in him but were beaten to the punch despite their proximity to the capital's satellite town and instead paid vastly over the odds for Porto's Pepe. That will prove a mistake.
Third place: Real Madrid - The man who orchestrated a second title for the Castillan giants in two separate seasons, legendary boss Fabio Capello, has been given the boot this summer in favour of previous Getafe coach Bernd Schuster; Madrid again find themselves in disarray coming into a new campaign. Schuster is a canny operator, but his squad is nowhere near as good as Barca's. The acquisitions of Gabriel Heinze, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben add style alongside new boys Royston Drenthe, Christoph Metzelder and Javier Saviola, while returning Julio Baptista and Roberto Soldado could do a job and Ruud van Nistelrooy is as certain a source of goals as anyone in the world; however, the exit of David Beckham and Roberto Carlos will hurt them, as will the lack of depth now that Ivan Helguera, Reyes, Emerson and Cicinho have moved on. If Metzelder and Robben stay fit they will do well, but if not, third or even fourth place could beckon.
Star man: Ruud van Nistelrooy - Los Merengues will need last season's Pichichi to dig them out of a few holes again this year.
Emerging talent: Royston Drenthe - as tends to be the case at the Santiago Bernabeu these days, they must import their young attacking talent at a fair old price. Drenthe should bring a threat to the left side of the attack.
Fourth place: Atletico Madrid - Yes, we went there. The long-suffering fans at the Vicente Calderon will finally have something to shout about thanks to the creativity of former Osasuna playmaker Raul Garcia, wily wing skills of Luis Garcia and Simao, attacking invention of Jose Antonio Reyes and finishing prowess of Diego Forlan. Many will predict the demise of any threat to the European places after the sale of prodigal son Fernando Torres to Liverpool, but it will prove the making of the Rojiblancos. Sergio Aguero has grown as a player since his move last summer and Maxi Rodriguez is another world class performer, although they will miss Martin Petrov. Their defence is less impressive.
Star man: Maxi - The captain is a big influence on the attacking intentions of Atleti and they are poorer for his absence from the line-up.
Emerging talent: Sergio Aguero - The year of the 'Kun': expect great things in front of goal for the young Argentina star as he links up with another nippy skilful striker in Forlan.
In the UEFA Cup mix - Sevilla, Zaragoza, Osasuna.
Relegated - Real Murcia, Almeria, Levante.
eurosport
La Liga returns with a vengeance on Saturday night following the most exciting ending to a season for many years last time out.
The final match finished with Real Madrid needing a win to triumph over bitter rivals Barcelona after four years without a trophy - and they managed it with a scintillating second-half comeback.
The big two will be in the Champions League places once again, eurosport.yahoo.com predicts; but there could be a newcomer at the expense of one of the recent challengers.
To see who we reckon will finish in the top four, the UEFA Cup spots - one of them through the Copa del Rey - and the dreaded drop zone, read on:
Champions: Barcelona - Barca could have made it three out of three domestic titles if Madrid had failed to beat Mallorca, but they did not deserve it. The players who swept them to victory before could not find the same form. President Joan Laporta has sensibly opted to keep faith with the club's coach Frank Rijkaard, who has repaid that by attracting men of the calibre of defenders Eric Abidal and Gabi Milito and midfielder Yaya Toure to the Camp Nou - and of course superstar striker Thierry Henry. The Blaugrana also retained three of the other most frightening attackers on the planet in Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi; add to that a pair of exceptional youngsters and quality throughout the squad and you have a mix hotter than a cheerleader's bum. The departures of Javier Saviola, Juliano Belletti and most of all Maxi Lopez will not matter a jot; of the others Ludovic Giuly would no longer get into the side anyway and Giovanni van Bronckhorst was generally understudy to Sylvinho in the last campaign.
Star man: Thierry Henry - following his £16.5 million move from Arsenal, Henry will be devastating from either the left side coming in or the point of the attack when Eto'o disappears for the African Cup of Nations.
Emerging talent: Giovani dos Santos - The 18-year-old impressed during the club's pre-season tour and great things are expected of him. The other prospect, Bojan Krkic, also showed his quality but is less likely to be given game time as he is still 16.
Runners-up: Valencia - Los Che will enjoy a better domestic challenge this time around if they can avoid the injury problems that plagued them last year. Strike star David Villa and Fernando Morientes are joined in attack by huge hit-man Nikola Zigic and with Joaquin, David Silva, Ruben and Vicente providing the ammo, they are capable of scoring many goals. Quique Sanchez Flores has signed young defender Alexis from Getafe and paired him with Real Madrid veteran Ivan Helguera following the departure of Roberto Ayala, which will keep things tight at the Mestalla. We back them to run Barca close, at least up to the final few weeks of the season.
Star man: David Villa - a rampant pocket of energy that delivers goals time and time again for his club.
Emerging talent: Alexis - Real Madrid were more than interested in him but were beaten to the punch despite their proximity to the capital's satellite town and instead paid vastly over the odds for Porto's Pepe. That will prove a mistake.
Third place: Real Madrid - The man who orchestrated a second title for the Castillan giants in two separate seasons, legendary boss Fabio Capello, has been given the boot this summer in favour of previous Getafe coach Bernd Schuster; Madrid again find themselves in disarray coming into a new campaign. Schuster is a canny operator, but his squad is nowhere near as good as Barca's. The acquisitions of Gabriel Heinze, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben add style alongside new boys Royston Drenthe, Christoph Metzelder and Javier Saviola, while returning Julio Baptista and Roberto Soldado could do a job and Ruud van Nistelrooy is as certain a source of goals as anyone in the world; however, the exit of David Beckham and Roberto Carlos will hurt them, as will the lack of depth now that Ivan Helguera, Reyes, Emerson and Cicinho have moved on. If Metzelder and Robben stay fit they will do well, but if not, third or even fourth place could beckon.
Star man: Ruud van Nistelrooy - Los Merengues will need last season's Pichichi to dig them out of a few holes again this year.
Emerging talent: Royston Drenthe - as tends to be the case at the Santiago Bernabeu these days, they must import their young attacking talent at a fair old price. Drenthe should bring a threat to the left side of the attack.
Fourth place: Atletico Madrid - Yes, we went there. The long-suffering fans at the Vicente Calderon will finally have something to shout about thanks to the creativity of former Osasuna playmaker Raul Garcia, wily wing skills of Luis Garcia and Simao, attacking invention of Jose Antonio Reyes and finishing prowess of Diego Forlan. Many will predict the demise of any threat to the European places after the sale of prodigal son Fernando Torres to Liverpool, but it will prove the making of the Rojiblancos. Sergio Aguero has grown as a player since his move last summer and Maxi Rodriguez is another world class performer, although they will miss Martin Petrov. Their defence is less impressive.
Star man: Maxi - The captain is a big influence on the attacking intentions of Atleti and they are poorer for his absence from the line-up.
Emerging talent: Sergio Aguero - The year of the 'Kun': expect great things in front of goal for the young Argentina star as he links up with another nippy skilful striker in Forlan.
In the UEFA Cup mix - Sevilla, Zaragoza, Osasuna.
Relegated - Real Murcia, Almeria, Levante.
eurosport
La Liga Preview: Valencia - Villarreal
Who: Valencia vs Villarreal
When: Sunday, 26th August 2007, kick-off 2100 CET
Where: Estadio Mestalla, Valencia
A Derby for Starters
The clash at the Mestalla is not the only derby of opening weekend. Despite being somewhat overshadowed by the epic Madrid clash, and even though it is not an actual derby (both clubs do not inhabit the same city), this encounter consists of all the necessary ingredients to make it a real derby and a major spectacle: disdain for the opposition, an ultra-competitive spirit and desire to dismantle close rivals for the purpose of bragging rights.
Derby wins make fans happy. Not only is it a great chance to begin with a bang a season from which both clubs expect great things, but it can engender added affection, commitment, and passion for the cause from supporters.
The above point is particularly pertinent here, because fans of both Los Che and El Submarino Amarillo have, albeit to varying degrees, had their patience tested over the course of last season. Now it's time to party.
Getting Along Famously
Che coach Quique Flores’s spat with fiery technical director and former Valencia left back, Amedeo Carboni, was a strong contender for leading soap opera of the season for 06/07, with one of the two looking destined for the chop in the summer, if only to lower the decibel levels and uneasy atmosphere at club headquarters.
The Italian is gone, replaced by Angel Ruiz, and all, for now, seems to be well.
Flores has largely got his own way in the transfer market with Argentine Robert Ayala replaced with the promising Alexis from Getafe, and the striker shortage remedied by the acquisitions of Arizmendi and the Zigic, the latter for big money. Everybody is well aware – and Flores has admitted as much – that Los Che are still searching for a midfield alternative to Ruben Baraja in the transfer market, and Ruiz will have to get his skates on to secure a signature.
With the summer over, Flores embarks on a season that should have less backroom disruption, with strong expectations for improvement on last term and a real title challenge.
A Season to Forget
By comparison, very little went wrong at Valencia last season when you consider the trials and tribulations suffered by Manuel Pellegrini at El Madrigal.
One minute a top four challenging outfit with bags of quality, the next a team languishing in mid-table and unable to buy a victory. Injury crises and a terribly off-colour, fatigued Riquelme blew any hopes the yellow submarine had of a title challenge, which seemed a real possibility given the previous year's form, while recruitment was also notable. In the end, they lost key centre-back Rodriguez (who is now injured again) and new boys Pires and Nihat at the campaign's start, and it went downhill from there.
A magnificent resurgence in the final third of 06/07 saw Villarreal soar up the table to a UEFA Cup spot, and took the pressure off poor Pellegrini. Last season’s closing improvement went some way to redeeming any flagging confidence in the former River Plate coach’s ability, but the redemption is surely on the provision that his team – now significantly re-fashioned – do the business this time around. It all starts now.
FORM GUIDE
Valencia
Aug 18 vs Parma (h) Lost 2-0 (Friendly)
Aug 14 vs Elfsborg (h) Won 3-0 (Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round Leg 1)
Aug 4 vs Manchester City (a) Won 1-0 (Friendly)
July 29 vs Paris Saint Germain (n) Lost 3-0 (Friendly)
July 28 vs Inter (n) Won 2-0 (Friendly)
Villarreal
Aug 19 vs Livorno (h) Drew 2-2 (Friendly)
Aug 14 vs Osasuna (h) Won 3-0 (Friendly)
Aug 10 vs Sporting Braga (h) Won 3-1 (Friendly)
Aug 7 vs Hercules (a) Won 4-0 (Friendly)
Aug 3 vs Zaragoza (a) Drew 1-1 (Friendly)
TEAM NEWS
Valencia
Flores is likely to opt for the team fielded most often last season, and again due to enforced circumstances. Vicente was substituted early against Elfsborg after a slight niggle, and Flores does not want to push the player too hard after some chronic injury problems. Miguel and Morientes should be restored to the team after starting on the bench against the Swedish side, with Silva reverting to the left wing. There is a choice of centre-back partnerships, but an old face in the shape Marchena could well start ahead of new arrivals Alexis and Helguera for this tricky opener, alongside Raul Albiol. Zigic and Edu remain unavailable for the time being.
PROBABLE STARTING XI: Canizares, Miguel, Marchena/Alexis, Albiol, Moretti, Joaquin, Albelda, Baraja, Silva, Villa, Morientes
Villarreal
Pellegrini faces life without Gonzalo Rodriguez yet again after the summer recurrence of his injury, so new signing Diego Godin should debut, as should Capdevila at left back. The Chilean has far more options in midfield and much will depend on whether he wishes to play two up front at the Mestalla, or play a supporting forward just behind a lone striker. Pires, Fernandez or Jose Mari could fulfill such a role. Nihat is struggling a little with fitness, but newly signed strikers Tomasson and Rossi will be hoping for their first competitive appearance. Spanish football fans should also get a first look at French starlet Mavuba, though the more experienced Josico might be preferred for this tough away encounter.
PROBABLE STARTING XI: Viera, Venta, Fuentes, Godin, Capdevila, Cani, Senna, Mavuba/Josico, Pires, Fernandez/Rossi, Tomasson
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Valencia – David Silva
Villa took most of the plaudits outside of Spain as Valencia’s most potent weapon last season, but this little wizard of either flank (or just off the front) was just as consistent and equally effective. Top class, but will be a marked man this season.
Villarreal – Robert Pires
Having missed the majority of last season after a cruel summer injury, his re-introduction to the fold galvanized the team and kick-started a surge up the table that eventually secured European football for this coming season. Villarreal can look forward to such an influence from day one this time, providing those old legs stay intact.
PREDICTION
Major personnel changes at Villarreal mean the yellow submarine might take a little longer than their Mestalla counterparts to get the engines running to full capacity. It is likely to be a highly tenacious, competitive and technical affair (La Liga at its best), but Valencia should have too much for the visitors on the night.
Valencia 2-0 Villarreal
Who: Valencia vs Villarreal
When: Sunday, 26th August 2007, kick-off 2100 CET
Where: Estadio Mestalla, Valencia
A Derby for Starters
The clash at the Mestalla is not the only derby of opening weekend. Despite being somewhat overshadowed by the epic Madrid clash, and even though it is not an actual derby (both clubs do not inhabit the same city), this encounter consists of all the necessary ingredients to make it a real derby and a major spectacle: disdain for the opposition, an ultra-competitive spirit and desire to dismantle close rivals for the purpose of bragging rights.
Derby wins make fans happy. Not only is it a great chance to begin with a bang a season from which both clubs expect great things, but it can engender added affection, commitment, and passion for the cause from supporters.
The above point is particularly pertinent here, because fans of both Los Che and El Submarino Amarillo have, albeit to varying degrees, had their patience tested over the course of last season. Now it's time to party.
Getting Along Famously
Che coach Quique Flores’s spat with fiery technical director and former Valencia left back, Amedeo Carboni, was a strong contender for leading soap opera of the season for 06/07, with one of the two looking destined for the chop in the summer, if only to lower the decibel levels and uneasy atmosphere at club headquarters.
The Italian is gone, replaced by Angel Ruiz, and all, for now, seems to be well.
Flores has largely got his own way in the transfer market with Argentine Robert Ayala replaced with the promising Alexis from Getafe, and the striker shortage remedied by the acquisitions of Arizmendi and the Zigic, the latter for big money. Everybody is well aware – and Flores has admitted as much – that Los Che are still searching for a midfield alternative to Ruben Baraja in the transfer market, and Ruiz will have to get his skates on to secure a signature.
With the summer over, Flores embarks on a season that should have less backroom disruption, with strong expectations for improvement on last term and a real title challenge.
A Season to Forget
By comparison, very little went wrong at Valencia last season when you consider the trials and tribulations suffered by Manuel Pellegrini at El Madrigal.
One minute a top four challenging outfit with bags of quality, the next a team languishing in mid-table and unable to buy a victory. Injury crises and a terribly off-colour, fatigued Riquelme blew any hopes the yellow submarine had of a title challenge, which seemed a real possibility given the previous year's form, while recruitment was also notable. In the end, they lost key centre-back Rodriguez (who is now injured again) and new boys Pires and Nihat at the campaign's start, and it went downhill from there.
A magnificent resurgence in the final third of 06/07 saw Villarreal soar up the table to a UEFA Cup spot, and took the pressure off poor Pellegrini. Last season’s closing improvement went some way to redeeming any flagging confidence in the former River Plate coach’s ability, but the redemption is surely on the provision that his team – now significantly re-fashioned – do the business this time around. It all starts now.
FORM GUIDE
Valencia
Aug 18 vs Parma (h) Lost 2-0 (Friendly)
Aug 14 vs Elfsborg (h) Won 3-0 (Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round Leg 1)
Aug 4 vs Manchester City (a) Won 1-0 (Friendly)
July 29 vs Paris Saint Germain (n) Lost 3-0 (Friendly)
July 28 vs Inter (n) Won 2-0 (Friendly)
Villarreal
Aug 19 vs Livorno (h) Drew 2-2 (Friendly)
Aug 14 vs Osasuna (h) Won 3-0 (Friendly)
Aug 10 vs Sporting Braga (h) Won 3-1 (Friendly)
Aug 7 vs Hercules (a) Won 4-0 (Friendly)
Aug 3 vs Zaragoza (a) Drew 1-1 (Friendly)
TEAM NEWS
Valencia
Flores is likely to opt for the team fielded most often last season, and again due to enforced circumstances. Vicente was substituted early against Elfsborg after a slight niggle, and Flores does not want to push the player too hard after some chronic injury problems. Miguel and Morientes should be restored to the team after starting on the bench against the Swedish side, with Silva reverting to the left wing. There is a choice of centre-back partnerships, but an old face in the shape Marchena could well start ahead of new arrivals Alexis and Helguera for this tricky opener, alongside Raul Albiol. Zigic and Edu remain unavailable for the time being.
PROBABLE STARTING XI: Canizares, Miguel, Marchena/Alexis, Albiol, Moretti, Joaquin, Albelda, Baraja, Silva, Villa, Morientes
Villarreal
Pellegrini faces life without Gonzalo Rodriguez yet again after the summer recurrence of his injury, so new signing Diego Godin should debut, as should Capdevila at left back. The Chilean has far more options in midfield and much will depend on whether he wishes to play two up front at the Mestalla, or play a supporting forward just behind a lone striker. Pires, Fernandez or Jose Mari could fulfill such a role. Nihat is struggling a little with fitness, but newly signed strikers Tomasson and Rossi will be hoping for their first competitive appearance. Spanish football fans should also get a first look at French starlet Mavuba, though the more experienced Josico might be preferred for this tough away encounter.
PROBABLE STARTING XI: Viera, Venta, Fuentes, Godin, Capdevila, Cani, Senna, Mavuba/Josico, Pires, Fernandez/Rossi, Tomasson
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Valencia – David Silva
Villa took most of the plaudits outside of Spain as Valencia’s most potent weapon last season, but this little wizard of either flank (or just off the front) was just as consistent and equally effective. Top class, but will be a marked man this season.
Villarreal – Robert Pires
Having missed the majority of last season after a cruel summer injury, his re-introduction to the fold galvanized the team and kick-started a surge up the table that eventually secured European football for this coming season. Villarreal can look forward to such an influence from day one this time, providing those old legs stay intact.
PREDICTION
Major personnel changes at Villarreal mean the yellow submarine might take a little longer than their Mestalla counterparts to get the engines running to full capacity. It is likely to be a highly tenacious, competitive and technical affair (La Liga at its best), but Valencia should have too much for the visitors on the night.
Valencia 2-0 Villarreal
Aguero scored
All-Star Barcelona Fail To Fire
Racing Santander 0-0 Barcelona
A dogged performance from Racing Santander kept an all-star Barcelona front line out for 90 minutes at the Sardinero. Even as the home side went down to ten men, the blaugrana couldn't find a way through, and thus start the season two points off the pace...
zoom - galleria Barcelona started the match with Henry on the bench, last season's tridente lining up once more. While Messi started on the right and Ronaldinho on the left, the two were to switch flanks after thirty minutes to help Barcelona break down resilient defending.
Indeed, Racing, for a club that lost the likes of Scaloni and Zigic over the summer, were not looking too bad, Oscar Serrano testing Valdes within minutes of kickoff.
But Barca knew that, with the eyes of the world on them, they needed to press forward. Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Messi all tried their luck, but each time were met by a wall of green and white.
And it was Racing, comfortable at the back, who were more emboldened to go forward. Munitis heading well over just before the half hour mark. The little ex-Madrid forward was left unmarked, but couldn't make it count.
But the Sardinero side maintained its containing game, racking up a couple more shots on target as the half drew to a close.
Barcelona almost clinched a lead, though, Xavi's opportunistic chip foxing Tono between the posts, only for Luis Fernandez to clear off the line. There was no way through for Los Culers, and it was 0-0 going into the interval.
The blaugrana came out swinging after half time, Rijkaard losing patience with the home side and ordering an attack. Messi duly obliged, teeing up Iniesta with a surging cross, but the Spanish midfielder blasted over.
New Racing coach Marcelino knew what was happening, though, and imbued his team with the need to counterattack. 18 year old Bolado, enjoying a dream debut, came off for new arrival Ebi Smolarek as Racing looked to grab a goal.
But for the most part, they sat back, and Rijkaard needed to break them down somehow. So on came Thierry Henry for his Liga debut, Messi jogging off after a difficult, much-marked game.
And as one came in, one came out: and it was another debutant in Smolarek. Just minutes after coming on for his Liga debut, the Polish forward went in studs-up on Abidal, and was shown a straight red card.
Barca still struggled to break down the Santander barricades, though, as Deco came on for Yaya Toure. Indeed, it was Racing that tried a bit of the long-ball game as they sought to shock the visitors, employing the offside trap at the other end.
Oscar Serrano came off for Christian as Racing coach Marcelino showed his intent to protect the draw, the midfielder being replaced by a left-back, and the greens sat in.
Barca briefly adopted a sense of urgency, the roving Oleguer blasting a shot way off target after the tireless Xavi's effort was deflected clear, but the best chance was still to come.
Thierry Henry came close to giving Barca the victory with five minutes to go, charging forward into the box, only to watch in anguish as his shot clipped the far post.
The game began to wear down, though, and it was of little surprise to most observers as it ended 0-0.
For all Ronaldinho's and Xavi's inventiveness, Barcelona lacked that cutting edge, and must learn to deal more adequately with sides that sit in.
Racing, for their part, are amongst the relegation favourites, but were at times more than a match for Barcelona here. It may not always be pretty football in cantabria, but it works. Coach Marcelino, who worked wonders on a shoestring budget at Recreativo last year, may just surprise us all once more.
Racing Santander: Tono; Pinillos, Oriol, Garay, Luis Fernandez (Ayoze 46); Jorge Lopez, Colsa, Duscher, Oscar Serrano (Christian 75); Munitis, Bolado (Smolarek 55)
Goals: x
Yellow Cards: Luis Fernandez 13
Red Cards: Smolarek 63
FC Barcelona: Valdes; Zambrotta (Marquez 78), Thuram, Oleguer, Abidal; Xavi, Toure (Deco 69), Iniesta; Messi (Henry 61), Eto'o, Ronaldino
Goals: x
Yellow Cards: x
goal.com
Racing Santander 0-0 Barcelona
A dogged performance from Racing Santander kept an all-star Barcelona front line out for 90 minutes at the Sardinero. Even as the home side went down to ten men, the blaugrana couldn't find a way through, and thus start the season two points off the pace...
zoom - galleria Barcelona started the match with Henry on the bench, last season's tridente lining up once more. While Messi started on the right and Ronaldinho on the left, the two were to switch flanks after thirty minutes to help Barcelona break down resilient defending.
Indeed, Racing, for a club that lost the likes of Scaloni and Zigic over the summer, were not looking too bad, Oscar Serrano testing Valdes within minutes of kickoff.
But Barca knew that, with the eyes of the world on them, they needed to press forward. Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Messi all tried their luck, but each time were met by a wall of green and white.
And it was Racing, comfortable at the back, who were more emboldened to go forward. Munitis heading well over just before the half hour mark. The little ex-Madrid forward was left unmarked, but couldn't make it count.
But the Sardinero side maintained its containing game, racking up a couple more shots on target as the half drew to a close.
Barcelona almost clinched a lead, though, Xavi's opportunistic chip foxing Tono between the posts, only for Luis Fernandez to clear off the line. There was no way through for Los Culers, and it was 0-0 going into the interval.
The blaugrana came out swinging after half time, Rijkaard losing patience with the home side and ordering an attack. Messi duly obliged, teeing up Iniesta with a surging cross, but the Spanish midfielder blasted over.
New Racing coach Marcelino knew what was happening, though, and imbued his team with the need to counterattack. 18 year old Bolado, enjoying a dream debut, came off for new arrival Ebi Smolarek as Racing looked to grab a goal.
But for the most part, they sat back, and Rijkaard needed to break them down somehow. So on came Thierry Henry for his Liga debut, Messi jogging off after a difficult, much-marked game.
And as one came in, one came out: and it was another debutant in Smolarek. Just minutes after coming on for his Liga debut, the Polish forward went in studs-up on Abidal, and was shown a straight red card.
Barca still struggled to break down the Santander barricades, though, as Deco came on for Yaya Toure. Indeed, it was Racing that tried a bit of the long-ball game as they sought to shock the visitors, employing the offside trap at the other end.
Oscar Serrano came off for Christian as Racing coach Marcelino showed his intent to protect the draw, the midfielder being replaced by a left-back, and the greens sat in.
Barca briefly adopted a sense of urgency, the roving Oleguer blasting a shot way off target after the tireless Xavi's effort was deflected clear, but the best chance was still to come.
Thierry Henry came close to giving Barca the victory with five minutes to go, charging forward into the box, only to watch in anguish as his shot clipped the far post.
The game began to wear down, though, and it was of little surprise to most observers as it ended 0-0.
For all Ronaldinho's and Xavi's inventiveness, Barcelona lacked that cutting edge, and must learn to deal more adequately with sides that sit in.
Racing, for their part, are amongst the relegation favourites, but were at times more than a match for Barcelona here. It may not always be pretty football in cantabria, but it works. Coach Marcelino, who worked wonders on a shoestring budget at Recreativo last year, may just surprise us all once more.
Racing Santander: Tono; Pinillos, Oriol, Garay, Luis Fernandez (Ayoze 46); Jorge Lopez, Colsa, Duscher, Oscar Serrano (Christian 75); Munitis, Bolado (Smolarek 55)
Goals: x
Yellow Cards: Luis Fernandez 13
Red Cards: Smolarek 63
FC Barcelona: Valdes; Zambrotta (Marquez 78), Thuram, Oleguer, Abidal; Xavi, Toure (Deco 69), Iniesta; Messi (Henry 61), Eto'o, Ronaldino
Goals: x
Yellow Cards: x
goal.com