La Liga: Nigerian duo clash in Spanish opener on Monday
The Spainish La Liga lone Monday clash between newly promoted duo of Villarreal and Almeria will pitch Super Eagles star Ikechukwu Uche against Ramon Azeez’s Almeria away in the 83rd season of the Spanish La Liga.
Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia Toral disclosed the 18-man squad for the first match of the 2013-14 Premier League on Monday against UD Almeria at Estadio the Mediterranean with the Nigerian inclusive.
Almería and Villarreal both won promotion to La Liga last season having faced each other on the final match day of last season’s second tier.
Villarreal won 1-0 courtesy of a Jonathan lone strike at home to secure promotion, while Almería needed playoffs to ascend.
The hosts won their opening match 3-0 at Deportivo the last time they were promoted in 2007 while visiting Villarreal lost both their opening matches after returning to the Liga, 4-1 at Real Madrid (1998) and 5-1 at home vs Rayo Vallecano (2000).
The 18 players selected are:
Goalkeepers: Juan Carlos and Asenjo.
Defenders: Mario, Pantic, Jaume Costa, Musacchio, Paul Iniguez and Chechu Dorado.
Midfielders: Bruno, Pina, Trigueros, Hernán Pérez, Aquino and Cani.
Forwards: Giovani dos Santos, Ikechukwu Uche, Jonathan Pereira and Perbet.
