A new era of dominance?
While there is more to La Liga than the top two, the stats do not lie: 15 of the last 16 La Liga titles have been lifted by either Barcelona or Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid have pushed and barged their way into the top three under Diego Simeone, while we have to go back to 2004 for Valencia’s last title.
It’s fair to say that Barca owned the 2010s, lifting six of the last ten titles, but if anybody is going to own the next decade it is more likely to be Real.
Their ten consecutive league wins post-lockdown made them worthy champions, but their superiority over Barca was well summed up on social media in the final week of the season.
Before their encounter with Alaves, the Catalan club posted their usual first-team squad graphic to Twitter, featuring just five substitutes, including two goalkeepers and emergency signing
Martin Braithwaite – misspelt “Braihwaite”.
In contrast, Real’s tweet boasted a 22-man squad graphic with eight attacking players, five of whom aged 24 or younger, and still no room for Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard or James Rodriguez.
It marked a stark contrast in the two clubs’ squad depths, and highlighted the failure of Barcelona’s transfer policy, while also suggesting a new era of dominance could lie ahead for Real.
It is no exaggeration to say that Barca are in total upheaval. Change was already on the horizon, but the 8-2 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich exacerbated the need for radical and immediate action.
Quique Setien was straight out of the door, replaced by Ronald Koeman, as was sporting director Eric Abidal. Many players could follow. Barca have several stars over 30, including new signing Miralem Pjanic, plus the likes of Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez. President Bartomeu insisted that only certain “untouchables” would be safe.
What he did not expect was for one of those untouchables to announce his intention to leave.
The future of Lionel Messi is Barca’s most pressing concern. He is still their
It highlighted the failure of Barca’s transfer policy, while also suggesting a new era of dominance for Real
best player, providing a record 21 La Liga assists in 2019-20 and winning his seventh Pichichi, another record.
His transfer request in August sent shockwaves around the world. Triggered by that humiliation against Bayern, as well as the alleged mistreatment of his close friend Suarez, Messi made it clear that he wanted to leave the Nou Camp.
At the time of writing, his situation remains uncertain. But whatever happens, Barcelona need to start planning for a Messi-less future. Even if he stays another season, the 33-year-old can’t carry them forever. Replacing him will be the job of the decade, and one that the current board does not look up to solving.
The rise of La Masia products Riqui Puig and Ansu Fati, plus the acquisitions of Pedri and Francisco Trincao, mean there is exciting talent at the club, but more needs to emerge. And soon.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid supporters watch on with glee.
Los Blancos also have their own stars heading towards the end of their careers
HUESCA
After being relegated from La Liga in 2018-19, Huesca bounced straight back up as champions of Segunda Division. Premier League-winning forward with Leicester, Shinji Okazaki, finished as the club’s top scorer in all competitions last season, but doubts remain as to whether the 34-yearold will be able to cut it in La Liga.
CADIZ
Known as the “Carnival City” for its famous February celebrations, the Andalusian club return to La Liga for the first time since 2006. One of the most popular sides in Spain, they only bear a slight grudge with regional rivals Sevilla. Interestingly, they are one of only three La Liga clubs that Leo Messi has failed to score against.
ELCHE
Elche sneaked into the play-offs on the last day of the season, after Fuenlabrada’s match with Deportivo was postponed. Relegated Depor eventually won the rearranged game, providing Elche a path back to the top tier after five years away.
– Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric will be 35 at the end of 2020-21, while Karim Benzema turns 33 in December. Yet there’s still a strong base of first-teamers in their 20s who can step up in a period of transition – the likes of Marco Asensio, Raphael Varane and Federico Valverde spring to mind – while returning loanee Martin Odegaard has the world at his feet. Eder Militao, Sergio Reguilon, Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo are all promising youngsters too.
Real’s long-term future looks bright, but their imminent objective is to retain their title. Given the situation at Barca, it is difficult to see who will stop them.
Atletico remain in transition, with their squad having undergone a refresh in the summer of 2019. They’re still one of the most defensively-capable units in Europe, but Diego Simeone needs more from his attackers if they are to challenge for the title. With Alvaro Morata and Diego Costa scoring just 17 league goals combined last season, a heavier responsibility must fall on their 20-year-old record signing Joao Felix – about to embark on just his third season as a professional footballer.
Europa League champions Sevilla were another side to undertake a squad overhaul last summer, with the likes of Jules Kounde, Diego Carlos and Lucas Ocampos excelling in their debut seasons. They’ll want to continue where they left off, while juggling the added pressure of Champions League football.
Villarreal had to settle for a place in this season’s Europa League, but are in safe hands – new coach Unai Emery famously won the competition three seasons running while in charge of Sevilla. The Basque coach has something to prove after a largely unsuccessful spell in the Premier League with Arsenal, although he inherits a squad who have just lost their main creative fulcrum in departed playmaker Santi Cazorla.
Real Sociedad and Granada join The Yellow Submarine in Europe’s second competition, and it is the former who will most fancy their chances. In Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal and Alexander Isak, they boast some of 2019-20’s best performers – while new boy David Silva will be tasked to replace the creativity lost with Odegaard’s return to Madrid.
One club that on paper should be aiming for a European place next season is Valencia, although on-pitch matters have been clouded by administrative and financial debacles in recent years. The sale of their academy gem Ferran Torres to Manchester City for as little as £21 million is just one example of that.
With so many flaws in their main title rivals, another seasons of success looms large for Real Madrid. It could set the tone for the decade.
Unai Emery has something to prove after a largely unsuccessful spell in the Premier League with Arsenal