The biggest news from Spain this summer is the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo who like Zinedine Zidane have left the Santiago Bernabeu. The huge question from Primera Division faithful is; who will Real Madrid sign to replace Cristiano Ronaldo? How will Los Blancos replace Ronaldo and his goals? That is the conundrum for Florentino Perez and Julen Lopetegui. The 2018/19 Spanish La Liga season kicks off at Estadio Montilivi in Catalonia when Girona host new boys Real Valladolid. Can Real or Atletico Madrid stop Barcelona league dominance who have won seven of the last 10 Spanish League titles? We take a look at some of the key protagonists in one of Europe top leagues.
BARCELONA
The Blaugranas looked anything but impressive during the preseason and Supercopa Espana duel at the start of 2017/18 season which promoted many bookmakers to tip Real Madrid as overwhelming favorites for the title. The league race isn’t won in autumn or winter; it is a marathon that requires consistent pace and application which is what Ernesto Valverde’s team delivered as they raced to the title and capped it with another Copa del Rey. Barca were one game shy of completing an invincible season in their dramatic loss to Levante in the penultimate game. Barca are the team to beat having forfeit their squad better with Malcolm, Clement Lenglet, Arthur and Arturo Vidal arriving at the Camp Nou for Valverde’s second season in charge. Inspirational midfielder Andres Iniesta is the most significant loss but their former captain left on a high winning a double. 14 points point difference between the Catalans and second place Atletico is a testament to the hardwork put in by Valverde and his men to wrestle the title back from Real Madrid. Barca has what it takes to reproduce last season success again.
ATLETICO MADRID
The stability, significant improvement and success recorded by Los Colchoneros under Diego Simeone’s leadership is demonstration of the Argentine managerial acumen. The Rojiblancos have established themselves as a part of the top-three in Spanish football by battling their way through as their manager did on the pitch during his playing days. The transfer ban of previous year hindered the Madrid club but they are back in business and have made astute buys. Securing the future of Antoine Griezmann in the summer was vital for the club; Simeone has not shied away in the market. Nikola Kalinic, Thomas Lemar, Gelson Martins, Rodri, Nehuen Perez and Antonio Adan are some of the new players to join Atleti as they bid for their second league title in five years. This new Atletico looked well equipped to compete on all fronts; with renewed conviction after 2018 Europa League and UEFA Super Cup success, Los Colchoneros have the ability to challenge the two biggest clubs in Spain this season.
REAL MADRID
First it was Zinedine Zidane then Cristiano Ronaldo; these two iconic figures have departed the club have winning three consecutive Champions League titles. Julen Lopetegui has replaced Zidane but no one has come in to take over from Ronaldo. The club is looking inward to Marco Asensio to fill the gap left by the Portuguese legend. The time is prime for Gareth Bale to take over as the new leader of the team; the Welshman was unhappy with his status in the team last season but appears to be revitalized under his new boss. His fitness and availability is a major concern for the Bernaebu hierarchy. However in recent seasons, the club has adopted a new strategy of acquiring the best young talents across the globe and this summer has not been any different. Alvaor Odriozola, Andriy Lunin and Brazilian hotshot Vinicius Jr have arrived at the club. Beligum goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is the only big name to arrive at Valdebebas so far but with the window still open, Florentino Perez may spring a surprise or two. Julen Lopetegui has the enviable task of maintaining the winning era set by his precedessor as he begins life in one of the most difficult job as coach. Los Merengues are expected to win every competition they compete in; with a strong squad which needs one or two reinforcements, the former Spain coach is fully aware of expectation in the stands and boardroom.
OTHERS
Valencia enjoyed a successful debut season under Marcelino; Los Che secured Champions League qualification which would help Peter Lim new project at the club. Seven new players have joined including a permanent move for Geoffrey Kondogbia from Internazionale. With a stronger and healthy squad, can Valencia upset the three tops clubs in Spain and break ranks? European distraction means Marcelino will have to prioritize on set objectives for the season. Villarreal will aim to close the gap on city rivals Valencia who finished 12 points better last season. The Yellow Submarines have conducted their business quietly in the summer window; Santi Cazorla’s return should excite fans at Estadio de la Ceramica. Champions League qualification will be the target for Javier Calleja’s team who would be expected to challenge for a top-four spot. Against all odds, Real Betis finished sixth in Quique Setien’s maiden campaign at Benito Villamarin. These over achievement has given Los Verdiblancos fanns the bragging in Seville over city rivals Sevilla who finished seventh. As the Beticos prepare for their Europa league adventure, some big names including Portuguese William Carvalho, Takashi Inui have joined. These are exciting times for Real Betis supporters who would expect a repeat of last season success.
Last season was one to consolidate on the progress made under Sporting Director Monchi but Sevilla 2017/18 campaign got derailed with Eduardo Berizzo’s sickness. The former Celta coach was replaced with Vicenzo Montella whose tenure saw bright sparks including a Cup final run and quarter final berth in the Champions League but their league form was horrendous. The Italian was fired late in the season as they club turned to cult hero Joaquin Caparros who took charge till the end of the season. Pablo Machin is the fourth coach to lead Sevilla in a single calendar year with expectation to revive Los Nervionenses. The expectation at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is pretty simple, restore Sevilla city pride and challenge for a top-four place but with world cup winner, Steven Nzonzi’s exit to Roma, that is a huge loss, one which could hurt Sevilla’s bid. Jose Bordalas led Getafe back to La Liga last season and did an exceptional job by finishing eight in their first season back in the top-flight. The Azulones fans can only hope for a repeat of last season and the board have trusted their manager by backing him with investment worth over €20m on new players. Eibar are improving with each season in La Liga; last season’s ninth place finish is their best ever top flight finish and it is an outstanding feat for the small Basque club who have turned the Ipurua Municipal stadium into a mini fortress. Jose Luis Mendilibar is the miracle working, he believes there can be no ceiling to his club’s lofty ambition. The Azulgranas belong to the wheeling and dealing group picking up free transfers and loan deals in a bid to improve the team and maintain another top half finish. Girona was another surprise package in the 2017/18 Primera Division season; the Catalan club took to life in La Liga like duck to water. Unfortunately, their success did not go unnoticed, Sevilla priced away their coach and they have had to settle with former La Real coach Eusebio Sacristan as the new man to continue their La Liga voyage. The former Barcelona B coach was fired by Real Sociedad last season but his reputation isn’t in tatters. Girona provides him with another opportunity to ply his trade in Spain’s top division. Blanquivermell fans should be cautiously optimistic about their La Liga status with the new head coach.
Rayo Vallencano, Huesca and Real Valladolid are back in Spain’s top division. Former player turn coach Michel oversaw Rayo’s return to La Liga after dropping to the second division two seasons ago. 12 new players have arrived the Vallecas in a bid to ensure Rayo Vallecano do not drop back to Segunda at first attempt. Huesca promotion is the biggest story from last season. 2017 play-offs heartbreak did not dissuade Huesca who ensured automatic qualification last season and have invested heavily bringing in 12 new players including Luisinho from Deportivo La Coruna and Ruben Semedo on a loan deal from Villarreal. Real Valladolid return to the top division after four years in the Segunda. Top flight football is back at Estadio Jose Zorrilla after a remarkable job done by Sergio. Ruben Alcaraz is the only arrival the club bought. Others like Keko and Daniele Verde have arrived on loan. The three promoted clubs will hope to emulate their predecessors Levante, Girona and Getafe who kept their La Liga status and will be competing in their second straight season in the Primera Division.
For the first time since 2008, El Clasico will be played without the Messi Ronaldo shenanigans but the long standing rivalry between these two clubs will continue. Spanish football federation have embraced technology for this new season; Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was used for the first time during the Supercopa Espana in Tangier, Morocco and it would be used during league matches across the country. La Liga clubs have invested nearly €700 million on players transfer fees and contracts.
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