La Liga Preview Part III: Mid-Table
By Stephen Kuzner, WFD La Liga Blogger
Hopefully, the world's greatest sports league will start its season in the next two weeks with La Liga's Round #1. A players strike over an emergency pay fund for players could disrupt things. 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 continue with who will be sitting mid-table. Here is who is safe, but without much to play for.
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Club Atlético Osasuna
Founded: 1920 | 33 Years Top Flight | 16th All-Time Table
Nicknames: Los Rojillos, "Gorritxoak" (The little red ones)
Ground: Estadio Reyno de Navarra (19,800)
Last Year: 9th (47 Pts)
Manager: José Luis Mendilibar
Formation & Style: 4-4-2 / 4-4-1-1
BEST 11
Ricardo López (GK) | "Ricardo". Spain 2 Caps (2002). Age 39. 189 Apps for CAO.
Marc Bertrán (LB) | Spain U21 (2003). Age 29. Usually right back. Espanyol product.
Miguel Flaño (CD-L) | Spain U23 (2005). Age 26. 157 Apps for & product of Osasuna.
Sergio Fernández (CD-R) | "Sergio". Spain U21 (2000). Age 34. Gijón product.
Damià Abella Pérez (RB) | "Damià" Spanish. Catalonia 4 Caps (2004). Age 29.
Masoud Shojaei (LM) | Iran 27 caps. Age 27. Attackng midfielder or forward.
Francisco Puñal (MF-C) | "Patxi". Spanish. Age 35. Combative captain. CAO product.
Javad Nekounam (MF-C) | Iran 118 caps. Age 30. Well-rounded central midfielder.
Ibrahima Baldé (RM) | "Ibra". Senegalese. Age 20. Apps for Atlético in 2010-11.
Enrique Sola "Kike" (FW) | Spain U21 (2008). Age 25. Osasuna Product.
Dejan Lekiæ (FW) | Serbia 3 caps. Age 26. Sloga Kraljevo product.
Notable Returnees: Fernando Soriano (MF), Lolo (DF), Asier Riesgo (GK), Álvaro Cejudo (MF), Manuel Ortiz "Lolo" (DF), Krisztián Vadócz (FW), Javier Calleja (MF).
Players In: Marc Bertrán (Tenerife), Rubén González (Mallorca), Ibrahima Baldé (Numancia), Andrés (Huesca), Juan Francisco "Nino" (Tenerife), Ion Echaide (Huesca), Jukka Raitala (Hoffenheim).
Players Out: Soriano (Almería), Pandiani, Josetxo, Coro (Espanyol), Nacho Monreal (Málaga), Nacho Zabal (Numancia), Carlos Aranda (Levante), Javier Camuñas (Villarreal).
SUMMARY
With a few week left in the season last year, it looked like Osasuna was headed for relegation, but a strong finish propelled them to 9th place on the table. Such was the tightness in La Liga last year. Like 2009-10, Osasuna started slow and saw manager José Antonio Camacho sacked. In came José Luis Mendilibar, having been sacked himself from Valladolid about a year prior. Fortunately, he was able to the right the ship. The big question this year will be if Osasuna can get off to a better start than the previous couple years, have some better form on the road, and scored more than 45 goals. Then again, if they only let in 46 goals again, a mid-table finish is realistic. A win over Real Madrid and a fine showing at home against Barca accentuated an over-achieving season. However, being a club that lives within its means and pays its players on time has meant the loses of Nacho Monreal, Javier Camunas, Josetxo Romero, Walter Pandiani and Ferrán Corominas. These loses will be offset by reconfiguring the team around signings Marc Bertrán, Rubén González, Ibrahima, Andrés, Nino, and Jukka Raitala. In sum, Osasuna has more talent that at least a handful of La Liga teams and a fortress. They'll be fine.
Prediction: 14th (Mid-Table)
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Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D.
Founded: 1905 | 39 Years Top Flight | 15th All-Time Table
Nicknames: Sportinguistas / Gijonudos (ballsy Gijon) / Rojiblancos (red & whites)
Ground: El Molinón (25,885)
Last Year: 10th (47 Pts)
Manager: Manuel Preciado
Formation & Style: 4-3-2-1
BEST 11
Iván Cuéllar (GK) | "Pichu". Spain U23 2005. Atlético Madrid youth Product.
Roberto Canella (LB) | 122 Gijón Appearances. Spain U21 2008-10. Gijón Product.
Alberto Botía (CD-L) | Spain U21. Barca youth product. Big youth center back.
Grégory Arnolin (CD-R) | "Grégory". Veteran French defendor. PSG youth product.
Alberto Lora (RB) | Right-sided defender or midfielder. Real Madrid youth product.
Alberto Rivera (LM) | Central midfielder known for skill & vision. Spain U20 in 1997.
Sebastián Eguren (CM) | 42 caps for Uruguay. Defensive midfielder.
Miguel de las Cuevas (RM) | Longest name at "Miguel Ángel de las Cuevas Barberá".
Carmelo González (AM-L) | "Carmelo". Spain U21 2004. Age 28. Las Palmas product.
Óscar Trejo (AM-r) | Argentine. Age 23. 36 Appearances at Mallorca. Boca Product.
David Barral (CF) | Spaniard. Captain. Age 28. San Fernando product.
Notable Returnees: Juan Pablo (GK), Jorge García (DF), Mate Biliæ (FW), Iván Hernández (DF), Sergio Álvarez (MF), Luis Morán (FW), Nacho Cases (MF), Gastón Sangoy (FW), Nacho Novo (FW).
Players In: Óscar Trejo (Mallorca), Ricardo León (Tenerife), Damián Suárez (Defensor).
Players Out: José Ángel (Roma), Diego Castro (Getafe), André Castro (Oporto), Lluís Sastre (SD Huesca).
SUMMARY
Sporting Gijón, the 6th oldest team in La Liga, did well last year placing mid-table at 10th. They reflect their ballsy nickname "Gijonudos". They just keep coming at you. This bold approach resulted in a major upset of Real Madrid last year. It was a season of altibajos (highs and lows). There will be some holes for Manager Manuel Preciado to fill losing Diego Castro, Andre Castro, Jose Angel. To help offset these loses, in come striker Oscar Trejo, midfield creator Ricardo Leon, and young Uruguayan defensive talent Damian Suarez. Nevertheless, there is more going out than coming in. Gijón, however, does have stability, Preciado, and La Liga grade talent across the board on the pitch and in depth. Miguel de las Cuevas in addition to having La Liga's longest name is a versatile player capable of playing on the wings, behind a striker or in the midfield, and Roberto Canella, one of La Liga's most talented left-backs. Barca product and young center back, Alberto Botía was a bit of a revelation last year. Grégory is a serviceable center back. Captain David Barral is capable striker and looks good with Trejo sitting off him. A lot can be said for Gijón's all out approach that you would think would result in win or loses rather than draws. Yet, Gijón let La Liga in draws last year with 14. Only 4 teams had less loses than Gijón last year. This approach and stability keep them out of relegation.
Prediction: 13th (Mid-Table)
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Real Club Deportivo Mallorca
Founded: 1916 | 25 Years Top Flight | 18th All-Time Table
Nicknames: Los Bermellones (The Vermilions - The orange red color of their shirts)
Ground: ONO Estadi (23,142)
Last Year: 17th (44 Pts)
Manager: Michael Laudrup
Formation & Style: 4-4-2
BEST 11
David Aouate (GK) | "Dudu" Israel 61 caps. Age 33. Maccabi Haifa product.
Kevin García, (LB) | "Kevin". Spanish. Age 22. Mallorca Product.
José Nunes (CD-L) | "Nunes". Portugal U21 (1999). Age 34. S. Paivense product.
Iván Ramis (CD-R) | Spain U23 (2005). Age 26. 130 apps and product of Mallorca.
Gianni Zuiverloon (RB) | Netherlands U21 (2008). Age 24. Feyenoord product.
Gonzalo Castro (LM) | "Chori". Germany 5 caps. Age 24. 172 apps for Leverkusen.
Josep Lluis Martí (CM-L) | Spanish. Age 36. Mallorca product. Vice Captain.
Jonathan De Guzmán (CM-R) | Netherlands U23 (2008). Age 23. Feyenoord product.
Emilio Nsue (RM) | Spain U21 (2011). Age 21. Mallorca product. Forward or mid.
Alejandro Alfaro (FW) | Spain U21 (2007). Age 24. Winger/Striker. Sevilla product.
Tomer Hemed (FW) | Israel 1 cap. Age 24. Maccabi Haifa product.
Notable Returnees: José Manuel "Chico" (DF), Michael Pereira (MF), José Luis Martí (MF), Pau Cendrós (DF), João Victor (MF), Tomás Pina Isla (MF), Enrique Corrales (DF), Juan Calatayud (GK), Akihiro Ienaga (MF), Sergio Tejera (MF), Víctor Casadesús (FW).
Players In: Tomer Hemed (Maccabi Haifa), Juan Calatayud (Hércules), Pablo Cáceres (Tigre), Gianni Zuiverloon (WBA), Alejandro Alfaro (Sevilla).
Players Out: Óscar Trejo (Sporting), Rubén González (Osasuna), Ayoze Díaz (Deportivo La Coruña), Lux (Deportivo), Sergi Enrich (Recreativo), Enrique Corrales (Granada), Pierre Webó (Eskisehirspol).
SUMMARY
From 5th place in 2009-10 to 17th place last year in 2010-11, the Balearic Island club had a mighty slip. Much of last year they spent in the top half of the table for a diseasterous second half of the season. Being expelled by UEFA from the Europa League for financial difficulties symbolized a season of dashed expectations. From this the club has needed to sell key assets Pierre Webó, Rubén González, Ayoze Díaz, Lux, and Óscar Trejo. These departures should be offset if not improved upon with the less expensive arrivals of Gianni Zuiverloon, Pablo Caceres, Chico, Alejandro Alfaro, and Tomer Hemed. As of this writing the season seems to hinge on the clubs ability to hang-on to Gonzalo "Chori" Castro and Jonathan de Guzman. These two players would be the difference between a mid-table finish and fighting relegation again. A lot also depends on how Manager Michael Laudrup performs in his second season at Mallorca following last year's second half stumble. Fortunately, in a worst case scenario of losing Chori and de Guzman, there are a few teams with much less talent than Mallorca in La Liga to avoid the drop.
Prediction: 12th (Mid-Table)
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Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D.
Founded: 1909 | 64 Years Top Flight | 2 Titles | 8th All-Time Table
Nicknames: Txuri-urdin (white-blue), Erreala
Ground: Estadio Anoeta (32,076)
Last Year: 15th (45 Points)
Manager: Philippe Montanier
Formation & Style: 4-5-1
BEST 11
Claudio Bravo (GK) | "Chico". Chile 54 caps. Age 28. 124 apps for Sociedad.
Alberto de la Bella (LB) | Catalonia 1 cap. Age 25. Gramenet product.
Ion Ansotegui (CD-L) | Spanish. Age 29. 149 apps for Sociedad. Elbar product.
Mikel González (CD-R) | Spanish. Age 25. 150 apps and product of Sociedad.
Carlos Martínez (RB) | Spanish. Age 25. 85 apps with Sociedad. Izarra product.
Jeffrey Sarpong (CM-L) | Netherlands U21 (2003). Age 23. Attacking. Ajax product.
Mikel Aranburu (CM-R) | Spanish. Age 32. 373 apps for Sociedad. Captain.
Antoine Griezmann (LM) | France U21 (2010). Age 20. Mâcon & Sociedad product..
Xabi Prieto (CM) | Spain U21 (2005). Age 27. 245 apps for & product of Sociedad.
David Zurutuza (RM) | Spanish. Age 25. Attacking. Real Sociedad product.
Joseba Llorente (CF) | Spanish. Age 31. Real Sociedad product.
Notable Returnees: Imanol Agirretxe (FW), Daniel "Dani" Estrada (MF), Vadim Demidov (DF), Gorka Elustondo (MF), Mikel Labaka (DF) Eñaut Zubikarai (GK), Asier Illarramendi (MF), Markel Bergara (MF).
Players In: Borja Viguera (Gimnàstic), Iñigo Sarasola (Real Unión).
Players Out: Albistegui (Logroñés), Raúl Tamudo, Diego Rivas (Hércules), Mikel Labaka.
SUMMARY
Real Sociedad is a large club (64 top flight seasons, 2 titles, & a 32,076 stadium). They keep a core of Basque players, but also employ non-Basque Spanish players and foreigners. Outside of Raúl Tamudo, the club pretty much returns the same team that finished 15th last year. In fact, it's almost the same team that one promotion a year ago. The only other significant change was the exit of manager Martin Lasarte and signing of manager Philippe Montanier who kept French side Valenciennes F.C. in Ligue 1 last last season. His attacking approach will be fun to watch. Perhaps having a French manager will help keep rising French starlet Antoine Griezmann at the club. Keeping him may be the difference between mid-table and relegation. Other additions are Asier Illarramendi and Iñigo Martinez from the cantera. A big thing will be the cohesiveness of returing the entire back five of Chico, Alberto de la Bella, Ion Ansotegui, Mikel González, and Carlos. Further Xabi Prieto is coming-off a career best season that saw him in many La Liga Best 11's for 2010-11 including my own. Captain Mikel Aranburu is an anchor, Jeffrey Sarpong is a quality attacking midfielder, and Joseba Llorente is a serviceable forward. Montanier's attacking style, personnel stability, and 32,000+ strong at Estadio Anoeta should make Sociedad see some slight improvement.
Prediction: 11th (Mid-Table)
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Getafe Club de Fútbol
Founded: 1946 & 1983 | 7 Years Top Flight | 32nd All-Time Table
Nicknames: Azulones (The Dark Blues), El Geta (Short for Getafe)
Ground: Coliseum Alfonso Pérez (17,700)
Last Year: 16th (44 Pts)
Manager: Luis García Plaza
Formation & Style: 4-4-2 / 4-2-3-1
BEST 11
Miguel Ángel Moyà (GK) | Spain U21. Age 27. Mallorca Product.
José Manuel (LB) | "Mané". Spanish. Age 66 apps for Getafe. Linense product.
Daniel Díaz (CD-L) | "Cata". Argentina 12 caps. Age 32. Rosario Central product.
Rafa López (CD-R) | "Rafa". Spanish. Age 26. Bosman transfer. Valladolid product.
Miguel Torres (LB) | Spain U21 (2009). Age 25. Right-footed. Real Madrid product.
Jaime Gavilán (LM) | Spain U21 (2006). Age 26. Sporting Benimaclet product.
Pablo Sarabia (CM-L) | Spain U19 (2011). Age 19. Attacking. Real Madrid product.
Juan Rodríguez (CM-R) | Spanish. Age 29. Defensive Mid. Malaga Product.
Diego Castro (RM) | Spanish. Age 29. Crafty left winger. 170 apps for Gijón.
Nicolás Fedor (FW) | "Miku". Venezuela 31 caps. Age 25. ST Villanueva product.
Adrián Colunga (FW) | Spanish. Age 26. 10 clubs in career. Sporting Gijón product.
Notable Returnees: Javier Casquero (MF), Oscar Alfredo Ustari (GK), Juan Rodríguez (MF), Pablo Sarabia (MF), Pedro Ríos (MF), Ángel Javier Arizmendi (FW).
Players In: Alberto Lopo (Deportivo La Coruña), Juan Rodríguez (Deportivo La Coruña), Mehdi Lacen (Racing Santander), Diego Castro (Sporting Gijon), Miguel Ángel Moyà (Valencia), Michelangelo Albertazzi (AC Milan), Pablo Sarabia (Castilla), Miguel Marcos "Míchel" (Birmingham), Juan Valera (Atlético).
Players Out: Arizmendi (Neuchatel), Manu del Moral (Sevilla), Albín (Espanyol), Marcano (Villarreal), Víctor Sánchez (Barcelona), Mario Álvarez (Real Betis), Daniel Parejo "Dani" (Valencia), Derek Boateng (Dnipro), Kas (Bursaspor), Miguel Pallardó (Levante)
SUMMARY
Getafe, a city in greater metro Madrid, is one of 4 Madrid-based clubs in La Liga. A smaller club, they have punched above their weight in recent years. In April 2011, they were bought by Dubai-based Royal Emirates Group for €70-€90m. The new ownerships's impact will play out over the next several months. Last season, the club avoided relegation on the last day of the campaign. Manager Míchel has been replaced by Levante's young miracle-worker Luis García. This summer, the club has sold players to buy with the sales of captain Manu del Moral, Dani Parejo, Derek Boateng, Víctor Sánchez, and Miguel Pallardó. But, a number of "adequate" replacements arrive with Diego Castro, Mehdi Lacen, Alberto Lopo, Juan Rodríguez, Miguel Ángel Moyà, and Jaime Gavilán. Further, there has been talk of Pedro León making a return. Some quality returns as well with Cata, Rafa, Mané, Adrián Colunga, and Miku. Like most of the teams I see mid-table, Getafe will stay afloat because they are a lot of teams in worse condition.
Prediction: 10th (Mid-Table)
Stephen Kuzner is a Baltimore-based Blogger for WorldFootballDaily.com who specializes in La Liga. You can reach him on Facebook at facebook.com/BarcaBlogger or Twitter at @twitter.com/BarcaBlogger.
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