La Liga feature: Tighter than ever

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April 19 2024, 07:30 PM

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Real Madrid currently have the highest goal difference in La Liga.

Bengaluru, November 9: With almost one third of the 2021-22 La Liga season in the books, the top-flight of Spanish football remains tighter than ever at the top.

Real Sociedad are the current La Liga leaders, with the Basque side having collected 28 points from their first 13 matches as they mount a serious title challenge.

Following Real Sociedad are Real Madrid and Sevilla on 27 points, Atletico Madrid on 23, Real Betis on 21 and then newly-promoted Rayo Vallecano round out the European qualification positions with 20 points so far.

LA LIGA POINTS TABLE | FIXTURES | RESULTS

The gap between the leaders and the team in sixth is just eight points, less compared to other European leagues.

In the Bundesliga it's nine, in Ligue 1 it's 12 and in Serie A there is a 13-point gap between first place and sixth

The goal difference numbers are testament to just how competitive a division La Liga Santander is.

Real Madrid currently have the largest with +15, but that is a smaller goal difference than the leaders in this category in England, Germany, France and Italy.

At the other end of the table, Getafe and Levante have the worst goal difference stats in La Liga with -13; the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and Serie A all have at least one club with a lower tally than that.

There really are few easy games in La Liga and it is clear that there are no teams getting thrashed week in week out.

Unfamiliar faces at the top

Making the start to this La Liga season so interesting is the fact that there are some new faces at the top of the table.

Atletico and Real Madrid were expected to be title challengers and they are up there, but Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Real Betis are more than keeping pace with the capital city sides, kicking on after each qualified for European competition last season.

No fluke

In the case of Real Sociedad, their success this season is no fluke. Last season they led the standings for many weeks before eventual champions Atleti overtook them at the top, and went on to win the rescheduled 2019 Copa del Rey final against local rivals Athletic Bilbao.

Their new-look Reale Arena home has become a fortress, and one of La Liga's toughest away days.

Impressive football

Then, there is the case of Rayo Vallecano, who came up through the La Liga SmartBank play-offs in spring and who have hit the ground running in the top flight. This is coach Andoni Iraola's first campaign at this level and he has built a well-oiled machine, with Rayo Vallecano dominating matches and playing some impressive football in their 4-2-3-1 formation.

Blockbuster signing Radamel Falcao is leading the line and has already scored four goals in 322 minutes of action, but Alvaro Garcia, Randy Nteka, Oscar Trejo and Isi Palazon have all been outstanding in attack too.

Control framework

Meanwhile, off the pitch, the La Liga control framework has ensured that clubs are spending within their means. This has helped improve the quality of the division's smaller sides and making for a more competitive and compelling spectacle.

This is how Real Sociedad can convince and afford to keep a player like Euro 2020 revelation Alexander Isak or bring in a savvy veteran like David Silva. It is how Real Betis can pay for a World Cup winner like Nabil Fekir or how Rayo Vallecano can secure the services of an all-time great finisher like Falcao.

These players have been key to pushing their current clubs higher and higher up the La Liga standings, a table where teams are constantly switching positions. The final two thirds of the campaign really should be fascinating.