La Liga Preview: 2 giants and 18 dwarfs

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The Preamble

Seems like the 2010-11 it was yesterday when FC Barcelona drew 1-1 at Levante to seal a 3rd consecutive Spanish league title. Here we are just a few weeks away from the kick-off of a new season, the 81st edition of the Spanish Primera División aka 'La Liga'. This is a very important year for this league. There are a lot of clubs in financial distress. The players union is threatening to go on strike over unpaid wages. There is simmering discontent over the lopsided TV deal heavily loaded in favour of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. It promises to be another roller coaster season full of twists and turns along with some fabulous football.

For a league where only two teams are in the title race from match day 1 (as the title suggests), there is more drama and excitement around the title race than one would expect. It is provided by the encounters between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, the vicious and cynical media machines spewing bile from both sides and the petulant fans from both sides pouring gasoline on a burning stove. And if you thought you had enough of the 'Clasico's last season, the season starts with two more of them, the two legs of the Spanish Super Cup.

With that backdrop, let me set you up for the season with a quick preview.

The Offseason

This offseason has been dominated by three major themes.

1. Protracted transfer sagas of Alexis Sanchez, Kun Aguero, Neymar and Cesc Fabregas.
2. Project Málaga
3. Financial trouble at the majority of the clubs
   

Barcelona has signed Chilean forward/winger Alexis Sanchez from Udinese after almost two months of negotiations. It appeared like Real Madrid would land Kun Aguero after he forced his way out Atlético Madrid but he ended up at Manchester City. Real Madrid pursued Neymar with a lot of determination but the Brazilian phenom looks set to continue at Santos at least until the January transfer window. The Cesc Fabregas saga has been running for three summers now and it might finally be over this summer. Barcelona is using brinkmanship tactics to get the player for as less as possible and Arsenal hasn’t budged so far. But according to various media outlets, the deal might be close.

Málaga have been the most active La Liga team in the transfer market. They have made some intelligent signings in Toulalan, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Mathijsen, Nacho Monreal, Isco Alarcon, and Joaquin and topped their summer by signing Santi Cazorla from Villarreal. They pursued him all summer as their star-signing. They have strengthened their team by spending about 60million euros on 8 players. Coach Manuel Pellegrini has one of the deepest squads in La Liga heading into the season.

While Málaga has been on a spending spree thanks to the financial muscle of their new owner Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani, a lot of the other teams are in deep financial strife. Newly promoted Rayo Vallecano and Real Betis are in administration. So are Racing and Zaragoza. The rest aren’t much better off either. Teams like Villarreal and Atlético have had to sell one of their stars to raise money for new signings. The financial crisis has a debilitating on a lot of teams in La Liga as well as the Liga Adelante (2^nd division). Spain has by far the most clubs in administration (in the top two divisions) than any other league in Europe. However, I do expect teams to make a few more signings using some creative deals involving players, deferred payments etc.

The Season

Approximately two weeks away from the season kick-off on Aug 20/21, the season promises to be a very good one. The two-legged Super Cup between Barcelona and Real Madrid will raise the curtain on the season, rather fittingly. There is little doubt that one of these two giants will be the eventual league champion.

Real Madrid has added the talented midfielder Nuri Sahin and the Portuguese international left-back Fabio Coentrão to a strong squad. They are still in the market for a striker and despite the setbacks of not landing Kun Aguero or Neymar, have the depth to compete in all the three competitions. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have been in mid-season form in the preseason. Barcelona have signed only Alexis Sanchez so far but with the Cesc deal looming, Pep Guardiola’s side looks set for the season with a very strong squad. They can afford the luxury of dipping into their talent-laden youth system if needed. Moreover, a team with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa and Co doesn’t need a lot of changes to click.

Málaga is primed for success with a talented side. The expectations are high in the Andalucian city and some experts are even predicting them to finish in the Champions Leagues spots by the end of the season. I expect them to struggle early while they gel as a team. But by about November they could turn it on. They start the season with a bang hosting Barcelona in Week#1. That game promises to be a cracker.

Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal look very solid. Valencia has made some shrewd signings this season in Adil Ramis, Danny Parejo and looks like they might be close to securing a loan for Spanish U20 captain Sergio Canales. Sevilla has a new coach in Marcelino Garcia, the ex-Racing coach. They have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far, but we are almost a month away from the transfer deadline. Villarreal have made some good signings like Cristian Zapata to shore-up their defence where they were vulnerable last season. They have lost Santi Cazorla to Málaga, a transaction that has angered and saddened the Madrigal faithful at Vila-real. But they managed to retain rest of their stars in Borja Valero, Beppe Rossi and Nilmar.

Athletic club of Bilbao have a new manager, the excellent ‘El Loco’(the crazy) Marcelo Bielsa. The summer saw him linked to Real Sociedad as well as Sevilla. The new president of Athletic, Jose Urrutia had an agreement with Bielsa to make him the coach in case he won the Athletic’s presidential elections. The Basques-only policy means they don’t have a huge talent pool to choose from. They have added the excellent creative midfielder Ander Herrera to a talented squad that includes, Fernando Llorente, Javi Martinez and Iker Munaín. Depth of squad could be an issue for them, especially if they go deep in all three competitions. Everyone that follows La Liga will watch Mr. Bielsa and his team very closely.

Atlético Madrid, where there is never a dull day at office looks weakened with the departure of Kun Aguero. At the moment they haven’t signed a replacement yet. They have signed striker and Golden ball winner at Euro U21 Adrian Lopez. New coach Gregorio Manzano has a huge task at hand to stabilize this inherently unstable team.

Teams like Getafe, Osasuna, Real Sociedad, Zaragoza, the newly promoted Granada, Mallorca, Racing Santander, Sporting Gijon, Espanyol and Levante haven’t done much in the transfer market. The loan deal for Real Madrid’s prospect Pablo Sarabia to Getafe is the most notable of them all.

Predictions

Champion: Real Madrid. The race between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be closer than ever but I think Mourinho’s team will have the last laugh and will edge out the Catalans.

Copa Del Rey: Barcelona

Champions League: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga. Yes, I am very
optimistic about the Málaga revolution and they will edge Villarreal for the 4^th spot.

Europa League: Villarreal, Sevilla, Athletic

Relegation: Rayo Vallecano, Racing Santander and Granada or Levante. Rayo is an absolute mess right now with players striking over unpaid wages. Racing has been left high and dry by Ali Sayeed and there is a vacuum of leadership there. Levante have lost their coach Luis Garcia (to Getafe) and sold their top-scorer Felipe Caicedo and haven’t replaced him.

PS: This article was written before the Super Cup was played.

Will Guardiola Ever Leave Barca?

I know what you will be thinking when you read that headline. Of course he will, he has said he will. And my answer would be: Yes, he has said he will, three times now. Or at least it has been reported three times now.

The first time was after taking over the club. Upon signing a two year deal back in 2008, it was widely reported that he would only stay for those two years. He then went on to win six trophies in his first year, including an unprecedented treble of Liga, Copa Del Rey and Champions League. At the end of his initial contract, he was persuaded to stay for another year, and has come very close to another treble. With La Liga in the bag, and a Champions League final coming up, they lost the Copa Del Rey final in extra time to Real Madrid. And again, it was reported that he would leave in Summer 2011. Yet again, though, he has agreed to another year at the club, which does beg the question: Is it all just mind games?

Think about it. This is his club, his people. The current squad are in awe of him because of his legendary status as a player and now coach at the club. The new canteras that come up into the first team have so much respect for the man that they will do anything for him. He has, as much as is possible in football, a job for life.

Maybe that is why he just signs one year deals: to keep himself motivated, to not allow his standards to slip, to keep everyone on their toes. Then again, maybe he will leave at the end of 2011-12. He would certainly not be short of suitors. Inter Milan have been linked with him, as have Chelsea, Arsenal and both Manchester clubs. The man himself has always said he wants to coach abroad, so you have to think he will go at some point.

The thing is, how good would he be at a different club? At a club that has no loyalty towards him? If he has a bad start, would they stick with him? Would he even be as good at another club, where the players don't have a connection with him, or would that be a benefit? He is a workaholic, as are the current Barca squad, but how would the players at other clubs respond to his methods?

Maybe I am writing this from a Barcelista's point of view, because I definitely don't want him to leave! I dread the end of every season now, as it could be the one where he says adios.

Alcorcón: A Division Below But Leagues Ahead

Today we have a very special guest writer from MadridAtleticos, Gary Madrid, on assignment at the Alcorcón match, from this past weekend. With the playoffs looming it's time for some Liga Adelante aka Segunda A action. Enjoy!

Just outside Madrid, on one of the main motorways that leads to the south of Spain there is a turnoff. A special turn off it is not and where it leads to is nothing special. Alcorcón became headline news last year when they knocked out Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey. They became most Anti Madridista’s 2nd club and the clubs yellow scarves were sold outside stadiums including Real’s city rivals Atlético de Madrid. But, for all their success in the Copa Del Rey the team were determined to climb up the leagues using Getafe as an example. Last year they came up to the 2nd Division and some wondered would they be able to hack it. On Sunday they secured enough points to remain the 2nd Division for another year but the club haven’t stopped there and now are looking upwards to the playoffs where they are only 4 points off the last spot.

Alcorcón have a stadium of only 3000 but quiet it is not. It is very easy to park around the ground. The press officers of the club are friendly and accommodating and journalists and fans interact like old friends. The team play at Municipal Santo Domingo and have the full support of the town council because after all this is a community club. The club reached out to the locals and although Madrid has clubs like Real, Atleti etc. Alcorcón feel there is room for more. This season they have surprised quite a few people and a playoff place would be a just reward for all the hard work done by everyone at the club. Should they get promoted and Getafe stay up there would be 5 teams from the province of Madrid in the 1st Division.

On Sunday I attended the game and was surprised by the organisation of the club. Stewards and staff were surprised that any foreign writer would be interested in their club and at 1st they thought I was there to cover Granada. After assuring them that I was there to cover Alcorcón they showed me to the press area. It was perfect. The crowd came early to cheer the team on as they warmed up and Granada brought a decent away support. Fans knew that a point would guarantee their place in the division next year but they were there to enjoy their day in the sun. As the team sheets came hot off the printer, and I mean that literally, there was a shock as lead scorer Quini had been dropped. Journalists and fans conversed over the reasons for this and there was a good atmosphere all round. The game kicked off and all the fans were in full voice and then something amazing happened.

A player was lying on the floor after being tackled. A section of fans started to chant a famous chant that is sung across Spain: Pisalo (Stamp on him). A chant that is so common that nobody really notices it anymore. Within in 15 seconds an announcement was made asking fans to refrain from making any chants of a racist or violent nature. The whole ground applauded the announcement. I was taken by surprise by the level of disgust from the fans. ‘It’s a family club, why do these idiots come’ was what one fan told me at half time. ‘This type of thing is embarrassing to the club’ said another. I asked one employee of the club was it mandatory to make such announcements and he told me no but that Alcorcón wanted to set an example. The example was one that all Spanish clubs should follow because in this respect they are years ahead of most teams in Spain.

The game was played at a high tempo and the ref allowed the game to flow. Although Granada had little chance of automatic promotion they were not giving up without a fight. A defeat would lead to promotion for Betis. As the game went on the lack of goals did not take away from the enjoyment of the game. Just before half time Alcorcón got a penalty and slotted it home. At half time fans and journalists mixed again and exchanged views on the match. The 2nd half saw Granada really come out of the boxes and raring to go. Alcorcón rode their luck in the 2nd half but some good defending and luck saw them maintain their lead. As the game entered injury time they broke away on the counter attack and scored to make it 2-0. The whole ground broke in song. Nobody leaves here early as there is no point, there is no traffic. I had attended a few games in La Segunda and have always enjoyed them. The lack of press coverage they receive is a disgrace. Leaving the ground I made a promise to myself to return. Hopefully it will be in 2 weeks.

La Copa del Rey - It's not what you think

The Copa del Rey trophy was destroyed the very night Real Madrid won it. News programs snatched up footage of Sergio Ramos dropping the trophy from atop the team bus, only for the prize to become lodged between the front wheel and bumper as the unwitting busdriver kept the vehicle in motion. Within hours, jeweler Federico Alegre emerged with a backup copy, an exact replica of the trophy. It is this backup (pictured right) that now sits behind glass for Madridistas and reporters alike to glare upon and snicker at. But I ask you, what will happen to the original Copa del Rey? 

Despite Ramos' lighthearted claim that the trophy leapt from his arms to greet excited fans, an examination of several facts makes the action of dropping it a bit more understandable. First, the Copa del Rey is made of silver, not merely silver-plated. Including the wooden base, it stands at 75 cm (about 30 inches) in height and weighs 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds). Then, the air was humid that night in Madrid, something many rain-soaked celebrators would attest to. And finally, lest we forget, the bus was moving, and even at a slow rate of speed, the ride gets bumpy. Reportedly, the trophy was recovered in 10 pieces. Based on the photo Ruben de la Red tweeted of the destroyed trophy, and comparing it side-by-side with an earlier image of the same item (below), I would venture to guess that seven of the ten pieces were either wood chips or those tiny rectangular plaques from the base. In addition, at least one of the handles is severely bent, the cup itself is dented, and that once mirror-like surface has suffered the abrasions of metal against asphalt.

Bobby Jones with the Southern Open trophy.

Believe it or not, though, the damage is pretty mild. If you're into history across sports, you might remember the case of the Southern Open Golf Trophy. Won by Bobby Jones in 1927, it was stolen from the Atlanta Athletic Club in 1979. The motive for the thieves? Rising silver prices and sterling silver: 113 troy ounces (10 lbs.) of it, to be exact. A year later, police recovered the trophy in a mangled state. The thieves had crushed it, presumably to prepare for melting into scrap metal. So bad was the damage that the first silversmiths approached about restoration declined the offer. Finally, a company named Estes-Simmons took on the project, and a team of experts brought it back to its original state after “approximately 100 man hours.”

Federico Alegre now faces a similar task, to take a destroyed silver trophy and breathe new life into it. Unlike the golf trophy, the Copa del Rey has a wooden base, and again, looking at all the cracks and pieces to it after the fall-n-drag, a new base seems more likely than a patch job. As a jeweler, Alegre probably doesn't even own a wood shaper (why would he?), so the work on the base will probably be hired out

The same trophy in 1980.

to a machinist. Meanwhile, Alegre will turn an eye to the scuffed up engravings and use an engraving machine to reproduce each one; that is, unless he does the job by hand, which would require using magnifying glasses and special tools to trace every line and curve that make up each letter, gauging individual length and height for later transcription.

Because the silver part of the trophy, the actual cup, appears to be in one piece, it may not be necessary to remove the stem from the upper portion, the bowl. Either way, the crooked handle will be removed rather than bent back once the metal around the joints is hot

The restored trophy as it appears today.

enough. For that matter, even if the other handle were perfectly intact, it would also be removed to make it easier to hammer out the dents in the bowl. This itself is a slow and tedious process, the hammering. An abbreviated version is that the silversmith fits the object over a mold and then turns it about a fixed axis, much like a sculptor might do with a potter's wheel. With the object in motion, he'll tap out the damaged areas using any of several highly polished specialty hammers. The worse the damage, the more taps required. (The Southern Open Golf Trophy took more than 500,000.)

Once the shape of the trophy is back to its original form, Alegre will buff the silver and reattach the base and handles. Even the solder he uses at the joints will be a silver compound, an expensive fix for an expensive item. After additional buffing, the engravings will be redone and, you guessed it, the trophy will be polished again. I mean, you wouldn't want silver shavings to get stuck in the lettering and read “Peal Madrid” or something embarrassing. Finally, after all this work, Alegre will have produced an object of art.

… Or, looked at through another lens, he'll have toiled for hours on end to get a piece of metal back to the way it had looked before a defender named Ramos, a damp Madrid night, and the laws of physics had intervened to crash the party and turn the first work of art into a laughingstock. I'm hedging my bets on at least a week's worth of labor. A quarter-million taps, anyone?

Data Head also writes for Fantasy Football Stats.

Forza Futbol 141: Clasico Review with Eduardo Alvarez

On today´s episode of Forza Futbol, we are joined again by Eduardo Alvarez of ESPN Soccernet and we review with him his experiences being at Mestalla yesterday for the final of the 2010-2011 Cop del Rey between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona. We cover what tactical changes Jose Mourinho has brought to the squad, the imposition of his style on Real Madrid and what that means for FC Barcelona in the near future and ultimately what that means for the league overall.

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Copa del Rey: Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid

Real Madrid deserved the win. Cristiano Ronaldo, who played much of the game in what seemed a perpetual state of poutiness, took a quick cross from Di Maria and headed it past a diving Pinto. They played with anger and with heart, a bit over the top for someone like me who likes to watch beautiful football, but there is beauty in the manner in which Real Madrid play. It´s why I didn´t get caught up in the polemics from the press, the digs at Mourinho from Cruyff across the aisle and from behind as di Stefano lamented the manner in which Real Madrid played last Saturday. They changed the dynamic and Barcelona haven´t responded. Yet.

Did Barca have stand-out players today? Give it up for Javier Mascherano, who played all over the pitch and as I mentioned above, Pinto was stellar as Valdez´s back-up. Alves was his usual annoying self and kept Barcelona from giving up too much attention to Messi. Messi was brilliant, individually, but it didn´t translate into goals because the two players who he challenges to stay with him and play off of, have not been up to it over the last month, let alone in this game. Pedro looked slow, is he still not at 100% from his injury, and David Villa looked horrible. Again. A player who is usually spot on in games such as this, was struggling for space and for his usually impeccable first-touch. Xavi looked a step-slower even than usual.

On the other side, Mourinho played again with Pepe in front of the defense, but used Sergio Ramos as Carvalho´s partner. Arbeloa, who can play on either flank was solid and dependable. Xabi Alonso, while still their best midfielder, was a step-behind in form, a yard off in his passes. Khedira looked out of sorts and should have been replaced with Granero much sooner.

I can go on, but this wasn´t a final of individuals, coaches and players facing each other, futbol versus anti-futbol, tactics versus creativity. This was a match of heavy-weights. One group that never stopped believing in their place in World Football and the other that slowly started believing the press about their pre-imminent place in theirs. Like Real Madrid or not, they weren´t calling for another manita, another five-goal whomping. They weren´t poking the bear with advertisements all over Barcelona buses reminding some proud Real Madrid players of that match in November. Barcelona inflicted this on themselves with their attitude. Madrid responded.

It´s an important phase for Madrid. For now at least, this group of Real Madrid players knows that they can play with Barcelona. For a half or a match at least, but they know Barcelona aren´t invincible. In fact, they have made them look all-too human over the last 200 plus minutes. Does this mean that the tide is surging and we are witnessing the tables turning away from Barca under Pep´s Dream Team? Too soon to tell. Even Jose Mourinho thinks that every match in this Clásico series is a one off with little to take from game to game. So far, Barcelona have almost certainly clinched the title with a draw at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid impressed in the one match that they had the most opportunities to win. Now La Decima calls. Their tenth European championship awaits and they must go through a challenging first leg, again at the Bernabeu, and the decider a week later at the Camp Nou. It will be a similar road to what Mourinho did last year.

While some are already calling it won, it won´t be easy, and Barca will react. Guardiola will not let them get complacent. Either way it is only good for Spanish football to see the great teams play like this against each other.

VIDEO: For a dignified Atléti, Tell them to Go!

A brew is boiling. Spanish football fans are feeling impowered and starting to question and demand change. We mentioned the website Liga Justa on Forza Futbol (aka For a Fair League), which has mysteriously gone silent.

Now Atlético Madrid fans are mobilizing. They want the board and owners out. They want the team to be owned moreso by the fans. The Yellow and Gold Movement is growing, which is kind of similar to the Manchester United and Liverpool fan protest groups.

A new coalition, Atléticos for Change is building awareness and prominence. We hope to have representatives soon on our podcast, to share their story. We, at Forza Futbol, strongly believe, that more fan involvement and demands is desperately needed in Spanish football. All for the betterment and health of the league.

Watch and listen to this poignant video created by @AtléticosCambio or Atléticos for Change. It is in Spanish, but see below my rough, English translation. Animo Atléti!!




For a dignified Atléti (there are reasons)

Based on a survey of thousands of Atléti Fans,


Everytime Gil JR (technical director) sells a key player (see Simao),

16,000+ signatures are collected to oust Gil from the club.


Meanwhile, when Cerezo states that he is one of us (an Atléti fan),

100,000+ show how to be a real fan.


Everytime (the crook and former owner) Gil SR, bathes in his pool,

52,000 fans are supporting and encouraging their club.


Because when our team loses a final (see Copa del Rey vs Sevilla last year),

we still support our club.


Because when 1 supporter says, there is no way that we can get rid of them (the owners),

3,000 fans scream GET OUT.


Atléti Fans have more supporters than the board,

because everytime a fan gives up, thousands join the cause (Atléticos for Change).


Because they (the leaders) are rich and corrupt,

and we (the fans) have heart and hope.


There are reasons to believe in change, for a dignified Atléti,

TELL THEM TO GO!


Fuerza Atléti! Give them your support!


Video courtesy of @rickyam & @atléticoscambio. Follow them on twitter.

VIDEO: El Clásico Spoof - Joaquin Caparrós & Dani Alves

Check out what happened during the Copa del Rey first leg between Barça and Athletic Bilbao.

Some interesting tidbits:

1) Alves used to play for Caparrós during their days at Sevilla

2) The game ended 0-0. The return leg at San Mames will be the decider.

3) Who says Coaches don't have a sense of humor?

Enjoy!