Primera Division

Will be very interesting to see Sociedad and Madrid battle it out in terms of playstyle. Two of the most distinct teams in the league. I predict a 2-1 victory to Sociedad.

MT Now I like to listen to your opinion on Neymar. Does your hate for him end after joining Barca? lol God I love hypocrites:))

@Joke Again, no idea what you are on about. Illogical banter from nonexistent comments you hallucinated someone else to make? Let me drop some Benitez science on you (hopefully for the last time):

FACT
I don't hate Neymar. He's a very skilled, extremely talented, and quick player. He just doesn't have the maturity or composure right now. (My opinion is that he comes off as a "spoiled brat").

FACT
Neymar is a HORRIBLE fit for Barcelona (style, personality, and philosophy). Especially considering their OBVIOUS needs on other areas of the pitch. Unless his quality extends to playing goalkeeper (post youtube vids if you got 'em), then his signing would address nothing and leave them in exactly the same position they are in now.

FACT
Neymar is a POOR fit for La Liga and Barcelona technically. Have you ever heard of Total Football? Pass and move? Tiki Taka?
Have you ever watched Neymar's match "highlights"? For either club or country?
Have you watched any Brasil matches where the best players in the world (Kaka, Hulk, Alves, Luiz, Ronaldinho, Marcelo, Dante, Thiago Silva, Adriano, Rafael) are standing around watching while Neymar does his traditional one-against-eleven samba where he does 25 stepovers, attempts to dribble by 3 or 4 defenders standing directly in front of him, loses possession, dives to the ground, writhes around in simulation, lowers his stocking, and rubs his shin rapidly with a grimaced expression.
There is only ONE player in La Liga that dares to attempt playing one-against-eleven (Ronaldo), and he's the only one that can get away with it.

FACT
Neymar will probably get torn up in La Liga his first few years while he makes the adjustments. For a perfect example, watch Deulofeu's performance (he's groomed to be the next Messi and is tearing up Segunda Division) against Mallorca: the same exact thing will happen to Neymar EVERY MATCH.

FACT
And if you have a personal vendetta against anything I say, then you don't have to believe me. Go listen to what Johan Cruyff has to say instead:
"I wouldn't put two captains on the same ship... we have to learn from the past."
http://www.marca.com/2013/05/24/en/football/barcelona/1369412585.html

FACT
Hypocrisy.
You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means.

Neymar v England
http://youtu.be/Y5Qm1-hXqa4
The first 2 and a half minutes makes you wonder if you're watching a "Cahill v Brasil" highlight reel. (Ya, Cahill is essentially the English Varane, aka the French Hugh Grant).
Keep in mind England's pace is considerably slower and sloppier than what they have in La Liga.

Neymar v Barcelona
http://youtu.be/EuYBQOHBeNo
Note how quickly and easily he's frustrated and knocked off his game. Poor body language. He doesn't have the mental strength or composure yet to be able to perform well consistently.

Neymar v Sweden
http://youtu.be/-FGHlSbu0DA
Always a personal fave. Especially considering Sweden are not exactly known to have a repute of being the "Stoke of the Nordic North". They do what every club would do. take advantage of his sensitivity and lack of composure.
It's similar to how Luiz fished Rafael into an immature and selfish foul:
http://youtu.be/D47XyyHtdOg
Again, that's another personal fave. Especially since I'm laughing exactly how Luiz sinisterly laughs after watching Rafael fall for the oldest trick in the football book.

Im not making anything up, you hated him with passion. This is your comment in the Brazil VS Russia page:

GloryRedDays(Bayern München)2 months ago
Neymar = crap
Mt1234(Bolton Wanderers)2 months ago

"I'm only allowed one "thumb up". Wish I could give 1000."

I knew Neymar was talented all along. So we happen to agree on something this time, thanks to this transfer, and the thoughtfulness of Barca's management.

I read this earlier today and I'm not surprised you picked it up either. :)

And as for the Germans, their policies and methods should be adopted if possible as clearly they have a proper functional system that not only contributes to the benefit of the German national team, but the individuals who grow up under it as well.

This is how football should be run!

LOVED this line, and you can see they weren't joking when you look at the German national team,

"And we need intelligent players on the pitch anyway."

More quality reading shedding some background info on Freiburg's season:

http://espnfc.com/columns/story/_/id/1451935/uli-hesse-freiburg-astonishing-rise

"Most players in our academy can't be professionals, they will have to look for a job. The school is the most important thing, then comes football.' We give players the best chance to be a footballer but we give them two educations here. If 80% can't go on to play in the professional team, we have to look out for them. The players that play here, the majority of them go on to higher education. And we need intelligent players on the pitch anyway."

This is the bit I can't quite agree with. True it prevents players from being mercenaries in football, but at the same time, some really talented kid may decide that if he can earn cash in a different job, and leaves, then you may have lost a legend just like that. I can see the logic, but that policy carries some risk as well.

It'd be interesting to see a comparison with Spain's system. The other most successful system in the world. Add to that the French, Belgian and Dutch systems. Spain's boom happened 2 - 3 years before Germany's, and it seems that Germany is now experiencing the same boom. Belgium is up and coming, the French look reinvigorated. The Dutch, though in decline, still produce a huge number of highly talented players. And they have been for decades. Their longevity may be the improvement sought by the Germans, since it cannot be confirmed just yet.

Like you, I've also looked through their video's as well. They have some good stuff. Even subscribed to them.

This is what I hope will be the future of Spain's national team. May be a bit biased, but just a bit.

.....................De Gea.................

...Carvajal....Ramos...I. Martinez.....Alba.........

...............J. Martinez....Benat..............

...Isco...............Mata............Jese........

......................Rodrigo..................

:)

My only comment to their selection would be that they use an English definition of "young stars" i.e., from 23 years of age and older: whereas in all the other leagues they'd use 17-19 years of age. Thus you see players such as Isco, Varane, De Gea, Courtois, Munian, Tello, etc. who are alredy considered veterans yet none are beyond 21 years of age (De Gea is 22).

They will also look to alter their philosophy. They'll be signing a lot of young players and investing more in their academy. I doubt you'll see pseudo big-name players from them anymore.

Pellegrini out is a BIG loss for them. Word round La Liga junkies is that they'll be looking to sign a manager from some Argentinean club?

This decision isn't being made by the players or manager, it's the owners that have decided to pull the plug. No idea how serious they'll pursue running a football club from here on...

http://www.marca.com/2013/05/20/en/football/international_football/1369070211.html

I was afraid of this happening. Even earlier on in the season, it was clear that Montanier and La Real's board had a few differences. The part about losing Montanier is not so bad as what may follow as a consequence - some players may decide to leave as well.

- Martinez
- Griezmann
- Pardo
- Llaramendi
- Vela

Are just some of the names that are linked with other clubs. Just rumors at the moment, but with the departure of Montanier, these frightening rumors of La Real's faithful may come to be a reality.

I'm not sure it's quite such a falling sky. Wait until the next manager is given a chance before turning on him! This isn't Madrid! :P

AS are reporting Pepe Mel as the likely target to succeed him. An interesting sight to see, but disappointing to see Real Betis lose such a quality manager. What would you have?

No idea, but I trust the board.

I'd rather Pepe Mel stay at Betis. Don't see him as a good fit at La Real.

if this is about contract then im disappointed coz real sociedad are not in deep financial crisis.

@Mad93 I don't think it has anything to do with contracts. Neither the club nor Montanier are showing delusions of grandeur, they both have their feet on the ground. Leaving for Rennes isn't exactly like heading off to Monaco or PSG.

Ronaldo dove for a pk. Then dove for a fk which led to a wrongful indirect in the penalty area... Pathetic.

Real Sociedad really pulled a close one there, I thought Sevilla was going to win it.

I was really hoping Atletico Madrid would do better this season, they had it all :/

Unsure what more Atletico could have done this year, other than win La Liga!

Also, if you disliked Ronaldo's thespian talents then I highly recommend you avoid watching ANY Neymar match highlights! :)

EDIT: Neymar's performance against Corinthians this past week in the Paulista:
http://youtu.be/X-WspFKpCos
The guy just keeps getting worse and worse every time I see him play.

@Che

There is not much Atletico could have done except finish second, which they blew. Still, they won the CDR after a decade or so, hence this season will definitely be considered a success for them.

@Mt

What an elegant choice of describing his actions - "thespian". I'll be using that myself too!

I must admit I haven't been keeping up with Neymars theatrics, or watching any of his games. I find it hard to take him seriously until he is in a better league where defenders exist.

I wanted Atletico to finish second in La Liga and Falcao to score more than Ronaldo lol The first half of the season they did excellent then they kind of dropped form. I was very happy when they won the cup. Simeone was brilliant.

Was never really a fan of Valencia, nor their football. I hope La Real go on to make the CL play offs. As for the relegation battle, I'm fine with all the current clubs in the bottom 3 going down.

I don't think Malaga had their appeal accepted for the next season. They can however play in Europe the following season, so for now I'd prefer Real Betis to finish above them. Not that it would make a difference if they don't (they are being punished by FFP anyway).

As Long as Depor and Osasuna dont drop im good there. Also.. im unsure of Sociedad.. i dont think they have the resources to last long in the UCL.. they will be lucky to string a win or 2 in the groups. unless they load up over the summer...

The last 2 weeks is gonna be a battle between Betis, Vallecano and Sevilla for 7th and maybe 8th depending on Malaga's appeal and when it takes effect if it is accepted. but main goal is 7th for all 3 of them.. for assurance. with that said, malaga can be pipped and finish 8th anyway if they lose there last 2 and there opponents win.

I'm fine with Depor staying up as well. They have history in this league. I rather Real Zaragoza go down. I feel they are a poorly run club.

Herrera disagrees with you:

http://youtu.be/TVgw2X5i0WI

Deportivo:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1016ok_deportivo-2-espanyol-0_sport

Zaragoza:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x101bgs_zaragoza-1-athletic-bilbao-2_sport

A true La Liga fan. Saying goodbye with 2 more matches left in the season and many of them exciting matches to determine CL spots.

LMAO! Thats correct spanish has still got 2 matches left to play.

2 significant matches for many of the clubs. La Liga is not over for many fans.

Booba uses a template for different league pages. :)