La Liga 2012 -2013 Look Ahead : More Than A Two Horse Race!

Hello everyone! :)

So trying something new and in the wake of Johnny’s look ahead to the premiership I will be bringing you a special post about what lies ahead in Spain, for the upcoming la liga season.

I know that trying to bring a league viewed by many as a little sub par to that of England will be difficult especially to a full on premier league reader it seems!, I have voiced strong opinions on the premier league so I hope you will have an open mind about the upcoming season in Spain. I know that the winner may be down to only two teams but am afraid there is nothing I can do about that however la liga is about a lot more than the big two and a collection of around eight, nine and even ten teams could be battling it out for those crucial champions league places.

Think of it as the other league with both Barca and Real Madrid taken out and you have a terrific and compelling battle ahead.

First a little reminder to what happened last season and I will try and write as impartial (I promise!) as I can……

So the title returned to the capital ending three years of Barcelona success as Mourinho’s millions bought there way (sorry have to be not biased!!) winning the title by nine points as a true Barca legend departed in Guardiola and right hand man Tito Vilanova took over as manager. Valencia finished third for a fourth consecutive season but that still wasnt enough for the los che fans and board and manager Unai Emery left to be replaced with Mauricio Pellegrino, whilst money bags Malaga claimed the final champions league place but there attempts to pull what I call ‘a premier league dream’ seems to have turned into a nightmare as things have not gone as planned so far.

At the bottom and poor Racing had gone long ago finishing rock bottom and were joined by Sporting Gijon and in a dramatic final few games where anyone of around five teams could have been relegated that tragedy fell on poor Villarreal, who after seasons spent pushing for champions league football fell through the trap door in Spain and were relagated. Up from the Segunda we welcome back Deportivo, Celta and Valladolid.

Atletico Madrid, Levante and Athletic Bilbao will be in the Europa league next season.

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A look now at the preview for the upcoming la liga season :

Atletico Madrid — Finished 5th Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 3rd

Well Atletico surprised everyone last season having lost star players including Sergio Aguero, David De Gea and Diego Forlan and taking a huge gamble on Falcao but what a gamble as he lit up la liga in his first season thanks mostly to the appointment of manager Diego Simeone. He found a winning style of football that was easy on the eye and having done so well was rewarded with a fifth placed finish and winning the Europa league which was an excellent achievement for them. New signings have been sparse so far but Cristian Rodriguez signed from Porto on a free seems to be the stand out however they did lose Salvio, Alvaro Dominguez and Jose Reyes but gained €21m and I predict a very good season ahead for them.

Athletic Bilbao — Finished 10th Last Season — Ana’ Prediction 8th

Ah Bilbao seems like they are everyone’s favourite second team after there European adventure, and what an adventure as Bielsa guided them to two cup finals which they lost both by three goals to zero but not bad for a team that only allows Basque nationals to play. The big news for them though is that it seems star front man Fernando Llorente is on his way after many years of dedication to Bilbao a huge loss but with the likes of Iker Muniain, De Marcos, Susaeta, Ander and Javi Martinez they still have a very good squad. Aduriz the only new face in from Valencia and you would say bought to possibly replace Llorente.

Barcelona — Finished 2nd Last Season — Ana’s Prediction (Sadly!) 2nd

So my beloved Barcelona next and despite Messi breaking every scoring it wasn’t quite enough as only the copa del rey was added to the overfilled trophy cabinets in Catalonia. Guardiola has sadly departed and now Tito Vilanova has taken over with the task to take Barca back to the top of la liga and of Europe. Some say he was behind most of what was good about Guardiola’s reign so if true plenty to look forward too he has changed the squad a little bit Jordi Alba signed into the problem position Barca have had at left back and a bargain at  €14m. However I feel that Real Madrid’s squad is still better than the Barca squad (Pains me to say it!) so I went with my head and said second rather than my heart which says first. :)

Celta Vigo — Finished 2nd in the Segunda — Ana’s Prediction 19th

The Galicia giants are back! Under the helm of former Liverpool assistant Paco Herrera he has guided them back into the Spanish top flight. How long will they be back for? My answer is not long, I just feel that Celta have to much work to do and despite holding on to most of there players I think it will be a long season from Celta and one that will end in relegation. Nice to see them back though!!

Deportivo — Finished 1st in the Segunda — Ana’s Prediction 16th

So you wait for one Galicia giant to arrive and two come at once! That’s right Deportivo are back in the top flight to think that they were la liga champions only 12 years ago its been a hard few years for this club, they have bought well in my opinion with the free signing of Carlos Marchena from Villarreal with loan signings making up the brunt of the Deportivo fight. However the loss of Andres Guardado will be a massive loss to them however I still feel they will have enough to survive their first season back in the top flight.

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Espanyol — Finished 14th Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 12th

Tough season for Espanyol and times may get tougher with the lack of money around, last season they were reliant on loan players this time it seems freebies are they way to go! Mubarek, Colotto and Simao have all joined including former Spain left back Joan Capdevilla for 300k euro’s. Expect  more loan signings to come I feel a top 10 finish is achievable but I have them at 12th for my prediction.

Getafe — Finished 11th Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 10th

All most a premier league money spinning team last season when the promise of rich owners would arrive but when the funds didn’t show up Getafe showed why they are a good la liga side with a dogged resilience which has seen them well over the past few seasons. They showed that money isnt everything and despite a terrible start they improved and I fancy that if they find some consistency a top ten finish could be theirs. Some good signings in Xavi Torres, Lafita, Moya and Alexis on loan stands them in for a positive season ahead.

Granada — Finished 17th last Season — Ana’s Prediction 20th (Sorry!)

Interesting club Granada owned by the same people who own Udinese in Italy and Watford in England and they have said that they will move players from each club when needed which worries me. However Floro Flores on loan from Udinese may be the blessing in disguise for Granada and if he kind find his feet in Spain he just might be the goal scorer they need however I fear too many loan signings may condemn Granada back to the Segunda this season.

Levante — Finished 6th Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 9th

When the final whistle blew in Levante’s final game of the season you would have thought they had just won the champions league! Players dancing, celebrating having what looked like the time of their lives and for what a sixth placed finish? But believe me when I say it was an incredible performance from Levante a club that’s so small with almost no money to spend managing to finish sixth and claim a spot in Europe was a terrific achievement for Juan Martinez’s team. I cant see them repeating that success but still top ten for me they have signed a few free players but credit to a team that lit la liga up last season without having  a penny to spend, premier league teams should take note! ;)

Malaga — Finished 4th Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 11th

Ah Malaga, showing that not every rich owner leads to a silver lining the dream of getting to the champions league was achieved but at what cost? Players haven’t been paid for weeks, club in turmoil and star players leaving cant stand Malaga well for the upcoming season no new signings as of yet and losing the likes of Santi Cazorla, Rondon, Mathijsen, Apono, Xavi Torres you ask yourself when will it stop. I cant see Malaga repeating that success of a top four finish I have them 11th and they may struggle to get that.

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Osasuna — Finished 7th Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 7th

Another inspired club doing things with very little resources, how Osasuna maintained a top ten finish all season shows what can be done with a squad of work man like players and I feel with that mentality already in the squad they can finish top ten again. The signing of Emilianno Armenteros from Sevilla is a good one however the losses of both Balde and Nekounam will be felt but I still think it will be another good season ahead for little Osasuna! :)

Rayo Vallecano — Finished 15th Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 17th

Manged to survive against the odds but I fear its going to be even tougher this seasons for coach Jemez. Already he has seen almost eleven players leave the club with Michu the real star joining Swansea in England for €2.6m will be hard to replace, however they have made almost eleven new signings and more are expected so for that the reason and the strength and resilience that Rayo have, I think they will just about survive this season.

Real Betis — Finished 13th Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 14th

Steady season for Betis who quietly went along with there business despite starting the season with four victories then eventually avoided relegation by six points under the guidance of Pepe Mel, I predict that Betis will have a trickier time this year but are still just about good enough to survive new signing Joel Campbell on loan from Arsenal and the permanent signing of Paulao the only players of note signed so far.

Real Mallorca — Finished 8th Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 6th

The appointment of Joaquin Caparros was inspired as Mallorca went from relegation contenders to having an outside shot at a Europa league place.  His no nonsense style turned the fortunes around and I have them getting that sixth spot with the signings of Antonio Lopez, Javi Marquez, Javier Arizmendi and Ruben Mino all will add to squad however losing Ramis, Caceras and Castro might be a bigger ask but I still feel they will have a very good season.

 Real Madrid — Finished 1st Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 1st :(

Call me pessimistic, call me a traitor I just cant see past Madrid this season to win la liga. Even though they have been slow in the transfer market and big signings are expected or on the way no deals have been concluded yet but I still feel Real Madrid are a step ahead of the rest. The front four is as good as anything in  world football with Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo and Higuain/Benzema the latter who finally had an amazing season after his big money move from Lyon however they also defend well an area where I still feel Barcelona need a few players. Pains me to say that I feel Madrid’s squad is still better than the Barca one but with Messi anything is possible. ;)

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Real Sociedad — Finished 12th Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 13th

Another solid season from the San Sebastian side as they finished 12th and six points away from those relegation places, always a hard team to play against they find a balance of that Basque passion mixed in with some quality for abroad and I feel another solid season ahead for them. The inclusion of signings of Carlos Vela once of Arsenal, Jose Angel on loan from Roma will help strengthen a good squad and I feel another safe season ahead for Sociedad.

Real Valladolid — Finished 3rd in the Segunda — Ana’s Prediction 18th

Last time promoted Valladolid struggled from day one and after managing to stay up after being promoted they we relegated the next season I fear they may not even get a second year this time around. They have signed but I dont think well enough as of yet to survive the drop a long season ahead for them I think.

Real Zaragoza — Finished 16th Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 15th

Looked doomed for relegation all season but performed miracles at the end to some how survive the drop! It was a tremendous final few games from them but they shouldn’t really be in that much danger this season I have them in 15th which is more of a comfortable place than looking over their shoulder. They have learned their lesson and had made a whole host of new signings Apono, Romaric and Aranda will aid the Zaragoza cause and despite losing Lafita and Ponzio they should be a la liga team next season.

Sevilla — Finished 9th last Season — Ana’s Prediction 5th

Poor old Sevilla one thing you can say about them is that they are inconsistent starting the season looking like top four contenders before collapsing after Christmas and almost limping over the line in 9th a sad end to what looked like a promising season. Sevilla are hard to predict almost impossible! But I think with the signings made and if they can find some consistency they could be top six side and with the signings of Jose Antonio Reyes, Diego Lopez, Cicinho, Maduro and Diawara they are spending big to achieve those goals around €19m spent already but with the losses of Martin Caceras, Kone and Kanoute it will be another interesting watch to see what Sevilla can do.

Valencia — Finished 3rd Last Season — Ana’s Prediction 4th

Valencia the very definition of a selling club, if you think of the team they could have had they might even have been title contenders losing the likes of David Silva, David Villa, Juan Mata, Jordi Alba, Joaquin, Alexis, Zigic, Albiol, Edu the list is endless yet still what Unai Emery had done was still seen as not good enough for the fans and the board agreed, personally I thought Emery had done an inspired job but deemed not good enough and was replaced by Mauricio Pellegrino. Again its sell to buy for the debt ridden club the inclusions of Sergio Canales for €7.5m, Fernando Gago for €3.5m and Joao Pereira for €3.7m has strengthened Valencia but I fear the expectation will be too high on Pellegrino so I think they will finish fourth.

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That’s my thoughts on the matter! Long post I know and for some am sure lots of new things to have picked up and for some not that interested which is a shame! Hopefully you have a better idea of what la liga has to offer and the teams in it, there is more than the big two and I would love to try and get a few more readers interested in Spanish football as you have seen from the national sides how good Spanish footballers are and that production line is set to continue with the talent in la liga at the moment.

I know that Spain isn’t the richest league in the world but how can you not love teams like Getafe, Osasuna, Levante, Bilbao etc who have very little money compared to that elsewhere yet somehow create great team spirits and achieve finishes that you just wouldn’t have expected. In the day an age of buying your way to success I love that these clubs manage to show you that money isn’t always everything just watch Levante and how much that sixth placed finish meant to the fans and players or those Bilbao fans after a Europa league final with every player born in the Basque country.

I know Spain isn’t everyone’s cup of team, our league isn’t perfect and definitely not the fairest in terms of financial breakdown but its different and am sure if you tread from the premier league bubble (that’s what I call it!) you will find something you like. Of course am not trying to say forget England watch Spanish football just watch both! England has its pro’s and cons like all leagues but if I can get my boyfriend (the most anti Spanish fan I have ever seen!) to actually start watching and enjoying it then hopefully some here will give it a try!

Super long post I know! But am almost finished I promise! ;)

I dont want divulge to much but I have been talking with Johnny about maybe producing a weekly report of Spanish football with results and opinions a little bit like my favourite ever football expert Guillem Balague! His passion for Spanish football is contagious and he really knows what he is talking about rather than some other experts who have no clue, plus he is very handsome too. :)

LoL, so as always your opinion are welcomed and I will draw this post to a close. Who do you think will win la liga and who do you think will face the drop? Can Atletico Madrid retain their Europa league title, will Malaga have any players left and can Bilbao continue there heroic season under Bielsa?

I would really love to hear all your thoughts and opinions and if you would like this to be a more frequent thing or if I am just wasting my time! As always leave your comments below and I will read and respond to them and as my Father always says ‘Never ever be afraid to take a step into the unknown, you never know you might just like it!’ wise words I look forward to hearing from you!

Ana. x