Rafa Watch

[Kronenburg1892]

Thanks Mostar.

Wow. She is lovely. Behind every successful man etc.

I wish only the very best for all of them.

[Mostar]

Thanks Mostar.

Wow. She is lovely. Behind every successful man etc.

I wish only the very best for all of them.

Cheers mate

[Shaggy]

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2011/09/07/former-liverpool-fc-manager-rafa-benitez-analyses-the-differences-between-english-and-spanish-football-100252-29376005/

As he prepares to launch his new website (www.rafabenitez.com), former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez writes for the ECHO about the differences between the Premier League and La Liga

MY FIRST impression, and whenever I have been asked this question I have been convinced of this, is that the Premier League is quicker and has bigger physical demands than the Spanish championship, and that La Liga is more technical and tactical.

I think that most football fans who are acquainted with both leagues will think the same thing, but, looking at the data we have received from companies such as Opta and Amisco, and drawing from some articles on the subject, we decided to conduct this analysis.

Technical Analysis

The first data we analysed showed only small differences in time of ball in play, 53 minutes in La Liga and 54 minutes in the Premier League last season.

The goals average is slightly better in the Premier League, 2.79 goals per game compared to 2.74 in La Liga.

The average number of shots per game, 18 in the Premier League compared to 15 in La Liga, has been the same for the last two seasons. It stands out that La Liga players are more accurate in shooting; 45% compared to 36% in the Premier League. There is little difference in headed goals, 17% to 19%.

The percentage of goals from set-pieces was higher in the Premier League, 37% compared to 29% in the 2009-10 season, whereas in 2010-11 it was 35% in La Liga compared to 34%.

General Play

The number of passes per game is similar for the last two seasons , although slightly higher in Spain. There is not a significant difference.

There are more long passes in the Premier League, but with less accuracy. This may be due to the fact that many of these passes come from the goalkeeper. There were more crosses in the Premier League over the last two seasons.

In La Liga, they dribble more, but with less success than the Premier League.

Unsurprisingly, there were more tackles in the Premier League, fewer fouls given and fewer cards shown in relation to the number of fouls given. This clearly indicates the Premier League is more physical than La Liga.

Tactical Analysis

The systems used are similar; 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-4-1-1 and 4-4-2 in both leagues. The quality of the team dictates their style.

In Spain, they look more to pass and support, but in England, whilst there are also many teams who try to move the ball on the ground, generally the play is more direct, as we have seen in the long pass data.

Physical Data Analysis The latest data from Amisco suggests La Liga players cover more ground and perform more high-intensity sprints than Premier League players.

However, in another study as well as in our own collected data from different seasons in both leagues, we do not see the same.

Due to the low number of matches from which the Amisco data was collected because there was no specialised equipment, the data may not be absolutely 100% accurate. Therefore we consider the data we directly collected to be more reliable, and thus we believe that in the Premier League they run more quickly than in La Liga.

This conclusion, corroborated in another study, confirms that in the Premier League, they run more, more in high intensity and more in sprints.

Psychological Aspects

This is influenced as much by the tempo of the game as by the duels, fouls, cards and challenges.

The Premier League is much more demanding in terms of physical contact – on the ground and in the air. In our experience, we know English fans demand intensity and high tempo, so, from a psychological point of view, the game is more demanding. Basically, if you hide, you won’t survive in England.

Confrontations in Recent Years

The only reliable references to directly compare teams in the Premier League and La Liga are Champions League meetings, although Atletico Madrid beating my Liverpool team and then Fulham in the 2010 Europa League also stands out.

In the Champions League, going back to season 2008-9, we have the victory of Arsenal against Villarreal and my Liverpool over Real Madrid with obvious English superiority.

But also, Barcelona beat Chelsea in the semis, and later Manchester United in the final to become champions. In 2010-11, Real Madrid beat Tottenham and Barcelona beat Arsenal and then United in the final, showing the Spanish teams’ superiority.

These results show us the equality of both leagues. It also shows the superiority of Barcelona, with their style based on possession, which the Spanish national team uses.

Conclusions

Analysing the data, we see that the technical aspects, the systems of play and also the tactics are becoming similar in both leagues. This, in my opinion, is due to the continental influence in the Premier League. We can also appreciate that the speed and intensity of play and the physical contact are the biggest differences.

As far as European meetings go, it is significant that continental referees give more free-kicks and show more cards than in the Premier League – as proven by the number of fouls and cards in La Liga – which, I believe, can affect the performance of English teams in Europe.

[Buzzo]

This just makes me Love and worship Rafa even more. He didn't half get up old whisky noses... nose..!

Sir Alex Ferguson has continued his feud with Rafa Benitez

Wednesday September 7,2011
By Richard Tanner

SIR ALEX FERGUSON has continued his feud with Rafa Benitez - while defending Jose Mourinho’s confrontational managerial style. Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson saw a picture of former Liverpool boss Benitez during an interview in an Italian newspaper office and said: “He is jobless and he is not my friend.”

But Ferguson says he is a close pal of Mourinho, tipped to be his successor at Old Trafford, but whose success has been blighted by disciplinary problems with the football authorities.

“Jose is a good friend of mine,” said Ferguson. “He doesn’t hide his emotions. I like that in human beings. The good thing about Jose is he can laugh at himself.

“After a game we have a glass of wine, we talk about a million things. He is a good man but is young, maybe in four or five years’ time he will be more calm.”

Ferguson insists he isn’t ready to step aside yet, adding: “Over the years I’ve had the question, who could replace me? You’d need someone very experienced in the long term. But I’ve no idea... I’m not retiring.”

Link

[Shaggy]

Rafa bugged the **** out of him - beautiful

[Vermilion]

You'd think these were just the sort of stats that would interest our stats driven ownership, and to have them analised by someone who knows stats and how they can be used to influence games.

Are we hiring do you know ?

[Alex]

Imagine Rafa as the assistant manager to Kenny. Or even just working as a coach. Just imagine it.

[Vermilion]

Imagine Rafa as the assistant manager to Kenny. Or even just working as a coach. Just imagine it.

Well i was just thinking he could help out with analising the stats , but it would bug the **** out of a certain someone if Rafa was in any way part of any future success we have.

Not gonna happen though.... Kill that thought dead.

[Neil Young]

Tan, can you please stop referring to Sinead O'Connor?

[Alex]

Yea I know. I like to think he will be back at the club in 10 years or so. Bit more experiance at different clubs. But yea, im having to lock the thought into my vault that also contains the thought of me being involved in casual sex with Kelly Brook.

[Reece]

I imagine Rafa cries himself to sleep every night at the thought that he doesn't have Mr Ferguson as a friend. Poor Rafa

[Fredo]

I think Rafa's site is getting a load of requests at this point in time as it's a bit slow. Lots of interest, which is nice to see.

[Fredo]

Look at him with the afro hair.

[Fredo]

Pellegrino has a column on his site as well.

[little dave hedgehog]

The systems used are similar; 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-4-1-1 and 4-4-2 in both leagues. The quality of the team dictates their style.

lovely stuff