Balance of power shifts in La Liga
Julen Lopetegui has big boots to fill, Messi hopes big signings will pay off and Atlético snaps at top two’s heels
The Spanish season kicks off this weekend when La Liga enters a new era after the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Andrés Iniesta, and with Atlético Madrid posing a huge threat to the big two.
Spain’s pre-eminence on the European stage was cemented by Real Madrid winning the Champions League in May, and Atlético won the Europa League just as Barcelona won another domestic double.
But much has changed since then. Ronaldo’s move to Juventus after 450 goals in nine years leaves a gaping chasm at Real, and Zinedine Zidane also quit as coach.
After 15 brilliant years at the Camp Nou, Iniesta has gone to Japan, though at least Barcelona still have Lionel Messi.
Nevertheless, although Real and Barcelona have won the past five Champions Leagues between them, neither looks quite as strong as they have been in the recent past.
Julen Lopetegui is the new coach at the Bernabéu, the announcement of his appointment leading to his messy sacking from the Spain job before the World Cup.
Lopetegui will need to show he can live up to the standards set by Zidane in the Champions League, and also make Real contenders in La Liga — they have won the title just twice in the past decade.
His new charges lost 4-2 after extra time to Atlético in the Uefa Super Cup in midweek but skipper Sergio Ramos insists Real will cope without Ronaldo. “Throughout history, stars have come and gone and Real have kept winning. The decision has been made to move on to a new phase, and I hope all goes well for him and for us,” he said.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is hoping Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema will now stand up and be counted, although Luka Modric remains and is a contender for the Ballon d’Or after his brilliant World Cup with Croatia. Messi is now captain of a Barcelona side that has won seven titles in the past 10 seasons, and began this campaign by beating Sevilla 2-1 to lift the Spanish Super Cup. The Catalans have added depth to their squad with the signings of Brazilian duo Arthur and Malcom, French defender Clément Lenglet and Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal.
They will also hope for big things from Ousmane Démbéle and
“Throughout history, stars have come and gone and Real has kept winning. We’re moving into a new phase”