Spain – La Liga Season Preview 2010/11 (Part 2): Real Madrid, Barcelona and the rest

FC Barcelona – can anyone stop them? Well actually there is this one guy…

After Part 1 our Spanish La Liga 2010/2011 season preview we’re now going to move onto Part 2 with a look at the top half of the league. And where else to start but at the very top?

The title – Real Madrid or Barcelona?

Of course we know that the title only involves two teams; FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. It was as tight as ever last season, with Barça pipping Madrid to the league title by just three points. Even though Madrid managed to score over 100 goals, it wasn’t enough, and their lack of organisation in midfield and defence cost them; eventually losing four league games compared to Barça’s one.

Real Madrid’s and Florentino Pérez’ answer to this failure has been the league’s biggest signing this season, with the appointment of the always charismatic “special one”, José Mourinho. He replaced Manuel Pellegrini, who was fired back in May. The Chilean actually did a decent job in the league, but failed to get beyond the last sixteen of the Champions League, which in the end is simply not good enough for a club of this size and stature.

Mourinho’s arrival saw the departure of two of the club’s longest serving players. Madrid icon Raúl left for Schalke, while Guti joined Besiktas in Turkey. New arrivals to the squad are Ángel di María, Pedro León, Sami Khedira, Ricardo Carvalho and most recently Mesut Özil. Kaká’s injury has also seen Sergio Canales take his place in the first team, who has impressed in pre-season since joining permanently after his loan at Racing.

As for Barça, their summer has been dominated by talk of Cesc Fàbregas. However, after having two offers rejected by Arsenal, they decided to give up – that is until next season when they will no doubt be back in for him. Talking of Spanish internationals, David Villa signed before the World Cup and more recently Adriano of Sevilla was snapped up to provide cover at full-back on either side of the field. Going the other way, Thierry Henry and Rafa Márquez were released and subsequently signed for New York Red Bulls, and €25m flop Dmytro Chygrynskiy was shipped back to Shakhtar. Finally, Yaya Touré linked up with his brother at Manchester City.

It should be another close race at the top, and Guardiola certainly won’t want to let Mourinho get the better of him again, like he did in last season’s Barça-Inter Champions League semi-final. Madrid fans will be hoping the Portuguese boss will be able bring some solidity to the defence and improve upon their performances in Europe. Both teams are still looking to add to their squads, with Barça needing to replace Yaya Touré in midfield and Madrid looking for reinforcements in the striking department.

The best of the rest

Valencia finished in 3rd last season, but they were a staggering 24 points behind Real Madrid. Then in 4th, Sevilla, 8 points behind Valencia. Such gaps demonstrate the difference in quality at the very top of the league, and it’s something that needs to be fixed. However, the money Barcelona and Real Madrid receive and can generate makes it incredibly hard for others to compete. Not to mention the debts.

Valencia have already had to sell their two star players David Villa and David Silva. But going into this season’s campaign they have signed some astute replacements, whilst keeping hold of Spanish international Juan Manuel Mata. Roberto Soldado and Aritz Aduriz will strengthen their attack nicely; Soldado in particular if he can repeat his exploits with Getafe last season where he managed 16 league goals. Experienced defender Carlos Marchena has departed for Villarreal, and he’ll be replaced by Portuguese international Ricardo Costa. Other notable signings include Turkish international Mehmet Topal, a solid defensive midfielder, and young Frenchman Sofiane Feghouli from Grenoble.

Further down the teams were more closely matched last year. Having lost to Sporting Braga in the Champions League qualifiers, Sevilla join Getafe and Villarreal competing in the Europa League. Getafe have lost a big part of their attack from last season in Pedro León and Roberto Soldado, but coming in to replace them are Javier Arizmendi and Adrián Colunga. Iván Marcano has joined on loan from Villarreal, whilst the midfield has been strengthened by the experienced Borja from Valladolid and the younger Pedro Mosquera from Real Madrid.

Their manager, former Spanish international Míchel, has done a great job since taking over last year and will be hoping for another top 6 finish this season. However, I don’t think they’ll be able to manage such a high finish again this year, and I don’t believe that Soldado’s goals and Pedro León’s assists can be matched by the likes of Arizmendi and Colunga.

Villarreal’s answer to the loss of Diego Godín comes in the form of Carlos Marchena, an experienced and usually reliable centre half. He will step in alongside Gonzalo at the back, but beyond that they will have to rely on a few of their younger defenders, particularly 19-year-old Argentine Mateo Musacchio, who featured in a number of first team games last season. Borja Valero, who had a fine last season with Mallorca, is expected to take up a creative role in midfield in place of the outgoing Ariel Ibagaza.

In attack, big American Jozy Altidore will be looking to make an impact in the first team after spending the last couple of season out on loan. He will have tough competition though alongside Nilmar, Marco Ruben and his friend Giuseppe Rossi. One to watch out for is Jefferson Montero, a 20-year-old Ecuadorian who already has 9 caps for his country. Juan Carlos Garrido has promoted him the senior team this season after some outstanding performances for the B team.

Interestingly, it was in fact Real Mallorca who came 5th last season, but due to their financial problems and ownership issues, UEFA have ruled them out of any European competition. But that’s a whole other story. They will be looking to build on their success and the man tasked with that job is Michael Laudrup, replacing Gregorio Manzano. Their only addition so far is Jonathan de Guzmán, who joined on a free transfer after leaving Feyenoord, whilst a number of key players have left. Quite depressing. But on the bright side they have a good manager in Laudrup, who did a sterling job the last time he was in Spain as Getafe’s manager.

Athletic Bilbao had their best season for a long time finishing in 8th, with both Fernando Llorente and Javi Martínez having great seasons. Martínez in particular; his domestic form meant that he was taken to the World Cup by Vicente del Bosque. Going into the new season they will want to keep hold of those two, plus with the development of young players like Iker Muniain and Ander Iturraspe they could be in for another successful campaign. The last Europa League place went to 9th place Atlético Madrid, who of course won the trophy last time round.

As far as squad changes go, Sevilla have been busy and Atlético have been spending big. Rookie Sevilla coach Antonio Álvarez has brought in Italian duo Luca Cigarini and Tiberio Guarante and full-back Mouhamadou Dabo from Saint Étienne. Most recently, Andalucian born Alexis Ruano has come in from Valencia. Importantly, Jesús Navas remains a Sevilla player after being linked with a move away over the summer. However, Luís Fabiano remains a question mark for them with constant talk of him leaving the club. Their failure to reach the Champions League may just be another reason for him to want out.

But Atlético have been very impressive so far. Diego Godín has joined from Villarreal;  an excellent and established central defender for a reported price of just €10m. Attacking Brazilian left-back Filipe Luís also joined from Deportivo. Around €12m for one of the best left backs around. Finally, Tiago re-joined on loan, while Mario Suárez and Fran Mérida will add depth to the midfield. Some top quality signings by manager Quique Sánchez Flores, who will be looking to take them back towards the Champions League places after underachieving in the league the previous season.

What are your predictions for La Liga this season? Can Jose Mourinho guide Real Madrid to silverware in his first season or are Barcelona simply too strong? Comments & predictions welcome below.

(photo credit – fcbarcelona.cat)

Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona, Getafe, Real Madrid, Real Mallorca, Sevilla, Spain, Spanish Primera Division, Valencia, Villarreal