The final part of Robert McCracken and Jake Miller’s excellent La Liga preview should have been followed by the first weekend fixtures. The striker has put paid to that. Enjoy the final four profiles…
Sporting Gijon
Manager: Manuel Preciado Ground: El Molinón (29,538)
Last Season
La Liga: 10th Copa Del Rey: Round of 32
One word to describe last season: Goal-shy
How was last season?
Sporting’s 10th place finish is somewhat flattering; they won less games and scored less goals than any team out with the bottom three and a staggering 14 draws propelled Sporting to the dizzy heights of 10th after propping up the foot of thetable in January. Manuel Preciado, adored by Sporting fans, found himself dangerously close to the sack given the team occupied the relegation spots at the turn of the year. The longest serving manager in the Spanish top tier was of course spared after snatching a last minute draw from Racing provided Sporting the springboard they needed to kick-start their survival campaign. On the bright side though, Sporting ended Jose Mourinho’s 9-year unbeaten home record with a win in the Bernabau.
What’s happened in the summer?
Sporting have had to cope with the loss of Diego Castro, the clubs top scorer last term (9), as he’s moved to Getafe. They’ve also lost José Ángel to AS Roma and Javi Poves retired from football, citing moral and political reasons for his decision. The loss of Diego Castro in particular will no doubt have caused some panic amongst the support as he was head and shoulders above his teammates last term though. Preciado would appear to have bought wisely in the transfer market, shoring up the defence and midfield to cope with the loss of players. Concern is caused though by the mere 35 La Liga goals the side managed, with no player managing more than 10. Fans would have expected Preciado to acquire a striker to provide more options in attack but this hasn’t happened – yet. Much of the close season talk has been surrounding the new season’s strip. The new Kappa made strips have already broke sales records, however the new strip has been dubbed “The Pyjama” by supporters and has fuelled a backlash against the club. The feeling has been so strong that Sporting and Kappa are working on a new alternative strip.
Who’s the key man?
Miguel de las Cuevas
The attacking midfielder shone in this Sporting team last term, bagging eight goals and being the creative force behind much of the attacking play. With the loss of Castro there will be more pressure on de las Cuevas to produce the goods again this term. If he can build on his impressive season last time out then he will be a very important player for Sporting. A creative and exciting player, de las Cuevas will cause some headaches amongst opposition defences.
What to expect this year
If Sporting can sort out their goal-scoring problem then there is no reason they can’t push to break into the top eight and grab themselves a Europa League spot. They are strong defensively, only the top two conceded less last term, and in midfield they have strengthened following high profile departures. Their season lies on how they improve in the final third.
Valencia
Manager: Unai Emery Ground: Mestalla (55,000)
Last Season
La Liga: 3rd Copa Del Rey: Round of 16 Champions League: Round of 16
One word to describe last season: Accomplished
How was last season?
Relatively speaking, a triumph. Valencia went into the 2010/11 season in the financial mire and they had lost their two best players, David Villa and David Silva being kept for as long as they could before the club had to cash in, so a 3rd place finish (for the 2nd consecutive year) was a huge accomplishment for Los Che. Champions League football is a massive boost on the field and provides a huge financial injection to the books (Valencia amassed €24m from their participation in the 2010/11 competition).
What’s happened in the summer?
Valencia haven’t had to auction of their better players this summer, which means they are still in a strong position. They’ve let Joaquin got to Malaga for €5m, and Manuel Fernandes has gone to Besiktas for €2m, but other than that Valencia have removed a few squad players out on free transfers. They’ve managed to spend a bit of money as well. Dani Parejo joins from Getafe, the exciting Pablo Piatti joins from Segunda’s Almeria and Adil Rami joins from French champions Lille. They’ve also managed to secure a loan deal for Real Madrid midfielder Sergio Canales who could flourish in Valencia. Their most important piece of business is keeping hold of Juan Mata though, who impressed at the European U21 Championships this summer. He’s been linked to moves with a number of top European sides, with Arsenal and Chelsea seeming especially keen, but at the time of writing Mata is still a Valencia player.
Who’s the key man?
Roberto Soldado
With all of the exciting talent in midfield, Roberto Soldado will be hoping to improve on his return of 18 goals last season. A deadly finisher, Soldado never really got a chance at Real Madrid after impressing in their B team at the start of his career, but has excelled since leaving and Valencia made a smart signing in replacing David Villa. He had a better than 1 in 2 ratio in the league last year and Los Che could expect more from their hometown boy this year.
What to expect this year
Champions League again, hopefully. Valencia have a seemingly better squad than last year, so Emery will be hoping for much of the same, with perhaps progress in the cups as well. Valencia don’t look like troubling the top 2 any time soon, and they have to be weary of teams challenging behind, but I think a top 4 spot is more than likely on the Spanish coast.
Villarreal
Manager: Juan Carlos Garrido Ground: El Madrigal (25,000)
Last Season
La Liga: 4th Copa Del Rey: Quarter Finals Europa League: Semi Finals
One word to describe last season: Almost
How was last season?
One of the ‘also ran’s’ Villarreal are without doubt the most attractive footballing side outside the top two in Spain. They didn’t disappoint this time out either as they passed their way to the Europa League semi-finals. Ultimately, defeat to the eventual champions FC Porto meant that Villarreal finished 4th in La Liga and slipped up in their pursuit of third place. None the less, Villarreal gave their fans something to cheer about yet again and Juan Carlos Garrido has brought Champions League football to El Madrigal. It was a case of ‘almost’ for Villarreal; almost third place and almost Europa League finalists – a good season was almost an outstanding one.
What’s happened in the summer?
Possibly the most stable club in Spain have lost two of their most stable players. Santi Cazorla, who was so important to their success last term, and Joan Capdevilla has also departed. Cazorla has pulled the strings in midfield for the side for so long it remains to be seen the impact this will have on Villarreal. The signing of Christian Zapata will help address the defensive weaknesses which contributed to the club’s poor run of form in the middle of the season. One of the biggest pieces of business though is one that never happened. Villarreal have managed to hold on to star forward Guiseppe Rossi despite some interest from some big clubs in the forward.
Who’s the key man?
Borja Valero
Had an excellent debut season for El Submarino Amarillo and will be expected to provide the same form again this season. Now that Cazorla has gone and no direct replacement has been signed (at the time of writing) the onus will very much be on Valero to pull the strings from the middle of the park. Borja Valero will be key to Villarreal’s season.
What to expect this year
A shift in power could very well be brewing this year. Villarreal look weaker than they have for a number of season’s now and with Malaga looking to mount a challenge for the top 4 it could be Villarreal that make way to accommodate them. They do of course have Champions League football to compete in this term (Lost 1-0 to Odense in the first leg of the Champions League play-off) however I wouldn’t expect them to be there again in 12 months’ time. Still, if they can keep the togetherness and dynamic that has made them such a good unit then you never know what may happen.
Zaragoza
Manager: Javier Aguirre Ground: La Romareda (34,596)
Last Season
La Liga: 13th Copa Del Rey: Round of 32
One word to describe last season: Dirty
How was last season?
La Liga’s bad guys. Zaragoza are still in the top flight despite being in administration, despite not paying their players and despite being all round bastards. Managed by Javier Aguirre, Zaragoza are not afraid to go to any lengths in pursuit of a win. In games against Almeria and Getafe, extra balls were thrown onto the pitch by ball boys, and by someone on the Zaragoza bench in the closing minutes of narrow matches. In the end, Zaragoza finished a couple of points away from relegation.
What’s happened in the summer?
Considering Zaragoza’s finanical situation, a lot. Zaragoza have managed to spend €12m on two players – including €9m on Benfica goalkeeper Roberto despite not paying a wage bill of an estimated €13m. Zaragoza have lost inspirational midfielder Gabi to Altleti as well as the exciting Herrera (who has gone to Athletic).
Who’s the key man?
Roberto
The goal keeper signed from Benfica this summer having been at the Portuguese club for only a year. Roberto had helped Zaragoza stay in the top flight whilst on loan from Atletico Madrid in the 2009/10 season, and the Spaniard is a fine acquisition, even if the means of getting him were a bit shady.
What to expect this year
Zaragoza should be alright. They’ve got enough desire and fight to pick up the points to survive, and simply put, there are worse teams than them around. Ex-Mexico boss Aguirre won’t take anything but 100% from his side and the solidity of the Zaragoza backline will mean they won’t lose too many. Goals won’t be free flowing at La Romareda though and that could be a problem.
