The La Liga season restarts Saturday, September 12, and Real Madrid will again be heavy favorites for the title. Los Blancos used a late surge to overtake rivals Barcelona and win the league by five points.
Their Catalan rivals won’t be so enthusiastic about upcoming season though. Fresh off a 8-2 walloping in the hands of Bayern Munich, Messi announcement of staying at the club following the signing of club legend Renold Koeman has head coach comes has a boost for them. With goalkeeper Ter Stegen to have knee Surgery and with an aging, overpaid squad, Barca are in the market to freshen their squad.
Not only did Barcelona finish with its lowest point total in more than a decade, it also finished the season trophy-less for the first time since 2007-08.
Valencia will look to compete with Granada for a European spot after a disappointing ninth place finish, while a young Real Sociedad team led by brilliant winger Mikel Oyarzabal will hope to challenge LaLiga blue bloods for a top four finish.
LaLiga Santander season begins with new boy’s SD Huesca, Cadiz CF and Elche CF after taking the place of relegated teams: CD Leganes RCD Espanyol and RCD Mallorca.
(Source: Theophilus Tawiah, Nii Upness)