La Liga 2006/07

[g force]

Seeing as the season threads are starting already, it seems only right that the Primera Liga be represented once again. The come down from the WC is over - and it's time to get back to business.

Biggest news is Real's continued "galatico" policy under new their new president. Capello is back as manager, and has snapped up Cannavaro and Emerson. So one great player and one very average player. Quite what this means for soem of the other players is uncertain...rumours that Robinho is unhappy, Zidane's gone and the lack of goals is still a concern.

Over in the "other" camp, Barca look like they'll have a shirt sponsor for the first time - Unicef. I'd prefer it not to happen, but it's free to a good organisation better than the dman Beijing Olympics, plus Unicef gets a small percentage of Barca's profits from this season Still doesn't quite match Laporta's argument about revenue from the strip, but we'll see. Speaking of which, there's a presidential election due. We've also gone back to the traditional orange away strip

Signed Gudjohnson to replace Henrik, which seems like a good move and Edmilson is back. Lack of defensive cover is still a worry. Saviola looks like he's coming back, but I guess he'll be offered to anyone who wants him!

Seems the acadmecy players will be gettign more games, particularly in the Copa Del Rey - expect to see more Rodri, Pena, Verdu and Riera (no, not the crap guy on loan at Man City).

Valencia look to be buildign a strogn squad with Morientes back in Spain. Villarreal too have got Pires and Nihat to partner Forlan, although that didn't stop them losing 2-1 in the Intertoto the other night!

Cadiz managed to get relegeated and in a Man City style have sold all of their season tickets!

Atleti may, or may not sell Torres...it's an ongoing saga. They've signed Pernia from Getafe and Costinha, but beign Atleti, they'll probably finished 8th if they rely on Kezman to get goals.

This season also welcomes back yo-yo club Levante, Nàstic from Tarragona and Recreativo.

No predictions yet - i'll wait to see who gets transfered first!

 

[mrkikiet]

Seems the acadmecy players will be gettign more games, particularly in the Copa Del Rey - expect to see more Rodri, Pena, Verdu and Riera (no, not the crap guy on loan at Man City).

Valencia look to be buildign a strogn squad with Morientes back in Spain. Villarreal too have got Pires and Nihat to partner Forlan, although that didn't stop them losing 2-1 in the Intertoto the other night!

Riera is back at Espanyol, making the 'another chance' noises. Tamudo and Ivan continue to be prima donnas coming bakc late to pre-season and looking unable to play even 45 minutes against Terrassa this Friday.

Valencia have also got Zaragoza playmaker Cani, much to the chagrin of the zaragocistas. even the arrival of d'alessandrio hasn't allayed many fears. there are ongoing rumours of ayala heading to aragon but the price valencia want seems to be stopping this.

nastic in la liga is going to be fun. when espanyol were in danger last year the people i talked to at the ground were going to give as much support as they could to this lot. a last game of the season, nastic against espanyol, nastic needing to win to stay up, espanyol already inthe champions league. i wouldn't put much money on espanyol trying.

 

[Donna Ferentes]

Are the 2B fixtures available anywhere yet? I want to know when the Huesca-Barbastro matches are on. San Fermin v Opus Dei...

 

[Balbi]

D'Allessandro is mint

 

[T & P]

Sad to hear Barcelona will be getting a shirt sponsor but Unicef is a pretty good choice- certainly beats the likes of mobile phone providers and electronics firms.

I see that Real Madrid is replacing old with old. Neither player is a spring chicken. I'd like them to reinforce the defence and midfield a tad more to be honest. And to be honest I hope they don't sign RvN.

 

[mrkikiet]

Are the 2B fixtures available anywhere yet? I want to know when the Huesca-Barbastro matches are on. San Fermin v Opus Dei...

nothing seems to be out for any team/division yet.

 

[Donna Ferentes]

As (which is full of shit) reckoned on Tuesday that Real Madrid - or was it Barca again, it's so hard to tell? - were going to sign Henry on the grounds that Arsenal wanted to sell. Oh aye.

 

[g force]

Yeah and pigs might fly. Real I could maybe understand - their front line still looks dodgy to me, but Barca don't need Henry.

Cannavaro will work and maybe save some Casillas jitters from last season. But Emerson

According to a leak from Barca, Zambrotta and Thuram are heading to Camp Nou. Why we're going to waste money on a 34 year-old defender is beyond me. He can't have nmore than 1 season left in him. Be very happy if we get Zambrotta

I'm torn on the shirt issue - first up this year's strip is horrible..although I do like the club motto beign on the inside collar so I won't be buying it for the first time in, I think 15 seasons. Second...the sponsorship issue has been around for a while and Laporta said it was needed to raise money. Now we've probabyl got Unicef we're giving money. While I liek the idea of raising Unicef's profile through such a massive deal as being the first ever sponsor, I wonder if it's the thin end of the wedge.

First Unicef and we get used to a sponsor being there and then "bam" we've got Repsol or Telefonica on the front. Could make the presidential election interesting.

I also can't see us retaining the title - got a feeling this season will be mighty close. Unless, of course, Neeskens has some tricks up his sleeve

 

[mrkikiet]

1a and 2a are here the rest i don't know.

 

[g force]

Barca v Valencia week 4 looks tasty

 

[Donna Ferentes]

1a and 2a are here the rest i don't know.

I don't think the rest is out yet. First, this sulks if you ask if for 2B ; second, the Primera fixtures were in my Diario del Alto Aragón this morning but not 2B.

 

[mrkikiet]

Barca v Valencia week 4 looks tasty

nearly as tasty as zaragoza espanyol in week 2....

 

[g force]

We've got Zambrotta and Thuram for £13m. Absolute bargain - the one area we needed improvement and we've signed a truly world class full back and an experienced guy who can do the job.

 

[mrkikiet]

but laporta's going to go in September and it will all come tumbling down....

 

[Dr. Furface]

We've got Zambrotta and Thuram for £13m. Absolute bargain - the one area we needed improvement and we've signed a truly world class full back and an experienced guy who can do the job.

You've quickly changed your tune about Thuram!

Good signings though.

 

[g force]

He can do a job - teach the academy players and sit on the bench. A handy option, but not a regular I hope...Oleguer and Marquez may have to battle for a place.

 

[g force]

Congrats to Villarreal already being out of Europe...talk about a shambles. 3 red cards in the first leg and another in the second

Valencia have signde Del Horno - good move, he's a good player who didn't settle in the UK.

Congrats too to the Spanish Under-19s who are through to the European championship semis in Poland after a 1-1 draw with Portugal to top Group B. Look out for these players over the next few seasons:

Goalkeepers: 1 Adán (Real Madrid)

Defenders: 2 Barragán (Deportivo), 3 Crespo (Sevilla), 4 Marc Valiente (Barcelona), 5 Piqué (Manchester United), 12 Canella (Sporting Gijón), 17 Elustondo (Real Sociedad);

Midfielders: 6 Mario Suárez (Atlético Madrid), 7 Toni (Barcelona), 8 Javi García (Real Madrid), 10 Esteban Granero (Real Madrid), 11 Diego Capel (Sevilla), 15 Jeffrén (Barcelona);

Forwards: 9 César Díaz (Albacete), 14 Pedraza (Espanyol), 16 Mata (Real Madrid),18 Bueno (Real Madrid).

 

[mrkikiet]

He can do a job - teach the academy players and sit on the bench. A handy option, but not a regular I hope...Oleguer and Marquez may have to battle for a place.

for 6million€ a year i'd hope he's going to be used as more than just a benchwarmer.....

 

[g force]

Of course he'll play, esp in the Copa...but Puyol and Marquez are probably ahead of him as centre backs - why break up a good partnership, unless they ask to play RB with Zambrotta on the left?

 

[E.J.]

gforce - i've been hearing a few rumours that Barca (as well as Internazionale) are interested in signing Patrick Viera! Is this possibly true?

Also about Juan Laporta resigning as Barca president, thus there will be an election on who will succeed him. Have you heard of the possible contenders for the postion?

 

[g force]

I think the idea is he'll do a better job than van Bommel or Edmislon/Motta if they play there, but I can't see it happening because of wage demands. The midfield is pretty much perfect as is

No ones put their hands up yet, that I know of, but give it a few weeks. I think the election is due to be in early Sept, so the next month should reveal all.

 

[Arafat]

I think Madrid will win La Liga next season. . .they have one of the best managers in the World, the player of the tournament in the World Cup and another great signing in Emerson. And all the players they already have that haven't really shone yet (Cassano). It will def' be closer that last season anyway.

 

[Balbi]

In the Spain U19 side - I have to say that Man Utd's Pique is one dirty fucking bastard of a defender.

I watched him in the games where Ferguson fielded young sides and he's very old school with his policy of chopping people down.

I reckon he's great!

 

[g force]

Yeah he's proper hard already - scores goals too.

 

[Donna Ferentes]

Here we go - weeks 7 and 26. But how do I know the dates?

 

[mrkikiet]

same as the primera and segunda?

sidenote: i noticed in todays paper that sabadell sacked their entire first team squad at the end of last season and have 23 totally new players. Should be interesting there.

 

[g force]

Yep that would be my thinking...same dates as the other leagues.

Sabadell are crap. It's official

 

[Donna Ferentes]

Yep that would be my thinking...same dates as the other leagues.

You'd guess so, but in that case why not just say so?

 

[g force]

Because:

1) It's Spain
2) It's Marca

 

[Donna Ferentes]

Because:

1) It's Spain

You're not kidding. Four months here and the organisational habits are driving me insane.

My favourite was the chess tournament for which the entry forms stated that if you didn't pay in advance, you wouldn't be allowed to play. A phone call elicted the information that one had to pay on the day. On arriving at the venue, on the day, the tournament office then shut for the afternoon...