Barca, Athletico or Real: Who will win the La Liga?

With the new La Liga season set to kick off this weekend, teams are already making plans for it. Last season, La Liga had an unfamiliar champion after Diego Simeon Athletico Madrid, side against all odds, beat Spanish ‘Big Boys’ Barcelona and Real Madrid to the La Liga crown.

Certainly Barcelona and Real would be keen to reclaim their lost crown while Athletico would be hoping to keep the crown for at least another season. How possible could that be, time will definitely tell.

Madrid have behaved like true Galacticos during the pre-season and signed more stellar names whereas Barcelona have undergone something of a mini revolution with a host of new signings under the tutelage of new manager, Luis Enrique.

There have been good-byes and very good buys at the Calderon during the summer. Courtois, Filipe Luis and Costa moved to Stamford Bridge with the latter pairing gaining substantial income for Atleti that has been wisely reinvested in the team.

In Simeone, Atleti possess one of the most highly rated coaches in Europe. And as La Liga champions and a team that were moments away from winning the Champions League, convincing players to stay whilst attracting new players was always going to be much easier than many suggested. 

Atleti are arguably stronger now than they were last season. Further departures were confirmed in Adrian, David Villa and Guilavogui yet the reinforcements are very impressive.

Oblak, Siquiera, Mandzukic, Griezmann (offering a new dimension to Atleti’s attack), Correa, Jimenez, utility defender Ansaldi from Zenit could be very important; and Saul after a year at Rayo and Atleti have greater all-round strength than before. And Koke has signed a new contract too. So can they defend their La Liga title?

The issue is not the quality of the side individually but the ability for Atleti to continue the collective play and intensity of their game that Simeone demands after almost 3 years in control.

Is the hunger still there within the players? Can they still give everything for the side week in, week out? Can the new players integrate quickly and adapt to the high work-rate and tempo that he demands? If he can, then Atleti can once more mount a serious challenge for the league. For Simeone, this isn’t the end of the cycle.

The Catalans are fresh off from what has to be viewed as one of their most disappointing seasons in recent memory. While a second-placed finish in the league along with a narrow quarter final defeat in the Champions League and a Copa Del Rey final isn’t necessarily a tragedy, a season without silverware has come to be seen as unacceptable, and the Catalans will be trying to do whatever they can to remedy the situation.

Former player Luis Enrique returns to the Camp Nou to take control of a squad with new players but still needing further overhaul work. Short spells at Roma and Celta Vigo have identified the style of Enrique. Similarities with Guardiola exist but also key differences. Expect Barcelona to continue with the attractive style of play but contain a rougher edge to them.

With numerous new arrivals but also departures, each area of the team needs work to fit together. Pre-season friendlies have seen players from the B team step up and there will be spaces available for those who perform to complement the squad. The real focus has been on the final third with the arrival of Luis Suarez even allowing for his 4-month ban. How does the Uruguayan fit in with Messi and Neymar?

Madrid begins the season as clear favourites for the title. Individually, the squad is packed with quality and is arguably the best squad in world football. How that translates into the pitch collectively will be the dilemma for Italian tactician Ancelotti this season. Get it right and you could see Madrid dominate all the tournaments they enter. Get it wrong and…well, you know how Perez tends to operate.

It’s difficult to look beyond Madrid even with the balancing problems that exist. The depth of talent within the squad is unrivalled and even though seeing Atleti successfully defend their title would be unparalleled in the modern era of European football, it is difficult to see it happening.

Atleti will have the greatest success in cup competitions once more as normal service is resumed on the domestic front. Even if the collective fails, individually they can still win games.

Did people really think Atleti were ready to rest on their achievements thus far, accept their place?

However, given that their main rivals, Real Madrid, have maintained the core of their Champions League-winning squad and strengthened strategically, while Atletico Madrid are likely to repeat last season’s miracle, it is a safe bet to say that third place in La Liga are what Barcelona are likely to obtain this season.

Ronaldo would always have his way at Real Madrid, grabbing the headlines, Barca must also allow Messi have the same opportunity.

An inspired and happy Messi is what Barca need to have a clean sweep of titles and that is what Enrique must ensure. The race for the La Liga is certainly going to be fierce and all a neutral observer can say is, may the best team win.

ANTHONY NLEBEM