Football, like most things in the world, works in cycles. Adhering to this theory was the shift from Serie A to the EPL over the late 90s.
The weight of the focus, desire, expertise and money inadvertently entered the beautiful game in the Premier League and a majority of consumers never looked back.
But then there was a glitch in the matrix, to quote the infamous Morpheus.
In an era where undoubtedly the English Premier League has churned out admirable results, how is it that the two greatest teams across Europe and indeed, the world, hail from a two-horse league?
As Barcelona and Real Madrid continue to hammer the opposition as they have for years, they have managed to inflict similar levels of damage in the Champions League.
One is left to debate whether La Liga really has taken over the English dominance this past decade, or if Spain has bestowed upon us two freakishly superior teams who happen to house two of the greatest players of this generation.
Obviously it is the latter, but with Pep Guardiola calling for La Liga to have four teams axed from its competition, ironically to make the league more competitive, ‘The Philosopher’ should keep his eye on Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.
As ‘The Special One’s’ self-fulfilling prophecy once again transpires, his second season pattern could very well be the straw that breaks Barca’s back. Having previously taken União de Leiria to their highest ever finish, having solidified Porto as Champions League winners in 2004 with a remarkable 3-0 victory, then becoming Chelsea’s most successful manager ever with six trophies in three seasons, the buck incredibly didn’t stop there.
He became the first manager in the history of football to take three different teams to the Champions League semi-finals; he beat Barcelona to bring Inter to the final for the first time in 38 years, and consequently made Inter the first Italian team to ever complete the treble.
Now he’s at Real Madrid, having built a powerful team which has left Barca trailing for the first time in a while. It’s his second season, the notorious second season where his teams begin to gel.
Can Madrid keep it up and dismantle Barcelona? Before Mourinho it looked impossible, but with him it is insane to bet against it. Ronaldo became the first player in history to win the European Golden Shoe in two different leagues when he won it this season, and has impressively scored over 100 goals in just over two seasons, 12 of them hat tricks. He adapts fast. By comparison, Messi scored his 200th and has been at Barcelona for 7 ½ years.
Ronaldo is also the highest goal scorer in Spanish history, has set the history-breaking record of the most goals scored per minute, became the first player to ever win the FIFA Puskas Award, then bested the legendary Hungarian to become the highest ever scoring Real Madrid player in the clubs history, and subsequently the first Madrid player to score more than 50 goals in a season.
This season will see one of the best managers in history – the only one Sir Alex Ferguson wants to take over Manchester United – partner up with the relentless power of Cristiano Ronaldo. Superlatives, debates and comparisons aside, this season looks to be the one in which the Portuguese duo make their mark as they charge to the summit.
Can Barcelona stop the threat? Or was Ibrahimovic right when he blasted Guardiola- is Pep even prepared for Mourinho? We can only wait and see, but if history works in cycles and he can do it with Inter, then maybe Pep really does have something to fear.
Matthew Galea
Roar Rookie
I think we need to wait for the matches between the two later this season before anyone can say which way the title is going. Those six points are always the most defining. If Real Madrid take all three points in the first El Classico without dropping any points up until that point, then I think you can just about wrap it up, but not a second before that happens. As for Spanish teams wrestling domination off of English teams...I think a better description of what is happening is that Barcelona and Real Madrid, the two best teams in the world at the moment, are just simply ahead of the rest at the moment. Is that Spanish club football overtaking that in England? Not really. It's just two good teams bucking a trend. The Premier League is still the best represented league in the Champions League and offers more winning candidates than any other.
Swampy
Guest
In regards to rating mourinho above ferguson - someone needs a history lesson. Sir Alex took Aberdeen to the SPL title in his first dig at management. The only time the old firm stranglehold was broken in the last million years I believe. I'm a city boy but I know to give credit where credits due. Rank clubs by money and you'll see where qtr finalists of the ucl will come from. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
uncle pauly
Guest
excellent read couldnt agree more.
Dean H
Guest
Fantastic article! Great back story to two of Real Madrid's key men. I agree with your view that La Liga is a two team league and that this is possibly Madrid's time to shine both in Spain and Europe. Good stuff!
Sandy
Guest
Great read, the tides are turning and you are right, if Barca will ever be toppled there is no better time than now. Pep is a good coach, I don't think he's great per se as he has a fantastic bunch of players, but against Mourinho? He really isn't tested, hasn't got what Ferguson has got nor Mourinho. A lot of pundits actually place Mourinho above Sir Alex for taking traditionally weak teams and winning massive titles (champions league etc). Good reference with Mourinho and Ronaldo, those two are definitely the most potent factors affecting this years la liga and Champions league. Currently Madrid are the only team with a perfect record, I think people are figuring out the Barca illusion slowly but surely. Milan certainly showed that all you gotta do is hustle and not be afraid, and they drew 2-2 which says a lot considering how much Serie A has taken a beating since 2007. Inter's win was a highlight, their treble being a historical marvel I don't think CR7 has a point to prove- I think when the smoke settles are the Barca haters stop piling so much grief onto the poor guy they'll see that he will most likely be the difference and the reason, alongside Jose for Barca's stumble this year. I hope he leaves Madrid once he has accomplished that, and goes to Serie A or back to Manchester. He's a player who is versatile and he's in for the personal challenge of being a footballer, not the glory of a one club guy. Nothing wrong with either, I prefer players who challenge themselves constantly it shows theyre not afraid to get out of their comfort zone and truly dominate other leagues and really prove themselves as world footballers, not one league footballers. Anthony I wouldn't bet against Madrid winning, in fact I am going to place a bet on them winning La Liga and the Champions League right now...
Dion
Guest
I think that there are too many factors now than ever before which will affect peps ability to wipe off Madrid. Scintalating form for Ronaldo and mourinho is hammering la liga week in week out. A clear and bold threat from Madrid, personally I'll be happy to see them win it! Great article
Bondy
Brilliant Briliant. The Spanish have wrestled power from English football if you can remember back 5-6 yrs ago the quaters to semi's Champs Lge was full of English seeded teams, i support the arsenal and if we weren't in the semis or quaters then it was Liverpool Chelsea or Man Utd and that was as regular as coffee or tea for a few years there . Anthony, the La Liga tiltle is over for Barca this year ( Captain Feathers ) Mourinho has that in the bag . Mourinho's behaviour will be interesting to watch this year i feel he may calm down a bit i think he's got Barca on toast for the La Liga title. Interesting to note Anthony Real vs Osauna live on espn 9. 55 pm sunday night australian eastern was brilliant and it works well with the chinese market and reportedly 60 million Chinese tunning in which is great for global football . Anthony i'll leave you with this the power of football Camp Nou http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChFJOYO622Y . Great read .