Malaga Looking To Make A Splash In 2011-12

Last summer, Malaga CF were taken over by Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani, and this summer they have been very busy in the transfer market as they look to secure at least a Europa League place next season. There have been inevitable, but completely unjustified, comparisons with Manchester City.

First of all, they have brought in some very experienced players, and not paid over the odds for any of them. Ruud Van Nistelrooy is an inspired signing, and will score twenty goals with no problems if he stays fit. The 35 year old Dutchman has signed on a one year contract from German side Hamburg. He has netted over 300 goals in a sparkling career, and his experience and unerring accuracy in front of goal will be a key component in any success the club has this season. He will especially thrive on the service of Joaquin, who has joined from Valencia for just £4million. Unusual, as Valencia still reportedly owe Real Betis £5million for his transfer to Mestalla back in 2006! If Joaquin can find consistent performances and finally deliver on his potential, then Malaga have signed a star.

One area that has been particularly strengthened at La Rosaleda is the defence. Jeremy Toulalan has joined from Lyon for ten million euros. The vastly experienced defensive midfielder has been tracked by top European clubs for years, so it is a real coup for Malaga to have signed him. Also at the back, Joris Mathijsen, Sergio Sanchez, Nacho Monreal and Martin Demichelis will all help to shore up a defence that shipped 68 goals in La Liga last season. In total, Malaga have spent around 27 million euros this summer. They won't be able to keep spending at this rate, as their stadium only holds 29000, and therefore the turnover won't fall in line with UEFA's financial fairplay if they're not careful.

Great transfers, and a fantastic coach in Chilean Manuel Pellegrini, should result in a top seven finish, and with it a place in Europe's second competition for 2012-13.

Malaga CF 2011-2012 Kit

Malaga CF have announced their new kits for 2011-2012. The kits are designed by Nike instead of Li-Ning this time around.

Home Kit: The colors continue to be the traditional blue and white. Rather than last year´s experiment of dark blue stripes fading near the waist to a lighter blue near the pentagonal collar, Nike have returned to a very classic round collar with narrower vertical blue stripes. No shirt sponsor yet, as former online sports betting company Williamhill.com will no longer be in the mix. There is some controversy as malaguistas are not happy with the non-traditional white shorts.

Away Kit: No longer an all black kit, the club have gone with a fucsia shirt with black sleeves and black shorts.

Third Kit: Going away from the orange kit of old, the club are trying a new, all-blue kit with a white v-stripe in the center of the shirt ala Velez Sarsfield of Argentina.

Reaction: A pretty good kit selection, doesn't cover new ground all that much except for a pretty strange second kit, but I'm a sucker for blue and white stripes so I give this:

Grade: 4 out of 5 stars

FORZA FUTBOL on LaLambrettaRadio Bilingual La Liga Podcast no 1a & 1b

We had the pleasure of doing a LIVE bilingual Internet Radio show on La Liga today with our friend Edu Pérez Suárez from La Lambretta Radio.

Topics covered:

o Live commentary on the March 20th La Liga early fixtures of Jornada 29
o Chatting about the historic potential El Clásico guantlet - 4 games in 3 weeks
o Discussing the exciting relegation battle that covers half the La Liga table.

The podcast is for English learners and Spanish learners. We hope to do more of this including roundtables in the near future.


You can also find LaLambrettaRadio and our bilingual podcasts at their site and on itunes. Enjoy!

PART 1~
Ir a descargar

PART 2~
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P.S.

Some of the Lambrettinas having a great time at the Malaga game. I think the sheik with the suitcase has some influence over the players :P.





Holy Crap the Sheik made the big time on El Dia Despues! Awesome!

La Liga Team of Round 23

Round 23 was very exciting and a hard fought bunch of games. There were several relegation 6 pointers, as well as some difficult away fixtures for the top 4 teams. Only 22 goals this week and 4 clean sheets. Here is my best of the weekend:

Goal Keeper: Dudu Aouate (Mallorca)

The underrated Israeli had another solid game. The Barrallets managed an early goal. Soon afer, the three pronged attack of Iker Muniain, Javi Martinez, and Fernando LLorente pummelled the Mallorca goal. Dudu made save after save.

Defenders: Marc Torrejón (Racing Santander), Pepe (Real Madrid), Jose Angel (Sporting Gijón)

The ex Espanyol defender, Torrejón, was immense this weekend as he lead the 10 man Racing Santander defense against Sevilla. His best game to date. His team garnered 3 golden points in operation salvation.

Pepe returned after injury to the Real Madrid starting 11, against a very determined Espanyol After the early sending off of Iker Casillas in goal, Pepe stayed calm and was quick to intercept many threats on goal. He deserves that contract renewal asap.

Young canterano Jose Angel was a threat for Sporting Gijón, in defense and attack. He utilized his pace to full effect and contained the best right back in the world, according to many, Barçelona's Dani Alves. Who says you can't play Jose Angel and Roberto Canella!

Midfielders: Juan Rodriguez (Deportivo), Kennedy (Racing Santander), Francisco Farinós (Hércules), Francisco Portillo (Málaga), Joaquin (Valencia)

So difficult to choose one midfielder, so I picked 5. La Liga is midfielder heaven.

Juan Rodriguez, who is rumored to be going to Getafe in the summer, was instrumental in Depor's upset over Villarreal. He was a constant danger on the right and made sure that his team took all 3 points in operation salvation.

Kennedy has been a revelation in the midfield for Racing this year. He was extremely impressive, as he contained the Sevilla attack.

The veteran crack, one of the top Spanish transfers in the modern era, from Valencia to Inter Milan. Farinós,the old timer, now at Hércules, initiated the come back against follow relegation rival Real Zaragoza, with a goal and an assist to Trezeguet. His first start this season was one to remember.

The Málaga canterano, Portillo, with very limited primera experience, was instrumental in the midfield. He was key in the comeback against Getafe that ended with a point. Definitely one to watch.

The veteran winger, also one of the most expensive Spanish transfers, is finally playing to his potential. Joaquin, the captain and ex Betico, led the comeback against Atlético Madrid away, and netted two quality goals for the win.

Strike Force: Raúl Tamudo (Real Sociedad), Felipe Caicedo (UD Levante)

Basque derbies are extremely physical and rife with anti-football. But it was only a matter of time that La Real, with all their chances, would score. Tamudo came through with a cheeky goal. His first attempt was blocked, but on the rebound, he managed to pull off a hospitable ball into the back of the net, with his back to goal.

Felipe Caicedo has been immense for the Valencian team, who are now on a bit of a run. A 6 pointer against Almerîa, with controversy. Caicedo came through with the only goal. Clinical.


3-5-2: AOUATE; TORREJON, PEPE, JOSE ANGEL; JUAN RODRIGUEZ, PORTILLO, FARINOS, KENNEDY, JOAQUIN; TAMUDO, CAICEDO

LA LIGA Team of Round 20

GOAL KEEPER:

PISCU CUELLAR (SPORTING GIJON)

His goal mouth took a pounding from Diego Forlan and company. But the unheralded GK from the original rojiblancos stood firm against Los Colchoneros. A well earned clean sheet to boot.


DEFENDERS:

SERGIO SANCHEZ (SEVILLA)

The feel good story of the season. Sanchez returns to the backline of Sevilla, his first game in the starting 11, after diagnosed with a heart condition. He had a solid game against Levante. Perfect timing for the Nervioneses, who have been lacking in the back.


CARLOS GARCIA (ALMERIA)

Another amazing game for the 26 year old stopper. The team just squeaked by with their first win at home against Osasuna. Garcia came through upfront, as well, with a goal.


JOSE NUNES (MALLORCA)

What can you say, but the veteran had another amazing game as the Barralets were able to hold off Real Madrid for a good 60 minutes. He and Ivan Ramis are a solid team. Nunes is both a leader and a fighter.

MIDFIELD

SERGIO GARCIA (ESPANYOL)

The new kid on the block is on a bit of a roll. He finally gets a start and he delivers with an assist and a goal. An instrumental player in the come back and trouncing of Getafe. It's good to see the Euro Cup winning player, rekindle his career.

PONZIO (REAL ZARAGOZA)

The Argentine hard man is starting to believe in the new regime under Javier Aguirre. Los Blanquillos are on a bit of a one nil run and this time the victim was Deportivo in La Romareda. Ponzio stole balls, made key tackles and help control the pace of the game. No crazy red cards either.

JULIO BAPTISTA (MALAGA)

The Beast is back in Spain and this time he is at Málaga. He had a fabulous debut, as he was very dangerous on the counter against Valencia. His physical presence was an ever present threat, even when the team was down to 9 men. Plus his goal was a piece of individual brilliance.

IKER MUNIAIN (ATHLETIC BILBAO)

Prodigy, genius, playmaker, winger extraordinaire. This kid is the real deal and he was an amazing force for Athletic against Hercules. His pace and agility on the wings were critical, as he brought the attack forward. His goal was just the icing on the cake.


STRIKERS:

LUIS FABIANO (SEVILLA)

Luisfa is back with a hat trick. Sure he started off the season with a lackluster attitude, but O Fabuloso is starting to get his groove back, just in time for the business end of the year. Look to Sevilla to make a run up the table.

DAVID VILLA (BARCELONA)

When you think Barça you think Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, the list goes on. But look how easily el Guaje has acclimated into the La Masia system! Give the Asturiano some credit. The football ace is used to being the center of all the action in his former clubs, but now he is willing to play at left, right, middle, or as a supplier. He was terrific against Racing Santander as he was a part of every goal scoring play.

GUISEPPE ROSSI (VILLARREAL)

The Jersey boy is having his best season ever. Nilmar his strike partner is hurt, but he and Marco Ruben are making it work. With the return of Santi Cazorla from a little break, Rossi was on fire against a very difficult opponent, Real Sociedad. A brace for Beppe, who has now racked up 11 goals!

Best XI of Round 18 in La Liga

Week 18 in Spain, brought us lots of goals, 34, in fact. The home teams were very prolific in fact, for the most part. Lots of thrills, and a big Monday upset.

Here is my best XI from the round in a 4-4-2 formation.


GOAL KEEPER:

Ricardo (Osasuna)- the ex Manchester United 3rd striker had a blinder at the Reyno de Navarra up against Getafe. Particularly at the end when the Azulones pummelled his goal mouth. Too bad his team weren't able to score.


DEFENSE:

Martin DiMichelis (Málaga) - the newcomer shined in his debut. After some early nervousness, the solidified the defense with his leadership and positioning. Plus he netted a goal. I am sure his happy to be back with his old River Plate coach, Pellegrini.

Ivan Ramis (Mallorca) - consistently impervious at the back when playing at home. The Barralets have only conceded four at home, which is the 2nd best record in La Liga, after Villarreal. A leader, plus he scored one from a set piece this week.

Cata Diaz (Getafe) - some call him a thug, but he was a wall against Osasuna. Sure he received another yellow card, but he is a key part of the madrileños back line.

Martin Caceres (Sevilla) - Strong, versatile, quick and ballsy. The Uruguayan intervened with some decisive tackles and blocks and helped keep a very difficult Real Socieadad at bay.


MIDFIELD:

Luis Garcia (Espanyol) - The veteran has really improved his game this year and plays with confidence and guile. Even with the injury to Osvaldo, Luis Garcia and the Pericos destroyed Javier Aguirre's Zaragoza. Fortress Cornellá continues.

Duda (Málaga) - The Portuguese winger and dead ball specialist has returned from injury with a vengeance. His pinpoint crosses create a constant aerial threat and he was responsible for the opening goal. Now if his team would practice their finishing.

Iniesta (Barça) - No Xavi, no problem, the illusionista took control of the midfield and created some beautiful plays against Depor. This wasn't enough for the Balon d'Or runner up, he wanted a goal of his very own.

Messi (Barça) - Balon d'Or, two assists and a goal, the complete player, nuff said.


STRIKERS:

Freddy Kanoute (Sevilla) - The veteran has a nose for goal. The Mali international is trying to pick up this team, shake the bad patch, and get back into Europe. Looks like the Nervion is finally starting to gel.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - Los Merengues were up against a very tough Villarreal, but CR7 never let up. He kept running, pushing forward, leading the counter attack. His reward for hard work was a hat trick for the day. His fitness and form always kept Los Blancos in the game.


Agree? Disagree? Any surprises> Any unjust omissions? What do are your thoughts?

Best XI of Jornada 17 in La Liga

Spanish Football returned to our HDTVs, computers, and local stadiums. Here is my list of top performers from the first round of games in 2011.


Goal Keeper:

RCD Mallorca's Dudu Aouate easily saved and contained all of Hércules shots on goal. Consistent and solid, day in and day out.


Backline:

With Messi out, Dani Alves took over as provider, and tracked back to keep out a very difficult Levante. Two assists, what can you say. He owned Del Horno.

Some people call Málaga's Weligton a cheat, a hard man, and a pain in the a**. This past weekend he was solid defensively, scored a goal and was a critical piece of the 6 point game against Sporting Gijón in Asturias.


On loan from FC Barçelona, Racing Santander's Henrique was a wall in the backline. He was instrumental in keeping Kun Aguero & company away from Toño's goal. The kid is only 24 years old and has a lot of potential.


Midfield:

Valencia's Juanín Mata lifted this team on his back after Los Che was harshly taken down to 10 men. He lead attack after attack until lady luck intervened with an offside goal. But well what do they say, if it's only offside, if the ref calls it.

The biggest signing of the winter transfer market for Sevilla is the return of Jesus Navas. The quicksilver winger just brings so much pace and danger to the team. He created multiple chances, including the game winning goal. Welcome back Jesuscito.

The unsung destroyer, ball stealer, and Villarreal's king of the midfield, Bruno Soriano is the heir apparent to Marcos Senna.

Is he a winger or a support striker? I'm not sure even he knows, but he will need to continue his versatility throughout the second half of the season. Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was decisive and clinical against a a tough to beat Getafe.


Strikers:

Named after a renowned 7th century cleric from Zaragoza, Braulio appeared out of nowhere in stoppage time to earn only the second win for los maños. That said, Javier Aguirre's men are looking hopeful.

The often forgotten striker from Asturias has awaken at the perfect time for Deportivo La Coruña. Adrian is on a bit of a streak now and had a solid game in San Mames.

No Messi, no problem, never fear, Pedro's here to save the day. Barça started flat, so Pedro took the bull by the horns, along with the aforementioned Alves, and with an individual piece of brilliance and clinical finishing. Pedro's star just keeps rising.



Aouate

Dani Alves - Henrique - Weligton

Navas - Bruno - Mata - Ronaldo

Pedro - Braulio - Adrian

Málaga: Spain's own Man City ?

With the ever-growing dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona making La Liga become more and more predictable, it's natural that people are going to look for a solution. Fan's of other leagues will use this to beat Spanish Football but most (not all) leagues in Europe have one or two sides dominating the league title. Although these may change from time to time with the television money unevenly distributed and the sheer earning potential of the top 2 it's unlikely this will happen in Spain in the near future. The other clubs that are looked upon for a solution are heavily in debt and often forced to sell their best players which compounds the problem. Also facing teams is the fact they are not just trying to close the gap on the best 2 teams in Spain but potentially the best 2 teams in Europe. A few years back in the English Premiership a similar situation unfolded with the so-called "top 4", 3 of those sides were regular semi-finalists in the Champions League. Only high spending and high wages from the chasing sides plus poor ownership and the global recession for the top sides helped even things back up.

Now to be citing a club that was recently bottom of the division after 10 matches as an alternative, most if not all will find this ludicrous. But Málaga despite the position they find themselves in have 2 big things going for them.

Owner Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani and Manager Manuel Pellegrini

Now let's take Al-Thani first of all, a member of the Qatari royal family. Having purchased Málaga back in June for 36 million euros, his outlook first of all is to stabilise Málaga in the Primera Division. He is vice-chairman and shareholder of the Doha Bank, and he manages a business empire based in the United Arab Emirates. So lets put this way he is not short of a bob or two. Having only been under the name of Málaga CF in 1994 and at that stage in the Tercera Division (4th level), the rise of the club has been pretty phenomenal already. With a highest league finish of 7th under the former name Club Deportivo Málaga, now with a multi-billionaire owner things are clearly on the rise. His intentions were clear straight away with Málaga having the 3rd highest net spend in the league only trailing to Barcelona and Real Madrid in the summer. With financial fair play rules due to start being introduced in 2011, the expenditure on players might not be at the very highest level coupled with the fact its difficult to attract top players without european football. However the rules only come into effect if you're in european football in the 1st place. It's unlikely we are going to see 20-30 million players arriving in the near future though. Often whats overlooked in these situations are what else they can offer rather than hard cold cash. Global branding, increasing revenue streams, marketing and other business ideas that I don't fully understand will in time develop the club as a whole. With a lot of British fans (mainly down to the large amount of British expats currently residing on the Costa del Sol), how long before football holidays are combined by the club ?

Perhaps their biggest statement of intent since taking over is the recruitment of former Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini. The 57-year-old has experience on managing in the short-term as well as the mid-term with his time at Villarreal. Back in 1999 an Ecuadorian banking tycoon called Rodrigo Paz wanted to take the team he owned, Liga de Quito and make it a force in Latin America he invested heavily and brought in the Engineer as manager (sound familiar). That season they won the national title, before this in Chile with Universidad Catolica he had twice finished runners-up in their domestic league. Two titles in Argentina followed with San Lorenzo and River Plate respectively and a Copa Mercosur, South America's Europa league equivalent with San Lorenzo. At Villarreal he took a side with limited finances to 3rd and 2nd placed finishes as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions league. Then most recently what seemed to put him on the world map was his time in Madrid. Managing a team of highly paid egos he took them to 2nd in the league with their greatest ever points and goals scored totals. Had it been any other club surely he would have been given a 2nd season. His name was banded about for a variety of jobs in the summer even meeting with representatives of Liverpool only to be told they were looking for an English manager. With all due respect to Málaga with the CV he has its clear that he could have got a bigger club. Signing on a 3 year deal although offered 5.

Málaga are not quite a Manchester City they don't possess a big stadium (Man City don't actually own their stadium but rent it). They don't have the commercial brand of the Premiership although La Liga is rising. But they do have plenty of money and although the expenditure in the last transfer market was not quite up their with the big boys in Europe, a lot of that I put down to the owners lack of faith in Jesualdo Ferreira to get the right players. With Antonio Fernandez recently arriving as new Director of Football, and with Pellegrini it seems that Málaga Football Club are in safe hands.

Charrúas in La Liga – Week 3 Derby Days!

It’s derby time! Morbo, controversy, tight battles, heated contests, and physical brawls. Gotta love a derby. Well there were technically 3 in this last La Liga round. But there was also Morbo aplenty in the Atlético Madrid v Barça game as well as the Battle of the Reales – Real Sociedad v Real Madrid.
How did the La Celeste boys perform in La Liga de las Estrellas?
Player of the Round: Sevilla’s on loan defender, Martín Caceres. Clearly man of the match in the Andalusian derby win 1-2 against Málaga. He netted a terrific header and game winning goal in the 2nd half. His defensive work was solid and he constantly got into the penalty box to threaten their regional rivals in attack. This guy is out to prove that he can play with the big boys. Consistency is the key, but so far so good.
For more please go to: http://www.lacelesteblog.com/?p=3453

La Liga, Round 3: Who's ready for Derby Time?

This weekend in La Liga was packed with plenty of derbies and oodles of morbo, or intense rivalry. The games contained all the ingredients for a proper derby as they were heated, tight, controversial, and very physical.

In the Battle Real, a team that defended and attacked as a team (Real Sociedad) were very unfortunate not to get a draw, against an individualistic, slow starting team (Real Madrid). Moments of individual brilliance (Di Maria's goal) a lucky deflection (Ronaldo's free kick), and three missed clear-cut, early opportunities by a young startlet (La Real's Griezmann) was the story of the game. That's two dropped points by the team from San Sebastian. Mourinho's brood are still a work in progress. FT 1-2 (RS: Tamudo, RM: DiMaria, Ronaldo)

To read more go to: http://www.globalfootballtoday.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=378:la-liga-round-3-derby-time&catid=3:laliga&Itemid=22

Malaga CF Kits 2010-2011

Presentation of new Malaga kits for 2010-2011