It has been a bruising week for Spain’s big two, with Real Madrid and Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League semi-finals to Bayern Munich and Chelsea respectively. But with Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid setting up an all-Spanish Europa League final this week, taking some notable scalps on the way, is Spain’s top flight the strongest league in Europe?
Chelsea (7/4 to win the Champions League) turned in a heroic performance at the Nou Camp on Tuesday to secure a 3-2 aggregate win and depose the reigning European champions Barca.
Pep Guardiola’s side has been labelled one of the greatest ever sides in the modern game and were highly fancied to retain the title. But the defeat on Tuesday appeared to be a seminal moment, with Guardiola quitting his post on Friday after four years in charge. Rebuilding may now be needed in Cataluna.
The prospect of playing his old side Chelsea in the final was an enticing one for Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, and all seemed to be going to plan when Cristiano Ronaldo’s double put them 3-2 ahead on aggregate in the early stages of the second leg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
However, Arjen Robben – another Chelsea old-boy – scored from the penalty spot to level a game that went all the way to penalties, with the German side progressing 3-1 on spot kicks.
The double defeat of Spain’s top two gave further ammunition to those who claim the Spanish league should not be considered the best on the continent, with the all-action Premier League often touted as the best.
The critics, while acknowledging the immense talent in both the Real and Barca squads, accuse La Liga of being too top heavy in favour of the duo. With 26 points separating them from the rest, that argument carries some weight.
However, Chelsea aside, it needs to be pointed out that both Manchester City and Manchester United failed to get out the Champions League group stages, while Arsenal lost in the first knock-out round to AC Milan, who promptly lost to Barcelona.
Then if you look at the Europa League final, where Bilbao take on Atletico Madrid, rumours of La Liga’s demise may be greatly exaggerated. Marcelo Bielsa’s Bilbao (10/11 to lift the Europa League) are a whopping 43 points behind Real Madrid in the table in sixth place.
But their run to the Europa League final in Bucharest took in a last-16 clash with Premier League Champions Manchester United.
England’s supposed best side (4/9 Premier League Outright) were completely dismantled by their Basque opponents, Fernando Llorente particularly impressive in a 5-3 aggregate victory.
Madrid, level on points with Bilbao, have reached their second Europa League final in three years, beating high-flying Valencia and Italian side Lazio – fourth in Serie A – along the way.
With England’s other Europa League representatives – Tottenham, Stoke, Fulham and Birmingham – all falling short, three at the initial group stages, La Liga can justifiably argue it has the strength in depth to compete in both domestic in European competition.
To further bang La Liga’s drum, why not look at the international odds? With reigning world and European Champions Spain 3/1 favourites to win Euro 2012, with manager-less and seemingly rudderless England priced at 9/1.
The reign of Spain may be continuing for some time yet.
Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.