Up and coming: Spain
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
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Two Andalusian derbies will return to the Spanish Liga as UEFA.com profiles the top flight's new entries which include football royalty from Seville and a bolt of lightning from Madrid.
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Real Betis Balompié
Sevilla FC will welcome their regally endorsed cross-town rivals Betis – the word derives from Baetis, the Roman name for the river Guadalquivir – back to the Liga when they meet at the Estadio Benito Villamarín on the first day of term. In his first campaign as Verdiblancos coach, former Betis striker José 'Pepe' Mel led the 1935 champions back to the top flight after a two-year absence. Rubén Castro and Jorge Molina provided 45 goals together as the one-time UEFA Champions League entrants secured an 11th promotion to the elite – and a sixth second-tier championship – though there were wobbles along the way, notably a five-game losing streak. Just as well the Andalusian club's motto is 'Viva er Betis manque pierda!' (long live Betis even when they lose!).
Rayo Vallecano
From Vallecas in the Madrid suburbs, Rayo (literally 'lightning') have traditionally yo-yoed between the top two divisions, but because of recent financial problems they spent four seasons in the third tier in the 2000s. Second in the promotion race in 2010/11, the team generally regarded as the third-biggest capital side now return to the Liga after an eight-year gap. They do so as one of four Madrid clubs, along with Real Madrid CF, Club Atlético de Madrid and Getafe CF. The 2001 UEFA Cup quarter-finalists, who were founded in 1924, have lost key defender Coke to Sevilla and will be keen to strike a deal for Emiliano Armenteros, who scored 20 goals last term while on loan from the same team.
Granada CF
The Sevilla-Betis game will not be the only Andalusian derby in the Liga, with Granada's re-entry to the elite after a 35-year absence lining them up for two meetings with their nearest neighbours, Málaga CF. El Graná were playing in the third level of Spanish football two years ago, yet completed their upward surge by overcoming Elche CF in a promotion play-off. Odion Jude Ighalo got the goal that clinched promotion, and the Nigerian is one of a number of players loaned to the 1959 Copa del Rey finalists from Serie A outfit Udinese Calcio. Formed in 1931, Granada have previously enjoyed 18 seasons in the Liga, earning a highest position of sixth on two occasions: 1971–72 and 1973–74.
