The penultimate part of the La Liga previews from Jake Miller and Robert McCracken; with Rayo, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Sevilla all profiled…
Rayo Vallecano
Manager: José Ramón Sandoval Ground: Teresa Rivero (15,500)
Last Season:
Segunda Division: 2nd Copa Del Rey: Third Round
One word to describe last season: Inspiring
How was last season?
In the face of crippling financial problems and with some stiff contribution Rayo done a lot better than any of their fans could have really expected. Despite their serious financial problems, Rayo finished second trailing only to the runaway champions Real Betis. Their promotion means that Rayo end their 8 year exile from La Liga. Rayo players are in a position where many have not been paid, a story far from unique in Spain currently, so it shows a remarkable togetherness for them to have won promotion convincingly.
What’s happened in the summer?
After extensive player protests and fans concerns regarding the financial security of the club, the Ruiz Mateo family who owned the club have been forced out the door after Rayo went into administration. Other high profile exits are 20 goal midfielder Emiliano Armenteros whose loan has expired and he returned to Sevilla after his massive contribution to promotion. Coke, Rayo’s impressive centre half followed him to Sevilla for a fee of around €2m. Coke may not be alone; with the club in such dire straits financially any player who can command a transfer fee will no doubt be sold.
Talented manager José Ramón Sandoval remains at the club and has added to his squad with a fistful of free transfers and loan deals – arguably adding some better quality than other clubs expected to be at the bottom end of the table come the end of the season.
Who’s the key man?
Michel
Enjoying his second spell at Rayo, Michel is somewhat of a veteran at 35 years old although in spite of his age made 20 appearances last term in the Segunda division. Nobody would expect him to provide 20+ starts this La Liga term but his experience and passion are vital for Rayo in this campaign. Nobody knows Rayo better than Michel who’s competed for them in the top three divisions in Spain and in Europe. He underpinned much of what Rayo done last year and could still fill that role in La Liga this term.
What to expect this year
Nobody should be expecting Ryo to set La Liga alight this term and they will no doubt be at the bottom end of the table heading into the business end of the season. They have strengthened their side for the La Liga return so don’t expect them to be cannon fodder.
Real Madrid
Manager: Jose Mourinho Ground: Santiago Bernabeu (80,354)
Last Season:
La Liga: 2nd Copa Del Rey: Winners Champions League: Semi finals
One word to describe last season: Second
How was last season?
Frustrating. Real Madrid are probably the 2nd best football team in the world. It’s an annoying coincidence that the World’s best team are in every single competition that Real Madrid are competing in. Unfortunately for Real, it was another season in Barcelona’s shadow. They were always slightly off the pace in the league and the rivalry came to a massive play-off in the spring as the clubs met 4 times in a very short space of time. Barca won. Real can take some comfort in winning the Copa Del Rey final against the Catalans, and Mourinho will be hoping to improve on that in his 2nd season in charge of Los Blancos.
What’s happened in the summer?
Mourinho has acted smartly in the transfer window. He hasn’t resorted to the tactic of spending massive money on big names (although €30m on Fabio Coentrao is hardly pocket change) bringing in a healthy blend of experience and exciting youth. Hamit Altintop joins from Bayern and will add steel to the midfield (and should stop Pepe being used there) and Borussia Dortmund’s excellent midfield man Nuri Sahin joins for a bargain €10m.
Who’s the key man?
Cristiano Ronaldo
The most expensive footballer of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo is a goal scoring machine. He scored a ridiculous 40 goals in 34 league appearances (53 in 54 overall) and Real will be hoping for more of the same from the Portugal captain. Mourinho will be hoping to see more from Ronaldo in the massive games (we’ve yet to see him grab an El Classico game single handed like Messi) but it’s almost impossible to pick fault in Cristiano Ronaldo.
What to expect this year
Unfortunately for Real, I think it will be second place again. Mourinho is an extraordinary manager and he is building an excellent side, with awesome strength in reserve (arguably a better squad than Barcelona’s) but the club from the capital are always going to be reliant on a mistake from Barca for them to capitalise on. With Barcelona improving in the summer, I’m afraid I can’t seeing a happy year in Madrid.
Real Sociedad
Manager: Philippe Montanier Ground: Anoeta (32,200)
Last Season:
La Liga: 15th Copa Del Rey: Round of 32
One word to describe last season: Consolidation
How was last season?
Sociedad returned to La Liga last term after an unexpected three year exile. Nobody really expected Sociedad to go back down nor did anyone expect them to set the world alight. Sociedad finished 15th in a season that was very much about consolidating their position back in the top division. although such was the tightness of the league that only 6 points separated 8th-18th leaving Sociedad only two points clear of the relegation positions.. One of the season’s highlights was no doubt their 2-1 victory over Barcelona, dubbed by many as the best club side of all time; Sociedad will be happy with their first season back in La Liga and will be looking to cement their position further when the new season kicks off.
What’s happened in the summer?
Unlike rivals Racing, Sociedad do not employ an exclusively Basque transfer policy. The summer has saw them loan serial loanee Carlos Vela from Arsenal who will be looking to prove a point in La Liga. Their side has changed very little over the summer and Sociedad are looking very stable – exactly what they need going into that difficult second season.
Who’s the key man?
Xabier Prieto
Prieto has been an important player for Sociedad since he broke into the first team in 2005. Xabier Prieto is player of real La Liga ability who, admirably, stuck with Sociedad when they dropped down to the Segunda Division. Prieto’s directness and dribbling provides a constant threat to opposition defences and is the nominated spot kick man for his side, playing a vital role in the Sociedad midfield and in the final third.
What to expect this year
Much of the same. Sociedad will not be ready to challenge for Europe nor will they be expected to be propping up the table. They’ve added to an already decent La Liga squad so should be expected to finish comfortably in mid table and steer themselves a bit further away from relegation than last term. An improved mid-table finish can be expected from the Basque side this time around.
Sevilla
Manager: Marcelino Ground: Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán (48,500)
Last Season:
La Liga: 5th Copa Del Rey: Semi Finals Europa League: Round of 32
One word to describe last season: Competent
How was last season?
It was pretty much as you expect from Sevilla nowadays. They finished 5th in La Liga after a strong finish, but never really challenged the top 4. An exciting, goal-filled cup run came to an end in the semi-finals thanks to Real Madrid, and eventual champions Porto dumped Sevilla out of the Europa League. They’ll be making an assault on the same competitions this year.
What’s happened in the summer?
Whilst some of the 2007 UEFA Cup winning side are still there, Marcelino has an exciting young squad to work with in Andalucia. Leaving this summer include young Spanish winger Diego Capel (who was getting a bit stale at the club) and ex-Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora. Marcelino has brought in some good players with Manu arriving from Getafe and defender Emir Spahic signing from French side Montpellier. Sevilla’s best piece of business is signing German midfield player Piotr Trochowski on a free transfer. He brings experience and class to the Sevilla attack.
Who’s the key man?
Alvaro Negredo
Sevilla’s top scorer last year seems to have secured his place as the number one striker at the club. Breaking the excellent Luis Fabiano/Kanoute partnership was difficult, but Negredo’s goal scoring and performances made it difficult to ignore him, and he’s excelled. He got 20 league goals last season and is hugely unlucky to be Spanish – 3 goals in 5 caps likely to be all he ever gets as he is behind some of the best players in World football for a starting place. With some excellent creative players behind him, Negredo should be expecting another good return in front of goal.
What to expect this year
Sevilla will be there or thereabouts. The Europa League is a winnable competition for them and Sevilla always do well in the Copa Del Rey, but it’s got to be a top 4 spot for Marcelino to aim for. It’s a definite possibility for the Andalucian’s and it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see Champions League football in Seville next year.
Nuri Sahin is any absolute bargain at 10m! I wonder whether Real Madrid will finish second best to Barcelona in the Champions League as well as La Liga