It should surprise no one that this season’s title challengers in La Liga would come from the Spanish cities of Barcelona and Madrid.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and Barcelona boss Luis Enrique spent the summer green-lighting moves for some of the world’s top footballers in an effort to wrestle the La Liga title back from Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side.

Following the arrivals of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez to the Santiago Bernabeu; and the additions of Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Jeremy Mathieu to the Camp Nou, many football experts had the Spanish title returning to the two-horse race it had been in previous seasons. The main question on fans and pundits’ minds was whether or not Atletico would continue to be the presence they were during 2013-14 Primera Division season.

But during the opening weeks of the La Liga season, Real Madrid surprised many as they stumbled out of the starting blocks.

First, Los Blancos were defeated in the Spanish Supercopa by Atletico Madrid over two legs. Carlo Ancelotti’s side then shook off that loss by opening their La Liga campaign with a win over Cordoba, only to drop their next two league fixtures to Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid.

The setback in Basque Country came after Real had staked themselves to an early 2-0 lead, before ultimately capitulating and allowing Real Sociedad to score four unanswered goals. Then a week later, the ten-time champions of Europe dropped a home decision to their Madrid rivals for the second time in two seasons.

Questions were being asked about the Real’s defending, the health and ‘happiness’ of their star man Cristiano Ronaldo; and the chemistry between the returning players and the club’s newest arrivals.

But since their loss in the Madrid derby, Real have played four matches in all competitions and have poured in 20 goals, while conceding only three times.

The back-four is still the club’s weak point. But Real’s strength in defence has come from their opponent’s fear of Ancelotti’s world class attacking options of Ronaldo, Bale, James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Ronaldo has answered any questions of his health and desire to remain with the Spanish giants. The Portuguese forward – who appeared to have run out of steam at the end of last season – has now scored eight goals in the last three matches; and ten in all competitions.

After the club’s slow start, Real Madrid trail league-leading Barcelona by four points. But Ancelotti’s side have already played Atletico Madrid and can look towards their ‘El Clasico’ showdown on October 25th against Luis Enrique’s side. Ancelotti’s men just need to continue their current league form until that point in the season and hope to take maximum points from their bitter rivals at that time.

As for Barcelona, the biggest questions the club faced at the start of the 2014-15 La Liga campaign was would the club return the the form it showed prior to the 2013-14 season, and would La Blaugrana be able to defend well enough to stay in touch with Real Madrid and Atletico at the top of the Primera Division.

But Enrique’s men have stunned all the footballing experts by not allowing a goal to this point in the season. Seven matches played in all competitions – not a single goal conceded.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi and Neymar have been terrorizing La Liga defenses. The Argentine boasts five goals and a eye-popping seven assists during his first seven matches in all competitions – six of his assists have set up his Brazilian counterpart.

Since his return from a back injury, which he suffered during the World Cup, Neymar has scored six goals in only three La Liga matches.

Last season, Messi and Neymar struggled with form, fitness and the tactics of former Barcelona boss “Tata” Martino. But this season both players are healthy – physically and mentally – and have been completely unshackled under the leadership of Luis Enrique.

Barcelona appear to be the dominant attacking force they were under Pep Guardiola; with attacking options of Ivan Rakitic, Munir El Haddadi, Neymar and Messi. Not to forget contributions of club stalwarts: Xavi, Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Dani Alves, Adriano and Javier Mascherano.

But the introduction of Enrique’s philosophy, as well as the infusion of youth and new arrivals have really breathed life into the Spanish club this season.

And things may get even better at the Camp Nou in a month’s time, since Luis Suarez is still waiting in the wings to make his La Liga debut.

While some fans were concerned that La Liga was once again turning into a two-horse race between Barcelona and Real Madrid, manager Diego Simeone stayed focused on integrating his summer signings into his championship winning side. And to the surprise of some, Atletico Madrid have shown no signs of relinquishing their La Liga title to their Spanish rivals.

While Mario Mandzukic, Antoine Griezmann and Raul Jimenez have yet to firmly establish themselves has the goal scoring threats that the departed Diego Costa was for Simeone’s side. The rest of the squad has carried the scoring load while the club’s latest arrivals familiarize themselves with Simeone’s tactics and their new surroundings.

Much like last season, Los Rojiblancos continue to grind out results “game by game”. It is rarely pretty, but it is continuously effective.

The club relied heavily on its defence and the timely goalscoring of Costa last season – Atletico won seventeen matches by one goal in 2013-14.

This season Atletico have continued with their massive defensive efforts, but the majority of the scoring has come from set-pieces and from unlikely sources.

So far this season, Los Colchoneros have scored eleven times, with the club’s leading scorer being their centre-back, Miranda, who has three goals – all from set-pieces. The rest of the club’s scoring has come from eight different players

Atletico Madrid’s play doesn’t rest on the fortunes of two or three world class players, it lies in the collective will of the squad and the footballing philosophy of their manager, Diego Simeone.

Yesterday, Simeone returned to Atletico’s touchline after serving the domestic part of his eight-match ban following his Spanish Supercopa antics. His arrival to the pitch at the Vicente Calderon was met by a hoard of photographers and raucous applause from the red-and-white clad Atletico Madrid supporters who had packed into the Vicente Calderon.

The Argentinian boss was greeted by a reception that is usually reserved for rock stars, because everyone who follows the club knows that he is the catalyst to everything the Atleti have achieved over the past few seasons.

His return to the sidelines boosted the team much as a world class signing does at other clubs. Atletico’s attack, which had been struggling to score in recent weeks, exploded while putting four goals past Sevilla (two from set-pieces, one from the penalty spot and another from open-play) as they eased to another La Liga victory.

Atletico weren’t struggling leading up to the match with Sevilla. But there was something missed from the side over the past few matches while Simeone was forced to the stands.

Now the club have their leader back and look ready to defend their Spanish title.

As blistering a pace as Barcelona have set to the start of the La Liga campaign, Atletico Madrid trail La Blaugrana by two points – and Simeone’s side have already beaten Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. While Real Madrid are only four points off the top of the table.

While there is still parity in the Primera Division during the early part of the season, it appears Spain’s ‘big three’ clubs are separating themselves from the rest of the La Liga pack.

Petequinn

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