Page 46 - Soccer360 Issue 107

SEASON PREVIEW
2024-25
EPL SEASON REVIEW
Real Betis, Opposite Top: Real Betis expect to challenge for the top six again this season
Leganes, Left:
Returning to the top flight this year. Leganes will be fighting for survival
Mallorca, Middle:
New Veteran Coach Arrasate Will look to better last season’s 15th table finish
Osasuna, Right:
Could push for mid table but survival will
be the main objective
LAST SEASON
LAST SEASON
LAST SEASON
DID YOU KNOW?
Moreno made his top-tier debut on 30 August 2009 with Xerez – two months shy of his 35th birthday – playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 away loss against RCD Mallorca.
KEY PLAYER
KEY PLAYER
KEY PLAYER
LEGANES
FINISH: 1st (Segunda)
RECORD: 20-14-8
MOST GOALS: De La Fuente (13)
MALLORCA
FINISH: 15th Place RECORD: 8-16-14
MOST GOALS: Muriqi (7)
OSASUNA
FINISH: 11th place RECORD: 12-9-17
MOST GOALS: Budimir (17)
Leganes edged themselves back into the top-flight as Segunda champions last season, but they will be in clutch of sides concerned about relegation from the
off in what promises to be another tight battle for survival. Serbian international Darko Brasanic provides some steel to the midfield but the main concern about this team is its lack of creative spark.
That said, some promising signings have been made in the shape of striker Miguel de la Fuente from Alaves, and midfielder Oscar Rodriguez on a free transfer from Real Sociedad. There will also be a change in goal where Villarreal bound Diego Conde is replaced by Marko Dmitrovic, with defence a key area of the side in their first La Liga campaign since 2018-19.
Miguel de la Fuente
Despite being almost 20 years younger than his predecessor Javier Aguirre, new Mallorca boss Jagoba Arrasate brings crucial experience as he takes his place
in the Palma dugout after six years with Osasuna. The Basque coach was an expert at keeping Los Rojillos in the top-flight
and his very presence should be enough to keep Mallorca in mid-table and out of harm’s way.
First and foremost, the club will look to improve on last season’s 15th place. To that end, Arrasate is mostly keeping faith with the squad he inherited, with full- backs Johan Mojica and Takuma Asano among their few summer signings. He will, however, need to find a goalscorer, with improvements expected from the likes of Cyle Larin and Abdon Prats.
Cyle Larin
Vicente Moreno was the first managerial casualty of Almeria’s abysmal 2023-24, but he is back in La Liga as he takes over the reigns at El Sadar from Jagoba Arrasate, who will be an extremely tough act to follow and is synonymous with the stability of the past few seasons.
He could find it tough to emulate the 11th place Arrasate managed last season, with supporters wary of being drawn into a battle for survival. The loss of defender David Lopez to Qatari side Al-Rayyan is
a blow, but Bryan Zaragoza could be a shrewd addition on loan from Bayern Munich to complement powerful striker Ante Budemir, who they’ll again be relying upon for goals.
Ante Budemir
44 SOCCER360