Garcia Hopes Alonso's Chelsea Finish Second to Liverpool Luis Garcia, the chief executive of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), expressed his hope that Xabi Alonso’s new club, Chelsea, will finish second to Liverpool in the Premier League next season. The two Spanish former Liverpool teammates, who played together from 2004 to 2007, are set to reunite during Chelsea’s pre-season tour in Malaysia, where JDT will host the English giants at their 40,000-capacity Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. Garcia, who splits his time between Spain and Malaysia, emphasized the significance of the match for both JDT and Malaysian football. Garcia and Alonso, who signed for Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool on the same day in 2004, have maintained a strong friendship despite their careers diverging. Their bond was tested during their time at Liverpool, where they faced each other in the Champions League final against AC Milan in 2005. Garcia recalled their first meeting at Anfield, noting that Alonso surprised him with his fluency in English during a press conference. “He told me he didn’t speak English too well before our unveiling press conference,” Garcia said. “I answered the first question in Spanish, as we had a translator present, and he answered in perfect English and I thought: ‘Why you little?!’” The two Spaniards went on to represent Spain together, and their camaraderie has endured over the years. However, Garcia acknowledged the challenges Alonso faces as Chelsea’s new manager, particularly in their final overseas friendly against JDT. The match marks the culmination of Chelsea’s pre-season tour, which included games against elite European teams like Tottenham, Juventus, and AC Milan. Garcia praised the occasion as a monumental moment for JDT and Malaysian football, calling Chelsea the “biggest test” of the season.#premier_league #xabi_alonso #luis_garcia #johor_darul_ta_zim #sultan_ibrahim_stadium
Luis García confirms Jonathan Viera's absence for the match against SD Eibar Before addressing the match, the coach expressed a personal tribute: "I want to take a moment to remember Segundo Almeida. On behalf of the team and coaching staff, we send a big hug to his family and Ruymán." García emphasized the importance of respecting SD Eibar's team, acknowledging their consistent performance: "They are a dangerous opponent. Beñat is doing a great job, and his team has a clear identity. They are a recognizable squad that does things well." The coach highlighted the need to focus beyond results, noting Beñat's efforts despite a poor win record: "We often only look at outcomes, but Beñat is building a solid proposal. His team has only won twice in fourteen matches, but their approach is clear." Jonathan Viera's absence was confirmed as the main news, with García explaining the situation: "Viera is unavailable due to physical issues. My relationship with him is standard between a player and coach. Jesé also warmed up but didn’t play. Everything is within normal expectations." Other absences include Marvin for physical reasons and Amatucci due to a suspension. García addressed the unique challenges of Ipurua, stating: "I haven’t played there, so I can’t describe the feeling, but the stadium is smaller and more compact. It’s a matter of perception." He stressed the importance of resilience in the game: "We need to learn from past mistakes. I hope the Albacete experience doesn’t repeat, though the last match saw the opponent pressuring us for 20 minutes." The coach also acknowledged the competitiveness of the league: "We can’t ignore the equality in this category. Look at Racing’s 0-4 defeat. We must manage better when the opponent attacks." Photo: Pasión Amarilla#luis_garcia #ipurua #jonathan_viera #sd_eibar #benat
UD Las Palmas Afronta Duelo Crucial Contra Eibar Buscando Regularidad La UD Las Palmas viajará este domingo a Ipurúa para enfrentarse al Eibar en un partido clave para su trayectoria en la temporada. El objetivo del conjunto canario es evitar repetir el error cometido en su última visita al campo rival, donde un inicio dominante se tradujo en un derrumbe final que costó los tres puntos. El técnico Luis García ha subrayado la importancia de corregir ese déficit para no caer en la misma trampa que les afectó en Albacete. El Eibar, que se encuentra en su mejor momento de la temporada, representa una amenaza significativa. Con seis victorias en sus últimos siete partidos como local y solo una derrota en las últimas diez jornadas, el equipo vasco ha demostrado una sólida consistencia. Además, ha logrado tres partidos consecutivos sin recibir gol, lo que refleja su fortaleza defensiva. La UD debe estar preparada para enfrentar un rival que busca aprovechar esta oportunidad para acercarse al ascenso. La UD, tras su victoria frente al Sporting, sigue buscando estabilidad en el campo. Aunque ha mostrado momentos de excelencia, como un inicio imponente y generación de ocasiones, también ha sufrido bajones físicos y errores defensivos que han costado puntos. El técnico ha insistido en la necesidad de aprovechar al máximo las fases de dominio para minimizar la incertidumbre y mantener el control del partido. En cuanto a la formación, Luis García confirma la ausencia de Viera, quien sigue acumulando lesiones y suplencias, y descarta tensiones internas dentro del equipo. La solución pasa por mantener una línea continuista en el once, con Kirian como uno de los elegidos para reforzar la medular. El tinerfeño, que ha sido titular en tres partidos consecutivos, se convierte en una pieza clave para la UD en busca de regularidad.#ud_las_palmas #luis_garcia #eibar #ipurua #german_cid
UD Las Palmas Aims for Victory in LALIGA HYPERMOTION Clash Against Albacete BP The UD Las Palmas will face Albacete BP at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte in a LaLiga Hypermotion match scheduled for Monday at 19:30 Canarian time. This encounter marks the 30th round of the competition, with the home team seeking to extend its winning streak. The visitors, UD Las Palmas, aim to secure another victory away from Gran Canaria, where they have a record of four wins, six draws, and eight losses. Their last triumph at the venue dates back to the 2022-23 season, when Sidnei and Enzo Loiodice scored to secure a 1-2 win. Recent form has positioned the team under Luis García to capitalize on their recent success. Following two consecutive matches where they earned three points each, the focus is on maintaining this momentum with a win at the Carlos Belmonte. The result could further solidify their position in the league table. The teams’ standings reflect their current status: Albacete BP sits in 16th place with 36 points from 29 games, having secured nine victories, 11 losses, and nine draws. UD Las Palmas, meanwhile, occupies fifth place with 48 points, having played 29 matches and recorded 12 wins, five losses, and 12 draws. The match promises to be a test of both teams’ ability to translate their league form into competitive results. Luis García emphasized the importance of victory, stating, “Ganar siempre te da confianza y te fortalece, refuerza el mensaje y lo que estás haciendo.” This sentiment underscores the team’s determination to maintain their upward trajectory in the standings. The match will be a key opportunity for UD Las Palmas to strengthen their position in the top half of the table, while Albacete BP will look to avoid a setback in their pursuit of consistency.#estadio_carlos_belmonte #ud_las_palmas #albacete_bp #laliga_hypermotion #luis_garcia
