So how strong is La Liga?

Looking out for people who watch La Liga more than me for an early assessment of quality on display (not including Barca or Madrid).

From where I'm standing Valencia looks strong, Sevilla decent, Villarreal on the decline and maybe Pathetico on the rise? I would refrain from assessing Malaga, as I have some doubts over their maximum reach this season. Bielsa coaching Bilbao should be interesting, but it seems he isn't enjoying a good start. Any thoughts? Can Valencia have a good run in the CL?

Pathetico are really on the rise. Bielsa would need time to teach the squad his brand of football. His full impact will be seen in the second half of the season. Villareal are well on decline, Cazorla was an integral part of their midfield.
I estimate Valencia as the strongest from the group you mentioned Soldadao FTW!

Dont fool yourself. Valencia, Villareal, Sevilla (maybe Malaga) are tough customers. They are better than Italian, English, French mid-table teams (we dont categorise City as one). Real and Barca are just overpowered. But, one thing I dont like about La Liga teams is that doom-gloom feeling when they play vs Duo.

Just looking at the transfers, Valencia and Malaga seem to have done best business. Atletico did buy two players (Falcao and Arda Turan) which seem to be very good, quality of Diego purchase on the other hand is anyone's guess.

Too many players I know nothing about though in other teams.

Well, Sevilla was kicked out of the EL by Hannover96 - this might look not so promising, but then, now they can concentrate only on the league.

Rayo Vallecanco has been doing well for a team that just got promoted.

Rayo Vallecanco has been doing well for a team that just got promoted.

Hardly warranting a double post, but yes Rayo started nicely. I don't know why but I would like them to avoid relegation.

Obviously the double post was a mistake.

I know, just joking

Case in point what Levante did to us last night proves La Liga competition is not as bad as it seems...

In contrast, can you imagine Manchester United losing to Norwich or West Brom... I doubt that.

People are having a good go at La Liga becasuse of the thumpings that are dished out by the top 2 occasionally. I would say the 6-0, 7-0, 8-0's are just a reflection of how ruthless each of the two sides are.. that if they're leading 4-0 they just don't tap off, they keep on pushing.

To me at least there is no real difference (other than numerical) between a 4-0 win and an 8-0 win. By the time you get to 8, you are basically exploiting the same tactical deficiency as you did for say the 2nd or 3rd goal.

I think once you defeat a side by 4 clear goals, that is already enough to show that there is a big difference in quality on the day, that one team was not prepared properly.

I do feel La Liga teams are competitive enough. There will be the odd upset like last night, but I also expect Athletico Madrid will give Barca one hell of a headache as they always do and Real Madrid will most probably not travel well to Sevilla as is regular.

One thing I will say is that, if you're looking for a competitive league, the Bundesliga, EPL and La Liga are not the top choices- that honour definitely goes to:

SerieA (because the top team is just as shiiiiiite as the bottom team ) just joking!

With Barca and Real getting the first goal in is what is important. Thats the hardest part of the game. Each successive goal is scored easier than the one before.

Giovanni10 wrote:Case in point what Levante did to us last night proves La Liga competition is not as bad as it seems...

In contrast, can you imagine Manchester United losing to Norwich or West Brom... I doubt that.!

or City losing a 2-0 lead to draw or Arsenal losing a 2-1 lead to 4-3

I can imagine Man U losing to Wolves

ali8775 wrote:

Giovanni10 wrote:Case in point what Levante did to us last night proves La Liga competition is not as bad as it seems...

In contrast, can you imagine Manchester United losing to Norwich or West Brom... I doubt that.!

or City losing a 2-0 lead to draw or Arsenal losing a 2-1 lead to 4-3

*City's game: Fulham- quality Europa League side

*Arsenal: pressed the self-destruct button (again) more than anything else.

When I made the example, I tried to use extremes. If you consider it in a relative manner the equivalent of Man City vs Fulham in La Liga is like Valencia vs Espanyol. Of course that is going to be a more competitive game.

Now I pose the question, does West Brom stand the slightest chance of beating Man City? Probably no, unless a fluke. So the thing I'm saying is that if Barca beats a team like Granada or Rayo convincingly, that does not mean La Liga is not competitive.

Thats the same as me saying, look at Man United 8-2 demolition of Arsenal (and Arsenal is supposed to be a top 6 side), the EPL is just not competitive. Thats just illogical.

I have been saying for a few years now that La Liga is the best league in the world. And I'm English. For me it blows the EPL out of the water. Why do you think most of the top players in the world play in that league? La Liga has better players, better teams and a better quality of football.

ali8775 wrote:

Giovanni10 wrote:Case in point what Levante did to us last night proves La Liga competition is not as bad as it seems...

In contrast, can you imagine Manchester United losing to Norwich or West Brom... I doubt that.!

or City losing a 2-0 lead to draw or Arsenal losing a 2-1 lead to 4-3

but arsenal cant be compared to the big boys real and barca.. thats why he took united's eg

Giovanni10 wrote:

ali8775 wrote:

Giovanni10 wrote:Case in point what Levante did to us last night proves La Liga competition is not as bad as it seems...

In contrast, can you imagine Manchester United losing to Norwich or West Brom... I doubt that.!

or City losing a 2-0 lead to draw or Arsenal losing a 2-1 lead to 4-3

*City's game: Fulham- quality Europa League side

*Arsenal: pressed the self-destruct button (again) more than anything else.

Lol... you missed the dumbest part of this post: comparing the current Arsenal to Real Madrid.

BarcaKizz wrote:

Giovanni10 wrote:

ali8775 wrote:

Giovanni10 wrote:Case in point what Levante did to us last night proves La Liga competition is not as bad as it seems...

In contrast, can you imagine Manchester United losing to Norwich or West Brom... I doubt that.!

or City losing a 2-0 lead to draw or Arsenal losing a 2-1 lead to 4-3

*City's game: Fulham- quality Europa League side

*Arsenal: pressed the self-destruct button (again) more than anything else.

Lol... you missed the dumbest part of this post: comparing the current Arsenal to Real Madrid.

Right you are sir. Shame I was trying to give Arsenal some more credit than their current form. Lol, you on the other hand are ice cold by also insinuating that there is no anomaly in Arsenal losing to Blackburn- As in those two teams are perfectly compatible competition. wow what a troll