For the first time in a number of years, La Liga has top billing in Europe. Real Madrid, due to Florentino Perez's transfer frenzy, spent enough money this summer to bail out a regional British Building Society and observers from Malaga to Moscow are anxious to see whether it will be enough to swing back the transfer of power from the all-conquering Barcelona team of the 2008-09 season, who won the hearts of so many neutrals with their smooth style.
In addition to the six new players (Kaka, some Portuguese bloke, Raul Albiol, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema and finally Alvaro Arbeloa, a bloke for whom the label of Galactico is frankly laughable but there he is nonetheless) El Real also have a new coach, the Chilean Manuel Pellegrini. The former Villarreal tactician did an admirable job with the Yellow Submarine but faces an entirely different task at the Bernabau, a club with the most demanding of fans and boardroom. It will be interesting to see how Pellegrini deals with a club full of superstars, considering that on the one occasion he has actually had to deal with one - Juan Riquelme at Villarreal - he fell out with him, cast him into the reserves and then packed him off back to Argentina. With so many internationals and massive egos to deal with, will he be able to keep everyone happy? One thing's for sure, it definitely won't be dull - Real Madrid never are. Pellegrini has an embarrassment of riches going forward, but it remains to be seen whether the additions of Spanish internationals Albiol and Arbeloa will be enough to patch up the leaky defence.
Barcelona, by comparison, have had a rather low-key summer. Of course, they had their limelight with the transfers last season, splashing out on Alves, Hleb and the like. This year, they decided to go toe-to-toe with their main rivals on the ridiculous spending front by getting completely done over by Inter for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They were certainly keen on landing the big-headed Swede; So much so they exchanged €46m AND Samuel Eto'o for him. Madness. Clearly Pep Guardiola thinks he will take up the goal burden caused by the departure of Eto'o, and we can expect more of the same slick, attacking football from Messi, Iniesta & co, while Daniel Alves rampages up and down the right hand side like a crazed Duracell bunny.
The fight for the title of 'best of the rest' last season was won by Sevilla, and the Andalucians spent some serious dosh this summer by their standards, bringing in Alvaro Negredo for €14m (great move by Monchi, top drawer striker) and Didier Zokora for €10m (What on earth were you thinking?!). With Negredo coming in, there will hopefully be less reliance on the goals (and fitness) on Fredi Kanoute, at least while Luis Fabiano flutters his eyelids at Man City and AC Milan like a cheap Parisian prostitute. Sevilla are a balanced outfit who sometimes play functional football, but they prove more reliable than most. Its a season of transition for Villarreal - new coach (former Espanyol manager Ernesto Valverde, fresh from a successful season in Greece with Olympiakos), and a changed squad with Matias Fernandez, Guillermo Franco, Pascal Cygan (stop sniggering at the back) and Jozy Altidore all gone. Highly rated Brazilian striker Nilmar is the most high profile of the arrivals, while Spanish U21 defender Ivan Marcano arrives from Racing. Last season Villarreal flattered to deceive, and once again the top four may be beyond them.
Atletico Madrid have had a quiet summer with no major arrivals - Abel Resino is probably just pleased to a) still have a job and b) keep Kun Aguero and Diego Forlan. They have made it into the Champions League group stages but that famously porous defence will still be their downfall from challenging for major honours. Despite their financial situation, Valencia have so far managed to hold on to the holy trinity of Villa, Silva and Mata, so they are likely to mount a concerted top four challenge under the talented tutelage of Unai Emery. Espanyol's preparations were tragically disrupted by the death of captain Dani Jarque, so a top six finish may be beyond their reach from their new 40,000 seater stadium. They have made some interesting signings such as Shunshuke Nakamura and Joan Verdu and Mauricio Pochettino should cement his reputation as a well regarded coach.
Elsewhere, its a welcome return to the top flight for Real Zaragoza, the best-placed of the promoted sides to stay up; Osasuna should improve on last season, particularly after the bargain €1m acquisition of Javier Camunas from relegated Recreativo; Deportivo, Athletic and Malaga should all end mid-table; It will be seasons of struggle for Racing, Xerex, Tenerife, Valladolid and Sporting Gijon.
Round 1 Fixtures:
Real Madrid vs Deportivo
Zaragoza vs Tenerife
Athletic vs Espanyol
Malaga vs Atletico Madrid
Mallorca vs Xerex
Osasuna vs Villarreal
Racing vs Getafe
Valencia vs Sevilla
Almeria vs Valladolid
Barcelona vs Sporting Gijon
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