Fútbol Roundup 2011
Barcelona and Real Madrid look to battle for the top spot yet again.
By A.C. Mullins-Khatib —
After a brief hiatus to argue about whether or not players should be paid, La Liga is back for the start of the 2011/12 season! How many points will Barcelona win by? How many people will José Mourinho jab in the eye? The answers questions and many more await us of the course of the upcoming season.
Here’s your guide to where the top six contenders have spent their cash this summer and a bit of what you can look forward to in the upcoming season:
Barcelona
What more can one really say about the three-time defending league champions and current Champions League winners? Oh right, they’ve brought in Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal and Alexis Sánchez from Udinese to bolster their squad in the hopes of further European domination. Sometimes it can be tough for teams when every match they places sees their opponents gunning for them. With the talent that manager Pep Guardiola has at his disposal though, I don’t think he’s going to be too worried just yet.
Real Madrid
Check out the fees for Madrid’s loaded squad: Fábio Coentrão €30m, Nuri Sahin €10m, Pepe €30m, Ramos €27m, Di María €25m, Kaká €65m, Diarra €20m, Gago €18m, Ozil €18m, Alonso €30m, Benzema €35m , Ronaldo €95m. All that money for a second place finish. José Mourhino looks to improve upon his teams tepid performances against Barcelona last season–and if their meetings in the SuperCup are any indication he may be on track. That said, Mourhino has been receiving some flack from past club players and officials for his latest outburst, leaving us to wonder whether the “Special One” may not be quite so special these days.
Málaga
Before the start of last season, Qatari sheik Abdullah Bin Nasser al-Thani purchased this otherwise lowly club for €36m. With a budget of €150m–easily third largest behind Barcelona and Madrid–Málaga have signed nine new players for about €60m. The list reads: Ruud van Nistelroy, Diego Buonanotte, Nacho Monreal, Jérémy Toulalan, Joris Mathijsen, Sergio Sánchez, Joaquín Sánchez, Francisco “Isco” Román, and Spanish international Santi Cazorla. The €19m Málaga paid Villarreal for Cazrola alone was more than their entire budget two seasons ago. While the change in terms of budgets and players is certainly dramatic, there aren’t any budget busting Cityesque marquee signings going on. This looks to be a sustainable build from coach Manuel Pelligrini as he looks to climb above his clubs 11th place finish last year.
Valencia
The 3rd place finishers from last season have made some impressive additions including: Sergio Canales, Pablo PIatti, Adil Rami, Dani Parejo, and Diego Alves. Valencia proved to be the only squad that Barcelona really seemed to struggle against at times last season. Though it’s doubtful that coach Unai Emery’s men are going to be able to give Barcelona a run for their money this season, they should make for an entertaining battle for 3rd or possibly even 2nd.
Villarreal
The “Yellow Submarine” have seen the summer bring more departures than arrivals. Playmaking midfielder Santi Cazorla shipped off to Malaga and defensive stalwart Joan Capdevilla decamped for Benfica. Financial troubles have led to struggles to bring in new talent and further improve on last season’s 4th placed finish. Though on bright notes, star stiker (and American born) Giussepi Rossi has decided to stick around for the season after putting 18 goals in last campaign. Attacking midfielder Borja Valero is also back for the year, assuming he doesn’t keep going all Zidane on everyone.
This Is Not A Pitch 