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In the last season, there was no fight for the title of the Spanish champion. Starting in the fall and only ending in the spring, the record-breaking winning streak of "Barca" was head and shoulders above the rest of the teams. It is unknown how things will unfold for the Catalan team in Europe, but it will not be easy for them in Spain this year.
This was already confirmed by "Sevilla", who crushed "Barca" 3-0 last week and won the European Super Cup. Of course, "Barca" strengthened in the summer, but its competitors strengthen even more.
"Real" changed not only the president, management, but also the coach, and with him - the team's playing style. "Valencia" seems to be following a project to collect all the strongest Spanish players into their club. "Sevilla" every year grows or discovers a few diamonds. "Villarreal" miraculously cheaply buys famous and good players every year. Every other team in La Liga can provide a surprise. So let's talk about their prospects this season:
Athletic Bilbao
Proud sons of the Basque Country continue to form the team exclusively from players of this nationality. Only one exception, the French national team player and "Bayern" defender Bixente Lizarazu, was once made long ago. However, even he, although he had a French passport, was Basque by nationality. This year, several new players have joined the team, but not every year in the Basque Country do stars emerge that can lift the average players to the top of the table. Especially since the club has changed coaches - Javier Clemente was replaced by Felix Sarriugarte. Of course - a Basque. Although no stars have emerged in the club, it does not mean that it will be easy to score points from Bilbao. They are hard to beat by both big teams and average teams.
Who will change the policy and start buying stars, they will remain unique "Athletic Bilbao," emphasizing that Biscay is not Spain - English?
Atletico Madrid
For Atletico Madrid, this summer was one of the busiest in the transfer market. If "Depor" aimed at young and not expensive players, the leadership of "mattresses" this year decided to finally build a winning team. Out with the disappointed coach Murcia, and in his place was invited Javier Aguirre from the victorious "Osasuna." The purchase of the young Argentine "wonderkid" eighteen-year-old Sergio Aguero for a crazy amount of money. Almost for free, the leader of "Real B," Jurado, was acquired. The team was also strengthened by experienced players for whom no money was spared. Argentinian wonderkid Aguero, Valencia's goal scorer Mista, "Russians" Costinha and Seitaridis, and just a day before the transfer window closed, Maniche was also acquired. Rumours keep circulating that "mattresses" still want Reyes, who jokingly raised wings from London, but will the famous names be enough for the "mattresses" or will the leaders start fighting with newcomers for influence in the team? Will the new coach, accustomed to working with fistful middling talents, be able to work with much more famous and pampered stars?
Barcelona
In the first Sunday of September, the FC Barcelona presidential elections will be held. But it has long been clear who will win - the same Laporta, who turned "Barca" back into a powerful club. Symbolically, one of the brave ones who tried to gather signatures to become a candidate in the elections, managed to get... only one signature supporting his candidacy in a month. In recent years, "Barca" has won two Spanish championships, the Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup. However, a few days ago, they were defeated by Monaco, where they met Sevilla for the European Super Cup. However, this defeat could be beneficial for the team, as not finding worthy rivals, "Barca" has to fight with itself - to force itself to play as well as it knows and can. With an excellent lineup, "Barca" acquired two excellent defenders from "Juventus," one of whom will strengthen both defense and offense in any flank, and with Thuram coming in, coach Rijkaard can calmly go drink coffee during matches. The Frenchman called the professor reliably cements not only the defensive lines but also arranges the safe line. Judging by the first matches, the "snowman" E.Gudjohnsen can be flexible, technical, and fast, and most importantly - create dangerous moments near the opponents' moments and score himself. Gudjohnsen proved this by scoring the winning goal in his debut match against "Celta," when "Barca's" defense looked tragic. It seems that the young talent Dos Santos, to strengthen the team, will not be needed. And Saviola has not been needed for a long time, but no one takes him...
