Page 40 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

RCD Mallorca’s Portuguese midfielder Samuel Costa reacts during a Spanish LaLiga EA Sports soccer match
Osasuna are hoping to build on an impressive 2022-23
Mallorca
Real Mallorca caught many by surprise last season, finishing in an impressive ninth place. If they are to repeat that feat, they will have to do it without Kang- in Lee - six goals and six assists in 2022-23 - who has joined Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent deal. However, funds are available due to that departure and Belgian defender Siebe van der Heyden has arrived at the club to strengthen what was already the best defence in La Liga outside of the sides who qualified for Europe. That defensive steel should see head coach Javier Aguirre see his side frustrate the opposition once again to keep the club stable and in La Liga for another term.
Osasuna
Osasuna finally look like they have cemented their place in Spain’s elite league and a run to last season’s Copa Del Rey final along with an excellent seventh- place finish, confirms they are no longer to be taken lightly and are capable of upsetting some of La Liga’s leading clubs. Head coach Jagoba Arrasate appears happy with his squad with defender Alejandro Catena the most notable addition to the team so far. European football this season will mean an influx of games, but Arrasate’s style of rotation should keep the squad as fresh as can be. A top half finish and run in Europe would represent another hugely successful season for Los Rojillos.
NICKNAME:
Gorritxoak Los Rojillos
MANAGER:
Luis Sabalza
LAST YEAR FINISH:
La Liga, 7th
DID YOU KNOW?
Lionel Messi scored Barcelona’s 5,000 and 6,000th goal in La Liga.
NICKNAME:
Los Piratas (The Pirates), Los Bermellones (The Vermilions), Els Barralets (The Barralet)
MANAGER:
Javier Aguirre
LAST YEAR FINISH:
La Liga, 9th
Rayo Vallecano
NICKNAME:
Los Franjirrojos (The Red Sashes)
Rayito (Little Thunderbolt)
Orgullo de la clase obrera (Working class pride)
MANAGER:
Francisco Rodriguez
LAST YEAR FINISH:
La Liga, 11th
Rayo Vallecano’s Alvaro Garcia (L) celebrates after scoring during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Granada CF and Rayo Vallecano
It has been a summer of change for the side that finished eleventh last term. The man who guided the club to a comfortable mid-table finish with his energetic style of high pressing, Andoni Iraola, has left to join Premier League side Bournemouth, but former Elche and Girona head coach Francisco has stepped in to fill the void. Talking of voids, first team regulars Fran Garcia, Alejandro Catena and Santi Comesaña have all left, but Pacha Espino and Aridane Hernandez have come in the other direction. Much depends on service to striker Raul de Tomas if the Red Sashes are to avoid dropping down the table.
Rayo Vallecano’s head coach Francisco Rodriguez (R) greets Atletico Madrid’s counterpart Diego Simeone
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