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Villareal: (villarrealcf.lasprovincias.es): With Jesus Navas, Pedro and Fernando Torres out injured during the international break, La Roja had a decidedly yellowish tinge as Borja Valero and Bruno joined Santi Cazorla, Joan Capdevila and Carlos Marchena. It is a testament to a squad that continues to challenge for the top slot in La Liga and makes the Valencian Community one of the most competitive regions in all of Spain.
Levante: (levante-emv.com): The Marca awards were recently handed out to Iker Casilla as the best player in the World Cup and for Lionel Messi for both the Pichichi (highest goalscorer in Spain) and the Di Stéfano (best player in La Liga) trophies). Victor Valdés won the Zamora trophy as best goalkeeper, David Villa for the Zarra trophy (awarded to the highest scoring Spanish national) and even Quique Sánchez Flores who received a special award for Atleti's triumphs in both the Europa League and in the European Supercup. Pep Guardiola won the Miguel Muñoz trophy for the best coach in the Primera division and in that light it might have been lost on some that Levante coach Luis Garcia Plaza was awarded the equivalent trophy for his outstanding achievements guiding Levante in the Segunda division. Congratulations for a job well done.
Hercules: (laverdad.es): Looking to return to the squad after almost 5 months out injured, Javier Farinós will have to endure more time off the pitch as his leg has not healed well enough and will be out at least until January and maybe more. The former Valencia man was looking forward to returning to Primera Liga action this year.
Andalusia:
Sevilla: (diariodesevilla.net): ex-Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez has accepted the AEK Athens job, was received by more than 200 fans at the local airport singing songs and chants of their beloved Athens. The ex-Sevillista begins training today along with Jesús Calderón, Miguel Morilla, and Dani Pastor who round out his staff.
Malaga: (laopiniondemalaga.es): In 80 years it has happened only one other time when Athletic Bilbao did it in 1930-1931. It is a embarrassing record, but real nonetheless. Malaga CF have for the last two rounds totaled 12 goals scored equaling both Real Madrid and Villarreal most in La Liga. At the same time, over those two rounds, they have allowed the most goals in Spain: 11 goals allowed.
Almeria: (elalmeria.es/deportes): In a country where regionalism is king and the question where are you from is of utmost importance, UD Almería are very worried that their quarry, their cantera, have produced so few members of the first team squad: Ortiz Bernal, Rigo and Álvaro. Only Getafe and Hércules have fewer, while Depor have just as many. It´s a matter of identity and a very important slight.
Madrid:
Atletico de Madrid: (http://elcomercio.pe: 19 years ago Diego Forlan´s sister Alejandra was leaving a party with her boyfriend. The two were involved in an automobile accident that killed him and left her in a wheelchair. Last year she started a foundation with her brother as the primary contributor to raise awareness about auto safety. For more information, please follow this link.
Real Madrid: (Marca.com/): Jose Mourinho has asked for Zinedine Zidane to work more under him than to be left to tutor at the side of Florentino Perez. It´s an offer that at first acknowledges the real footballing knowledge that a legend like Zidane can impart, but I can´t help but wonder if this is another instance where Mourinho would like to keep his enemies closer, not to say that Zidane is that enemy of course, but he could be used as a rallying point if his real enemies at the club come after him. Smart idea though.
Getafe: (marca.com/futbol/equipos/getafe): Adrian Colunga has stated that Getafe can go into the Vicente Calderon for their derby match against Atleti and beat the colchoneros. ¨We can beat them because of our quality, not because of they´re irregular.¨ I know the translation is a bit off, but maybe Atléti need more fiber in their collective diets?
Galicia:
Deportivo La Coruna: (lavozdegalicia.es/deportes): Miguel Ángel Lotina has confirmed that Aranzúbia and Zé Castro will return to the lineup. As an anecdote to his mind-set, Lotina remembered a quote that ex-Real Madrid coach John Toshack made once. Sunday night I´ll want to change the starting eleven, Wednesday seven or eight, Friday four or five, and by the following Sunday it´ll be the same starting eleven once more. All coaches, we´re all the same.¨Asturias:
Sporting de Gijon: (elcomerciodigital.com/deportes/): After having more than 16 players on his squad at any given time receiving treatment from the Sporting physio, the last holdover has rejoined Manuel Preciado´s squad. They are finally healthy.
Cantabria:
Racing Santander: (racing.eldiariomontanes.es): One of their only real lights this season, Greek midfielder Alexandros Tziolis faces six months recovery from a broken leg suffered against Latvia last Friday night in qualifiers. They will make no panic buys, there are players at his position, but the club are in need of the sort of leadership that the Greek international provided for the club in midfield.
Pais Vasco:
Athletic Bilbao: (as.com): I take it with a grain of salt, as these are the Madrid papers reporting this and we haven´t heard word one from the Basque papers, but Fernando Llorente is on Jose Mourinho´s radar. Doubtful he provide the amount of athleticism that Mou requires, but he he is a target man which is very rare for Spain.
Real Sociedad: (diariovasco.com): French winger Antoine Griezmann has confirmed that he will return for Sunday's match.That's the good news. Bad news is that he is on the radar for both French giants Marseilles and Lyon.
Navarra:
CA Osasuna:(diariodenavarra.es/deportes): Sunday against Depor at the Riazor will be a clash of two teams reeling towards relegation. Osasuna will be starting practically an entirely new midfield, returning to a 4-5-1 and Soriano playing point. They´ll be playing for the point it seems away from home.
Aragon:
Real Zaragoza: (www.heraldo.es/noticias/deportes One month to safety or oblivion. 7 matches in 29 days including a Copa del Rey elimination game. Coach Jose Aurelio Gay staved off being fired over the weekend by an unlikely draw against Hércules, but no one gives him much chance to secure it any further. Heś been given until the end of the year. He may not make it past the calendar year.
Catalunya:
Barcelona: (elmundodeportivo.es) Massimo Moratti is either insane or just having a laugh. He says he can guarantee Lionel Messi will come to Inter MIlan and play for Rafa Benitez. He´ll have to pay the buyout clause that is in upwards of 250 million euros or so. In January no less, when no big transfers are ever completed.
Espanyol: (sport.es): The family that owns Udinese Calcio in Italy, the Pozzos, have invested a small amount by modern standards, around 4 million pounds or so, but it brings both clubs on a level playing field and will allow a free exchange of talent between. As a supporter, I am pleasantly surprised and hopeful that this means only the beginning of new investment coming into my club.
Las Islas:
Mallorca: (diariodemallorca.es): As primarily an afterthought, Michael Laudrup has taken a club that many thought would be relegated and made them respectable, at times shockingly so, beating Barcelona last week. Granted this was an understaffed Barca squad, but they deserved it. Kudos for the classy Dane. No wonder Pep picked him as his possible successor.
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