The start of this La Liga sees Real Madrid and Barcelona ahead of the pack. And contrary to what people are saying, it seems like it's going to be a two horse race for the La Liga crown and possibly the Champions League. After watching Real Madrid the other day, I still feel that they have a long way to go before they can mount any sort of challenge for Barcelona. Barcelona is the complete package at the moment. Plus the fact that Ibrahimovic doesn't have to shoulder the load that he had to for Inter, they are even more potent. There are still faults for Real Madrid and their chase for multiple trophies.
Seeing multiple games of Madrid, they just don't control games the same way that Barcelona does. There instances in each of the games that I watched when the opposition had the majority of possession and were getting quality looks on goal. Even during the Villareal game, the Galaticos were a man up and they could not control the match and step of the opposing team's throat. Obviously the midfield is the major factor in controlling games. I just don't see that bite in their midfield. Even with Lass Diarra, Xabi Alonoso, Guti, and company. They should impose fear on teams but they just don't and they don't hold onto possession as much as they should. Another reason why they probably don't hold more possession is that for the most part C. Ronaldo dominates the ball with his constant dribbling and shooting. Don't get me wrong, he does a good job with it. However he seems to be trying a bit too hard to impress that other players don't get much of the ball. It took Kaka about four or five games to finally get his first goal, many because CR9 is scoring the majority of the goals and taking all the headlines.
I believe Kaka is the key in this side. C. Ronaldo can easily be frustrated if things do not go his way. And he can play himself out of games. Kaka is the more stable force who does the work that no one knows about. No one knows that he has four assists already. Everyone wants to talk about the spectacular goals of Ronaldo.
Madrid cannot keep on relying on magical moments from CR9 or Kaka to lead them to trophies. It has to be a total team effort, especially against teams who are able to defend them. They will struggle at times. Barcelona seems to be more stable in the way they are approaching the season. Their defenders are much better and they possess the ball at a higher rate than Real Madrid. Plus having Messi and Ibrahimovic at their disposal doesn't hurt either. It will be an interesting season that will probably be filled with ups and downs. The true champions will come when things are going their way.
Me? As of now I'm still picking Barcelona. They are just on another planet at the moment and Ibrahimovic has been a great signing for them. Real Madrid aren't too far behind. They still need some work.
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