The Race for the La Liga Title
For all the millions spent by Real Madrid and Barcelona last season, very few expected Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid to keep up with the two Spanish giants, let alone beat them to the finish line.
Not since 2004 had someone other than Real Madrid or Barcelona won the La Liga title, the year Rafa Benitez’s Valencia topped Spanish football, and the success of 2014 was the first time Atletico had ended the season as league champions since 1996. What more surprises does this league have in store for us? Which team will be the next to get their hands on the La Liga title?
Real Madrid
Nickname: Los Merengues
Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Key Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
New Signing: James Rodriguez
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
Last Position: 3rd
La Liga didn’t quite go as expected for Real Madrid in the latter stages of last season, finishing third in the table below bitter rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, but they did win the Copa Del Rey and their much coveted ‘Decima’ (10th UEFA Champions’ League title).
They did, however, dispose of a trio many considered to be the spine of their Champions’ League winning side of 2014, selling Angel Di Maria, Xabi Alonso and Pepe. How costly that will be remains to be seen, with the mood around Valdebebas believed to be somewhat strained.
But they do have Cristiano Ronaldo, and any team that has the 2013 Ballon d’Or winner has a good chance of winning the title. Real Madrid have added James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos to an already potent attack of Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, so much of their chances of winning the title may be in the hands of their forward line. Who knows what Real Madrid will turn up this season?
F.C. Barcelona
Nickname: Los Cules
Stadium: Camp Nou
Key Player: Lionel Messi
New Signing: Luis Suarez
Manager: Luis Enrique
Last Position: 2nd
The season of 2013/2014 was a real disappointment for Barcelona. The Catalans had serious troubles with both Madrid clubs, firstly being eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions’ League Quarter Finals before being stunned by Bale in the Copa del Rey final, as Real Madrid won Spain’s only cup competition.
The biggest blow came again at the hands of Atletico on the final day of the season, with Los Cules needing a win to take the La Liga title. They didn’t and Tata Martino resigned as a consequence, with Barcelona later appointing former player Luis Enrique as the new boss for the upcoming season.
Much like Real Madrid, Barcelona possess supreme talent of their own in Lionel Messi, and for that reason they shall always be considered as title contenders. Barcelona has added Luis Suarez to their frontline, joining Messi, Pedro Rodriguez and Neymar, but will only be available to make his debut for Barcelona in October.
Following Suarez into the Camp Nou was Ivan Rakitic, Thomas Vermaelen, Mattia Destro and more, in light of their transfer ban to be imposed in the January transfer window. On the flip side, they’ve also sold Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal and Cesc Fabregas to Chelsea, whereas highly-rated La Masia products Munir El Haddadi and Sergi Samper have also left. Can Barcelona gel into Luis Enrique’s new system and reignite their dominance?
Atletico Madrid
Nickname: Los Colchoneros
Stadium: Vicente Calderon
Key Player: Koke
New Signing: Antoine Griezmann
Manager: Diego Simeone
Last Position: 1st
The year of 2014 has been nothing short of magical so far for Atletico Madrid fans, after winning the La Liga title for the first time in 18 years thanks to Diego Godin’s heroics versus Barcelona. But there will always be those who want more, especially after losing the Champions’ League final versus rivals Real Madrid 4-1 in extra time.
With their triumph at Camp Nou last season and the heartache of Lisbon, Atletico Madrid will most certainly be taken seriously this season, wanting to retain their La Liga title at least. But things won’t be so easy for Diego Simeone’s well-oiled machine after losing their star man Diego Costa to Chelsea for £33 million.
Simeone has made his movements in the market, however, and signed Antoine Griezmann, the French winger who impressed so much for Real Sociedad last season, as well as at the 2014 Brazil World Cup. Simeone’s shopping didn’t end there, signing Bayern Munich’s marksman Mario Mandzukic and Alessio Cerci from Torino to add firepower to their attack.
Beyond the new signings and the already regular stars, such as Gabi, Godin & Arda Turan, Atletico have an abundance of young talent bursting through, with Koke, Angel Correa, Saul and Jose Maria Gimenez all rubbing shoulders with the big boys in the league. Back-to-back titles, maybe?
Valencia
Nickname: Los Che
Stadium: Mestalla
Key Player: Sofiane Feghouli
New Signing: Rodrigo
Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo
Last Position: 8th
They may have been away from the top for a while, but Valencia have every chance of deciding the La Liga title this season, whether that means robbing points form the top three or topping the trio themselves.
Although they are clear outsiders for first place at the end of the season, being bankrolled by Singapore businessman Peter Lim offers Los Che fans hope that Valencia are on their way back to the top.
Despite losing the highly-rated Paco Alcacer and Jose Luis Gaya, Valencia have made smart moves in the transfer market, loaning in Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo and signing Rodrigo and Andre Gomes from Benfica this season.
Under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo, former FC Porto goalkeeper, Valencia also have talent coming through the first team in Ruben Vezo, Fede Cartabia and Rodrigo de Paul, mixing it up with the usual suspects, such as Dani Parejo, Sofiane Feghouli and Shkodran Mustafi. Watch this space.