The Spanish La Liga turns into a three-horse race

The Spanish La Liga kicked off in August with a revamped Barcelona under Hansi Flick, dominating their opponents and taking an early lead at the top of the table. Their stunning 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid away in late October during El Clásico left fans and pundits convinced that Barcelona would run away with the La Liga title this season. However, as is often the case with football, the unpredictability of the game has once again proven itself. Fast forward two months, and the Blaugrana now find themselves in third place, trailing both of the Madrid rivals — Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid.

Barça made an impressive start to the season, winning 11 out of their first 12 games and accumulating 33 points, giving them a seven-point lead at the top of the table in November. Their players had been scoring for fun having racked up  a whopping 51 goals so far and still boast the highest GD(goal difference) of +29 in La Liga. However, their form has since faltered, with three losses, a draw, and just one win in their last five matches. Notably, while they performed well against top teams, they were unexpectedly defeated by lower-ranked and out of form sides like Real Sociedad and Leganes. 

Hence, the question is – what has gone wrong with Barcelona all of a sudden? There is no simple answer to this though. The situation at Barcelona is a combination of factors, with the club’s messy financial state playing a significant role. Under pressure due to financial constraints, Barcelona is unable to strengthen their squad through signings without selling their prized assets, relying instead on La Masia graduates to provide depth. While the first team and few academy players are strong, a balance of youth and experience is crucial for winning trophies, something the team currently lacks. The recent struggles can also be attributed to injuries to key players and a possible “manager bounce” wearing off, with new manager Hansi Flick grappling with the club’s challenges and expectations. In short, Barcelona’s issues stem from both internal and external factors, including financial difficulties, injuries, and squad depth.

Barcelona’s recent struggles have allowed Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid to find their form. Both Madrid teams boast world-class managers and squads, and it was only a matter of time before they hit their stride. Atlético de Madrid is on an impressive winning streak, securing maximum points from their last five games, while Real Madrid has gained three wins and a draw in their last five. This has allowed both teams to close the gap on the underperforming Barcelona, who also faces the disadvantage of having a relatively inexperienced manager in Flick who is managing in La Liga for the first time. The Madrid teams have seasoned managers who have previously won Spanish league titles and have a better understanding of their rivals than Hansi Flick. Additionally, both Madrid teams have a game in hand over Barcelona.

La Liga’s title race has become a thrilling contest, with all three top teams now in contention. While one team seemed to dominate in November, the momentum has now shifted towards the Madrid clubs. However, Barcelona cannot be written off yet. With the race so tight, the title will likely be decided by which team can handle high-pressure matches and avoid dropping points against lower-ranked sides. It’s shaping up to be a nerve-wracking finish.