WILL BARCELONA AND REAL MADRID DOMINATE IN LA LIGA

Tweet

There is no denying Madrid and Barcelona have a stranglehold over La Liga, with Atlético, Real and Barça responsible for ten consecutive titles. Valencia were the last side to break the Madrid/Barcelona duopoly, when they won the league in 2004, and 2002, whilst Deportivo La Coruña claimed a shock victory in 2000. Before Dépor, you have to go back to the 83/84 season, when Athletic Bilbao were victorious, to find a title winner from outside of the duo. So the question is, who are the next side to take the La Liga title away from Barcelona or Madrid. Related articles - Most expensive players sold buy the Catalan giants - Deportivo confirm appointment of new manager Valencia The heady days of the early 2000's may be a distant memory for Valencia supporters, but under the ownership of Singaporean businessman Peter Lim, the club finally have the FINANCIAL stability to keep hold of their best players. David Villa, David Silva, Juan Mata, Roberto Soldado and Jordi Alba were all sold to balance the books, but who knows where Los Che could have been if they had managed to keep them all together, along with the likes of Raul Albiol. Unfortunately, yet another talented player, Juan Bernat, has left to join Bayern Munich. The hope will be that when Lim and Valencia manager Nuno start to build their project, players will buy into the vision, and not feel the need to leave to further their careers. Although Lim's takeover looked to be in jeopardy, the Valencia board fought hard to convince him that he was both wanted, and needed. The hold-up is responsible for Valencia's lack of incoming transfer activity, yet with major FINANCIAL backing, Los Ches are in good stead to become one of La Liga's major forces again. Athletic Bilbao Diego Simeone's side proved how far a well organised, competitive side could go last season, and although Bilbao lack the firepower up front provided by Diego Costa, they are a similarly gritty team, with no lack of quality. Aymeric Laporte was unlucky to miss out on the France national squad brimming with world-class centre-backs after a stellar season, whilst Ander Iturraspe made the preliminary squad for Spain's doomed World Cup effort. A strong defensive unit is complimented by the guile of Beñat in midfield and Iker Munian in attack, whilst the San Mamés stadium is one of La Liga's most uncompromising and hostile for away supporters. It would be a major shock if Bilbao managed to win La Liga in the next few seasons, especially if they keep selling their best player, but they have the perfect model in Atlético to follow. So whilst it is highly unlikely that anyone will be able to resist the FINANCIAL muscle of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Atlético Madrid highlighted how crucial the power of belief, motivation and momentum is, when coupled with a strong squad. The cities of Madrid and Barcelona look set to continue to dominate Spanish football for the foreseeable future, however they will be keeping a close eye on Valencia, who will finally be able to compliment their squad with the addition of big-money signings, rather than just major sales.