La Liga Talking Points – Los Rojiblancos Provided Tough Test

Following an opening week with very few goals in La Liga we’re given another serving of Spanish top-flight football this week, starting on Friday night as Villareal host Espanol.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid play on Saturday against quite-beatable opponents, whilst Sunday is all about Sevilla’s clash with Atletico Madrid. Here, co-editor Kevin Kelly brings you all the primary talking points ahead of La Liga game week two.

Benitez Needs Win Fast

Despite La Liga not being a week only it was always widely accepted that manager Rafa Benitez will require a win on Saturday as they host Real Betis to quell the mass-angst. Having drawn 0-0 vs. the newly promoted Sporting Gijon on the opening weekend, fears of Benitez  overcomplicating  the star-studded attack were seemingly confirmed for many fans.

Elsewhere the importance of Real Madrid keeping hold on Karim Benzema grows. Don’t forget, it has been a month now since Madrid played really well — a 4-1 win vs. Manchester City on July 24 – the last time a fully-fit Benzema played for Los Blancos.

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Via his outburst on social media this week, Benzema demonstrated that he wants to stay at the Bernabeu. Very soon that’s what you can expect him to do on the pitch, too.

Vermaelen Revels in Perils of His Past

Following Thomas Vermaelen curious move to Barcelona last summer one quickly wondered where the Belgian would fit into La Blaugrana. Indeed, they had just signed Jeremy Mathieu – a left-footed centre back – while Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique were and still remain first choice. Elsewhere Marc Bartra had take big strides forward in his development in central-defence.

In the end it mattered little; recurring injuries meant he eventually had surgery and played in only the final La Liga game of the season in May. Along with the transfer ban, injuries to the current squad have opened up an opportunity for Vermaelen this season, with him getting a start away at Athletic Club last week – with him impressing throughout.

Barcelona host Malaga n Saturday evening with Vermaelen poised to get his first consecutive start since joining Barcelona over 12 months ago. With little room for error Vermalen must make grasp his opportunity with both hands.

Negredo – “We Deserve Champions League” 

Speaking to the Spanish Daily Newspaper the former Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo spoke of how his current club Valencia ‘deserve Champions League football’.

‘We deserve to be in the Champions League’, quipped Negredo.

“With the fans and with myself. I’m very self-critical and I know when I’m doing things well and when I’m not. It’s true that they have never stopped backing me and showing me affection. And it’s also true that I need to pay that back”, said the striker.

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Valencia, who finished 4th last season, qualified for the Champions League on Tuesday night after beating Monaco 4-3 on aggregate. Meanwhile they play Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday night.

Llorente to Join Sevilla Ahead of Atleti Clash

Another report from AS – Fernando Llorente is reportedly having a medical at Sevilla today ahead of Los Rojiblancos clash with Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening. Llotente, who previously played in La Liga for Athletic Club, joined Juventus in 2013, scoring 23 goals in two league season.

Sevilla begun their La Liga season last season with a drab 0-0 away at Malaga, while Atletico were impressive in their 1-0 away at Las Palmas.