[HB]

Like I did in the Serie A thread, this thread will be strictly for all things related to the current La Liga season.

Its a pretty tightly contested race so far. Real Madrid doesnt have any breathing room with Villareal, Barca, Valencia and Espanyol all within striking distance. Heck Atletico and Mallorca in 6th and 7th respectively are in good shape also. The parity in Spanish football is good for competition.

[HB]

I didnt expect Madrid to destroy Valencia the way they did last week. But what can you say, the team is loaded with offensive minded players

[Kaas]

Well, this Sunday we'll see arguably the biggest rivalry in the sport. The match between the team from Spain's capital, Madrid, and the team from the capital of Catalan, Barcelona. Yes, that's right...Atletico vs. Espanyol!

In all seriousness, 'El Gran Clasico' happens for the first time this season on the 23rd. It should be an exciting match and for all of Barca's problems, they have the chance to cut Madrid's lead to 1 point with a victory at Camp Nou. I'm wondering who is left off of Rijkaard's side, Henry or Eto'o now that the Cameroon striker is back. It's an issue of form vs. fitness. Schuster has done a good job of giving Madrid some flare this year, while still keeping a strong defense. Should be a great game pitting the La Liga team with the least goals against and second most scored (Barca) against the team with the most goals scored and the second least against (Madrid).

[el_Diablo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVa6jm2Ta5c

[Kaas]

'El Clasico' wasn't as enjoyable as years past, but a good goal by la Bestia. He was anonymous until then. Barcelona won the possession battle, but Casillas, Pepe, Ramos, and Heinze all shined today. The first two were probably the best players on the pitch. Honestly, with what Casillas has done for the last two years now that a defense has been put in place, he is showing why he was so important during the Galacticos era. I know most rank him last among the big 3 keepers, but in my mind, he has taken the mantle as the best keeper in the World. The last 2 years he has been truly special and if he's not the best keeper in the world, he is at least the most in form keeper among the big 3. It makes you wonder just how good standout goalies who don't play on big teams are. What would happen to Chelsea for example, if you replace Cech with Mickael Landreau, Artur Boruc, or Jussi Jaaskelainen. No doubt Cech is amazing, but the drop off wouldn't be that much by my estimation. Keeper is a pretty tough position to rate, because it is practically impossible to factor the defenders out of the equation.