La Liga Review

La Liga is often accused of being a two horse race, and lets face it – its true. But what an exciting and absorbing duel it is between two of Europe’s elite. Real Madrid finally took the title back to the Bernabéu (about time) scoring a previously unheard of 121 goals in the process and a record breaking points tally of 100.

Ronaldo, Benzema and Higuain scored a 118 goals between them to lead Madrid to the title.

The campaign was off to a bumpy start due to a strike called by the Asociación de Futbolistas Españoles. But the season finally got away a week later on the 27th of August and with all the talk about Barcelona and Madrid being in direct competition for the title, there were a few surprises in store for them.

Madrid and Barcelona both won their first games as expected to go first and second respectively, but the next few weeks saw some astonishing results. Barcelona drew with Real Sociedad, Real Madrid lost to Levante, a team everyone believed to be destined for the drop with the oldest team in the league. Barcelona did trounce Osasuna 8-0, but once again failed to collect all points against Valencia. In the meantime after a shock loss to Levante, Real had found their goal scoring niche. The first to feel their wrath were Rayo Vallecano, demolished 6-2, and Madrid put 4 past Espanyol, and then another 4 against Betis. Madrid were handing out 4 goal drubbings like beads at Mardi Gras. 


Meanwhile Barcelona were having a stop-start season, they were still their usual selves at home but were suffering on their travels. Levante were top of the table, but normalcy was restored after round 11 and then it was all Madrid and Barcelona till the end of the season, though mostly Madrid.

Xavi & Co. had a disappointing season.
Leading up to the first Classico, everyone was expecting Madrid to finally break Barca’s dominance over recent fixture, but Barca really turned on the style to run out comfortable winners. Madrid were still top but was this going to be the turning point in the season? Madrid banished the loss as a minor hiccup and went unbeaten till the end of the season to close out their 32nd league title and their first in four years 9 points ahead of Barcelona.

The highlight of the season for me was Real Madrid defeating Barcelona at the Camp Nou 2-1, and all but making sure that the title was finally going to the Bernabéu. It was a title that Madrid deserved, because of their consistency and grit that they lacked the previous season. Under Mourinho, they seem to be playing like a team and are determined to bring the most coveted trophy back home – the Champion’s League.

Iker Casillas lifting La Liga.

At the end of the season a special shout out to Athletic Bilbao and Levante for finishing 10th and 6th respectively. Levante were candidates for relegation but find themselves playing European football provided on Thursday nights, but still a remarkable achievement. While Bilbao did finish a lowly 10th but the Basque club played with a free spirit and some where exciting football, the highlight being knocking Manchester United out of Europa League, humiliating them at Old Trafford and San Mames. Iker Muniain and Fernando Llorente led Bilbao from the front while Javi Martinez provided stability to the side. This is a young team of whom a lot can be expected in the future.

Iker Muniain & Fernando Llorente turning up the style against United.


Lastly tragically Villareal were relegated, which not only came as a shock to everyone but also undid all the good work accomplished by this small and successful club. And as if this was not enough, their newly appointed manager Manuel Preciado Rebolledo died of a heart attack on the day of his appointment. Let us hope that the Yellow Submarines can bounce back quickly and we can once again see this great club back in La Liga soon.


On a brighter note Cesc Fabergas still doesn’t have a major domestic trophy.