We’re nine rounds into the 2023/24 La Liga campaign and already it’s already shaping up to be one of the best in recent history.
The Primera Division has long been the biggest rival to the Premier League as the biggest and best in the world, and while it may not have the riches of the English top flight, the Spanish elite can match it for quality and drama and it frequently boasts the best individual talents in word football.
The national team is packed with La Liga players and La Roja are on the cusp of qualifying for the Euro 2024 finals in Germany. Basque club Real Sociedad have fur players in the current squad to face Norway while Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and the El Clasico pair have plenty or representation. Spain has a young squad and there could be a golden generation about to emerge, and that means the domestic league will get stronger and stronger.
And it’s already pretty special.
There are few factors which make this La Liga campaign different… and here are three of them.
Both El Clasico clubs are both improving
For many years in the early 21st century Barcelona dominated, inspired by Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi and with players like Andreas Iniesta and current manager Xavi in their ranks. Then, a few years ago, they hit the skids and underwent a period of transition, leading Xavi to take over as manager and now the Blaugrana are on the up again. The Catalans have some exciting young talent with the likes of Pedri and Gavi already international shoe-ins and the best striker of recent years in Robert Lewandowski.
Barca won the title last year but they have a huge task to hold on to it as Real Madrid have made the best start and sit at the top of the pile. The loss of Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League hasn’t derailed Carlo Ancelotti’s team and with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo up front they have some exciting talent, while Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde bring more quality and experience.
And, of course, Los Blancos have Jude Bellingham
A strong El Clasico means a strong La Liga and teams such as Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad who met last week will have a big say in the title race; and the battle for the top four already looks like it could be ferocious.
Bellingham can take on the world
Here at SBOTOP, we’ve eulogised about the start made by Jude Bellingham in his new career at Real Madrid and he’s made La Liga 2023 news headlines pretty much week on week all around the world.
Still only 20 years old he has stood out as the best player in the league so far, dominating in midfield and scoring ten goals in his first ten games for Los Blancos. Barca defender Andrea Cristensen, who will meet Bellingham in the upcoming El Clasico said: “Its’ annoying when you sit down and look at the results he’s getting. He’s been scoring in the last few games. He’s conquered La Liga.”
The best two players over the past two decades, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, had their best years at Barcelona and Real Madrid and now Bellingham is set to become the next El Clasico legend. Reports in the UK press have recently surfaced suggesting that Pep Guardiola was interested in bringing Bellingham to Manchester City in the summer, but the Sky Blues’ loss has turned out to be Los Blancos’ gain.
Surprise package Girona have stickability
Did anyone expect Girona to be second in the table after nine games? Well I certainly didn’t but Los Gironistes have hardly put a foot wrong as they trail leaders Real Madrid by just two points, and are a point ahead of Barcelona. Managed by Michel they have a record of seven wins, one draw and one defeat. The only blemish came in a 3-0 loss to Real Madrid in September and they drew their opening game away to Real Sociedad, a result which raised a few eyebrows around La Liga.
But since then it’s been seven wins and that one loss and Girona are scoring for fun, with 19 goals from nine games. Club captain is Christhian Stuani who arrived in 2017 and has since scored 112 goals in 201 games. He’s playing bit parts now, coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Cadiz last week but Stuani scored a well taken brace in Girona’s 3-0 victory over Getafe. The goals are coming from everywhere, with striker Artem Dovbyk bagging three alongside midfielder Yangel Herrera, while Manchester City academy player Aleix Garcia has two, as has Davd Lopez. The squad has plenty of experience, with Netherlands star Daley Blind in the back line; and the latest La Liga 2023 betting odds reckon Girona can finish in the top four. That would be an incredible outcome for a team which finished tenth last season and are in only their fourth ever campaign in the top flight.
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