Spain's two horse race

by sslayford Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:57 am

There has a been a lot of discussion of the qualities of both Real Madrid and Barcelona but it seems that most are overlooking one key issue.
Whilst the level of football reached by both teams is entertaining, especially when their opponents are each other, the degree of dominance enjoyed by both is effectively turning La Liga into the much derided Scottish Premier League, with both Rangers and Celtic light years ahead of the rest in terms of quality.
Many would claim that perhaps Villarreal and Valencia pose a greater threat to the top two than perhaps Hibernian or Dundee United but a case in point against this would be the 6 goals that Real Madrid reserve players managed to smash past Los Che at the Mestalla last season.
A long term worry would be the lack of competition domestically meaning a struggle for both clubs in Europe in the coming seasons if their sharpness is regularly untested against such poor quality opposition.
What are the thoughts on this?

by FennecFox7 Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:59 am

It is turning into a 2 horse race? No, it already is, and will stay like that until TV rights are evened out

by REWB Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:01 am

imo, madrid will suffer the most because of the lack of competition. barca not at all, because of their pressing system and passing and tight squad; the lack of competition suits them.

by Albiceleste Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:02 am

Without getting into my opinion on the matter, lets just look at the facts about La Liga in the past 10 years:

Since 2000 La Liga has had 4 different clubs win the league: Real Madrid(4), Barcelona(4), Valencia(2), and Deportivo(1)

La Liga has had 8 different clubs finish in the top 3: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Villarreal, Deportivo, Sociedad, Mallorca.

Since 2000 La Liga teams have won 5 Champions League titles: Real Madrid(2) and Barcelona(3)

Since 2000 La Liga teams have won 4 UEFA Cup/Europa League titles: Sevilla(2), Valencia(1), Atletico(1)

These stats suggest that it is more competitive and a league with stronger teams than the EPL in comparison, just putting that out there, I know this isn't EPL vs La Liga just putting a comparison to determine how strong the competition is in La Liga.

by Khaled Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:03 am

Malaga :O

by REWB Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:04 am

Lionel Messi wrote:Without getting into my opinion on the matter, lets just look at the facts about La Liga in the past 10 years:

Since 2000 La Liga has had 4 different clubs win the league: Real Madrid(4), Barcelona(4), Valencia(2), and Deportivo(1)

La Liga has had 8 different clubs finish in the top 3: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Villarreal, Deportivo, Sociedad, Mallorca.

Since 2000 La Liga teams have won 4 Champions League titles: Real Madrid(2) and Barcelona(2)

Since 2000 La Liga teams have won 4 UEFA Cup/Europa League titles: Sevilla(2), Valencia(1), Atletico(1)

These stats suggest that it is more competitive and a league with stronger teams than the EPL in comparison, just putting that out there

can you really see this happening again in the next few years? you'd have to be an idiot not to realise what is happening in laliga atm

by shaven Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:05 am

Valencia can be a good competitor next season

by Great Leader Sprucenuce Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:05 am

What do i think?

I think your related to Emassy :coffee:

by Albiceleste Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:07 am

RedEyesWhiteBeard wrote:

can you really see this happening again in the next few years? you'd have to be an idiot not to realise what is happening in laliga atm

Those are the facts and numbers, take from it what you will.

by BarrileteCosmico Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:14 am

Better than the EPL's 1 horse race :coffee:

Anyways, I do see it changing, but not until 2014 when a TV deal gets worked out. High hopes for Manchester Cit---- I mean Malaga.

by The Franchise Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:15 am

There is nothing wrong with the quality of La Liga. Valencia gave Man Utd two hands full in their CL games.

Madrid and Barca are at a very high level right now, thats it really.

Other leagues have their own problems you could pick out.

by VanDeezNuts Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:06 am

there are quality teams in la liga of course, to say it is a 2 horse race is a bit of an insult to those teams.

however the difference in points between the 3rd place team and 2nd place team has been a bit ridiculous in recent years.

i remember at one point two seasons ago the 3rd place team at the time (i cant recall) was closer to relegation than topping the table.

thats where people start to think its a 2 horse race. stats aside.

by Yeezus Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:07 am

thnx 4 d infu, nvr nu dat

by Ali Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:28 am

Lionel Messi wrote:
These stats suggest that it is more competitive and a league with stronger teams than the EPL in comparison, just putting that out there

Spain's two horse race Yo-dawg-at-first-i-was-like

by Albiceleste Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:29 am

What are you loling at?

Since 2000 La Liga has had 4 different clubs win the league: Real Madrid(4), Barcelona(5), Valencia(2), and Deportivo(1)

In this same time frame La Liga has had 8 different clubs finish in the top 3: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Villarreal, Deportivo, Sociedad, Mallorca.

Since 2000 EPL has had only 3 clubs win the league: Manchester United(7), Chelsea(3), and Arsenal(2)

In this same time frame EPL has had 7 clubs finish in the top 3: Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Man City and Leeds United.

Since 2000 La Liga teams have won 5 Champions League titles: Real Madrid(2) and Barcelona(3)

Since 2000 EPL teams have won only 2 Champions League titles: Man United(1) and Liverpool(1)

Since 2000 La Liga teams have won 4 UEFA Cup/Europa League titles: Sevilla(2), Valencia(1), Atletico(1)

Since 2000 EPL teams have won only 1 UEFA Cup/Europa League titles: Liverpool(1)

These numbers prove La Liga has been stronger and more competitive over the last 10 years.

by VanDeezNuts Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:34 am

@lio you dont really believe that do you? its not about how many teams have won the league in the past 10 years or how many CL titles the top 2 la liga teams have

its about the enormous gap in talent and points between la liga's top 2 teams and the rest of the table.

by Ali Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:35 am

over the last 10 years. Let's see over the last 5. Also, if in direct comparison, La Liga would do SHIT compared to the EPL

by Albiceleste Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:42 am

What are you talking about? direct comparison like what

by Ali Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:43 am

Lionel Messi wrote:What are you talking about? direct comparison like what

team for team

by Albiceleste Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:49 am

Valencia could beat any team from the EPL aside from Chelsea Man City and Man Utd.

by Ali Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:52 am

Lionel Messi wrote:Valencia could beat any team from the EPL aside from Chelsea Man City and Man Utd.

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL ! Arsenal and Liverpool have disappeared? Even Everton would stand a chance ! No offence to Valencia but COME ON !

obvious troll is obvious

EDIT: Oh , I just noticed its COULD not WOULD! Well, thats true that they CAN, they have the POTENTIAL , but then again, arsenal CAN beat Barcelona as well.

by Dnmac4 Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:57 am

ali8775 wrote:
Lionel Messi wrote:What are you talking about? direct comparison like what

team for team

Thats not true at all. Atletico romped through English teams on the way to there Europa trophy.

by Ali Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:58 am

dnmac4 wrote:
ali8775 wrote:
Lionel Messi wrote:What are you talking about? direct comparison like what

team for team

Thats not true at all. Atletico romped through English teams on the way to there Europa trophy.

2 years ago? Well...without Simao and Aguero, who is their attack ?

by VanDeezNuts Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:58 am

bored

opinion: no crucifixion necessary.

1. rm
2. barca
3. manu
4. chelsea
5. arsenal
6. villareal
7. manc
8. liverpool
9. valencia

albino

by Dnmac4 Tue Aug 02, 2011 3:03 am

ali8775 wrote:
dnmac4 wrote:
ali8775 wrote:
Lionel Messi wrote:What are you talking about? direct comparison like what

team for team

Thats not true at all. Atletico romped through English teams on the way to there Europa trophy.

2 years ago? Well...without Simao and Aguero, who is their attack ?

It's the only thing you can compare because these are the only times they play in real competitive games. English teams don't do well outside of England in the Europa league, if you want to argue you can but it's a fact.

The hard facts are that in the last 3 years our best played your best twice and moped the floor with them, and atletico did the same to two of your better non Champions league sides on there way to a title.

How many Champions League titles have English teams won?

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