The La Liga Season got underway in August and up until now, it has been nothing short of mind-boggling! Surprising results, underdog performances, 7-0 thrashings and defensive masterclasses. It has been everything a football fan wants to see and so much more. So today, let’s take a look at 5 things the Spanish League, La Liga, has taught us in its first 5 match weeks.
La Liga Teachings #1: Money Cannot Buy Chemistry, ft. Real Madrid
Real Madrid have the strongest squad in Europe on paper. Their hundreds and millions of dollars have helped them assemble Galacticos 3.0 with superstar names like Mbappe, Bellingham, Endrick, etc. But all of that money isn’t necessarily showing on the pitch. The team seems to lack chemistry. In some instances, they can’t even string 10 passes in a row. Los Blancos haven’t even been close to being as impressive as everyone thought they would be after signing their long-time target, Kylian Mbappe. There is a clear lack of connection between the front three and even in their recent fixture against Real Sociedad, they needed 2 penalties to get over the line. With the UCL coming up soon, can the Kings of Europe get back to their best?
La Liga Teachings #2: FC Barcelona’s Best Summer Signing Was Hansi Flick
FC Barcelona fans are on cloud nine. After a long time, FC Barcelona are dominating their competition like they used to in their golden days of the past. And it is all because of one man, Hansi Flick. The German coach under a span of 2 months has taken Barcelona from struggling against low-blocks to putting 7 past Valladolid, that too with a huge helping hand from La Masia. Flick’s men in their most recent fixture defeated Girona 4-1, a team who had an aggregate of 8-4 against Barca last season. In the first 5 matches in the league, Barcelona have scored 17 goals and only conceded 4 and by winning 5/5 of their games, sit pretty atop the La Liga table.
La Liga Teachings #3: 4-Horse Race For The La Liga Title?
Apart from FC Barcelona who are leading by 4 points, there are three other clubs who find themselves tied for the 2nd place with 11 points each, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Villareal. While 2 out of those three are usual suspects for the title season after season, Villareal has been absolutely fiery this season and deserves to be counted as one of the contenders for the La Liga title. The Yellow Submarine can give good competition to both the Madrid teams who are struggling to find chemistry on the pitch with all their new signings. Can we see a Villareal surge for the title this season? Only time will tell.
La Liga Teachings #4: Questionable Refreeing continues… VARdrid and VARcelona favouritism?
Not unlike the Premier League, La Liga’s refereeing over the years has seen a lot of if’s, maybe’s and uncertainties. And it seems like the trend will continue over the course of this season as well. Just in the most recent matchday, it seemed as if both the Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona were favoured by the VAR team. Real Madrid’s 2nd penalty against Betis came from a very soft foul on Vinicius, a player who is quite infamous for his antics and diving. On the other hand, Girona was awarded a penalty against the Blaugrana, a decision that was later overturned under questionable circumstances. Both instances were Controversial and Suspicious for sure.
La Liga Teachings #5: A Promising And Exciting Race For European Spots
This season in La Liga, there seem to be many top contenders for the 5th and 6th spot in the league. Of course, the ones who finish in the top 6 get to play European Football next season. And there are a total of 6 contenders eyeing those 2 spots. Celta Vigo who are currently 5th, Girona and Athletic Club are already closer to that spot, while others, including the likes of Sevilla, Real Betis and Real Sociedad, due to tough opening fixtures are scattered across the table but will surely challenge for European places.
Who will end up where at the end of the season is a different question altogether. If I had to guess, I would bet on Real Betis and Athletic Club to clinch those positions. What do you think? Do you agree with the 5 teachings La Liga has given fans in the first 5 matchdays? Let us know in the comments below.
