Spanish Primera Season Preview
By Fer


Almeria

In: David Rodriguez (Celta), Vargas (Boca Juniors), Cisma (Numancia), Bernardello (Newell's), Goitom (Valladolid)

Out: Mane (Getafe), Bruno (Valencia), Iriney (Betis), Carlos Garcia (Betis), Negredo (R. Madrid), Juanito (Malaga), Natalio (Murcia)

Coach: Hugo Sanchez, 2nd season, replaced Arconada in the 17th round.

Probable Line-up: Diego Alves-Michel, Chico, Pellerano, Cisma-Juanma Ortiz, Bernardello, Vargas, Crusat-Piatti, Goitom.

The southern team has surprised everybody through their Primera experience but every year they lose some key players and the same happened again this off-season. The departure of Negredo to Real Madrid (and then transferred to Sevilla) is a major blow for Almería. He was the top scorer of the team with ninteen goals and I doubt that David Rodríguez or Goitom can hit the back of the net so many times. Also the classic starters in the flanks have left for Getafe and Valencia. 

Hugo Sanchez will have a tough season trying to stay in Primera and to get this squad together. The Mexican coach asked for some midfielders and the arrival of young talent defensive Bernardello and experienced Vargas from Argentina should improve this line, that now is probably the strongest of the team.

The defence will miss Bruno and Mané, so this line will have to adjust to the new starters that are probably one step below. In return, much is expected from Pellerano in his second season in Spain.

Almería saw Negredo move on but Hugo will have four forwards to try to match his numbers. Piatti and Kalu Uche stayed in the club and David Rodríguez and Goitom are the new kids. Both could improve under Hugo trainings and help Almería to avoid relegation (the Mexican coach was a great striker, five times league top scorer).

Athletic

In: Díaz de Cerio (Real Sociedad), Óscar de Marcos (Alavés), Xabi Castillo (Real Sociedad), Mikel San José (Liverpool)

Out: Del Olmo (Hércules), Casas (Cartagena), Tiko, Lafuente (Numancia), Garmendia (Numancia), Iñigo Vélez (Numancia), Balenziaga (Numancia), Murillo (Salamanca)
 
Coach: Javier Caparrós, 3rd season.

Probable Line-up: Iraizoz - Iraola, Amorebieta, Aitor Ocio, Xabi Castillo-Susaeta, Orbáiz, Javi Martínez, De Marcos-Toquero, Llorente.

More or less the same squad again because their market is very limited, with only Basque Country players available to be signed. At least they haven’t lost any key pieces. The line up is set to remain with few

Outstanding prospect Iker Muniain

changes, with the new ones having a role play. Some of the new players are quite interesting: Muniain, an outstanding prospect with 16 years old, Díaz De Cerio, from old rivals Real Sociedad, who could fight for being a starting forward, Xabi Castillo, who will probably own the left back and De Marcos, team’s top scorer of the preseason that can play in many attack and wing positions.

Athletic had many ups and downs last season. Reached the Cup final but that relaxed the team too much in the league and they suffered a little bit. Even though they have a good tactical coach and good defensive players they received many goals and this preseason have still shown a sleepy defence. The addition of Xabi Castillo as left back can solve the problems in that spot. The midfield is strong, with many options for the coach in every place that can be used depending on the type of match. Javi Martínez is like a veteran there being only 20 years old but with three seasons as a regular starter. 

In attack the team depends too much on Fernando Llorente so the scoring contribution of the rest of the squad will be necessary for a quiet year.

Their goal will be to stay in the middle of the table and make a good season in the Europa League (where they are suffering to pass rounds) and in the Spanish Cup. 

Athletico Madrid

In: Jurado (Mallorca), Cléber Santana (Mallorca), Reyes (Benfica), Valera (Racing), Cabrera (Defensor), Juanito (Betis), Asenjo (Valladolid), Roberto (Recreativo)

Out: Leo Franco (Galatasaray), Banega (Valencia), De Las Cuevas (Sporting), Coupet (PSG), Diego Costa (Valladolid), Luis García (Racing), Maniche (Colonia), Seitaridis

Coach: Abel Resino, 2nd season, replaced Aguirre in the 22nd round.

Probable Line-up: Asenjo - Heitinga, Juanito, Ujfalussi, Antonio López- Maxi Rodríguez, Assunçao, Raúl García, Simao- Agüero, Forlán.

Abel was confirmed as coach after reaching the fourth place last year and securing a Champions League spot that will now be decided against Panathinaikos in the last qualifying round. They have signed few players but at least keeper Sergio Asenjo seems set to make a difference and be a key one.

He is the most promising goalkeeper of Primera and he will have a lot of work if Atleti keeps on playing like two teams, half team attacking and the other half defending (and not very well).

The defence still looks weak and though Juanito improves the backup in the

Needs to improve Raul Garcia

center, he is a bit slow but in return he tends to be a good tactic player. They are still looking for a right back that could arrive before the transfer deadline.  In midfield, Cléber could be a surprise after his great campaign loaned in Mallorca.  Meanwhile Raúl García is still underperforming and much more is expected from him. And the attack is superb, with Simao, Agüero and Forlán, few teams in the world can improve this. But when they are out, specially Forlán, the level of team goes down.

Two players that come back from loans are Jurado and Reyes. While nobody expects that talented Reyes will ever show a good level again despite his good year with Benfica, Jurado was one of the best players of the league with Mallorca (9 goals and 8 assists) but so far he is totally lost in Atleti's system.

The coach will be under pressure and I don’t think that he will survive if the team suffers a bad streak. Atleti is now two steps below Barça and Real Madrid but maybe a few late signings if the team gets in the Champions Group phase could put them closer to the title favourites.

Barcelona
 
In: Henrique (Bayer L.), Maxwell (Inter), Ibrahimovic (Inter), Keirrison (Palmeiras)

Out: Sylvinho, Etoo (Inter), Keirrison (Benfica), Hleb (Stuttgart), Cáceres (Juventus), Víctor Sánchez (Xerez)

Coach: Pep Guardiola, 2nd season after the great debut, winning Champions, Cup and Liga.

Probable Line-up: Víctor Valdés-Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Abidal-Keita, Iniesta, Xavi- Messi, Ibrahimovic, Henry.

Last season was so great that it would be almost impossible to repeat that, as Guardiola said. Barça made only one remarkable signing, Ibrahimovic from Inter. Also from Inter came Maxwell to compete with Abidal for being in the line up as left back. The only important missing will be Etoo. Guardiola didn’t want him in the dressing room and despite his

World's best player Lionel Messi

30 goals he was sent to Inter in one of the worst trades ever made (45 million plus Etoo in exchange of Ibrahimovic).

Barça is still looking for more players in midfield and defence but if they don’t find any good player Guardiola has said that he prefers to fill the gaps with B team young players. The last days of the summer market will probably bring at least one new defender (Chygrynskiy) to this dream team.

So, the goalkeeper and the defence remains almost the same so far, lacking bench depth in some positions, specially at centre back, where Henrique is not trusted by Guardiola and if he stays in the team could play even less than Cáceres last year.

Their midfield is probably the greatest of the world (Xavi and Iniesta) but Touré and Keita will play in African Cup and so this line will be weaker for some time.

In attack, Messi improves every year to be considered world best player and Henry is showing a good version after a disappointing first season. Ibrahimovic will be more involved in the team play but it is still uncertain if he can match Etoo’s number of goals. Again the bench depth in this line is a bit short, with skilful young players that will have moments of great responsibility.

Supercup matches against Athletic have showed the same football machine that amaze the world but with more matches this season and Real Madrid's signings, the Liga championship will be a difficult challenge.


Deportivo Coruna

In: Juca (Partizán), Adrián (Málaga), Taborda (Hércules), Rubén Castro (Huesca), Alex Bergantiños (Xerez), Jairo (Lorca), Brayan Angulo (Leixoes)

Out: Verdú (Espanyol), Barragán (Valladolid), De Guzmán, Pablo Amo (Zaragoza), Munúa (Málaga), Fabricio (Valladolid), Cristian (Hércules), Rodri (Hércules), Aythami (Xerez), Omar Bravo (Chivas Guadalajara), Rubén Castro (Rayo Vallecano),

Coach: Miguel Ángel Lotina, 3rd season.

Probable Line-up: Aranzubia-Manuel Pablo, Ze Castro, Lopo, Filipe Luis-Lafita, Juan Domínguez, Juca, Juan Rodríguez, Guardado-Lassad

It’s difficult to rate Depor as it is the typical club that never acts the way is expected. Finally they have managed to keep their key players, after rumours and transfers cancelled in the last moments. So they have a good defence, great wingers like Lafita and Guardado, the most gifted players of the team, and poor forwards. This squad have problems to score and to create good football in the middle. Young additions Iván Pérez and Juan Domínguez can increase the quality of the team but once again the picture is different if Valerón plays. He is the playmaker, a magician with privileged brain but his injured legs cannot stand too many minutes.

The defensive system is strong though they've struggled in set pieces during the pre-season.  Their main problems in this line are centre-back substitutes that decrease the level of a tough defence.

Deportivo will surely miss Joan Verdú who made a stellar season as attacking midfielder last year, scoring seven goals.

The new signing Juca isn't adapted for Primera yet and Adrián, a good striker returning from a loan in Málaga, seems lost in Lotina’s system. Anyway, all strikers have chances to be starters so their performances will put them in or out the line up.  The young left back Angulo will add depth to the team and seems a good signing for the future. Depending on injuries and the ability to score of the forwards, Depor could be again in the top half of the table.  

Again Depor will be very active in the last days of the market window although this time they are only expecting some sidelined players to leave.

Espanyol

In: Verdú (Deportivo), Márquez (Espanyol B), Ben Sahar (Chelsea), Nakamura (Celtic), Iván Pillud (Tiro Federal), Roncaglia (Boca Juniors)

Out: Lacruz, Rufete (Hércules), Jordi Gómez (Wigan), Valdo (Málaga), Torrejón (Racing), Sergio Sánchez (Sevilla) Finnan, J. Soriano (Barcelona B), Ángel Martínez (Rayo Vallecano), Román (Tenerife), Nené (Mónaco), Beranger (Las Palmas) Jarque (Dead)

Coach: Mauricio Pochettino, 2nd season, replaced Mané in the 19th round and saved the team with a great second leg.

Probable Line-up: Kameni-Pillud, Roncaglia, Pareja, David García-Moisés, De la Peña-Luis García, Verdú, Nakamura-Tamudo.

It’s impossible to talk about Espanyol and not to mention Daniel Jarque’s dead. He was the new captain and a key player in defence. Before his heart attack, the preview of Espanyol was thought as a candidate to be the most improved team this league. Good signings (specially Nakamura), new home in Cornellá, a field that could improve the home

Defensive mainstay Moises Hurtado

results, and the coach, Pochettino, former Argentinean defender, with a lot of personality that saved a team that after the first leg of the competition was hopeless in relegation places.

Now they are still in search of a centre back, a much needed signing in a defensive line that lacks of good replacements. If the Argentinean signings perform well in defence and Kameni improves after two irregular seasons, the goal line will be safe.

In midfield the defensive task depends only on Moisés Hurtado so far, so a signing there would be appreciated and should come before the transfer deadline. The attack is much better this year, with a lot of options. The signings of a star like Nakamura, a talent like Ben Sahar and Joan Verdú will add depth to the forward and attacking midfield positions. If Luis García forgets his awful last season and Tamudo stays away from injuries, the number of goals should go up. 

So the morale of the team will be very important to know where will be Espanyol at the end of the season, if they can stay happy and together they should be close to the Europa League places.

Getafe
 
In: Mané (Almería), Nacho (Málaga), Pedro Ríos (Xerez), Codina (Real Madrid), Parejo (Real Madrid), Boateng (Colonia)

Out: Jacobo (Valladolid), Stojkovic (Sporting L.), Polanski (Mainz 05), Juanfran (Castilla), Uche (Zaragoza), Sousa (Albacete), Granero (Real Madrid), Guerrón (Cruzeiro), Cotelo, Pallardó (Levante)

Coach: Míchel González, 2nd season, replaced Víctor Muñoz in the 34th round and saved the team.

Probable Line-up: Ustari-Cortés, Cata Díaz, Mario, Mané-Contra, Boateng, Celestini, Gavilán-Albín, Soldado 

Getafe was saved by the bell last season in a dramatic last round. Míchel succeeded with his attacking style and now the aim is to have a quiet year far from relegation places. They’ve lost Granero to Real Madrid, an important and talented player that didn’t play well last season. Also Uche was sold to Zaragoza but he never matched the expectations in Getafe.

Two young goalkeepers, Ustari and Codina, possess the skills but still have to be more consistent. The defence is quite complete, with many different players to choose from, so Míchel should be able to protect the goalkeeper with a line that pleases him. The arrival of Mané will provide a solution for their left back, the weakest side of the last year's defence.

In midfield, the right wing is their main obsession and Pedro León (Valladolid) is near to Getafe but still not signed, he will a line up regular if he finally arrives. The team needs someone in that wing, as the center and the left wing are well covered though with Granero they’ve lost creativity. Maybe Parejo, another former Real Madrid player, can supply chances for the attack and help with some goals. 

With Míchel this team will play a more offensive game but what they need is to score their chances, as the team reaches the box easily but fails finishing. And also scored only 6 penalties out of twelve, the worst percentage of the league. Soldado had problems with minor injuries but managed to score 13 goals last season. This time he should improve that mark and that could lead the team to the top half of the table. Their great run in Uefa two seasons ago is not forgotten and they want to be back in Europe as soon as possible.

Malaga
 
In: Alcalá (Marbella), Manu, Xavi Torres (Barcelona), Munúa (Deportivo), Mtiliga (NAC Breda), Valdo (Espanyol), Omar (Sporting), Forestieri (Udinese/Génova), Stepanov (Oporto), Jordi Pablo (Villarreal), Edinho (AEK), Luque (Ajax), Juanito (Almería), Benachour (Al Quadisiya)

Out: Goitia (Betis), Lolo (Sevilla), Rossato, Cheli, Duda (Sevilla), Nacho (Getafe), Barros (Zaragoza), Adrián (Deportivo), Calleja (Osasuna), Adriano (Internacional), Salva, Eliseu (Lazio), Silva (Cádiz), Miguel Ángel (Nástic), Alcalá (Real Unión)

Coach: Juan Ramón López Muñiz, 3rd season but first in Primera after one year gap at Santander.

Probable Line-up: Munúa-Jesús Gámez, Hélder Rosario, Wellington, Mtiliga-Valdo, Juanito, Apoño, Luque-Baha, Edinho

The economic problems that Málaga have suffered in last year’s are still limiting their market capacity, so again they’ve sold some players and were incapable to hold some important starters. Besides, most of the new signings have arrived free or on loan again.

Also they’ve lost their coach Tapia, criticised after a bad start in the league, he turned the booing into clapping hands when the team climbed to the top places of the table and were close to get into the Europa League. Muñiz returns to Málaga after one controversial year at Santander. He was the coach who brought Málaga back to Primera but he has a tough task to avoid relegation with this squad.

Muñiz will have to decide among Munúa and Arnau to be the starting goalkeeper. The Uruguayan comes from Deportivo where he barely played in 4 years but he is likely to be the starter. 

In right back, Jesús Gámez was virtually sold but now he is

Midfield star Apono

likely to stay. The left back will be Mtiliga who has made a great pre-season. In the centre-back there are several options to play with Wellington.

The midfield has lost many pieces but Apoño will star despite the rumours of him moving to Villarreal. Eliseu and Duda are hard to replace. Many of the new faces are unproved, lacking experience or minutes in their careers. But Juanito is an experienced defensive midfielder that returns to his home town and will cover the gap that young Lolo left.

Up front, Baha seems in form again but they need new forward Edinho to show that he can provide goals. If the midfielders don't score Málaga could struggle to avoid relegation.

They will still try to make one last effort in these days to bring in some quality players to supply what this squad needs.

Mallorca

In: Crespi (Xerez), Víctor (Nástic), Tuni (Hércules) Bruno China (Leixoes), Rubén (Celta), Tejera (Chelsea reserves)

Out: Jurado (Atlético), Cléber Santana (Atlético), Scaloni (Lazio), David Navarro (Valencia), Arango (Borussia M.), Moyá (Valencia), Cendrós (Levante), Carmona (Recreativo), Nsue (Real Sociedad), Callejón (Albacete), Dani Benítez (Granada), Javi Guerra (Levante)

Coach: Gregorio Manzano, 7th season (6th in a row)

Probable Line-up: Aouate-Josemi, Ramis, Nunes, Corrales-Varela, Mario Suárez, Bruno China, Tuni-Webó, Aduriz

After many rumours, the club was finally sold last month but the new owners doesn’t seem keen to make huge transfers. Those issues have slowed the composition of the squad and their movements in the last days of the transfer window will be important for their future in Primera.

Economic problems have been hurting Mallorca last seasons. They have lost their best players in the off season: Arango, Moyá, Jurado and Cléber (the last two were on loan). Their key man is the coach, Gregorio Manzano, who was capable of making a great second leg despite losing half of the starting eleven from the previous year. And the story remains the same, 5-6 starters left the team at the end of La Liga.

They’ve lost goalie Moyá though Aouate can replace him. But the other missings have not been covered. Manzano is angry with the board because he has no new players and so the team is a relegation candidate.

It’s difficult to write about them when they’ll have to sign three or four players to build a team before this month ends. So it’s better to say what they need: mainly some defenders and creative midfielders. A playmaker is much necessary too. Arango and Jurado provided goals, assists and free kick shots. Also a complete center midfielder would be of help, someone to steal the ball but also distribute it. 

Latest signings are Portuguese defensive midfielder Bruno China (Manzano said he doesn't want him but I think he'll finally play) and centre back Rubén who has a tendency to make mistakes but at least that spot is well covered now with four players.

Several positions lack of depth and, with this panorama, supporters will be more than happy to be away from relegation in the 38th round.


Osasuna

In: Calleja (Málaga), Aranda (Numancia), Camuñas (Recreativo), Erice (Cádiz), Esparza (Huesca), Nico Medina (Huesca)

Out: Cruchaga (Retirado), Javi Flaño (Numancia), Sunny (Betis), Tiago Gomes (Benfica), Hidalgo (Zaragoza), Font (Valladolid), Margairaz (Zurich), Plasil (Girondins), Ezquerro, Kike Sola (Numancia), Jon Echaide (Huesca)

Coach: José Antonio Camacho, 2nd season, replaced Ziganda in the first part of last season.

Probable Line-up: Roberto-Azpilicueta, Miguel Flaño, Sergio, Monreal-Juanfran, Puñal, Nekounam, Masoud-Camuñas, Aranda

Osasuna has been quiet in the market with their low budget politics. They’ve only lost one important player, Czech midfielder Plasil, who will be missed for his work and his assists. Also Cruchaga, former captain, was forced to retirement because of his injuries.

So the team will probably feature a similar line up. They have two good

The promising Cesar Azpilicueta

goalkeepers, Roberto and Ricardo, with the first being more appreciated by Camacho. A tough defence, with promising young U21 National Team capped players Azpilicueta and Monreal in the flanks and four great centre backs that don’t allow many chances to their rivals.

The midfield was also reinforced with left midfielder Calleja but sometimes this team needs more creativity and the presence of a playmaker would be helpful. Plasil gap is difficult to fill but late signing Camuñas can be that second forward or winger that provides assists and goals. The Iranians Nekounam and specially Masoud will have to step up. Masoud showed great skills in his first year in Spain but needs to improve tactically and avoid silly mistakes.

Camacho has several forwards to choose from but he has asked for Aranda so we must expect the tall and strong striker to start, as the rest of the players upfront failed to match expectations. Pandiani was the only one that finished with some ease while Dady or Portillo went through more downs than ups. Indeed Osasuna scored only 41 goals last season. They'll need more goals to achieve their challenge and stay one more year in the top division of Spanish football.

To Win Spanish Primera

FC Barcelona	1.91  @
Real Madrid	2.20  @
Atletico Madrid	50.00  @
Sevilla FC	51.00  @
Valencia CF	67.00  @
Villarreal CF	81.00  @
Deportivo La Coruna	251.00  @
RCD Espanyol	400.00  @
Athletic Bilbao	501.00  @