Spanish La Liga, has it become too uncompetitive?

During the Christmas break we take time to evaluate how each of the several leagues across Europe and the world have faired both competitively and financially. The first league we take a look at is Spain's premier league the La Liga. The La Liga is rated by FIFA as the second most successful league in the world after the English Premier League. However, in recent times the league has come under much pressure to offer something new both in terms of marketing and football.

One of the biggest problems in the La Liga is that the league has seemingly divided itself - overtime - into four different tiers.

One tier is played between Barcelona and Real Madrid to win the title.

Just under them is the second tier which consists of Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal, fighting for places in the champions league and the Europa league.

The third tier varies, but usually consists of teams like Atletico Bilbao, Espanyol, Getafe and Deportivo la Coruna, who are quite happy to stay out of trouble, but still play to achieve that elusive Europa League spot.

The fourth tier, of course is that between the teams trying to avoid relegation. Although the quality of the teams do not match those in the "first tier" the competition between these teams is quite exhilarating especially towards the end of the season.

These "tiers" or leagues are divided greatly by the level of football acustomed to each of the clubs. One big example of this was the recent match between Real Madrid and Levante - a team just sitting above relegation-  in the Spanish Cup , the 8-0 victory to Madrid including two hattricks to both Benzema and Ronaldo shows the difference in footballing ability between the two clubs. 

The fact that Madrid and Barcelona are always increasing the gap between all the tiers below them - mainly for money. Shows that the La Liga is bound to become more uncompetitive unless the influence of lesser known clubs becomes greater. Through both transfers and media publicity. Although everything is possible with newly promoted club Hercules putting up stiff challenges against Barcelona (1-0 Victory) and Real Madrid.



By Isidoro Munoz Mendoza our Spanish Correspondant
(Born in the Bernabeu) - Facebook follower

Spanish Premiera Round 16 - Real Madrid vs Sevilla - Review

Real Madrid has unconvincingly pulled off a narrow 1-0 victory at home to Sevilla. A crucial 77th minute strike from Angel Di Maria, the man Los Blancos signed from Benfica for $25 million, proved to be all that separated the two sides in what can only be described as an ill-tempered encounter that saw two red cards being handed out.


In recent times, this fixture has been characterised by high-scoring games, however this particular meeting proved to present very few goal scoring opportunities for either squad, particularly in the first half. Karim Benzema, a player under pressure to impress his employers, had a fruitless match which resulted in nothing more than a near miss in the first half which truly highlighted his now apparent lack of confidence. Los Blancos’ best chances came from two near identical free kicks from Cristiano Ronaldo, who showed his skill to nearly slot home past Andres Palop.

Sevilla also had their fair share of opportunities in the first half, however like Madrid, they did not seem adventurous or willing to break the deadlock. The visiting team continued to threaten the Madrid defence down the wings and an Escude header from a Capel cross drifted just wide of the Casillas goalpost in the 23th minute. Madrid defender Carvalho was lucky not to be given his marching orders when he pulled down Negredo towards the end of the first half. The resultant free kick was drilled at Casillas by Romaric, but was then ultimately cleared by Pepe. A fruitless first half ended with what appeared to be a dispute between Mourinho and the Sevilla bench.

The best chance of the game so far fell to Sevilla forward Negredo in the 57th minute. Luis Fabiano had planted a through ball past the Madrid defence but the final ball was drilled over the cross bar after being one-on-one with Casillas. The pressure continued to pile on the home team when Carvalho was given a second yellow card after he leant in with an elbow on Negredo.

At this stage, a continuation of Mourinho’s 8 year home match-undefeated streak seemed to be in doubt. Both Benzema and Khedira were substituted for Pedro Leon and Esteban Granero respectively and this seemed to spur the home side on to create more goal scoring opportunities. Los Blancos continued to dominate, however it wasn’t until the 77th minute that Di Maria’s strike from a tight angle gave Madrid the slender lead that they had been chasing down all game. Mourinho’s aggressive strategy of using a three-man defensive formation following Carvalho’s sending-off had finally paid off. Mouhamadou Dabo was also given his marching orders for kicking out at Di Maria during injury time, which reduced the numerical advantage the away side had over Madrid.

While the result may not have been convincing, Mourinho’s Real Madrid had managed to carve out a 1-0 home victory that ensured they would go into the Christmas break trailing Barcelona by only 2 points. It may not have been a classic performance from the match-winning squad, but it was a prime example of Mourinho managing to grab a victory despite an injury-stricken and partially suspended first eleven squad.



Final Score - Real Madrid 1        Sevilla 0
                      Di Maria 77

Man of the Match : Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)

Article by Alexander "Real Madrid"  Novo (Facebook and Twitter follower)

Spanish Premiera Round 16 - Real Madrid vs Sevilla

It's a match pitting the over achievers in the Premiera this year (Real Madrid) against the dismal underachievers (Sevilla) in round 16 of the Spanish Premiera. It is fair to say that Sevilla has been one of the major disappointments this year, especially domestically. Although they will have some confidence going into the game knowing that they qualified to the second round of the Europa League at the expense of  German league leaders Borussia Dortmund.
Still trying to push their title claims after their loss to Barcelona a few rounds back, Real Madrid will be fielding a squad with many bench players as they have a list of injuries and suspensions which may make the task of beating Sevilla that bit more difficult than will initially be expected.

After Barcelona's 5-1 demolition of Espanyol, Madrid will be under a great deal of pressure to keep up with the league leaders. Whilst Sevilla will look to stay in some kind of contact with the elusive top four clubs in the Premiera.



Real Madrid Team News: A string of injuries affects the Real camp this week. The suspensions don't help either, with both Xabi Alonso and Marcelo suspended, mourinho will have to find replacements defensively. Ramos is also out, while Madrids attack will be at a loss with Higuain out again with Kaka still injured. Although the Brazillian playmaker returned to training this week which is surely a good sign for Madrid fans out there.

Sevilla Team News: Kanoute is out injured, while Pedretti is definitely out for at least two games. Also in doubt it star winge Jesus Navas, who will be key to Sevilla's build up play, he will be given until kick off to prove his fitness. Alexis has been suspended, and it was against Madrid of all teams Sevilla would've needed him as he is their key man when it comes to suring up the defence.

Match Prediction - Real Madrid 3  -  Sevilla 1

What do you think? Comment with your prediction, those with correct predictions will have their chance to feature in the Spanish blog next week.

Europa League Matchday Six 2011 - Sevilla vs Borussia Dortmund - Review

In a mouthwatering Europa tie Dortmund travelled to Sevilla to play in must win game, Sevilla were content with a draw which would see them move onto the next round of the competition. The 2-2 draw was an enthralling contest with both teams always looking to score. The difference on the night was the taking of chances, as both teams on the night had numerous opportunitites to put the result beyond the other team's doubt.

Borussia looked to be set for victory, dominating the early play as well as getting an early goal. The breakthrough came through Kagawa, who saw a deflected shot go in from just outside the box. Dortmund continued to pus, but Sevilla began controlling the flow of play in the midfield and it was in the 31st minute that Romaric equalised.
For the rest of the half Sevilla dominated play. Four minutes after being shocked by the equaliser, Dortmund were caught ball watching as Kanoute scored with a well taken header.
Towards the end of the first half Sevilla faced a massive setback as Kanoute was taken off injured.


The half time team talk worked to perfection as Borussia came out and just three minutes later scored through towering defender Subotic. The corner was delivered by Sahin and the header was too powerful for Palop. With the game at two all, Borussia began to push, yet were caught on the counter many times.

Fabiano came close to grabbing the winner in the late stages of the match, yet he saw his effort cleared off the line. Sevilla qualify in second, with Borussia being left in third place. Although they still remain at the top of the Bundesliga now, looking more than certain to claim the title.

The second half of matchday six matches will be carried out tomorrow with Juventus vs Manchester City looking the pick of the bunch.

Final Score - Sevilla 2      -     Borussia Dortmund  2
                     Romaric 31        Kagawa 4
                     Kanoute 35        Subotic 49

Man of the Match : Frederic Kanoute