Barcelona pursues continuous success as Madrid targets a new beginning
The 2022-2023 Spanish league season saw significant ambitions and changes in Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid. Here's a brief overview of each team's situation heading into that season:
Barcelona
- Ambitions: After a tumultuous period, Barcelona aimed to regain dominance in La Liga and improve their performance in European competitions. They sought to strengthen their squad through strategic signings despite financial constraints.
- Changes: The arrival of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and other key players was pivotal. Xavi Hernandez continued as the manager, focusing on revamping the team's playing style and bolstering defense.
Real Madrid
- Ambitions: Real Madrid entered the season with high expectations, seeking to maintain their success in La Liga and the Champions League. They aimed to defend their titles and assert their dominance in Spanish football.
- Changes: The team retained most of its core players but made strategic signings, such as the addition of Rodrygo and Tchouameni. The squad was well-rounded, with a strong mix of youth and experience under manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Atletico Madrid
- Ambitions: Atletico Madrid sought to re-establish themselves as title contenders after a disappointing previous season. They aimed to improve their consistency and challenge the top two teams.
- Changes: The team made significant changes, including the departure of key players like Luis Suarez and the arrival of new talent, such as Joao Felix being integrated more prominently. Diego Simeone continued as the manager, focusing on revitalizing the team's traditional defensive solidity.
Overall, the 2022-2023 season was marked by a close battle for the top spots, with Barcelona eventually emerging as the champions, while Real Madrid finished as runners-up. Atletico Madrid faced challenges in consistently matching the top teams but remained competitive throughout the season.
Notable departures and arrivals include: - Inigo Martinez leaving Barcelona for Al-Nassr, and Ansu Fati going on loan to Monaco. - Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid to strengthen their defense. - Departures from Atletico Madrid include Angel Correa, Rodrigo de Paul, Axel Witsel, Rodrigo Riquelme, and Cesar Azpilicueta. - Arrivals at Atletico Madrid include Alex Baena, Johnny Cardoso, Thiago Almada, Giacomo Raspadori, Matteo Ruggeri, Marc Pubill, and David Hancko. - Luka Modric left Real Madrid to join AC Milan after more than a decade with the Spanish club. Lucas Vazquez also departed from Real Madrid, leaving questions over whether Rodrygo will return.
Other teams that made strong runs last season and will try to stay near the top include Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal, and Real Betis. However, Real Betis playmaker Isco is expected to miss the first few months due to a fractured leg.
Barcelona will open its season against Mallorca on Saturday, while Atletico Madrid's first match is at Espanyol on Sunday. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are not at full strength to start the season, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen recovering from lower back surgery for Barcelona and Bellingham out for Real Madrid after shoulder surgery.
Hansi Flick is the coach of Barcelona in his second year, and he has added Marcus Rashford to the attacking trio of Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski. Carlo Ancelotti left Real Madrid to manage Brazil, and Xabi Alonso took over as the new coach.
Ter Stegen had a dispute with Barcelona over his recovery timeline and was provisionally stripped of his captaincy for refusing to sign a medical report about the injury, but he and the club eventually reached an agreement restoring his role as captain. Robert Lewandowski is not expected to play early in the season for Barcelona due to a muscle issue.
- In the European sports landscape, the football teams of Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid, particularly in the Spanish La Liga, strived to impress the world during the 2022-2023 season.
- The primary ambition of Barcelona was to regain dominance in La Liga and enhance their performance in European competitions, synchronized with strengthening their squad.
- Meanwhile, in both football and defense, Real Madrid set their sights on ensuring their success in La Liga and the Champions League, simultaneously aiming to hold onto their titles in Spanish football.
