http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2583308-real-madrid-and-barcelona-still-rule-but-once-rubbish-la-liga-is-evening-out

Article by Tim Collins

It had started in crisis and it ended in records. But in between, it had bordered on pointless.

"[This league is] rubbish," said Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido in September 2011, per the Guardian's Sid Lowe, "the biggest pile of junk in Europe." If you wanted to be pedantic, he wasn't entirely correct. But at the end of that season, in the bigger picture, he probably was.

At the top, Real Madrid won back the league crown, returning to the summit of La Liga for the first time in four years and bringing down Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in a title tussle of extraordinary quality. But that in itself wasn't the story. Instead, the story was how, or more precisely, by how much.

At what cost?

Two seasons earlier, when Barcelona and Real Madrid had racked up 99 and 96 points respectively, Guardiola had described the tallies as "f---ing barbaric." His team's total was the highest in league history; Madrid's was the second-highest. But records don't last long in space races: Twenty-fours months later, Madrid had gone better again, reaching a colossal 100 points with an even more colossal 121 goals.

When it was all over, fans could buy The Real Madrid Book of Records. Rival clubs, well they might have wanted to buy it just to burn it.

But there was a problem: Most of them couldn't afford to buy it.

In La Liga, the 2011-12 season was an exhibition of staggering inequality. It was a season when Real Madrid and Barcelona eclipsed all else like never before, their dominance reaching absurd heights, an entire league becoming about them and them only even though it wasn't. For 18 other clubs, their existence was irrelevant.

The season had begun with a player strike over €50 million of unpaid wages. In the preceding years, 22 of the 42 clubs in the country's top two divisions had gone through administration—big clubs, too.

So while Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo went head-to-head and then went ballistic, while Madrid and Barcelona lost just five games between them out of a combined 76 (two of which came against each other), the state of the rest of the league was best summed up by Valencia finishing third but being closer to relegation in points than they were to the title.

La Liga wasn't one league, it was two.

But something is changing.

Two seasons ago, Atletico clinched a historic league title to break the big two's duopoly for the first time in a decade. Not only did they win, they did so with the lowest points tally for a champion for five years.

Last season, though familiar names occupied places one and two, Sevilla finished fifth with a points total that would have won the league in 2006-07, and just 18 points separated the top five—the smallest number since that same season.

And the pattern is continuing this term.

When Real Madrid went top in mid-October with victory over Levante, their tally of 18 points after eight rounds was the lowest for a league leader at that stage since 2004. Already, they've dropped points to Sporting Gijon and Malaga, while Barcelona have already lost to Celta Vigo and Sevilla.

Atletico, who have already played the other five teams from last season's top six, are just two points behind, and Celta and Villarreal are close too.

But it doesn't stop there.

For the first time in practically forever, it isn't Ronaldo or Messi who leads the Pichichi. Admittedly, it's Messi's team-mate Neymar, but look who else is within touching distance: Aritz Aduriz, Nolito, Borja Baston, Imanol Agirretxe, Javi Guerra, Kevin Gameiro, Lucas Perez and Ruben Castro.

Others are becoming relevant again. Others matter. But how? Why?

Theoretically, the positions of Real Madrid and Barcelona within the Spanish game haven't changed.

As a pair, they continue to dwarf the rest of the league for revenue, their respective figures for the 2014-15 season standing at €660.6 million and €608 million. In recent transfer windows, they've continued to buy the very finest around, James Rodriguez and Luis Suarez last year becoming the latest marquee additions in the capital and Catalonia to round out already frightening XIs.

From broadcasting, both clubs still take massive sums compared to their league rivals—even after the introduction of a collective TV rights deal. And both still benefit from tax exemptions because they're two of the country's four clubs that are not public limited companies and are instead owned by members or "socios."

Basically, La Liga's rich aren't getting any less richer. Thus, the changes are unfolding elsewhere.

A look at the league's season-to-season spending over the last decade or so reveals just how hard Spain's "other" clubs were hit during the country's double-dip recession that followed the global financial crisis.

According to data from Transfermarkt (presented in British Pounds), for the clubs outside the league's aristocracy, spending on players had been consistently rising from 2003-04 to 2007-08, the combined spend increasing year-on-year from £40 million to £271.4 million.

In the three seasons that were completed before Spain officially entered recession, the rivals of Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga spent a combined £551.4 million. Together, Madrid and Barcelona themselves spent £287.7 million in the same period—roughly a third of the league total.

But then everything fell apart. And by "everything," we mean everything.

In 2008-09, Madrid and Barcelona almost outspent the rest of the league combined. In 2009-10, they did. The season after, they did as well. In those last two seasons, the two clubs outspent the other 18 by £178.1 million.

In 2011-12, they could have done so again, but only didn't because of the massive, third-party assisted deal for Radamel Falcao to Atletico, Malaga's big spending that quickly dried up and the arrival of Granada—the club that turns over its entire squad each season.

La Liga, then, wasn't just recognised for its big two; it had become its big two.

Now, however, the scene is different. It's changing.

In the summer just gone, spending among the league's other 18 clubs rose for a third straight year and hit an all-time high at £301.9 million. Both Atletico and Valencia forked out more on players than Madrid and Barcelona (transfer ban aside, the fees for Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal are included here), while Sevilla, Villarreal and Real Sociedad all invested significant sums as well.

With Spain no longer in recession, the crisis that gripped La Liga a few seasons ago has somewhat eased on a collection of its members. But more than that, the clubs that were most capable of levelling out the league to an extent now are, having emerged from an array of problems that almost occurred simultaneously.

Indeed, when Del Nido made the remark that La Liga was "the biggest pile of junk in Europe," his Sevilla's perpetual reinvention had stopped being perpetual, the magic of sporting director Monchi having halted; Atletico had fallen into a middle-of-the-pack existence and were engulfed in debt; Valencia were selling their finest and going bankrupt; Villarreal, after a period of brilliant consistency, were in the middle of falling apart and on their way to the Segunda Division; Celta were already there.

All five had been top-four clubs at various stages throughout the previous decade, but by 2011-12, two were mid-table, one wasn't even in the league, another was on its way out and the highest-placed of them all, Valencia, were getting worse. Fast.

The void they left was immense. No one filled it; Madrid and Barcelona ran riot. But now four seasons on, they're not—not quite to same extent at least.

The void has been filled, and it's the clubs that initially left it that have done so.

At the Vicente Calderon, Diego Simeone's unthinkably successful tenure has entered a new phase. With five major titles secured, Simeone's Atleti are now undergoing a period of evolution having already been through a revolution, the team becoming younger, faster. More dynamic.

Better.

East at Mestalla, Valencia are now out of financial turmoil, backed by the immense wealth of new owner Peter Lim. Though the project isn't without its problems, Los Che once more have the resources to not just survive but to genuinely compete, and last season recorded their highest points tally since winning the league over a decade ago.

Just out of town, Villarreal have emerged from their own economic hole. After their relegation in 2012, the Valencian outfit had no choice but to clear outstanding debt, and now back in the Primera Division, they stand alongside back-to-back Europa League champions Sevilla as the savviest buyers and sellers in the league.

They also share a dynamism and intensity with the Andalusians. The teams have a presence, personality. Quality.

And then there's Celta. Thriving under the guidance of Eduardo Berizzo, a disciple of Marcelo Bielsa, the men from Vigo are playing the most captivating football in the league. Already they've thrashed Barcelona and beaten Villarreal and Sevilla, while they handed Real Madrid a genuine scare.

What's more, they've been joint-top this season. Before them, Villarreal were; if Real Madrid and Barcelona draw November's Clasico, it's very possible Atletico will be.

La Liga is levelling out. Not to the point of a changing of the guard, but levelling out nonetheless. No longer is it two leagues. No longer is it "rubbish." No longer is it a "pile of junk."

Once Del Nido was almost right. Now he's not at all.

Not really agreeing with this, because Pep and Mourinho's team were very very strong, they would have reached the +85pts everywhere else. And i watched almost all games of this season, sometimes the win was very hard to get but the hattred was that imense that every team played their game as it was the last...
At this moment, Malaga reached quarters with Pellegrini and Isco, Bilbao that season defeated United in England, Sevilla and Atletico went very far in EL and won it if i remember, yellow submarines and Valencia got some good players that are playing big roles now in some europeen big teams...
But once they faced Barça-Real, things were complicated, teams made time finding a way to counter Tiki-taka, you open play you get Messi scoring hattrick, you park the bus, with Xavi-Iniesta in their prime you get 20% possession ending by loosing by very well constructed goal.
I had never rated the league that low because i saw those teams trashed by Barça/Madrid doing wonders outside the league or in direct confrontations between them. I may agree about the limitted budgets and the lack of depth that may push teams to give up games at 2-0 against the Big 2, but they were never that weak individually.
Except the bottom 4, even Sociedad and Espagnol were dangerous, Vigo and Celta played some amazing Football but were as inconsistent as any midtable team in other leagues...
I think Messi-Ronaldo goal scoring overshadows the real level of the league, then people who doesnt share my view will talk about budgets and the answer would be that homegrown in Spain were the best in the world at that moment, not just the national teams were winning everything, but the under 21, the under 20, the under 19 and even Juniors were contenders everywhere and many of them are completely unknown players for non Liga viewers but for those who watch Liga games non related to Barça-Real, they witnessed quality.
Aguero and Torres were playing in that underrated Atletico in that moment with De Gea in the net, Aduriz and the United Basc Midfielder at Bilbao, Valencia got Banega, Silva, Mata,Aimar and co, Villareal got talented players....

@Tiki

While most of what you said is true, you should not deny that the talent in La Liga was immensely divided. It was Real and Barca, and then everyone else in basically another league entirely. The distribution of talent throughout a league is visible by the difference in points from team to team. The Bundesliga teams may be quite good, good enough to give teams like United some real trouble at home, but they are a far cry from Bayern (which is quite visible through Bayern's point differential over the past few seasons). I believe many people in this forum raised the same concern about La Liga in seasons past - the difference in points between the Top 2 and the rest was excessive. But that's been decreasing steadily but surely over the years, starting from Atletico in 2012/13 who became the first team, other than Barca and Madrid, to hit 75+ points since Villarreal did it in 2007/08. Sevilla, Valencia, and Atletico all had enough points in 2014/15 to win the title in 2006/07, which is an extremely good sign for equity of talent in La Liga.

I understand what you mean, Barcelona and Madrid were ridiculously strong at that point in time. Perhaps some of the best squads they've had in their history. But that is precisely the problem. Madrid and Barca would hog all the good talent willing to come to La Liga, leaving the other teams with scraps. Now it's no longer the case. Players want to play for Atletico and Valencia now. Joining Sevilla doesn't seem like a bad idea at all anymore. Villarreal is also quite appealing to play for. This is what we needed: the other Spanish clubs to be able to have the money and influence to purchase quality players and diminish the two-horse race that had been happening from 2009-2012. It took some time, but it finally happened. Now La Liga is looking to be tighter and tighter every season.

I agree with the both of you. Its not that La liga is a weak league, its just that Barca-Madrid are just overpowered. Same goes for Bayren. Wolfsburg, Leverusken and Bayre M'onwhatever are all great teams. Those 3 all have a chance to win the Europa league better than spurs and liverpool. This year is different. Finally I get at the edge of my seat in every game. Like our match against levante and Vigo. Despite the scoreline, those 2 matches were even. No actually the vigo match, Celta was much better, we just more accurate. Both keepers were amazing, especially navas. Sevilla and atletico are also contenders, Villarreal and valencia are both amazing teams. Surprised that we didn't beat valencia in our past 4 games i think. Right Now I fear Valencia the most, than Atletico (if modric isn't with us i fear atletico more). Celia vigo and barca are both tied in 3rd.

Now I am not saying that Barca is weak, its just that we perform against barca better than against the others. last year we utter crap after january, however in the classico, we performed our best match of the year. Let alone barca were in their best form. but valenica we can't even win against them?? We barely draw 2 of our last home matches with both late equalizing goals, a stunner from ronaldo and isco. You see we should think about tactics and teams that can out-smart whom. For example, If Mourinho was coaching madrid now, we have better chances in Winning the Classico, but lower chances in Winning against lower rank teams. We specialize in Counter-attacks, barca weakness. When you specialize with a strong trait it is an advantage against a team with that weakness. However our coach never changed his philosophy, he likes to underrate other teams. I just hope beniteze can fix this and utilize our death in the squad. Bayern and Madrid have the best Depth atm. but barren can use theirs while we just smoke weed.

I hope Celta, valencia, Bilbao, Sevilla, Atletico the very best. Just writing down their names is terrifying tho.

Question: With the league levelling out, do you think it will force Barca and Madrid to get better? Or are they already at apex due to their own rivalry?

In highly competitive leagues, usually the top sides are forced to build both star power and depth. Barca and Madrid seem pretty bloody strong already, and I'm a little nervous about them getting even stronger.

I agree with both of you Madridistas.

@Sunflash I think they took the rivalry from domestic to Europeen, despite not winning all the available CL's, and the presence of Bayern who makes it 3rd team, plus one special guest every year who tend too collapse in Europe after the good compain. I think that other teams levelling up wont be that impacting for the final winner. What could be seen as an exceptional season for Atleti, Valencia or even other Europeen big teams has became only a usual season the Europeen top 3. Those teams doesnt only rely on money and talent, they build squads and make them play as a team. Its like Formula 1 you have the pilote, the engeneers and the car. Sometimes you give the same mechanics to 2 engeneering squads the assembled cars could run at 2 different speeds, teams like Sevilla have amazing pilots and their engeneers can get 120% with their car while a team like City seems to get 50-60% of it, so at times a less better car could win if better assembled and trained in good conditions...
When you have the best car, a succesful engeneers for more then a decade with only success as philosophy and not that bad pilots who needs to just manage the speed difference between him and other pilots without burning his engines, the car is comfortable you dont risk midle season accidents and you have faith in your engine wich make you perform at 100%, when those conditions completed competing is very hard in a league basis...

Manchester United used to have this marge in the recent past with SAF and his engeneered team.

For Bundesliga it would be stupid to ask Bayern to downgrade their level to make the league competitive, and their current brilliance shouldnt be a way to say that its a weak league, it isnt they have at least 10 strong teams able to do results in Europe.

If we judge leagues only about Football quality, not hype, fans, visibility, transfer markets.... If we judge only in Football terms, Bundesliga is one of the best.

@SunFlash

It won't come to that level. Realistically speaking, as much as the likes of Atletico, Sevilla, and Valencia may improve, they will not be as good as Barca or Madrid. There isn't enough talent in the world along the likes of James, Suarez, and co. for teams like Valencia to possess alongside Barca and Madrid. Moreover, Madrid and Barca can't buy many players better than the ones in their starting XI right now. The only exception may be Bayern Munchen, who have arguably the best squad in the entire world. In short: the demand for world-class talent in Spain will be increasing but the supply will still remain as short as ever (which will likely lead to massive bidding wars between Spanish teams and inflated prices akin to the Premier League).

Though there will be more world-class talent, such as the Lavezzis, Cavanis, and the Moratas, coming to the other Spanish clubs. These players will be, however, a cut below players of the quality of Aguero, David Silva, and Zlatan - the likes of whom will most likely go to Madrid and Barca. Ultimately, it will still be Madrid and Barca competing for the title but the three or four other Spanish teams will be around 5-6 points behind the league leaders.