BY: Emilio Arevalo
There are many unknowns, expectations and situations that are already with us in what will be a new and exciting soccer season in Spain, considered by many, the best football league in the world for the level on show, the quality of players, the passion imposed in each game and of course for the best and the most exciting derby match on offer between two soccer teams of the size and magnitude as seen by Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
The signing of Neymar by the Barcelona, after more than two years of negotiations, undoubtedly becomes the most important signing for the new season, since everything that moves around this great player and what it could mean for the team to incorporate a forward of high quality, power and technical ability, will soon be apparent. A lot of effort was made by FC Barcelona to gain the services of Neymar also thanks to the complexity surrounding his image and publicity rights that go with the Brazilian player. The big question that has arisen since the time of his signing, is the relationship and understanding that he will have with Lionel Messi and his adaptation to a team accustomed to the touch and control (tiki-taka) possession game often shown during a match.
For Messi, this could be seen as a relief of pressure as well as a great help in having Neymar as a teammate, in every match and this could also lead to his own pressure relief in that it would reduce the level of dependence that Barcelona often expect from him. This was certainly evident in the two games against the Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of last season’s Champions’ League, where Barcelona were well outplayed by their German counterparts and whereby Messi was not 100% during these ties owing to the long season and the physical toll set upon him. However, once the potential and technical quality of Neymar will be seen in La Liga, he will surely demonstrate his recent form of that on show in last month’s recently concluded Confederations’ Cup in Brazil 2013, where there was clearly no doubt about what this player can contribute and it will soon be clear that, with his integration to FC Barcelona, the team will once again be a very competitive outfit fighting on all fronts for trophies that they will play for in the new 2013/2014 season, therefore being one of the favourites.
Moreover, Carlo Ancelotti, the new coach of Real Madrid, is seen by most fans and followers of the Merengue team, as the coach who will win that long sought after tenth Champions’ League and to whom have turned all promises and expectations of new titles at this stage post-Mourinho. Ancelotti is a very experienced coach who has won the league in three different countries. He is also a two-time winner of the Champions’ League and comes on the back of doing such a great job in Paris for Paris St. Germain last season, where he won the French League and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions’ League.
The transfer market, meanwhile, has been very active since the end of the season and we can expect even more signings and acquisitions throughout the month of July. The teams want to strengthen and sell players that do not fit into the plans for the new season ahead. Some of the most important signings have seen the young starlet Isco going to Real Madrid after a brilliant Champions League campaign and the recent European Under-21 Championship where he demonstrated a high quality along with the eventual champions Spain, themselves.
Meanwhile, Beñat, following a great season with Real Betis, will go to Athletic Bilbao, Miku Fedor goes back to Getafe after a very discrete year in Glasgow, Scotland with Celtic and of course last but not least is the big signing of Neymar by Barcelona. Pizzi, following a good year at Deportivo y Batistao, was one of the most admired players last season and they will now go to Atletico Madrid. David Villa that was a surprise due to his sell price will go to Atletico de Madrid. And the signing most expensive of the Real Madrid this summer, Illarramendi from The Real Sociedad, a player unknow for many fans but a future substitute of Xavi Alonso. The most strengthened teams until now are: Seville (6 signings, including Marko Marin from Chelsea and Rusescu from Steaua Bucharest, giving an international touch to the team), Getafe (7 signings with Arismendi of Mallorca, DaniGuiza from Johor who therefore returns to Spain and Roberto Lago from Celta) and Celta (9 signings, including Luis Enrique as coach, Fontás from Barcelona and Nolito from Benfica).
The addition of 3 new teams to the first division is also an incentive to take note of the new Spanish Season and new challenges will lie ahead for teams that were just able to fight off relegation such was the case seen by Celta Vigo. However, with the addition of Luis Enrique as coach, it promises to be a big season for Galician fans, seeking to solidify their top-flight permanence and why not even think about a place in Europe for next season. There is also the return of Villarreal to the first division, after being relegated the previous season. They will be a new and strengthened Yellow Submarine with a fondness to show the kind of football that will want them to return to the high level of European competition.
However, for many, the promotion to the first division of Elche, after 24 years, will be the most fascinating since this team is still a rather unknown quantity. How they will fare will no doubt be a mystery despite winning the second division with 82 points and finishing last season with quality football and consistency. Although the team still has not been strengthened, they are waiting for confirmation regarding several signings. Almeria is the third team that achieved reaching the maximum category after two seasons in the second tier and after winning in Girona in the playoffs. Out of the three promoted sides, the latter is the team that has strengthened its squad the most for their future top division campaign.
It will be a 2013-2014 season that begins in mid-August, for rather obvious reasons since the World Cup will be held in Brazil from June 12 to July 13, 2014. So, from now on, fans of all the different Spanish teams can expect with great anticipation and excitement, the start of this new season in Spain and to enjoy the most beautiful and exciting sport in the world.
