There is one accusation that has been levelled in recent seasons against the La Liga, Spain’s premier football league: the lack of democracy, the lack of that surprise factor. The absence of those underdogs with Leicester-ish qualities who could just take the league by the scruff of the neck and not let go, even against the big boys. This is a damning, and reasonably accurate complaint, and even though the quality of football has not suffered in this scenario, the long term future of a league in which only three teams have a chance of success is decidedly sketchy.
And so the unabashed adventure and chaos of Sevilla is welcomed by those tiring of seeing Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico slug it out among themselves. Under Jorge Sampaoli, the incandescent Chilean, Sevilla are rapidly forging an identity that the heavyweights will be forced to respect. Ten games in, and they sit three points off the top of the table, and while they will probably not go all the way, there is an opportunity to cause enough disruption to affect the outcome.
Sampaoli, previously the manager of Universidad de Chile and the Chile national team, is a fiery and emotional character. His teams are designed to get in the faces of opposition and jab away at weak spots, with the aim of causing a structural collapse. This approach can result in weaknesses of their own, but Sevilla keep going, relying on each of their players being responsible enough to cover for teammates.
Shrewd acquisitions
Sevilla lost players of the calibre of Grzegorz Krychowiak (PSG), Ever Banega (end of loan), Kevin Gameiro (Atletico Madrid) and Yevhen Konoplyanka (loan) this summer. The three-time Europa League winners faced questions marks over their status as Spanish and European heavyweights, but Sampaoli and their Director of Football Ramon ‘Monchi’ Verdejo made some shrewd acquisitions in the transfer market. In came Luciano Vietto, the striker on loan from Atletico Madrid, who already has four goals and two assists. Also coming into the fold were Franco Vazquez, the tough tackling defensive midfielder, Joaquin Correa and Ganso, both attacking midfielders, and the Manchester City cast-off Samir Nasri, who has shown flashes of his best for the Andalusians.
Sevilla have been brave and ambitious, and while that is praiseworthy, such things are seemingly not meant to last in the La Liga. This script has been written in the past by the likes of Valencia, Celta Vigo and Villareal, only for them to sputter and fade by the turn of the year. This might well be Sevilla’s fate, but expect them to provide some twists and turns in this title race yet.
The usual suspects
As for the usual suspects, both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have not had quite as easy a ride as they are used to. Madrid sit on top of the pile with 24 points and are still unbeaten, but the major worry will be the form of Karim Benzema, who seems to have been affected by his off-field problems.
Alvaro Morata will be chomping at the bit to replace him and line up alongside Ronaldo and an electrified Gareth Bale. The Welshman recently signed an £18-million contract that will keep him in Madrid till 2022, and Ronaldo looks like he’s back in the goals yet again. In a season that could be decided by a result one way or the other, they will be vary of dropping points against potential banana skins like Villareal and Sevilla.
Real face fellow contenders Atletico Madrid at the Calderon on the 19th of November in a clash that will have far-reaching consequences. Atletico are slowly finding their groove, and currently sit three points off the top. They have, remarkably, conceded only six goals this season, and have proved themselves as one of the best defences in the world thus far.
Up front, the Belgian Yannick Carrasco has been excellent, scoring seen goals and assisting three along the way. Antoine Griezmann is likely feeling the effects of a long summer, and has not been scoring as freely, but has been handy with the assists. If Simeone can get Kevin Gameiro to fire, there will be little stopping Atletico from mounting a serious challenge.
Barcelona have looked disjointed with problems across the pitch. Messi has blown hot and cold up front and while Neymar and Suarez continue to deliver, a lot depends on the little Argentine this season. Andres Iniesta’s injury is serious for their title aspirations, as the Spaniard provides much more quality and precision than his stand-ins, Arda Turan and Tiago.
Sergio Busquets is having one of his worst seasons in a Barcelona jersey, while the Sergi Roberto experiment at right-back looks like it has run its course before it began. On the plus side, Rafinha has been among the goals, and there are signs of Messi returning to something resembling his creative best.
No democracy
The La Liga delivers on quality, but not entirely on democracy. However, the increasing quality of the sides in mid-table means that they are capable of springing a few surprises. Real Sociedad, Villareal, Bilbao and Eibar all have in them the capacity for a few upsets, and one hope they build on those foundations rapidly for the sake of the league.
The La Liga is not as easy to predict this time around.