This was by far the best La Liga season for some time.
How often do you see a genuine three-way race for the title in any of Europe's top leagues, let alone have the scenario of the final game featuring the two remaining title protagonists and the situation of winner - or draw-specialist in the case of Atletico - takes all?
For all of the talk of Spain's La Liga being the best domestic club football league in the world, there was always that nagging criticism that it is just a glorifed Scottish Premier League when Rangers were still in it, i.e. only Real Madrid and Barcelona had a realistic chance of being champion.
People will still argue that Atletico Madrid are like Valencia and Deportivo la Coruna, former champions in the last millenium so far and that their challenge will eventually fade as Europe's big clubs buy the best players from the team - indeed, if it is to be believed, Chelsea might already have Atletico's key lynchpin, Diego Costa for next season.
But that's for another day. Right now, it is time to just relish and celebrate a stupendous achievement by Diego Simeone and the Rojiblancas in a simply unforgettable season of Spanish football. Their football may not have the flair and beauty of Barcelona, but one cannot dispute the courage and guts Diego Costa, Diego Godin, Koke, Arda Turan, etc. showed from matchday 1 until 38.
Atletico Madrid's title triumph is a triumph for football and a lesson that a star team can still win the title even in this day of age of billionaire sheikhs playing fantasy football with the likes of Man City, PSG, Monaco, etc.
As for Barcelona and Real Madrid, there is no doubt that they will be back - they still have the best players and the best finances and will rebuild for next season. Barcelona will be rejuvenated under whoever comes in - it's thought that Martino's replacement will be current Celta Vigo boss, Luis Enrique - and Real Madrid will be Real Madrid as usual.
Down the table after Athletic Bilbao who took the 4th Champions League spot quite comfortably - and deservedly after being so dominant in their new home - it was close as usual with nothing really separating the 5th placed side with the 19th placed side for much of the season.
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| Osasuna's relegation was confirmed on the final day in tragic circumstances |
Sevilla, Real Sociedad and returning Primera side, Villarreal, all sealed Europa League football for next season with Sevilla winning this year's competition after a penalty shootout win over Portuguese treble winners, Benfica in Turin.
Anyway, here is a look at the season just completed!
Surprise of the Season - Elche - expected to struggle in their first Primera season since 1989, Los Franjiverdes made a bright start to this season and eventually sealed their survival with a gutsy 0-0 draw with title chasing Barcelona on the penultimate weekend at home. Their home stadium witnessed the biggest World Cup hiding in history - Hungary 10-1 El Salvador - but there was none of that with the home team and they can look forward to a second season in the top flight.
Disappointment of the Season - Real Betis - from Europa League qualifiers and quarterfinalists to absolute rock bottom side, Sevilla's other team never looked like surviving the financial struggles that have mired the club and their fate was sealed early in April despite some encouraging wins late in the season. Pepe Mel was sacked and headed to the Black Country - where he left the West Brom job after an underwhelming performance there. Perhaps a stint in the Segunda Division will clear the trash from this once proud club and a new generation will emerge to return Real Betis back to the top flight.
Player - Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid - What can I say. There's a reason why Liverpool and Chelsea want him so badly after the season he's had. Many thought that Atletico would slip back into mid table mediocrity after the sale of Radamel Falcao to Monaco but few would have taken into account how much the Brazilian born striker has stepped up to take the great Colombian striker's place as head of the attack. Costa is now considered one of the best strikers in Europe - a mantle he wouldn't have expected after years of jumping between clubs.
Young Player of the Season - Aymeric Laporte, Athletic Bilbao - had to fill the big shoes of now-Fulham defender, Fernando Amorebieta, Laporte - only the 2nd Frenchman after Bixente Lizarazu to play for the red and whites - became a French international at the end of a season after a strong defensive performance at the new San Mames. Results at home helped Bilbao become the rising force of Spanish football and they earned the right to play in the Champions League for the first time.
and not forgetting...
Gareth Bale- He was never going to justify his outrageous $100 million dollar price tag in a club featuring the best player in the world. But you definitely cannot say that Bale didn't try his hardest to, chipping in with some goals on his own in his first season in white. Real fans will never forget his incredible solo goal to beat Barcelona at Valencia and win the Copa del Rey. Expect to see far more next season with one full pre-season under his belt.
Game of the Season - Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona - nuff said. Watch now.
Goal of the Season -
Team of the Season (3-4-3) -
Thibault Courtois, Atletico (GK)
Diego Godin, Atletico Madrid
Aymeric Laporte, Athletic Bilbao
Gerard Pique, Barcelona
Angel di Maria, Real Madrid
Ivan Rakitic, Sevilla
Gabi, Atletico Madrid
Antoine Greizmann, Real Sociedad
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid
Lionel Messi, Barcelona
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