News
DOM 25.08.2024
We’re now two weeks in to the new LALIGA EA SPORTS season and already it’s becoming clear which teams are on top form and which clubs still have some work to do in the final days of the transfer market. Let’s, therefore, take a look at a few of the main takeaways from the beginning of the new campaign.
Claudio Giráldez’s RC Celta are the real deal
Just two teams have won both of their matches so far, namely FC Barcelona and RC Celta. While it may not be too surprising to see the Catalan club having a great start to the season, it is notable to see RC Celta atop the table at this early stage. The Galician club have been fighting against relegation in the past few seasons, but there is fresh optimism in Vigo now that they have Claudio Giráldez at the helm. The 36-year-old tactician took over towards the end of last season and kept the team up, and now he and RC Celta are aiming much higher in 2024/25. By defeating Deportivo Alavés 2-1 and Valencia CF 3-1 in their first two games, with Iago Aspas finding the back of the net in each match, the supporters believe that this could be a memorable season for Los Celestes.
Don’t take your eyes off Juan Cruz
One of the standout players from the first two matchdays has been Juan Cruz, the 24-year-old CD Leganés winger. The Spaniard had already made a few appearances in LALIGA EA SPORTS earlier in his career with Málaga CF and Real Betis, but now he is ready to truly take the competition by storm. After joining CD Leganés on loan in January, he was so key to their promotion that they signed him on a permanent transfer. Wearing the No.11 shirt, he is showing that he belongs at this level by scoring in each of his team’s first two matches of the season, a 1-1 draw at CA Osasuna and a 2-1 home win against UD Las Palmas. Both of his goals have been spectacular, a technically perfect volley against CA Osasuna and a long-range blast into the top corner against the Canary Islanders.
Real Madrid remain a force at the Bernabéu
Real Madrid have their first league win of the season and they secured it in front of their home fans at the Bernabéu, defeating Real Valladolid 3-0. In this sense, Carlo Ancelotti’s side picked up where they left off last season, when they went undefeated at home for the first time since the 1996/97 season. Los Blancos are a force to be reckoned with at the Bernabéu, and second-half goals from Fede Valverde, Brahim Díaz and new arrival Endrick gave the fans plenty to cheer about.
Sevilla FC lack the finishing touch
After their first two games of the season, Sevilla FC have just one point as they’ve drawn 2-2 at UD Las Palmas and lost 2-1 at home to Villarreal CF. That wasn’t the start new coach García Pimienta would have wanted, however there are some positive underlying signs. With 17 total shots so far, that’s the joint-most in the competition, while their xG of 3.34 is the second-most in LALIGA EA SPORTS after only FC Barcelona. In other words, Sevilla FC just need to focus on taking their chances, and on becoming more solid in defence.
Hansi Flick knows how to get the best out of Lewandowski
The 2024/25 campaign couldn’t have started any better for new FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick. Despite beginning with two difficult fixtures, against Valencia CF and Athletic Club, the Catalan outfit have secured a pair of 2-1 victories. The star man has been Robert Lewandowski, who scored both goals against Valencia CF and the winner against the Basques. The Polish striker looks fit and sharp, and it’s clear that Flick knows how to get the best out of him. When they worked together at Bayern Munich, the striker scored 83 goals in 71 games, working out at one goal every 74 minutes on average. That is by far the best minutes-per-goal ratio Lewandowski has enjoyed under any coach in his career, so FC Barcelona should be able to tap in to that winning combination throughout 2024/25.
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