La Liga Preview I: Relegation. A few quick hello & goodbyes.
By Stephen Kuzner, WFD La Liga Blogger
Mark your calendars, on 8/21 the world’s greatest sports league starts its season with La Liga’s Round #1. To preview the league, I’ll be presenting the teams in six groups of where there they’ll finish starting with relegation, fighting relegation, mid-table, challenging for Europe, Europa League, and Champions League. At the end, you’ll be able to get the whole La Liga guide in PDF format, 20+ pages of La Liga soccer-intelligence that will be updated at the end of the transfer window in August as well as the winter window. We’ll start at the bottom with who will be relegated. Here is, who will most likely be relegated…
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Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D.
Founded: 1924 | 12 Years Top Flight | 28th All-Time Tabl
Nicknames: Ray
Ground: Estadio Teresa Rivero (15,500
Last Year: Promote
Manager: José Ramón Sandova
Formation & Style: 4-4-2
BEST 11
David Cobeño (GK) | Spanish, 29 years old, 99 appearances with Rayo past 3 years.
José Casado (LB) | Spanish 24 year old, loaned in Segunda past few years by Sevilla.
Alejandro Arribas (CB) | Young 22 year old Spanish centerback.
Salva Funet (CB) | Spanish defender with 75 appearances for Rayo past 4 years.
Roberto Román (RB) | Spanish, “Titi”, has spent time in 3rd and 4th tiers.
Rafa García (MF) | Spanish midfielder. All experience is in Segunda.
José Movilla (MF) | Spanish 36 year old veteran central midfielder. Tireless worker.
Juli Cerdá (MF) | Spanish 30 year old attacking midfielder. Primarily Segunda.
Michel Muñoz (LM) | Spanish 35 year old left-sided midfielder. Former Spanish U20.
Francisco Medina (FW) | Spanish, “Piti”
David Aganzo (FW) | Former Spanish U21 and Real Madrid youth product .
Notable Returnees: Daniel Giménez (GK), Néstor Susaeta (MF), Javi Fuego (MF), Andrija Delibašiæ (FW).
Players In: Pedro Botelho (Arsenal), Sueliton Pereira (San José), Alberto Perea (Atlético), Michu Cuesta (Celta)
Players Out: Coke Andújar (Sevilla), Emiliano Armenteros (Sevilla), Yuma, De la Vega, Bryan Angulo, Óscar Trejo (Sporting Gijón), Antonio Amaya (Real Betis), Salva, Borja García (Córdoba), Provencio, Susaeta
Summary: Despite some serious economic trouble, Rayo was promoted last year. In many ways, manager José Ramón Sandoval created a miracle in gaining promotion. Often looked upon as Madrid’s 4th team (after Atlético Madrid, Getafe, and Real Madrid), most want to see them do well. Rayo sits in the Vallecas neighborhood of Madrid known for its working class ethics and left wing politics. During Franco’s regime, the area was known for right wing resistance. The supporters of the club embrace these values. Raúl Martín Presa has been trying to offload the club since acquiring it earlier this year. This has created a lot of instability including transferring out the key players that helped get Ray promoted last year including: Coke Andújar (Sevilla), Emiliano Armenteros (Sevilla), Óscar Trejo (Sporting Gijón), Antonio Amaya (Real Betis). This is a very old team that lacks top flight quality. Many of the players are on the wrong side of thirty and fans will not recognize the names of most of the squad. It will be very hard not so see Rayo not be relegated. What will be interesting is the atmosphere on game day. Vallecas sell out most every game and generate an extremely intimidating environment. The level of insults that supporters hurl at opponents is something not seen in most of La Liga. Players that take corner kicks will be face with severe abuse. Despite the entertainment value of the Teresa Rivero, Rayo should go down.
Prediction: 20th (Relegation)
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Granada Club de Fútbol
Founded: 1931 | 17 Years Top Flight | 26th All-Time Table
Nicknames: El Graná, Rojiblancos Horizontales, El 5001, Filipinos
Ground: Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes (16,212)
Last Year: Promoted
Manager: Fabri González
Formation & Style: 4-2-3-1
BEST 11
Roberto Fernández (GK) | 32 year old Spanish keeper. 197 appearances for Gijón.
Mikel Rico (LB) | 26 year old Spanish Midfielder. 1st year in top flight.
Diego Mainz (CD-L) | Udinese loan. 29 year old Spaniard. 1st year in top flight.
Iñigo López (CD-R) | Udinese loan. 23 year old Spanish defender.
Allan Nyom (RB) | French defender from AS Nancy youth system.
Dani Benítez (LM) | Udinese loan. Spanish left-sided midfielder. 1st year in top flight.
Manuel Lucena (CM-L) 28 year old Spanish defensive midfielder.
Abel Gómez (CM) | Spanish midfielder. Played for Xerez in La Liga two years ago.
Jaime Romero (CM-R) | Udinese loan. Young Spanish wingback. 6 U19 Caps.
Yohan Mollo (RM) | 22 year old French winger. 5 U21 caps. "Cristiano de Monaco"
Alex Geijo (FW) | “Alex”. Udinese loan. Swiss-born Spanish footballer.
Notable Returnees: José Juan (GK), Rafa Martínez (GK), Noe Pamarot (DF), Ikechi Anya (FW), Odion Ighalo (FW).
Players In: Guilherme Siqueira (Udinese), Jaime Romero (Udinese), David Cortés (Hércules).
Players Out: Juan Collantes (FC Cartagena), Rubén Párraga (Real Murcia), Juande (Betis), Óscar Pérez (Cádiz CF), Jonathan Mensah (Udinese Calcio), Carlos Calvo (Udinese), Párraga, Mensah (Evian).
Summary: Granada CF is based in the province of Granada, an autonomous community of Andalusia in Southern Spain. In 2002–03 financial troubles began the club and a spell of time in the third division of Spanish football in the Segunda B. Things got so bad financially that in July 2009 on brink of closing the club, they signed a partnership agreement with Serie A’s Udinese to incorporate Spaniards into the Italian club and receiving its youth players and reserves. This unusual arrangement enabled Granada to be promoted to the second division. This quick climb back in continued in 2010–11 when Granada finished fifth position and won the first promotion playoffs to La Liga. It will be 35 years since Granada’s last time in Spain’s top flight. The promotion was won with many players on loan from Udinese. This season, Granada could have as many as seven players from Udinese play significant roles including: Diego Mainz (DF), Allan Nyom (DF), Guilherme Siqueira (DF), Dani Benítez (MF), Jaime Romero (MF), Alex Geijo (FW), Odion Ighalo (FW). It’s hard not to look at Granada and think of it as Udinese B. Their situation symbolizes the great disparity and debt within Spanish football. In terms of tactics, expect an intelligent and defensive 4-2-3-1. Don’t feel bad if you don’t recognize any of the players. They won’t be in La Liga next year. Relegation is almost guaranteed.
Prediction: 19th (Relegation)
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Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D.
Founded: 1913 | 43 Years Top Flight | 14th All-Time Table
Nicknames: Los Racinguistas (of Racing), Los Verdiblancos (The Green and Whites), Los Montañeses (The Highlanders / Mountains)
Ground: El Sardinero (22,271)
Last Year: 12th (46 Pts)
Manager: Héctor Cúper
Formation & Style: 4-4-2 / 4-2-3-1
BEST 11
Toño (GK) | Veteran Spanish goal keeper. Hércules youth product.
Domingo Cisma (LB) | Spanish Andalusia left back. Can fill-in at center back.
Marc Torrejón (CD-L) | Quality Catalan center back in his prime. Espanyol product.
Osmar Barba (CD-R) | Big (6-3) Spanish central defender. Racing B youth product.
Francis (RB) | Spanish right-sided player. Most of career with Xerez in lower tiers
Adrián González (LM) | Spanish left midfielder. Real Madrid youth product.
Gonzalo Colsa (CM-L) | Spanish journeyman central midfielder. Former Spain U21.
Edu Bedia (CM-R) | Spanish U21 rising youth player via Racing youth team.
Kennedy Bakircioglü (MF) | “Kennedy”. Former Swedish international and U21.
Pedro Munitis (FW) | Spanish short (5-5 ½) stalwart forward. Racing’s fighting spirit.
Julián Luque (FW) | Spanish 19 year old. Creative. Spain U18. Racing product.
Notable Returnees: Óscar Serrano (MF), Papa Kouli Diop (MF), Manuel Arana (MF), Kennedy Bakircioglü (MF), Mario Fernández (GK), Christian Fernández (LB) Ariel Nahuelpan (FW).
Players In: Edu Bedia (Salamanca), José Picón (Pontevedra), Brian Sarmiento (Salamanca), Lautaro Acosta (Sevilla), Ramón Arcas (Racing B), Julián Luque (Racing B), Tato (Racing B).
Players Out: Fabio Coltorti (Lausanne), Pablo Pinillos, Iván Bolado (Cartagena), Giovani dos Santos (Tottenham), Medhi Lacen (Getafe), Henrique Buss (Palmeiras), Markus Rosenberg (Werder Bremen), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena).
Summary: Racing, a pillar of La Liga (44 seasons in the Spanish top flight), have spent the past two seasons fighting relegation and look to continue that trend. Last year, Racing Was bought by Indian businessman Ali Syed. Trouble soon ensued. The club narrowly avoided relegation, players protested of not being paid, and lost its manager Marcelino to Sevilla. Reports materialized that Syed was looking to offload the club. At the season’s end, Racing looked like a good side, but the this summer the club has lost Giovani dos Santos, Medhi Lacen, Henrique, Markus Rosenberg, and Pablo Pinillos. It will be difficult to replace the quality lost from these players. Signing Edu Bedia, José Picón, Brian Sarmiento, and Lautaro Acosta will help, but not enough. The clubs best hope comes in the form of promoting the creative Julián Luque from Racing B. Former There are some other good players in Marc Torrejón, Cisma, Kennedy, and the aging Pedro Munitis.Valencia and Intermilan manager, Héctor Cúper, has been brought in to guide the team this year, but for a team that scored few goals last year, it will be hard for him to find goals with the current roster. Despite the disarray of the club, their squad isn’t the worst in La Liga, but not enough either.
Prediction: 18th (Relegation)
Stephen Kuzner is a Baltimore-based Blogger for WorldFootballDaily.com who specializes in La Liga. You can reach him on at @twitter.com/BarcaBlogger.
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