LaLiga

Raphinha takes shot at one of Xavi’s most brainless habits as Barcelona manager
2Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

Raphinha takes shot at one of Xavi’s most brainless habits as Barcelona manager

Barcelona winger Raphinha has been one of the biggest breakout superstars of the 2024/25 season in world football, outshining more hyped Real Madrid counterparts Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe to become a legitimate Ballon d'Or candidate thus far. Raphinha has to share the spotlight with Robert Lewandowski and right wing phenom Lamine Yamal, but the Brazilian is in the prime of his career and has been, in the eyes of many pundits, the best player on Barcelona this season under Hansi Flick. In truth, Raphinha was pretty good under Xavi, too, playing a key role in the team upon his immediate arrival from Leeds as Barcelona won the 2022/23 La Liga title. Despite losing his starting job to the best prospect in world football, Yamal, Raphinha still did well in the 2023/24 season, to...
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5 Reasons Why Jude Bellingham Is More Underrated Than You Think
31Oct By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

5 Reasons Why Jude Bellingham Is More Underrated Than You Think

In the world of football, it’s easy to get swept up by the newest hype or crown the latest wunderkind as the “next big thing.” Jude Bellingham, however, is different. Clearly this isn’t some fleeting, flash-in-the-pan talent, but even the wide recognition of his abilities has overlooked the extent of his quality. At just 20, Bellingham has already shown maturity and skill that rivals some of the game's seasoned veterans, making waves at Borussia Dortmund as Bundesliga Player of the Season, and now dazzling for Real Madrid. But even with the growing applause, there’s a sense that the football world has yet to fully grasp the depth of Bellingham’s abilities. Bellingham’s versatility, football IQ, and leadership—qualities rare even among top players—often get buried beneath the surface-...
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The Transformation of Raphinha: Hansi Flick’s Impact on Barcelona’s Star Winger
30Oct By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

The Transformation of Raphinha: Hansi Flick’s Impact on Barcelona’s Star Winger

Under Hansi Flick's direction in 2024, Barcelona winger Raphinha has evolved into a far more complete and adaptable player, breaking through the earlier limitations that characterized his performances. Flick, who came in as a tactician reputed for his sharp emphasis on high pressing, efficient transitions, and empowering wingers like Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane at Bayern Munich, has unlocked a higher level of potential in Raphinha that makes him indispensable to Barça's attacking setup. Raphinha’s game now embodies an intelligent blend of technical sharpness, work rate, and versatility that has won over fans and critics alike. Not only that, but you can strongly argue that he's been the best player in La Liga this season and a legitimate Ballon d'Or contender alongside Harry Kane and...
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The case for Vinícius Júnior as the true 2024 Ballon d’Or winner
29Oct By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

The case for Vinícius Júnior as the true 2024 Ballon d’Or winner

The 2024 Ballon d'Or debate brought forth several compelling candidates, each with an undeniable impact on club and international football. Yet, when the dust settled, Manchester City’s Rodri ultimately took home the trophy, while Vinícius Júnior was left in his shadow. Although the result was leaked before the announcement, it still took many by surprise, with fans even chanting for Vini Jr. before the award was revealed to be going for Rodri. What also puzzled many fans was how Vini Jr. carried so much of the momentum to win the Ballon d'Or, looking like a shoe-in to win, before Rodri was suddenly named as the favorite on the day of, with Spanish sources even leaking of UEFA retaliating against Real Madrid for their past Super League involvement. It was a victory for Rodri, but ...
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Carlo Ancelotti has no choice but to use Arda Guler more
28Oct By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

Carlo Ancelotti has no choice but to use Arda Guler more

There will be an innumerable amount of rumors and reports circulating in the media following Real Madrid's abhorrent 4-0 loss to Barcelona in El Clasico, an unacceptable result at the Valdebebas and one that should have consequences for how the Merengues approach the remainder of the season. Already, the tide was seemingly turning as far as Real's pursuit of center backs, which had been non-existent prior to this point despite a multitude of injuries, and, now, it is abundantly obvious that defensive help is needed across the back line to keep up with Hansi Flick's emerging attacking juggernaut in Barcelona. In the more immediate term, questions will be asked about Carlo Ancelotti. And these will be serious ones, perhaps even graver than the ones he so deftly answered in March 2022 w...
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Carlo Ancelotti sunk to a new low with Jude Bellingham treatment in El Clasico
27Oct By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

Carlo Ancelotti sunk to a new low with Jude Bellingham treatment in El Clasico

Vinicius Junior will very likely win the Ballon d'Or for his stellar performances in the Champions League knockout stages and the second half of the 2024/25 LaLiga season for Real Madrid, but from start to finish, Jude Bellingham was his club's most consistent player and THE standout of Spanish football. Playing in his first season at the Santiago Bernabeu, Jude starred in the No. 10 role in Carlo Ancelotti's system, emphatically answering the question of how Real Madrid would replace Karim Benzema's lost goals at striker by finding the back of the net 19 times from midfield. Bellingham captured the zeitgeist of football, bringing his best performances in two Clasico triumphs as Real Madrid ran away with the league, with Jude bringing the same all-around midfield quality from his day...
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Real Madrid finally pursuing an experienced CB transfer
25Oct By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
LaLiga

Real Madrid finally pursuing an experienced CB transfer

Truthfully, Real Madrid should have been in the market for a center back transfer since the January 2024 market when, just prior, veteran David Alaba went down with a torn ACL. Real Madrid managed to make do without Eder Militao or Alaba last season, as the likes of Dani Carvajal, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Ferland Mendy stepped up as emergency options. This season, Carvajal has torn his ACL, too, and Alaba is yet to return from injury. With Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and even Tchouameni and Mendy all struggling with various injuries at points in the 2024/25 campaign, it's becoming clear that Real Madrid need more depth in defense. They have a bevy of talented youngsters coming up the ranks, but they, too, have suffered significant injuries of their own, with Joan Martinez notably su...
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Manchester United going for another top Real Madrid transfer target
25Oct By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
LaLiga, Premier League

Manchester United going for another top Real Madrid transfer target

Manchester United already played spoiler to Real Madrid on the transfer market this past summer, as they were willing to spend 60 million euros in order to sign Leny Yoro, whose Lille were not at all interested in the threat of losing the teenage center back for free in summer 2025. So Juni Calafat's dream transfer target at center back - and the best young player at the position - went to Man United, where he has yet to play due to a preseason injury. But hopes are high for Yoro at Manchester United, especially with fellow summer center back signing Matthijs de Ligt not quite impressing. And it looks like the Red Devils aren't done with trying to compete against Real Madrid for top players on the market. Already, Manchester United are pushing increasingly hard for impending free ...
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Transfer Rumors: Manchester United could sign another top target ahead of Real Madrid
25Oct By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
LaLiga, Premier League

Transfer Rumors: Manchester United could sign another top target ahead of Real Madrid

Manchester United surprised a lot of people this summer when they successfully signed Leny Yoro, the most coveted central defender on the transfer market, ahead of serious interest from Real Madrid. In fact, many saw Real Madrid as a guaranteed landing spot for Yoro with how heavily Juni Calafat was pushing for the Lille star, as Real viewed him as a generational talent and began to prioritize him over another player with one year left on his contract, Alphonso Davies. Instead, Manchester United were willing to spend 60 million euros on Yoro right up front in the summer market, whereas Real Madrid wanted Yoro at a steeply discounted price, hoping the player would hold out for another year in order to join them for free in 2025. Lille weren't about to let that happen, reportedly ev...
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LaLiga: Real Madrid’s hidden advantage vs. Barca, Atletico’s second-best player, fairytale Mallorca’s test
24Oct By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

LaLiga: Real Madrid’s hidden advantage vs. Barca, Atletico’s second-best player, fairytale Mallorca’s test

The Mallorca fairytale faces a big test Mallorca aren't usually in the hunt for European places in La Liga, as they are traditionally a smaller club that spends its time trying to play spoiler to the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, bouncing in between the first and second divisions. Already, Mallorca made an impression on an international scale this season by nicking a point off Real Madrid on Matchday 1, spoiling Kylian Mbappe's long-awaited debut in the process. In addition to the draw with the reigning champions of Spain and Europe, Mallorca own quality wins over usual European hopefuls Real Betis and Real Sociedad. So after 10 Matchdays in La Liga, Mallorca sit sixth in the table with 17 points, tied on points with Athletic Club in fifth. This coming Monday, Mallorca will...
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