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…Or read on for an insight in to this season’s Spanish League…
Lately La Liga has been a titanic tussle between two teams, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Both have come within touching distance of the magical 100 point mark in recent seasons. There’s absolutely no reason to think that it won’t again be a two horse race for this season, 2011/2012. In fact it’s a nailed on certainty. While there are several teams who will aspire to catch up with the golden duo of Spanish football: the likes of Valencia, Sevilla, Villarreal, Malaga and Atletico Madrid, the truth is they are still light years away. As long as they are forced to sell, or at the very best keep their squads intact, it’s a situation that we will have to get used to.
Barcelona have strengthened what was already the best attack in world football with the signings of Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas, and nursing of young talent, Thiago Alcantara, into the first team. Real Madrid have bolstered their midfield with the two Turks, Hamit Altintop and Nuri Sahin, and speed demon, Fabio Coentrao, who will reek havoc up and down touchlines across La Liga. Their squad is alongside Manchester City’s as the most complete around, with two world class players for each position. Indeed, as they say in Spain, ‘La Liga es cosa de dos’ (a thing of two).
Both forces will be expected to surpass 90 points this season. The only real doubt is about which will reign supreme come May 2012. Will Barcelona win a fourth consecutive title and continue their golden era, or will the depth of Real Madrid’s squad be enough to bridge that gap in quality over 38 matches? There is of course one more question. What will happen behind them?
Malaga, the new financial king of Spanish football, are set to enjoy the finest years in their short 17 year history. The signing of Santi Cazorla will have sent shock waves across La Liga. They want third place this season and nothing less. Athletic Bilbao will also be looking to crown themselves the best of the rest. The signing of Ander Herrera, along with Marcelo Bielsa at the helm after a successful four years in charge of the Chilean national team, will go a long way to helping them achieve this goal.
Valencia have attempted to soften the blow of the departure of Juan Mata, with some interesting signings. Diego Alves, Sergio Canales, Pablo Piatti and Dani Parejo are all set to grace El Mestalla in what is now a more versatile and deeper squad than last year. Atletico Madrid have also had to reorganise after the loss of their deadly duo upfront, Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero. In come highly rated Radimir Falcao Garcia and the potential of Adrian Lopez. Sevilla see Diego Capel, Renato and Zokora seek pastures new, while the Sanchez Pizjuan will run their eyes over German powerhouse, Piotr Trochowski, and reliable frontman, Manu del Moral.
Have any of those teams improved enough to challenge the hegemony that Barca and Real Madrid currently enjoy? In a word, no. But if you look beyond the tussle between Real Madrid and Barcelona, you begin to realise that La Liga really isn’t just a league concerning two teams. Elsewhere, as well as those looking to be crowned the best of the rest, there will be a battle of monstrous proportions between those fighting tooth and nail to remain in the top flight.
There are as many as 12 teams who could conceivably drop down to La Segunda. The new boys in town will inevitably be among the favourites to descend, though all three of Granada, Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano have more than enough quality within their ranks to cause problems across the Spanish peninsula. Real Zaragoza also kicked off the season as one of the favourites to get relegated. Javier Aguirre has one hell of a job on his hands if Los Manos are to keep their place in La Liga for a third season in a row.
So, 2011/12 is once again going to be an exciting season from the top to the bottom of La Liga, and Ladies and gentleman we welcome you to espangol.com for your comprehensive guide to teams, players, fixtures, results and video highlights. Welcome to Espangol, welcome to La Liga 2011/2012.
