While the timing of the announcement that Luis Enrique will not be in the hot seat at Barcelona next season may well have come as a surprise, the news of his departure did not. Luis Enrique has always been someone that likes to make an impact on the side.
Category: Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad concedes late equalizer in 2-2 draw with Eibar
Real Sociedad conceded an equalizer in the final minute of stoppage time to draw 2-2 against Eibar on Tuesday, missing a chance to take fourth place from Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league and establish itself as a top contender for a Champions League spot. The hosts were only a few seconds from victory when Pedro Leon seized on a loose ball and evaded a defender before firing a low shot beneath goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Real Sociedad moves closer to Champions League spot in Spain
Real Sociedad moved closer to a Champions League spot by defeating Las Palmas 1-0 after a blunder by the home side’s goalkeeper in the Spanish league on Friday. Veteran midfielder Xabi Prieto scored the 74th-minute winner from just outside the area after Las Palmas goalie Geronimo Rulli made a mistake and passed the ball right to Prieto’s feet when under pressure from another Real Sociedad player inside the box.
La Liga Table 2017: Latest Standings Following Friday’s Week 22 Results
… disappointing fashion for La Real, who lost star forward Willian Jose to injury just a few minutes into the contest. Sports writer Simon Harrison feared it could have a major impact on the rest of their campaign:
Asier Illarramendi back to best in 2nd stint at Sociedad
Asier Illarramendi, not long ago considered a flop at Real Madrid, has boyhood club Real Sociedad sitting near the top of the Spanish league. Illarramendi’s unstoppable long-distance strike sealed Sociedad’s 2-1 win at Espanyol on Friday, a victory that lifted the Basque Country club past Atletico Madrid and into fourth place.
Casillas: Real Madrid fans jeering Ronaldo is madness
The ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper and captain feels the club’s fans have gone one step beyond what is acceptable by constantly criticising the talisman Real Madrid supporters’ constant jeering of Cristiano Ronaldo is a form of “madness”, according to the club’s former goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas. The Portugal star is coming off the back of a wonderful 2016 in which he led Madrid to Champions League glory before winning the European Championship with Portugal and then lifting the Club World Cup with Zinedine Zidane’s men.
Manchester United make a 80m Griezmann their top transfer target
The Old Trafford outfit are keen to recruit the 25-year-old and Atletico may need to sell to fund the move to their new stadium Manchester United have made Antoine Griezmann their top transfer target and will tempt Atletico Madrid with an offer in the region of a 80 million in the summer. Manager Jose Mourinho is still looking to improve his side’s attack in order to compete with the best in the Premier League and Europe, and the Portuguese sees the 25-year-old France forward as a player who can provide quality across a number of positions at Old Trafford.
Zidane puts breave face on Cup exit
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was keeping a brave face despite seeing his side’s hopes of a domestic and European treble evaporate with a 4-3 aggregate defeat to Celta Vigo in the King’s Cup. A thrilling return leg in Vigo ended 2-2 on the night, but although Madrid were in with a chance of qualifying until the final whistle, Celta’s 2-1 win in Madrid a week ago and the tactical chaos of Zidane’s side were the factors which saw the side from the north-west of Spain go through to the semi-finals and Madrid fall by the wayside.
Prandelli resigns after just three months at Valencia
“Cesare Prandelli has communicated to Valencia CF his irrevocable decision to resign from his position as coach,” the club confirmed in a statement on Friday, adding that a media conference will be held on Saturday. Prandelli guided them to just one victory in his eight league matches at the helm, with the 3-2 defeat at Real Sociedad on December 10 proving to be his last top-flight game in charge.
Wales manager Chris Coleman has emerged as Swansea’s top target to succeed Bob Bradley
The Football Association of Wales is relaxed over reports that Swansea are weighing up a move for national team manager Chris Coleman, Press Association Sport understands. Coleman has emerged as Swansea’s top target as they seek to fill the gap left by Bob Bradley’s dismissal on Tuesday evening.
Valencia president says sorry to fans for disappointing 2016
Layhoon Chan, who runs the Spanish top-tier side for Singaporean owner Peter Lim, says it “has been a difficult year and I want to ask forgiveness from all of Valencia’s fans for the poor season.” Valencia has won only three matches in 15 rounds of the Spanish league, leaving it just above the relegation zone near the midpoint of the campaign.
Atletico Madrid hitting low point under coach Diego Simeone
After its third loss in five Spanish league games on Monday, Atletico dropped to sixth place — its worst position at this point in the season since Simeone took charge in 2011. The 3-0 loss at Villarreal left Atletico 12 points behind leader Real Madrid after 15 matches.