Morning all! Having just seen Ludy's 'Selected Results' article, I was able to see the La Liga league table for the first time this season. Now I knew Barca were ahead of Real and Athletico Madrid, and by some distance (13 and 11 points respectively), but I didn't actually know the figures until now.
Anyway, in La Liga, with Barca 11 points clear people are saying the title is sewn up already, but here in the PL with United 15 (potentially 12) points clear us United fans are largely expressing caution.When I looked at it and saw the gap between Barca and the chasers it got me thinking about how the two big teams compare to each other in Spain and England.
If Barca have 'definitely won' the title because they're 11 points clear, does that mean the gap between Barca and Real/Athletico is bigger than the gap between United and City because we're still not feeling outwardly confident just yet?
I suppose a much better, more succinct way of putting this (and perhaps I should have led with this...) is...
Of the two major pairs in the Spanish and English leagues, Barca/Real and United/City, which pair is the closest in terms of ability? And which pair has the greatest talent gap? Going off what people are saying on here, it would seem that despite being further behind in the league, City still have a better chance of getting league success this season than Real do.
Anyway, sorry for the disjointed nature of this article, I know it's probably very badly worded, hope you understand what I'm trying to ask
United/City and Real/Barca
posted on 3/3/13
You can't just count the gap between City and United. City, Chelsea and Arsenal are all potential banana skins between United and the title. Barcelona only have a derby where if they were playing as they can they were likely to drop points, Real and Atletico still have to play each other.
But if Barca are as poor as their last few games suggests it may not be all over
posted on 3/3/13
Real Madrid are in a bad way because mourinho has fallen out with the Spanish contingent which is akin to any Chelsea manager getting on lamapard/ Terry's wrong side.
The gaps not as big as beig made out this season and will be different next year.
I think the reason everyone is saying la liga is closed because real in the league are so capable of messing up.
Barca loss of manager however has most definitely effected them, especially in the cl, but that's no ones fault really.
City are far behind because they're manager is inept tactically and cannot motivate.
posted on 4/3/13
Not disagreeing with any of the above comments, but here's another perspective;
In this week, especially, we should be all more aware of the vagaries of football. Another player heart-attack on the pitch is always a heartbeat away. A career-ending injury, or illness - including cancer currently - often robs us of developing and exciting talent. God forbid, for example, RM suffer their own Munich on the flight back on Wednesday. Extremely unlikely, but literally, anything is possible. It ain't over 'til it's over.
God, I'm a depressive soul tonight. More vino, I think. Left side of the brain has just reminded me it's over already in EPL, Bundesliga and La Liga. Almost done and dusted in Serie A, too.
posted on 4/3/13
imo it is considered over in La Liga (or WAS considered over) because of Barcas remaining fixtures and the quality of the teams they are going to face and how poorly Madrid were playing last month.
United still have some tricky fixtures coming up, mixed with some very straight forward games.
posted on 4/3/13
On paper it's much harder for the big 2 to drop points in La Liga, at least going by their points hauls in the past few seasons.
However, Barça are sending out some worry signs atm - not just defeats to Madrid and Milan, but also the way they've squeaked over the line recently against lesser rivals. It's most definitely theirs to lose, but if the latest string of defeats knocks their confidence hard enough, then who's to say they can't implode. Also, if the lower teams in La Liga smell blood, it could give them a level of confidence they've been lacking against Barça for years now.
posted on 4/3/13
the Prem league is far from over with United still having to play City,Arsenal & Chelsea.
One thing we do have in our favour though is us being so lucky, just like last season.
As for the Spanish league cant see Barca blowing it now, but their recent form must be a worry to everyone connected with the club. (probally win the CL & La Liga now)
posted on 4/3/13
You changed your tune, after we won the PL last season in the last minute you were one of the main criers of "lucky City". Now you are saying that your lot were lucky last season? Well i guess every team needs some luck at some point in the season eh?
posted on 4/3/13
You changed your tune, after we won the PL last season in the last minute you were one of the main criers of "lucky City". Now you are saying that your lot were lucky last season? Well i guess every team needs some luck at some point in the season eh?
I'am only repeating what your gaffer said.
posted on 5/3/13
"One thing we do have in our favour though is us being so lucky, just like last season."
Our gaffer said that?
posted on 5/3/13
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8521314/Roberto-Mancini-believes-Manchester-United-have-been-lucky-this-season
He did