Power Ranking 2008/2009

Week 17

1(1) FC Barcelona 14-2-1; 5CW
Comment: It was one of those days when you simply knew Barca cannot stumble. While every one are awaiting Barca's losing their form Pep's bark sails close and closer to the final success. When was it that Barca lost? Oh yes, against Numancia at the beginning of the season. Since then no one has even come close to conquer Blagurana's stronghold.

2 (2) Atletico Madrid 9-3-5; 1L
Comment: A loss against Valencia was pretty painful but Aguirre's man will have to find a quick remedy to heal their fresh wounds. They are still a hot prospect and should continue in same fashion if they want to keep their dreams alive. This team is in a sort of transition with one of the best squads in the league. Aguirre's formula I was talking about a week ago has some element missing which would supplement it to its perfection.

3 (4) Valencia CF 10-3-4; 1W
Comment: Brave Emery has all the credit for a heroic performance of his proteges. Long-frustrated crowd in Valencia has finally got what they were yearning for so long. A win over more than a decent team... Villa has proved why he is one of the best strikers in Spain. This team will grow in weeks to come and will be hard to beat when it reaches its full form.

4 (5) Deportivo La Coruna 9-3-5; 2CW
Comment: Who would have thought before the season began that this sleeping lion would be stamped in the upper part of the table; just two points after the current La Liga champions. They've beaten all the odds. In some years to come they should slowly return to the old path of glory with some very young and prominent prospects.

5 (3) Sevilla CF 9-5-3; 2CD
Comment: Draw against Mallorca, draw against Osasuna; two points from at least on the paper easier encounters. They took 7 point away from teams like Valencia, Real Madrid and Villareal. And when the Spanish public expected them to follow Barca with their run, they all of sudden condemned all those expectations false.

6 (7) Real Madrid 10-2-5; 2CW
Comment: Los Merengues are slowl gaining on their pace under the new command. Two hard-won victories against Valencia and Villareal increased their hopes to at least prove a decent rival against brilliant Barca. The schedule doesn't provide them with possibility to slacken off as they visit unpleasant Mallorca.

7 (6) Valladolid 7-2-8; 2CL
Comment: La Liga has show its cruel face. If you aren't stable you cannot compete. This reality has been demonstrated to this young team in two recent encounters. They play well from most of the match and when the decisive moment arrives they all of a sudden collapse. Pity, cause they could be sitting a lot higher on the table.

8 (8) Villareal 8-5-4; 3CL
Comment:They came very close against Barca, then against Madrid. Realization is their main concern. Midfielders seem to have found form only strikers continue it's scoring drought. When Nihat returns in his best shape I expect them to improve.

9 (10) Malaga 7-4-6; 1W
Comment: They've just shouted very clear message to all the league. We are no underdogs and anyone trying to intimidate us will have to prove this on the pitch.

10 (9) Getafe 5-6-6; 2CL
Comment: Another loss, fans restless; however no change has emerged that would fill everyone concerned with slight hope.

11 (11) Athletic Bilbao 5-4-8; 3CW
Can they keep their level of playing? With their fanatical fans behind them Athletic can shock all the Spain. They were prognosticated as the team that would struggle in the relegation zone; look at them now, this brave team... fighting for the spot in Europe.

12 (12) Sporting Gijon 7-0-10; 1L
You cannot expect them to keep winning, right? However, their composure and determination has not declined for a minimum. I still count them as the team with best fighting spirit in the league. I really enjoy to see these players running on the pitch with their maximum, giving all they've got.

13 (14) Racing Santander 5-6-6; 1W
At some point I expect them to make a run which will place them where they belong.

14 (13) Real Betis 5-3-9; 3CL
Fans are frustrated, but they keep coming to the stadium. Betis has every support from their devotees but cannot capitalize on it. Nothing seems to be working in their favor, they are not playing well and frustrations could be protracted once they face stronger teams. I see them as the team that will easily get into danger zone if they don't start performing on the higher level.

15 (16) Almeria 5-4-8; 1W
Almeria faced mediocre Real Betis and won three points. With players like Negredo and Solari they should be fighting for the place in any of the European competitions.

16 (19) Recreativo de Huelva 4-4-9; 1W
Another success for Recreativo. Three wins in last four matches. Even though they don't have any stars in their team, it is evident that unity proves to be the best remedy.

17 (15) Numancia 5-2-10; 1L
A bitter loss against Recreativo. They didn't stand a chance but are still away from the danger zone. It is imperative for them to keep up their motivation; they are the only team that has beaten Barca so far. They should go on with this idea, they can beat any team in La Liga.

18 (17) Espanyol 3-5-9; 1D
Another disappointment for the Catalans. Although they face quite a strong opponent and formidable crowd, this is still a let-down for their fans. Some drastic changes will have to be taken into action. They cannot afford losing more points.

19 (20) Osasuna 2-7-8; 1D
A great boost for moral was a draw against Sevilla. Camacho's squad has been playing well recently and grabbed some crucial points. It is indispensable for them to keep collecting points to step into the second half of the season closer to the surviving zone.

20 (18) Mallorca 3-5-9; 1L
No one really expected from them to take any points away from Camp Nou. They tried their best and proved to quite a resilient opponent. With such approach I'm pretty sure they will dig themselves out from this crisis.

M.L. King

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Week 18

1(1) FC Barcelona 15-2-1; 6CW
Comment: Every time I write this column I ask myself is this deja vu!? Another win for the Blaugrana. It wasn't as easy as some were this season, but it sure was far more jubilant. It seemed like Barca was going to drop some points. When Messi showed his magic every doubt disillusioned in the thin air of Pamplona.

2 (6) Real Madrid 11-2-5; 3CW
Comment: The giants from Madrid are slowly gaining on their pace with their new commander Juande. They seem far more motivated and have already surpassed all the teams in the haunt for FC Barcelona. Some praise worthy battles have been waged on their account and new hope is arising for them above the misty shadow that has been dwelling upon their fortune.

3 (3) Valencia CF 10-4-4; 1D
Comment: Bitter disappointment has been synonym with Valencia in recent years. After beating Atletico Madrid everyone expected this team to bloom and produce the long-expected march towards the peak of the table. However, things didn't go exactly Valencia's way. After holding a comfortable lead against Villareal, they suddenly stumbled and only drew. Can this team become more constant is what torments my mind.

4 (2) Atletico Madrid 9-3-6; 2CL
Comment: The quick remedy I was discussing about was lost somewhere... and Atletico proved powerless in yet another crucial session. Fans must be feeling pretty irritated with the way their idols are performing at the moment. One has to ask oneself; those hard-won points, were they only proving this proverb right "one swallow doesn't make a summer"?

5 (5) Sevilla CF 10-5-3; 1W
Comment: My presumptions have been proved as correct... Sevilla can apparently win against teams that are at least on paper favorites or equal to them. Against Deportivo they demonstrated why they are contenders for one of the top spots. But can they continue in a similar fashion and climb higher on the ladder of La Liga is what bother most of their fans. I think they can with correct approach.

6 (4) Deportivo La Coruna 9-3-6; 1L
Comment: The biggest surprise so far awaits an incredible hard game against the current leaders. All the odds are pointing against them, but you surprises always happen. They have beaten some very good teams season and have portrayed resilience that few team have this season. They are realistic and know it will be hard to maintain such form, but with hard work nothing is impossible.

7 (9) Malaga 8-4-6; 2CW
Comment: Another pleasant issue I will discuss is this team. Malga is in the higher part of the table. How many fans have expected them to fight for one of the spots in any of the European competitions. None. It's as simple as that. They were the underdogs. Now they are a well respected unity that can play brilliantly.

8 (8) Villareal 8-6-4; 1D
Comment: The red submarine is losing on its pace and is losing their credentials. Pellegrini will have to find out what is wrong his team and mend all the mishaps.

9 (7) Valladolid 7-2-9; 3CL
Comment: All the Spanish public is a bit disappointed with Valladolid in recent weeks. After the brilliant run they have managed month ago, they went through some very hard times. Their road has been surrounded with thorns, but I'm pretty sure they can find a way out of it and start winning again.

10 (11) Athletic Bilbao 6-4-8; 4CW
Comment: Bilbao is having their own spring. They are winning and seem to be rising with each fixture. Nothing is over-hyped when we add adjectives like, brilliance, ingeniousness, illustrious to this team.

11 (10) Getafe 5-6-7; 3CL
Comment: Getafe has lost again. This time against a team from the lower part of the table. Not a great season so far for the team from the center of Spain

12 (12) Sporting Gijon 8-0-10; 1W
Comment: Promoted teams seem to be flying with ease over some very experience veterans in La Liga and Sporting Gijon is one of them. Superb season so far, but can they maintain the pace?

13 (13) Racing Santander 5-7-6; 1D
Comment: Win. Draw. This is what this team is capable of. Not Win. Win. By not being constant they have to be satisfied with the position they hold currentyl

14 (17) Numancia 6-2-10; 1W
Comment: They managed to win and once again cheer up their fans. Their determination is still very stout and will grow with each success.

15 (15) Almeria 5-5-8; 1D
Comment:Some shiny shimmers have sparkled during some games. With a little measure of optimism points will come. However, motivation is needed as well

16 (16) Recreativo de Huelva 4-5-9; 1D
Comment:Another draw, what could easily be a win. Experience is what this team lacks. Hopefully, they bring some new a little bit older players to toughen their core.

17 (14) Real Betis 5-3-10; 4CL
Comment: 4 consecutive losses is what this team has on their account. Fans are furious with the way team is performing. Nothing seems to be going their way, they are dangerously approaching the relegation zone. Something needs to be done, immediately.

18 (18) Espanyol 3-6-9; 2CD
Comment: Yet another disappointment for Espanyol. There seems to be no light for them at the end of this long, it seems perpetual, tunnel. How low can they fall?

19 (19) Osasuna 2-7-9; 1L
Comment: Almost a win against FC Barcelona. They proved a very good team and posed great danger to Catalan pride. With some more experience in their team they might have taken all the three points from the game. Nonetheless, still a great boost for their moral if the continue in the same way.

20 (20) Mallorca 3-5-10; 2CL
Comment: Disastrous performance against the current champions. It will be a very tough climb for them to reach any of the spots that would eventually make them safe from the danger zone.

M.L. King

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