PREVIEW [Liga BBVA 2015/2016] Análisis de los equipos

**The Horse Whisper** · 19/08/15, 07:06 PM

Bueno, este hilo ya se lo comenté a Ulises Lima, y le pareció un curro interesante, así que he decidido trasladarlo aquí. Es una pequeña info de los 20 equipos de la liga, con la ventaja de que como aquí cada uno sabe bastante de su equipo, puede corregir cosas y entre todos hacer una buena guía. A los que apuestan de forma menos pro o les cuesta encontrar info, seguro que será un buen punto de partida.

El hilo original es éste, creado también por mí y lo voy acabando poco a poco: http://forum.bettingadvice.com/showthread.php?t=94896

**The Horse Whisper** · 19/08/15, 07:06 PM

Athletic Club de Bilbao

Rivalidades:

· Real Sociedad (derby)
· Real Madrid (trasfondo político)
· Barcelona (antigua rivalidad por títulos)
· Osasuna (derby y malas relaciones)

HISTORIA RECIENTE (2005-2015)

Mejor posición liguera:
4º 2013/2014
6º 2010/2011
7º 2014/2015

Mejor rendimiento en Copa:
Finalista 2014/2015 (1-3 vs Barcelona)
Finalista 2011/2012 (0-3 vs Barcelona)
Finalista 2008/2009 (1-4 vs Barcelona)

Participaciones Europeas:
Finalista UEL 2011/2012 (0-3 vs Atlético de Madrid)
1/16 UEL 2014/2015 (4-5agg vs Torino)
1/16 UEL 2009/2010 (1-5agg vs Anderlecht)

ÚLTIMA TEMPORADA

2014/2015 League position: 7º
2014/2015 Copa: 2º (1-3 vs FC Barcelona en el Nou Camp)
2014/2015 Competición europea: UCL - 3º en la Fase de Grupos & UEL 1/16 (4-5agg vs Torino)

2014/2015 estadísticas:
20º en el ranking de promedio de goles por partido (2.18 - 2.78 en 2013/2014)
17º en el promedio de goles anotados fuera (0.74 - 1.26 en 2013/2014)
66% de partidos under 2.5 - 47% en 2013/2014

El hecho de que el Athletic esté íntegramente formado por jugadores vascos, hace que cuando tienes una generación comandada por un buen internacional (Julen Guerrero, Joseba Etxeberría, Fernando Llorente) puedes competir con equipos de presupuesto medio como el Sevilla o Valencia por una plaza en Champions. Desafortunadamente, incluso cuando tienes jugadores como ellos en el equipo y tienes una buena economía, no puedes crecer demasiado debido a dos razones: 1) no hay mejores jugadores fuera de Euskadi para fichar 2) Están en mejores o más competitivos equipos (Xabi Alonso o Javi Martínez en el Bayern, Llorente en la Juve..) Incluso cuando construyes un buen equipo, si tú no estás luchando por títulos, tus buenos jugadores se querrán ir y firmar por un equipo dominante. Esta es la principal controversia año tras año, que se suele acrecentar cuando el equipo queda por debajo de la mitad de la tabla.

Sin embargo, aunque Ander Herrera, Fernando Llorente, Amorebieta, Javi Martínez, Fran Yesto o Joseba Etxeberría se marcharon del equipo, el Athletic se lo montó para alcanzar algunos buenos resultados últimamente. Sin suerte para ellos, porque jugaron 4 finales contra Barcelona y Atlético de Madrid. Para alcabzar esas finales, el Athletic tuvo buenos entrenadores como Joaquín Caparrós, Marcelo Bielsa o Ernesto Valverde, pero ellos definitivamente necesitaron algunos jugadores de calidad, a parte del tradicional estilo de fuerza e intensidad, que recientemente mutó en un mix entre eso y el gusto por el buen fútbol, que en Bilbao siempre han tenido.

La última temporada, el Athletic jugó la mayor parte del año sin su joven estrella Iker Muniaín, debido a lesiones y mala forma. El veterano Aritz Aduriz y la estrella emergente Iñaki Williams, añadieron algo de pólvora en ataque. El retorno de Beñat 5 años después le dío al equipo un interesante mix en el medio del campo que las 2 últimas temporadas obtuvieron buena clasificación final en liga, acabando 4º y 7º, además de una final de Copa. La pronta eliminación de UEL ante el Krasnodar fue un gran chasco para ellos, porque el equipo es realmente bueno en este tipo de eliminatorias una vez adentrada la temporada. Todos recordamos esos partidos hace 3 años cuando jugaron en Old Trafford ganando 2-3 o la victoria 2-4 en Gelserkirchen ante el Schalke 04.

Lo que nunca pierde el conjunto vasco es la competitividad. Los vi muy frustrados en la final de Copa ante el Barcelona, y a la vez montaron una celebración digna de ganar la Champions al ganar un torneo de pretemporada como es la Supercopa. Es señal de que hay ganas de que el Athletic esté compitiendo entre los grandes. También la tensión con la que jugaron en el Camp Nou la vuelta de la Supercopa, donde ellos estaban jugando una final y el Barcelona un amistoso, y se pudieron ver cosas tan curiosas como a Iñaki Williams celebrando la expulsión de Piqué, a Aduriz recriminando a Bravo que no se tirase ante una entrada, cosas que tampoco eran necesarias porque el Barcelona quería ganar, pero tampoco va a hacer ningún drama por perder un partido como ese. De todas formas, puedo entender que perder 4 finales en 4 años es duro de asumir. Han pasado 30 años hasta que han conseguido algo parecido a un título. La política del club, los 31 títulos de liga y Copa ganados y el meritorio logro de ser uno de los 3 equipos que nunca han descendido, le han otorgado el respeto del aficionado español. Sin embargo, la política siempre está relacionada con el Athletic y el pueblo vasco, y no se les suele valorar como se merece por este tipo de conexión con otros temas extradeportivos, pero para mí tienen todo el reconocimiento del mundo.

TEMPORADA ACTUAL

(San Mamés)

2015/2016 Previsión: 5th/7th
2015/2016 Competición Europea: UEL - Preliminary 3rd Round vs FH/Inter Baku
2015/2016 Competiciones: 4x (Liga, Copa, Supercopa & UEL)

Pretemporada: 2-3-3 /
0-14 vs @txorierri Combined Team
1-1 vs @Krasnodar
3-2 vs @Greuther Fürth
2-0 vs @Club Tijuana
1-1 vs @betis
1-1 vs Valladolid
2-0 vs Osasuna
2-0 vs @Inter Milan

Partidos oficiales: 2-2-1 /
2-0 UEL, Ida vs Inter Baku (Casa)
0-0 UEL, Vuelta vs Inter Baku (Fuera)
4-0 SuperCopa, Ida vs Barcelona (Casa)
1-1 SuperCopa,Vuelta vs Barcelona (Fuera)
3-2 UEL, Ida vs Zilina (Fuera)
UEL, Vuelta vs Zilina (Casa)

23/08/2015Liga, vs Barcelona en San Mamés (Casa)

Plantilla

Fichajes: Gorka Elustondo - DMC - 26/1 (Real Sociedad), Eneko Bóveda - RB - 35/1 (Éibar),
Jonás Ramalho - CB - 38/2 (Girona vuelve de cesión) & Javi Eraso - CDM - 39/8 (Leganés)
Ventas clave: Andoni Iraola - RB - 31/2 (New York City)
Lesiones: Iker Muniaín (Noviembre/15), Jonás Ramalho (Enero/16)

Probable 11 inicial:
4231 o 433 - Ernesto Valverde & Jon Aspiazu (entrenador)

Gorka Iraizoz (GK)
De Marcos - Laporte - Etxeita - Belenziaga (DEF)
Beñat - Iturraspe (MED)
Susaeta - Iñaki Williams - Aduriz - Muniaín (DEL)

2015/2016 PERSPECTIVAS

Portería: El Athletic no va a tener problemas en portería este año mientras Gorka continúe con sus decentes actuaciones. Tiene 34 años ya, por lo que ese puede ser el único problema para ellos. Herrerín no tiene mucha experiencia, pero parece un portero decente. Kepa se marcha cedido al Valladolid para seguir cogiendo experiencia y parece ser que será el titular en los próximos años si sigue rindiendo bien en 2ª División, porque no hay demasiados jugadores jóvenes que puedan ocupar este puesto en el futuro, por ahora. El año pasado Herrerín jugó los últimos partidos de UEL y Copa, por lo que quizá Valverde le haya estado introduciendo en partidos decisivos para que coja algo de rodaje de cara a esta temporada y las siguientes, donde Gorka quizá ya no juegue tanto y sea la transición hasta que Kepa esté más formado.

Defensa: La marcha de Andoni Iraola después de más de 10 años jugando para el equipo, debería significar una gran pérdida, pero el polivalente Óscar De Marcos (LD, LI, MC, MD) con la rotación del recientemente contratado Eneko Bóveda, ocuparán su lugar decentemente, aunque el espíritu de Andoni será difícil de reemplazar. Monreal parece ser que no lo van a fichar, pero igualmente Aurtenetxe ha salido cedido, así que el físico Balenziaga será el dueño de esa banda. La pareja Laporte - Etxeita con la rotación de Gurpegui y San José, que también ocuparán lugar en el centro del campo, será suficiente para las aspiraciones del Athletic. Si uno de esos dos jugadores juega en el centro del campo, el ex de la Real Gorka Elustondo podría jugar algunos partidos ahí también.

Medio centro defensivo: Beñat pondrá la creatividad, de nuevo, pero es muy importante que Iturraspe esté sano. La temporada pasada se perdió algunos partidos y este hecho es aclave, porque si Valverde quiere jugar con un 433, Ander is el jugador todoterreno ideal para ese esquema. Jugando 4231 también será importante la rotación de Mikel Rico, que es un buen complemento que seguro dispondrá de minutos. Además, el técnico vasco tendrá disponible algunos jóvenes jugadores en el centro del campo. Galarreta volverá a ser cedido, pero de Aketxe, que ya jugó minutos el año pasado y Eraso, se esperan grandes cosas para completar la medular. Ambos deben demostrar que son capaces de jugar a alto nivel. Como dije en la línea defensiva, Mikel San José o Gurpegui pueden jugar en esa posición también, por lo que esta línea está bien cubierta, esperando a saber si los jugadores jóvenes rinden bien este año.

Extremos: El Athletic tiene unos extremos excelentes, pero últimamente están rindiendo por debajo de lo esperado. Con Muniaín, que no volverá hasta Noviembre e Ibai, el equipo debería dar miedo en ataque, pero la realidad es que las lesiones del primero y la falta de confianza del segundo, marcando sólo 1 gol en toda la temporada anterior cuando es un jugador de 8-9 por año, hacen que haya dudas de cómo lo harán en este curso. Por la derecha no hay dudas de que Susaeta es un fijo. 8ª temporada en el primer equipo y el jugador de 27 años rindiendo año tras año, pero como toda la mediapunta, en la pasada temporada le faltó acierto de cada al gol. Ibai - Muniaín - Susaeta en forma es un top5 de la liga sin duda. La pregunta es: mantendrán el nivel jugando 3 competiciones? Yo lo dudo.

Delanteros: Aritz Aduriz estuvo anotador el año pasado y ha empezado éste como un rayo marcándole 4 goles al Barcelona en la Supercopa, pero es el único del equipo que anota. Si más jugadores hubieran ayudado en esta tarea, el Athletic hubiera acabado lucando por entrar en Champions, al menos, y llegado a 1/4 de UEL. Aduriz anotó 23 goles la pasada temporada e Iñaki Williams mostró potencial in algunos partidos, pero el equipo necesita algo más. Aduriz, como Gorka, tiene 34 años y no podrá mentener el nivel por mucho tiempo más. Borja Viguera y Kike Sola no tienen nivel para lo que aspira el Athletic, por lo que tienen un gran problema ahí, porque Williams aún tiene que demostrar su habilidad goleadora a alto nivel.

En mi opinión, con la moral que les ha dado vencer en el primer título del año, si Muniaín hace una buena segunda parte de temporada, aunque esté al 90% físicamente, el equipo debería de cumplir los objetivos (luchar por Champions, máximo 6º puesto y llegar a 1/4 en Copa). Ernesto Valverde es un buen entrenador que con la plantilla sana debe mejorar la temporada pasada, especialmente en Europa. Un gran pressing defensivo y un tempo rápido de juego es el objetivo. Quizá un punto intermedio entre el pase-pase-pase de Bielsa y el estilo directo clásico de la escuela vasca.

**The Horse Whisper** · 19/08/15, 07:07 PM

Club Atlético de Madrid

Rivalidades:

· Real Madrid (derby)

HISTORIA RECIENTE (2005-2015)

Mejor posición Liguera:
Ganador 2013/2014
3º 2014/2015
3º 2012/2013

Mejor rendimiento en Copa:
Ganador 2012/2013 (2-1aet vs Real Madrid)
Semifinalista 2013/2014 (0-5agg vs Real Madrid)
Finalista 2009/2010 (0-2 vs Sevilla)

Competición europea:
Ganador UEL 2011/2012 (3-0 vs Athletic Club)
Ganador UEL 2009/2010 (2-1aet vs Fulham)
Finalista UCL 2013/2014 (1-4aet vs Real Madrid)

ÚLTIMA TEMPORADA
2014/2015 Posición liguera: 3rd
2014/2015 Copa: 1/4 (2-4agg vs FC Barcelona)
2014/2015 Competición Europea: UCL - 1/4 (0-1agg vs Real Madrid)

2014/2015 estadísticas:
2º mejor equipo defensivo con 29 goals recibidos en 38 partidos (0.76 - 0.68 en 2013/2014)
2º mejor equipo defensivo en casa con 11 goals recibidos en 19 partidos (0.58 - 0.53 en 2013/2014)
2º mejor equipo defensivo fuera con 18 goles recibidos en 19 partidos (0.95 - 0.84 en 2013/2014)

Debe de ser difícil mantener la intensidad defensiva y el hambre de ganar partidos que el Atlético mostró en la temporada 2013/2014, cuando el equipo ganó la liga 18 años después. El Atlético basó su podería en resultados estrechos lejos de casa, un increíble Diego Costa y un trabajo táctico excelente a balón parado. El equipo cambió, como cada año, delantero por delantero. Diego Costá dejó el equipo para unirse al Chelsea y Mario Mandzukic fue el delantero de referencia.

Rápidamente pudimos ver cómo esos resultados ajustados se convirtieron en 0-0. Sin embargo, la victoria 1-2 contra el Real Madrid en el Bernabéu en la 3ª jornada de liga dió a los colchoneros algún tiempo extra para mostrar que eran los actuales campeones y que podían luchar por títulos hasta el final como el año anterior. Desafortunadamente para ellos, perdieron en los 4 h2h ante el Barcelona (Liga y Copa) cuando en la 2013/2014 no perdieron ninguno de los 6 encuentros contra el equipo catalán. Es difícil mantener el ritmo por 2º año consecutivo, especialmente cuando estás compitiendo contra presupuestos tan grandes como Madrid o Barcelona. Pero el principal problema del Atlético no fueron los enfrentamientos directos contra estos dos equipos. El principal problema fue Diego Costa, que anotó 27 goles mientras Mandzukic sólo 12. Será difícil ver de nuevo este tipo de actuación defensiva en un equipo que está cambiando constantemente en la posición de delantero (Torres, luego Agüero, luego Falcao, luego Costa, luego Mandzukic, luego Torres otra vez y ahora Jackson Martínez, 6 delanteros en 8 años). Y cómo de importante es tener un buen portero y un buen killer. Diego Costa & Courtois rindieron increíble, al mismo nivel que muchos campeones en pasados años (Casillas y Van Nistelrooy, Casillas y Ronaldo, Valdés y Eto'o, Valdés y Messi, Cañizares y Mista, etc.)

En mi opinión, Diego Simeone significó un gran incremento de moral para el Atlético. Él juntó a un puñado de guerreros sudamericanos listos para la batalla en cada partido (Costa, Godín, Mirando, Filipe) que añadieron a la base española (Gabi, Juanfran, Mario, Koke, Villa) el espíritu ganador que le ha faltado al Atlético en años anteriores. Es muy difícil mantener el nivel partido a partido cuando estás pidiendo una exigencia tan alta de concentración. A veces pasa. Pasó a Mourinho entrenado al Chelsea en su 3er año. Pasó a Guardiola entrenando al Barcelona en su 4º año. Y probablemente pasó a Simeone en su 4ª campaña en el Atlético.

TEMPORADA ACTUAL

(Vicente Calderón)

2015/2016 Previsión: 3rd/4th
2015/2016 Competición Europea: UCL - Fase de Grupos
2015/2016 Competiciones: 3x (Liga, Copa, UCL)

Pretemporada: 5-2-1 /
2-0 vs Numancia
2-0 vs Real Oviedo
1-1 @Sagan Tosu
0-3 @Shanghai Sipg
0-2 vs @Real Sociedad
1-0 vs @Leganés
0-0 vs @Cádiz
3-0 vs @Real Betis

Partidos oficiales:
23/08/2015 Liga, vs Las Palmas en Vicente Calderón (Casa)

PLANTILLA

Fichajes: Filipe Luis - LB - 26/1 (Chelsea), Luciano Vietto - FW - 48/20 (Villarreal), Ferreira Carrasco - RW - 50/7 (Monaco), Jackson Martínez - FW- 41/31 (Porto), Savic - CB - 40/2 (Fiorentina), Oliver Torres - OMC - 39/7 (Porto recuperado de cesión) & Ángel Correa - OMC - 0/0 (San Lorenzo)
Ventas clave: Arda Turan - LW/RW/OMC - 46/3 (FC Barcelona), Mario Mandzukic - FW - 43/20 (Juventus), Miranda - CB - 36/3 (Inter cedido), Cristian Rodríguez - LW - (Independiente), Raúl Jiménez - FW - 26/1 (Benfica), & Mario Suárez - CDM - 34/2 (Fiorentina)

Probable 11 inicial:
442 or 4231 - Simeone & Burgos (coach)

Oblak (GK)
Juanfran - Jiménez - Godín - Filipe Luís (DEF)
Koke - Tiago - Gabi - Oliver Torres (MED)
Griezmann - Jackson Martínez (DEL)

2015/2016 PERSPECTIVAS

Espacio para hablar de las perspectivas de este año

**The Horse Whisper** · 19/08/15, 07:07 PM

Fútbol Club Barcelona

Rival teams:

· Real Madrid (classic)
· Espanyol (derby)

RECENT HISTORY (2005-2015)

Best league position:
Winner 2014/2015
Winner 2012/2013
Winner 2010/2011

Best cup performance:
Winner 2014/2015 (3-1 vs Athletic Club)
Winner 2012/2013 (3-0 vs Athletic Club)
Winner 2012/2013 (4-1 vs Athletic Club)

European deep run:
Winner 2014/2015 (3-1 vs Juventus)
Winner 2010/2011 (3-1 vs Man. United)
Winner 2008/2009 (2-0 vs Man. United)

LAST SEASON

2014/2015 League position: Winner
2014/2015 Cup: Winner
2014/2015 European Cup: Winner

2014/2015 league facts:
1st Team with less games lost (4 - 5 in 2013/2014)
1st best defensive team with 21 goals received (0.54 - 0.85 in 2013/2014)
1st best away team with only 12 points lost (21% - 35% in 2013/2014)

There are very few things to say about a team that has won the treble. FC Barcelona was simply the best team in Europe the last season winning Atlético x4, Man. City x2, PSG x2, Bayern & Real Madrid. They did all the things that a big club has to do to win everything: good tactical job, perfect physical preparation, appropiate rotation of the players the first 6 months of the season, and the most important, arrive to April involved in all the competitions. Luis Enrique was criticized the first third of the season because he played with too much different line-ups, and because he lost against Real Madrid in the first matchup, but mainly people was worried about a fact that Luis Enrique couldn't manage: Real Madrid played decently in a favorable schedule. Real Madrid won 22 games in a row between September and December, playing against low teams (only 2 games against Liverpool and the mentioned vs Barcelona in this period). Although that was a propitious calendar to play for, sincerely Real Madrid played well, and this fact, the bad past FC Barcelona's season without win anything and the Champions League title won by RMCF the last season, made that the spanish press pushed for Real Madrid interests.

Until January. Then, Real Madrid won the Club World Cup and had to play with decent teams. They lost against Atlético de Madrid for 3rd time that season being kicked out of the spanish Cup, lost against Valencia, and the Real Madrid's depression started when ATM demolished them winning 4-0 in Vicente Calderón in league. After that, some bad results (1-1 vs Villarreal at home, 3-4 vs Schalke 04 at home) and, curiously, the touch of grace, a good 45 minutes in the clásico against FC Barcelona that finished with a 2-1 defeat, meaning that FC Barcelona depended of himself to win the spanish league.

When Real Madrid was playing better at the start of the season, FC Barcelona wasn't in a good physical form, Luís Suárez still wasn't playing with the team, and the attacking tempo wasn't high enough. But as everybody knows, you can't win a big trophy in December, so it's silly to stay physically at 100% in these phase of the year. With the good rotation that made Luis Enrique, some players were fresh and without fatigue. However, this isn't the only fact to explain the treble. Players talked about the day that Andoni Zubizarreta (ex Dream Team goalkeeper and ex sporting director [Director Deportivo] of the club) left the club. FC Barcelona lost against Real Sociedad in San Sebastián and Zubi was fired. Something changed after that day and players changed his mentality in order to be stronger.

They returned to play matches in January with less than 4 day-difference (tuesday-saturday) and this fact was beneficial to the team, because was useful to put some players in form (Suárez) and prepare the team to a demanding future games. The team had a big boost of morale eliminating Atlético de Madrid (winning both 2 games for first time in 2 whole seasons) and Villarreal early in February. This signified that they will play another final, and they could focused in Champions League. When they visited Man. City and PSG, they were in a good shape, and the team played two BIG first half in these games, showing that they could still play fast short-passing style and remembering some brilliant games that they played in the Guardiola's era. Maybe the team lost some control in midfield (an example is some sectiones in the UCL final against Juventus) but won much more power upfront.

Everybody knows how the story ended, but a very few people could imagine in December this outcome. Johan Cruyff, ex player, coach and FCB's legend, said in the Dream Team's era that "all that a big club need is arrive to April fighting for all". If you plan a season with this objective, to stay healthy in April-May, the result could be something similar to the past FCB season, some doubts in December, and fully form in May. But a team don't win a treble only with good physical tone. There are some similarties between this team and Pep Guardiola's team in 2009. High preassure, fast tempo, nice positional attack... but in my opinion, are more important the differences than the similarties. Luis Enrique changed all the little details that made vulnerable that team when the short-passing style didn't work.

'Tata' Martino tried the past season to change this kind of things, but the team and the press didn't accepted the role. But, sincerely, If you have a team with Messi - Neymar - Suárez upfront, you don't have to be afreid to play counterattacking style sometimes. On the contrary, it would be a two-headed dragon: the other team can't press full pitch because you could make some long passes to the big three. But the other team neither could stay back and wait, because you're very good attacking defenses positionally. Dominating this resource (I don't belive that FCB has dominated the counterattacking style, but they did it well) you can make the high pressure that Guardiola did in his time as FCB's coach. And finally, don't forget that the team still have the quality to win such trophies. Maybe the evolution involved too many areas and people thought that was very difficult to comeback and win it all again, but life is 'evolve or die', and FCB has became from a midfielders team to a forwards team.

The team isn't an old one (the only players that surpass the 30 yo are Iniesta, Mascherano and Dani Alves) but Xavi Hernández is a veteran player that can't play 90 minutes in all the games, and you have to switch your style of game, because you haven't other Xavi in the team, and probably you won't have other Xavi in the Massia for a long time. It's a big mistake to belive that the things are as easy as put other player in Xavi's position and play the same way, and Luis Enrique did it perfectly. Some people said that Barcelona couldn't win again because they can't play as in Guardiola's era, because the teams now can win the midfield zone to Barcelona, because the team seemed broke in some lenghts of the games... but this is exactly the reason why they aren't coachs and Luis Enrique won 3 titles in his first year as FC Barcelona coach.

CURRENT SEASON

(Nou Camp)

2015/2016 Forecast: 1st/2nd
2015/2016 European Competition: UCL - Groups Phase
2015/2016 Competitions: 6x (DL, Cup, UCL, European SuperCup, Spanish SuperCopa, Club World Cup)

Preseason: 2-1-2 /
1-2 vs @Los Ángeles Galaxy
3-1 vs @Manchester United
2-2 vs @Chelsea
2-1 vs @Fiorentina
3-0 vs Roma

Official games: 1-2-1 /
5-4 (agg) vs Sevilla - European SuperCup
4-0 vs @Athletic Club - SuperCopa, 1st leg
1-1 vs Athletic Club - Spanish SuperCopa, 2nd leg
0-1 vs @Athletic Club - Liga

SQUAD

Probable line-up:
433 - Luis Enrique & Unzué (coach)

Bravo (GK)
Dani Alves - Piqué - Mascherano - Jordi Alba (DEF)
Rakitic - Busquets - Iniesta (MED)
Neymar - Luís Suárez - Messi (DEL)

Signings: Aleix Vidal - RB/RM - 47/6 (Sevilla) & Arda Turan - RW/LW/CAM - 46/3 (Atlético)
Key Departures: Xavi - MC - 44/2 (Al Sadd), Pedro - LW/RW - 50/11 (Chelsea)
Injuries: Aleix Vidal (uefa ban, January/16), Arda Turan (uefa ban, January/16)

2015/2016 PERSPECTIVES

**The Horse Whisper** · 19/08/15, 07:07 PM

Real Club Celta de Vigo

Rival teams:

· Deportivo (derby)

RECENT HISTORY (2005-2015)

Best league position:
6th 2005/2006
8th 2014/2015
9th 2013/2014

Best cup performance:
1/4 2009/2010 (1-2agg vs Atlético de Madrid)
1/8 2014/2015 (4-4agg vs Athletic Club)
1/8 2012/2014 (2-5agg vs Real Madrid)

European deep run:
1/8 2006/2007 (0-3agg vs Werder Bremen)

LAST SEASON

2014/2015 League position: 8th
2014/2015 Cup: 1/8 (4-4agg vs Athletic Club)
2014/2015 European Cup: No

League facts:
6th best attack at home with 30 goals (1.58 - 1.21 in 2013/2014)
6th team with less away defeats [7] (11 in 2013/2014)
2nd team with less 0-0 (1), behind Real Madrid (0) (2 in 2013/2014)

Celta de Vigo was one of the most atractive teams to watch at the beggining of the season. New coach 'Toto' Berizzo likes to play good soccer, press high as he showed when they trained de chilean team O'Higgins the last 3 seasons (Finalist of the final series in 2012 loosing 3-3agg in penalties against Universidad de Chile, Champion in 2013). They got good results in the first 10 rounds (drewing 2-2 in Vicente Calderón and winning 0-1 in Nou Camp) but since then, they entered in a bad result's shape with an extremely low offensive efficiency (9 matches with a single goal scored between 11th and 19th round and 2 points out 27 possible). The team was playing well, but they arrived to the final 30 minutes without energy to decide the games. Pressure wasn't being succseful, and that affected in the offensive end.

In the 10 firsts rounds the team was scoring OK, but they only had 3 players on fire in front of goal: Nolito, Orellana & Larrivey. In 19 rounds,they hadn't players with a single goal apart from that 3 players. 18 goals scored by 3 players. Obviously, when these 3 players failed to score, nobody did it and the team couldn't take points of the games, and they fell down near to the relegation zone. Winter break was possitive for them, and the team, after play some tough games against Sevilla and Valencia, came back to Balaidos to win again in the second half of the season. Nolito scored well again and carried on the big part of the galician attack. A current Valencia's player, Santi Mina, woke up in the second half of the season, partly because Berizzo had to search some resources in order to add fresh blood to a team that, as I said, in some lenghts of the games seemed exhausted. He added 7 goals in the last 8, with a poker against Rayo Vallecano included. In the final 11 rounds the team only lost against Barcelona & Real Madrid, but couldn't achieve the european spot by a few points.

The regularity was the main problem for Celta and Berizzo. In my opinion, the first season of the argentinean coach was good. The team showed good details in some games, was attractive to see the mobility of Nolito - Orellana and Larrivey/Santi Mina/Charles under the command of Krohn-Dehli. Maybe with a better management, the team could have got some extra points in those 13 games that finished with a single goal (usually loosing 0-1).

CURRENT SEASON

(Balaídos)

2015/2016 Forecast:
2015/2016 European Competition: No
2015/2016 Competitions: 2x

Preseason: 1-1-2 /
1-0 vs @Greuther Fürth;
2-2 vs @nurenberg
2-1 vs @Galatasaray
1-0 vs @Ingolstadt

Official games:
1-2 vs @LEVANte, Liga

SQUAD

Signings: Iago Aspas - FW - 25/10 (Sevilla), Daniel Wass - RW - 33/9 (Evian), Dejan Drazic - LW/OMC - 26/4 (Partizan) John Guidetti - FW - 35/15 [Celtic on loan] (Man. City)
Departures: Santi Mina - FW - 24/9 (Valencia), Charles - FW - 31/4 (Málaga), Krohn-Dehli - OMC - 38/1 (Sevilla), Larrivey - FW - 36/12 (Baniyas Abu Dhabi) & Álex López - MC - 28/2 (Sheffield Wed. on loan)

Probable line-up:
433 - 'Toto' Berizzo (coach)

Sergio Álvarez (GK)
Dani Mallo - Fontás - Cabral - Johny (DEF)
Augusto Fernández - Pablo Hernández - Orellana (MED)
Nolito - Guidetti - Wass (DEL)

2015/2016 PERSPECTIVES

**The Horse Whisper** · 19/08/15, 07:08 PM

Real Club Deportivo de la Coruña

Rival teams:

· Celta (derby)

RECENT HISTORY (2005-2015)

Best league position:
7th 2008/2009
8th 2005/2006
8th 2004/2005

Best cup performance:
1/2 2005/2006 (1-2agg vs Espanyol)
1/2 2006/2007 (0-5agg vs Sevilla)
1/4 2010/2011 (2-3agg vs Almería)

European deep run:
4th - Groups Phase 2004/2005

LAST SEASON

2014/2015 League position: 16th
2014/2015 Cup: 1/16 (2-5agg vs Málaga)
2014/2015 European Cup: No

League facts:
1st team with more games drawed (14 - 12 in 2013/2014 Liga Adelante)
(20th) team with less away victories (2 - 11 in 2013/2014 Liga Adelante)
(19th) team with less goals scored away with 13 (0.74 - 1.14 in 2013/2014)

After climb up 3 divisions in the 80's, Deportivo had his best era whit the known "Súper Dépor" with World champions players like Mauro Silva or Bebeto. They fought some leagues against Barcelona or Valencia, but it wasn't since the 2000's when could win his first, and unique league title. Deportivo, trained by Javier Irureta, had a solid squad with high performances in all competitions winning a legue, two spanish Cups and arriving at the Champions League semi-finals in 2003/2004, when they lost against the future champions, Porto, in a "strange" game decided by a penalty that ex-referee Pierluigi Collina whistled, followed by a red car in a 10 minutes span.

After that, Fran, Diego Tristán, Molina, Valerón & company left the club and the team entered in a bad era with low cost players. Deportivo got relegated 2 times in 3 years for first time since de 80's, and the player's level was quite questionable. The last season the team had a spanish base of players (in 90's and 2000's they distinguished signing good foreigner players) in a mix between young and veteran players coached by an Liga BBVA's expert Víctor Fernández. They completed the squad with some portuguese players that didn't add nothing special to the team. In the first 14 rounds, they only added 10 points, with some embarrasing defeats (2-8 vs Real Madrid). After that, they managed to gain some points at home vs low classified teams adjusting well defensively, but the second half of the season was poor and Víctor Fernández was fired and the club hired the ex Real Madrid player Víctor Sánchez in order to avoid the relegation zone.

The team continued playing bad with lack of power in attack, winning 1 of the last 16 league games. Miraculously, the schedule was favourable for them and managed to win 2-0 Levante in 37th round. The valencian team had nothing to play for, while in the 38th round they visited the champion FC Barcelona. They cameback somehow in Camp Nou, where they lost 2-0 in 67th minute. With a combo of results and a bad 2nd half of the season made by Eibar, the team got the safe spot in the last round and survived in a dramatically final of the season. In the post-season, a lot of players left the club and with a low budget, the galicians must to rebuild in order to be more competitive in the next season.

CURRENT SEASON

(Riazor)

2015/2016 Forecast:
2015/2016 European Competition: No
2015/2016 Competitions: 2x

Preseason: 6-2-2 /
0-3 vs @Silva
1-3 vs @Racing Ferrol
0-3 vs @Racing Villalbés
0-1 vs @Ponferradina
1-0 vs @Lugo
0-0 vs @Huddlesfield Town
0-0 vs @Swansea City
2-1 vs @Real Oviedo
1-0 vs Sporting Braga
0-4 vs @Galicia de Mugardos

SQUAD

Probable line-up:
4231 - Víctor Sánchez - Franganillo (coach)

Fabricio (GK)
Juanfran - Sidnei - Lopo - Fernando Navarro (DEF)
Medunjanin - Álex Bergantiños
Luís Alberto - Celso Borges - Fede Cartabia (MED)
Oriol Riera (DEL)

Signings: Fayçal Fajr - OMC - 38/1 (Elche) Fede Cartabia - LW/RW - 30/4 [loan on Cordoba] (loan from Valencia) Fernando Navarro - LB - 32/0 (Sevilla), Luís Alberto - OMC - 20/2 [Málaga on loan] (Liverpool on loan), Alejandro Arribas - CB - 18/0 (Sevilla), Saúl García - LB - 36/0 (Racing Santander) & Cani - MC/LM - (Villarreal)
Departures: Isaac Cuenca - RW - 29/2 (free), Helder Postiga - FW - 16/2 (free), Toché - FW - 26/5 (free), 5 end of loan (Canella, Salomao, Helder Costa, Borja López & Lucas Pérez).

2015/2016 PERSPECTIVES

**The Horse Whisper** · 19/08/15, 07:08 PM

Sociedad Deportiva Éibar

RECENT HISTORY (2005-2015)

Best league position:
18th 2014/2015
1st 2013/2014 (Liga Adelante)
4th 2004/2005 (Liga Adelante)

Best cup performance:
1/8 2012/2013 (1-4agg vs Málaga)
1/16 2014/2015 (1-5agg vs Getafe)

European deep run:
No

LAST SEASON

2014/2015 League position: 18th
2014/2015 Cup: 1/16 (1-5agg vs Getafe)
2014/2015 European Cup: No

League facts:
· The team avoid the relegation zone adding only 8 out 57 points in the 2nd half of the season
· 8th best defense far from home with 26 goals received
· 18th team in the avarage goals per game ranking (2.34)

Newly promoted Éibar sourprised everybody when in the first half of the season added 27 points with one of the lowest budgets of Primera División. Formed almost for basque players, the team coached by Gaizka Garitano, ex Athletic Club player, was a team tough at home and solid away, basing his play in defense and quick attacks, and only lost for more than a goal difference against Barcelona & Real Madrid. Something changed in the second half of the season, apart from the departure of one of the most importants defensive players, Albentosa, that signed for Derby County. The defensive strenght finished with that sell, and the success in front of goal never existed, tought with more morale, the team not scored bad at all in the first half of the season.

That 5 points out 57 in the last 17 rounds signified that the team should win against relegated Córdoba and wait for a good results in Granada and Barcelona. Éibar won easily 3-0, but Granada and Atlético de Madrid only needed a point, and just drewing 0-0. The sourprise came when Deportivo was able to steal a point from Barcelona, and Éibar, one of the revelation teams of the first 19 games, got relegated. That final result was the same that everybody expected at the beggining of the season, but with some good games the team excited the fan base in Ipurúa.

The destiny wanted to take part in this one, and Elche got relegated due to a adminsitrative issues late in July. In the same way that other basque team, Mirandés, didn't go to 3rd Division in 2014 because Murcia's administratives problems, Éibar stayed one season more in Primera División. The team will have big problems to find good players in order to accomplish the permanence in the division, so everybody expects, again, that Éibar would be one of the bottom 3 teams at the end of the season.

CURRENT SEASON

(Ipurúa)

2015/2016 Forecast:
2015/2016 European Competition: No
2015/2016 Competitions: x2

Preseason:3-3-3 /

1-4 vs Celtic
0-1 vs @Logroñés
1-3 vs @ Real Unión
0-0 vs @Mirandés
1-0 vs @osasuna
1-1 vs @Mensajero
1-1 vs @Tenerife
0-2 vs @Numancia
1-0 vs @Valladolid

SQUAD

Probable line-up:
4231 - José Luís Mendilibar (coach)

Xabier Irureta (GK)
Dos Santos - Iván Ramis -Borja Ekiza - Antonio Luna (DEF)
Dani García - Adrián González
Saúl Berjón - Ander Capa - Dani Nieto (MED)
Mikel Arruabarrena (DEL)

Key Signings: Mauro Dos Santos - RB/CB - 33/1 (Almería), Asier Riesgo - GK - 22/0 (Osasuna), Adrián González - MC - 30/1 (Elche), Iván Ramis - CB - 13/0 (Levante/Wigan), Gonzalo Escalante - RM -26/1 (Catania on loan), Sergi Enrich - FW - 40/16 (Numancia), Keko - RW - 33/6 (Albacete), Antonio Luna - LB - 4/0 [Spezia on loan] - (Aston Villa)
Departures: Javi Lara - RW - 31/1 (Indian League), Eneko Bóveda - RW - 35/1 (Athletic Club), 6 end of loan (Abraham, Manu del Moral, Didac Vilà, Piovaccari, Rafa Pérez & Raúl Navas)

2015/2016 PERSPECTIVES

**The Horse Whisper** · 19/08/15, 07:08 PM

Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol

Rival teams:

· Barcelona (derby)

RECENT HISTORY (2005-2015)

Best league position:
5th 2004/2005
8th 2010/2011
10th 2014/2015

Best cup performance:
Winner 2005/2006 (4-1 vs Real Zaragoza)
1/2 2014/2015 (1-3agg vs Athletic Club)
1/4 2013/2014 (0-2agg vs Real Madrid)

European deep run:
Finalist 2006/2007 (2-2pk vs Sevilla)

LAST SEASON

2014/2015 League position: 10th
2014/2015 Cup: 1/2 (1-3agg vs Athletic Club)
2014/2015 European Cup: No

League facts:
6th best attack away with 24 goals (1.26 - 0.95 in 2013/2014)
Sergio García 3rd spanish topscorer in the year of his departure (14 goals - career high)

RCD Espanyol, the ohter team of Barcelona, was always an avarage team with some good results in Cup competitions. The last season they started with some doubts, but the new manager Sergio González (ex Espanyol & Deportivo midfielder) managed to adjust some defensive problems in order to gain some points in after the round 4. There aren't many things to say about that team. Espanyol is always selling his better players because his low budget and economic difficulties. The team is focused in the youth academy and they only have 1 foreign player in the current starting XI (Héctor Moreno). The rest of the squad is fully spaniard, expect the striker, a position that Espanyol has been lacking in the past years.

Past season the team finally became in a team that tried to play an open style of soccer with the influence of his coach Sergio González, that loves to play attractive style of game. Unfortunately for them, they didn't take advantadge of his modern stadium (only 46% of tickets sold in home games last season), where some low teams stole points (Eibar 1-2, Elche 1-1), but in general terms the team performed better than I could expected with his current squad. Most clutch player was Sergio García, but there wasn't quality players to fight for something important. Lucas Vázquez, on loan from Real Madrid, and the south-american forwards (Caicedo-Stuani) made some good performances that put the team in an avarage position in the standings.

In Cup the team performed very well went through 1/8 and 1/4 against very good teams as Valencia or Sevilla with good victories in Power8 Stadium, but in the decisive semifinal's game against Athletic Club, the team failed to manage a 1-1 draw in San Mamés and didn't qualify for the final, where they had met FC Barcelona, in a Spanish Cup final that would be for them a big prize for a decent season.

CURRENT SEASON

(Power8 Stadium)

2015/2016 Forecast:
2015/2016 European Competition: No
2015/2016 Competitions: x2

Preseason: 2-4-1 /
0-17 vs @Vall D'Aràn Combined Team
0-2 vs @Köln
0-0 vs @Avellino
0-0 vs @Reading
1-1 vs @Southampton
1-1 vs Betis
3-0 vs @Girona

SQUAD

Probable line-up:
4231 or 433 - Sergio González (coach)

Pau López (GK)
Arbilla - Ciani - Álvaro González - Juan Fuentes (DEF)
Víctor Sánchez - Javi López
Salva Sevilla, Paco Montañés, Hernán Pérez (MED)
Caicedo (DEL)

Key Signings: Gerard Moreno - FW - 39/16 (Villarreal) Francesco Bardi - GK - 11/1 (on loan from Chievo Verona), Mickael Ciani - CB - 12/0 (Sporting Club), Hernán Pérez - LW - 16/4 [Valladolid on loan] (Villarreal), Marco Asensio - OMC - 36/6 (on loan from Real Madrid) & Burgui - LW - 37/7 (Castilla)
Key Departures: Héctor Moreno - CB - 26/1 (PSV)Lucas Vázquez - RM - 39/4 (Real Madrid rebuy), Kiko Casilla - GK - 37/0 (Real Madrid), Christian Stuani - FW - 44/15 (Middlesbrough), Sergio García - FW - 41/15 (Al-Rayyan) & Diego Colotto - CB - 26/1 (free)

2015/2016 PERSPECTIVES

**The Horse Whisper** · 19/08/15, 07:08 PM

Getafe Club de Fútbol

RECENT HISTORY (2005-2015)

Best league position:
6th 2009/2010
9th 2005/2006
9th 2006/2007

Best cup performance:

Finalist 2006/2007 (0-1 vs Sevilla)
Finalist 2007/2008 (1-3 vs Valencia)
1/2 2009/2010 (1-2 vs Sevilla)

European deep run:
UEL 1/4 2007/2008 (3-3agg vs Bayern Münich)

LAST SEASON

2014/2015 League position: 15th
2014/2015 Cup: 1/4 (0-2agg vs Villarreal)
2014/2015 European Cup: No

League facts:
· Getafe is winless in the last 8 Spanish League games
· 18th most scorer team at home with 16 goals (0.84 - 1.05 in 2013/2014)
· 4th worst team away (17th) with 14 points out 57 (0.74 - 0.95 in 2013/2014)

Main problem of Getafe the last season was the power in attack. In the fist half of the season they haven't a clear referent in attack and the team only was capable to score 10 goals in the first 15 league games. 2nd half of the season wasn't much better, but the most quality players (Sarabia, Diego Castro, Álvaro Vázquez) emerged to add some goals that resulted in value points to avoid the relegation zone. Getafe is 5 seasons in a row with a low budget.

Nevertheless, the Geta's attacking line is not bad at all, with some interesting players as Pedro León (ex Real Madrid), and the aforementioned Sarabia, Diego Castro and Álvaro Vázquez (ex Espanyol). Experienced Lacen and Juan Rodríguez were the 2 center defensive midfielders the last season, working well in their position, but they are players lacking of creativity, as the whole team (most clutch players of the team, Diego León and Diego Castro scored only 2 and 3 goals respectively). Rumanian coach Cosmin Contra coached the team the fist half of the season, while current Watford's coach, Quique Sánchez Flores, stayed at the team 2 weeks until he resign and the former team coach, Pablo Franco, finished the season as well as he could.

Getafe is a team with a reduced fan base, and Coliseum isn't a very hot stadium, except some games against Barcelona or Valencia. They avaraged 41% tickets sold of the 17.000 available seats the last season. This fact helps the away teams to gain some points in close games.

CURRENT SEASON

(Coliseum Alfonso Pérez)

2015/2016 Forecast:
2015/2016 European Competition: No
2015/2016 Competitions: x2

Preseason: 4-1-2 /
2-2 vs @Port Vale
1-3 vs @Milton Keynes
2-0 vs @Fleetwood Town
1-0 vs @Middlesbrough
1-2 vs @albacete
0-2 vs @Gimnástica Segoviana
0-2 vs @Córdoba

SQUAD

Probable line-up:
4231 - Fran Escribà (coach)

Guaita (GK)
Dmián Suárez - Vergini -Alexis - Velázquez (DEF)
Juan Rodríguez - Lacen
Moi Gómez - Víctor Rodríguez - Pedro León (MED)
Álvaro Vázquez (DEL)

Key Signings: Cala - CB - 10/0 [Granada & Cardiff] (Granada), Damián Suárez - RB - 37/1 (Elche), Álvaro Medrán - CDM - 27/6 [Castilla] (Real Madrid on loan), Vergini - CB - 33/0 (Sunderland), Moi Gómez - LW - 42/4 (Villarreal on loan), Bernard Mensah - MC - 30/5 [Vitoria Guimaraes] (on loan from Atlético de Madrid), Víctor Rodríguez - LW/RW/OMC - 38/4 (Real Zaragoza) & Megyeri - GK - 10/0 (Olympiakos)
Key Departures: Sergio Escudero - LB - 34/2 (Sevilla), & Diego Castro - LW - 36/4 (free)
Injuries: Karim Yoda (October/15)

2015/2016 PERSPECTIVES

**The Horse Whisper** · 19/08/15, 07:09 PM

Granada Club de Fútbol

RECENT HISTORY (2005-2015)

Best league position:
15th 2013/2014
15th 2012/2013
17th 2014/2015

Best cup performance:
2014/2015 1/8
2013/2014 1/16
2012/2013 1/16

European deep run
No

LAST SEASON

2014/2015 League position: 17th
2014/2015 Cup: 1/8 (1-6agg vs Sevilla)
2014/2015 European Cup: No

League facts:
· (1st) Team with more draws with 14 (5 in 2013/2014)
· (19th) 2nd team with less wins with 7 (12 in 2013/2014)
· (19th) 2nd team with less goals scored with 29 (0.76 - 0.84 in 2013/2014)

Granada is a extremely defensive team at home, while normally receive a lot of goals far from home, specially against big teams. Nuevo Los Cármenes is the 5th smallest stadium of Primera División, but is the 5th best stadium in occupancy rate, with 76% of tickets sold the last season (avaraging 17.700 out 22.000). This fact gave Granada the possibility to lost only 5 games at home and add 22 decisive points to avoid the relegation zone with a 0-0 draw against Atlético de Madrid in the last round. Given that FC Barcelona won 1-3 and Real Madrid won 0-4, Granada only conceded 10 goals in 17 games at home vs the rest of the teams in the league with 5 draws to nil.

After a good start of the season with 8 points out 12, Granada stayed 16 games without a single win, winning 7 points out 48. Main coach, Joaquín Caparrós was sacked, subbed by ex Atlético de Madrid GK Abél Resino, and Abel was subbed by Sandoval in the last 4 rounds, when Granada was virtually relegated, he managed again to won 10 points out 12 points and avoid miraculously the relegation zone. When I say "again" I mean that Ramón Sandoval saved Rayo Vallecano in 2012 with a Raúl Tamudo's goal in 90th minute (causing the Villarreal's relegation).

In the fist 13 games of 2014/2015 season the team only scored 7 goals in the 13 first games. Granada, as some teams involved in the relegation battle, haven't a clear attacking reference. In this case the have El Arabi that managed to score 8 goals, but with a midfield formed by Iturra - Fran Rico/Rubén Pérez there are an important lack of creativity in the team. Only Javi Márquez when he isn't injured has a slightly offensive-mind. There are some wingers that could score as Piti that scored 18 goals 2 seasons ago with Rayo Vallecano or Rubén Rochina, FC Barceloan former player, but the style of game provides less goal chances. The next 2015/2016 season with Ramón Sandoval coaching the team since the 1st round of the season, we could see a different team's face.

CURRENT SEASON

(Nuevo Los Cármenes)

2015/2016 Forecast:
2015/2016 European Competition: No
2015/2016 Competitions: x2

Preseason: 4-1-3 /

1-1 vs @Lorca LaHoya
2-0 vs Albacete
2-0 vs @Córdoba
1-2 vs Ittihad Tanger
2-0 vs Udinese
2-1 vs Al Wasl
2-1 vs @betis
1-3 vs @Cádiz

SQUAD

Probable line-up:
4231 - Ramón Sandoval (coach)

Andrés Fernández (GK)
Miguel Lopes - Mainz - Lombán - Salva Ruíz (DEF)
Javi Márquez - Krhin
Thievy - Piti - Nico López (MED)
El Arabi (DEL)

Key Signings: David Lombán - CB - 36/5 (Elche), Gaspar Íñiguez - MC - 14/0 (Argentinos Juniors), Rene Krhin - CDM/MC - 14/0 [loan on Cordoba] (Inter Milán), Musavu-King - CB - 6/1 (Caen), Salva Ruíz - LB - 35/1 (Valencia Mestalla), Andrés Fernández - GK - 3/0 (Porto on loan), Robert Ibáñez - RW - 21/6 [Valencia & Granada] (Valencia on loan), Edgar Méndez - LW - 31/4 (Almeria), Miguel Lopes - RB - 21/0 [loan on Sporting Club] (on loan from Olympique Lyon) & Nico López - FW/RW - 26/5 (on loan from Udinese),
Key Departures: Jeison Murillo - CB - 19/0 (Internazionale), Roberto Fernández - GK - 23/0 (Lugo) & 8 end of loan (Colunga, Nyom, Lass Bangoura, Juan Carlos, Rubén Pérez, Candeias & Israfilov)

2015/2016 PERSPECTIVES