Football (Soccer fútbol fußball 足球 )

Hello from the self proclaimed resident LaLiga expert. I wrote an end of season analysis here for the top 6 clubs in LaLiga. Looking at the positives and negatives of how the season went and what they have to look forward in the upcoming window and next season.

I have previously made posts when the season began and at the halfway point of the season analysing the state of the whole league. I hope you find this post of value.

I might just make a few more posts about the rest of the teams in LaLiga and a post on a couple of teams in the leagues below. Lmk if that is smth anyone is interested in. Oh maybe I'll pick a team of the season too.

Real Madrid: Positives:

• Squad for next season; Endrick, Mbappe (boo) join. Potential addition of Yoro/ return of Rafa Marin and Alphonso Davies (unnecessary and IMO unlikely) as Ferland Mendy is very highly regarded by the coach and squad and Fran offers the offensive threat that is occasionally needed against smaller teams.

• Contract extensions: Vazquez, Carvajal, Modric remain at the club. The last remnants of the threepeat.

• ACL returns. Alaba, Courtois, Militao. The players around whom the defence was setup all went out for the season (yet Madrid are winning the double somehow!). Courtois already back to form, militao gaining match fitness and Alaba to be ready for next season.

• Squad Vibes: Not a single bad personality or ego at the club, noone demanding more gametime or anything. All hail Ancelotti. No idea what happens once the turtle arrives.

Negatives:

• The loss of the greatest midfielder ever, the player that dictates the style of play for the club and is the most consistent player in the world. Kroos retiring is perhaps as bad is it could get. Am I biased bc he's my favourite player ever; I actually don't think so. You cannot replace Kroos, it simply isn't possible. I would gladly replace Vini + Jude if I could get 10 more years of Kroos. All the money in the world can't buy another kroos bc there is no other Kroos. What a man, what a player. I might cry over a player retiring for the first time in my life.

• Nacho leaves, his performances this season were disappointing but he was never meant to be a starter but a 4th choice cb and a valuable dressing room presence. The club captain and a team leader departs.

• Pitch Condition. The retractable pitches aren't working as well as hoped. I believe the repeated ankle strains are caused due to the bad pitch. Last season the reason was the dust settling due to construction work, now there's no excuse. NEEDS to be fixed in the off season, this is unacceptable at Madrid.

• Handling the minutes with this incredibly deep squad could be an issue, although the departure of Kroos now opens up a lot of minutes and a starting position. I expect a return to 433 with Jude moving deeper and Mbappe taking the starting spot then available.

Barcelona: Positives:

• Academy production; the most valuable players for Barca in recent years have come from the academy and the trend rose this year. Hector Fort, Pau Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal are the inclusions of this season. I do not believe Fermin has what it takes but the rest are valuable players. I would not mind a big money sale of an 18yo to help with the financial issues but the board don't seem to want that.

• Contracts: Renewals of youth contracts with massive release clauses and good value for salaries.

• UCL run; Reaching the Semi Finals is as good as Barca could've hoped for. They simply aren't good enough for any better. This run would also be a financial uplift, but need to be consistent in the UCL thereon.

• Potential signing of Aleix Garcia, whoever manages to sign him has made the decision of the summer. Leverkusen the other interested party.

Negatives:

• Managerial situation: Xavi flip flopping like the flip flop that he is. A person I STRONGLY dislike. Decided to leave but right then I knew the flip flop wouldn't. Took back his decision. NOW the board after begging him to stay (or so its reported) are firing him. Ruined his own legacy thanks to his lack of grace. The reasons the board is unhappy are ridiculous tho (mentioning roque being unhappy with playing time and talking about financial issues, very well kept secrets previously /s). Now that the board think they can replace him they are happy to kick him away.

• Financial situation: What can I say that hasn't already been said. Shouldn't be aiming for Bernardo since his wages would be a burden and ought to allow Frenkie to leave for he is the leagues top earner. Selling everything until they have nothing to sell. Deals falling through, this club is a mess.

• Squad disharmony: There always seems to be some issue amongst the squad. Christensen unhappy with his position, Roque and his game time, Gundogan unhappy with teams playing level. There have been other cases too.

• Wage bill: The biggest part of the financial crises.

• Injuries: The terrible playing time management of young players in recent years has been terrible. Fati, Gavi, Pedri and Balde have all suffered thanks to it. Need to not ruin young talents, is that so hard? Don't Rooney them.

• Bad transfers: Might not be able to afford Cancelo. Felix a disappointment, Oriol Romeu not well utilised, been over the Inigo Martinez issue. The recruitment at the club is weak and wthe decision making has been terrible.

• Copa Del Ray run: The one tournament they could've made smth out of and failed to.

• Deco: Really dislike his influence and decisions. Bad transfer decisions, leaking player info to the media. At the very least I'd like his influence reduced.

"For me the mistake is making hasty decisions because football is very changeable from Sunday to Sunday. The next debate is whether Xavi has to be the coach of Barcelona. I distrust the project that Deco can make. For me, the Messi of the offices for Barça was Mateu (Alemany)." Quote from Canizares I agree with.

Atletico Madrid: Positives:

• Set to sign the spectacular Sergi Cardona. An incredible left back. More signings likely according to Simeone. Although Lino seemed to be one of two exceptional players for them this season and plays the same position.

• Vermeeren: Signed a young player I have long admired, hope he has more of a role next season. Although unsure about what Simeone feels about him.

• Goodbye Depay: A player I have long admired but failed to make his mark at the club and never reached heights he could and should have.

• 12th consecutive UCL under Diego Simeone! All his seasons in charge. That's some achievement!

• Griezmann still elite, one of the best players in the league without a doubt. Glad to see him do well. But Atleti have managed Griezmanns playing time terribly and run him into the ground this season.

• Samuel Dias Lino a revelation and a near certain starter next seasonand Pablo Barrios a spectacular emergence.

• Great season for the most one footed player ever, Rodrigo de Paul and a personal favourite Mario Hermoso. Both players with gaps in their games nonetheless.

• Signing Samuel Omorodion, a great value signing I look forward to see at Atleti next year.

• Can't seem to get rid of Joao Felix, but the Vitor Roque proposed trade would be perfect for them. Although unlikely I believe.

• Attacking mentality for the first time in forever! Still not great at it due to lack of the correct player profiles. A Morata/ Depay hybrid needed in attack.

Negatives:

• End of season 4-1 loss to osasuna, just a terrible terrible performance at home against a midtable side where Simeone and the squad were clueless and passionless. "It takes something special to turn an end of season dead rubber into a complete embarrassment, but Atlético are managing it. There’s more intensity in walking football." — Sam Leveridge

• Lack of Character, not much to expand on an intangible factor. The players just seem to have no drive or motivation, just walking around the pitch with no energy (not due to game time management either).

• Lowest league position since Simeone's first season, partially due to Gironas spectacular rise. Desperately need a squad overhaul.

• Terrible away performances. No pattern I see. Lose all sorts of game for all sorts of reasons. One of those intangible factors that I'm sure Simeone can fix. Smth to do with intensity and personality I suppose, the opposite of Real Madrids UCL mojo.

• Inconsistent formations and unclear ideas. Simeone would like to add more control to his team but can't seem to do so. The team is consistently in situations of chaos and isn't good enough to capitalise at it while not being trained to do so either. They have several styles of play none of which they are good enough at. Are we sitting deep against this European team or are we here to play like Barca against this relegation side, there is no clarity. Can't change gears against different level of teams and don't have the quality to not need to.

• They are unable to beat the teams that load up in midfield, with their 532 formation any team with an extra midfielder (particularly an extra man out wide) can take away control from atleti and they are then incapable of regaining control and unable to perform without control.

• The squad quality isn't at the level of Barca and nowhere near Real Madrid. Need better starters and better squad players to compete in Europe.

• Defensive Shambles: They've managed to score quite a bit but can't seem to find the defensive solidity thanks to the lack of control. The team didn't know what version of the team that are on any given day. Very weak defensively out wide in particular, desperately need signings.

• Goodbye Savic: Long term defensive stalwart who many thought had had this contract automatically extended leaves the club. 23rd in atleticos all time appearance list!

• Players who have been great at a different time for the club are no longer suited to the way they wish to play and the squad is a mishmash of players with traits that don't suit the required roles. This squad was built for a different Simeone. Depay funnily should have been a good signing.

• Koke needs cover from those around him. A spectacular player and a club legend, but perhaps no longer the player atleti need. Should let him go but looks unlikely.

• Morata out again. May end up being a positive depending on the fee they receive.

• Profe Ortega, the club’s fitness coach who arrived with Diego Simeone and has become symbolic of everything that represents Cholismo with his up-hill runs in pre-season, also had a fond farewell before kick-off, joined on the field by his family as the whole squad and staff united to say goodbye.

• Failure to climb to third. 73 points isn't good enough. They had the chance to leapfrog girona at one point and failed to do so. 77 last year and a potential 76 this year, but they can't seem to get better than that.

• Oblak looks like he has lost his edge, no longer the player he once was. Might leave this year which would be sad to see but probably a good call for both club and player. Would be interesting to see Mamardashvili at Atleti, not a person I love but a realistic signing.

• Unclear future of Angel Correa, Oblak and a few others.

Girona: Positives:

• League position: Never were gonna win the league obviously but top 3 is still a spectacular achievement.

• Player development: Improved the players at their disposal in a very well oiled playing style.

• Player recruitment: Thanks to being a part of the city group they've managed to sign some spectacular players at great value.

• Young stars: Have incredibly valuable younflg stars in high demand. While it would be best if they stayed, a sale or two would do financial wonders for them too.

• Departing Savio has been one of the best players in all of Europe, I'm afraid Pep will strip him of his magic as he's completed the most dribbles by a player u21 since messi in a season. First professional season in senior football!

• Dovbyk and Aleix Garcia have been ELITE. As in starters for UCL teams. Would be shocked to see them stay.

Negatives:

• Too good for their own good: How do you manage to keep these players who are now wanted by the best around. Savio was the best player of the season and will be going to man city now. Aleix Garcia, Yan Couto, Dovbyk, Eric Garcia and Miguel all likely to leave. These are the players the team is built around! Hopefully no more than 3 leave, oriol romeu returns and they can add quality depth for a longer upcoming season with a european run in sight.

• Michel wanted: How do you keep Michel when much like players, everyone and their mother is out to get him. Girona need to try their best to keep him.

• Ownership issue: City Football Group cannot have more than a 30% ownership in a club if they wish to compete in the UCL. Currently own 47%. I'm sure they'll manage some work around. Not sure what the red bull ownership have done but would be interesting to see how this plays out. Last year, these rules on multi-club ownership sparked investigations into Toulouse and AC Milan, Aston Villa and Vitoria, and Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium.

• Ageing core players: Blind, David Lopez and Gazzaniga are vital players who are approaching the end of their careers and might need to be replaced soon. (Strongly recommend Mika Marmol from Las Palmas as a Blind replacement)

Athletic Club: Positives:

• Ernesto Valverde has been Ernesto Valverde, what a manager. One of the best in the world. Glad to see him redeem himself post Barca. Has just signed an extension! Hope he stays LONG term and retires in Bilbao. Was being looked at by Liverpool and wouldve been great there, thank God he stayed.

• Won the Copa Del Ray! A massive accomplishment and their first trophy in 40 years!

• Incredible talents coming through the system and being developed very well as athletic club always have.

• B team strength and promotion: Just won the 4th division and have some talent that is expected to make an impact next season, nothing I've seen but will report back after their upcoming preseason.

• Attacking quadrent of Sancet, Guruzeta, Inaki and Nico is one of the best and most well rounded attacks in Spain. Each player complements the other and noone steps in each others way. Valverde has found the best roles for Guruzeta and Inaki finally.

• Prados a great breakthrough: Now who would've thought he'd perform at this level? Certainly not me!

• Rock and Roll energy with great technical control: We now have Spanish teams playing fun football for the first time in a long time.

• A style they can play against anyone: Unlike Atletico who shift bw styles depending on opponents, Athletic are certain of what to do. Might be a bit more control heavy against bottom half teams but nothing drastic.

• Great profiles working together: how every players role perfectly helps the team achieve its goal is rare to see. There's 3 teams in the league with that balance! (Madrid, Girona, Athletic club)

• Berenguer likely to stay: Contract extension looks likely.

• Cesar Palacios of Castilla a target. A player I'd love to see in the top division.

• Djalo signing, need depth in attack. Might end up being a starter if Nico leaves.

• Aitor Paredes and Vivian: One of the best cb partnerships and while Vivian was always gonna be spectacular Aitor Paredes has emerged as an unbelievable talent and a very valuable player for the club.

• Even still Athletic are linked to Laporte returning to Europe and what a signing he could be (if affordable, uninjured and willing to return).

• Full game intensity: They don't turn it down as the game comes to a close. They are a high pressing high turnover side and manage to do it at an elite standard for 90 mins.

Negatives:

• Deserved a top 4 finish but couldn't quite get there.

• Might lose Nico Williams with a paltry 55 million release clause and many interested clubs.

• Goodbye Raul Garcia and Iker Munian: Two legends of the club end their time at the club, Munian the captain and Raul Garcia the player with the second most appearances in the Spanish league ever (couldve gone top if he wanted to).

• Likely Last season of Oscar de Marcos coming up. Was going to retire according to reports but has extended for a season and is now club captain.

• Ander Herrera future unclear: Do I stay or do I go. With Valverdes future now certain this is an important decision to make.

• Need upgrades at fullback and more involvement from their fullbacks in their game. Their recruitment limitations limit this but hope there is someone coming through rn.

• Post CDR slump: Once they won the copa del ray, their league form deteriorated.

• Mild struggles against deep blocks, not a massive talking point but smth to look at.

• Lack of depth for their intense football. Maybe a few more starting quality players for an upcoming European run are needed.

Real Sociedad: Positives:

• Kubo and Zubememdi elite and have a good chance to stay at the club.

• Javi Galan (mid season) and Hamari Traore have been successful and very necessary fullback signings.

• Have managed to cope with the loss of David Silva.

• Imanol Aguacil continues to show his talents as an elite manager.

• Playing attacking football while being INCREDIBLY solid in defence.

• Incredible game time management with the entire squad being very well used.

• Benat Turrientes although not yet ready looks to be another decent prospect for the future and perhaps more capable of first team football than he was this season.

• With the squad at hand, the underlying numbers have been unbelievably impressive. The team has been better than the sum of the parts; the parts mainly being Kubo, Zubimendi, Merino and Brais Mendes.

Negatives:

• Missed out on Sorloth who's now the leading candidate for the pichichi.

• Could do with more quality in depth. A few signings are needed not just promoting from the academy, although they've done very well with academy talents in recent years.

• Signing with high hopes,Zakharyan, failed to impress in his first season. Hope for the best in his second.

• Tierney's loan spell has been a disappointment and plagued with injuries.

• Oyarzabal has been disappointing and no longer seems to be the player he once was.

• Kubo has to carry the attack far too often. Meanwhile Umar Sadiq, Andre Silva, Carlos Fernandes and Barrenetxea have all looked like replacement level players instead of starters.

• Traore had a dip in form as the season progressed.