Three match days into the new LaLiga season and the picture is already looking chaotic.
For a league that prides itself on being home to the very best, it now feels like a mix of brilliance, leaky wallets, bad pitches and embarrassing officiating.
Embed from Getty ImagesAtlético Madrid: Big spenders, small returns
Atlético Madrid made headlines this summer as the biggest spenders in a league that’s practically broke, but somehow, they’ve managed just two points from a possible nine. For Diego Simeone’s side, that’s more than underwhelming.
The money was spent, the squad improved on paper, yet the table tells a different story. It might be too early to fully judge, and they might just turn around mid-season.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Perfect starts: Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao
On the other side of the spectrum, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao are flying with perfect records, nine points out of the possible nine. Madrid’s start feels familiar and almost expected. But Bilbao’s surge is refreshing and beautiful to see.
We can’t exactly tell if this will remain after the international break, especially during the European league days.
Embed from Getty ImagesGirona’s fall From Grace
Two seasons ago, Girona surprised us and qualified for the Champions League.Fast forward to today, and they’re rock bottom of the table. Whether it’s fatigue, squad imbalance, or pressure catching up, their decline up till now is a shock.
Villarreal CF: The one to watch
While Girona struggle, Villarreal is the team to keep an eye on. After a smart summer transfer window and building on their strong finish last season, they seem poised to disrupt the usual table. They may not title challengers, but definitely troublemakers for the so-called big three.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Never-Ending Embarrassment: VAR, Referees, and Pitches
Of course, the classic LaLiga problem, the officiating drama. VAR inconsistencies, refereeing controversies, and even pitch conditions (Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona) have dominated headlines.
It is beyond frustrating, at this point and now embarrassing for a league that wants to be taken seriously.
Real Sociedad’s Freefall
Not long ago, Real Sociedad were competing in Europe. Now, they look more like a relegation candidate. Their steady decline has moved from shocking to sad to watch, and if something doesn’t change fast, this season could spiral beyond repair.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Money Problem Becoming the Usual
Underpinning it all is LaLiga’s financial crisis or as it is called, the Financial Fair Play (FFP). Clubs are scraping by while their counterparts in other leagues throw money around without breaking a sweat.
Case in point: Real Betis, a team that made a European final, moving mountains just to sign Antony on deadline day for £22m plus add-ons. An amount that would be considered mid-tier spending in England.
That’s telling.
Embed from Getty ImagesThree games in, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao are thriving, Atleti are flopping, Girona are collapsing, and Sociedad are in a freefall. Meanwhile, refereeing scandals and financial struggles make it hard to ignore the league’s decline compared to Europe’s elite. The beautiful game is still here, but unless LaLiga fixes its deeper issues, the chaos will continue to define it.
Written by Pejuola Ransome
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