Ahead of the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup this evening, I thought I would take a look at the two teams most likely to challenge for the La Liga this season.
The two Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona drew 2-2 in the first leg of the Super Cup at Bernabeu on Sunday night and it was a fantastic game to watch.
Football
The game was that rare thing in a Clasico, a game of football between two superb teams. Last season all the talk about the games between these two was about cheating and bitterness. All the talk after this game was about the quality of football, instead of the quality of acting.
Attacking
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho decided to play an attacking line-up in Sundays game and it seemed to pay off. If Mourinho is going to challenge Barcelona then he will have to attack the European Champions.
At times in Sundays game they looked in control of the game and were unlucky to head in at half-time 2-1 down. They had pressed and attacked Barca. They concentrated on their strengths and didn’t worry about Barca’s strengths and they scored a deserved equaliser through Xabi Alonso.
Inferior
Real Madrid have been regarded as inferior to their Catalan rivals in recent seasons. In fact, I think that inferior has even crept into the minds of the Real players. This season though is their best chance of overcoming their bitter-rivals.
Real Madrid have some very good players and if Mourinho allows them to play to their capabilities then they won’t be far behind Barcelona this season.
Fear
Going into the games against Barcelona last season Real Madrid boss Mourinho seemed scared to let his players attack because he was scared of what Barcelona could do to them. Mourinho has always had a cautious nature but at Real he has the chance to show his more adventurous side, with such quality attacking players available to him.
The victory in the Copa Del Rey last season was a game which started to help Real overcome the psychological barrier. Hopefully this season we will see Real Madrid and Barcelona both at the peak of their powers, playing football not psychological games.
Team
Real Madrid now look like a far more united team. The players have had time to get to know each other and Real haven’t had a massive recruitment drive this summer either. This means there will be a sense of continuity which can only be good for the team as a whole.
Strengthened
Barcelona have stayed with the tried and tested method of quality over quantity with their summer transfer dealings. The European Champions brought in promising winger Alexis Sanchez from Udinese and of course Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.
Both players are of the highest quality and are Barca-type players. They are both comfortable with the ball and highly-rated. The pair definitely give Barca boss Pep Guardiola more options and they make the Barcelona squad look even stronger.
Europe
Not only are they current favourites for the Primera Liga title they are also amongst the favourites to win this seasons Champions League. Both Real boss Jose Mourinho and Barca boss Pep Guardiola have claimed the trophy twice, although the Spaniard also won the trophy as a player with the Catalans.
Fans of both clubs will be expecting to win both the Champions League and La Liga trophies. Winning either of those trophies is a must if Mourinho wants to stay in his job next season.
Difficult
Its hard to argue with Barcelona being the best football team on the planet. For all the Real claims the Catalans are cheats, they are quite simply fantastic to watch. It will be difficult for any team to knock Barca off their perch this season but if anybody can Real Madrid can.
Can Real Madrid challenge Barcelona at home and abroad this season?
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