La Liga - the best league in the world

Warper

La Liga is now undoubtably the best league. The skill level and technique levels are much higher than any other League. It has exceeded the EPL by some distance. There looks like there will be no EPL team left in the CL this year and even tonight Bilbao are outplaying Utd at OT while City get beaten by a very average Lisbon side. Whatever happened to how would Spanish sides fare in Stoke was laughed at by Valencia who easily disposed of a "hard" side constantly put up as difficult to beat by Sky. I think its time Sky stopped using their tagline of "the greatest league in the world" when its so obvious it isnt.

ASOT

no

cson

Sky market it as the best league in the world to the people who buy into the product.

Marketing 101 ffs, they're hardly going to disparage what they're selling. :rolleyes:

wandatowell

La Liga - the best player in the world

steelcityblues

It is pretty much been a two horse league for several seasons, so it is hard to know if it is the best.

Last time I checked Sporting Lisbon were Portugese.

MD1990

yes
i watch Spanish football every week on sky & it is fantastic
i have noticed in the last few seasons the spanish league is now played at a higher tempo
but still retains its fantastic techinical quality

CSF

dreamers75

Technically better players in Spain. Outside top 2 dont have the money to compete with Stoke for a player tho.

Helix

regardless of what actually is the best league in the world, i think there's a disproportionate number of football fans who genuinely think the premiership is a good league with a high standard of football. it's not. it's cack 90% of the time

full of overpaid, overrated prima donnas more concerned with celebrity than their profession

obviously that can be said of many leagues, but i cant think of any that come close to being as bad as the premiership

MD1990

steelcityblues wrote: »

It is pretty much been a two horse league for several seasons, so it is hard to know if it is the best.

Last time I checked Sporting Lisbon were Portugese.

thats because Barca are one of the best teams of all time
& Real are an incredible team too
they would do the same in any league in Europe

stovelid

It's important to establish these things so I know which league to follow.

Mikeyt086

Do I think La Liga is technically a better league than the BPL? Yes.

Did I form that opinion because I saw Bilbao play well against a much changed United XI for 45mins? No.

Tox56

Warper wrote: »

La Liga is now undoubtably the best league. The skill level and technique levels are much higher than any other League. It has exceeded the EPL by some distance. There looks like there will be no EPL team left in the CL this year and even tonight Bilbao are outplaying Utd at OT while City get beaten by a very average Lisbon side. Whatever happened to how would Spanish sides fare in Stoke was laughed at by Valencia who easily disposed of a "hard" side constantly put up as difficult to beat by Sky. I think its time Sky stopped using their tagline of "the greatest league in the world" when its so obvious it isnt.

Lisbon aren't a Spanish side for staters.

Secondly, in terms of competition EPL is the best, in terms of skill there was no doubt Spanish league was the best, if only for the top two teams.

If you think these Europa League matches are an accurate reflection of the quality of the Manchester teams you are deluded.

steelcityblues

MD1990 wrote: »

thats because Barca are one of the best teams of all time
& Real are an incredible team too
they would do the same in any league in Europe

But what is there after that?

Valencia under Cuper and later Benitez were a much feared side. Now they have to sell any world class player that emerges.

Deportivo in the early 00s were great, and famously put out Milan in the CL.

Villareal used to have Forlan and Riquelme, and got to a CL semi final.

Outside of the top two, it is no longer that compelling.

CSF

dreamers75 wrote: »

Technically better players in Spain. Outside top 2 dont have the money to compete with Stoke for a player tho.

Atleti probably spent more than any Premiership club in the summer.

CSF

steelcityblues wrote: »

Valencia under Cuper and later Benitez were a much feared side. Now they have to sell any world class player that emerges.

So not unlike Arsenal then...

steelcityblues

CSF wrote: »

So not unlike Arsenal then...

The EPL is certainly not superior, but I doubt La Liga is an unequivocal #1 when you see the current disparity between the 'big two' and the rest.

Warper

Tox56 wrote: »

Lisbon aren't a Spanish side for staters.

Secondly, in terms of competition EPL is the best, in terms of skill there was no doubt Spanish league was the best, if only for the top two teams.

If you think these Europa League matches are an accurate reflection of the quality of the Manchester teams you are deluded.

I never said Lisbon was a Spanish side. I mentioned them to highlight that an average team in Portugal can beat a team currently leading the EPL.

Europa League matches are not fully indicative of a country's standard of teams - that would be the CL. Last time i checked there looks like there wont be any English in the last 8 while a team from Switzerland can knock out Man Utd. The Europa League reflects more the strength in depth of a League, again the EPL is way behind La Liga with a mid-table Spanish side outplaying a Utd side at OT. Go figure. The English teams are lucky in a way they are so bad they wont have to be embarrassed again by undoubtably the 2 best teams in the World. We all know who.

dreamers75

CSF wrote: »

Atleti probably spent more than any Premiership club in the summer.

Buying their own players back, more so due to their own stupidity than anything else.

jesus_thats_gre

Without getting into which is best, the PL has certainly dropped significantly in quality terms in the past 2/3 seasons or so. What separated the PL clubs from the rest of Europe about 5/6 seasons ago was the intensity that they played that. They weren't quite there in terms of maintain possession but their organisations, defensive strenght and intensity more than made up for that.

Barca in particular upped their intensity a few seasons ago and combined with their unrivaled ability to maintain possession, they are unquestionably the best team in the world. Real competing with them is quite an impressive feat and they seem to have made up some shortcomings by being that bit more aggressive.

PL clubs also had some of the best central midfields in the world. Liverpool and Chelsea were immense at one stage and were capable of beating any team in the world. They are now a shadow of their former selves in that department. Also in terms of organisation at the back.

Barca have managed to circumvent the need to defend well due to their ball retention and how they hound the opposition from the second they lose the ball.

CSF

steelcityblues wrote: »

The EPL is certainly not superior, but I doubt La Liga is an unequivocal #1 when you see the current disparity between the 'big two' and the rest.

I don't think one can make a definitive claim for one over the other. Atleti, Bilbao and Valencia have certainly showed in Europe in recent years that there is more than 2 teams in Spain, and the fact that Real and Barca are so dominant is more down to the fact that they are that much better than everyone. Arsenal and United looked just as overwhelmed by Barca in Europe.

At the same time, the money isn't as well distributed in Spain so there would be a point somewhere in the league table, where the quality gets a good bit higher in England than Spain.

Tox56

Warper wrote: »

I never said Lisbon was a Spanish side. I mentioned them to highlight that an average team in Portugal can beat a team currently leading the EPL.

Europa League matches are not fully indicative of a country's standard of teams - that would be the CL. Last time i checked there looks like there wont be any English in the last 8 while a team from Switzerland can knock out Man Utd. The Europa League reflects more the strength in depth of a League, again the EPL is way behind La Liga with a mid-table Spanish side outplaying a Utd side at OT. Go figure. The English teams are lucky in a way they are so bad they wont have to be embarrassed again by undoubtably the 2 best teams in the World. We all know who.

What are you trying to say, Basel are better than Man Utd? Or that Lisbon are better than City?

Or are these just results that happen in football?

Blackburn beat Man Utd at Old Trafford, are you going to make the point relegation zone teams are now better than the top teams in England?

Man Utd are clearly better than these teams, if Man Utd had scrambled a goal or two against Basel and gone on to win, would they suddenly be better?

Warper

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Without getting into which is best, the PL has certainly dropped significantly in quality terms in the past 2/3 seasons or so. What separated the PL clubs from the rest of Europe about 5/6 seasons ago was the intensity that they played that. They weren't quite there in terms of maintain possession but their organisations, defensive strenght and intensity more than made up for that.

Barca in particular upped their intensity a few seasons ago and combined with their unrivaled ability to maintain possession, they are unquestionably the best team in the world. Real competing with them is quite an impressive feat and they seem to have made up some shortcomings by being that bit more aggressive.

PL clubs also had some of the best central midfields in the world. Liverpool and Chelsea were immense at one stage and were capable of beating any team in the world. They are now a shadow of their former selves in that department. Also in terms of organisation at the back.

Barca have managed to circumvent the need to defend well due to their ball retention and how they hound the opposition from the second they lose the ball.

Well said

That_Guy

Technically better players than the Premier League.... Arguably yes but how many of them would be outside the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona?

I've often joked with mates that La Liga is the SPL in the sun... with more teams. In terms of title challengers it's only between two teams but the race for fourth place is particularly good this year with 5 or 6 teams involved in it.

Do I think it's the best league in the world? Nope. Best in Europe? Nope.

I think the Championship, Bundesliga and Serie A are far better in my opinion in terms of entertainment. Serie A this season has been absolutely mental and has been very enjoyable to watch at times.

Turtwig

I don't know what is the best league in the world but I do know a good many people overrate the EPL and tend to diminish La Liga. That's all I'm going to say. Also the best league isn't necessarily going to be the best one to watch. :-)

cson

CSF wrote: »

Atleti probably spent more than any Premiership club in the summer.

City excepted

What they spent on Falcao is outrageous, no doubt. But they have coined it from the sales of Aguero and Torres in the past so you could see how it could be done.

Hank Scorpio

*cough* http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055878343 :pac:

inmyday

Tox56 wrote: »

What are you trying to say, Basel are better than Man Utd? Or that Lisbon are better than City?

Or are these just results that happen in football?

Blackburn beat Man Utd at Old Trafford, are you going to make the point relegation zone teams are now better than the top teams in England?

Man Utd are clearly better than these teams, if Man Utd had scrambled a goal or two against Basel and gone on to win, would they suddenly be better?

I know its a little off the topic but untied had 6 matches to qualify for the last 16. They failed. It wasnt just because of a freak result.

CSF

dreamers75 wrote: »

Buying their own players back, more so due to their own stupidity than anything else.

As per usual, you don't have a breeze what you're talking about.

Falcao (40 million euros) never played for Atletico Madrid
Arda Turan (12 million euros) never played for Atletico Madrid
Silvio (8 million euros) never played for Atletico Madrid

Add in Diego an expensive loan and Adrian a big earner on a free, both of whom weren't ex-signings and it is clear you're well off the mark.

MisterAnarchy

I'd much rather watch a mid table Spanish match than a mid table EPL match.
Outside the top 6-7 teams in England the standard of football is very poor,woeful in some cases.
You'd see better down the local park.

CSF

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

I'd much rather watch a mid table Spanish match than a mid table EPL match.
Outside the top 6-7 teams in England the standard of football is very poor,woeful in some cases.
You'd see better down the local park.

Jesus, having heard all the same about the LOI, I'm really beginning to wonder just how good football in the local park is. I feel like I'm missing out now.

CSF

cson wrote: »

City excepted

What they spent on Falcao is outrageous, no doubt. But they have coined it from the sales of Aguero and Torres in the past so you could see how it could be done.

For Torres you have to balance that out with a very expensive purchase of Forlan too. Atleti can spend and do. Huge club who continually underachieve.

rossie1977

the spanish league is head and shoulders above any other league in europe (never mind the premiership) as of right now and anybody claiming otherwise is living in cloud cuckoo land

barcelona and real are the top two club sides on the planet by a country mile and thensome

CSF

Helix wrote: »

regardless of what actually is the best league in the world, i think there's a disproportionate number of football fans who genuinely think the premiership is a good league with a high standard of football. it's not. it's cack 90% of the time

full of overpaid, overrated prima donnas more concerned with celebrity than their profession

obviously that can be said of many leagues, but i cant think of any that come close to being as bad as the premiership

You really are way off the mark here. There is only one league with any claim to being better than the Premiership. This is La Liga. Standard is all relative and if the Premiership is the 2nd best league, then it is by default a high standard and is a good league.

CSF

rossie1977 wrote: »

the spanish league is head and shoulders above any other league in europe (never mind the premiership) as of right now and anybody claiming otherwise is living in cloud cuckoo land

barcelona and real are the top two club sides on the planet by a country mile and thensome

What about the other 18?

dreamers75

CSF wrote: »

As per usual, you don't have a breeze what you're talking about.

Falcao (40 million euros) never played for Atletico Madrid
Arda Turan (12 million euros) never played for Atletico Madrid
Silvio (8 million euros) never played for Atletico Madrid

Add in Diego an expensive loan and Adrian a big earner on a free, both of whom weren't ex-signings and it is clear you're well off the mark.

Sorry thought you mean Bilbao who bought several of their own players back after letting them go in the 1st place.

As per usual your post is condescending maybe in future put in the teams name or else people will assume its a typo.

The Floyd p

It's better to watch, and produces technically better players, but the BPL is more competitive, never any 20+ point gap between 2nd and 3rd.

I'd rank them about the same

cson

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

I'd much rather watch a mid table Spanish match than a mid table EPL match.
Outside the top 6-7 teams in England the standard of football is very poor,woeful in some cases.
You'd see better down the local park.

Methinks some is talking out their hole.

Swansea and Norwich are two teams I'd watch outside of the top 6/7. The former play a cracking brand of football.

CSF

dreamers75 wrote: »

Sorry thought you mean Bilbao who bought several of their own players back after letting them go in the 1st place.

As per usual your post is condescending maybe in future put in the teams name or else people will assume its a typo.

As long as you're sorry.

dreamers75

CSF wrote: »

As long as you're sorry.

better?

Helix

CSF wrote: »

You really are way off the mark here. There is only one league with any claim to being better than the Premiership. This is La Liga. Standard is all relative and if the Premiership is the 2nd best league, then it is by default a high standard and is a good league.

i enjoy watching MLS matches more than i enjoy premiership games these days. the standard of football on show is diabolical in england. too many teams happy to be negative

CSF

Helix wrote: »

i enjoy watching MLS matches more than i enjoy premiership games these days. the standard of football on show is diabolical in england. too many teams happy to be negative

You're referring to visually appealling football yeah? That is of course open to opinion, and each to their own, but the standard of football is something else altogether. If I was to say that the standard of football at Sligo is higher than that at Blackburn I'd be laughed out.

steelcityblues

cson wrote: »

Methinks some is talking out their hole.

Swansea and Norwich are two teams I'd watch outside of the top 6/7. The former play a cracking brand of football.

West Brom were really enjoyable against Wolves, and a few other matches this season.

rossie1977

CSF wrote: »

What about the other 18?

the other 18 are fine, the likes of valencia or atletico madrid are probably on a par with the two manchester clubs, sevilla, malaga, Bilbao are a level and half above the likes of liverpool or newcastle at present

the standard of the premiership has fallen dramatically and so quickly, in season 2008-09 there was no doubt that the premiership was top league in europe, now i would rank it maybe fourth best

CSF

rossie1977 wrote: »

the likes of valencia or atletico madrid are probably on a par with the two manchester clubs

Warper

The Floyd p wrote: »

It's better to watch, and produces technically better players, but the BPL is more competitive, never any 20+ point gap between 2nd and 3rd.

I'd rank them about the same

Take a look at the EPL table - the top 2 are miles ahead of the rest

Helix

CSF wrote: »

You're referring to visually appealling football yeah? That is of course open to opinion, and each to their own, but the standard of football is something else altogether. If I was to say that the standard of football at Sligo is higher than that at Blackburn I'd be laughed out.

not necessarily just visually appealing football as such. when you've got 2 long ball, negative teams playing against each other the result is going to be complete garbage at any level. now technically the players in one match could be far, far ahead of the players in another, but when you've got 2 teams playing those tactics, the end result is the same; a dire game of football

dreamers75

Helix wrote: »

not necessarily just visually appealing football as such. when you've got 2 long ball, negative teams playing against each other the result is going to be complete garbage at any level. now technically the players in one match could be far, far ahead of the players in another, but when you've got 2 teams playing those tactics, the end result is the same; a dire game of football

Another side of visually appealing football is 2 teams that are very good at defending and playing out a 0-0 draw. I quite enjoy seeing the art of defending. As it is most goals are due to a mistake, EPL/LA Liga you will see a lot of mistakes. People then use goals a standard of football.

Warper

Helix wrote: »

not necessarily just visually appealing football as such. when you've got 2 long ball, negative teams playing against each other the result is going to be complete garbage at any level. now technically the players in one match could be far, far ahead of the players in another, but when you've got 2 teams playing those tactics, the end result is the same; a dire game of football

Give me an example of this

CSF

Helix wrote: »

not necessarily just visually appealing football as such. when you've got 2 long ball, negative teams playing against each other the result is going to be complete garbage at any level. now technically the players in one match could be far, far ahead of the players in another, but when you've got 2 teams playing those tactics, the end result is the same; a dire game of football

Well Stoke v Blackburn certainly ain't my cup of tea either so I'm not exactly disagreeing with you, I guess the disagreement is in the meaning of term 'standard of football'. For me, an unattractive hoofball team who beat a team who try to play the way, who are at a much lower level, I see the unattractive team of being of a higher standard, even if I wouldn't find them entertaining to watch.

Warper

dreamers75 wrote: »

Another side of visually appealing football is 2 teams that are very good at defending and playing out a 0-0 draw. I quite enjoy seeing the art of defending. As it is most goals are due to a mistake, EPL/LA Liga you will see a lot of mistakes. People then use goals a standard of football.

The best thing about football is seeing someone like Messi play and score goals that simply cannot be stopped no matter who hes up against. These goals are not due to mistake, they are due to genius, that is what makes the game so appealing.