As the new La Liga season approaches (strike permitting), Jake Miller and Robert McCracken have compiled a club-by-club preview of the 2011/12 campaign that you’ll be getting it over the next five days…
Athletic Club
Manager: Marcelo Bielsa Ground: San Mamés (39,750)
Last Season
La Liga: 6th Copa Del Rey: Round of 16 Europa League: N/A European Super Cup: N/A
One word to describe last season: Encouraging
How was last season?
Athletic went into the season with their main aim being to claim European football. The early season form of Spain striker Fernando Llorente saw the club start brightly. However, both Llorente and Athletic were not quite consistent enough to challenge for the 4th Champions League spot as many had hoped. Patchy form combined with an injury crisis leaving their squad looking a bit threadbare meant the Champions League was out of reach. Athletic did however manage to push on and snatched a Europa League spot in the second last week of the season. Their points total of 58 for the season was their best since 98/99. A narrow Copa Del Rey defeat to Barcelona cannot be frowned upon either.
What’s happened in the summer?
Athletic never really give us any major transfer news with their policy of having only Basque players in the side limiting their transfer potential. The move of Ander Herrera from Real Zaragoza for a fee of €7.5m was agreed last season and he comes into the side to add some extra bodies to a squad which looked thin at times last term. Speculation has surrounded star man Fernando Llorente in recent seasons although luckily for Athletic it seems to have died down this year, so far at least. A new manager comes in in the shape of Marco Bielsa who was put in place by the newly elected chairman. He has a tough act to follow after the excellent season laid down by Joaquin Caparros.
Who’s the key man?
Fernando Llorente
The man they call El Rey Leon (The Lion King) is vital to this Athletic side. His 19 goals in 38 games last term were vital in firing the club to where they are, his strike rate is up there with the best in Europe and there is no doubting he is one of the first names on the team sheet week in week out. If Llorente is injured or is sold there is no doubt Athletic will struggle badly.
What to expect this year
More consistency. Bielsa is a seasoned manager and will be sure to iron out the lack of consistency which was their major flaw last year. Don’t expect them to qualify for the Champions League but 6th place again is a must, given that this will be the same side as last season. Atheltic are always there or thereabouts when it comes to the Copa Del Rey so don’t be surprised to see the Basques in the Quarters at least either.
Atletico Madrid
Manager: Gregorio Manzano Ground: Estadio Vicente Calderon (54,851)
Last Season
La Liga: 7th Copa Del Rey: Quarter Finals Europa League: Group Stage European Super Cup: Winners
One word to describe last season: Disappointing
How was last season?
A campaign that started so well for Atleti ended in a bit of a damp squib. Going into the season as reigning Europa League champions meant that the club from the capital would be facing off with Inter in UEFA’s Charity Shield equivalent, the Super Cup. An excellent 2-0 win in Monaco was matched with a 4-0 home win over Sporting Gijon on the opening weekend. Unfortunately it was all downhill from there. A dismal Europa League campaign saw them crash out in the Group Stages, league form was far from consistent and 7th place was not good enough. Add 4 derby defeats from Real and it all adds up to a poor year at the Vicente Calderon.
What’s happened in the summer?
As announced before the end of the season, manager Quique Sanchez Flores left the club. A reign that had a few big highs was also full of frustrating lows and Atleti just didn’t have the form in the league that should have been coming from a team of their calibre. He’s replaced at the helm by managerial journeyman Gregorio Manzano. He’s got a job on his hands to improve on last year as two of the brightest talents in Spain have left the club. David De Gea and Sergio Aguero have gone and have been replaced young goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, signed by Chelsea and loaned out immediately (to be challenged by Sergio Asenjo who’s back from his loan spell at Malaga) and U21 hotshot Adrian (who has never been prolific for any club) on a free from relegated Deportivo. In other areas they’ve strengthened smartly. Silvio was one of Braga’s best performers in their Europa League run last year, Tiago joins permanently from Juventus and in Arda Turan Atleti have secured one of Europe’s best young talents.
Who’s the key man?
Arda Turan
Signed for €12m this summer, Arda Turan became Turkey’s most expensive player of all time and he easily justifies the price tag. Just 24 years old Turan was club captain at Galatasaray and has over 40 caps for the national team having announced himself to the world with his fantastic performances at Euro 2008. Turan brings flair, class and experience on the wing and could be one of the most exciting players to watch in this year’s La Liga.
What to expect this year
It’s difficult to say. Whilst being intelligent in the transfer market, losing De Gea and Aguero is going to be a massive blow for Atleti. It’s probably a safe bet that you can expect more consistency under Manzano and they will be hoping to see the best from Diego Forlan who was too busy rowing with Sanchez Flores to be at his best last season. A top four place has to be the aim, and a solid cup run with a Europa League challenge is more than possible for the Madrid club.
FC Barcelona
Manager: Pep Guardiola Ground: Camp Nou (99,350)
Last Season
La Liga: Winners Copa Del Rey: Runners up Champions League: Winners Spanish Super Cup: Winners
One word to describe last season: Mesmerising
How was last season?
Do I really need to jog your memory? Barcelona recorded their third title on the bounce with real style. The season epitomised with the 5-0 thrashing of Real Madrid in November’s El Clasico. Having played 60+ games in all tournaments and losing only 5 of those, Barca were phenomenal in everything they done. Their style of play has long gathered admirers across the globe but it was last season that made many pros, fans and pundits state that this Barcelona side is possibly the best club side ever to grace the planet. Their European cup win where they swept Manchester United aside at Wembley was a joy to behold and will live long in the memory of all those who witnessed it. The season wasn’t quite all conquering as Real Madrid ensured Barca came as runners up in the Copa Del Rey.
What’s happened in the summer?
The protracted and tiresome transfer saga of Cesc Fabregas has hung over Barcelona somewhat this year. At the time of writing, this seems to finally be over as terms have been agreed to bring Fabregas to the Camp Nou at long last. Otherwise, the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Udinese is the only major business conducted by the Catalans in the close season. Pep Guardiola has no real reason to cause upheaval in his winning side. Barca sold fringe players Bojan and Jeffren to Roma and Sporting C.P respectively and released Gabby Milito. Barca look unlikely to do any more big business in the transfer window this summer as Guardiola looks happy with his side. The biggest deal financially however was that with the Qatar Foundation; a €170 million deal which sees Barcelona display a paid shirt sponsor for the first time in their history. A move which will no doubt upset the purists amongst us.
Who’s the key man?
Lionel Messi
He needs no introduction and his importance needs no explanation. 53 goals in 55 games last term shows just how important the Argentinian is to the success at Barcelona. With the Balon D’or, La Liga player of the year and top goal scorer awards just some of those he collected last year, Messi is intrinsic to everything Barca do.
What to expect this year
More of the same. Barcelona and Real Madrid look likely to battle it out at the top of the table again and I’d back this Barca side to take it every time, Champions League glory is not out of the question either as no club, currently, looks able to come close to challenging this side. Barca enter six competitions this term (La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup) giving them the chance to equal their own record of being the only club ever to win a Sextuple and therefore win everything they enter.
Real Betis
Manager: Pepe Mel Ground: Estadio Benito Villamarín (56,500)
Last Season
Segunda Division: 1st (Promoted) Copa Del Rey: Quarter Finals
One word to describe last season: Dominating
How was last season?
Brilliant. Betis were always ahead of the pack in the Segunda division, finishing 4 points clear as Champions and a comfortable 14 ahead of the nearest promotion chasers. They also managed a quarter final appearance in the Copa Del Rey (before running into Barcelona) which should assure fans that La Liga shouldn’t be too much of a step up.
What’s happened in the summer?
Coach Pepe Mel has had to be careful in the transfer market as purse-strings are tightened at the Seville club. This is shown by him having to let outspoken midfield man Achille Emana go, the Cameroonian international was more than good enough for La Liga but was on a large wage. Mel has acted well with the limited budget to bring in some experience in the form of Mario Alvarez and Antonio Amaya as well as excting Ecuadorian winger Jefferson Montero on loan from Villarreal.
Who’s the key man?
Ruben Castro
The striker seems to have finally found a home in Seville. Signed for Betis last summer, Castro managed an impressive 25 league goals in Segunda in the 2010/11 season. Coupled with a healthy 18 from Jorge Molina, Betis were never short of the goals needed to achieve promotion. The former Spanish-U21 striker spent a frustrating 6 years at Deportivo where he was loaned out to all corners of Spain without excelling, so the move to Betis seems to have settled him down. His goals will be crucial if Betis are to survive.
What to expect this year
Safety. Betis can’t expect to make huge strides into La Liga yet but I think they have more than enough class to stay in the division. Strong home form is expected, with some of Spain’s most passionate fans following the Verdiblancos regularly. Betis also have a reputation of being full of spirit and not being afraid of throwing caution to the wind, so some of Spain’s bigger clubs will have to be weary of an upset when they travel to Andalucia.
After three years Real Madrid finally got the 32nd title, while Barcelona has won 21. Finally the “Big two” (Barcelona and Real Madrid) still dominates la liga with 53 titles, all other clubs won only 28 and last time that la liga hadnt been won by another club Barcelona or Real Madrid was in 2004 by Valencia !
List of la liga winners