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Enter 2nd generation Galaticos!
There can have hardly been a league campaign that has been more anticipated than this season's La Liga.
The vast majority of previews and talk is going to focus on the mass millions that Real Madrid have splashed in order to build their Galactico II team but that is fair enough. The signing of Kaka would have been enough to catch the attention of football fans all over the world but to follow that up with Manchester United's main man Ronaldo was an astounding move.
These two stars alone will ensure that La Liga is on a higher plane than it was last season but Real Madrid have a lot to prove this season.
Barcelona's Historic Season
As the club of establishment in Spain, they will be extremely hurting over the fact that Barcelona become the first ever Spanish club to do the treble.
Winning the title and the Copa Del Rey, Spain's domestic cup competition, ensured that Barcelona were the top dogs at home but their comprehensive dismantling of Manchester United in the Champions' League final in Rome emphasised their brilliance.
Eyebrows have been raised with the speed that Pep Guardiola moved Samuel Eto'o, scorer of the opening goal against Manchester United, out of the club to bring in Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The tall Swedish striker has his fans but there is a sneaking suspicion that he is not a week in, week out goal scorer. If Guardiola wants him to be the focal point of a attacking trio, it may be a trickier year ahead for the Catalan giants. Barca fans will no doubt be wishing they could turn the clocks back a few years when they had Henrik Larsson in the line-up, with Larsson carrying Ibrahimovic through a great number of Swedish international matches.
However, it's about how Ibrahimovic stamped his class over an international event and this could be his season. Barcelona will be in action in the traditional curtain raiser against Shakhtar Donestk on Friday night which sees Real Madrid taking centre stage on Saturday.
Real Madrid will be Under Pressure from the Off
The first game of the season takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu where Real Madrid welcomes Deportivo la Coruna. Over the years, Deportivo have managed to give Real a bloody nose or two but mainly at the Riazor but there is going to be a lot of pressure on Real Madrid this season.
Every club they play will be fired up to beat them and the expectations placed on Madrid will be phenomenal. With the opening day of the season throwing up a surprise result or two, perhaps Deportivo la Coruna could stun the footballing world with an away win.
Twenty points separated the two teams last season with la Coruna finishing just outside of the Europa League places. Real Madrid, as runners up to Barcelona, have automatically qualified for the group stages of the Champions League alongside Barca and Sevilla. They will be joined in the group stages by another Spanish side as Athletico Madrid managed to negotiate their way past Panathinaikos in the qualifying stages. The English media has been full of hope that maybe one day the semi-final of the Champions League will feature all four English teams but it's hard to see all of the four Spanish sides falling before that stage. There may have been three English teams in last season's semi-final but the one Spanish team did enough to take home the biggest trophy in club football. And it is because of that reason that Barcelona will not kick off their season until Monday night.
Can Sporting Gijon shock Champions?
The champions welcome Sporting Gijon to Camp Nou and again, there will be a lot of pressure on them to perform. People will expect Real Madrid to triumph domestically due to the money they have spent this summer but equally, fans and punters will be looking to Barca to continue their winning ways from last season. They may have not spent as much money as the men from Madrid but with players like Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Henry (as well as Ibrahimovic), there is more than enough quality to win the vast majority of games.
The problem that Barcelona may face is the players lacking the hunger to triumph in the face of competition. After winning everything that you can, it is not always easy for players to do the same again, and this can be seen in the fact that no club has ever won the Champions League twice in a row.
3 New Teams Rearing To Go
La Liga welcomes three clubs after winning promotion from La Segunda with Tenerife, Real Zaragoza and champions Xerez CD making their first ever appearance in La Liga. This is obviously going to be a momentous season for the team and they play their first ever game in the Spanish top flight outside the Spanish mainland.
Yes, in one of the major ironies in sport, Xerez CD will be making their La Liga debut on the holiday island of Mallorca but this will not dampen their enthusiasm in any way shape or form. Real Mallorca have managed to be a regular presence in the top flight over the years and finished in the top half of last season. Finishing 9th with 51 points was a quality return for the small side and they will be looking for a similar strong showing.
The hope of a Europa League may still be a tall order for Real Mallorca to manage but they will be looking to clinch three points against Xerez to get their campaign off to a flying start.
The other two promoted clubs face each other with Real Zaragoza being the host for the visit of Tenerife. This match will give either club an early opportunity to get some points on the board and build some early season confidence. La Liga is not a closed shop with regards to promoted teams staying in the division and a strong start could pave the way for newly promoted teams to book their place for another season in the top flight.
You can guarantee that La Liga is going to be one of the most watched domestic football leagues this season and with so many fantastic players on show, it should be essential viewing for any lover of exciting football.
by Andrew Reilly
for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
