Probably the one league which has had the most exciting season out of all the top leagues, many things are still up for grabs in this La Liga season. Here are our winners and losers from Spain in the 2014-2015 season.
Winners:
Luis Suarez
It would have been weird to mention the Uruguayan as a winner back in 2014 as he took a long time to adapt to the style of the Catalans as well as score his first goal.
However, the former Liverpool star has truly found his feet and is in blistering form as Luis Enrique’s side are on course for a historic treble.
9 goals and 4 assists in his last 9 games is surely proof of that as Suarez’s season tally adds up to 23 goals and 17 assists in 38 games – some tally for a player many predicted to flop at the Nou Camp.
Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique had many doubters as he took the reigns from Tito Vilanova. Barcelona started the season off strong but soon became inconsistent due to constant team rotation and weird decision making from the gaffer including benching Lionel Messi in a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad.
Since that game however, things have turned around as Barcelona have only lost once in their next 29 games following the defeat to David Moyes’s side, including a 2-1 win against Real Madrid.
Enrique finally found his best formation and stepped up his game as Barcelona now lead the La Liga table, are on course for the Champions League final and are favorites for the Copa Del Rey.
It would be some achievement to achieve the treble in your debut season but it’s been done before.
Antoine Griezmann
While Atletico won’t be retaining their La Liga title which is understandable given the changes to their side including the departures of Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, David Villa and Thibaut Courtois, one new signing who has exceeded expectations is Antoine Griezmann.
Signed from Real Sociedad for a fee of £24m, while a substitute at first, the Frenchman has well and truly replaced Villa’s role behind the striker and is an undisputed starter for the Rojiblancos.
The 24-year-old has already scored 23 goals in 45 games in all competitions this season and will only continue to improve under the tutelage of Diego Simeone.
Losers:
Gareth Bale
It’s been a weird year for the Welshman. One year ago, he scored the crucial goals that helped Real Madrid win the Copa del Rey and the Champions League and now, he’s considered a liability with many fans and pundits calling for the 25-year-old to get dropped.
With wasteful shots, poor decision making and a knack of being anonymous in the big games this season, there are already rumours of a Premier League return for Bale.
It’s a bit harsh on Bale as he’s a splendid player when in form, but Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world and when you’re signed for a bigger fee than Ronaldo, people expect more.
But one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and Bale could surely be a treasure for any team in the Premier League if a return were to happen.
Iker Casillas
Age surely seems to be getting to Iker Casillas as his performances keep getting worse and worse. It all started in the Champions League final last season and then the poor display in the World Cup.
To be fair to Casillas, he started this season well but as it went on, he gradually declined again and calls have been made for Keylor Navas to start ahead of the Los Blancos legend.
One of the most iconic players in Real Madrid history, surely Casillas should ponder leaving the club or even retiring and not risking his name being tarnished with these continued poor performances?