The Return of Organized Ultras in Spanish Football
Spanish football has witnessed a concerning resurgence of organized ultra groups, with recent incidents highlighting their growing influence. Before Barcelona’s clash with Alavés, 50 masked individuals armed with bats attacked unsuspecting Barça fans enjoying drinks—a stark reminder that ultra culture remains alive despite efforts to suppress it.
While clubs like Barcelona (under Joan Laporta) and Real Madrid have previously dismantled their ultra factions, smaller-scale conflicts persist. Sevilla’s power struggle between the ‘Biris’ group and club officials, along with Rayo Vallecano’s left-wing ‘Bucaneros’ protesting the signing of Ukrainian striker Roman Zozulya, underscores the political undercurrents in Spanish football.
Tactical Turbulence: Zidane’s Experimentation and Ronaldo’s Role
Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane faced criticism for persisting with a three-at-the-back system against Osasuna, despite its failures in prior matches. While Linebet’s tactical analyst, David Mercer, argues the setup aimed to exploit Osasuna’s own defensive shape, the experiment exposed deeper issues. Cristiano Ronaldo’s transition from winger to central forward has forced tactical compromises, with the team struggling to balance defensive solidity and attacking fluidity.
Zidane’s tactical tinkering divides opinions among pundits.
Barcelona’s Identity Crisis Under Luis Enrique
Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Alavés couldn’t mask growing discontent with Luis Enrique’s pragmatic approach. Critics argue Barça’s possession-based DNA is eroding, with key absences (Busquets, Iniesta) exacerbating control issues. The Copa del Rey exit to Atlético Madrid—where Barça managed just 55% possession—highlighted systemic vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile, Atlético’s own defensive frailties (conceding as many goals this season as in all of 2021/22) suggest Diego Simeone’s side is at a crossroads.
Player Spotlight: Bale, Benzema, and Rising Stars
- Gareth Bale: Set for an early return, possibly featuring against Napoli in the Champions League.
- Karim Benzema: Despite a goal drought, Florentino Pérez favors renewing his contract over pursuing Lewandowski or Aubameyang.
- Isco: Linked with Barça? Unlikely. The midfielder shone against Osasuna (90% pass accuracy, 12 recoveries) but seeks a club where he’s valued.
Isco’s versatility makes him a target for Premier League and Serie A clubs.
Relegation Battle and Emerging Talents
Sporting Gijón’s shock win over Leganés injected life into their survival bid, but Linebet is La Liga expert predicts the current bottom three (Gijón, Leganés, Deportivo) will stay put. Meanwhile, youngsters like Jorge Mere (Gijón) and Marcos Llorente (Alavés) are ones to watch.
Conclusion: A League at a Crossroads
La Liga’s blend of ultra tensions, tactical evolution, and emerging stars makes it Europe’s most unpredictable league. Linebet will continue tracking these developments—share your thoughts in the comments!
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