2017-18 Spanish La Liga Discussion Thread

[Baphomet]

It's that time of year again. Current holders are Real Madrid.

[Baphomet]

Not a great start for Atleti. Griezmann sent off, and a 2-2 draw against newly promoted Girona.

They were 2-0 down, mind.

[J-Mezzy]

Bad start for Madrid as well. Game vs La Real will be tough. We could find ourselves 7 points out if first place

[J-Mezzy]

Barcelona always manage to win games that they were in danger of losing.

If we lose tomorrow, we fall 7 points back 4 games in

[Ted Lasso]

Barcelona always manage to win games that they were in danger of losing.

If we lose tomorrow, we fall 7 points back 4 games in

That's when you put a Tottenham crest on your profile.

[Baphomet]

Away at Sociedad is a difficult fixture as well, especially with their strong start to the season.

[CalamityX12]

Nothing to see here yet....

We'll see come February where these teams truly stand.

But Clasicos and Derbys are always a blast.

[Ted Lasso]

All the kidding aside, i think Mezzy is overreacting. I am really, really impressed by what Zidane has done. Real Madrid have 12-13 unbelievable players obviously, but beyond that they now have a squad that performs above the sum of its parts. I really like what they've done with the backups. Versatile, young, disciplined local players to complement the stars.

Besides, Barcelona can't keep this up. They don't have the depth, they don't have the cohesion. I would be very surprised if Madrid don't retain the title.

[Baphomet]

Read on Twitter

[Baphomet]

Real lose at home to Betis.

[sovietchild]

Real lose at home to Betis.

[J-Mezzy]

Our depth was the reason for our success. We gambled hard selling and not replacing

[sovietchild]

I think Real Madrid is considering a replacement. Maybe, Zidan needs a new challenge. However, what is Zidan without Madrid and Ronaldo?

[Ted Lasso]

I stand by my post.

[J-Mezzy]

We are missing goals. Oh how I wish we kept Morata and James

[Rust_Cohle]

All the kidding aside, i think Mezzy is overreacting. I am really, really impressed by what Zidane has done. Real Madrid have 12-13 unbelievable players obviously, but beyond that they now have a squad that performs above the sum of its parts. I really like what they've done with the backups. Versatile, young, disciplined local players to complement the stars.

Besides, Barcelona can't keep this up. They don't have the depth, they don't have the cohesion. I would be very surprised if Madrid don't retain the title.

But Barca have Messi and they have much more depth and more importantly balance than they did last year. Messi already has more goals than the entire Real Madrid squad. Barca signing Semedo was an incredible signing as having a proper RB is a huge difference over last season. Dembele is very young/raw but I think he's going to fit in quite nicely. With Neymar gone Alba and Rakitic have really bounced back (Alba actually gets the ball passed to him now). Paulinho has been a wonderful surprise even if it is just 2 games in.

I also think the new manager is already much better than Enrique. It's early days obviously, but I do think this year's Barca squad should be better than last year. Madrid really have their work cut out for them, but a long way to go.

[Rust_Cohle]

Barcelona always manage to win games that they were in danger of losing.

If we lose tomorrow, we fall 7 points back 4 games in

I'd argue that applies far more towards Madrid than Barca. Madrid were winning an unsustainable amount of games in the final 10 minutes thanks to Ramos and Morata. It was absolutely uncanny. One less Ramos header and Barca probably wins the league last year.

[J-Mezzy]

Barcelona always manage to win games that they were in danger of losing.

If we lose tomorrow, we fall 7 points back 4 games in

I'd argue that applies far more towards Madrid than Barca. Madrid were winning an unsustainable amount of games in the final 10 minutes thanks to Ramos and Morata. It was absolutely uncanny. One less Ramos header and Barca probably wins the league last year.

That was just last year. We won 1 league title in last 5 years. You guys do better at this

[Ted Lasso]

But Barca have Messi and they have much more depth and more importantly balance than they did last year. Messi already has more goals than the entire Real Madrid squad. Barca signing Semedo was an incredible signing as having a proper RB is a huge difference over last season. Dembele is very young/raw but I think he's going to fit in quite nicely. With Neymar gone Alba and Rakitic have really bounced back (Alba actually gets the ball passed to him now). Paulinho has been a wonderful surprise even if it is just 2 games in.

I also think the new manager is already much better than Enrique. It's early days obviously, but I do think this year's Barca squad should be better than last year. Madrid really have their work cut out for them, but a long way to go.

I'll grant you that Semedo looks like a brilliant signing. I don't agree with you about their depth or balance. Unlike Real Madrid, the complimentary players Barcelona count on for depth (such as Denis Suarez, Paco Alcacer, or Andre Gomes) have not proven to be seamless fits who perform consistently in minor roles yet. I originally argued that they could benefit from Neymar's sale and become CL favourites if they spent the money wisely. But they haven't. Perhaps Paulinho will continue to perform and they will build a shallow yet cohesive unit. However i am certainly not seeing the depth, especially offensively. At the moment Messi is carrying them through a rather soft portion of their schedule.

[J-Mezzy]

Yeah Barcelona need reinforcements in the winter if they want to win titles. Too thin and Dembele is hurt