Mark Finlay
20/1/14
Last night without Neymar, but with Messi ,who made his first La Liga start in two months after being out with a hamstring injury Barcelona was held to a 1-1 draw against mid-table Levante a team they beat earlier in the season at the Camp Nou by a score of 7-0.
Under their third manager in three years Barcelona has been plagued with injuries that now see Neymar side-lined for a month with a sprained ankle.
If Barcelona is to retain the title manager Tata Martino needs to find a way to get his biggest two stars to play together. When either one is not in the team the other one shines, but together it just does not appear right at the moment.
Despite the draw the Catalans are still top of the table be it only on goal difference with Atletico Madrid who also stuttered at the weekend after drawing 1-1 at the Vicente Calderon against Sevilla.
The draw at home for Diego Simeone’s side was celebrated by the Sevilla player’s like they had just one a Cup final despite it only being a draw.
And while it is great to see another team up their competing for the La Liga title you must remember that despite their impressive form Atletico is still also involved in the Champions League and unlike Barca and Real they do not have a bench of 50€ and 40€ million players they can rely on should someone become injured which is why I cannot see them winning the title.
Real Madrid on the other hand seems to be peaking at the right time, and except for the two points dropped at Osasuna in December, Madrid have looked much improved over the last few weeks and looked extremely good in the 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis on Saturday to go just one point behind both Barcelona and Atletico.
Los Blancos must still play Atletico at the Vicente Calderon, but the next meeting of the Classico when they take on Real Madrid will be on home turf in the Santiago Bernabéu.
Failing any shock results it could all come down to the last game of the season when the Blaugrana and Colchoneros meet at Camp Nou.
As things stand at the moment Real Madrid is the team with all the momentum and we are starting to see Ronaldo and Bale work together which is why I am going to pick Real Madrid to win La Liga.
