Real Madrid took a massive step tow a r d s w i n n i n g the elite Spanish football league, La Liga, after defeating Granada 2-1 in a late Monday night game. Since its inception, a total of 62 teams have competed in La Liga. Nine teams have been crowned champions, with Real Madrid winning the title a record 33 times. Now, Real Madrid has to win one out of their two remaining games to lift the title 34th time.
The victory was similar to most of the club’s victories since the return of football. Out of the 9 wins the Club has secured since La Liga returned in June, 5 have been with a one-goal margin, a stat that shows that the potential champions have had to fight hard for their 3 points.
Their performances have been mostly all-round with almost every player playing a part. Eight different players have scored in these games and the defence too has ticked, ensuring 6 clean sheets.
But arch-rivals Barcelona has witnessed a contrasting story since the lockdown having dropped 6 points in 3 draws. Not all is good in the Catalan camp with their defence struggling, big fishes except Messi failing to tick and the club which was once the hub of young talent failing to see many breakthroughs in that area.
Not many would have backed Real Madrid to even compete with Barcelona this year, forget lifting the title. Los Blancos had lost the greatest player in their history. Ronaldo and his expected replacements Bale and Hazard have failed to make a big impact in Madrid’s game.
However, their veterans Benzema and Sergio Ramos have stepped up with goals and all players have made valuable contributions.
As for Barcelona, Messi has been the lone warrior holding the highest goal scorer and provider record, but others have almost failed. Their biggest disappointment has been the failure of French star and ex-Atletico talisman Antoine Griezmann who has just managed 9 goals and 4 assists in 35 appearances this season.
A season without a trophy for the Blaugrana had put the future of their manager Setien in doubt but the club has now confirmed that he will be staying at least for the next season. His biggest challenge continues to be finding fresh young talent that the club was once known for and nurturing more talent from La Masia which is still one of the world’s best academies. They have already sold one promising young player in the form of Arthur, their 23-year-old midfielder, who will join Juventus with veteran midfielder Pjanic moving to Barcelona.
Real Madrid after winning the league this season will prove that that the club has moved on despite losing their former star Ronaldo to Italian giants Juventus.
Although for Madrid, fading Gareth Bale and yet to settle Eden Hazard — whom they have chosen to play a pivotal role in their attack — continue to pose a worry and that has to be addressed.
Both the clubs will soon witness the end of an era, with most of their veterans and global stars into their thirties. Investing and pushing the youth remain the most important focus area for the world’s most elite football clubs.
