La Liga 2022/23 All Out of Palancas

[rguilmar]

Looks like @trs got a fun game, despite the fact that poor Betis were manhandled. Got to see the Joaquin farewell tour. If he plays every game this season, he will become La Liga’s all time leader in appearances (including GKs). Lamine Yamal got in the game, becoming the youngest Barcelona player ever. Bonus points for getting to the Nou Camp before the team leaves for Montjuic for the foreseeable future.

La Liga are doing Real Madrid no favors. Los Blancos had 9 games in April and will have 6 games in 17 days- the first four are La Liga games followed by the Copa del Rey final then a little date with Manchester City. Some of it is European competition, but there are several midweek La Liga games late in the season, and Madrid will have two games a week for all of April and May. They’re not particularly deep, especially up top, but they need to win the Copa and likely the UCL to have a “successful” season while also holding off noisy neighbors Atleti who are playing as well as anyone right now.

 

[bosox4283]

Sorry to have disappeared for a bit. But gracias a todos for thinking about me and my Atletico.

The team is clearly playing excellent football, and Griezmann has been outstanding the last several months. I'm not sure what has changed to improve the squad. Did getting rid of Joao Felix and Felipe take away options from Simeone, which has allowed the team to gain more consistency? Have fewer fixtures -- no Copa del Rey, no European football -- given Simeone's somewhat-aging players a chance to rest and be at top form? Has Simeone made some key tactical adjustments, such as playing Mario Hermoso at CB? Have the players just gotten their heads out of their asses and are playing to their full potential?

I really can't figure it out, but it's been wonderful to watch them fire on all cylinders and now pass Real Madrid on the table.

Given the age and health history of some key players, I hope that this hot streak does not take away from the fact that there may need to be a renewal of sorts. There are few players below 26 on the squad, which is fine, but Simeone and the club will need to be strategic with integrating some new players over the next year or so to give players like Griezmann, Koke, and Savic rest at key moments.

 

[rguilmar]

Jaoa Felix out, Griezmann in is an oversimplification, but there is some truth to it. At least on the Griezmann side of thing. He’s been the best player in La Liga this season for my money, and that includes the insane season MATS is having in net.

I thought that Atleti were lucky to get results before the World Cup break. The performances did not justify the results, and I thought they’d be battling for a Champions League spot right now. After the break though, completely different team. I think it is more than a hot streak. They’re the best team in Spain over that stretch and damn fun to watch. Not just in the upstart foil to Barca and Madrid, but legitimately attractive soccer.

You’re right, they do need to get younger. If Felix is moved, they need to reinvest. Barrios is going to be a heck of a player, and both Riquelme at Girona and Lino at Valencia have impressed on loan (as has the striker at Rayo but I’m blanking on his name). More will be needed though. They need to decide if and when it’s time to move on from Simeone as he requires a certain kind of player. Is the rebuilt squad for him or someone else?

 

[rguilmar]

Five games to go and there is more clarity. Barca have it in the bag, the two Madrid teams will battle it out for second (Atletico have a one point lead) and Real Sociedad have a seven point gap ahead of fifth place Villarreal. Betis got a huge win at San Mamés. Joaquin did not play and will not become the all time leader in appearances in La Liga history, but I’m sure he’ll take that trade. Sevilla (!!) have a legit shot at making Europe. Not a great one, and probably Conference League, but that’s saying something based on how they started the season.

At the bottom, Espanyol are in real trouble. They look like a team destined for relegation, letting in strange goals, losing in heartbreaking fashion. I’m sure Zoso will shed a tear or two if it comes to be. There is still a royal rumble to come for those last two relegation spots though and Valladolid have joined the fray.

Only one game this weekend and it is the big one. Osasuna take on Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.

 

[rguilmar]

Madrid won the Copa del Rey 2-1 but it was always about Osasuna. They gave a great account of themselves, their fans were amazing (despite almost lighting themselves on fire at one point), and it clearly meant a lot to the fans and the team. Just amazing scenes in La Cartuja and Pamplona, and it was great for one of these “other teams” get the spotlight for a week. Proper club (not without warts) with proper fans.

Going into the Man City Champions League matches, there is good and bad for Real Madrid. The good is Vini Jr. He was otherworldly in the Copa and has been great for a while now. Obviously City are a different beast but Vini is a different beast too. The bad is Militao. Man he’s been bad lately including the Copa final. Just terrible.

 

[rguilmar]

Barca can clinch La Liga with a Derby win at Espanyol while also severely denting their rival’s hopes of survival. It feels like there are 6-8 teams in the relegation scrap and 6-8 teams fighting for that last place in Europe.

La Liga clubs continue to lock up good players to new contracts, Isi at Rayo being the latest. He’s been an absolute monster this year. Villarreal extended veteran Raul Albiol (still playing well) another year, but you gotta think the Yellow Submarine might get raided this summer. Chukweze is definitely going to be a wanted man after his game at the Bernabéu, but there are several others who would interest many EPL teams. The interesting contract situation is Gavi, as Barca could not register him so he’s back on his old contract, in his old uniform, and his old release clause. Obviously he bleeds blaugrana but if some team wanted to needle Barca a little..:

I’m sure somebody can find a better race to the finish, but the Segunda is absurd. Top five teams are separated by 2 total points with three games left to go. Malaga are all but relegated to the third tier which is a shame. It can take forever to get out of there and it can be unforgiving even to big clubs, just ask Real Oviedo or Deportivo La Coruña fans. It wasn’t that long ago that Malaga was in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Great fan base, decent sized Spanish city (and a beautiful one right on the Mediterranean at that), wonderful stadium of La Rosaleda where the Spanish national team just played a game. At one point, ownership really put money into the club- managed by Pelligrini, they had Demichelis, Carzola, Toulalan, RUUUUUUUD, Julio Baptista, Nacho Monreal, Joaquín, and Isco on the same team. Obviously it didn’t work out. Adiós.

 

[rguilmar]

Congrats to Barcelona on their well earned La Liga title. You don’t get to say this much about the Blaugrana, but what a defensive season for them. After the palancas and the scandals, a trophy was absolutely needed.

Barca players had an on field celebration before they were chased off the field and down the tunnel by enraged Espanyol pitch invaders. The initial lack of security was a bit shocking.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Congrats to Barcelona on their well earned La Liga title. You don’t get to say this much about the Blaugrana, but what a defensive season for them. After the palancas and the scandals, a trophy was absolutely needed.

Barca players had an on field celebration before they were chased off the field and down the tunnel by enraged Espanyol pitch invaders. The initial lack of security was a bit shocking.

It was quite enjoyable to celebrate in Espanyol's house. This wasn't the main goal for the season, but it's a solid foundation to build on. With Busi officially on his way out and Alba looking likely to follow him, Xavi won't have to worry about the old guard anymore (not in the locker room at least, President Pique is probably only a handful of years away, and former teammates like Puyol are already in management positions). The club now have to cement their new identity around Araujo, Kounde, FDJ, Pedri, and Gavi. That's the core. Balde looks like he'll be slotted in on the left flank for awhile. Christensen looks like a solid bet to stay in the CB rotation. But beyond that, there's no one else in the squad who's guaranteed a place even 2 years out (i.e., I don't think they're selling Lewa, but relying on him beyond next season carries quite a bit of risk). I'll take the rest of this discussion to the Barca thread.

 

[rguilmar]

There are some massive battles going on two fronts; relegation and the Conference League spot. Elche obviously are down and Espanyol don’t seem far behind. Teams from 18th place Getafe to 13th place Celta have not hit that magic 40 point mark. Then it gets tightly packed from 12th place Mallorca to 7th place Girona for that final European spot.

I previously said that it didn’t look like Valencia had the spirit for a relegation fight, but they definitely found it from their youth ranks as the kids have been saving the club. They’re born and raised in Valencia, and grew up in the club. They clearly don’t want to see the club go down.

The huge game this weekend is El Gran Derbi. In some ways it is the biggest derby in Spain. Sevilla will be coming off their midweek Europa League match with an eye on salvaging their season (depending on how things go). Betis will want to secure their Europa League spot. It will be Joaquin’s final game against Sevilla. And the Sanchez Pizjuan gets very, very loud.

 

[Zososoxfan]

There are some massive battles going on two fronts; relegation and the Conference League spot. Elche obviously are down and Espanyol don’t seem far behind. Teams from 18th place Getafe to 13th place Celta have not hit that magic 40 point mark. Then it gets tightly packed from 12th place Mallorca to 7th place Girona for that final European spot.

I previously said that it didn’t look like Valencia had the spirit for a relegation fight, but they definitely found it from their youth ranks as the kids have been saving the club. They’re born and raised in Valencia, and grew up in the club. They clearly don’t want to see the club go down.

The huge game this weekend is El Gran Derbi. In some ways it is the biggest derby in Spain. Sevilla will be coming off their midweek Europa League match with an eye on salvaging their season (depending on how things go). Betis will want to secure their Europa League spot. It will be Joaquin’s final game against Sevilla. And the Sanchez Pizjuan gets very, very loud.

Aaaaaaaaaand Valencia lose today with their match in hand and are now firmly in the relegation battle with 2 matches to play. Elche is mathematically going down. Espanyol is at 35 points (you hate to see it), but are somehow still in it, as Valladolid, Cadiz, and Getafe have 38, Almeria have 39, and Vigo and Valencia have 40. My guess is the list of relegation candidates gets cut in half after MW 37, but man I'm gonna try and watch a lot of Spanish futbol this weekend!

 

[rguilmar]

Osasuna are currently in 7th and in the Conference League spot. A lot can change, but a Copa final, and a hell of a final at that, with qualifying for Europe would be a huge season for the club from Pamplona. They already get to join Barca, Real Madrid, and Atleti in the Supercopa next season.

There of course is the chance that Sevilla win the Europa League, which I’ve heard means that Spain will get five CL spots (Barca, Real Madrid, Atletico, Real Sociedad, Sevilla) one EL spot (Villarreal) and one Conference League spot (Betis). If true, what a nutshot for Béticos to have their biggest rival struggle so much but get into the Champions League while simultaneously knocking Betis out of the Europa League and into the less profitable Conference League.