Barcelona defender Gerard Pique made a pretty remarkable admission in the wake of his team’s 5-1 Super Cup defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Real Madrid. Going into the 2017/18 La Liga season, Pique said he felt “inferior” to the Spanish and European champions. For the best part of a decade all we have heard from the Nou Camp is supreme confidence so it is amazing to hear an admission of weakness. Barcelona were initially the favourites in pre-season futures betting but they have lost Neymar to PSG and are yet to replace him. Perhaps it is impossible to replace the magnificent Brazilian and Barca’s odds have gone all the way out to 13/10 to win the title. Real Madrid have gone in from 11/10 to 3/4 before a ball has even been kicked in anger, but that still looks a great bet.
Ever since Zinedine Zidane took over at the Bernebeu, Real Madrid have been the best team in Spain and in the world. He is the first manager to win back to back Champions League titles, he ended Barca’s monopoly on La Liga by seizing the title last season, and Real romped to victory in the World Club Cup. The Frenchman really has been all-conquering and the momentum really is with his side. Even without Cristiano Ronaldo, suspended for five games for pushing a referee, they were supreme in the Super Cup second leg against Barcelona. Marco Asensio is a wonderful talent and he combined extremely well with Karim Benzema, and Gareth Bale is on hand to provide flair and explosive pace. At the back Sergio Ramos runs a tight ship and the 2-0 second leg win was the first time in 24 games Barcelona have not scored against Real. But where they really dominate is in midfield as no team in the world can match the technical ability of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro at present. It is hard to see anyone taking Real Madrid’s crown this season.
Atletico Madrid have a habit of turning La Liga into a three-horsed race but they have been hit by a transfer ban and have been unable to strengthen their squad this summer. The rest, such as Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao, are nowhere close to Real. The only team that can really stop them is Barcelona, but Ernesto Valverde’s men are really struggling at present. “This is a long process and there is room for improvement but in the nine years that I have been here, it is the first time that I feel inferior to Madrid,” Pique said. “We are not in the best moment, either as a team or as a club. We must stay as close as possible and keep moving forwards.” His words are pretty astonishing, but it is a reflection of how far Real Madrid have progressed under Zidane and how badly Barcelona have stagnated in the past two years. Throw in the loss of Neymar and you have to say that Barca have gone backwards.
They will always be a formidable opponent. In Lionel Messi they have arguably the best player in the world and he will be desperate to wrestle back the Balon d’Or crown from Ronaldo. In Luis Suarez they have a sensational striker, and there is talent across the team. But the Xavi and Andres Iniesta era is over and Barcelona are no longer the dominant force in world football, so much so that stars will leave while in their prime. They will probably do some good transfer business before the window slams shut, but right now it is impossible to look past Real Madrid to win the title at 3/4 with Bet365 among other of our green listed bookmakers. They are settled and have fantastic strength in depth across their squad, led by a manager that is establishing himself as the best in the business and blessed with the services of Ronaldo up front.
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