La Liga 2011-12 Thread

[Geordie Ahmed]

The league officially was supposed to start this weekend BUT the Spanish players Association is striking after some dispute with La Liga, a meeting failed to resolve anything yesterday, there will be a meeting on Friday where they will hope the week 2 fixtures can go ahead

Like last year it will be a 2 horse race between Barcelona and Real Madrid - the remaining clubs will be battling for the CL spots

Barcelona were immense last season, the football they played was near perfection and were a joy to watch. The one question mark over Barcelona was their bench strength which was lacking BUT they have quite comfortably rectified that with the signings of Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas, also young Thiago Alcantara has really emerged during pre-season. I think their defence is a little dodgy especially with Puyol suffering with injuries last season, playing Mascherano at the back is not ideal though they have still managed to win with him there

Real Madrid will undoubtedly beat the other teams and they will somehow have to come up with a plan to try and beat Barcelona. They looked a lot better in the Supercopa matches BUT they still came up short. They have made 2 smart signings in Sahin and Coentrao BUT not sure if that will be enough to match Barca. Though good news for Real Madrid fans is that Benzema has looked really sharp in pre-season

Barcelona will be favourites for the title and I don't think Real Madrid have quite enough to beat them, though I am sure Jose Mourinho's brain is working overtime to come up with some cunning plan

The other sides I am keen on seeing is Atletico Madrid, the loss of Aguero will hurt them BUT looking forward to see Arda Turan

Malaga have bought a few players due to their Qatari sugar daddy so they will be hoping to seriously challenge for a CL spot

[Amjid Javed]

Barca will clean sweep all before them again in La liga. They have strengthened even more and cant see Real Stopping them.

Wont be shocked if Barca retain CL as well.

[Amir]

Like last year it will be a 2 horse race

That is putting it generously. I would say "Like last year, it will continue to be a glorified SPL"

Where is my boy SherK to back me up?

[iHammad]

Messi will have the most goals

[Gujar]

Barca will make it a clean sweep of everything again. I'm sure they'll keep Real interested again by losing to the likes of Hercules (although they got relegated) again, maybe Sporting Gijon and Levante this year, only to give Real a footballing lesson whenever they meet.

[Theo_14]

Barcelona are looking stronger season by season. This time it's clear that they look even stronger compared to last season. Just have a look at their bench, for once... They have the depth and quality on the bench which will ease the worries for Pep as it'll allow him to rotate the squad when needed.

I'm looking forward to seeing Sanchez and Thiago - two highly rated youngsters with BIG potential.

Pretty sure it was Ronaldo last season who finished as top scorer - it'll be interesting to see who finishes top scorer this time.

[Markhor]

First week postponed - players strike.

Barcelona yet again look difficult to topple. Hope Valencia or another team end the dominance of the Top 2.

[Asif khan]

I thinkg it's going to be tight between Real and Barca and points dropped against other teams could prove fatal.

Obviously, Barca are favourites but you can only get so many points of your fiercest rival so it's the other games that will ultimately decide it.

I can't see anyone challenging them but Athletico Madrid's expensive signing of Radamel Falcao who was brilliant for Porto last season suggests they mean business following the loss of Aguero.

The other team to really keep an eye out on and could push for a champions league place is Malaga who have been taken over by the Qatar Royal family and have already made some very shrewd signings such as Van Nistelrooy, Joaquin, Toulalan but the most interesting is a player who i rate very highly in Diego Buonanotte.

[Theo_14]

Spanish Primera kicked off yesterday, here are the results...

Sporting Gijon 1-2 Real Cociedad Valencia 4-3 Racing Santander Granada 0-1 Real Betis

The game between Valencia and Santander looked like a cracker - Soldado managed a hattrick including a own goal. Here are the highlights...



2nd half...

[shahidafridi123]

cool, is iHammad here?

[iHammad]

Originally Posted by shahidafridi123 cool, is iHammad here?

Yea lol, stalker.

[iHammad]

Messi's goal in that match vs FC Porto was awesome. The way he totally confused the goalie, in the end the goalie just fell to his knees, and Messi puts it in.

[smoothcriminal]

Solid performance from Madrid against Zaragoza. Here's hoping they keep Kaka, who performed really well as a sub. Ozil is also flying yet again. Ronaldo scores another hat-trick, but all because of Ozil.

[sully3]

Ronaldos 16th goal in his 5 last games in the league i hear.

And he has 90 goals in his 93 games for Real Madrid.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by sully3 Ronaldos 16th goal in his 5 last games in the league i hear. And he has 90 goals in his 93 games for Real Madrid.

Ridiculous scoring record, brilliant striker

Real hammer everyone else BUT their true test as always will be Barca

Barca have a tough start, hopefully they can get the 3 points

[Adreas]

Pwlhsh xrusou kai kosmhmatwn. Dwrean ektimhseis . http://www.enexyra-athina.gr/

[Asif khan]

Ronaldo once againt tearing up weak opposition

[Amir]

Originally Posted by Asif khan Ronaldo once againt tearing up weak opposition

Which is pretty everyone bar Barcelona?

[Asif khan]

Originally Posted by Amir Which is pretty everyone bar Barcelona?

True but i also think these two would be the top 2 in any league in Europe.

[Theo_14]

Here are highlights between Real Zaragoza and Real Madrid. Ronaldo ripped the defence apart, superb well taken goals from a top class player.

[Asif khan]

It was all too easy i'm afraid but credit where it's due... Ronaldo is a goalscoring machine.

Nice to see the likes of Ozil and co. play well, it's a well known fact that when Ronaldo plays well the team doesn't usually function quite as well.

In the end they were all queuing up for a goal, such was the dominance of Real and in all honesty Zaragoza's performance was quite pathetic.

[Pakhtoon_Rules]

Ronaldo is a goal machine lol

La liga have got some of the best players in world, Premier league might be more competitive but honestly most of the players are over rated.

[Asif khan]

Originally Posted by Pakhtoon_Rules Ronaldo is a goal machine lol La liga have got some of the best players in world, Premier league might be more competitive but honestly most of the players are over rated.

Most of the best La Liga players play for Real and Barca who i believe have the best 2 squads in Europe but the overall quality of the Premiership is far higher this season.

Ronaldo is virtually a striker these days and a brilliant one at that...

[Theo_14]

Ronaldo is a all round player - you put him upfront, he'll get you goals and assists. You put him out wide, he'll get you goals and assists.

The beauty about Ronaldo is that... He's blessed to be a all round player and physically he can do very well upfront - he's what I'd label as a 'complete striker'.

I'm looking forward to see Falcao this season - interesting to see how he does.

Barcelona vs Villarreal - tonight.

[Amir]

You put him out wide, he'll get you goals and wide.

Theo, I am starting just to read your posts for these little snippets. Fat Ronaldo time?

[Theo_14]

Originally Posted by Amir Theo, I am starting just to read your posts for these little snippets. Fat Ronaldo time?

I think it's good to see that Pakpassion have a spell check PP'er, always useful, anyways thankfully this time it was a 'minor' error.

Santa Cruz joins Real Betis on loan...
http://af.reuters.com/article/sports...77S0LP20110829

[iHammad]

Thiago just scored a lovely goal for Barca.

[iHammad]

Beautiful pass by Messi, and Fabregas scored right before HT.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Nice goal that from Barca. The Messi-Fabregas partnership looks quality

[Geordie Ahmed]

and that is 3

Sanchez with the goal

[Geordie Ahmed]

and Messi makes it 4

[Geordie Ahmed]

and Messi now makes it 5

A comfortable win for Barca against the team that finished 4th last season

[iHammad]

Messi's 1st goal was beautiful!!!!

[Asif khan]

That was some performance by Barca...truly irresistible when in this mood.

The new formation which they have been toying with was too much for Villareal who are a good team in their own right.

Hard to single out any player, they were all exceptional but if i have to it would have to be young Thiago once again...this guy is a mixture of Xavi and Ronaldinho!!

[Amjid Javed]

5-0 win for barca over villareal

thiago, cesc, sanchez and two for messi.

already into their stride this season!

[Geordie Ahmed]

Barcelona are currently drawing 2-2 away to Sociadad

They were leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Xavi and Cesc BUT they have been poor defensively of late, lucky that they did not go down to 10 men cos Busquets should have gotten sent off for handball

Just over 10 mins left, don't want to be dropping points so soon

[Geordie Ahmed]

Sanchez did his hamstring, looks set to be out for 6-8 weeks

Massive blow for Barca

Real play Getafe at 7, they will be enjoying this

[Geordie Ahmed]

Sanchez did his hamstring, looks set to be out for 6-8 weeks

Massive blow for Barca

Real play Getafe at 7, they will be enjoying this

[Geordie Ahmed]

Messi booked for diving right at the end and rightly so, was a disgraceful attempt

It finishes 2-2, Barca were excellent first half BUT lost it in the 2nd

Early days BUT Real will no doubt be celebrating

[Amir]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed Messi booked for diving right at the end and rightly so, was a disgraceful attempt It finishes 2-2, Barca were excellent first half BUT lost it in the 2nd Early days BUT Real will no doubt be celebrating

When the pressure is on, everyone's true colours come out.

[Asif khan]

Very complacent second half performance by Barca tonight and that suicidal pass by Villa

Barca were in total cruise control for the first 60 minutes but the side Guardiola put out suggested he underestimated Real Sociedad.

[Theo_14]

Yet again... Fabregas get's on the scoresheet. He truly has been a bargain signing for Barcelona... Funny how some Arsenal fans labeled him as a finished player, what a joke.

Real Madrid 4-2 Getafe - FT

Solid performance from Real Madrid despite experiencing a frustating first half. They will be delighted with the result, especially after Barca claimed a draw.

[Theo_14]

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo refuses to rule out move to Russia http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/...le-out-move-to

Even Skysports are reporting this. To be honest... I'm not that surprised. Afterall... Most modern footballers are like that - football is becoming a laughing stock, it's been overshadowed by nothing but money, sad but true.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Theo_14 Even Skysports are reporting this. To be honest... I'm not that surprised. Afterall... Most modern footballers are like that - football is becoming a laughing stock, it's been overshadowed by nothing but money, sad but true.

Can't see that happening any time soon, maybe when he is over 30 he will go for a big pay day

[Theo_14]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed Can't see that happening any time soon, maybe when he is over 30 he will go for a big pay day

I can't even imagine Messi moving away from Barcelona although I can see Messi possibly moving to somewhere in Argentina in his very late 30s.

However with Ronaldo... I wouldn't be surprised if we see him somwhere in Serie A or even back in PL after a good 3-4 years of Spanish Primera football.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Nice

Barcelona are thumping Osasuna, half time and it is 5-0

Messi (2), Villa, Fabregas and an own goal

[AZ]

like child's play really.

hate La Liga, just one mauling after the other.

[Amir]

own goal

What the? How did he get from Blackburn to Spain so quickly?

[Geordie Ahmed]

Xavi makes it 6

Another assist for Messi

[AZ]

6-0 even after hitting the woodwork twice and 3 excellent saves from the Osasuna GK.

[Geordie Ahmed]

It finishes 8-0

Messi with his hat trick

[iHammad]

What. A. Thrashing. Messi is just too good.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by iHammad What. A. Thrashing. Messi is just too good.

He certainly is BUT Xavi, Alves, Fabregas and Thiago were excellent as well

[iHammad]

Xavi, Alves and Fabregas are very good. Their passes are just PERFECTION. Messi's assist to the Xavi goal was amazin as well.

[iHammad]

Overall, I think this team will win again this season, despite Valencia and Madrid starting off well, Barca are just too strong.

and not to forget, they are without Iniesta!

[Theo_14]

Originally Posted by iHammad Overall, I think this team will win again this season, despite Valencia and Madrid starting off well, Barca are just too strong. and not to forget, they are without Iniesta!

Huge loss but the depth they have this year is just amazing and better then before.

Before they hardly had any options on the bench which had the ability to 'change' the game.

Now they can look up at the likes of Fabregas and Thiago etc. The depth and quality in the midfield department is frightening.

[iHammad]

Barca are facing Valencia on Wednesday, who are top of the table at the moment.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Yes, Levante take the lead

Kone with the goal, they should have scored moments earlier as well

[Asif khan]

Yeah, Real down to 10 men also...

[Geordie Ahmed]

and it finishes 1-0 to Levante

The 2 dropped points last week for Barca not so bad now

2 tough games coming up for Barca, away to Valencia on Wednesday then home to Atletico Madrid

[Geordie Ahmed]

Atletico meanwhile won 4-0 at home to Santander

Falcao scoring a hat trick

[Theo_14]

Barcelona currently 2-1 down against Valencia - 48 mins gone.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Real Madrid drew 0-0 away to Santander

Barca trailing 2-1 away to Valencia, about 25mins left

The 2 big teams dropping points so early on

[Geordie Ahmed]

Atletico won 4-0 for the second week running

Falcao scoring twice, that is 5 in 3 games for him

[Geordie Ahmed]

Yes, Fabregas equalises for Barca

10 mins left to grab a winner though even a point would be decent

[iHammad]

Damn Barca go down to 4th.

[iHammad]

We were not given 2 penalties...and now we are 4th. But our goal difference is +13

[Theo_14]

Santa Cruz scored 2 goals for Real Betis yesterday against Real Zaragoza. Finally the former Blackburn striker is getting a run of games in the first team, still remember his profilic season a few years ago when he scored 25+ goals in the Premiership.

Real Betis 4-3 Real Zaragoza - FT

[Geordie Ahmed]

Real Madrid are currently trailing 1-0 at home to Vallecano, Michu the scorer

Only 16 mins gone though so plenty of time to win the game

[Asif khan]

They've turned it round on the stroke of half time.

Goals by Ronaldo and Higuain means Real go in to the break 2-1 up.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Good comeback from Real, they will win this with ease now

[Geordie Ahmed]

Real win a penalty after a brilliant counter attack, Kaka was fouled and Ronaldo steps up to take it

[Geordie Ahmed]

and he scores, very good penalty

3-1 to Real

[Geordie Ahmed]

Vallecano denied a goal, looked over the line to me BUT not given

[Geordie Ahmed]

Actually it has been given, it was well over the line and the right decision has been made

3-2 to Real

[Geordie Ahmed]

Oh and Di Maria has been sent off, a second yellow card

It is that damn Unicefs fault

[Geordie Ahmed]

A blatant handball by Di Maria, deserved card though I missed his first yellow

[Geordie Ahmed]

Just read elsewhere that this was Real Madrid's 17th red card under Jose Mourinho, crazy - I bet it is all Unicefs fault

[Geordie Ahmed]

Varane scores his first for the club, 4-2

[Geordie Ahmed]

Quality finish by Benzema, makes it 5-2

They don't look like a side down to 10 men