BLAUGRANA
08-30-2002, 03:55 PM
This one from CNN.com:
Spanish Team-by-Team Prospectus
Posted: Wednesday August 28, 2002 10:47 AM
Prospects for the 20 teams in the Spanish first division ahead of the 2002/03 season, which starts on the weekend of August 31/September 1 (last season's final position in brackets):
VALENCIA (2001-2002 final ranking: 1st)
The reigning champions face an uphill task if they are to make a successful defense of the title they won for the first time in 31 years last season.
With the experienced Santiago Canizares in goal and Argentine international Roberto Ayala marshalling the back four, the defense promises to be as resilient as ever, but the team looks desperately short of firepower upfront.
Coach Rafael Benitez relied on the impressive midfield combination of Ruben Baraja and Pablo Aimar to supply the key goals in last season's triumphant run-in, but he must be praying that one of his out-of-favour strikers finally hits form this term.
With no major new recruits the demands of Champions League participation are likely to take their toll.
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (2)
The Galician side, who have finished second in each of the two seasons since taking their first championship in 2000, have long since shed their underdog tag and will be one of the title favorites.
The signing of Paraguayan international midfielder Roberto Acuna and young Portuguese defender Jorge Andrade look to be astute additions to what is already the most well-balanced outfit in the league.
And with the classy Juan Carlos Valeron providing the link between a durable midfield and the dangerous frontmen Diego Tristan and Roy Makaay, Javier Irureta's side are sure to be in the running for more silverware.
REAL MADRID (3)
Even though the heavily-hyped addition of World Cup winner Ronaldo to the glittering Real squad appears to have fallen through, the presence of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and Raul in the line-up makes for intimidating reading.
With an attack-minded midfield and a strike partnership of Raul and Fernando Morientes -- with promising young forward Javier Portillo waiting in the wings -- goals are guaranteed but question marks remain over the defense.
Veteran centre-back Fernando Hierro is still the cornerstone of the back four, but he struggles against nippy opposition strikers while the departure of Cameroon international Geremi and Aitor Karanka has left the European champions short of cover at the back.
The success of Real's season is likely to hinge on whether Figo, who disappointed last term, is able to recover his appetite for the game.
BARCELONA (4)
A third season without silverware has led to a major shake-up at the Nou Camp that has seen the return of Dutch coach Louis van Gaal and the departure of Brazilian Rivaldo.
Van Gaal's rigorous methods will be a sharp contrast to the relaxed regime of Carles Rexach, but a firm hand looks to be the order of the day for a club that has badly under-performed in recent seasons.
Experienced defenders Abelardo and Sergi headed a long list of departures, but the mercurial Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and the workman-like Gaizka Mendieta are appetizing recruits.
Although the individual brilliance of Rivaldo will be missed, Barca have the look of a better-balanced team and are more than capable of snatching the title.
CELTA VIGO (5)
The Celta squad remains essentially the same as last season apart from the departure of influential Russian midfielder Valery Karpin and the arrival of Jose Ignacio from relegated Real Zaragoza. But the major change for the Galicians is on the coaching front. The highly rated Victor Fernandez leaves after four seasons and is replaced by former Osasuna boss Miguel Angel Lotina.
The big question is whether Lotina, who has become a specialist in relegation dog-fights, will be able to bring out the best from the talented squad which will should be targeting Champions League qualification.
REAL BETIS (6)
Given his reputation as an exponent of the attractive attacking football, Betis fans will be expecting big things from new coach Victor Fernandez. The former Celta boss certainly has one of the most exciting squads of young players at his disposal.
The attack has been spiced up with the return of former crowd favorite Alfonso on loan from Barcelona while the addition of the powerful Brazilian Marcos Assuncao from Roma should add weight to the midfield.
With the speedy wingers Joaquin and Denilson on the flanks, Betis will look to go one step further than last season and make the Champions League.
ALAVES (7)
The modest Basque club, who stormed to the final of the UEFA Cup two seasons ago, have made it into Europe once more. But down-to-earth coach Jose Manuel Esnal, known as Mane, will probably be more concerned at consolidating their position in the first division.
Former Spanish international defender Abelardo and French keeper Richard Dutruel have joined on frees from Barcelona, but the team may find itself struggling to find the net unless striker Ruben Navarro can rediscover his form.
SEVILLA (8)
Sevilla surprised many by staying well clear of the relegation zone in their first season back in the top flight, but Joaquin Caparros's team have proved they have the determination and quality to stay up. A crop of classy young local players led by the impressive Jose Antonio Reyes has been bolstered by the addition of experienced midfielders Vinny Samways and Marcos Vales.
ATHLETIC BILBAO (9)
After a promising start late season inconsistency torpedoed the historic club's hopes of a return to Europe. The only notable addition to the all-Basque squad is central defender Aitor Karanka, who returns to his old club after five years at Real Madrid.
Striker Ismael Urzaiz finally opted to accept a contract renewal and should be ably supported by promising young midfielders Tiko, Pablo Orbaiz and Francisco Yeste.
MALAGA (10)
Little change at Malaga, who will once again rely on a combination of the shrewd tactical guidance of coach Joaquin Peiro and the combative strike pairing of Dario Silva and Dely Valdes to help them fulfil their aim of achieving a top half finish.
RAYO VALLECANO (11)
Under the guidance of Gregorio Manzano Rayo staged a near-miraculous late-season recovery to avoid relegation last term, but the studious Andalucian has now decamped to Mallorca. Successor Fernando Vazquez has limited resources to work with and avoiding the drop will be a major success for the humble Madrid-based club.
VALLADOLID (12)
Cash-strapped Valladolid have no resources left for new recruits and the departure of terrier-like forward Tote, his strike partner Luis Garcia and the classy midfielder Fernando after spells on loan will be a severe blow to their chances of retaining their top-flight status. Veteran midfielder Eusebio Sacristan, who has retired after nine seasons at the club, will also be sorely missed.
REAL SOCIEDAD (13)
Despite possessing an undeniably talented squad Real have spent most of the last three seasons fighting off the threat of relegation. After a string of unsuccessful signings in recent years they will be pinning their hopes on the arrival of new coach Raynald Denoueix from Nantes and the return of experienced Russian midfielder Valery Karpin.
ESPANYOL (14)
New coach Juande Ramos, who had very successful spells at Rayo and Betis, has a reputation for making the most of his resources and looks to be the ideal candidate to take over the reins of the Catalan club.
There has been plenty of movement on the playing staff with forwards Enrique De Lucas and Paco Palencia and defender Pablo Rotchen among those who have left. On-loan Yugoslav striker Savo Milosevic will team up with Raul Tamudo to lead the attack, while former French international Alain Boghossian should add experience to the midfield.
VILLARREAL (15)
Although Victor Munoz's side have been strengthened with the arrival of Brazilian defender Belletti and former Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Manuel Reina, they will need to resolve their problems up front and hope for more from a fully-fit Martin Palermo if they are not to be drawn into the messy battle to avoid relegation.
REAL MALLORCA (16)
The Balearic islanders will be desperate to avoid a repetition of last season's traumatic near-relegation experience. After going through three coaches last season the club have opted for the steady hand of Gregorio Manzano.
The former Rayo boss will be relying on Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o to shoulder the burden in attack, while he will be hoping for big things from Argentine midfielder Ariel Ibagaza who returns after missing most of last season through injury.
OSASUNA (17)
Former Mexico coach Javier Aguirre takes over at the Pamplona-based club who have done well to avoid the drop for the last two seasons. Aguirre brings with him Mexican internationals Manuel Vidrio (defender) and Carlos Ochoa (forward), who have signed season-long loan deals with the club. Uruguayan international Pablo Garcia has also been recruited to strengthen the midfield. A mid-table finish would be a major success.
ATLETICO MADRID (champions, division two)
Despite their much-publicized financial problems Atletico have been amongst the league's biggest spenders with nine major new recruits to a team that returns to the top flight after spending two seasons in the second division wilderness.
President Jesus Gil shelled out an estimated $19 million to bring striker Javi Moreno and Brazilian midfielder Emerson from AC Milan and Deportivo, while loan deals have brought in Jose Mari, Demetrio Albertini and Fabricio Coloccini from the Serie A club.
But the new signings will have to gel quickly if the club are to match the ambitious plans of their president. Wily coach Luis Aragones has tried to tone down talk of a return to the first division elite by saying that survival is the priority this season.
RACING SANTANDER (second, division two)
Racing will have their work cut out if they are to avoid a rapid return to division two. Israeli internationals Yossi Benayoun and Ilan Bechar are the club's two major signings, but the squad has a lightweight feel to it.
RECREATIVO HUELVA (third, division two)
Recreativo, Spain's oldest established club, are back in the first division for only the second time in their history. The last time they were promoted in 1978 they went straight back down and despite a string of bargain basement signings it will take a minor miracle for them to avoid the same fate this time out.
Spanish Team-by-Team Prospectus
Posted: Wednesday August 28, 2002 10:47 AM
Prospects for the 20 teams in the Spanish first division ahead of the 2002/03 season, which starts on the weekend of August 31/September 1 (last season's final position in brackets):
VALENCIA (2001-2002 final ranking: 1st)
The reigning champions face an uphill task if they are to make a successful defense of the title they won for the first time in 31 years last season.
With the experienced Santiago Canizares in goal and Argentine international Roberto Ayala marshalling the back four, the defense promises to be as resilient as ever, but the team looks desperately short of firepower upfront.
Coach Rafael Benitez relied on the impressive midfield combination of Ruben Baraja and Pablo Aimar to supply the key goals in last season's triumphant run-in, but he must be praying that one of his out-of-favour strikers finally hits form this term.
With no major new recruits the demands of Champions League participation are likely to take their toll.
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (2)
The Galician side, who have finished second in each of the two seasons since taking their first championship in 2000, have long since shed their underdog tag and will be one of the title favorites.
The signing of Paraguayan international midfielder Roberto Acuna and young Portuguese defender Jorge Andrade look to be astute additions to what is already the most well-balanced outfit in the league.
And with the classy Juan Carlos Valeron providing the link between a durable midfield and the dangerous frontmen Diego Tristan and Roy Makaay, Javier Irureta's side are sure to be in the running for more silverware.
REAL MADRID (3)
Even though the heavily-hyped addition of World Cup winner Ronaldo to the glittering Real squad appears to have fallen through, the presence of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and Raul in the line-up makes for intimidating reading.
With an attack-minded midfield and a strike partnership of Raul and Fernando Morientes -- with promising young forward Javier Portillo waiting in the wings -- goals are guaranteed but question marks remain over the defense.
Veteran centre-back Fernando Hierro is still the cornerstone of the back four, but he struggles against nippy opposition strikers while the departure of Cameroon international Geremi and Aitor Karanka has left the European champions short of cover at the back.
The success of Real's season is likely to hinge on whether Figo, who disappointed last term, is able to recover his appetite for the game.
BARCELONA (4)
A third season without silverware has led to a major shake-up at the Nou Camp that has seen the return of Dutch coach Louis van Gaal and the departure of Brazilian Rivaldo.
Van Gaal's rigorous methods will be a sharp contrast to the relaxed regime of Carles Rexach, but a firm hand looks to be the order of the day for a club that has badly under-performed in recent seasons.
Experienced defenders Abelardo and Sergi headed a long list of departures, but the mercurial Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and the workman-like Gaizka Mendieta are appetizing recruits.
Although the individual brilliance of Rivaldo will be missed, Barca have the look of a better-balanced team and are more than capable of snatching the title.
CELTA VIGO (5)
The Celta squad remains essentially the same as last season apart from the departure of influential Russian midfielder Valery Karpin and the arrival of Jose Ignacio from relegated Real Zaragoza. But the major change for the Galicians is on the coaching front. The highly rated Victor Fernandez leaves after four seasons and is replaced by former Osasuna boss Miguel Angel Lotina.
The big question is whether Lotina, who has become a specialist in relegation dog-fights, will be able to bring out the best from the talented squad which will should be targeting Champions League qualification.
REAL BETIS (6)
Given his reputation as an exponent of the attractive attacking football, Betis fans will be expecting big things from new coach Victor Fernandez. The former Celta boss certainly has one of the most exciting squads of young players at his disposal.
The attack has been spiced up with the return of former crowd favorite Alfonso on loan from Barcelona while the addition of the powerful Brazilian Marcos Assuncao from Roma should add weight to the midfield.
With the speedy wingers Joaquin and Denilson on the flanks, Betis will look to go one step further than last season and make the Champions League.
ALAVES (7)
The modest Basque club, who stormed to the final of the UEFA Cup two seasons ago, have made it into Europe once more. But down-to-earth coach Jose Manuel Esnal, known as Mane, will probably be more concerned at consolidating their position in the first division.
Former Spanish international defender Abelardo and French keeper Richard Dutruel have joined on frees from Barcelona, but the team may find itself struggling to find the net unless striker Ruben Navarro can rediscover his form.
SEVILLA (8)
Sevilla surprised many by staying well clear of the relegation zone in their first season back in the top flight, but Joaquin Caparros's team have proved they have the determination and quality to stay up. A crop of classy young local players led by the impressive Jose Antonio Reyes has been bolstered by the addition of experienced midfielders Vinny Samways and Marcos Vales.
ATHLETIC BILBAO (9)
After a promising start late season inconsistency torpedoed the historic club's hopes of a return to Europe. The only notable addition to the all-Basque squad is central defender Aitor Karanka, who returns to his old club after five years at Real Madrid.
Striker Ismael Urzaiz finally opted to accept a contract renewal and should be ably supported by promising young midfielders Tiko, Pablo Orbaiz and Francisco Yeste.
MALAGA (10)
Little change at Malaga, who will once again rely on a combination of the shrewd tactical guidance of coach Joaquin Peiro and the combative strike pairing of Dario Silva and Dely Valdes to help them fulfil their aim of achieving a top half finish.
RAYO VALLECANO (11)
Under the guidance of Gregorio Manzano Rayo staged a near-miraculous late-season recovery to avoid relegation last term, but the studious Andalucian has now decamped to Mallorca. Successor Fernando Vazquez has limited resources to work with and avoiding the drop will be a major success for the humble Madrid-based club.
VALLADOLID (12)
Cash-strapped Valladolid have no resources left for new recruits and the departure of terrier-like forward Tote, his strike partner Luis Garcia and the classy midfielder Fernando after spells on loan will be a severe blow to their chances of retaining their top-flight status. Veteran midfielder Eusebio Sacristan, who has retired after nine seasons at the club, will also be sorely missed.
REAL SOCIEDAD (13)
Despite possessing an undeniably talented squad Real have spent most of the last three seasons fighting off the threat of relegation. After a string of unsuccessful signings in recent years they will be pinning their hopes on the arrival of new coach Raynald Denoueix from Nantes and the return of experienced Russian midfielder Valery Karpin.
ESPANYOL (14)
New coach Juande Ramos, who had very successful spells at Rayo and Betis, has a reputation for making the most of his resources and looks to be the ideal candidate to take over the reins of the Catalan club.
There has been plenty of movement on the playing staff with forwards Enrique De Lucas and Paco Palencia and defender Pablo Rotchen among those who have left. On-loan Yugoslav striker Savo Milosevic will team up with Raul Tamudo to lead the attack, while former French international Alain Boghossian should add experience to the midfield.
VILLARREAL (15)
Although Victor Munoz's side have been strengthened with the arrival of Brazilian defender Belletti and former Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Manuel Reina, they will need to resolve their problems up front and hope for more from a fully-fit Martin Palermo if they are not to be drawn into the messy battle to avoid relegation.
REAL MALLORCA (16)
The Balearic islanders will be desperate to avoid a repetition of last season's traumatic near-relegation experience. After going through three coaches last season the club have opted for the steady hand of Gregorio Manzano.
The former Rayo boss will be relying on Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o to shoulder the burden in attack, while he will be hoping for big things from Argentine midfielder Ariel Ibagaza who returns after missing most of last season through injury.
OSASUNA (17)
Former Mexico coach Javier Aguirre takes over at the Pamplona-based club who have done well to avoid the drop for the last two seasons. Aguirre brings with him Mexican internationals Manuel Vidrio (defender) and Carlos Ochoa (forward), who have signed season-long loan deals with the club. Uruguayan international Pablo Garcia has also been recruited to strengthen the midfield. A mid-table finish would be a major success.
ATLETICO MADRID (champions, division two)
Despite their much-publicized financial problems Atletico have been amongst the league's biggest spenders with nine major new recruits to a team that returns to the top flight after spending two seasons in the second division wilderness.
President Jesus Gil shelled out an estimated $19 million to bring striker Javi Moreno and Brazilian midfielder Emerson from AC Milan and Deportivo, while loan deals have brought in Jose Mari, Demetrio Albertini and Fabricio Coloccini from the Serie A club.
But the new signings will have to gel quickly if the club are to match the ambitious plans of their president. Wily coach Luis Aragones has tried to tone down talk of a return to the first division elite by saying that survival is the priority this season.
RACING SANTANDER (second, division two)
Racing will have their work cut out if they are to avoid a rapid return to division two. Israeli internationals Yossi Benayoun and Ilan Bechar are the club's two major signings, but the squad has a lightweight feel to it.
RECREATIVO HUELVA (third, division two)
Recreativo, Spain's oldest established club, are back in the first division for only the second time in their history. The last time they were promoted in 1978 they went straight back down and despite a string of bargain basement signings it will take a minor miracle for them to avoid the same fate this time out.