Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

Doubt this will be as popular as the Premiership thread, but what the hell.

First week is over now that Sevilla and Barcelona have gotten their matches in after the Super Cup. Sevilla looked dominant (actually they sounded dominant, their match wasn't televised anywhere due to a TV rights dispute) but were playing the newly promoted Levante. Sevilla are currently top, we'll see how long that lasts. I'm pleased in any case because the early matches are very important and are higher variance with teams not quite finding form.

Barcelona won away at Celta 3-2. Based on what I've read it wasn't particularly impressive, they scored the go ahead goal in the 87th minute. Real Madrid didn't look good but were playing probably the fifth best team in Spain so it's not so bad. It will probably take them some time to get to top form after such a tumultuous summer.

Here's how I'm going to predict the top 6 will be:

Champion's League:
1. Barcelona
2. Real Madrid
3. Valencia
4. Sevilla

UEFA
5. Villarreal
6. Atletico de madrid

Real Madrid improved in the offseason as did Atletico. Barcelona and Valencia improved as well, though not as much.

Sevilla remain a top team and simply improved by keeping the team together (losing only Saviola who may come back) as they are young and now more experienced having won the UEFA Cup and Super Cup. I could see Sevilla finishing as high as 2nd. The problem for Sevilla has been consistency. We've played very well against top teams but not good enough against teams in the lower half, all too often giving away two or even three points to teams that are on the verge of relegation - iirc Sevilla lost last year to Numancia who finished in last place. That can't happen if you want to finish in the top 3 or 4.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

who should I root for?

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
who should I root for?

[/ QUOTE ]

barca...why? 2 words : jogo bonito. nobody plays football like them, they're the only team you just love to watch. the romantic age of football is long dead and they're the only survivors.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

yeah, let's make TSC the ultimate bandwagoner.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
who should I root for?

[/ QUOTE ]

atletico de madrid. HI FERNANDO TORRES. i of course say root for barca, but not everyone has to root for the same team baby.

rj

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

also, i think youve underrated barca's improvement. everything ive seen from Gudjohnsen so far makes me swoon. we also got zambrotta and saviola if we actually play him...all we lost was larsson and he was old...oh, and van bommel, but we have so much depth i think we;re fine.

rj

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
who should I root for?

[/ QUOTE ]

atletico de madrid. HI FERNANDO TORRES. i of course say root for barca, but not everyone has to root for the same team baby.

rj

[/ QUOTE ]
They have a very real shot at a Champions League place, I think.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
who should I root for?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sevilla are a young team with some very talented players who will be absolutely huge internationally in a few years. They play a hard pressing style, constantly putting pressure on the other teams. This style is very fun to watch.

You won't be a lame Real Madrid or Barça front running type supporter (these two are by far the biggest and most successful clubs). However, Sevilla have been very successful having won the UEFA Cup last year and the European Super Cup, by 3 goals over Barça. They should also finish quite high - most probably put them fourth or fifth best.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
You won't be a lame Real Madrid or Barça front running type supporter

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[img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

I do like watching Ronaldinho.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

Perhaps not big news, but it looks like FW Ricardo Oliveira is finally leaving Real Betis for AC Milan. In return, I guess they're getting MF Johann Vogel. They also recently got Brazillian FW Rafael Sobis who I know was being looked at by a few major clubs. They're going to miss Joaquin a lot in what was already a struggling club.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps not big news, but it looks like FW Ricardo Oliveira is finally leaving Real Betis for AC Milan. In return, I guess they're getting MF Johann Vogel. They also recently got Brazillian FW Rafael Sobis who I know was being looked at by a few major clubs. They're going to miss Joaquin a lot in what was already a struggling club.

[/ QUOTE ]

A SEGUNDA, EO
A SEGUNDA, EO
A SEGUNDA, EO
A SEGUNDA, EOE

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps not big news, but it looks like FW Ricardo Oliveira is finally leaving Real Betis for AC Milan. In return, I guess they're getting MF Johann Vogel. They also recently got Brazillian FW Rafael Sobis who I know was being looked at by a few major clubs. They're going to miss Joaquin a lot in what was already a struggling club.

[/ QUOTE ]

A SEGUNDA, EO
A SEGUNDA, EO
A SEGUNDA, EO
A SEGUNDA, EOE

[/ QUOTE ]
I think it's likely. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

So I DVRd the first Barca game, and I find out that Ronaldinho didn't play. Anyone know how long he's out for? CNN didn't say: http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/fo...in.ronaldinho/

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
So I DVRd the first Barca game, and I find out that Ronaldinho didn't play. Anyone know how long he's out for? CNN didn't say: http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/fo...in.ronaldinho/

[/ QUOTE ]
I've heard conflicting reports that it was a minor injury from the Sevilla game or that he was benched for missing practice. Either way, I doubt he's out for long at all. I imagine he plays the next game?

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

In a fairly big signing, Real Madrid have apparently signed Jose Antonio Reyes from Arsenal. Reyes is an ex-Sevilla player, he signed for Sevilla when quite young. He's a favorite among Sevilla fans and it's going to be tough to see him playing for Real Madrid.

The deal sends Julio Baptista to Arsenal. Baptista hasn't done much for Real Madrid but when he was at Sevilla he was ridiculously good. He has the potential to be one of the main attacking options for Brazil next world cup. I think he'll fit in with the Premier league style as he's a big forward and happy to run around defenders or through them. I'm actually somewhat curious if Sevilla will get some transfer money for this as both players in the transfer were sold a couple years ago by Sevilla.

This move is probably good for all parties. Baptista wasn't happy with his lack of playing time in Madrid, a problem that would be worse this year. Reyes never settled in at Arsenal.

For the team neutral Sevillano fan it's a pretty sad couple of days with the transfer of Reyes to Real Madrid and the transfer of Joaquin to Valencia. Both were boyhood players of the two teams in Seville and both will be playing for other clubs in Spain.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Perhaps not big news, but it looks like FW Ricardo Oliveira is finally leaving Real Betis for AC Milan. In return, I guess they're getting MF Johann Vogel. They also recently got Brazillian FW Rafael Sobis who I know was being looked at by a few major clubs. They're going to miss Joaquin a lot in what was already a struggling club.

[/ QUOTE ]

A SEGUNDA, EO
A SEGUNDA, EO
A SEGUNDA, EO
A SEGUNDA, EOE

[/ QUOTE ]
I think it's likely. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't be surprised. Betis is in shambles at all levels. Lopera will be soon, or perhaps has, stepping down as President. It's unclear but seems he will maintain ownership of the club. The top players are all either gone or want to go. The fans are not content at all with management. They regularly last year chanted "Fuera Lopera" "Betis sí, Lopera no" or worse (lets just say that his heterosexuality was called into question). They were upset that after winning the Copa del Rey he didn't invest in the club at all, in particular in strikers - at points in the season with injuries they had no true strikers available.

For Sevilla fans it's great, although we're plenty content with the recent success. Also, it's somewhat bittersweet because if Betis drop to the second division the rivalry dies down a great deal as the teams play each other at most one time, and that's only in the copa del rey so it's not likely. Seville is a proud city in general and people are proud to have two teams in the top flight - and unhappy to have neither in 2000-2001.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

wow, good deal for Arsenal. They should see more goals. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

Put Atletico in the top four and I think you got it right. (Sorry, I know you're a Sevilla fan).

[ QUOTE ]

Here's how I'm going to predict the top 6 will be:

Champion's League:
1. Barcelona
2. Real Madrid
3. Valencia
4. Sevilla

UEFA
5. Villarreal
6. Atletico de madrid

Real Madrid improved in the offseason as did Atletico. Barcelona and Valencia improved as well, though not as much.



[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
Put Atletico in the top four and I think you got it right. (Sorry, I know you're a Sevilla fan).


[/ QUOTE ]

Most think this as well. I put them sixth because I expect Villarreal to put together a better season this year having failed to qualify for Europe. As far as Atletico are concerned, they are pretty much the Spain of the primera, always underachieving. They could finish anywhere from top (not likely at all given how good Barça is) to middle of the table. Given my bias I couldn't put them fourth [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

3 matchdays so far, 3 straight weeks top!

I was a bit nervous today about the derbi as Betis will come out to play Sevilla. It was a tight match, with Sevilla winning 3-2 on a goal in the 85th minute.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

Not quite relevant for this thread, but Ricardo Oliveira is ridiculously good.

That is all. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

there was just a very hand of god esque goal in the recreativo-atletico madrid game. it was pretty amazing. guy leaned down to head it in, his left arm was out and he ended up punching it in. the only person who noticed was the closest defender, and he was completely ignored.

rj

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

link?

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

Barça - Sevilla at 3 will be a very important match for this time of the year. For Sevilla winning this match will put them top up two points, a draw will put them in a 3 way tie for second just one point back, losing and we´re down four points, not out of the race yet but for a team that only has an outside shot at being in the race being back four points is pretty bad. For Barcelona a win coupled with Valencia and Real Madrid losing means that they will be 3 points clear of Valencia and 5 points clear of Madrid.

Again, we're only 6 matches in after today but Barça were pretty consistent last year, much more so than Real Madrid and Valencia, so losing this many points so early is highly problematic for their rivals.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

it seems like this is like the only game not being shown on fsc/goltv/setanta. v sad [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

rj

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

Yeah, that's annoying. The Barca/Real Madrid match will be on next week, though. The Celta/Valencia match was pretty entertaining, though I know almost nothing about either team.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

is the barca vs. madrid match live on goltv next sunday?

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
it seems like this is like the only game not being shown on fsc/goltv/setanta. v sad [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

rj

[/ QUOTE ]

Trust me, it's worse for me than you.

Sevilla have had a huge contract dispute for the TV rights to their matches. They seemed to have resolved them but the new company they signed the rights over to apparently was incapable somehow of showing this match. So other than the European Super Cup final, no Sevilla matches have been shown this year anywhere in the world. For most of their matches, all of them at home including the derby, there weren't even cameras in the stadium to record the match and the clips that were available were crappy local news style.

Hopefully they get this [censored] figured out and soon. Especially if they're playing for a spot in the Champions league I will be pretty upset to have to listen to the radio.

Congrats on the win btw, though I'll take losing this and winning the Supercopa [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

BTW it's early, but I don't see Barcelona being behind Real Madrid at any point this season. I could see Valencia give them a run, but the way Real Madrid played yesterday and the way these things always pile up into a crisis for them, I think they're going to be fighting for second at best.

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[ QUOTE ]
link?

[/ QUOTE ]

link

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
link?

[/ QUOTE ]

link

[/ QUOTE ]haha, yet another reason for instant replay. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
is the barca vs. madrid match live on goltv next sunday?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, according to http://soccertv.com/goltv.cfm, it will air on GolTV at 3:00 pm Eastern.

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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
link?

[/ QUOTE ]

link

[/ QUOTE ]
So that's where Maniche went. How is Pires doing with Villareal?

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

Any predictions?

I'm going to go with Real Madrid 1 - 3 FC Barcelona.

Last year btw, Barça won 0 - 3 and were actually aplauded at the end of the match by the Madrid supporters, a rarity in this rivalry.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

Madrid 2-1 Barca

After watching the Chelsea game I didnt feel like Barca's offense was flowing enough.

I may be a little biased, since I am wearing my Beckham kit!

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
Madrid 2-1 Barca

After watching the Chelsea game I didnt feel like Barca's offense was flowing enough.


[/ QUOTE ]

but you can't compare Chelsea's defense with Madrid's.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

[ QUOTE ]
Any predictions?

I'm going to go with Real Madrid 1 - 3 FC Barcelona.

Last year btw, Barça won 0 - 3 and were actually aplauded at the end of the match by the Madrid supporters, a rarity in this rivalry.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes. If I remember correctly Ronaldinho played an amazing game and they were given a standing O.

This year however Ronaldinho is out of form and Etto is out. However Ronaldo is also out but I dont like him anways. Ruud and Raul seem to be playing well. I am not even sure if they are both starting but I hope to see them both. Our defense will also need a big game.

Real Madrid 2 - Barca 1

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

Goal for Raul in the second minute. Madrid is up 1-0 over Barca.

Re: Spanish Primera Division 2006 - 2007
 

Ruud gets taken down by the GK in the penalty box and the ref says play on. Ball goes the other way, and Messi makes a great move, but the striker misses the goal. I think they will miss Eto'o.