Carlo Ancelotti said last week that 100 points would be required to secure this season’s La Liga title. At the halfway stage, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both have exactly 50 apiece, with Ancelotti’s men just three points behind the two frontrunners. The race for the Spanish championship continues to be a three-horse one, and is all the more entertaining as a result.
Tata Martino has stamped his mark on Barcelona but his methods have not won the universal approval of the club’s supporters and performances have often lacked the familiar flair, yet it is difficult to argue with results. The introduction of a more direct style designed to get the ball forward earlier has on occasion resulted in a reduced amount of possession and lessened the side’s reliance on midfield metronomes Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.
At the same time, Martino has explored a number of attacking options, finding solutions initially involving both Neymar and Lionel Messi and most recently without either, omitted through illness and injury respectively. The really positive outcome in attack has been the prolific form of Alexis Sanchez and Pedro Rodriguez with 10 and eight La Liga goals respectively, supported by Cesc Fabregas with seven. The former Arsenal man also has five assists, more than anyone else in Europe’s top leagues – and now Messi is back.
The form of Atletico Madrid has surprised many, but Diego Simeone has instilled a steely edge into a hard-working squad of players. Crucially, in 19-goal Diego Costa, he has a reliable hitman who is lethal in front of goal and has the ability to punish defences. Supplemented by eight from David Villa, Simeone has a striking partnership at least the equal of Barca’s front three. On the other hand, Saturday’s goalless draw against Barca saw a more attritional Atleti, soaking up the pressure exerted by their opponents and relying on a counter-attacking approach.
Simeone has been blessed with a settled line up for most of the campaign and that continuity has proved a great asset. It does, however, beg the question of whether he has the depth of resource that Ancelotti and Martino have available. Last season, Atleti maintained second place, albeit at a far greater distance behind Barca, until week 27, when they were overtaken by Real Madrid. This time, Simeone is not playing catch-up and his men have matched Martino’s every inch of the way, though time will tell whether they are equipped to go the distance.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have fluctuated in form and consistency. Crucially, they have been defeated by both of their title rivals, and although they possess the talent to comfortably overcome any opposition, they have struggled at times, failed to take chances and often flattered to deceive. Cristiano Ronaldo’s form and fitness, and the extent to which he can add to his 18-goal haul, will remain the telling factor.
Ancelotti has arguably a stronger set of individual stars than Martino, but not necessarily the most coherent team. Karim Benzema, with eight goals after a poor start to the campaign, and Gareth Bale, with seven in his debut season, complete a dangerous front line and a midfield comprising Luka Modric, Angel Di Maria and Isco, ought on paper to have the beating of any side in La Liga. In reality, they have rarely all been on song at the same time, resulting in some below -par displays against sides that champions should be dispatching with ease.
As well as the domestic marathon, all three face testing Champions League opposition, representing unexplored territory for Atleti but business as usual for Barca and Los Blancos. Barca and Madrid will be expected to pull away from Atleti as the season takes its toll, but will Ancelotti have made the difference at the Bernabeu or will Martino’s approach pay off in the end?
It is as clear now as it was back in August, but if the second half of the campaign is anything like the first, we are in for a thrilling ride.
