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European League Preview IV – Spanish Primera Liga

Written by Adeleke Afolayan

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

The Primera Liga last season in truth was perhaps the most unpredictable league among the top European leagues despite Real Madrid winning the title with a sizeable point margin.

Real Madrid’s rampant start to the season, knocking all opposition that came their way; including archrivals CF Barcelona, did quite enough to keep them on top of the table for virtually all of the season.

In reality though, Merengues should have not won the La Liga title after so many poor results at the turn of the year (from late 2007 till the end of the season in May 2008) so Barcelona and Villarreal close in on their lead at various times.

Both teams however failed when it mattered most; overtaking Real Madrid when within touching distance, but instead fell into their own run of poor results, especially Barcelona that was just plain disappointing in all competitions last season and mounted anything but a title challenge.

Now, the Blaugrana must face the consequence of finishing outside one of two automatic Champions League spot when they face a tricky contest in the third round of qualifiers without star player Lionel Messi who has teemed up with Argentina for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing China.

As much as the Nou Camp club have reinforced its squad with a number of quality signings including Seydou Keita and Daniel Alves both from Sevilla and Alexander Helb from Arsenal, Messi brings an added spark to the team, and any team; which is why the Argentine Olympic team wanted him so badly to be in China.

In the end though, Messi’s absence might just not be felt so much with Barcelona face newly promoted sides in two of its opening three fixtures before much tougher opponents, by which time the diminutive striker would have returned from his sojourn in Beijing.

However Barcelona’s challenge to wrestle the title from Madrid comes to doubt based on the ability of new coach Josep Guardiola; a legend during his playing days at the Nou Camp but has only had coaching experience with the club’s youth set-up.

Real Madrid have kept a bulk of the team that won the league last season and in its quest to build a squad more capable of challenging for the European Cup; which has been a source of piercing heartaches for the all whites, Real have brought in Rafael Van der Vaart after the move for Cristiano Ronaldo failed to come through.

Away from the big two, Villarreal come into perspective having been a consistent performer in the league and in Europe having reached the semi-final of the Champions League in 2006 and finishing in the top end of the league table; second behind Real last season and third the previous season.

The Yellow Submarines strength lies in an unparalleled team spirit laid on the foundation of veteran players such as Robert Pires, Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci and Brazilian born skipper Marcos Senna blended with youngsters such as former Manchester United player Giuseppe Rossi.

A second club that has been knocking on the dominance of the top two is Sevilla. Though Sevilla finished fifth last season; separated by head to head record from fourth placed Atletico, the potential at the club cannot be discarded.

Newly promoted Sporting Gijon may be one team to watch out for along with fellow La Liga returnees Malaga and Numancia. All three though face difficult opponents in the opening weekend with Gijon at home to Getafe while Numancia hosts Barcelona and Malaga travel to face Atletico Madrid.

Gijon in pre-season defeated former European champions AC Milan 2-0 to prepare for life in the Spanish top flight.

Sunday, 31 August 2008
Athletic Bilbao v Almeria
Atletico Madrid v Malaga
Deportivo La Coruna v Real Madrid
Espanyol v Valladolid
Numancia v Barcelona
Osasuna v Villarreal
Racing Santander v Sevilla
Real Betis v Recreativo Huelva
Sporting Gijon v Getafe
Valencia v Mallorca

Players to Watch:

Aliaksandr Hleb – CF Barcelona
Rafael van Der Vaart – Real Madrid
Soldado – Getafe
Nihat Kahveci – Villarreal
Ikechukwu Uche - Getafe
Kalu Uche - Almeria
David Villa - Valencia
Seydou Keita - Barcelona
David Silva - Valencia
Fernando Gago - Real Madrid
Daniel Alves - Barcelona

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