Atlético Madrid v Zaragoza

All eyes were on Gregorio Manzano tonight as Atlético Madrid took on Real Zaragoza in the Vicente Calderon. The manager had come under a lot of scrutiny of late from a sizeable portion of the Rojiblanco faithful. Even within the squad, discontent towards him has been somewhat palpable-Reyes didn’t exactly look impressed with the decision to take him off against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night, for example.

The ex-Sevilla and Mallorca coach decided to drop the midfielder tonight as a result of his outburst. But José Antonio-gate aside, recent performances have been lacking in consistency, goals and most importantly, points. Three from the last 15 available is all the Madrid contingent could claim before this weekend, in what had up until now been a floundering start to the campaign.

However, tonight that was to change, as Atleti were able to dispatch of their opponents comfortably, with a 3-1 win. Despite his team taking the spoils in quite convincing fashion, Manzano didn’t escape the now all-too-familiar expletive filled chants for him to leave from the local ultras, El Frente.

Part of what has been “Los Colchoneros” problem stems from the sheer number of unknown quantities within the squad. The summer saw a lot of comings and goings within the south Madrid club, especially towards the tail end of the transfer window so some of the “settling-in” time spilled over into the beginning of the season, which is never ideal. All the same, Manzano's rotation policy has hardly endeared him to the supporters, especially as former stalwarts, like Dominguez, Perea and the aforementioned Reyes, have featured so little, effectively acting as bit part players.

Tonight, as well as the notable absence of José Antonio, the manager decided to tinker a bit more with his starting 11: the three changes to the line up from Thursday night’s defeat in San Mamés were Adrían, Mario Suarez and Dominguez.

He also chose to go with a 4-4-2 formation with two strikers (Falcoa and Adrían), probably in an attempt to ensure goals and appease the fans.

And it worked. Atleti were on firing form tonight and “El Profesor” can take a lot of positives from the game. Strong performances in the middle of the park from Diego, Mario Suárez and Arda, in particular, helped create plenty of openings. Also, Adrían, who has received his own fair share of stick since arriving, silenced his critics by finding the back of the net twice.

His first came in the 18^th minute, when he accurately directed his header beyond the reach of Roberto after a good ball over the top from Arda, on the right. Dominguez made it two on the 30 minute mark after a nicely worked move from a corner saw Godín head the ball across the face of goal for his centre half partner to meet it and finish it off from two yards out.

Atleti were cruising for the first half and Courtois was only tested once between the sticks, when Ponzio shot from distance requiring the Chelsea loanee to make an easy save.

The second 45 played out similarly to the first, with Atlético dominating the possession and creating the better chances. Their third goal came from a neat one-two on the left between Filipe and Diego, which culminated in Adrían bagging his second of the evening.

Zaragoza got one back late on though, when some woeful defending allowed Postiga to head home completely unmarked from a corner. But it was only to be a consolation for them, one that will do nothing to paint over the cracks of what looks like a club on the ropes.

In short Zaragoza look like a side in serious trouble. They were awful tonight from start to finish and their coach, Javier Aguirre, will no doubt be very concerned about what line of action to take from here.

Unlike Manzano, the “Avispa” manager has consistently stuck to the same small group of players from the outset this season, mainly due to the limitations bankruptcy imposes. The former Atleti coach’s squad is wafer thin as he pointed out after the match, “The squad is short. We have four players from the B team. We try to rotate but we can’t. It’s not a physical problem but a small squad”.

They have a tough few weeks ahead of them as well, with an on-form Sporting next, followed by Barcelona and then Sevilla. The likelihood is that they’ll find themselves near the foot of the table very soon if things don’t start to improve on the pitch.

Atlético shouldn’t get too cocky either, after tonight’s showing. They will be tested with more difficult opposition and they are still showing an over reliance on certain players to get them goals-so far only three players have scored for them in the league: Falcao, Adrían and Dominguez. But for tonight at least, Manzano can breathe a sigh of relief.

Valencia v Getafe

With Halloween just around the corner, the paranormal trickery that this time of year brings with it must be playing on the psyche of Luis García Plaza, more than anyone. Reading the sports press lately must feel like a grotesquely lucid dream for the current Getafe boss.

Levante, the club he was in charge of for three seasons and not only helped in gain promotion to La Liga with, but also managed to keep up (despite having the tightest budget in the division), sits puzzlingly, yet deservedly, at the summit of the table, after nine games. Above flipping Barca and Real!

The Madrileño returned to the familiar city of Valencia today, but not to his old stomping ground, the Ciutat de València (he’ll have to wait until late January for that). Today his new side was in town to face Valencia, the traditionally higher ranked local club, in the Mestalla. Last time here, his Levante side took a valuable point from their bitter rivals, however salvaging something from “El Che” would prove too difficult for his side today.

Sofiane Feghouli will no doubt take much of the credit for the home team’s victory, finally breaking his goal duct for the club since moving from Grenoble. Scoring not once, but twice. Everything he touched during the first half turned to gold. Éver Bandega in the middle of the park was also instrumental for Valencia, stringing passes together effortlessly from start to finish and controlling the pace of the game superbly. This will have pleased his coach, Emery no end, as Sergio Canales’ injury is certain to be causing him some real selection head aches at present.

The first half made for some gripping viewing. Feghouli set the score board alight early on when a blocked Jonas shot came his way just outside the box, which he dispatched beautifully, driving the ball into the turf for it to loop exquisitely into the roof of Miguel Torres’ net.

But by no means did Luis García’s men sit back and allow their hosts to dictate the game. The likes of Barrada and Valera caused problems for the home side in the first half, while Güiza (having himself broken his own scoring duct against Osasuna midweek) looks like he is finally readjusting to the pace of La Liga. The veteran set Diego Castro up coolly with a cushioned header across goal to equalise, after a nicely worked Getafe move. However, their celebrations were short lived, as Feghouli wasted no time in regaining the lead, with a simple finish from close range.

Half time saw the teams enter their dressing rooms with the score reading 2-1 to Valencia, something “Los Azulones” could feel hard done by, having matched their opposition for chances on goal and having played positively all round. 

The second half played out much like the first, with both sides creating some half decent chances. However, the the home side edged it, thanks in big part to the aforementioned Bandega.

All the same, things could have been different as Valencia were lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch after the first half’s hero, Feghouli, showed his ugly side on more than one occasion: first picking up a yellow for mauling Barrada’s face, then moments later escaped what should have been a straight red for a reckless racking of his studs across the same players shins. Emery, sensibly took him off in case he continued to act so rashly.

With this weeks Champions League encounter with Bayern Leverkusen on his mind, Emery took Soldado off to replace him with Artiz Aduriz who took full advantage of the opportunity by scoring the third,  and effectively killing off the game. Bandega’s pass split the Getafe defence inch perfectly in the 75^th minute, leaving the Basque with just the keeper to beat.

Valencia deservedly finished as the victors, winning 3-1. This performance should boost their confidence going into what is essentially a final against Leverkusen on Tuesday night, as they hope to rescue their European campaign.

Getafe, on the other hand will feel disappointed with the result and will have to dust themselves off before facing Atlético Madrid at home next week in what’s sure to be a heated local derby.

Luis García is probably happy to be leaving Valencia tonight all the same. His decision to leave the city in the first place must play on his mind constantly, as he is continually reminded of his old side’s fairy tale success. The pain of seeing your old team’s name in the number one position must be excruciating when your current one slips perilously close to the bottom.

Crickey, this Financial Blight is Mighty

Sadly in this current climate of financial hardship the world finds itself in, most of us are now well versed on the importance of living within our means and ensuring that whatever goes out is offset by a greater (or at least equal) amount coming in. Those of us who for whatever reason find ourselves in the red, quickly come to realise that austerity is a crucial component to survival-a run in with a debt collecting agency for example will quickly instil this respect for solvency in us.  Basic economics, right?

Well you’d be mistaken to think that financial creditability is simply measured in terms of surpluses and deficits everywhere. For there is a magical place where over zealous spending is not only free from punishment but is effectively encouraged.

I speak about Spain of course, more specifically the confines of Spanish football. From this curious realm of illogicality, clubs that adopt a frugal approach to purchasing are more often than not the ones who suffer, while those who prefer to burn holes in their pockets are allowed to do so with very few repercussions.

In contrast to any other European league, in Spain defaulting does not carry with it the penalty of not being able to compete. So why even bother hiring an accountant?

Let’s look at Zaragoza’s acquisition of Ikechukwu Uche, which highlights this bizarre relationship between contract law and football. The Nigerian international was signed from Getafe in 2009 for a reported €5.5 million, which was to be paid in three instalments. Getafe only received the first payment, effectively selling the player for roughly €2 million.

Appeals by Angel Torres, Getafe president, to either have the Romerada club go into administration, as would happen in any other major European league, or for his club to be compensated with players of equal value to the amount outstanding, were met with resounding silence from the LFP.

The Madrid club was forced to remain a creditor to its league rival and could only renegotiate their so-called “agreement”, while Uche continued to strip out for his new employers.

Getafe is by no means the only club enraged by Zaragoza’s actions. At least Torres’ team remains in the top division. Unlike Deportivo la Coruña, who’s valiant efforts to keep their heads above water, both financially and in terms of league status, were met with failure. Although it can boast creditworthiness, bitterness must be the over riding feeling for the Galician club as Zaragoza who, according to Coruña president Augusto Lendorio also owe his side money, fight another season in La Primera Liga.

But Zaragoza is not the only offender in this debacle. When it comes to balancing the books, the general mentality of Spanish clubs is totally warped. 22 clubs in the top two divisions have filed for bankruptcy, Santander the most recent. Of the three promoted teams to La Liga this season (Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis and Granda), not one can claim financial soundness, which is rather telling of the problems that both leagues face, from a credibility stand point.

Professional football clubs in Spain are in arrears of  €4 billion. This frightening statistic could probably be expressed more eloquently but the impact would be compromised.  And is it any wonder, when you consider that, in contrast to any other European league, in Spain defaulting does not carry with it the penalty of not being able to compete. So why even bother hiring an account?

Well unfortunately much like the figurative bursting of the construction bubble, which has devastated the Spanish economy of late, this particular state of delusion will eventually have to come undone as well.

Real Mallorca has already felt the wrath of UEFA’s financial criteria in this respect. The Palma team finished the 2009/10 season fifth, thus earning a place in the Europa League. However, due to the unresolved matter of €2 million which was owed to a rather disgruntled Athletic Bilboa for a certain Atriz Aduriz (who had signed for Mallorca two years previously) Villarreal was instead called upon to take the coveted European spot. Despite the inevitable protests that followed this decision, UEFA’s requirements were clear: clubs that withhold money from other clubs are not eligible to compete in the competition.

Not vying for European glory is not the only consequence of poor budgeting, however. Not settling your transfer fees in a timely fashion is one thing. Not paying your overheads is another. And just like any other business, football clubs’ electricity and gas bills pale into insignificance when compared with their wage bills.

This year’s season got off to a no start as the players’ association (AFE), along with 110 players, announced a strike. Their grievance related to wages of course.  Over 200 of the professional players making up the 42 teams in Spain’s top two divisions, or 20%, were aggrieved owing to contracts not being honoured.

The LFP, which the season before put aside a guarantee fund of €40 million for such circumstances, came under scrutiny by the AFE for not taking the issue of late payment seriously enough. The matter was resolved in time for match day two with an increase to the parachute fund of €10 million and reassurance from the governing body that club/player agreements would be treated with the legal weight they deserve.

All well and good, but from an outsider’s perspective this farce can only be seen as damaging for the leagues’ credibility. And how can much can players really trust assurances from a league body which allows roughly 50% of it’s clubs to essentially play while broke?

Surely the equal distribution of TV money will have to be properly considered if Spanish football is to weather this current financial storm. The true nature of the competitiveness of the league is basically a joke now. Even with the realms of possibility stretched to their furthest capacity, any chance of a team outside the top two winning being crowned champions is laughable-let’s just assume Levante will eventually drop off at some stage this season. The simple fact is that the dispersal of image rights, or the lack of it, is creating a massive gulf between “the haves” and “the have not’s” in Spain. Top dogs, Barca and Real Madrid, reaped a staggering €140 million this season in telly rights alone, while their closet rivals (for want of a better word) earned a pittance in comparison: Atletico Madrid 42 million, Valencia 40 million and Villarreal €33 million. Below these teams the other 15 scrap it out for the remaining €205 million.

The effects of not having a system of collective bargaining in place, and allowing the disproportionately steady growth of two giants to continue without any attempts of halting it, are already apparent.

Formerly big clubs are no longer able to attract or hold onto the big names they once could. Just look at what happened this summer where, with the exceptions of Real Madrid, Barca and Malaga, La Liga witnessed a mass exodus of some of it’s finest players: Atletico lost Forlan, Kun Aguero and De Gea, Valencia waved goodbye to Juan Mata and David Silva, Villarreal had to depart with Cazorla and Valencia could only watch as Malaga ransacked it’s dressing room of Joaquin and Isco.

The current TV deal expires in 2014. Until then fingers need to be crossed, candles lit and prayers answered to ensure that the disparity between clubs doesn’t spiral even further out of control. 

A match played in Limbo - Getafe vs Villarreal

Getafe's pre-season attempts to get punters through the stalls by urging fans to procreate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIi6BTzxWII) didn't seem to have had the desired effect by the look of the female home contingent tonight. There was a distinct lack of visibly pregnant women in attendance this evening in the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Saying that, the campaign is only a few months old, so the up-coming generation of Getafe fans may be more apparent from their mother's bellies in the months to come.

Perhaps the marketing team at the south Madrid club should focus their attention on injecting more life onto the pitch rather than into the stands.

Tonight's unexciting, scoreless encounter against Villarreal exposed both teams clear lack of creativity and depth. Both sets of supports will feel more fearful now than they did before tonight's fixture, as their respective standings in the league table are way off what both clubs had set out to achieve back in August.

Villarreal's hopes of qualifying for Europe again don't appear to be so attainable now, while "El Geta's" ambitions to finish further up the league table doesn't seem as realistic either.

There were notable absences for both sides: Pedro Leon, Abdel Barrada and Moya all injured for Getafe and Miku rested due to jetlag (returning back to Spain from Venezula having heroically beaten Argentina); and Nilmar for Villarreal, who was out with an ankle problem.

Nonetheless, the players who were fit and able to play didn't do much in the way of proving their worth. Above all others, Dani Guiza had a particularly bad day at the office. The veteran striker, who no doubt started in order to give Miku a rest, will rue his missed chances in what is surely going to be a sleepless night. The 35 year old was given two clear-cut opportunities both of which he dutifully squandered. The first came when centre half Cata Diaz lofted the ball high into the away team's box finding the former La Liga top scorer with just Diego Lopez, in the Villarreal net, to beat. Instead of doing the simple thing (taking a touch and calmly finishing) the Spanish international went for the spectacular, but rather than lopping the keeper he instead side footed it into his grateful hands.

Minutes later the Getafe number 19 put a routine header, from six yards out, wide of the left hand post after a superb cross from Pedro Rios, which left Gonzalo stranded.

This was to be the last time the "Azulon" would test the Villarreal keeper and the defence in the game. And although the visitors should have been behind early on, they looked comfortable for the remainder of the game.

But there is comfort like that displayed by Barcelona every time they play due to their sure-fire ability to create danger at any moment, and there is comfort like that of a team able to pass the ball around but lacking the killer instinct to finish it's chances. Villarreal's level of comfort was that of the latter.

Villarreal did have some shots of note in the first half: a blistering effort from De Guzman in the first half, which had Jordi Codina at full stretch to finger tip the ball out for a corner, a Cristian Zapata header that went wide of the mark, and a Guisseppe Rossi fluffed chance on 18 minutes when Zapata picked him out free on the back post with a great launched ball from the right wing, which presumably caught the number 22 by surprise as he scuffed it wide from close range. But the wastefulness was to prevail and the first half ended nil all, leaving both teams with all to play for in the second 45 minutes, right?

Wrong. The final 45 minutes proved to be an even more lacklustre affair than the first, with only Rossi providing anything in the way of a highlight. The former Roma, Newcastle and Manchester United star cut in excellently from the right, leaving Ruben Perez and Alberto Lopo for dead, and with only the keeper to beat, and seemingly all the time in the world to do it, the Italian international drilled the ball wide using his laces.

To encapsulate how low on entertainment the game was, the most animated the stadium got was when Zapata, having cleared the ball with his head, landed on his back and remained on the ground while play continued. When Cani called for the home side to put the ball out of play the supposed sperm donors within the home stands became livid and rose to their feet in defiance of such sportsmanship. In fairness to them, when Zapata finally did make it off the pitch the Colombian made a miraculously fast recovery and was gestured emphatically for the ref to allow him back on within seconds.

The clash ended as it began, with neither team making their desired dent on the league table. If only the fruits of Getafe's baby boom could produce some inspiring players to help out with things in southern Madrid.

Getafe vs Villarreal preview

Tomorrow evening sees Getafe play host to Villarreal, as the action in La Liga resumes after the two week-long, internationally imposed break. Both teams have started this year's campaign quite disappointingly, currently sitting 17th and 12th respectively, and need to start making amends to two impatient sets of supports.

Previous encounters in the Coliseum Alfonso Perez favour the home side, with Getafe managing to sink (rather than merely submerge) the Yellow Submarine on the last two occasions. However, this time round Luis Garcia's wafer thin squad seems to be even more diminished than usual: New signing Masilela is out, Lacen is suspended while Pedro Leon and Moya are both out through injury.

So regardless of what recent history tells us, "El Geta's" chances at home don't look too promising this time, which may finally sound the alarm bells in president, Angel Torres Sanchez's boardroom. With only one victory in the last five league games, where the other four results have been losses, surely time is beginning to run out for Luis Garcia, and he may find himself joining Michael Laudrup on the Spain's managerial scrap heap sooner rather than later.

Their 3-2 loss to Malaga before the international break has been a particular bone of contention for the fans, mainly due to the nature with which they threw away a valuable away point in injury time, albeit to an unquestionably fantastic Julio "The Beast" Baptista bicycle kick. They switched off towards the end against Espanyol as well earlier this season, costing them yet another away point.

Meanwhile, Juan Carlos Garrido is by no means without his own critics. Having ending last season so positively and being referred to as the best team in La Liga outside of Barca and Real, so far this season has been a woeful. Admittedly being quite unlucky to be drawn against Manchester City, Napoli and Bayern Munich in this year's Champion's League "Group of Death", the Castilian outfit looks to be on course to be the first dead member of the four, having already lost to Bayern and fellow underdogs of the group, Napoli. Domestically things didn't get off to the perfect start either, after receiving a 5-0 thumping on the opening day against Barcelona.

This has caused some sections of the support to question the Valencian's capability to control things, with some wanting a change of management.

Despite the rash nature of such calls to oust the manager, Garrido accepts the fans frustration, saying, "We have to be receptive to criticism and know that if we are asked to give more it's because the fans know we are capable of giving much more."

Poor start aside, Villarreal have shown signs of improving of late. Although only managing draws in their last two encounters, with Athletic Bilboa and Zaragoza, they more resembled the team who qualified for the Champion's League last year.

One point of concern for Villarreal are the injuries sustained by both Nilmar and Marco Ruben, meaning that Jose Mato, aka Joselu will get his first league start for the team. The youngster arrives to the top flight having already shown his credentials in the second division, where, with Real Madrid, he was joint top goal scorer last year.

Getafe's Albert Lopo announced yesterday that neither side deserved to be in the positions they both currently find themselves in. In a press conference he said, “Villarreal and Getafe are two teams, for the quality of their squads and style of football don't deserve to be where they are. But every team only looks out for its own interests, and on Saturday we face each other. We have to dig deep; Villarreal is a very good side with great players."

Let's see tomorrow who can escape with their dignity intact as both teams will be gunning to take all three points.

Low Standard. High Hopes.

The Rugby World Cup is in full swing and so far Declan Kidney's men have provided plenty of heroics to wet the Irish appetite. National pride, from a sporting perspective it seems, is something the IRFU has found itself restoring with very little help from elsewhere. Although the GAA has produced some cracking encounters and fine athletes in recent years, in terms of "exportable" sporting performances it's the fellas with the oval shaped ball who have been by far the most inspirational to watch. An honourable mention must also go to the three medals won for boxing during the Beijing Olympics three years ago, least we forget.

So what about the other lot? The soccer crowd? Well, believe it or not the FAI is still a registered company and every now and again a squad of players still meets up to represent Ireland in the international matches. 

Maybe I'm being slightly harsh. The Carling Nations Cup is legitimate silverware, which Giovanni Trapattoni's men can be proud of. However, on a grander scale the Irish sporting public would rather travel further than within ferry distance to see the Boys in Green compete in tournament football. And let's face it,    

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are not exactly the type of teams young boys dream about beating growing up.

Qualification has been the major stumbling block in the past few campaigns. Actual tournaments (Nations Cup not included) have been scarce for a while now - the Japan/Korea World Cup being the last time an Irish team has participated in one. Since that wonderful summer over 9 years ago (when only a penalty shoot out against a strong Spanish side saw our boys packing) further attempts to make the cut have been quashed by among other things: poor managerial appointments (Stan for Kerr will always remain a low point), woeful performances against lesser teams (5-2 away to Cyprus still doesn't sound right) and (depending who you talk to) the last minute decision from UEFA/Monsieur Platini to seed the playoffs to the last World Cup, leaving a difficult two legger against France - and we all know what happen there don't we, Mr Henry?

On the topic of hand to ball sports, rugby's dominance over the Irish public's imagination has overshadowed the fact that Ireland's period of international football tournament exile may be drawing to a close. While anyone who has been following the road to Poland and Ukraine Euro 2012 won't necessarily be brimming with excitement, by what has been a particularly flat campaign, Group B finds itself wide open. With only two games remaining, qualification (or at least a playoff place) is a real possibility.

Russia, with a two point cushion at the summit of the group, have a difficult trip away to Slovakia tonight, who they have already lost to, thanks to a Miroslav Stoch strike. And without star striker Kerzhakov (currently out due to an ankle injury) Dick Advocaat faces a formidable challenge in defeating this resplendent Slovak side, who have all to play for tonight to ensure their summer plans don't involve avoiding tv screens in the south of Spain or elsewhere. A Russian and Irish victory tonight would crush any Slovak hopes of qualifying, so a cagey affair is to be expected in Zilina.

Ireland's last goal came back in June in a 2-0 friendly victory against Italy when Simon Cox scored in the last minute. Since then 270 minutes of football have been played without the necessity for either Ireland or their opponents to pick the ball out from the back of their respective nets: the last three encounters against the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Russia have produced no goals. 

Quite an ominious sign for a team hoping to prove itself on the European stage next summer. But tonight, an away trip to Pyrenees to face Andorra, should see a return to scoring form for the currently placed second team in group B. 

A suspended Richard Dunne is the only notable absentee in what should be a simple three pointer. Trapattoni will be, and should be, looking to do more than just take the spoils after the last two particularly disheartening performances. Solidity in all areas and the ability to retain possession and move the ball around need to be worked on. 

Obviously victory against the Andorans shouldn't give any respectable national team a world beating mentality, but a convincing display tonight ought to spur the Irish on ahead of their last game in the group against Armenia next Wednesday. 

The Armenians, having schooled Slovakia with a 3-1 win last month, are by no means pushovers and also stand a chance of qualifying. Currently they lay one point adrift of the Irish with a tally of 14 and, depending on other results, could view their impending journey to Dublin as a potential clincher. 

The Aviva stadium will watch on expectantly next week regardless of tonight's result, nonetheless a strong display in their penultimate encounter should settle Irish nerves heading into the last day. 

Here's hoping for some Irish newspaper column inches being spared tomorrow morning for some celebratory non-rugby coverage.