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On Wednesday, we printed the first part of the review of the Spanish championship prepared by the portal's veteran Dalius, better known as Zebediejus, and on Thursday we will present the second part, which will review the remaining teams and summarize the summer player market.
Osasuna
In: Juanlu (Betis), Soldado (Real Madrid), Javad Nekouman (Al Sharjah FC), Héctor Font (Villarreal), 'Cuco' Ziganda (head coach).
Out: Javier Aguirre (head coach, Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Athletic), Ortiz (Atletico), Sosa, Clavero, Brit, Moha (Espanyol), Fran Moreno (Numancia).
Hand on heart, I must admit - I didn't want this team to earn the right to play in the Champions League... And indeed, after a six-year hiatus, Spain only has three teams in the tournament, as "Osasuna" didn't even overcome the qualifying barrier. But even if they had, it could have been predicted that they wouldn't have enough strength for battles in Europe or in La Liga. This is what happened to "Real Betis", dropping 10 positions in the Spanish championship and Vigo "Celta", relegated to another division. And "Villarreal" reached the semifinals, only sacrificing the Spanish championship. Now "Osasuna" can focus all their attention on Spain... but will they survive without their main man - coach Aguirre, who practically created a team out of nothing that finished 4th in Spain, and now coaches Madrid's "Atletico". Maybe a new star will finally shine - Soldado, who was overshadowed by the galactic players at Real, but will now have a chance to shine?
Strengths: A group of players who achieved good results last season. They have also brought in Soldado, who scored several goals. Young players David López and Raúl García have grown and gained experience.
Weaknesses: They will miss coach Aguirre, who was able to unite the team. They will have to play in the UEFA Cup, La Liga, and the Cup. Three tournaments for a club without a deep bench could be too much.
Goals: Finish the season in the same position as last year. Being mid-table will be a bad result for the team.
Racing
"Racing Santander" quietly, calmly, without hysteria, somehow manages to stay in La Liga. There are occasional short-term rises, periods when "Racing" is stuck at the bottom. But in the spring, they win some important points, and the team is already beyond the relegation zone. And so it goes year after year. Not very interesting. This season the story will repeat. "Deportivo" brought back the aging Munitis and even allowed the purchase of Ruben and Momo. Hoping to strengthen the "Real" bench players, "Racing" invited the coach of the "Real" reserve team, but he didn't bring any talents.
In: Munitis, Momo, and Ruben (all from Deportivo), Colsa (Atletico), Luis Fernandez (Betis), Miguel Angel Portugal (head coach), Cristian Alvarez (Tenerife), Aganzo (Beitar).
Out: Aouate and Antonio Tomas (both from Deportivo), Samuel (Sporting), Trevi (Eibar), Jonathan Valle (Tenerife), Damia (Betis), Casquero (Getafe), Antonito (Sevilla), Valencia, Pinilla, Pablo Casar (Alaves), López Caro (head coach).
Strengths: They fished well in the waters of the renewing Deportivo. Colsa returned home and will try to achieve decent results.
Weaknesses: Undesirable players from Deportivo may not be able to strengthen the Racing team enough. They don't look strong in any position.
Goals: Maintain their place in La Liga.
