Meet the Canary Islands club making waves in LaLiga with Barca and Norwich links
UD Las Palmas have put together back-to-back wins in LaLiga EA Sports following a tricky return to life in the top-flight – and now they're only looking up.
Based 1000 kilometres from the Spanish mainland in the Canary Islands, Las Palmas have found their feet under the guidance of Garcia Pimienta – using all his knowledge of the Barcelona way.
The Yellows have turned their campaign around by winning three of their last four matches following no wins in five to sit 10th in the table going into the international break – including a 2-1 away win over Villarreal.
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The turnaround in form has followed a second-place finish in LaLiga SmartBank last season, winning automatic promotion on goal difference over Levante to end a top-flight absence of five seasons.
During their recent win over Celta Vigo, their free-flowing style was on show for all to see as The Yellows enjoyed 74% of the ball.
Those numbers are no fluke under Pimienta – who was both a player and coach at Barcelona's famed La Masia before working his way into the senior dugout.
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Now in charge at the iconic Estadio Gran Canaria, the biggest stadium in the Canary Islands with a capacity of over 32,000, Pimienta began his playing career at La Masia back in 1986.
He would make appearances for Barcelona C, Barcelona B and the Barcelona first-team before a serious injury led to him slipping down the divisions and retiring at just 29.
The 39-year-old then spent 15 years as a coach with the youth and B teams at Barcelona – taking up his first senior role outside the club at Las Palmas last year.
A total of 32 wins have followed from 73 games, with the influence of his Barcelona mindset clear for all to see.
Only Barca and Real Madrid have averaged more than their 58.2% possession so far this season, with former Everton man Sandro and Sevilla icon Munir among their recent arrivals.
Alongside neighbouring island Tenerife, the passion for football in Las Palmas is clear for to see in a picturesque holiday location.
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At the start of the current season, UD Las Palmas and Gran Canaria tourism board announced a partnership with Championship outfit Norwich City – the Canaries.
The clubs, who both wear an eye-catching shade of yellow, have committed to sharing productions and advertisements during broadcasts of their fixtures this season.
More than 426,000 tourists visited Gran Canaria in the first six months of 2023, with hopes that football loving fans will follow.
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