Los Tres- Real blink first; Valencia have issues
by Paul Cox
Week 4 is in the books and we got two of our three questions going into the round answered…
Valencia have issues
Geoffrey Kondogbia is as one-footed a player as you’ll ever see, but the partnership he built with Daniel Parejo last season was crucial in Valencia’s return to the top of the Liga table and to Champions League.
When he went out of the match with an apparent recurrence of his ankle injury, the Valencian hopes in Champions league took a big hit. Without him, they struggled in the midfield more than they should have.
Better finishing would have seen them collect their first win of the season and feel more comfortable going into the match against Juventus on Wednesday night. Instead, they’re wondering where their goals are, and feeling vulnerable in the center of the park.
Real Madrid dropped points first
Their trip to Bilbao did not go as they had hoped. It’s a long season, of course, but now they head into a tough matchup against Roma on Wednesday while their rivals Barcelona likely feel a bit more relaxed after beating PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.
And no resolution on the La Liga match in Miami
This will probably continue to drag on for at least weeks, which is a shame. The players union appear to be softening, but there are still many forces opposed. One wonders if SUM’s close relationship with the USSF might also play a role, as Relevent Sports (La Liga’s promotions firm in the US that recently won a 15-year contract) is a big rival of SUM.
Can Gareth Bale step into the vacuum left by Ronaldo’s departure?
Three questions for the Liga teams in Champions League:
Can Barca live up to the promise that new captain Messi (GOAT)* has made to their faithful fans? Messi’s been handed the armband, after years of Iniesta handling the captain duties so well. Can he inspire his side? We already know he’s the greatest player of all time (sorry, I will recognize no arguments on this point) but now is his opportunity to become the most complete team member.
Will Bale finally step into the limelight? Gareth Bale also has a huge opportunity that he’s waited for; Real Madrid are no longer Ronaldo’s team, and Bale said this week that they’re more of a team than a collection of individuals. Bale is one of those players that looks (to me, anyway) like a guy who should be a perennial MVP, but has never really reached his full potential.
Now’s his time.
Watch Atletico. Of the four Spanish sides in Champions League, I feel like they have the least danger on their path to the knockout rounds. They and Dortmund should cruise through their group, while Barcelona, Real, and Valencia all have some possible spoilers lying in front of them.
Atletico, to me, should come into the knockout round in fine form. These games are tuneups for them.
