La Liga 2013/2014

[big_man]

Oh well, looks like Athletico is not willing to give up

Are they really for real though? Ehh looks like a team that is overachieving to me, nothing wrong with that either, but I don't really see them winning anything major.

You're underestimating them a fair bit. That team that completely annihilated Madrid in their backyard (seriously, 4-0 wouldn't have flattered them) isn't just a minnow that caused an "upset". They are a fucking brilliant team. The makings of this A.Madrid side started in 2012, that's damn near 2 years ago.

They destroyed a Bilbao team who were in the form of their lives and trashed United just a few weeks earlier in 2012. They completely took Chelsea-the european champions-apart, so much so that the 4-1 scoreline was flattering to Chelsea. They have garnered the same points as super duper Madrid over the past 40 league games.

They cruised their CL group far more comfortably than we did, and I wouldn't say our group was considerably harder, if at all. That isn't the sign of an overachieving team, nowhere near.

Just because they don't have "star" names doesn't mean they aren't better than 98% of teams out there. There's only two teams i'll put money on to beat them in a 2 legged tie, Barca and Bayern, and even then it'll be very close (see the games at the start of the season).

What games like tonight showed is that they now have belief that they can go all the way, the belief title winning teams have, where they almost ALWAYS find a goal no matter how tricky the situation is, I started getting worried about them a couple of months ago, now I'm even more worried.

I fear them far more than Real Madrid, they have by far a better defense than Madrid and are much more of a team than Madrid, and in Simeone they have arguably the best Manager in the world. Write them off at your own peril.

 

[Aryagorn]

Real domination is winning 4 leagues in 5 years like Barca, or 13 PLs in 21 years like United, or reaching 3 CL finals in 4 years like Bayern.

4 leagues in 5 years, winning two CLs and making to the semis 3 other times

 

[footyfan]

They have garnered the same points as super duper Madrid over the past 40 league games.

This can't be right. 40 games ago, Madrid were in 3rd (don't know how many points behind Atletico in 2nd but I think it was about 6-8). But Madrid finished 9 points ahead of Atletico at the end of the season, which means they gained atleast 10 points more than Atletico over that period (more likely 15-17 points). Atletico are only 5 points ahead of Madrid this season, simple math.

 

[big_man]

This can't be right. 40 games ago, Madrid were in 3rd (don't know how many points behind Atletico in 2nd but I think it was about 6-8). But Madrid finished 9 points ahead of Atletico at the end of the season, which means they gained atleast 10 points more than Atletico over that period (more likely 15-17 points). Atletico are only 5 points ahead of Madrid this season, simple math.

Lord knows why I wrote 40 games, it's way too late here my brain is obviously ready to hit the sack. I'll rephrase that, all through last season and this season (38 + 16) games. Madrid has only 4 more points over Atletico, in 54 games they have been just 4 points behind R. Madrid, that's even more impressive. Considering all the wankfest over Madrid and their typical flat track bullying of La Liga teams. That is incredible consistency anyway you look at it. There's no way you can say such a team is "overachieving", a team that can maintain such consistency is obviously a team of incredible quality. I'm willing to bet there isn't any team in the premier league with that kind of consistency over the past 54 games.

 

[footyfan]

4 leagues in 5 years, winning two CLs and making to the semis 3 other times

More domination - Barca have been top of La Liga for the last 54 rounds, this has to be some sort of record.

 

[footyfan]

Lord knows why I wrote 40 games, it's way too late here my brain is obviously ready to hit the sack. I'll rephrase that, all through last season and this season (38 + 16) games. Madrid has only 4 more points over Atletico, in 54 games they have been just 4 points behind R. Madrid, that's even more impressive. Considering all the wankfest over Madrid and their typical flat track bullying of La Liga teams. That is incredible consistency anyway you look at it. There's no way you can say such a team is "overachieving", a team that can maintain such consistency obviously is obviously a team of incredible quality. I'm willing to bet there isn't any team in the premier league with that kind of consistency over the past 54 games.

Yeah, it's definitely not overachieving but I'd rather face them than Madrid.

 

[big_man]

Yeah, it's definitely not overachieving but I'd rather face them than Madrid.

Fair enough. I think Real Madrid are considerably easier to beat. We'll see how the season pans out.

 

[Luftstalag14]

They still are building foundation to be one of those talented and elite teams. Their entire defense both individually and as a whole are far ahead of anyone else in la liga, just less popularly known. Costa is a hugely talented striker and his attitude helps him even though it's frustrating. They also have brilliant youngsters in Koke, Oliver, and Manquillo.

All of this is what they already have, and after this season they will bring in a massive amount of profits from the competitions they participate in and the sponsors they get. I think they've already got 25 million from Azerbaijan and 37 million from the CL group stages. They'll become more and more appealing to star players and have the funds to compete in the transfer market.

Don, do you think they will be able to retain talent? Rumor has it that Diego Costa is EPL-bound, and we are interested in Torres and Koke. Would be very interesting to watch this team and see if they will fend off all the outside interest on their players.

 

[Luftstalag14]

People were saying the same stuff about Atletico last year and they finished 9 points off Madrid and 24 points off Barca.

Over 90 minutes, sure they can beat the best of the best, but even over 2 legs I don't see them winning against any of the top teams. They were massively lucky to win vs Madrid in the Copa finale, and they created next to no chances vs Barca in the Supercup with Messi missing a penalty. They got hammered (not scoreline wise) in 3 of the 4 league games last year.

Their only good game vs the top 2 was vs Madrid in the league this season.

But still, they enjoy the consistency against the other La Liga teams that makes both us and RM envy, I think. They keep on winning, do you think thy will have a chance getting their hands on the La Liga trophy?

 

[DonAndres]

Don, do you think they will be able to retain talent? Rumor has it that Diego Costa is EPL-bound, and we are interested in Torres and Koke. Would be very interesting to watch this team and see if they will fend off all the outside interest on their players.

Not sure if there are any solid rumors concerning Costa, he renewed his contract till 2018 just days after being linked with Liverpool for a big money move. He's loyal to Atletico, has the full support of the fans and coach, and is the leading man there. Koke too has waved off rumors of him transferring to United. Oliver is a possibly different case since he obviously is a big Barca fan, but we'll have to see if our board pushes to get him since the player himself has never once made an effort to transfer.

Their run in various competitions this year will bring up the spirits of all the players, the reason they are doing so well is because they all have an intensely motivated mentality and are focused on succeeding at Atletico without being unsettled by transfer rumors. Success+motivation keeps players at the club, and will no doubt attract more.

 

[Luftstalag14]

I am torn. For the sake of a healthier and more competitive La Liga, I want them to succeed; but on the other hand, I hate to see that we have another serious contender besides RM.

Oh well, I guess competition will make us stronger, right?

 

[Chainsaw]

Atletico let go of the likes of Forlan, Aguero and Falcao and look where they are now: still better than before. Costa is not better than any of those 3 and even if he goes I'm sure there are players Atleti could look for to fill his place as good as Costa, maybe even better than him.

The most important thing about Atletico right now is the mentality they have found as the whole that make 'em believe they are not inferior to any team out there. Simeone inserted the spirit of a warrior into this team and they don't break down easily. Unless fatigue strikes them as the season near its end.

 

[Luftstalag14]

Not sure if there are any solid rumors concerning Costa, he renewed his contract till 2018 just days after being linked with Liverpool for a big money move. He's loyal to Atletico, has the full support of the fans and coach, and is the leading man there. Koke too has waved off rumors of him transferring to United. Oliver is a possibly different case since he obviously is a big Barca fan, but we'll have to see if our board pushes to get him since the player himself has never once made an effort to transfer.

Their run in various competitions this year will bring up the spirits of all the players, the reason they are doing so well is because they all have an intensely motivated mentality and are focused on succeeding at Atletico without being unsettled by transfer rumors. Success+motivation keeps players at the club, and will no doubt attract more.

I was reading that Costa's release cause in the new contract is 32 mil pounds, and Arsenal is willing to meet it?

 

[DonAndres]

As far as I know, many clubs are interested in him (Chelsea, Arsenal, BVB, etc.) and he has had the chance to move, but he doesn't want to. Say what you want about Costa, but he's not a cheap mercenary. It'd take a very significant reason for him to leave Atleti anytime soon.

 

[Aryagorn]

More domination - Barca have been top of La Liga for the last 54 rounds, this has to be some sort of record.

couldn't be man... are you sure about that?