La Liga (Spanish League) Prediction Thread 2023/24

[JeromeTash]

True. I thought I was looking at a Premier League table  but it's nice to see something different even at this early stage and it is also good for the league. I want to see more teams competing for the La Liga title instead of the usual RM, Barca, and sometimes Atletico Madrid.

Unfortunately money has changed everything. Unless the smaller teams in la Liga like Real Betis, Granada, Villa real etc are able to spend lots of money and compete with big team when bidding for players, the trend is not likely to change long term.

The reason Premier league teams look so competitive, smaller teams inclusive is because they can spend massive amounts too

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[rizkyrz]

Barcelona's performance was very ordinary given the opposition.Also Lenglet was sent off in the game which shows the form of barca's back line. I think they need Messi to pull them out of this slump and carry the team to these results. Plus Valverde's tactics have been way off recently.

Barca are not looking like a team that will win any trophy this season-no offence to Blaugrana fans in here. But the truth be told, they are playing like an ordinary team with no real bite up front and in defense, I just hope by the time Messi is fully fit to play and perform, it wouldn't be too late to start doing catch up.

I doubt I've ever seen the Spanish LA liga table this way, all the teams are going for it hammer and thongs, no clear favorites and no one knows what'll happen, at least for now, the table could still take normal shape in few weeks.

Barcelona would not be able to challenge the title this season.
I am very thoughtful that the La Liga title is going to return in Madrid this season. And once again Zinedine Zidane would be a hero in Madrid as he will return the title to the Spanish Capital.

It's too soon to conclude like that because the league and UCL have just started, predictions will be more realistic if half the season is already running. Barcelona are also a strong team, they also have the potential to get the championship title.

[elda34b]

Unfortunately money has changed everything. Unless the smaller teams in la Liga like Real Betis, Granada, Villa real etc are able to spend lots of money and compete with big team when bidding for players, the trend is not likely to change long term.

Team with a limited budget should focus on youth development and try to build a winning team there. Don't sell their star player and see 5-10 years later, they should be able to compete with the top teams. The reason why City, Real, etc keep winning is that they buy lots of young/potential players from a club like Ajax etc.

[rizkyrz]

Unfortunately money has changed everything. Unless the smaller teams in la Liga like Real Betis, Granada, Villa real etc are able to spend lots of money and compete with big team when bidding for players, the trend is not likely to change long term.

Team with a limited budget should focus on youth development and try to build a winning team there. Don't sell their star player and see 5-10 years later, they should be able to compete with the top teams. The reason why City, Real, etc keep winning is that they buy lots of young/potential players from a club like Ajax etc.

Ajax is an example of a club that is capable of producing talented young players and when their players have a good selling price they will open negotiations with other clubs. with the money they get from the results of their players, the club will also grow even though it is still in financial terms. La Liga, in every club also has a club academy and there are always talented players but somehow they are not given the opportunity to play in the main club. what happens is they lend their young players to other clubs. Real Madrid Academy which I think is good one of which is Alvaro Morata.

[Bttzed03]

~snip

Unfortunately money has changed everything. Unless the smaller teams in la Liga like Real Betis, Granada, Villa real etc are able to spend lots of money and compete with big team when bidding for players, the trend is not likely to change long term.

The reason Premier league teams look so competitive, smaller teams inclusive is because they can spend massive amounts too

No doubt about money being a game changer in football. I'm not sure about PL smaller teams spending massive amounts too but maybe that's true for the top half.

Smaller teams in La Liga could learn from Leicester's historic campaign though. Pounce at every opportunity while top teams blunder.

 

[rachman mahesa]

Real Madrid Academy which I think is good one of which is Alvaro Morata.

Zidane always provides opportunities for young players from his academy to be able to play with the first team. This is done to take advantage of the talents of these young players and minimize expenses to buy players. In contrast now with Barcelona, which used to use services from academia, now instead buy great players directly.

[masulum]

Smaller teams in La Liga could learn from Leicester's historic campaign though. Pounce at every opportunity while top teams blunder.
 

I agree, until week 7, Grenada making good start with one match getting lose. If they can consistant until half of this season, maybe this team can be fight for champions. Or at least become top 3. La Liga need new champions because for few last season only Barca and Madrid dominated champions of this league.

[rizkyrz]

Real Madrid Academy which I think is good one of which is Alvaro Morata.

Zidane always provides opportunities for young players from his academy to be able to play with the first team. This is done to take advantage of the talents of these young players and minimize expenses to buy players. In contrast now with Barcelona, which used to use services from academia, now instead buy great players directly.

but they still fill the bench, it is very difficult for players from the academy to be able to play as the main squad. We know that in Real Madrid squad all players have very high transfer prices. if it's not played then it's like wasting what you bought.
looks weird but maybe that's also one of the reasons young players from club academies find it difficult to get a place.

[Sahyadri]

Real Madrid Academy which I think is good one of which is Alvaro Morata.

Zidane always provides opportunities for young players from his academy to be able to play with the first team. This is done to take advantage of the talents of these young players and minimize expenses to buy players. In contrast now with Barcelona, which used to use services from academia, now instead buy great players directly.

but they still fill the bench, it is very difficult for players from the academy to be able to play as the main squad. We know that in Real Madrid squad all players have very high transfer prices. if it's not played then it's like wasting what you bought.
looks weird but maybe that's also one of the reasons young players from club academies find it difficult to get a place.

I think that real madrid has buckled up after a pathetic last season. I think they will at least make an impact this year with zidane and bale making up and benzema on fire as the top scorer right now and hazard finally holding his ground. Although the first leg against PSG was a disaster with the best defenders in place and madrid still losing shamefully. What do you guys think?

[Naida_BR]

Real Madrid Academy which I think is good one of which is Alvaro Morata.

Zidane always provides opportunities for young players from his academy to be able to play with the first team. This is done to take advantage of the talents of these young players and minimize expenses to buy players. In contrast now with Barcelona, which used to use services from academia, now instead buy great players directly.

It is always good for big clubs to have "Academies" and produce new young talents.
However, Real Madrid is a team which spends a lot of money in signings and already popular players, eliminating the chances of talents to play on the first line-up.

[rizkyrz]

Real Madrid Academy which I think is good one of which is Alvaro Morata.

Zidane always provides opportunities for young players from his academy to be able to play with the first team. This is done to take advantage of the talents of these young players and minimize expenses to buy players. In contrast now with Barcelona, which used to use services from academia, now instead buy great players directly.

It is always good for big clubs to have "Academies" and produce new young talents.
However, Real Madrid is a team which spends a lot of money in signings and already popular players, eliminating the chances of talents to play on the first line-up.

Big clubs prefer the young talent they have to play in other clubs on a "loan" status when the players already have a lot of experience and their achievements will re-recruit the young players.

[elda34b]

Big clubs prefer the young talent they have to play in other clubs on a "loan" status when the players already have a lot of experience and their achievements will re-recruit the young players.

Barca also did this, but in the end, they stick to older players and didn't give their youngster a chance. In the end, Barca loaned them and then sold them to another club. But ironically, Barca bought some of them again at a higher price.

Would be better if they start believing their youngster, which might affect their short-term performance but it's needed in order to regenerate their team.

[inthelongrun]

Big clubs prefer the young talent they have to play in other clubs on a "loan" status when the players already have a lot of experience and their achievements will re-recruit the young players.

Barca also did this, but in the end, they stick to older players and didn't give their youngster a chance. In the end, Barca loaned them and then sold them to another club. But ironically, Barca bought some of them again at a higher price.

Would be better if they start believing their youngster, which might affect their short-term performance but it's needed in order to regenerate their team.

When you are a rich club then this is normal. Top teams that are rich don't need to rebuild and start all over again from the bottom. Why invest too much time and effort on a young prospect when you can put a well experienced and reliable player on the field? When that prospect indeed turned into a star then that's the time to get him back. Remember, you have the money and good players (better chances on winning titles) that can entice a star to join.

[steveabrahams]

Real Madrid Academy which I think is good one of which is Alvaro Morata.

Zidane always provides opportunities for young players from his academy to be able to play with the first team. This is done to take advantage of the talents of these young players and minimize expenses to buy players. In contrast now with Barcelona, which used to use services from academia, now instead buy great players directly.

It is always good for big clubs to have "Academies" and produce new young talents.
However, Real Madrid is a team which spends a lot of money in signings and already popular players, eliminating the chances of talents to play on the first line-up.

Big clubs prefer the young talent they have to play in other clubs on a "loan" status when the players already have a lot of experience and their achievements will re-recruit the young players.

This is very true actually. They usually loaned their young talented player to other league like bundesliga or serie A to get an experience. Not only La Liga team but also Premier League team also did that. After their loan player got so many experience, the team take back that young talented player.

[SummerBliss]

Real Madrid Academy which I think is good one of which is Alvaro Morata.

Zidane always provides opportunities for young players from his academy to be able to play with the first team. This is done to take advantage of the talents of these young players and minimize expenses to buy players. In contrast now with Barcelona, which used to use services from academia, now instead buy great players directly.

Are you sure? Can you name any player other than Lucas Vazquez and Valverde who actually came from Madrid's academy and playing in Real Madrid's first team currently?
Whereas, in Barcelona first team I can name many players:
Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquests, Lionel Messi, Ansu Fati, Carles Perez, Carles Alena, Wague, Riqui Puiz.

So in terms of giving opportunities to academy players, Barcelona is surely better than Real Madrid.

[Naida_BR]

Real Madrid Academy which I think is good one of which is Alvaro Morata.

Zidane always provides opportunities for young players from his academy to be able to play with the first team. This is done to take advantage of the talents of these young players and minimize expenses to buy players. In contrast now with Barcelona, which used to use services from academia, now instead buy great players directly.

It is always good for big clubs to have "Academies" and produce new young talents.
However, Real Madrid is a team which spends a lot of money in signings and already popular players, eliminating the chances of talents to play on the first line-up.

Big clubs prefer the young talent they have to play in other clubs on a "loan" status when the players already have a lot of experience and their achievements will re-recruit the young players.

This is very true actually. They usually loaned their young talented player to other league like bundesliga or serie A to get an experience. Not only La Liga team but also Premier League team also did that. After their loan player got so many experience, the team take back that young talented player.

Having on Loan doesn't evolve them. They just gain experience.
For example, Real Madrid spent so much money on Odegaard and now he is on Loan to Real Sociedad. He would be learning more things if he was training along with Benzema, Hazard, Kroos etc rather than Sociedad's players.

[hahay]

Real Madrid Academy which I think is good one of which is Alvaro Morata.

Zidane always provides opportunities for young players from his academy to be able to play with the first team. This is done to take advantage of the talents of these young players and minimize expenses to buy players. In contrast now with Barcelona, which used to use services from academia, now instead buy great players directly.

It is always good for big clubs to have "Academies" and produce new young talents.
However, Real Madrid is a team which spends a lot of money in signings and already popular players, eliminating the chances of talents to play on the first line-up.

Big clubs prefer the young talent they have to play in other clubs on a "loan" status when the players already have a lot of experience and their achievements will re-recruit the young players.

This is very true actually. They usually loaned their young talented player to other league like bundesliga or serie A to get an experience. Not only La Liga team but also Premier League team also did that. After their loan player got so many experience, the team take back that young talented player.

Having on Loan doesn't evolve them. They just gain experience.
For example, Real Madrid spent so much money on Odegaard and now he is on Loan to Real Sociedad. He would be learning more things if he was training along with Benzema, Hazard, Kroos etc rather than Sociedad's players.

This has been going on for a long time, players from the academy have been loaned out to other clubs, but most players will not perform better when they return, many of the players who have cases like this and good moves are now being taken by Zidane for Real Madrid. Anyway, Zidane has his own way to form a better team without having to spend a lot of money to buy star players.

[Barracuda]

Anyway, Zidane has his own way to form a better team without having to spend a lot of money to buy star players.

I agree with this.
Sometimes I am amazed by how Zidane built his team to be more solid. A team requires players from their academics graduates "if that's necessary" and it doesn't hurt to buy players to add ammunition to a team. So, to be more balanced, academic players and players bought every transfer are always in a team. So that solidity is created.

[Upgrade00]

Why invest too much time and effort on a young prospect when you can put a well experienced and reliable player on the field?

Some teams can do both, expediently. And in todays game a player can only be young for so long. Considering the duration of a player's career which is averagely 17 to 18 years. A player should be peaking at 21 or 22 years of age. For this to happen,they have to start playing at the top level very early.

So it's never too early to integrate the young talents into the team. Look at what Manchester City I doing with Phil Foden and also what Barcelona are doing with Ansu Fati.

[rizkyrz]

Real Madrid Academy which I think is good one of which is Alvaro Morata.

Zidane always provides opportunities for young players from his academy to be able to play with the first team. This is done to take advantage of the talents of these young players and minimize expenses to buy players. In contrast now with Barcelona, which used to use services from academia, now instead buy great players directly.

It is always good for big clubs to have "Academies" and produce new young talents.
However, Real Madrid is a team which spends a lot of money in signings and already popular players, eliminating the chances of talents to play on the first line-up.

Big clubs prefer the young talent they have to play in other clubs on a "loan" status when the players already have a lot of experience and their achievements will re-recruit the young players.

This is very true actually. They usually loaned their young talented player to other league like bundesliga or serie A to get an experience. Not only La Liga team but also Premier League team also did that. After their loan player got so many experience, the team take back that young talented player.

Having on Loan doesn't evolve them. They just gain experience.
For example, Real Madrid spent so much money on Odegaard and now he is on Loan to Real Sociedad. He would be learning more things if he was training along with Benzema, Hazard, Kroos etc rather than Sociedad's players.

Yes, Alvaro Morata is also like that. he was loaned to Juventus and developed at the club and Madrid used a buy back clause contract. When he developed Real Madrid brought him back.