As a national team, Spain grabbed glory at this summer's World Cup in South Africa, and as La Liga gets under way this weekend, the two clubs that dominated the championship roster will square off once again.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are prepared for battle, and have endured contrasting summers. Madrid once again splashed the cash, but brought in more reasonably priced players with the acquisitions of Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Angel Di Maria. That, and the addition of Jose Mourinho has coach is their intent to contend in both the league and continental competitions. On the other hand, Barcelona has for the most part, kept their championship-winning roster intact, while adding David Villa and Javier Mascherano.
The rest of the 18 teams in La Liga will be battling for two Champions League spots and a chance in the Europa League. Diego Forlan will look to continue his excellent run of form for Athletico Madrid, while Villareal, Sevilla and Valencia will hope to finish in the top half.
Which team do you think will win La Liga? Is it possible for another club aside from Barcelona or Real Madrid to win?
Share your thoughts below.
What’s your point? How are Real Madrid and Barca responsible for that given that matches involving those teams only decide a maximum of twelve points?
If anything, it suggests parity among teams 3-20.
well said dub, timbers suck!
Vaya colchineros!!!!
There was a 25 point difference between Real Madrid and the third place Valencia. In the EPL there was a 25 point difference between champion Chelsea and 8th place Everton. In La Liga there was a 45 point difference between Barcelona and the 8th place team in La Liga.
How many different teams have won the EPL over the last five years? Bayern Munich has won four of the last six in Germany . . .
Spain is the best league in the world from top to bottom in that every team plays entertaining soccer. The rivalries are the biggest on the planet given the political and social divisiveness that fuel them.
Please don’t tell me that the EPL is more than a two-horse race because the facts just don’t bear that out. Spots three and four are always up for grabs (among a handful of teams) but everyone knows its Chelsea and Man U at the top.
MLS has a high level of parity, so I assume you are a big fan.
I can believe how loaded Real and Barcelona are. Real Madrid’s best possible lineup might not include Kaka that’s how deep they are.
Do you now, DC Josh? That is a fine existence you lead. It must be a pretty amazing luxury to be too good for 18/20ths of the top echelon of Spanish football. Wow, I wish I had your flare… Yes, the two said clubs are favorites to take the two top spots, but much like the red-faced Scot said in 1999: “Football.. bloody hell.” Atletico to win the league. 1996 all over again.
The most competitive 2 team league in the world hahaha.
A league is a joke when only 2 teams can win it.
But I am looking forward to Barcelonas and Real Madrids champions league games.
There are only two games I care about in La Liga this year and they both involve Barca and Real Madrid. The rest can go piss off.
Mallorca just captured a striker from Bordeaux today; coupled with Laudrup and not losing as many players as you would expect from the financial turmoil, they should still be up there.
Barcelona’s third team has enough talent to finish third, that’s how stacked they are.
Atletico Madrid Super Cup Champions!!!!
Real Madrid — lots of talent but no heart.
Final League table:
1) Barca (I’m not stupid)
2) Atletico
3) Real
4) Sevilla
5) Villareal
6) Mallorca
7) Valencia
…
18) Sporting
19) Levante
20) Osasuna
Can someone overtake Barca or RM? No.
Once again, RM is too deep. They have awesome players that will just sit on the bench, do nothing, and eventually get transferred. One of Spain’s greatest young stars, Sergio Canales, will not see the field much.
Sevilla is underrated, but they don’t have enough to tackle the big 2. Valencia is in a rebuilding mode, but Mata should emerge.
I think Villarreal are set to make a run to the CL — the young guys that they have brought up to take the place of the older players are very good, and the midfield is amongst the best. Cani is stepping up his game.
I’m interested to see how Royal Society do in their delayed return to La Liga; they made a good local-product pickup in VCF’s Llorente. Nice to see them back.
Can Malaga’s Duda get that team going again? He disappointed last season after having that team threatening the Europe spots the season before.
Other than that, there was such little movement that there isn’t much else to say…
The battle for 3rd place has begun.
you are correct dub, timbers do suck!
favorite league in the whole wide world.
timbers suck
LEVANTE IS GONNA WIN IT ALL!!!
Seriously, don’t let your expectations get too high. I’m not expecting much playing time this season. I’ve said before if he gets in 30% of matches I’d be happy and surprised.
heard jozy play horrible in the europa league game
Completely agree, the more experience the better.
i just hope jozy gets a lot of minutes this season in the league, not just Europa League sub appearances
I just can’t see any other club in La Liga overtaking Madrid or Barca. Not that other teams are lacking in talent but it just seems that this duo should have a chokehold over the league again this season.
When is the game