Still everything to play for as La Liga heads into winter break
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Wednesday is La Liga day, and here's www.spanishfootball.info 's David Cartlidge with his take on the week's big issues in Spain.
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View from the top...
Real Madrid remains in first place going into the break after a most impressive start to the campaign. Jose Mourinho’s side recovered from their blip in September, which comprised of a loss to Levante, and draw at Racing Santander, to embark on one of the best streaks in club history.
Madrid have found their own identity. A well-organised and resilient defence. A midfield that is industrious and stylish. An attack which right now is probably the most lethal in Europe. Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain have helped run the well-oiled counter-attacking machine which applies relentless pressure on any defence that gets in its way.
Upon returning in January it will be up to Mourinho to see that his side remained focused, and prepare in advance once again for El Clasico – the defeat just two weeks ago will leave a sour taste in the mouth over the seasonal sabbatical.
Barcelona, meanwhile, will be ready for the break, and while others were playing their final league game they were in Japan declaring themselves the new world club champions. The heavy legs will need to be rested as the fight renews, for when they return they’ll be in that unfamiliar position of trailing their great rivals from the capital.
Pep Guardiola will be looking at his injury crisis to subside, and the tactical modifications he puts on his squad upon returning will bare heavy significance during the run-in. The minds are fresh at Barcelona, they always are, but they bodies will need to be too.
The chasing pack...
Crashing out of the Champions League to Chelsea was a body-blow to Valencia’s aspirations of proving to everyone La Liga is more than a two-team league. Although they remain in the Europa League, the prestige isn’t quite the same, and a renewed focus will be on domestic matters.
A fine win against Malaga at Mestalla was their goodbye for the winter, and Roberto Soldado’s goals continued to flow. Los Che are in a fantastic position in third, and look a different class to the rest. Unai Emery’s side can sometimes become too comfortable though, and that will need to be watched carefully if they are to prosper.
Levante, the success story of the season, are close behind. The break will do a small squad’s ageing limbs good too.
Osasuna are another surprise package with their brand of combative, set-piece heavy football. In fifth place, they’re surprising many.
Sevilla and Malaga are just about there too, and will look to the January window to push them on.
Atletico Madrid are in their annual crisis, and a new manager will be in charge once we return. They do have plenty of quality in their squad, however - whoever comes in will need to get the best out of the likes of Diego and Falcao.
Espanyol and Athletic are both doing their best lightweight squads, and have issues with their play in attacking phases. A ruthless touch in front of goal would be a welcome gift at Christmas.
Those keeping their heads above water, and those who are drowning...
Real Betis, Real Mallorca, Getafe, Granada, Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano are finding enough points here and there to just keep them afloat. For all these clubs consistency is a problem, and if they can put a run of a few wins together they could see themselves in the top half of the table soon rather than later. Much of this relies on home form, and key players to shine. For Betis, Granada and Rayo, the rigours of the top flight might come in to play and their fitness levels will be key.
Villarreal’s story is an intriguing once. After earning Champions League football last season, they find themselves out of the relegation zone only on goal difference. At the start of the season the loss of Santi Cazorla was blamed, but that can no longer be an excuse. The fans have turned on Juan Carlos Garrido, and if he’s still here come the restart it would be rather surprising. Scant resources mean astute work will need to be done in the transfer window. Most worrying of all, they may also have to deal with losing another star.
Sporting Gijon, Racing Santander and Real Zaragoza currently occupy the relegation places and will need to get back to basics after the break. Given how tight things are, the same applies here as it does to the others – a few wins will be catapult you out of the danger zone. But when quality is hard to come by, and caution is the order of the day from a tactical point of view, that’s easier said than done.
Whatever happens, 2012 will be an interesting one in La Liga. Though a certain two clubs take all the limelight, you can be assured every one still has something to fight for.
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Follow David Cartlidge on Twitter @davidjaca nd at www.spanishfootball.info
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