LA LIGA THE UGLY
Real Madrid’s march to the La Liga title has not been all plain sailing in 2022 for Carlo Ancelotti with Los Blancos grateful for the points they already have in the bank in domestic action from early in the season. An early Copa del Rey exit, at the hands of Athletic Club, was compounded by a 4-0 El Clasico humbling at home to Xavi’s revitalised Barcelona in March. However, as Ancelotti’s charges have found themselves forced to fight for points, rather than cruise on to wins, they have caused a negative tailspin over coverage. Their 2-1 win away at Celta Vigo was dominated by controversy on the night in Galicia as the visitors were awarded three penalties inside a crazy 90 minutes of action. Karim Benzema converted two spot kicks either side of being denied by Matias Dituro - but the post-game atmosphere was toxic,
‘REAL BETIS AND SEVILLA TEND TO END THE CALENDAR YEAR LIKE A LION BUT BEGIN MARCH FIRMLY TAMED’ Barcelona coach Xavi says Real Madrid do not have the same pressure to play well in every game that his side have. Madrid progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League despite an unconvincing performance in the second leg of their last-eight clash with Chelsea. Xavi feels his side have an obligation to win in style, whereas their rivals can scrape through matches.
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as Celta captain Iago Aspas accused referee Pablo Gonzalez of fixing the result in Real Madrid’s favour. Aspas was left incensed after the game claiming “all Gonzalez needed to do was award a fourth penalty and take it himself”. Rivals railing against Real Madrid is nothing new in Spanish football, as despite having supporters dotted all across the country, they remain symbolic of superiority and a rigged system. Ancelotti brushed off Aspas’ anger, with his trademark indifference to controversy, but the incident left a sour taste on social media, with the other 18 sides offering a collective shoulder shrug in support of Celta. Pro-Real Madrid bias will continue to be the accusation levelled at Ancelotti et al, and while it is ignored by the majority, it maintains a status quo of perceived inequality and protection around a club that’s been described as a ‘state institution’.
FAR LEFT: Despite their progress, Lopetegui’s Sevilla have fallen short again in 2022 ABOVE: Ancelotti’s experience makes him the perfect foil for criticism of Real Madrid LEFT: Pedri’s stock has continued to rise under Xavi with the La Roja set to star for Spain at Qatar 2022 TOP & BOTTOM LEFT (OPPOSITE PAGE): Fernando Llorente and Eibar are ready to come back to La Liga
Sergio Aguero has revealed he is collaborating with Disney Plus and ESPN. The former Manchester City, Barcelona, and Argentina striker retired from playing football in December last year and has been out of action since then. But he has a new project in the works, as he prepares to enter a new phase by contributing to the Disney+ and Star+ streaming platforms.
