The first team to ever break the 90 point mark in Spanish football was the Real Madrid side of Fabio Capello in 1996/1997. This season Barcelona and Real Madrid have both stormed above the landmark with two matches still to play. Some regard it as an astonishing feat, underlining the supreme quality on offer at the two largest clubs on the Iberian peninsula. In many respects they're correct. One quick look at Messi, CR9 and company would confirm that. Others, me included, see it as a sobering judgement on the standard on offer below. Valencia lie third; an incredible 24 points behind Real Madrid, with a side that can count on David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata; all established Spanish internationals. With David Villa set to leave, direction Barca, this chasm is only going to widen. The other teams remotely capable of launching an assault on this duopoly in the past few seasons, Sevilla and Villarreal, have fallen by the wayside after some promising years of growth. The problem, if it can be classed as such, is not going to vanish any time soon.
Perhaps its Atletico Madrids time to make the leap from mid-table obscurity to title challengers. For that to happen it is of tantamount importance that they hold onto Sergio Agüero and Diego Forlán. But with vultures circling overhead, their beaks stuffed with cash, it's a tough ask. Below this 'second tier' there is very little chance of anyone troubling Barca or Real Madrid over ninety minutes, let alone a season. During my time at Xerez I've been impressed by teams like Almeria and Osasuna, but to compete they rely on 'rejects' and home-grown talent that will be shipped on if they're any good. Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao have enjoyed superb seasons, but you doubt whether they'll be able to maintain this form over the course of three or four seasons. It pains me to say it, but the two have overachieved, especially those at the Ono Estadi. That's not to take away from what has been an outstanding season for Gregorio Manzano and his team, it's just I can't see them repeating it next year. I hope they prove me wrong.
Marca reported some interesting stats from across Europe when discussing the matter. How Bayern Munich are on course to win the Bundesliga with 67 points (33 matches). That Inter Milan odds on to win Serie A with 76 points (36 matches). Precisely the two teams preparing to battle it out for Europes biggest prize at the Bernabeu this month. Two leagues many derise as lacking in any serious quality. Surely not the case judging by those stats. In 1999/2000, Deportivo La Coruña stole the title with a measly 69 points. If Barcelona win their remaining two matches, they'll do so with 30 points more on the board. Something rather dramatic has happened in the last decade. A shift of wealth.
You only need to look across at the Premier League to see how this season, a wider spread of available funds (several clubs with tens of millions to spend, not just two) has led to one of the most unpredictable seasons during the Premiership era. Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa will all probably finish above 2005 Champions League winners Liverpool (a team touted as potential challengers last August, whilst Arsenal were still in the running until only a couple weeks ago. All can realistically aim to challenge Chelsea and Man Utds in the coming years. Does Spain really need oil money for that to become a reality in La Liga? Unfortunately it would appear so, but with the presidential systems currently in place at Spanish clubs, it's an unlikely scenario in the immediate future. Until then we'll have to make do with some enthralling tussles between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
You only need to look across at the Premier League to see how this season, a wider spread of available funds (several clubs with tens of millions to spend, not just two) has led to one of the most unpredictable seasons during the Premiership era. Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa will all probably finish above 2005 Champions League winners Liverpool (a team touted as potential challengers last August, whilst Arsenal were still in the running until only a couple weeks ago. All can realistically aim to challenge Chelsea and Man Utds in the coming years. Does Spain really need oil money for that to become a reality in La Liga? Unfortunately it would appear so, but with the presidential systems currently in place at Spanish clubs, it's an unlikely scenario in the immediate future. Until then we'll have to make do with some enthralling tussles between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
I'd appreciate your thoughts on the matter!
I'm always surprised that the whole RM/Barca domination of La Liga doesn't come in as a negative point more often when it's touted as the 'best league in the world'. But at least it's a contest. Inter to win their 4th title in a row now?
ReplyDeleteThat said, the Premier League is looking exciting for next year. Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd all capable of winning it. Debts, oil money, and the exchange rates making it hard/easy for recruitment in varying degrees.
Which city/team would you invest in Spain if you wanted to spend your oil billions, assuming you wanted to turn them into a going concern in the long run? ie/ The potential future Chelsea in Spain rather than Man City... My slightly ignorant view would be Seville.
Any billionaire looking at La Liga would most probably aim for Sevilla, Valencia, Atletico Madrid and perhaps Villarreal. The sides that already have decent teams in place, large stadiums and fan bases and would only require a handful of world class purchases to start troubling Real Madrid and Barcelona. The rest would be far too complex and drawn out a project for a tycoon looking to make a relatively quick buck.
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered if a NBA-esque draft system would work in football. Far too late to implement it now but I'd love to see how it would shake things up. I guess you could cap club budgets too. Will never happen either!
I think these things come in cycles. I mean there have been years in the Premier League when either Man Utd or Chelsea have won the league at a canter and other years when it has been closer. The same is true in Spain. It wasn't that long ago that Valencia and Deportivo de La Coruña won the league. Since the Premiership was created only 4 teams (Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal and Blackburn) have won it. That is the same as Spain over the same period of time.
ReplyDeleteI really hope Spain doesn't go down the road that the Premier League has. I think the way forward, for a sustainable league, is the Cantera, wage caps, cheap ticket prices and supporter friendly kick off times. The foreign millionaires won't be around for ever, the bubble will burst and there will be a lot more Portsmouths to come.
As you know I've travelled to all but one of the La Liga clubs this year and to answer the question regarding which teams have potential for investment, based on support base I would go for Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Real Zaragoza and possibly Deportivo de La Coruña.
You're right to leave out Villarreal, not much of a fan base there. Interesting you mention Real Betis and Real Sociedad...two sleeping giants that could be worth a punt, although would any world class player seriously consider moving there? Looking at the way Real Zaragoza has operated in the transfer market over the last three years, you'd think there already was an oil tycoon involved. I don't know where they get the money from....I doubt many at the club do either. Crazy debt would explain it I guess.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree with everything you said about the youth team, kick off times, cheap tickets etc. Take a leaf from the Bundesligas book.....every team debt free. I just feel there's so much money to be made from a football club that unless politicians step in to implement the measures you mention, there will always be millionaires knocking on doors. And it must be so tempting to accept their offer if it means competing for honours down the road. And then you add into the equation money-grabbing, unloyal players; a greed culture so deeply ingrained, only wage caps could fix it.
I know it won't happen but I would like to see the old 3 foreigner rule re-introduced along with the Champions League being just for Champions, the UEFA cup for the next few teams and Cup Winner’s Cup back. This would stop the big leagues dominating and allow the clubs like Ajax as well as some of the clubs of Eastern Europe such as Red Star Belgrade, Wisla Krakow, Ferencvaros, Steaua Bucharest, Dynamo Kiev etc compete in the Champions League, get access to money and keep their stars. This in turn would improve the quality and importance of the other leagues outside the top four. I don’t agree with the top 4 from Spain, England, Italy and Germany being allowed into the Champions League. The cup winner’s cup was a great competition and it’s a shame it’s gone.
ReplyDeleteAs for Spain. If salary caps and limits on foreign players were introduced I think teams like Betis and Sociedad would be closer to the big two and would therefore have bigger crowds. I mentioned Zaragoza based on the fact it’s Spain’s fifth largest city. I never mentioned Athletic Bilbao who are another big club who are showing the way forward. It’s a club that belongs to the people and represents the people and the fans love the club and will never abandon it.
I know what you mean about the temptation of accepting the money of billionaires but it’s not sustainable. Just like the TV deals that so many clubs stake their future on. Clubs have to realize the only stable source of income is the fans, they are the ones who will always be there but if you mistreat them, set high ticket prices, play matches at times that suit TV companies and not the fans then they will leave you. You can see now, with clubs like FC United of Manchester that for the real fans, winning isn’t everything.
Great post. But despite this seasons upsets and outright strange results at times, I still think the EPL is a two horse race.
ReplyDeleteI know Arsenal are a lot closer than say Sevilla or Valencia are to Barca/Real, but it's still a big gap in terms of consistency.
The next couple of seasons will be interesting for the likes of Arsenal, Man City, Spurs and Liverpool, but I can't see past the big two for a winner anymore than can for Spain's big two.
Matt
Jamie: I would love the Eastern European teams to get back involved in fighting for the Champions League, but like you say it would only realistically happen if they re-introduced the three-foreigner rule...something impossible these days....we're all European remember! About the fans....I love the sentiment, and if only it were like that, the fans deserve so much better in many cases...but we have to remember we live in an age where many football clubs are businesses and unfortunately the number one aim of any business is to make money. And until they appreciate the fans over money from TV, they'll continue to be treated as second-rate customers. In the meantime we'll have to appreciate the exceptions to the rule...(in Xerez I had to pay 50 euros extra to watch Real Madrid and Barca.....personally I found it disgusting behaviour from a club that was fully aware that the area had 25% unemployment and had fans sticking by the club when they had 8 points halfway through the season).
ReplyDeleteMatt: You're right, in the end it was a two-horse race...but if you remember Liverpool were touted as potential title challengers in August...and Arsenal were in with a shout until April. Here it's been Barca or Real Madrid all season. Don't get me wrong, its been a great battle between the two, but it would be nice just to have another team touted in August...or even another team still in the running by April! If the 'others' (I mean the Villas, Tottenhams and Man Citys) close the gap even more (the process is already in motion) next season, we could see an even more interesting race for the title...perhaps Arsenal AND Man City in the running in April...even of it does end up between Man Utd and Chelsea again! Cheers for the comment!