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Ikertxus · 09-29-2007, 05:12 AM

Seeing there is a premier league post I wanted to check if footie fans around the world followed the Spanish Liga and what they thought about it's outcome.

My thoughts:

Despite FC Barcelona's dubious start I sincerely think they are the best team atm, especially after their last 2 exhibitions against Sevilla and Zaragoza (both expected to end up in the top 6). I have no doubt Messi will be the number 1 player for the next 7-8 years if he keeps up with his form... in my opinion he has potential to be the best player ever and watching him play is pure joy. Yaya Toure brings balance to the midfield and is a hell of a kicker. The only downside I see is when their own top players have to be left out for the good of the team (Etoo, Ronaldinho, Henry, Messi all fight for 2 or 3 spots)

Real Madrid is up to a good start but they feel like a poorly developed team and depend on individual inspiration from their best players. You can't discuss the individual talent they display but they win their matches solely on situational brilliance. In my opinion they display the same faults and mistakes they have dragged for the last 6-7 years, no commitment and a team built around the two most overrated players in the last decade: Raul and Guti.

Valencia looks like it will mantain the philosophy that has kept it fighting for Champion League's positions playing italian-style football known as "Catenaccio", neutralize the offense and hope to win thanks to some inspiration from Silva (great potential) or Villa (decent killer but as most forwards depends on team assistance for excellence). My own opinion is that their main team structure is the same as the last 3-4 years and i believe they are kinda outdated, in nowadays football you have to modify teamplay every couple of years to have the surprise factor as lesser teams tend to study your well-known tactics and can easily neutralize you.

Sevilla has undoubtely displayed fantastic football in the last couple seasons but has to return to it's crude reality, I don't think it will keep up because of the same reasons I mentioned about Valencia, too little innovation makes you predictable.

Atletico Madrid has brought classy players to the team trying to recover it's glory days. It will be interesting to see if manager Aguirre can make the best of a team full of offensive talent, but severely lacking in the defensive department.

I don't expect many surprises from the rest of the teams other than the occasional unuspected win over the stronger team.

Special mention to Athletic Club de Bilbao, for hanging onto the First Division despite it's team philosophy (players born in the Basque Country or raised from the lesser squads), hopefully they won't suffer as much as last season with it's new assets Susaeta and Jon Velez although defence is scaringly naive.

Would like to know your opinions if you follow La Liga with as much intest as I do.

09-29-2007, 05:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ikertxus Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 20 +0 Internets	2007 Spanish football league Seeing there is a premier league post I wanted to check if footie fans around the world followed the Spanish Liga and what they thought about it's outcome. My thoughts: Despite FC Barcelona's dubious start I sincerely think they are the best team atm, especially after their last 2 exhibitions against Sevilla and Zaragoza (both expected to end up in the top 6). I have no doubt Messi will be the number 1 player for the next 7-8 years if he keeps up with his form... in my opinion he has potential to be the best player ever and watching him play is pure joy. Yaya Toure brings balance to the midfield and is a hell of a kicker. The only downside I see is when their own top players have to be left out for the good of the team (Etoo, Ronaldinho, Henry, Messi all fight for 2 or 3 spots) Real Madrid is up to a good start but they feel like a poorly developed team and depend on individual inspiration from their best players. You can't discuss the individual talent they display but they win their matches solely on situational brilliance. In my opinion they display the same faults and mistakes they have dragged for the last 6-7 years, no commitment and a team built around the two most overrated players in the last decade: Raul and Guti. Valencia looks like it will mantain the philosophy that has kept it fighting for Champion League's positions playing italian-style football known as "Catenaccio", neutralize the offense and hope to win thanks to some inspiration from Silva (great potential) or Villa (decent killer but as most forwards depends on team assistance for excellence). My own opinion is that their main team structure is the same as the last 3-4 years and i believe they are kinda outdated, in nowadays football you have to modify teamplay every couple of years to have the surprise factor as lesser teams tend to study your well-known tactics and can easily neutralize you. Sevilla has undoubtely displayed fantastic football in the last couple seasons but has to return to it's crude reality, I don't think it will keep up because of the same reasons I mentioned about Valencia, too little innovation makes you predictable. Atletico Madrid has brought classy players to the team trying to recover it's glory days. It will be interesting to see if manager Aguirre can make the best of a team full of offensive talent, but severely lacking in the defensive department. I don't expect many surprises from the rest of the teams other than the occasional unuspected win over the stronger team. Special mention to Athletic Club de Bilbao, for hanging onto the First Division despite it's team philosophy (players born in the Basque Country or raised from the lesser squads), hopefully they won't suffer as much as last season with it's new assets Susaeta and Jon Velez although defence is scaringly naive. Would like to know your opinions if you follow La Liga with as much intest as I do.