The Spanish top flight started off exactly how everyone expected. Real Madrid and Barcelona both had convincing victories over inferior opponents, it was not even close. Neither will drop below second spot in the standings all season, which exposes the lack of competition in the league. Take a closer look at the results from the opening weekend and you'll see the frightening truth the remaining eighteen clubs are facing.
Real Zaragoza had the unfortunate task of hosting the Madridistas to kick-off their season. This game was over before it even started. At no point did Zaragoza even look to be a threat offensively, only managing one single shot on target to Madrid's sixteen. The home side allowed two goals in the first half and then four in the second for a total of six on the night. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick with relative ease, the perfect start to the season. Home field advantage is virtually a non-factor at the moment for any of the minnows in La Liga.
The soccer is entertaining to watch and Spain boast's some of the worlds best footballers who put on breathtaking performances each and every week for an adoring crowd. The talent is there, the fan base is also present but without a system set in place to regulate television revenue the gap will continue to grow wider. Only the richest clubs have a chance to compete for the title, but even those are in debt. Luckily they have a wealthy board behind them with a war chest full of funds or friends in high places.
On Monday, Barcelona hosted Villarreal. This was supposed to be a somewhat competitive contest, remember the visitors finished fourth last season and will be participating in the Champions League as well. The end result however was much of the same. Pep Guardiola's titans of club football left the Nou Camp five goal winners against a top four side. Let's look at the stats to get a better idea for the margin of victory. Barcelona had twelve corners to Villarreal's zero and outshot them eight to one on target. Lionel Messi was superb as usual netting two, Cesc Fabregas and Alexei Sanchez both scored on their league debut that brought the crowd to it's feet, not that any of them were sitting down to begin with.
Foreign investment has only recently arrived in Spain. Malaga and Getafe are the most recent clubs to be financed from the Middle East and Racing Santander was purchased by an Indian businessman. Out of the three, Malaga are in the best position to pose a challenge within three years at the earliest. This being part of a five year plan designed by the owners to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona for the title.
Just look at scoreboard from the weekend and you'll notice all matches not involving Real and Barca ended under a two goal margin of victory. Three were draws and Valencia were the only club to score more then two goals. Los Che netted four against Racing Santander in a thrilling comeback. Valencia previously finished in third place, twenty-one points behind second and twenty-five from the title. A repeat result this year would be welcomed which is sad. The comparison to the SPL is looking more relevant because of the dominance of two and the medeocrity of the rest. The quality of soccer is far better in Spain but the lack of competitiveness bares a strong resemblence to Scotland.
Nothing is more entertaining then competition for every soccer enthusiast. Why watch if you already know the outcome before the ball is kicked? In Spain the focus is on Barcelona and Real Madrid from the start, no need to waste time on the rest of the league. You support your local side but also one of the top two, it is a scary reality. Seven years have passed since another club has been crowned champions, and only two in total since the turn of the century. The only hope other clubs have to win silverware is the Copa Del Rey, but only because Barcelona and Real Madrid generally do not judge this competition to be a priority and field weaker sides.
Germany has the most competetive league followed closely by France and the Netherlands. Even England has at least three clubs challeneging for top honours. Italy are on the bubble, alleged corruption taking center stage while clubs continue to lose money. The Spanish FA must make drastic changes in order to fix this growing concern that is becoming more evident as the seasons pass. The focus has to be placed upon the collective and what can be done to facilitate competiton. The monopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona must end for La Liga to have any chance of resurecting the luster it once had.
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