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In Pictures
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In Pictures: Spain’s two-horse race
We preview the new Spanish Primera Division season, which is turning into another Barcelona v Real Madrid battle.
The Spanish Primera Division is shaping up to be another duel between giants Barcelona and Real Madrid for the 10th season in a row. Since 2001, only Rafa Benitez(***)s Valencia have managed to win the title, in 2002 and 2004 [EPA]
Published On 15 Aug 2013
15 Aug 2013
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There are a couple of new faces at the Nou Camp. Tito Vilanova stepped down as coach because of throat cancer, and Gerardo Martino has replace him [EPA]
Martino has pledged to continue the team(***)s quick-passing style. He has a new weapon in young Brazilian gun Neymar who will play alongside Lionel Messi [Getty]
However, Barcelona are still smarting from defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season, and need to address their defensive frailities. The club is still looking for a world-class defender but have reportedly had bids turned down for PSG(***)s Thiago Silva and Chelsea(***)s David Luiz [EPA]
Meanwhile, in a post-Mourinho Real Madrid, former PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti has taken over at the helm. His first priority is to try and get Cristiano Ronaldo to renew his contract [EPA]
He also seems to have restored Iker Casillas as the first choice goalkeeper, a move that should placate angry fans who were furious about Mourinho relegating the club talisman to the bench [EPA]
And keep an eye on the transfer market, as the club have reportedly make a world-record bid for Tottenham winger Gareth Bale [EPA]
And the other contenders? While Barca and Real continue getting richer, other clubs are suffering in Europe(***)s financial crisis. Spanish clubs have raised around $509m from transfers this offseason, 75 per cent of which came from sales to other leagues [EPA]
Around 80 players have left Spain with the top destination being England. Monaco(***)s owner, Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev has recruited Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid [EPA]