Atletico Madrid Title Favourites?

Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu suggests that current La Liga champions Atletico Madrid are favourites to claim the title once again.

"“I know Atletico and they are favourites to win the League. We’ve won a game but it’s very complicated. We’re candidates to be the ultimate winners. The championship is very long and we’ve only just started the second half of it. There’s been no crisis. Everyone is working to improve.” (Via SpanishFootball.com)"

More from The Top Flight

Diego Simone’s side gave Real Madrid a rude awakening to their decline in form Saturday by winning the Madrid derby 4-0. Among the fact that Carlos Ancoletti’s side was in absence of essential defenders, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo, the Madrid attack were in full force.

Cristiano Ronaldo made a speculative return from a 2-game ban after violent conduct against Córdoba, the Portuguese international was virtually invisible in his performance against Los Rojiblancos. Excuses for the loss are hallow when a backline which consisted of Raphal Varane stood; yet it was clear the loss of Ramos exposed many mistakes on part of Iker Casillas.

It was surely a night of blunders for the Spanish international who could not keep goals out on 4 occasions. A sensational loss of such great power only provides the statistic that the 4-0 blow out was the worst defeat of Real Madrid’s in four years. But since the turn of the year the club has not been in pristine form, Ronaldo being one of the key players under scrutiny.

Since winning the Ballon d’Or Ronaldo’s goal average for Madrid has decreased from 1.03 per game to 0.57 per game. The same dilemma has interestingly happened every year the star-player has won the award (2008 and 2013). Then on the other hand, Barcelona the rival of both Madrid sides have been accelerating in the La Liga ranks by claiming a bold 5-2 victory on Sunday again Athletic Bilbao.

Goals from the outstanding attacking front came in the form of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi who opened scoring and Neymar. While Cristiano Ronaldo has been slumping, Messi has been ascending with scoring the most goals in 2015 so far with 9 and most assists in 2015 with 5 (101GreatGoals).

Now the title race between the three clubs become another potential juggling acts as it was last season. Madrid sit at 54 to Barcelona’s 53 and Atletico creeping closer to the top at 50 after their dismantle of Madrid. A fearful journey it shall be as Neymar, the youngster due to become one of the best in the world only sees improvement for himself and his partners.

"“I don’t believe that we’re unstoppable but we do a lot of work to help the team. I’m sure that we will win more and more, and will get better. We are going well but we need to keep doing the things we’re doing. We’re very happy because we are performing how we want to on the pitch right now. There are still many games left, though, and the season is long. But we’re happy to be among the leaders. Now we only have to focus on what we’re doing. We have to keep working on the pitch but what we did today was spectacular.”(via Goal.com)."

The continual race for La Liga will surely shape into a thrilling spectacle in 2015.

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