Malaga, a team on the rise.

Joaquín Sánchez chose to mark his presentation as a Málaga player with a joke and then a matador's moment. It was not normal but it felt right: thesevillano wanted to be a bullfighter when he was a boy, sneaking out of the back window and dashing to the ring to practice, despite being grounded by his mum. He is also a natural comedian, all smiles and mischief, instantly likable -- the man whose Spitting Image puppet spent the whole time slapping the table in front of him, ha ha ha ha ha-ing at the top of his voice. It is impossible not to warm to him for normal people; Malaga fans were melting.

Better still, he was going home too. After years at Valencia he had finally returned to Andalucía. A land that prides itself on its sense of humor, on its flamboyance and downright silliness, here he was laughing and messing about, delivering the perfect performance.

And yet there was something in the joke, the hint of a dream. Possibly even a realizable one. Málaga holds the record for the highest number of promotions in Spanish soccer history. The trouble is, that's a roundabout way of saying it has been relegated rather a lot. Last season it was close to it. Again. And despite its redevelopment, the Rosaleda stadium remains some way off being a European Cup final venue. But still ...

Still, after a season in which he had returned to something like the form that made him the superstar that Real Madrid once so openly courted, Joaquín had joined Malaga for €4 million ($5.7M). "So what?" you might ask. Here's what: although he was the player that got them most excited, Joaquín was not the first. He wasn't even the second. Or the third or the fourth. Malaga had already signed Ruud Van Nistelrooy. And Jeremy Toulalan. And Nacho Monreal. And Sergio Sánchez. And Joris Mathijsen. Oh, and Diego Buonanotte, who joined after finalizing a deal last season. And let's not forget the players they signed last summer: Sebas Fernández, Eliseu, Jose Rondón, Rodrigo Galatto, Sandro Silva, Edinho and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. Or the players they signed in the winter transfer window, at a time when no one else was spending any money at all: Ignacio Camacho, Enzo Maresca, Martin Demichelis, Willy Caballero and the Beast: Julio Baptista.

Joaquín was a statement of intent. Then, as if that was not enough, they went and signed Isco from Valencia. This week they took Santi Cazorla to the bullring and unveiled him before their fans. One of the nicest guys in soccer, a man even more of beamer than Joaquín, whose Villarreal's teammates once dubbed "Our Ronaldinho" because he was just as ugly, just as smiley and just as good. Only Cazorla, these days, is better. Much, much better. Something was really starting to happen on the Costa del Sol.

When Sheik Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani bought Málaga for €36 million ($51M) last summer, he spent a little under €20 million ($28.6M) on new players. Not a huge amount but significant by Spanish standards where, outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, few clubs spent heavily. And it did include €3.5 million ($5M) for Sebas Fernández -- more than Málaga had ever paid for a player. The team talked about building a power base in the south to rival the center (Madrid) and the north (Barcelona), but by the halfway stage of the season, it was not working. Jesualdo Ferreira, the coach, was ditched and Manuel Pellegrini brought in.

Importantly, too, a new sporting director took over. Antonio Fernandez was the man who had been so successful under Monchi at Sevilla. It took a while, and in the meantime Malaga was humiliated at the Santiago Bernabéu, conceding seven to Real Madrid. Worse, the interest form the owners appeared on the wane; their presence was no longer being felt. Had they got bored already? Were Malaga going to be an unwanted toy, tossed aside.

Eventually it worked. By the end of the season, with Julio Baptista as the star and Rondón climbing to 12 league goals, Malaga moved into the top half of the table. A couple of weeks more and it might have claimed a European place. Only three teams performed better than Malaga in the second half of the season. It had become a genuinely good side. Hope and interest had been rekindled. And then the team added to it. It made a real impact.

So far this summer, Malaga has spent €6 million on Monreal ($8.5M), €11 million ($15.73M) on Toulalan and €20 millon on Cazorla. In total, eight players have come in. In total, the team has spent more than €55 million ($78.6M). That's more than anyone else in Spain. In fact, prior to PSG's reported impending signing of Javier Pastore for €45 million, it was more than anyone else, full stop. Not one club in the world has splashed so much cash.

The structure is good too: with Pellegrini, Fernandez and now Fernando Hierro, the man who was sporting director for the Spanish Football Federation, the brashness of the money seems offset by lower profile football men who have proved that they know how to manage, that they understand the game. Suddenly, Malaga is being talked about as if they are Spain's third team, as if that power base in the South is a reality. That might be a tad premature but, try reading out the players it has: Baptista, Toulalan, Rondón, Van Nistelrooy, Cazorla, Joaquín ... it's some team, that's for sure.

It could all go horribly wrong of course -- and some are gleefully waiting for it to -- but there is a buzz around Malaga now, where season ticket sales have rocketed and a full house is guaranteed.

There is a buzz around the whole country, in fact. People are actually talking about someone else for a change. Not least because Spain needed someone to try to complete with Madrid and Barcelona. Cazorla's signing was symbolic at a time when the big two hoover up all the best players or watch them leave Spain altogether. Here at last was one of the "other" clubs buying one of La Liga's standout players. Yes, with a truckload of cash, it is true. Maybe even a little artificially, too. But still. When did that last happen?

Cazorla's smile was eloquent and emblematic. But it was Joaquín who perfectly embodied the mood with his European Cup final joke and bull fighting passes: the optimism, the excitement, the sheer giddiness of it. That sense of: they couldn't could they? My goodness, they have as well ... imagine if it works. Imagine. There will be time to argue about the rights and wrongs of it later, the morality of it all, the meaning and the consequences. For now, it's just very good fun.

Sid Lowe

Malaga, a team on the rise.

Joaquín Sánchez chose to mark his presentation as a Málaga player with a joke and then a matador's moment. It was not normal but it felt right: thesevillano wanted to be a bullfighter when he was a boy, sneaking out of the back window and dashing to the ring to practice, despite being grounded by his mum. He is also a natural comedian, all smiles and mischief, instantly likable -- the man whose Spitting Image puppet spent the whole time slapping the table in front of him, ha ha ha ha ha-ing at the top of his voice. It is impossible not to warm to him for normal people; Malaga fans were melting.

Better still, he was going home too. After years at Valencia he had finally returned to Andalucía. A land that prides itself on its sense of humor, on its flamboyance and downright silliness, here he was laughing and messing about, delivering the perfect performance.

And yet there was something in the joke, the hint of a dream. Possibly even a realizable one. Málaga holds the record for the highest number of promotions in Spanish soccer history. The trouble is, that's a roundabout way of saying it has been relegated rather a lot. Last season it was close to it. Again. And despite its redevelopment, the Rosaleda stadium remains some way off being a European Cup final venue. But still ...

Still, after a season in which he had returned to something like the form that made him the superstar that Real Madrid once so openly courted, Joaquín had joined Malaga for €4 million ($5.7M). "So what?" you might ask. Here's what: although he was the player that got them most excited, Joaquín was not the first. He wasn't even the second. Or the third or the fourth. Malaga had already signed Ruud Van Nistelrooy. And Jeremy Toulalan. And Nacho Monreal. And Sergio Sánchez. And Joris Mathijsen. Oh, and Diego Buonanotte, who joined after finalizing a deal last season. And let's not forget the players they signed last summer: Sebas Fernández, Eliseu, Jose Rondón, Rodrigo Galatto, Sandro Silva, Edinho and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. Or the players they signed in the winter transfer window, at a time when no one else was spending any money at all: Ignacio Camacho, Enzo Maresca, Martin Demichelis, Willy Caballero and the Beast: Julio Baptista.

Joaquín was a statement of intent. Then, as if that was not enough, they went and signed Isco from Valencia. This week they took Santi Cazorla to the bullring and unveiled him before their fans. One of the nicest guys in soccer, a man even more of beamer than Joaquín, whose Villarreal's teammates once dubbed "Our Ronaldinho" because he was just as ugly, just as smiley and just as good. Only Cazorla, these days, is better. Much, much better. Something was really starting to happen on the Costa del Sol.

When Sheik Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani bought Málaga for €36 million ($51M) last summer, he spent a little under €20 million ($28.6M) on new players. Not a huge amount but significant by Spanish standards where, outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, few clubs spent heavily. And it did include €3.5 million ($5M) for Sebas Fernández -- more than Málaga had ever paid for a player. The team talked about building a power base in the south to rival the center (Madrid) and the north (Barcelona), but by the halfway stage of the season, it was not working. Jesualdo Ferreira, the coach, was ditched and Manuel Pellegrini brought in.

Importantly, too, a new sporting director took over. Antonio Fernandez was the man who had been so successful under Monchi at Sevilla. It took a while, and in the meantime Malaga was humiliated at the Santiago Bernabéu, conceding seven to Real Madrid. Worse, the interest form the owners appeared on the wane; their presence was no longer being felt. Had they got bored already? Were Malaga going to be an unwanted toy, tossed aside.

Eventually it worked. By the end of the season, with Julio Baptista as the star and Rondón climbing to 12 league goals, Malaga moved into the top half of the table. A couple of weeks more and it might have claimed a European place. Only three teams performed better than Malaga in the second half of the season. It had become a genuinely good side. Hope and interest had been rekindled. And then the team added to it. It made a real impact.

So far this summer, Malaga has spent €6 million on Monreal ($8.5M), €11 million ($15.73M) on Toulalan and €20 millon on Cazorla. In total, eight players have come in. In total, the team has spent more than €55 million ($78.6M). That's more than anyone else in Spain. In fact, prior to PSG's reported impending signing of Javier Pastore for €45 million, it was more than anyone else, full stop. Not one club in the world has splashed so much cash.

The structure is good too: with Pellegrini, Fernandez and now Fernando Hierro, the man who was sporting director for the Spanish Football Federation, the brashness of the money seems offset by lower profile football men who have proved that they know how to manage, that they understand the game. Suddenly, Malaga is being talked about as if they are Spain's third team, as if that power base in the South is a reality. That might be a tad premature but, try reading out the players it has: Baptista, Toulalan, Rondón, Van Nistelrooy, Cazorla, Joaquín ... it's some team, that's for sure.

It could all go horribly wrong of course -- and some are gleefully waiting for it to -- but there is a buzz around Malaga now, where season ticket sales have rocketed and a full house is guaranteed.

There is a buzz around the whole country, in fact. People are actually talking about someone else for a change. Not least because Spain needed someone to try to complete with Madrid and Barcelona. Cazorla's signing was symbolic at a time when the big two hoover up all the best players or watch them leave Spain altogether. Here at last was one of the "other" clubs buying one of La Liga's standout players. Yes, with a truckload of cash, it is true. Maybe even a little artificially, too. But still. When did that last happen?

Cazorla's smile was eloquent and emblematic. But it was Joaquín who perfectly embodied the mood with his European Cup final joke and bull fighting passes: the optimism, the excitement, the sheer giddiness of it. That sense of: they couldn't could they? My goodness, they have as well ... imagine if it works. Imagine. There will be time to argue about the rights and wrongs of it later, the morality of it all, the meaning and the consequences. For now, it's just very good fun.

Sid Lowe

Malaga, a team on the rise.

Joaquín Sánchez chose to mark his presentation as a Málaga player with a joke and then a matador's moment. It was not normal but it felt right: thesevillano wanted to be a bullfighter when he was a boy, sneaking out of the back window and dashing to the ring to practice, despite being grounded by his mum. He is also a natural comedian, all smiles and mischief, instantly likable -- the man whose Spitting Image puppet spent the whole time slapping the table in front of him, ha ha ha ha ha-ing at the top of his voice. It is impossible not to warm to him for normal people; Malaga fans were melting.

Better still, he was going home too. After years at Valencia he had finally returned to Andalucía. A land that prides itself on its sense of humor, on its flamboyance and downright silliness, here he was laughing and messing about, delivering the perfect performance.

And yet there was something in the joke, the hint of a dream. Possibly even a realizable one. Málaga holds the record for the highest number of promotions in Spanish soccer history. The trouble is, that's a roundabout way of saying it has been relegated rather a lot. Last season it was close to it. Again. And despite its redevelopment, the Rosaleda stadium remains some way off being a European Cup final venue. But still ...

Still, after a season in which he had returned to something like the form that made him the superstar that Real Madrid once so openly courted, Joaquín had joined Malaga for €4 million ($5.7M). "So what?" you might ask. Here's what: although he was the player that got them most excited, Joaquín was not the first. He wasn't even the second. Or the third or the fourth. Malaga had already signed Ruud Van Nistelrooy. And Jeremy Toulalan. And Nacho Monreal. And Sergio Sánchez. And Joris Mathijsen. Oh, and Diego Buonanotte, who joined after finalizing a deal last season. And let's not forget the players they signed last summer: Sebas Fernández, Eliseu, Jose Rondón, Rodrigo Galatto, Sandro Silva, Edinho and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. Or the players they signed in the winter transfer window, at a time when no one else was spending any money at all: Ignacio Camacho, Enzo Maresca, Martin Demichelis, Willy Caballero and the Beast: Julio Baptista.

Joaquín was a statement of intent. Then, as if that was not enough, they went and signed Isco from Valencia. This week they took Santi Cazorla to the bullring and unveiled him before their fans. One of the nicest guys in soccer, a man even more of beamer than Joaquín, whose Villarreal's teammates once dubbed "Our Ronaldinho" because he was just as ugly, just as smiley and just as good. Only Cazorla, these days, is better. Much, much better. Something was really starting to happen on the Costa del Sol.

When Sheik Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani bought Málaga for €36 million ($51M) last summer, he spent a little under €20 million ($28.6M) on new players. Not a huge amount but significant by Spanish standards where, outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona, few clubs spent heavily. And it did include €3.5 million ($5M) for Sebas Fernández -- more than Málaga had ever paid for a player. The team talked about building a power base in the south to rival the center (Madrid) and the north (Barcelona), but by the halfway stage of the season, it was not working. Jesualdo Ferreira, the coach, was ditched and Manuel Pellegrini brought in.

Importantly, too, a new sporting director took over. Antonio Fernandez was the man who had been so successful under Monchi at Sevilla. It took a while, and in the meantime Malaga was humiliated at the Santiago Bernabéu, conceding seven to Real Madrid. Worse, the interest form the owners appeared on the wane; their presence was no longer being felt. Had they got bored already? Were Malaga going to be an unwanted toy, tossed aside.

Eventually it worked. By the end of the season, with Julio Baptista as the star and Rondón climbing to 12 league goals, Malaga moved into the top half of the table. A couple of weeks more and it might have claimed a European place. Only three teams performed better than Malaga in the second half of the season. It had become a genuinely good side. Hope and interest had been rekindled. And then the team added to it. It made a real impact.

So far this summer, Malaga has spent €6 million on Monreal ($8.5M), €11 million ($15.73M) on Toulalan and €20 millon on Cazorla. In total, eight players have come in. In total, the team has spent more than €55 million ($78.6M). That's more than anyone else in Spain. In fact, prior to PSG's reported impending signing of Javier Pastore for €45 million, it was more than anyone else, full stop. Not one club in the world has splashed so much cash.

The structure is good too: with Pellegrini, Fernandez and now Fernando Hierro, the man who was sporting director for the Spanish Football Federation, the brashness of the money seems offset by lower profile football men who have proved that they know how to manage, that they understand the game. Suddenly, Malaga is being talked about as if they are Spain's third team, as if that power base in the South is a reality. That might be a tad premature but, try reading out the players it has: Baptista, Toulalan, Rondón, Van Nistelrooy, Cazorla, Joaquín ... it's some team, that's for sure.

It could all go horribly wrong of course -- and some are gleefully waiting for it to -- but there is a buzz around Malaga now, where season ticket sales have rocketed and a full house is guaranteed.

There is a buzz around the whole country, in fact. People are actually talking about someone else for a change. Not least because Spain needed someone to try to complete with Madrid and Barcelona. Cazorla's signing was symbolic at a time when the big two hoover up all the best players or watch them leave Spain altogether. Here at last was one of the "other" clubs buying one of La Liga's standout players. Yes, with a truckload of cash, it is true. Maybe even a little artificially, too. But still. When did that last happen?

Cazorla's smile was eloquent and emblematic. But it was Joaquín who perfectly embodied the mood with his European Cup final joke and bull fighting passes: the optimism, the excitement, the sheer giddiness of it. That sense of: they couldn't could they? My goodness, they have as well ... imagine if it works. Imagine. There will be time to argue about the rights and wrongs of it later, the morality of it all, the meaning and the consequences. For now, it's just very good fun.

Sid Lowe

EPL Week 3 preview

Aston Villa Vs Wolverhapton

The only unbeaten team outside Manchester take their 100% record to Villa Park, after wins over Fulham and Blackburn. Aston Villa on the other hand recorded their first home win under Alex Mccleish against Blackburn as well.  We expect a tight game but Charles N’zogbia could just be a factor here.

Prediction – Aston Villa 2 Wolves 1

Wigan Athletic Vs Queens Park Rangers

Wigan’s 3^rd consecutive game against a promoted side.  The fact that Wigan were unable to defeat the other two prpomoted sides combined with QPR seemingly improving with each game (especially after winning at Everton last week) means that this will not be a stroll in the park for the home side.

Prediction -  Wigan 1 QPR 1

Blackburn Rovers Vs Everton

This is a game between teams who are yet to get going. Is this the year Everton’s financial woes finally show on the field of play? I don’t think so. They were unlucky to have lost against QPR last week but will be looking to bounce back against an unconvincing Blackburn side.

Prediction – Blackburn 1 Everton 2

Chelsea Vs Norwich

A true David vs Goliath battle. To put in a better perspective the combined salaries of Frank Lampard and John Terry is more than the whole Norwich starting XI. We expect Torres to open his scoring account in this game. A draw will be regarded as a big upset for Norwich.

Prediction – Chelsea  4 Norwich 0

Swansea City Vs Sunderland

The Liberty Stadium will be the venue for the big match. Sunderland need to bring the fans back on their side especially after losing at home to bitter rivals Newcastle. Swansea last week drew 0-0 with Wigan.

Prediction -Swansea 2 Sunderland 2

Liverpool vs Bolton  Wanderers

High flying Liverpool return home to play a rugged Bolton side. The future of Gary Cahill is still uncertain. Liverpool easily dismantled a rag tag Arsenal  side last week and we expect King Kenny’s side to do the same to Bolton this weekend.

Prediction Liverpool 3 Bolton 1

Newcastle Vs Fulham

Newcastle is still on a high after beating fierce rivals Sunderland away from home last week. Fulham on the other hand is still smarting from the 2-0 loss to Wolves last week. This should be a close one at St James’Park.

Newcastle 1 Fulham 1

Tottenham Hotspur Vs Manchester City

The first of the North London vs Manchester games. Spurs will not want to lose to another Manchester side after going down 3-0 at Old Trafford. With the acquisition of Samir Nasri, City are really showing their attacking intent. We expect City to go all out.

Prediction – Spurs 1 Man City 2

West Bromwich Albion Vs Stoke City

This is a game of two British managers. The guile of West Brom against the physicality of Stoke.  West Brom can be excused for losing to both Man Utd and Chelsea, but their fans will expect more from their team.  Stoke on other hand have not won this season and they have not lost either. They came back late against Norwich last week, they will be gunning for their 1^st win.

Prediction – West Brom 2 Stoke City 1

Manchester United Vs Arsenal

Part II of the Manchester vs North London games. Arsenal have now qualified for the Champions League, so there is relief all around the Emirates. The only snag with so many injuries and suspensions Arsenal will be down to the bare bones. Expect United to go for the kill in this one.

Prediction Man Utd 3 Arsenal  1

Champions League Draw 2011/2012

Champions League draw

• Print

GROUP A
Bayern Munich
Villarreal
Manchester City
Napoli

GROUP B
Inter Milan
CSKA Moscow
Lille
Trabzonspor

GROUP C
Manchester United
Benfica
Basle
Otelul Galati

GROUP D
Real Madrid
Lyon
Ajax
Dinamo Zagreb

GROUP E
Chelsea
Valencia
Bayer Leverkusen
Genk

GROUP F
Arsenal
Marseille
Olympiakos
Borussia Dortmund

GROUP G
Porto
Shakhtar Donetsk
Zenit St Petersburg
APOEL

GROUP H
Barcelona
AC Milan
BATE
Viktoria Plzen