La Liga: Round 1 Review

The Spanish league finally kicked off last weekend after the players’ strike was called off and put to one side. And speaking of one sided, it was business as usual as reigning champions Barca and Real Madrid put up cricket scores on their first outing in the 2011/12 season.

      The league will take a short break for the international fixtures this weekend. Many the minnows will be thankful for the break, even if it is just the first set of matches that have passed them by. They have seen what type of form the big two are in and they will have an extra week to formulate a plan that will stop Messi, Ronaldo etc. Real and Barca are already first and second in the league and it is unlikely that any of the other clubs will break into the top two at any stage this season.

      Real Madrid got over their recent disappointment in the Spanish Supercup by hammering Zaragoza 6-0 in La Romereda. Last season’s top scorer took up from where he left off last season as Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick and Marcelo, Xabi Alonso and Kaka each added a goal. The result sees Madrid go top of the table on goal difference. They will next play Getafe at home.

      Barcelona kicked off their campaign at home to Villareal. They won 5-0 with goals from Thiago, Fabregas, Sanchez and Messi(2). They never looked in any trouble as through out the game as you probably can guess from that score line. Barca’s next game will be away to Real Sociedad.

      What should be the highlight of the next round of matches is the clash between Valencia and Atletico Madrid, but it may be just the start of the battle for third place. Valencia have lost Juan Mata to Chelsea. Atletico have brought in Falcao from FC Porto but they have lost Aguero and Forlan. The big two have gotten stronger and the rest of the clubs have weakened. Only one round of games gone and already we are dying for the next classico.