El Centrocampista – Spanish Football and La Liga News in English

Real Madrid play neighbours Atlético at the Santiago Bernabéu tonight,  in the final of the Copa Del Rey. But before the big game we here at Elcentrocampista.com are on hand to take a look of some of the most interesting stats that could impact on which side of Madrid will be celebrating come the final whistle. It is [...]...

After weeks of speculation, today’s news that Manuel Pellegrini has agreed to leave his Malaga post at the end of the season, will have come as no surprise to the football world. With rumours surrounding Roberto Mancini and his reign at the Etihad eventually leading to the sacking of the Italian, the Pellegrini to Manchester link has really started to [...]...

With speculation of unrest at the Bernabeu, the future of Jose Mourinho is something that has been the subject of attention for a while. The general concensus suggesting that after 3 years with Real Madrid,  the self proclaimed ”Special One’  is destined for yet another job in another country. However, after reports of his beloved Chelsea reunion hitting [...]...

A league of ‘campeones’ FC Barcelona were crowned the champions of Spain yesterday, and despite their European ‘fiasco’ and the sensation of an unfulfilled Champions Leauge campaign, Tito Villanova’s team deserve all the credit that they will no doubt receive for regaining the crown. Champions from start to finish. On the 18th August 2012, FC [...]...

Very rarely has one player’s potential future destination caused such a stir in the footballing world. But for one very talented Brazilian, it seems every week there is a new link from somewhere that is instantly analysed and scruitinsed by everyone who has ever watched the beautiful game. It is seen as a given that [...]...

2012-13 has been an intriguing season for European football, most notably for a series of fine talent emerging all across the continent. One youngster in particular has been creating headlines in Spain, merging excellent creativity with a decent eye for goal and sound passing ability. Malaga FC’s 21-year old attacking midfielder Isco has arguably been [...]...

The Santiago Bernabeu is still one of the most magical places in all of football, Real Madrid are still one of the most magical teams in the world, but with the Special One as good as finished with the Galacticos who will take charge next season? The bookmakers are at large trying to keep up [...]...

La Liga 2012/13 is only five games away from its conclusion, and for three teams in La Liga, their final destination will be ‘black hole’ of the Liga Adelante. And with just five points seperating 20th and 15th, the fight to survive could not be any closer.  Osasuna, Granada and Deportivo, who are currently out of relegation [...]...

In the first of his articles for Elcentrocampista.com, Atletico Madrid youth team coach Jose Gomez takes a tactical look at last weeks Champions League games and what to expect in the return fixtures this midweek....

After Barcelona and then Real Madrid were humiliated by their German counterparts this week, many have scrutinised whether or not La Liga is still the best league in Europe. The way that the Bundesliga teams of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund pretty much destroyed the two giants of Spanish football opened a new topic of [...]...

Bar a collapse of huge proportions, Elche will be playing La Liga football next season. You might be thinking, who? Well you’re right, the club haven’t played in the top flight of the Spanish domestic leagues for a very long time, 24 years to be precise. This term though, under Fran Escribá the agonising wait [...]...

With the end of the football season now in sight, it’s time for football writers, bloggers and fans alike to speculate over who will and wont depart for pastures new over the summer. It is the period where potential transfers can be agreed, Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich having already been announced, possible moves scuppered [...]...

After last nights destruction at the hands of Bayern Munich, feature writer Joe Jessup lends his opinion to the debate as to whether the dominant Barcelona era is over. ——————————————————————————————– In no way do I believe Barcelona to be finished as a great team, not at all whilst a certain Lionel Messi...

As Felipe Santana controversially bundled the ball home for Borussia Dortmund in the 93rd minute of the Champions League quarter-final, Malaga fans were left ruing their chances to progress further in a competition they were making their debut in. However, Malaga’s problems continue beyond this unfortunate defeat and with the club in financial meltdown, they [...]...

Over the last 2 weeks Messidependencia has been the buzz word in the Spanish press. This is after his 62nd minute introduction appeared to save a previously abject Barcelona from crashing out of the Champions League against Paris St Germain. Critics subsequently have been quick to jump on a hastily assembled bandwagon in order to [...]...

Spanish football is full with stars and major playmakers that can lead and carry a team to victory. Playmakers that can make a pass through the narrows of windows, playmakers that can get an assists with exquisite through balls, but which one in La Liga is the best? To help solve that conundrum, we here at [...]...

Espanyol served up another excellent high scoring draw at home following on the back of their recent 2-2 draw with Real Sociedad. On Saturday evening, the visitors were Valencia and an open and entertaining game burst into life in the final 10minutes with four goals. Line Ups Both sides lined up in broad 4-2-3-1 formations. [...]...

Cesc Fabregas, to be exact. The former Arsenal skipper is playing his second full season back “home” after one the most publicized transfers saw him go from London to CampNou. Frances Fabregas Soler started his career in the famous youth academy of La Masia but at 16 years of age was signed by Arsenal and [...]...

At some point of every season there are the inevitable discussions over which major European league is considered the best although what the best actually comprises is seldom accurately defined. In recent times, the argument has centered around the Bundesliga, La Liga and Premiership and is often inextricably linked to the performance of teams in [...]...

With speculation increasing that Wayne Rooney’s future lies away from Old Trafford, the rumour mill of his next destination has been running into overdrive. Money bags Paris Saint-Germain may be currently considered by the media as the most likely option, but the possibility of seeing the England front-man plying his trade in a Barcelona jersey [...]...

  Does the end justify the means? If you achieve your goals and objectives, does it matter how you went about it? If one side dominates their opponent, creating but not taking their chances whilst playing a stylish brand of attacking football yet losing to a stubborn, resolute defensive display, which team should we celebrate? The [...]...

Zaragoza pulled the greatest escaped since Houdini last season avoiding relegation by winning their last four matches and seven of the last ten. However, this time around it seems that the ‘Maños’ are going in the opposite direction and as of yet, have failed to record a win this year. Manager Manolo Jiménez – who [...]...