Saturday, October 27, 2012

THE 2012/2013 FOOTBALL SEASON: SPANISH PRIMERA DIVISIÓN CONTENDERS


                                                                                                  

 

 

 

This work is an analysis of the first tier football league in Spain. The basis for this analysis is to have a prediction of the teams that would have a top 5 league table placement at the end of the season. This prediction will be achieved via the CONTENDERS RATING SCALE.

Having had a thorough analysis of the last 5 seasons of the Spanish La Liga in the aforesaid link, it was projected that the 5 teams that are more likely to have a top 5 league table placement at the end of the 2012/13 La Liga season are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Sevilla FC and Valencia. To have an in-depth understanding of how these teams were arrived at, please click the link, Contenders Rating Scale above.

*Related works -        

 SPANISH PRIMERA DIVISION CONTENDERS RATING SCALE

 

 THE 2012/2013 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE CONTENDERS FOOTBALL SEASON

 

  THE 2012/2013 FRENCH LIGUE 1 CONTENDERS

                                    

In this work, we will discuss all 5 Contenders, highlighting the inbound and outbound transfers made by them.

Lastly, we will discuss the projected final table placement of these Contenders.


 


 REAL MADRID 



Having won the 2011/12 SPANISH PRIMERA DIVISIÓN (LA LIGA) SEASON, Real Madrid is the defending champions. Inclusive of the 2011/12 La Liga season success, Real Madrid have won a total of 32 league titles which makes them the most successful team in the Spanish Primera División. The 2011/12 La Liga success of Real Madrid was the first time the Madrid based club won the league in 4 years.

Presently, Real Madrid is having a slow start to the current campaign which has got the club placed in 5th place with 11 points from 7 matches and 8 points behind regular Barcelona. But due to this slow start, it will be a mistake by anyone to write-off the Madrid club from having a top 5 finish and most importantly winning the league.

Lastly, with Cristiano Ronaldo in the team, the needed goals to get Real Madrid on course for another season success is guaranteed though Real Madrid will as usual be in stiff competition with Barcelona as both teams have been the major Contenders of the Spanish Primera División.

These stated, will the 2012/13 season be a second consecutive triumph for Real Madrid? Find out at the end of this work.
*Facts

i.          Real Madrid has won the Spanish Primera División 32 times.

ii.         In the last 5 seasons (2007/08 - 2011/12), Real Madrid has had a top 5 finish 5 times.

2012/2013 REAL MADRID TRANSFER LIST

IN (CLUB PURCHASED OR “LOANED” FROM):

Luka Modric (Tottenham Hotspurs)

Michael Essien (Chelsea “Loan”)

OUT (CLUB SOLD OR “LOANED” TO)

Canales (Valencia), Joselu (Hoffenheim)

Nuri Sahin (Liverpool “Loan”)

Esteban Granero (QPR)

Lassana Diarra (Anzhi Makhachkala)

Daniel Carvajal (Leverkusen)

Hamit Altintop (Galatasaray)

Fernando Gago (Valencia)  


Entry and Exit Transfer Pick:

Luka MODRIĆ


Modrić is a Croatian international signed from English Premier League club, Tottenham Hotspur. Before joining Tottenham in 2008, he played for Dynamo Zagreb and was very instrumental while with the club, though he had 2 loan spells to Zrinjski Mostar and Inter Zapresic in the 2003/04 and 2004/05 seasons respectively.

Having had in the last two years, a transfer request turned down by his former club, Modrić’s move to Real Madrid must have had him delighted to have a move scaled through. Rgis is due to the fact that prequel to the 2011/12 season, he was in a long exit battle with his former club (Tottenham) but due to his immense influence and impact on the pitch, Tottenham were not keen on letting their most priced asses go, irrespective of the amount of money put forward by interested clubs. Most notably was the turn down of the initially £22 million and subsequent bid of £27 million by Chelsea football club. 

Now a Real Madrid sequel to Tottenham’s “reluctant sale”, Modrić is expected to have a significant impact in the team as his passes and sublime ability to create chances will be very instrumental to Cristiano Ronaldo continuing his goal spraying prowess

Though not a regular scorer, his brilliance at scoring at vital moments will be an added plus to Real Madrid having a terrific season.

     
Lassana DIARRA


Having spent 4 seasons at Real Madrid, precisely from the 2008/09 season to the 2011/12 season, Diarra no doubt had a decent 4 years with the Madrid club. While in the colours of Real Madrid he played 19, 23, 26 and 17 times in the 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons respectively (Wikipedia.com).

Before playing for Real Madrid, Diarra played for Portsmouth, Arsenal, Chelsea and Le Havre. Le Havre was his first club as a professional footballer while Portsmouth was last club before joining the Madrid club.
There is no better description of Diarra’s style of plan but that put forward by Wikipedia as thus, “Diarra has unusually good ball control for a defensive midfielder and has been praised for his physical strength in defense. Due to his versatility, Madrid’s La Sexta television commentators refer to him as a ‘todocampista’ or ‘jack of all trades’” 

Diarra played two matches for Real Madrid in the current campaign before bidding goodbye to the club to join Russian club, Anzhi Makhachkala. 


 

 FC BARCELONA
 
In the last four years, Barcelona was undoubtedly the best football club in Europe and the world. This magnificent high flying rating is due to the phenomenal achievement they achieved, comprising both local and international triumphs. Locally, the club won the La Liga 3 times in the first four years of Josep “Pep” Guardiola in charge but in the 2011/12 season, Real Madrid stole the show, winning the league.

But nothing can be taken from the fact that the 2008/09 – 10/11 seasons were 5 star for the catalan club, especially 2009 when they unprecedentedly had the sextuplet, wining all competitions/trophies they participated in and as thus, 14 trophies in all in the four years of Guardiola in charge.

Though the 2011/12 season was the least triumphant in all 4 years under the tutelage of Guardiola, his exit from the club deserved the celebration it graced as it granted him his final trophy (copa del Rey) of his sojourn term in charge of the club.

With Guardiola not in charge and his then assistant, Tito Vilanova now at the helm of affairs, I foresee Barcelona having a much better season than the 2011/12 season. Currently Barcelona is in first place on the league table placement with 19 points which makes them 8 points ahead of their biggest rival, Real Madrid.

In addition, with 3 time world footballer of the year, Lionel Messi in the club, nothing but the best is expected from Barcelona.

*Facts

i.          Barcelona has won the Spanish Primera División 21 times.

ii.         In the last 5 seasons (2007/08 - 2011/12), Barcelona has had a top 5 finish 5times.

2012/2013 FC BARCELONA TRANSFER LIST…

IN (CLUB PURCHASED OR “LOANED” FROM):
Jordi Alba (Barcelona)

Alex Song (Arsenal)


OUT (CLUB SOLD OR “LOANED” TO)

Seydou Keita (Dalian Aerbin)

Ibrahim Afellay  (Schalke “Loan”)


Entry and Exit Transfer Pick:
     
Alex SONG

Alex Song’s exit from Arsenal to Barcelona is one that got many followers of the beautiful game shocked as it was one no one saw coming. While at Arsenal, precisely in the last 2 seasons, he established himself as not just a rugged, strong and intelligent defensive midfielder but a sublime passer of the ball, as he had a remarkable 11 assists to his name in the English premier league.

Prior to joining Arsenal, Song played for Bastia. Since joining Arsenal at the age of 17, he has over the time evolved to be a world class midfielder that could fit into any team, which primarily accounts for the reason behind Barcelona poached him from Arsenal.

Now in the colours of Barcelona, un the colours of a new club with a new manager, it is expected that Song will be an added vibe and rhythm to Barcelona claiming the La Liga title from Real Madrid, added to winning other trophies.

     
Seydou KEITA 

       
Seydou Keita is a Malian international that spent 4 years with Barcelona before leaving prior to the start of the 2012/13 season. Brilliantly, his sojourn with the club was during the triumphant years when Pep Guardiola was in charge.

Having spent a remarkable season with Seville in the 2007/08 season, then Barcelona coach, Josep “Pep” Guardiola signed him. 

In the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Nigeria in 1999, irrespective of Mali having a third place finish in the tourney, Keita recorded a sublime performance that got him bagging the Golden Ball award.

According to Wikipedia, while at Barcelona, Keita recorded 119 league appearances and scored 16 league goals. A handful of these games were as a substitute.

No doubt, his exit to Chinese Super League Club, Dalian Aerbin was a big surprise. This is because according to http://www.dailymail.co.uk, Liverpool was keen of signing him.

Among the many trophies won in his 4 trophy-full years with Barcelona are 3 La Liga, 2 UEFA Champions League, 2 FIFA Club World Cups and 2 UEFA Super Cups titles. 

Keita definitely paid his dues to the club and as such will be greatly felt by the Barcelona faithful.


 

 VALENCIA CF    



Valencia CF is a football club based in Valencia. Valencia CF has won the Spanish La Liga title 6 times, with the last title won in the 2003/04 season. But ever since then, the Valencia based club has had a consistent top 5 season placement, most notably the 2009/10. 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons which had the club finishing the league in 3rd place in all years mentioned.  

Currently having a slow start to the current campaign, as evident in the club being placed in 14th position with 8 points from 7 matches, Valencia will certainly not be pushovers for a top 5 season finish. 

*Facts

i.          Valencia has won the Spanish Primera División 6 times.

ii.         In the last 5 seasons (2007/08 - 2011/12), Valencia has had a top 5 finish 3 times.

2012/2013 VALENCIA TRANSFER LIST…

IN (CLUB PURCHASED OR “LOANED” FROM):

Sergio Canales (Real Madrid)

Aly Cissokho (Lyon)

Haedo Valdéz (Rubin “Loan”)

Fernando Gago (Real Madrid)  

Jonathan Viera (UD Las Palmas)

Joao Pereira (Sporting)

Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna)

OUT (CLUB SOLD OR “LOANED” TO)

Jordi Alba (Barcelona)

Aritz Aduriz Zubeldia (Bilbao)

Alejandro Dominguez (Rayo Vallecano)

Míchel (Levante)

Mehmet Topal (Fenerbahçe)

Paco Alcácer (Getafe “Loan”)

Pablo Hernández (Swansea City)

Entry and Exit Transfer Pick:

   Sergio CANALES

According to Wikipedia, having impressed in the 2009/10 season which happened to be his second year at Racing Santander, Canales got signed by Real Madrid from Racing Santander. Subsequently on 16 February, 2010, Real Madrid announced as thus “Real Madrid and Racing Club Santander have reached a deal for the transfer of player Sergio Canales Madrazo. The contract will take effect as of 1 July 2010 and will keep Canales at Real Madrid for the next six seasons‘’. (Wikepedia.com)

Though, he did not see off his contract with Real Madrid, his exit to Valencia is a move well executed as he will have more playing time and effect in jis new club, Valencia CF.

    Jordi ALBA

 
Jordi Alba’s exit to Barcelona has got him united with his childhood club. According to Wikipedia, the 23 year old had his youth career with Barcelona between 1998–2005 seasons. With three seasons in the colours of Valencia, having a commanding presence in the squad, notably in the last two years, as apparent in his 26 and 32 league appearance from a possible 36 appearance, Alba is one talent to be well missed and his exit to Barcelona is somewhat of a big blow to Valencia as they proceed with their quest to end the season on a high like they did consecutively in the last three seasons with a third place finish.




SEVILLA


    
According to Wikipedia.com, Sevilla have competed 67 seasons in the First Division and 13 in Second, a record which places it as the seventh-best team in the history of Spanish league football. This feat adds credence to the fact that Sevilla has enjoyed a phenomenon consistency in the Spanish top flight and a club to reckon with season in, season out. 

In addition, “they were designated by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics as the best club in the World in 2006 and 2007, currently the only team that has achieved this distinction in consecutive years” (Wikipedia.com). 

Though Sevilla has won the Spanish Primera División once, its consistency of performance in the last 5 years with regards to having a top 5 finish in the top flight league is the root reason I will give them the nod to end the season on a high.

Sevilla last won the La Liga title 66 years ago (1945/46 season), the only time it has won the league in its history but their international recognition and ability to record a remarkable reckoning in the first tier football division in Spain has got the current campaign one not to rule out, with regards to them having a top 5 finish. 

In 7 matches played so far in the current campaign (2012/2013 season), Sevilla is placed in 7th position with 11 points.

Irrespective of the season being young for one to arrive at a conclusion, it is pertinent to point out that this commendable start is the right vibes to grant them a good final table placement in the current campaign.  

*Facts                                            

i.          Sevilla has won the Spanish Primera División once.

ii.         In the last 5 seasons (2007/08 - 2011/12), Sevilla has had a top 5 finish twice 4 times.

2012/2013 SEVILLA TRANSFER LIST

IN (CLUB PURCHASED OR “LOANED” FROM):

Diego Lopez (Villarreal)

Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia)

Geoffrey Kondogbia (RC Lens)

Cicinho (Palmeiras)

Alberto Botia (Real Sporting “Loan”)

Bryan Rabello (Colo Colo)

Matilla (Betis “Loan”) 

Bernardo Espinosa (Racing “Returning from Loan”)


OUT (CLUB SOLD OR “LOANED” TO)

Fred Kanouté (Beijing Guoan FC)

Javi Varas (Celta Vigo “Loan”)

Romaric (Zaragoza)

Arouna Kone (Levante)

Alexis Ruano (GetafeLoan)

Deivid (UD Las Palmas)

Emiliano Armenteros (Osasuna)

Tiberio Guarente (Bologna F.C. “Loan”)

Julien Escude (Beskitas)

Romaric (Real Zaragoza)

Luis Alberto (FC Barcelona B “Loan”)

Entry and Exit Transfer Pick

Hedwiges MADURO


Hedwiges Maduro is a central defender of Netherlands origin. He joined Sevilla from Valencia where he spent 4 years of his professional career outside his native country.

According to Wikipedia.com, Maduro turned down a contract extension with Valencia, choosing to join Sevilla as a free agent. Prior to joining Valencia, he played for Ajax.

With this decision made, it is expected that he will have an immensely impact with the club.  

Frédéric Oumar KANOUTÉ
 
The exit of Kanouté to Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan is one that Sevilla will definitely miss due to how well he immensely paid his dues during his sojourn, spanning 7 years with the club. 

Kanouté, a French born descent of Mali was named the 2007 African Footballer of the Year, the first player born outside Africa to win the award (Wikipedia).

Prior to plating for Sevilla, Kanouté kicked off his career with Lyon in France. Afterwards, he moved to West Ham, then Tottenham. After a spell at Tottenham Hotspur, Kanouté moved to Spanish club Sevilla where he won two consecutive UEFA Cups in the 2006 and 2007. 

Following the exit of Frédéric Oumar Kanouté, his wealth of experience will be greatly missed by Sevilla.


 
 ATLETICO MADRID     




Atlético Madrid have won La Liga nine times, though they last won the league in the 1995/96 season. However, Atletico have in the last three years had a successful campaign in Europe, This is precisely the UEFA EUROPA Cup in which they won the competition in the 2009/10 and the 2011/12 seasons. In addition, they already have a trophy in this campaign, courtesy the overwhelmingly shocking 4-1 drubbing over Chelsea that was inspired by a Falcao hat-trick. 

With such an overwhelming performance, Atletico Madrid definitely got the right boost to ensure they end the 2012/13 campaign on a fly. 

Presently with 7 games played so far in the league, Atletico are placed in 2nd place with 19 points, same points with the first placed team, Barcelona. 

*Facts

i.          Atletico Madrid has won the Spanish Primera División 9 times.

ii.         In the last 5 seasons (2007/08 - 2011/12) Atletico Madrid has had a top 5 finish 3 times. 


2012/2013 ATLETICO MADRID TRANSFER LIST…

IN (CLUB PURCHASED OR “LOANED” FROM):

Emre Belezoglu (Fenerbahce)

Cristian Rodriguez (Porto)

Daniel Diaz (Getafe)

Aritz Aduriz (Valencia)

Thibaut Courtois (Atl. Madrid “Loan”)

Antonio López (Mallorca)

Raúl García (Osasuna“Returning from Loan”)

Domingo Cisma (Racing)


OUT (CLUB SOLD OR “LOANED” TO)

Eduardo Salvio (Benfica) 

Rubén Pérez (Betis “Loan)

Iago Herrerín Buisán (Bilbao)

Pizzi (Deportivo “Loan”)

Rubén Micael (Braga “Loan”)

Leandro Cabrera (Hércules “Loan”)

Fran Mérida  (Zaragoza)


Entry and Exit Transfer Pick:

Emre BELEZOGLU 

Emre Belezoglu is a veteran footballer. His vast experience will be a big boost to Atletico Madrid having a terrific season and perhaps one of their best seasons in a long time. Emre has a rich pedigree with a significant role in the clubs he has played for. These clubs include Galatasaray, Internazionale, Newcastle United and most recently before joining Atletico Madrid, Fenerbahçe. 

Also at the international scene, Emre immensely paid his dues. According to Wikipedia.com, Emre featured in the Turkish national team in the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2008. 

Significantly, Pelé named Emre in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations (Wikipedia.com). 

With his acquisition, at 32 years of age, Emre his well grounded with the necessary experience to spur the Atletico Madrid team, on and off the pitch.

Eduardo SALVIO

Eduardo is an Argentine international attacking midfielder. His exit from Atletico Madrid is the second time he is leaving the club for Portuguese club, Benfica. The first one was on a loan deal during the 2010/11 season.

Due to his performance being on a high, according to Wikipedia.com “on 31 July 2012, Benfica and Atlético agreed on Salvio transferring permanently to the Portuguese for five years, for a club record €13.5 million – surpassing the previous record of €13 million paid to FC Barcelona to acquire the services of Simao Sabrosa in 2001.

With such a huge amount spent on Salvio and the club requiring his services on a long term basis proves the immense qualities Salvio has.

2012/13 SPANISH PRIMERA DIVISIÓN FINAL LEAGUE TABLE PLACEMENT 

Having analyzed the 2012/13 Spanish Primera División Contenders, my projection with regards to the placement of these teams is shown in the table below.



From the table above, it is anticipated that at the end of the season, Barcelona will lift the 2012/13 Spanish Primera División. On the other hand, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla will end in the season in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place respectively.
 
This predicted, please take note that out of the 5 Contenders (teams) used in the Spanish Primera División used in this analysis and forecast, 4 are certain to make the top 5 spot which entails that a team other than these 5 Contenders could make the cut, thus replacing one of these teams stated above.

This is my take on final league table placement, so what is yours?


*Related works -        

 SPANISH PRIMERA DIVISION CONTENDERS RATING SCALE

 

 THE 2012/2013 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE CONTENDERS FOOTBALL SEASON

 

  THE 2012/2013 FRENCH LIGUE 1 CONTENDERS

                                    

THE 2011/12 GERMAN 1 BUNDESLIGA CONTENDERS ANALYSIS





 
References:

“Alex Song” Wikipedia 15 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Song>


“Emre Belözoğlu”Wikipedia 15 Oct. 2012< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emre_Bel%C3%B6zo%C4%9Flu


“Eduardo Salvio” Wikipedia 27 Sep. 2012 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Salvio>


“Frédéric Kanouté” Wikipedia 17 Oct. 2012.



“Hedwiges Maduro” Wikipedia 15 Oct. 2012 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedwiges_Maduro>


“Jordi Alba” Wikipedia 15 Oct. 2012. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordi_Alba>


“Keita fuels talks of Anfield move by describing Dalglish’s Reds as ‘great’ Dailymail 1 Mar. 2012. 15 Oct. 2012 <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2108540/Seydou-Keita-fuels-talks-Liverpool.html>

La Liga” Wikipedia 15 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Liga>


Lassana DiarraWikipedia 15 Oct. 2012 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lassana_Diarra>


Luka ModrićWikipedia 15 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luka_Modri%C4%87>


“Sergio Canales” Wikipedia 15 Oct. 2012. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergio_Canales>

Seydou Keita (footballer)Wikipedia 15 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seydou_Keita_%28footballer%29>


“Spanish La Liga Transfers – 2012/2013” Soccernews 17 Oct. 2012




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