Rafa Benítez Blog
Spain comfortably beat Uruguay in Doha, by Eduardo Parra
General Articles
Eduardo Parra
The Spanish National Team beat Uruguay (3-1) in an international friendly last wednesday. Cesc Fabregas and Pedro Rodríguez (twice) both scored for Spain whilst Cristian 'Cebolla' Rodríguez scored for Uruguay.
The international friendly was held in Doha mirroring the match that will take place next summer in Brazil, where the Confederations Cup will be hold...
The international friendly was held in Doha mirroring the match that will take place next summer in Brazil, where the Confederations Cup will be hold...
Bundesliga: intensity and emotion, by Edu Parra
General Articles
Eduardo Parra
In the last two seasons Borussia Dortmund, under the leadership of Jurgen Klopp, have deservedly won the title and this season’s Bundesliga once again looks to be very interesting thanks to the high expectations of some teams ready to battle for the title until the end...
The start of la Liga has brought some surprises, by Eduardo Parra
General Articles
Eduardo Parra
This season, la Liga BBVA brings once again the battle between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid with the unknown chance of Valencia, Atletico or some other team making it difficult for these two clubs that have fought for the title over the last few years. It is a season also marked by a financial situation that has led to there being less movement in the market than in previous years and most of all less investment...
Analysis of the Premier League, by Edu Parra
General Articles
Eduardo Parra
The first three weeks of the Premier League have now passed and even though it is too soon to reach important conclusions, there are interesting things that can be analysed. Up until now, 29 games have been played, remember Sunderland-Reading was cancelled in the second week due to rain, and according to statistics provided by Opta, 85 goals have been scored, this being the highest average per game in the last few years: 2,93 per game...
Away victory for LA Galaxy, by Edu Parra
Professional Football
Eduardo Parra
A double by Robbie Keane gave an away victory (0-2) to LA Galaxy at Toyota Park. They faced Chicago Fire who completed a second game without a win as they drew the previous game after a run of consecutive wins. On the other hand, the californian team put a stop to their run of losses with a sound victory...
Corinthians win Libertadores Cup; by Edu Parra
Professional Football
Eduardo Parra
For the first time in their history, Corinthians have become champions of the Libertadores Cup after winning the final against Boca Juniors with an overall score of 3-1 (1-1 and 2-0). It was clear that this last match of this year´s tournament confronted two classic teams in South American football. For the ‘xeneize’ team (Boca) it was the tenth final (six titles won) whilst the ‘timao’ team (Corinthians) were facing their first final of this tournament. In the end, history changed and we now have a new team in the champions ranking...
Draw in Toronto, by Edu Parra
Professional Football
Eduardo Parra
We will analyse the MLS game played in Toronto on the 30th of June. Two teams with different objectives faced each other: The Red Bulls were higher in the table, with Thierry Henry but without Rafa Marquez who was injured, whilst the local team faced the game with the need to get the necessary points to escape from the bottom part of the table...
Teaching tactical concepts in football during the formative years
Professional Football
Eduardo Parra
Football is part of a group of sports which are known as team sports, and as such can be characterized by the relationship between co-operation (between team mates) and opposition (against an opponent). In the development of the game we can consider 3 basic aspects: time-space aspect, demonstrated in the attacking phase by use of the ball individually and collectively to overcome barriers and opponents, and in the defending phase by the creation of barriers to delay and stop movement of the opponents and the ball with the objective of regaining possession; information aspect demonstrated by the creation of doubt in the opponent and confidence in team mates; and the organisational aspect established by the collective plan integrated with individual actions and vice versa...