Barca Are Over-Reliant On Messi, Karim Benzema Is Mr. Champions League Junior - What We Learned From Match-Day 1 Of The Champions League…

By Umid Dey.

Malaga are doing just fine without Cazorla….

When Santi Cazorla joined Malaga from Villarreal last summer, the Yellow Submarines got hit hard. So hard that they failed to win a single game in the group stages of last season’s Champions League.

This summer, same was expected with Malaga when their talisman was sold to Arsenal. All of those expectations, however, don’t look like will get fulfilled as Malaga have made a terrific start – both in La Liga and the Champions League.

With the sale of Santi Cazorla, the task to perform well and fill in his boots fell on the young shoulders of Isco – and the 20 year-old has, so far, done an excellent job for his team.

Malaga's New Messiah

The youngster put in a stunning performance by scoring twice in Malaga’s 3-0 win over Zenit on Tuesday – a Zenit team which had the likes of Hulk, Bruno Alves, Shirokov, Lombaerts et al in it.

Albeit it’s too early in the season, if the way Malaga have played so far this season is anything to go by, then we might as well say that Malaga are doing just fine without Santi Cazorla.

Barca are over-reliant on Messi….

When Arsenal were being mocked as an one-man-team last season, there was this another team in Catalonia who could have been labeled the same: Barcelona.

The Catalan Club, at times last season, had to solely rely on Messi to win them games – and he indeed won them some games single-handedly, but that wasn’t enough to secure the Champions League or La Liga title.

The same happened last night as well – the Argentine talisman had to score twice in the last ten minutes to win Barca the game after them being 2-1 down at Camp Nou against Unai Emery’s Spartak Moscow.

Barca's One Man: Messi

Whether Messi can save Barca like this every time is yet to be seen, but the chances of that aren’t 100% as Messi is, after all, a Human and can have bad games – and Barca will need to find a solution when that happens, or else they might lose it again like last season.

Juventus are Italy’s only hope in the Champions League….

Ah, the Old Lady is back to where it belongs: the Champions League.

After 3 years of absence in Europe’s elite competition, Juve finally kicked off their Champions League campaign against defending champions, Chelsea. Things weren’t looking bright for Juve when Oscar scored twice to give Chelsea a 2-0 lead.

Then a saviour appeared in Arturo Vidal.

Juve's Saviour

The Chilean scored a brilliant goal just before half-time to give Juve a chance to get back into the game. Vidal looked like he was playing through an injury barrier – such dedicated players are needed in a team if they are to challenge for silverware.

And then Quagliarella scored in the 80^th minute to tie the scores at 2-2.

It was a great comeback from Juve, especially considering that they were up against a very strong Chelsea side and were playing in the Champions League after a long time. They also showcased their great mental strength – they went unbeaten last season and have not lost a game, so far, this season as well.

Things, however, don’t look bright for the other Italian Club in the Champions League, Milan. They drew against Anderlecht 0-0 at San Siro and it was uninspiring.

Frustrated Pazzini

Milanisti might argue that Juve also drew, so Milan drawing isn’t a big deal. However, Juve drew against a strong Chelsea team at Stamford Bridge and also put in a great performance. Milan, on the other hand, drew in their own backyard against Anderlecht and the manner in which they played wasn’t inspiring.

Milan lost 2 of their best players in Thiago Silva and Ibrahimovic to PSG – Juve, in contrast, have strengthened by signing great players like Asamoah and Isla. Showing no disrespect to Milan, Juve look like the only Italian team capable of going far in the Champions League.

Milan fans will be hoping that Milan pull off a miracle like Chelsea did last season …. but it looks unlikely.

Champions League is Karim Benzema’s competition….

Didn’t score for Club or Country since May 2012. Had a torrid Euro 2012 with France. Had a woeful start with Real Madrid this season.  Yes, that’s Karim Benzema.

Prior to the City game, Karim Benzema was going through a drought – he hadn’t scored a goal for more than 800+ minutes.

Real Madrid were trailing 2-1, with just 5 minutes to go, after Kolarov gave City the lead once again by scoring from a free-kick. Every City fan were convinced that their team would come out of the Bernabeu with all 3 points.

But it wasn’t to be because Benzema had something else in mind.

Benzema received the ball on the edge of the box, turned Nastasic – who was having a storming game – in the wrong direction with his first touch and shot the ball straight into the right bottom-corner. Hart couldn’t save this one and Benzema had finally broken his goal drought.

'I own the Champions League!'

And what better an occasion to end the drought?

Benzema has scored 26 goals in 43 Champions League appearances. It was his performances in the Champions League for Lyon that drew a lot of attention. When it comes to Champions League, it is almost guaranteed that Benzema will deliver an awe-inspiring performance.

Real Madrid lost Mr. Champions League, Raul, in 2010 – but they have found another one in Benzema; Mr. Champions League Junior.

How not to take penalties….

Bayern Munich, Schalke, Dortmund & Manchester United – what is common between these four teams? All of them were awarded with a penalty each and all of their takers failed to score from it.

There was once a time when penalties made heroes out of the takers – they would almost always score from them. Lately, it is the goalkeepers who are getting the better of the penalty-takers and making them look like fools instead of heroes.

This is how you take a penalty....not

If you ever want to learn on how to not take penalties, then you should watch the way Nani, Hummels, Mandzukic & Huntelaar took their spot-kicks this midweek.

Varane, Nastasic, Isco & Veratti are the stars of the future….

When City’s and Real’s starting XI came out, everyone was surprised – two talented 19 year-old center backs were in it; one for Real and the other for City.

Almost everyone expected Ramos to start for Real and Lescott for City. Instead, a 19 year old Varane filled in the boots of Ramos & another 19 year old Nastasic took Lescott’s place.

And both of them had a tremendous game.

You may ask how did Real concede 2 and City concede 3 if they both had great games. Here’s why: Kompany had a terrible game; arguably his worst game ever since becoming an undisputed starter at City (was heavily at fault for Cristiano’s winning goal) and all of Real Madrid’s goals were scored from outside the box – blatantly revealing the inability of City’s deep-midfielder to close down the space.

The Future Of City's Defense

Apart from Benzema’s goal, where the Frenchmen schooled Nastasic, the teenager had a brilliant game and showed the World why he is one of the most hyped defenders out there.

And Varane; none of the goals Real conceded were his fault – one came directly from a set-piece and the other from a counter-attack goal where he had to close down Yaya Toure (Pepe should have tracked Dzeko). He was astute with his defending and brilliantly organised the defense when City were building an attack. His composure is way beyond his years.

The Future Of Real Madrid's Defense

Now onto Veratti.

A lot is expected of him, a lot of Italians see him as the next Pirlo; but I can assure you that he won’t be the next Pirlo – he will be the new Veratti.

Against Kiev, he showed that his incredible performance against Toulouse was no one-match wonder. Against Toulouse, he did everything you could ask from a midfielder: defend, set the tempo by spraying passes & play some amazing long-balls.

The Marco Verratti

And he did the same against Kiev.

It is absolutely astonishing how a 20 year old has so many skills; he can read the game so well that he is always in the right defensive position at the right time, he can pass it, has good ball-control, has great vision and is really brave.

I have already written about Isco earlier in this article, so I will keep it till there for him. If these 4 keep progressing the way they are now, then that day isn’t far when these 4 would be in the list of Ballon d’Or candidates.

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Extracts From The Secret Diary Of Nicklas Bendtner….

By Umid Dey.

August 18, 2012.

7 am. I wake up from sleep. The first things I see after opening my eyes everyday are posters of Nicklas Bendtner with a caption of ‘The Best In The World’ all around my room.

I wake up pleased. Everyday.

But today, I was extra-pleased because tonight my Club Arsenal will be playing Real Madrid – one of the best teams in the World – and I am going to be in the starting XI. Only a foolish manager would leave out his best player when his team is playing against the best team in the World.

August 19, 2012.

I was too tired to write about last night’s game last night itself; after all, I scored 5 goals against Real Madrid to help Arsenal win 5-4 after being 4-0 down at half-time. So I was tired; tired of carrying Arsenal on my back – but, they don’t call me The Great Dane for no reason.

I not only scored 5 goals, but I assisted 5 of them as well. I didn’t allow Szczesny to take goal-kicks because, if he did, the assists would have been his. So I took the goal-kicks myself by shooting the ball in the air and then running to reach the place where the ball would land, receive it, dribble past my opponents, and then score.

For my 5th goal, I actually told my team-mates, including Szczesny, to stand in my way while I am dribbling so that I would dribble past all 21 players on the pitch and then score. And that’s exactly what happened: I dribbled past 21 players, then went past the referee, then nutmegged my own self by slowly pushing the ball and quickly standing in front of it to let it roll between my legs and then scoring.

I went past all 22 players on the pitch – including myself – and 23 men to score the greatest goal of all time. Only Nicklas Bendter can go past Nicklas Bendtner with the ball - I am just too awesome.

Once Mourinho said that 5-4 is a “disgraceful” score-line in a 11v11 game and that he sends his players back to the dressing rooms, as they are not defending properly, if the score-line reaches 5-4 in a 3v3 training match. I wonder what he did to his players last night after they conceded 5.

They once conceded 5 against Barcelona, too, but conceding 5 against Barcelona and conceding 5 against a team that has Nicklas Bendtner – the best in the World – in it is 2 very different things.

Barcelona didn’t have me – Nicklas Bendtner – so it’s not understandable to concede 5 against them. After all, who did Barca have in that game? Lionel Messi? Andres Iniesta? David Villa? Meh. These are players who are not even fit to tie the laces of my boots – you get these players in every street of Denmark.

However, last night was different. Real conceded against me. They should, and must, be happy that they were blessed enough to concede 5 against the best in the World. If Mourinho didn’t do anything to his players after they conceded 5 against Barca, then he must have partied last night after conceding 5 against me as he conceded way less than he expected.

Anyways, after the match, Wenger came to me and told that I was excellent and bla bla… the usual stuff to make me feel good. I don’t know what kind of an idiot he is because even after being with me for so many years, he doesn’t realise that I always feel good about myself, regardless of whether I get praised or not.

A reporter came to me and asked me how I felt scoring 5 against a great team like Real. I replied, “It was easy, a piece of cake. Scoring goals have always been as easy as walking in the park for me; whether it is against Real Madrid or any other team.” (I know that this is my diary and thus putting my own words in quotes may have baffled you, but guess what; this is cool – the guys you see doing the same with their tweets on Twitter or comments/statuses on Facebook got that from me. This is called ‘being awesome’.)

I went to the dressing room and got a hero’s welcome. The new guy Cazorla came to me and said that he never had a team-mate who made such good use of his passes. I replied to him, “that’s because you never had Nicklas Bendtner as your team-mate”. (Again, I’m being awesome.)

Now you must be wondering when did Arsenal play against Real Madrid. They played Sunderland on August 18, not Real Madrid, you must be shouting in your head.

Well, that’s in your inferior Universe – the Universe which everyone sees. In your Universe, Arsenal played Sunderland and drew 0-0. But in that superior Universe, Arsenal played Real Madrid and I scored 5.

That superior Universe is located in a blissful place called ‘The Mind Of Nicklas Bendtner’. You have to be Nicklas Bendtner to see what is happening in that Universe and God has made just one Nicklas Bendtner – and that’s me – so only I can see that Universe. No-one else can.

So all of you mere mortals: be pleased by being and seeing this inferior Universe and I, on the other hand, will be owning that superior Universe by my breath-taking, jaw-dropping and eye-popping Football skills – and you won’t be able to see that.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA,” I laugh at you all.

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Note: This is just a satirical article and isn't Nicklas Bendtner's real diary - this is just intended for fun purposes and not to offend Bendtner or anyone mentioned in this article.

Barclays Premier League 2012-13 Preview

by Shubham Mazumdar. 

After the incredible battle at the top of the 2011-12 EPL table between Manchester United and Manchester City, followed by Aguero’s last gasp winner for Manchester City on the final day of last season somehow made sure that when it comes to competition, Premier League keeps you at the edge of your seats.

With the 2012/13 season already here, I look at each team’s prospects for the campaign ahead.

Arsenal

While their captain Robin van Persie left for one of their biggest rivals, the Arsenal fans can still cherish the fact that Wenger was able to grab Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla. But here is also an obvious question-mark about how quickly they can adjust to the Premier League. 

Arsenal's biggest concern last season was their shabby defence, which is basically because of the disastrous injury list that almost derailed their season, but seems like the lesson learned from last season can work out for them and make the Gunners a sturdier looking unit this time, conceding no goals in the 3 games they have played so far – the only team in the Premier League to yet to concede. Steve Bould, new Arsenal assistant manager, effect.

Arsenal's Saviour?

If the new trio is able to gel in time, and if a certain Jack Wilshere can return back from injury, Arsenal can give the top contenders a run for their money - and, who knows, even win a title as they have the Spanish talisman Santi Cazorla in their team.

Aston Villa

After a poor season under Alex McLeish, Paul Lambert now gets his chance to turn the club’s fortunes around. Bent's absence through injury for much of the second half of last season almost cost Villa their place in the Premier League. With a fit Darren Bent in the side, the side will look more confident than ever. 

 "There's real optimism about the season ahead," Darren Bent said after reporting back for pre-season. "We felt it in our first session when [the manager] came in and told us how he wanted to play. It was great because he said he wanted us to play with real freedom. He wants us to be an attacking outfit… he wants us to have a right good go at every single team. That's how it should be."

A lot will be expected from Charles N’Zogbia and Stephen Ireland, as well as the impact of new boy Ron Vlaar, signed from Feyernoord. Looks like a top half finish won't be a tough ask this time.

Chelsea

The champions of Europe and winners of the FA Cup look much stronger this season after the addition of the likes of Eden Hazrd, Marko Marin & Oscar. Fernando Torres seems to be on the rise again, and might even prove his critics wrong if he manages to bring out the old Nino back. 

Chelsea's Stars

Defense can be a problem for them – their display against a much more composed side Athletico Madrid in the Euro Super Cup was a testament to that. Terry will be missing a month or two because of the ban imposed by FA for the Anton Ferdinand fiasco and that would hurt Chelsea even more as their a little thin in the defense area.

Will Roberto di Matteo keep his job, come season end? That would be interesting to see. A top three finish seems probable – but not winning a title with this team would be a huge disappointment for Chelsea fans. 

Everton

Despite the exits of Tim Cahill and Jack Rodwell, Nikica Jelavic  and Marouane Fellaini will still be the key players for the club, and players like Tim Howard, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines will be crucial for the tough season up ahead.

Premier League's Finest

Ross Barkley will surely benefit after the departure of Rodwell, who first burst onto the scene at the beginning of last season with a series of good match displays.

Although Everton were let down badly by their away form last season where they managed to win just five games on their travels all season, they look like a top eight team again - and a lot depends on their best player, Marouane Fellaini - arguably the best box-to-box midfielder in the Premier League after Yaya Toure.

Liverpool

The appointment of Brendan Rodgers seems like a good move, and with new additions like Joe Allen, Borini and Nuri Sahin to the squad, they should be a match for anyone.

Inspite of being hampered by injuries, Kop hero and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard still is the key man.  Suarez is also a key payer, but his poor finishing of late is costing Liverpool points. Raheem Sterling is promising, and someone to watch out for.

Nuri Sahin is also there to provide Liverpool with creativity from deep. He might have looked lost in his first game, but once he settles into the pace of the league; he will do wonders for Liverpool. Also, the injury of Lucas has once again given Liverpool a huge blow – Lucas was the perfect partner for Nuri Sahin.

Squad depth can be a problem for the Reds; top four is out of the question! Maybe?

Manchester City

Title Defenders will be looking for another successful season up ahead. The richest club in the Premier League, they are possibly the best club in England now, so the old accusations of players only being lured by City’s wealth and bulging pay packets would no longer hold true as the appeal of playing for the champions would now outweigh the financial gains. 

If Mancini is able to keep egos in check, the Citizens can be unparalleled throughout the season. The form and confidence of Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli will be a big influence. 

Midfield Dynamo

With the addition of Javi Garcia and Rodwell, the team looks better in their defensive aspect, and it won't be shocking if they are successful in retaining the title eventually. However, they still lack a deep-lying playmaker who would give creativity from deep – a deep-lying playmaker isn’t a necessity to win the Premier League, but a player like that is needed in the Champions League.

Manchester United

In this, the 20th season of the Premier League, it is worth noting that only on three occasions have United finished outside of the top two and never lower than third, compelling evidence of their enduring class and title threat. 

With the addition of big players like Robin Van Persie and Bundesliga Player of the Season Shinji Kagawa, they are still the biggest threat to City's title defending campaign.

Already United's Best Player

Vidic's return is a lift, but there are questions over just about everyone else in defence. Rio and Evra are ageing, and Evans and De Gea need to mature. Butner isn't an answer for the left back position as well.

Towards the end of last season, Rooney reveled in the No.10 role, playing just off Hernandez in a position that allowed him to exert more influence and dictate the flow of games.

 He is likely to play a similar role this season, particularly in Europe, after he returns from injury.  Eleven men take the field, but, more so than ever, Ferguson is United’s most important player this season. Title contenders for sure!

Tottenham Hotspur

The Whites were ignored a champions league spot last season, after Chelsea’s heroics in the competition, despite finishing 4^th in the table. For many fans of other clubs, the removal of Harry Redknapp as Tottenham’s manager was almost a suicidal decision, but when André Villas-Boas was presented to the media on 11 July he talked of the need to "complete" the squad.

Early summer signings of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen were brilliant piece of business done by the Portuguese, thus adding depth in defence and midfield, even if they do have worryingly few options up front. Defoe and Adebayor will be key players, along with high flying Gareth Bale.

Dembele - Spurs' New Key Man

Luka Modric will be thoroughly missed, Scott Parker is a long-term injury casualty – and this is where Sandro; a guy with a lot of talent and huge potential, gets his chance to prove his worth.

After being spoilt in the last few seasons, the fans would love a trophy, be it the Europa League, The FA Cup or the League Cup. 5 of the last seven season have seen them finish in the top five of the Premiership, including finishing fourth twice in the last 3 seasons. Same will be expected this time around, especially after signing quality players like Hugo Lloris, Dempsey and Dembele on deadline day.

QPR

 Hughes brought in defender Nedum Onuoha as well as forwards Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora during the January transfer window and all of those players contributed to the club's success at the end of the season. With players like Esteban Granero, Park Ji Sung, Fabio, and Robert Green, the squad looks roaring to be the surprise package this season.

Newcastle United

Having lost four key players since his appointment in January 2011 – Joey Barton, Andy Carroll, Jose Enrique and Kevin Nolan – Pardew did a magnificent job, with the help of chief scout Graham Carr, to rebuild the side. Cheik Tioté will be the man to watch out for this season. However, with Chelsea and Spurs strengthening, it will be very hard for Newcastle to repeat their heroics of last season. Newcastle United will enjoy a top-half finish this season. 

Stoke City

They won’t change. They will keep playing those long-balls, they will keep playing rough and they will keep angering their opposition teams. Playing Stoke has never been easy for other team. This year, it will be harder to beat them as they are looking to add creativity (sort of), signing of Charlie Adam is a signal to that, to their tough style of play. It is already hard to handle the physical play of Stoke, add a little bit of creativity to that and they become a stronger team. Top 10 finish is on the cards.

Swansea

Laudrup was considered not just among the best of his generation, but among the best of all time. A great passer of the ball himself, he will be looking to keep the main focus on the team's passing. When team's play the possession game, it all starts with the center midfielders. Britton may be feeling a bit lonely when the season starts due to Joe Allen and Gylfi Sigurdsson's departures, but Swansea had a great transfer window where they bought a lot of players, with Michu (4 goals in 3 games already; all of them playing as a midfielder) and Pablo Hernandez being the big name ones. Swansea are going to the surprise package of this season and ruling them out of European spots contention would be a mistake. 

West Ham 

They have strengthened greatly over the transfer window by signing players like Matt Jarvis, Yossi Benayoun and Andy Carroll. Yossi will give them the creative edge they needed since….well…Yossi left in 2007. Andy Carroll gives them that huge presence in the box and in Jarvis, Andy gets a great partner as Matt Jarvis is a very good crosser of the ball. There’s no way that West Ham are getting relegated this season.

Fulham have considerably weakened themselves by selling 2 of their best players; Dembele and Dempsey. They have, however, signed Berbatov and if the Bulgarian gets back to his best under Martin Jol – the man under whom he played of his best Football – and if Bryan Ruiz does what he is capable of, then Fulham will comfortably finish mid-table. However, there are no ifs and buts in life, so it will be very hard for Fulham in the Premier League this season.

Wigan are the trolls of the Premier League. Always seem like they will relegated, but then in the end, they will somehow escape relegation by winning against team who they, on paper, don’t even have a chance to get a result out. Roberto Martinez is a good manager and will once again save Wigan from getting relegated.

Southampton have won a lot of admirers in the 3 games they have played, but they are yet get a point in the Premier League. They played both United and City and almost beat them. They were leading in both games, but then due to loss of concentration in defending, they lost out eventually. With a bit more luck, and more concentration while defending a lead, they can surely avoid relegation.

West Brom, Sunderland, Reading and Norwich will all be fighting to avoid relegation – this is going to be a very long and hard season for these teams.  

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Spanish Primera Liga 2012-13

By Sakib.

So, a brand new season of La Liga is upon us and promises to thrill yet again. This league never fails to amaze us with its quality of football. While tough economic conditions in Spain mean the clubs can't spend lavishly, they are still producing brilliant new players and making shrewd signings on loan. Many of the best talents of La Liga have moved to other leagues this year, but plenty of talents still remain. Here we look at all the 20 teams that'll contest one of the best leagues in the world.

                                                    

Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho's boys notched up 100 points last season and were clearly the deserving champions. Even the gaffer has admitted it'll be a tough act to follow.

Only two new arrivals (one of them on loan) suggest the manager is pretty happy with what he has at his disposal. Luka Modric will add quality to the midfield, and maybe take some load off from Xabi Alonso.

Michael Essien's loan move from Chelsea looks to be a shrewd one on paper. Michael Essien may look like he is injured forever, but he is only 28 and would have been at his peak had it not been for injuries. Under his old boss Mou, he might as well reach his top form once again and that would be beneficial for Real.

Can they maintain the hunger, drive and passion of last season? Only time will tell. But this is a squad with brilliance in every position and more than capable of winning the title again.

Barcelona

Life after Pep begins for the Catalans. Will Tito Vilanova prove to be as competent as his predecessor? He has inherited a brilliant team and will look to continue the same way as before.

Alex Song & Jordi Alba have arrived. Jordi Alba's arrival from Valencia was one of the bargains of the summer.  The only Achilles heel of this team looks to be the centre back position. Age is fast catching up with captain Carles Puyol and at times Pique looks lost without his senior centre back partner.  

David Villa is back from a long term injury, Pedro is back on form. Messi, Iniesta, Xavi are fit and firing. The team will be hungry to regain their lost crown. An epic title race is on the cards.

However, a lack of strength in depth, because of a thin squad, may prove costly for the Catalans – just like it did last season.

  

Atletico Madrid

Diego 'El Cholo' Simeone & Radamel 'El Tigre' Falcao - two men who have completely turned around Atleti's performance over the last year. They are now the Europa League, UEFA Super Cup holders; playing some brilliant football.

A compact squad, coupled with the prudent leadership of Simeone & Falcao’s ability to score whenever he wants has allowed 'Los Colchoneros' to dream again.

All hopes of a top 3 finish will depend on Falcao staying fit and scoring goals. Can they finish in top 3? With the quality they have, at the moment, and Falcao firing on all cylinders (a hattrick each in the last 2 games), they have a strong chance to finish 3^rd. Consistency, however, is needed.

Players to watch out for: Oliver Torres, Adrian & Arda Turan

Valencia

Spain's third best team for the last three years. They keep losing their best player every year and this year was no different. Left-back Jordi Alba has left for Barcelona. But as always, Valencia have made some shrewd (but cheap) signings. Players like Fernando Gago, Portuguese right-back Joao Pereira, Paraguayan Striker Nelson Valdes, Aly Cisokho will definitely strengthen this team.

Valencia fans are notoriously difficult to impress, just ask Unai Emery. The man led them to 3 consecutive 3^rd place finishes, but that still didn’t please the Valencia fans. One must wonder how Valencia fans think their team could do better in a league which have 2 of the strongest teams in the World.

New manager Mauricio Pellegrino's task isn't an enviable one.

Prediction- 4th place                

Malaga

After the tremendous highs of last season when Malaga finished 4th and qualified for Champions League, the Andalusians have been hit by crushing reality.

Their Qatari owner Al Thani has stopped investing in the team and is not even paying the wages properly. This has led to mass departures from the team which includes their most priced asset, Santi Cazorla, and leading goal scorer of last season, Salomon Rondon.

Even amidst the doom and gloom, they have started the season rather well. Two new arrivals came on the transfer deadline day; Javier Saviola and Roque Santa Cruz. They won't set the world on fire but will provide much needed experience in front of goal. 

Still, a repeat of last season's heroics looks very unlikely. Manager Pellegrini will be happy with a Europa League place.

Player to watch out for: Isco Alarcon & Juanmi.

Athletic Club Bilbao

Bielsa's Athletic took Europa League by storm last season playing some brilliant entertaining football. Although they failed in the final hurdles in both Europa League and Copa Del Rey, the team gave its passionate fans plenty to cheer about.

What a difference a summer makes! Their talismanic striker Fernando Llorente has declined to sign a new contract, Javi Martinez has gone to Bayern Munich. Suddenly, the team looks pretty vulnerable.

As they sign only Basque players, it's pretty difficult for Atheltic to find players of very high quality on a regular basis. There was a talk of bringing in Benat Exteberria from Betis which didn't materialise. It could, however, happen as Athletic have been allowed to buy players till September 29 as Bayern Munich paid the full release clause of Javi Martinez and Athletic could do nothing but see their player go off their hands, abnd this they have been handed another month to bring in a replacement.

The squad is small but has plenty of talent to compete. The likes of Oscar De Marcos, Iker Muniain, Susaeta, Aurtenetxe et al will have to take more responsibilities now. Can Bielsa thrill us with his team's 'Gung-ho' football again? We hope so, but the signs, so far, haven’t looked good.

Sevilla

Porous at the back, far too inconsistent up front – that's Sevilla under Michel. Early signs are that the trend will continue. Mid table mediocrity awaits for this Andalusian giant.

The fact that they have retained all their best players like Alvaro Negredo, Ivan Rakitic, Jesus Navas will give them hope. Club legend Frederic Kanoute has left for China which will create a huge gap in the team.

But there is one undiscovered pearl in this team – Geoffrey Kondogbia: watch out for him, he is some talent.

Real Betis

Sevilla's feisty Andalusian neighbours and biggest rivals.

The Seville Derby is a pretty big occasion down in South Spain. Betis under Pepe Mel are a very entertaining outfit and have a strong team. Star man is definitely Benat Extebarria, who has been called up to Spain squad this summer and rightly so, is a brilliant deep lying playmaker who can weave magic against any defense Arsenal's promising striker Joel Campbell has arrived on loan as well.

However, Benat may be bought by Athletic and that would weaken the team considerably.

Levante

This team, on paper, shouldn't really be anywhere near the top of the league. A small squad mainly made up of free agents and old players.  Yet they are confounding every one with their solid, no nonsense football. Last season they were sixth and have qualified for Europe for the first time. They'll struggle with the hectic schedule of EL and their league form might suffer this season.

Main striker Arouna Kone is off to Wigan, so the goals might dry up as well.

However, this is Levante and after what they did last season, anything great they do won’t be of any surprise.

Getafe

The curious case of Getafe – their stadium Alfonso Perez Coliseum remains empty all the year round. No one really wants to see them in top flight, but here they are in Primera ; for the 8th successive season.

Luis Garcia Plaza is regarded as one of the most promising young managers of Spain and he has built a side fit for war. Occasional upsets against the big boys – they have already beaten city rivals Real Madrid on match day 2 – pretty consistent home form mean they are placed comfortably in mid table every year.

More of the same this season.

Player to watch out for: Abdelaziz Barrada                           

Deportivo La Coruna

One of Spain's biggest clubs is back in top flight. They won the Segunda Division last season and actually have a strong squad. Strong enough to avoid relegation comfortably, at least.

Plenty of Portuguese players have been brought on loan. The ever green Manuel Pablo &  midfield maestro Juan Carlos Valeron are still in the team. Highly rated Portuguese striker Nelson Oliveira is one of the players who can thrill.

A trip to Riazor – the holy stadium in which the backheel of God happened – won't be an easy one for other teams and that is certain.

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Celta De Vigo

Depor's biggest rivals Celta are also back to the big stage. So we can look forward to 2 highly charged Galician derbies in La Liga this season!

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Striker Iago Aspas has to score a hatful of goals by himself to give Celta any chances of survival. The squad, however, is pretty weak . Some notable inclusions have been the promising goal keeper from Sevilla Javi Varas, Danish midfielder Krohn-Dehli , Arsenal's Park ChuYoung.

Even with the useful additions, Celta are favourites to get relegated this season.

Espanyol

These are tough times for the second biggest club in Catalonia. They have a shiny new stadium Cornella El Prat , but the fans are losing interest in a declining team. They had a disastrous second half of last season and their two best performers Coutinho and Weiss have left.

However, they have also strengthen their squad by signing players like striker Christian Stuani, a proven goal-scorer in lower leagues and does bang in a few at the top tier, experienced Portuguese winger Simao and a solid young holding midfielder in Wakaso Mubarak.

It will be fun to watch the Catalan derby this season.

Real Sociedad

'La Real' as they are known - had a pretty stress free season last time. They have retained Carlos Vela and the very highly rated youngster Griezman. With a solid team Real Sociedad will look to stay out of trouble and maybe push for a European place.

Player to watch out for: Ruben Pardo ( the new Xabi Alonso?) & long-shots’ lord Inigo Martinez.

Rayo Vallecano

A small club of Madrid with a giant heart. A difficult season awaits them this year. They have lost their talisman Michu , Raul Tamudo , Diego Costa. Well one thing they won't lack is the support. Should just about save themselves from the drop.

Player to watch out for : Leo Baptistao

                    

Granada

Not getting relegated will be the prime target for them this season. Their new manager Juan Antonio Anquela is one of the most highly respected managers in Spanish football. Many of their players come on loan from Udinese and this year has been no different.

However, the squad looks strong enough to avoid relegation as they bought the likes of Nicke Bille Nielsen, a decent poacher who can score about 10-15 goals a season, a very talented Mohammed Abu on loan and decent center-back in Rodri.

Player to watch out for: Guilherme Siqueira 

  

Osasuna

A trip to Pamplona is one of the most unpleasant experiences for traveling teams in La Liga. Osasuna and their boisterous home fans are once again ready to unleash hell on the teams.

Although their best player last season Raul Garcia is off to Atletico, they will be pretty confident of finishing mid table. And shrewd signings like Anthony Annan & Joseba Llorente will help them do so.

Real Mallorca

Joaquin Caparros is working wonders with a frail looking team. They don't have much money and so need to sell their best players every season. Centre back pairing of Ivan Ramis and Chico are the main players who have left.

They had a great transfer window bringing players like Giovanni Dos Santos, who will bring much needed creativity to the team and look to ruffle a few feathers in La Primera, a no-nonsense center-back Geromel and Javier Arizmendi to help them achieve a respectable mid-table position.

Real Zaragoza

Pulled off the mother of all escapes last season.

Very unlikely that lightening will strike twice. They have a very poor squad further depleted by the loss of Lafita . In Roberto they have one of the best shot stoppers in the world and he'll need to be at his best to keep their goal and dignity intact. One of my picks to get relegated.

Real Valladolid

The third team to come up from Segunda. Their star man is their manager Miroslav Dukic who was a possible candidate to replace Unai Emery in Valencia . The Serbian has built a very competent team who play an eye catching brand of football. Will it be enough to survive the rigors of top flight? Difficult but possible

Player to watch out for: Oscar Gonzales

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