Football is Back and so also are surprises!
I am sure I am not the only one who or who's expecting both Madrid and Barcelona to perform below expectations this season but they both started strong and it could eventually be another interesting season in Laliga despite the absence of the vivid strengths in this two teams.
I personally would expect Atletico Madrid to take dominance in the league this season. Atletico Madrid also started well and I'm not surprised they won with fewer goals, it's their nature and what I think really matters for them this season is making sure they secure at least two points each against Real Madrid and Barcelona if they really want to defend the title this season.
Have you noticed how aggressive Barcelona is now without Messi?
Watching Barcelona's games without Messi these days is really surprising. There has been this thought with people that the presence of Messi in Barcelona has kept so many players behind his shadows and that thought is coming out as a truth these days.
I can't remember the last time I saw Gerrard Pique with a league goal not to talk of Braithwaite scoring a brace. Some of these players haven't just been able to prove themselves due to the presence of Messi and his dominance or the lack of playing time.
There's really a whole load of work for Barcelona starting from this season because by their tradition, they always have to play the team around a particular player and who that player would be after Messi is something we are yet to find out.....
Do you think Barcelona won't play the team around a single player anymore?
I really don't want to believe that though but it's seems the new manager (Koeman) doesn't like the ideal either. I've been watching Memphis Depay so closely these days and he's been doing really great with Barcelona since his arrival. He has been one of the creative machines in the team and I feel he could end up being the team's favorite in due time.
I really don't know why but I feel Madrid is so fragile at the moment due to the players they sold out without buying in any new legs. Real Madrid has players no doubt, but not a team like Madrid is expected to sell out two experienced players without filling up the team with some other heavy signings.
They had a big win against Alaves last weekend but one can't judge much with Alaves. There's actually a big problem with Real Madrid as far as my analysis is concern. Selling off Ramos and Varane at a go was really a No move! These were the coordinator of the defense line and they are practically the most experienced players the team has considering the years they've spent with the team and their cumulative achievements.
If only they had allowed just one of the two defenders to leave, it would have been fair and the likes of Militao and Nacho would at least have much experiences to learn from but it's quite too late to make amendments now.
Militao is a good player no doubt but he isn't matured enough to handle or coordinate Real Madrid's defense line and unlucky for him, he is being paired with Nacho who is naturally not a defender at all.
Well, with the way it seems if the attacking force performs well this season, Real Madrid could still be an exclusive team this season again. I personally, I am counting on Bale and Hazard having a good form throughout this season, I feel that's the only way to see Real Madrid as a big threat this season.
There's no doubt, Benzema would definitely have more goals this season like he did last season but personally, with my forecast, I feel if Real Madrid would be successful this season, Hazard and Bale have to be on top of their games because the flanks (2 and 3) positions are well occupied and handled for now considering the signing of Alaba from Bayern Munich, but scoring more goals and winning more games would depend on the wings (7 and 11) which are handled by Hazard and Bale.
These two world class players had been great assets to either Madrid or their formal teams but as it is now, it's just so important that they turn out to be more valuable assets for Real Madrid this season if Real Madrid is expecting to win any trophy.
All pictures are screenshots taken from various highlights.
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