Last year’s La Liga title race was not the run of the mill toss-up between the big two teams. Atletico Madrid’s ascension to the top of the Spanish food chain caught pretty much everybody by surprise. Some pundits believe that Atletico could potentially be in the mix once again, even with a depleted squad, but heavy investments from both Real Madrid and Barcelona, could inevitably mean a failure to defend their title. This edition of the “Hand of Brod” seeks to breakdown the three main challengers for Spain’s top trophy.
Hand of Brod: La Liga Title Challengers
ATLETICO MADRID
Last Season: Primera Liga Winners; Copa Del Rey Semi Finals; Champions League Runner Up; Supercopa Runner Up
Sometimes the old sporting cliché of the best “team” won rings true, and it most certainly did for Atletico Madrid. Unlike the big two teams with their squads of endless superstars, Atletico won a league championship, and were just minutes away from winning the Champions League, with a wage budget smaller than QPR’s. Needless to say, Argentine manager Diego Simeone will set about playing some rigid football once again, in a bid to secure back-to-back championships.
However, this journey will be far more difficult than their last campaign. Atletico have lost numerous star players this summer; Diego Costa, David Villa, Thibaut Courtois, Felipe Luis and Diego have all departed for clubs elsewhere. That’s not to say they haven’t invested considerably (which is concerning considering the massive amount of debt the club has). They have recruited Mario Mandzukic and youngster Angel Correa to replace Costa and Villa, while the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Raul Jimenez would provide more attacking threat than last season. Although, Slovenian keeper Jan Oblak will have big shoes to fill after Courtois returned to Chelsea. Prediction: 3rd
BARCELONA
Last Season: Primera Liga Runner Up; Copa Del Rey Runner Up; Champions League Semi Finals; Supercopa Winners
Despite a myriad of pundits criticising Gerardo Martino’s management of Barcelona last season, the Catalan giants still had a reasonably good season. They were only a game away from knocking Atletico Madrid off their perch, and were close to winning the Copa Del Rey. Yet, so many off the field events, the sad passing of Martino’s predecessor Tito Villanova, as well as the Neymar transfer scandal and Messi’s injury turmoil, inevitably lead to a poor season by their standards. A new club president and a new manager in Luis Enrique, there are no excuses for Barcelona not to be firing on all cylinders this season.
Since their ban was temporarily overturned following the Neymar scandal, the Barcelona board have spent no time and a lot of money in improving their team. They have brought in a new attacking toy in ex-Liverpool bad boy Luis Suarez to partner the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar up front. They have new options at the back too since the club has brought in Thomas Vermaelen and Jeremy Mathieu—which should ease the pressure put on Gerard Pique to perform at a high level consistently.
Luis Enrique, was once the Barcelona “B” team manager and wanted to install a Guardiola-esque system when he was in charge in Roma. Expect Enrique to reverse time and install that same system which saw Barcelona win multiple European trophies and not use the more direct approach that Martino wanted at the club last season. Prediction: 2nd
REAL MADRID
Last Season: Primera Liga 3rd; Copa Del Rey Winners; Champions League Winners
How do you add to a unit which consisted of Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Angel Di Maria and Karim Benzema? How do you add to a unit which won “La Decima”—their tenth Champions League title? How? Oh you just add the best player of the World Cup (in my opinion) James Rodriguez, sign a World Cup winning midfielder in Toni Kroos and recruit the goalkeeper with the most saves in La Liga last season in Keylor Navas. Real Madrid might not buy in bulk like their competitors, but they certainly know how to make an impact.
Despite winning the Champions League, one does have to ask questions of manager Carlo Ancelotti in why they didn’t manage to complete the European treble. The La Liga title was up for grabs, but like their “el Clasico” counterparts, they wasted countless opportunities on trying to get one hand on that trophy. There are also a few critics claiming that Real Madrid are still overly-reliant on Ronaldo, and that could be both damaging to player and club. However, that really should not be a problem, with the numerous options they have on their attacking front.
If there were any real concerns that Los Blancos then it would be in defence. Sergio Ramos and Pepe have disciplinary issues, while Marcelo and Carvajal aren’t the most inspiring of full backs. With that said, it is only a minor concern. Real Madrid are too strong in the midfield and in attack that they should win the title. Prediction: 1st
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