La Liga 2011/12 preview

The managers of the teams within La Liga are currently moulding their respective teams in preparation for another highly anticipated season of Spanish football. All eyes will be on Barcelona, who are coming off the back of yet another record breaking title-winning season, although Jose Mourinho will be determined to prevent the Catalans from cruising to a 4^th successive title after making some shrewd additions to his Real Madrid squad.

 

La Liga is home to some of the best technical ability around, however critics of the Spanish league could argue that a noticeable gap is emerging between the main 2(Barcelona and Real Madrid) and the rest of the chasing pack, who have created a suffocating stranglehold, as was evident last season with a 21 point gap between 2^nd placed Real Madrid and Valencia in 3^rd. All signs point to a similar pattern emerging in the 2011/12 season, especially with Barcelona seemingly able to sweep all before them, and Real Madrid splashing the cash to attempt to overtake their rivals in what will no doubt be an intriguing battle.

 

So is it possible for Barcelona to yet again march to the La Liga title whist achieving success in the Champions League? Lionel Messi, at the age of 24, is already one of the most talented players ever according to most pundits, whilst Xavi and Andres Iniesta remain as the team’s consistent heart-beat, showing the attractive style of football that is prevailing as an ethos of the club. Youngster Thiago, who impressed for Spain at the under 21 tournament, is seemingly being groomed to take over them in the future, whilst the rumours of Cesc Fabregas returning to his boy-hood club won’t seem to go away, meaning that Barcelona’s midfield should again dominate in the vast majority of matches. Added to this and Alexis Sanchez is reportedly close to joining the club, and if Barca could snare the talented Chilean from Udinese to add to their existing fire-power of Messi, Pedro and David Villa, it would seem an almost impossible task for any team to prevent Barcelona from retaining their trophy yet again.

 

However one potential frailty that Barcelona has is their squad size, which has yet to be tested with a significant injury crisis. Current squad players Bojan, Jeffren and Gabriel Milito have all been linked with moves away, and if the Catalan’s are unlucky in terms of injuries, their squad could be seriously depleted and tested to its limits, which is bound to affect consistency and results.

 

Barcelona’s main rival will no doubt again be Real Madrid, with their title charge being spearheaded by Jose Mourinho, a manager who has achieved success wherever he has been, and will no doubt have the self confidence that he is the man to overcome possibly the best teams of all times. Cristiano Ronaldo will no doubt be the focal point and protagonist of any success that Real achieve, and the likes of Mesut Ozil, Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, Pepe and Gonzalo Higuain show how vast the armoury of the squad actually is. Mourinho has been busy already this summer, with his main signing coming in the shape of Portugese left back Fabio Coentrao, who will be a sufficient upgrade on Marcelo, who has cost the side in the past with his suspect defensive awareness. Nuri Sahin has also joined from Dortmund and alongside Alonso, they will be able to keep possession and provide a platform for the collection of attacking stars to perform. Raphael Varane, Hamit Altintop and Jose Callejon will also boost the squad as Mourinho scours the globe for a striker who he hopes can finalise an impending squad that is capable of challenging for every trophy before them.

 

But it is imperative to consider the remaining teams who will hope to compete towards the pinnacle of La Liga. Firstly one team who seems to come from under the radar to achieve success is Villarreal, and it is amazing to consider that a club based in such a diminutive region has managed to climb into regular contention for European qualification in such a small amount of team. Their main aim during this summer will be to maintain the services of stars such as Nilmar, Guiseppi Rossi and Santi Cazorla, and the signing of Cristian Zapata to shore up the defence may prove to be one of the most intelligent deals of the summer.

 

A lot of the media’s intention will be cast into the direction of Malaga, who will have much loftier ambitions than to fight against relegation, with new owner Abdullah bin Nasser bin Abdullah Al Ahmed Al Thani(yes, this had to be copied and pasted!) splashing the cash in the hope of achieving instant success. This summer money has been lavished upon acquiring Jeremy Toulalan, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Joaquin and Joris Mathijsen amongst others, and the pressure will be centralised upon manager Manuel Pelligrini, with the new owner no doubt demanding almost instant success, meaning there is sure to be drama at the club one way or another.

 

Moving back to the capital and Atletico Madrid may struggle to maintain the standards they have set, with the core of the team seemingly being torn out, and many indispensable members of the squad moving onto pastures new, leaving sizeable gaps for Gregorio Manzano to fill. David De Gea has already moved on to Manchester United in an attempt to fill the sizable void left by Edwin Van Der Sar’s retirement, whilst Sergio Aguero has entered negotiations with Manchester City, and Diego Forlan may seek pastures new, especially after last season which proved frustrating for the World Cup star. The likes of Miranda and Adrian Lopez have been brought in but are unlikely to have the impact that the likes of Aguero and De Gea have had on the team.

 

Elsewhere and Sevilla will no doubt feel capable of competing for a Top 4 place, with Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas and Diego Perotti all providing their supporter’s with entertainment and goals, whilst leaving defences with headaches. Valencia may struggle however if they are forced to buckle under the strains of their crippling debts and sell assets such as Juan Mata and Ever Banega. If this eventuality occurs supporters will have to hope that former Almeria playmaker Pablo Piatti and Dani Parejo, purchased from Getafe, are able to step up to the mantle and become the inventive fulcrum of the side. Basque club Athletic Bilbao will again be reliant on their team spirit, coupled with the goals of Fernando Llorente, the dominating midfield displays of Javi Martinez and the craft of Iker Muniain, as they hope to try and snare at least a European spot in what will no doubt be a very competitive top half.

 

Iit is certainly going to take an astounding level of consistency and quality if anyone, most likely Real Madrid, is to remove Barcelona from their perch as the best side in Spain. However if Barcelona suffer a bout of injuries, it could easily stretch their squad and cause mass disruption, which is arguably the best chance of Real Madrid ending a barren La Liga run by their standards and snatching the throne from their fierce rivals.

 

My top 8 prediction for La Liga 2011/12 is as follows:

 

1. Barcelona

2. Real Madrid

3. Villarreal

4. Sevilla

5. Athletic Bilbao

6. Malaga

7. Valencia

8. Atletico Madrid