Cricbeat

After a decent pre-season, Real Madrid will kick start the 2011-12 La Liga season at Zaragoza. The players have finally called off their strike, thanks to the intense negotiations and the fans can heave a sigh of relief at the positive turn of events. But, the economic crisis in Spanish football remains the same and it is upto the Spanish association to pull up its socks and ensure that the clubs function in a stable way financially, otherwise such situations will keep arising.

On the football front, Real Madrid have had an eventful pre-season. After touring the world from America to Europe to China, they put up a brave show against the Catalans in the Spanish SuperCup but could not defeat them inspite of creating numerous chances. Jose Mourinho needs to look at this area, as Real Madrid need to be more clinical in front of goal and take their chances so that they can finish off matches in style. The Spanish SuperCup did have its fair share of controversies and fights, as is the norm in a Clasico, with both teams fighting hard on the field, as well as off the field. Mourinho is sure to have lost in Catalunya, if any, after his eye gouge on Barcelona’s assistant coach, Tito Vilanova. It was an act despised by everyone, including the Madridistas and amidst rumors of Mourinho, quitting his job, he released a statement, apologizing for his actions and assuring the fans that he is here to stay.

Real Zaragoza survived relegation on the last day in the previous season thanks to their coach, Javier Aguirre, who took over from Jose Aurelio Gay in mid-season. Real Zaragoza have made some moves in the transfer market but its no secret that Zaragoza are deep in debt and it remains to be seen, how the club authorities try to get themselves out of this terrible financial mess.