Spanish Inquisition

With just five games remaining in a thrilling La Liga season, the top three of Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona are separated by a mere four points. The rise and rise of El Atléti has continued to surprise and impress many, but with the Champions League and the Copa Del Rey winners yet to be determined, the eventual league winners may well be dependent on results in other competitions.

Goals from Diego Godín and the hugely impressive Diego Costa saw Simeone’s men open up a three point lead over local rivals Real Madrid with victory over league strugglers Getafe and in doing so, put themselves in control of the title race. The team so often in the shadow of their Madrid counterparts have built a hugely impressive squad under the Argentinian and glance forward in genuine hope to a first league title in nearly 20 years.

At the heart of this success has been the 22 year old Koke. The playmaker has been instrumental to the style of play employed by Simeone, his latest major contribution being am early goal to knock Spanish giants Barcelona out of the Champions League. It comes as no surprise that he has drawn praise from the Spanish maestro, Xavi, as well as some hungry eyes from Premier League suitors. 

Belgian international Thibaut Courtois, spending his third consecutive season on loan from Chelsea at Estadio Vicente Calderón has also shone for Los Rojiblancos. The 21 year old has been a formidable figure between the sticks, keeping an impressive 18 league clean sheets this season.

Leading the line in attack is Diego Costa who has, rightfully so, enjoyed the spotlight of being Atlético’s biggest attacking threat. The Brazilian born forward has muscled himself into comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and with the veteran forward David Villa beside him, looks set for a summer of immense transfer speculation from heavyweights of European football.

It should come as no surprise that these three players in particular have formed the spine of an impressive Atlético team. Praise has been forthcoming from all corners of the footballing world and with the sparkle of players such as Gabi, Turan and Juanfran complimenting this spine, Atlético appear to have finally broken through the barrier of perennial underdogs, joining the elites and posing a genuine threat to the duopoly of Real and Barca.

With such success however comes the burden of extra games, pressure and expectation. The impressive run in the Champions League means that Simeone’s men will have to play at their peak right up until the final whistle of the season, a feat that could prove difficult under the merciless glare of the chasing two.

Read Madrid have been ruthlessly consistent this season across all competitions and find themselves as the closest challengers to Atlético, as well as claiming places in the Champions League final and Copa Del Rey final . With a range of experienced and immensely talented players amongst the ranks, Los Blancos will no doubt feel confident in their ability to use these high pressure games as platforms from which to breed confidence and a sheer winning mentality.

With the two most expensive footballers in world football in their squad, Read Madrid possess the big names for the big situations. In Carlo Ancelotti they have a manager who has further experience of winning titles and European competition. Despite recent relative poor form, the 32 time winners are in pole position to win at least one of three trophies. Victory in this week’s Copa Del Rey final could act as the catalyst for a clean sweep.

Barcelona on the other hand have somewhat stumbled their way in to the position they find themselves in. That is not to say they have been a poor team, nor are they not to be counted as a major footballing force, but there is a certain magic lacking from their performances of late. Perhaps a victim of their own success in recent years, Barcelona arguably must win the cup final this week in order to compel the doubters and believe that they are capable of going on to retain La Liga.

Unlike their rivals, the Catalan giants do not have Champions League football to manoeuvre. In one sense, this allows for greater rest periods and a more focused eye on league proceedings. With the potential momentum and confidence generated from Champions League success however, there can be no doubt that Martino’s men would rather be in the picture than looking at it.

Such is the strength of the three teams that league triumph relies heavily on their fortunes in other competitions. Barcelona face Real Madrid on Wednesday evening in a cup final which could potentially spark a march for the title for each of the teams. With so much at stake, momentum, confidence and pressure will all come in to play in the most exciting Spanish title race in years.

For Barcelona, winning is a must during this period of relative transition. For Atlético, the old adage of winning breeds expectation may be their greatest downfall as they enter unchartered territory. Real Madrid therefore, despite the extra games, are in the best position of the three. With title winners and a balanced blend of experience and youth, success breeding success will be the philosophy from which they look to storm to league stardom, and possibly more.   

Flying Foxes

After a ten year absence from the top flight, Leicester City finally reclaimed Premier League football as QPR and Derby failed to respond to the foxes’ 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. With 6 games remaining, Nigel Pearson’s men look set to finish the season as deserved champions, capping a decade of turmoil for the club both on and off the pitch.

The departure of Martin O’Neill in 2000 marked the end of a successful period for the midlands team, including League Cup triumphs, Premier League safety and the unprecedented arrival European football. Subsequent financial mismanagement and poor footballing performances however saw Leicester enter a period of deep, rapid decline. Relegation to League One in 2008 was the lowest the club had sank in its history and with the turmoil behind the scenes threatening to do further damage, many feared for the future of the foxes.

Under the leadership of Pearson however, the club was united and ensured that a swift response to the Championship was secured. Relative stability ensued and despite play-off heartbreak in their first season back, Leicester were established as a formidable opponent in the second tier.

But yet again, background affairs destabilised the foxes further. A fall out with owner Milan Mandarić resulted in the departure of Pearson, leading to the short reign of Paulo Sousa and the tumultuous leadership of Sven Göran Eriksson. Financial volatility threatened to derail the club again. Leicester City once more looked doomed to gracing the back pages for all the wrong reasons.

This season however Leicester City have been the epitome of stability and consistency. New ownership has awoken the sleepwalking foxes who next season will be on the hunt for scalps at Old Trafford, Anfield and Stamford Bridge. It has become fashionable to criticise foreign ownership in modern football discussions, but the reign of the Thai owners thus far has proven fruitful. They have learnt the lessons of previous financial mismanagement, with the Guardian’s Richard Rae noting that “Srivaddhanaprabha's (Chairman) swapping of debt for equity unquestionably increases the club's leeway under financial fair play”. The return of Pearson has also proven to be a feather in the cap of the foreign owners.

If his first dismissal was initially deemed as unfair at the time, it must now be said that the decision bordered on the insane.

Pearson will no doubt point to a devastating afternoon in Watford 11 months ago as a pivotal moment in his blossoming Leicester career. An incredible 20 seconds saw a Leicester penalty saved to deny them a place in the playoff final, before Troy Deeney mercilessly snatched victory from the resulting counter attack. Pearson did not spout the traditional message of disappointment and motivation, opting instead for a steely commitment to ensure that Leicester would control their own destiny next year and that no such scenario would be plausible. Pearson has delivered.

The man who missed that penalty was young Frenchman, Anthony Knockaert. The 22 year old has been a shining star for Leicester this season and his winning free kick against Sheffield Wednesday was a truly fitting way for him to bury the ghosts of the previous year and propel his team to the dizzy heights of the Premier League.

Knockaert in truth has been one of many shining stars. David Nugent will be given another opportunity to prove that he deserves to play top flight football whilst Wes Morgan has been a phenomenon in defence. The retaining of his services has proven to be a masterstroke as he has played the role of reliable leader ahead of the formidable Kasper Schmeichel to great aplomb.

Jamie Vardy, Chris Wood, Danny Drinkwater and Lloyd Dyer have all been rightfully heaped with praise throughout the campaign, whilst veterans Kevin Phillips and Paul Konchesky, dropping a tier following his embarrassing spell at Liverpool, have bought stability and experience to the dressing room.

In many ways simplicity has been the most effective method of expression for the foxes. They play a relatively standard 4-4-2 formation, with pacey wingers and orthodox strikers, based upon a consistent, steady faith in trusted players. Pearson has consistently managed expectations and this approach has paid dividends as Leicester have stormed their way to scoring 76 goals in 40 games, an impressive goals to games ration of 1.9.

The Premier League no doubt offers a warm welcome to a team who have been missed from the top tier of English football. Many fans will fondly remember the successful 90s team which included Matt Elliott, Emile Heskey, Neil Lennon and Robbie Savage and look forward to embracing the next generation of potential legends from the east midlands. The King Power Stadium will justifiably play host to the very best that English football has to offer as Leicester City prepare for what could be an exciting, defining season in their incredible recent history. What is most important now is that Leicester remember the platform that took them to these lofty heights- stability and simplicity.  The fox says promotion.