So how do you make your mark in La Liga when your fiercest rivals are the best team on planet football?
A side which won the Spanish top flight at a canter last term, duly added the Champions League in style after defying the doubters time and time again and have now just become world champions following a remarkable eight-goal FIFA Club World Cup Final in Rabat to win the trophy for a record-extending fifth time.
Well, you take it one step at a time, of course and that is exactly what Barcelona are doing.
Their latest La Liga highlights moved them xxx points clear of Real at the top of the standings on Sunday night.
And while Carlo Ancelotti’s men can never be written off (this SBOTOP writer has done so beforehand and ended up with delightful egg on his face), the new-look Barca have a firm grip on this season’s title proceedings.
The squad assembled in Catalonia may have been done so against the spirit of the competition – the club was unable to play all their new signings at first after failing to comply with La Liga financial rules (eventually freeing up funding with several ‘economic levers’) – but Barcelona president Joan Laporta has certainly backed his manager Xavi Hernandez as they look to close the gap on Real.
Sunday night saw a tricky test at 2021 Europa League winners Villarreal and it was one they overcame.
An 18th minute goal settled them down as Jules Kounde won possession and a sublime touch from Robert Lewandowski gave talented youngster Pedri the chance to run clear and roll in the opener.
The hosts, chasing victory which would move them up to fifth, were second best for long spells and would have been further behind before the half hour but for a Pepe Reina save to deny Lewandowski.
Francis Coquelin appeared in a lot of pain as he was stretchered off before the break and the home side’s lack of luck was confirmed late on when his replacement Samuel Chukuweze had the ball in the net only for Yeremy Pino to be flagged offside.
Scorelines like this win titles and Barca are in the box seat.
The weekend was not just dictated by events at the top end of the table.
On Friday night, Cadiz did their survival bid no harm at all as they moved out of the drop zone with a 2-0 success over Girona, courtesy of first half goals from Gonzalo Escalante and Sergi Guardiola.
There was also further good news for Sevilla as they continued their climb away from trouble with a home success against Real Mallorca.
Again the hosts netted twice in the first half without reply and were not breached.
Sevilla dominated from the start as Youssef En-Nesyri stole in behind to hammer them in front and, just before the break, the returning Bryan Gil – who I would like to have seen given more game time at Spurs – poked home a simple second.
By contrast, another team which has often upset the La Liga betting odds are struggling and in trouble.
With the prospect of relegation looming large, the club’s supporters have had enough.
Under the name Libertad VCF – Freedom for Valencia FC – different fan groups joined forces to plan massive protests for Saturday’s home meeting with Athletic Bilbao.
They would have been heartened to see their team take a 17th minute lead through Samu Castillejo.
However, Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet – hot on the heels of the first hat-trick of the 2022-23 La Liga campaign – turned the match around to earn Bilbao maximum points.
Whether the club owner Peter Lim pays any attention to the dissent is another matter though, because maintaining a good relationship with the club’s supporters has never appeared to feature highly on the reclusive Lim’s list of priorities.
One club which showed real quality of character this weekend was Getafe who overcame the setback of a first half own goal and being reduced to 10 men to come back and claim a draw at home to high-flying Rayo Vallecano.
Boosted by head coach Andoni Iraola’s insistence he will not leave the club this season – he is reportedly wanted by Leeds United – Vallecano are sixth but slipped after Enes Unal’s 77th minute leveller.
Atletico Madrid remain fourth after new signing Memphis Depay scored an 89th minute winner at Celta Vigo – all this after they played the final 20 minutes with 10 men following Stefan Savic’s dismissal (his third red card in five matches).
The Dutchman opened his account for his new club to claim all three points, although the hosts could feel they were unfortunate after Iago Aspas had struck the crossbar with a free-kick, awarded following the challenge which saw Savic receive his marching orders. Sone kind of record?
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
