LaLiga News, Transfers, Injuries, Player Ratings, Analysis

Former Real Madrid and Barcelona attackers could unite in LaLiga

27Aug

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Former Real Madrid and Barcelona attackers could unite in LaLiga

Former Real Madrid, Porto, Monaco, and Everton star James Rodriguez put himself back on the map in European football with a summer for the ages at Copa America, showing, once again, why he is one of the best players in the world on the international stage. The Colombian playmaker was the best player of the tournament, leading his country to the final against Argentina, where they pitched Lionel Messi and Co. to their limit. Now, James will be returning to LaLiga, embarking on what will likely be his final chapter in European football, returning from a nondescript time in South America to become the latest big name to join Rayo Vallecano, following in the footsteps of former club and national teammate Radamel Falcao. But James may not be the only big-name attacker from one of Spani...

FC25 snubs Vinicius Jr. in favor of Manchester City star

26Aug

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga, Premier League

FC25 snubs Vinicius Jr. in favor of Manchester City star

Real Madrid left winger Vinicius Junior had himself another fantastic year, winning LaLiga and the Champions League for the third and second time in his career, respectively. The fleet-footed Brazilian has become the main creative and secondary goal-scoring threat for Real Madrid, providing the Merengue club with his best performances in the Champions League. This past season, Vinicius Jr. scored 6 goals with 4 assists in 10 Champions League appearances, averaging exactly a goal contribution per game in world football's premier competition. He also averaged 3.7 dribbles completed, 1.9 key passes, and 1.4 fouls drawn in the Champions League, adding a further 15 goals and 5 assists across 26 LaLiga appearances (22 starts). It was a banner year for Vinicius Jr., whose sheer qualit...

Barcelona’s highest-rated players in FC25 are an absolute joke

25Aug

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Barcelona’s highest-rated players in FC25 are an absolute joke

EA Sports's offering of the football video game FC25 will become available next month on Sept. 27, and the player ratings are being leaked, with Barcelona fans, like any other fanbase, wondering just what in the heck the powers that be over at EA are thinking. It often seems like they aren't watching the games when they come up with the ratings, frequently biasing their evaluations towards aging players who are declining, failing to account for their slip in standard while, on the other hand, not rating up-and-coming superstars properly. Barcelona right winger Lamine Yamal was the best player at the European Championships and was arguably Barca's best player in the 2023/24 LaLiga season at the age of 16, yet he is only rated 81 despite already being a world-class winger. Meanwhile...

Carlo Ancelotti provides update on transfer listed Real Madrid star

25Aug

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Carlo Ancelotti provides update on transfer listed Real Madrid star

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti responded to his team's disappointing opener against Mallorca in LaLiga last weekend, as Fede Valverde and the substitutes orchestrated a three-goal second half to take care of a returning Real Valladolid. The three points for Real Madrid came after Ancelotti remarked that he had found the solution to the club's issue after just one match, and the second-half attacking outburst from the Merengues makes it seem like all is indeed well at the Santiago Bernabeu. But as Real Madrid gear up for tougher matches than Real Valladolid and Mallorca in LaLiga, Madridistas have been wondering about the futures of a few talented young players sitting on the periphery of the squad as backups. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is chief among those standouts, as the Ukra...

FC25 did Barcelona star dirty with low rating

25Aug

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

FC25 did Barcelona star dirty with low rating

Barcelona are used to having the highest-rated players in world football, as evidenced by the fact that no club has had more Ballon d'Or winners in history than the Blaugrana. From Lionel Messi and Neymar to Andres Iniesta and Xavi, Barcelona have long had the most coveted players in the world and, likewise, the players who were the mostly highly-rated in FIFA video game franchises. But this year, it feels like Barca's best and brightest are being undervalued by FC25, and their very best player ended up being arguably the most underrated of those players by the upcoming game release. Lamine Yamal had a sensational first LaLiga season for the Blaugrana and was even better at the European Championships, shining for eventual winners Spain with a historically great showing throughout ...

The 3 biggest winners from Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Valladolid

25Aug

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

The 3 biggest winners from Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Valladolid

Real Madrid had one of the most disappointing performances of any big club in Europe last weekend when they could only muster a 1-1 draw against Mallorca, struggling on the road against the island club. There was pressure on Real Madrid to get back to their winning ways as the defending champions of Spain and Europe, and Real Valladolid, newly promoted back to LaLiga, were deemed the perfect opponents for the Merengue club to rebound. After one half, Real Madrid were still tied 0-0 with Valladolid, leading to concerns that the Merengues would stumble to more dropped points and that the new-look attack was failing to gel without Toni Kroos behind them. But Real's new No. 8, Fede Valverde, stepped up with a monstrous effort from long range on a free kick, fooling the goalkeeper and ...

Brighton Women acquire Barcelona attacking phenom

25Aug

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga, Premier League

Brighton Women acquire Barcelona attacking phenom

Brighton Women finished ninth in the FA WSL table last season, so the Seagulls are intent on climbing higher up the table and forming a project capable of finishing in the top half of the league. They are off to a strong start this summer, as they have signed two big names from Chelsea in England legend Fran Kirby and experienced midfielder Jelena Cankovic. Both Cankovic and Kirby should bring plenty of technical quality, star power, experience, and attacking flair to a Brighton side that could use a few more difference-makers in a playmaking capacity. And now, Brighton have adde a younger, less established player with plenty of upside to boost the Seagulls' attack for the 2024/25 FA WSL season in the form of a winger capable of starting on the left or the right. Per Soccerdonn...

LaLiga Predictions: Barcelona vs. Athletic Club; Real Madrid vs. Valladolid; Atletico Madrid vs. Girona

22Aug

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

LaLiga Predictions: Barcelona vs. Athletic Club; Real Madrid vs. Valladolid; Atletico Madrid vs. Girona

Will Girona or Atletico Madrid gain a key advantage in their bid to spoil Real Madrid's title defense? Can Real Madrid themselves get back on track against Real Valladolid after a poor showing against another underdog LaLiga side last week in Mallorca? And will Barcelona register another big win, taking down the man who snubbed them this summer, Nico Williams and his Athletic Club teammates? Here are predictions for this weekend's LaLiga fixtures. Atletico Madrid vs. Girona Neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona will have the biggest game of the weekend, as that contest will be fought on Sunday night to close the weekend between possible title contenders Atletico Madrid and Girona. Atletico Madrid impressed in the 2022/23 season and were champions two years prior to that, while Girona w...

Former Real Madrid star expected to sign with rival club shortly

22Aug

By Kevin ParviziNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Former Real Madrid star expected to sign with rival club shortly

Real Madrid are used to their former stars joining other clubs, either because they want a new challenge or simply because they realized they were no longer capable of starting at the most pressurized and successful club in world football. Usually, Real Madrid fans don't get upset when a player leaves. Either they are bidding farewell to someone like Marcelo or Gareth Bale who is moving on to a league outside of European football to end their career, or they are watching a club icon like Casemiro or Raphael Varane leave at the right time. In the case of James Rodriguez, Real Madrid watched a once-great player who had faded from relevance in the modern game leave for Everton for one last try at a return to stardom under another beloved Merengue figure, Carlo Ancelotti. Since that b...

Real Madrid rejected the chance to sign one of Barcelona’s best players

21Aug

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Real Madrid rejected the chance to sign one of Barcelona’s best players

Real Madrid have a gaping hole in their midfield after the retirement of Toni Kroos, because for as much talent as they have in the middle of the park, the recent disappointing 1-1 draw with Mallorca highlighted all that is lost from Kroos' departure. The defending champions of Spain and Europe, Real Madrid did not progress the ball or create chances to even half the degree expected against bottom-half side Mallorca without Kroos. Going forward, Real Madrid will have to count on more creation from the superstar midfield quartet of Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga. Meanwhile, Real Madrid should call upon Turkish phenom Arda Guler to get more minutes in his second season after a strong European Championship campaign, and veteran Luka Modric ...