Real Madrid and their English star Jude Bellingham seemed to establish a marker that a new Galácticos era was dawning in Spain when they won the LaLiga and Champions League double last season.
There is now a huge task for Real’s rivals to keep up with Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid at the start of the new Spanish league season, especially with the signing of French striker Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain.
Athletic Bilbao, who finished fifth last season, and Getafe have been tasked with starting the new season on Thursday, but the focus is on Barcelona’s trip to Valencia on Saturday and Real’s match against Mallorca, on Sunday.
Al Jazeera looks at the five main talking points in the new season as we consider whether Barcelona, or anyone, can stop Los Blancos from winning their third title in four years and record-extending 37th title overall.
Can Lewandowski and Yamal help Barcelona overcome the 10-point gap with Real Madrid?
Former Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski excelled in his first Barcelona campaign with 33 goals in all competitions, winning LaLiga with the Catalans, and last season he scored 26 as Barcelona finished empty-handed .
Despite still achieving a respectable total, Lewandowski’s level of performance declined significantly for much of the season.
The Polish striker turns 36 at the end of August and many Barcelona fans are worried that the veteran will not provide the energy needed to compete with Real Madrid for the Spanish title or against Europe’s elite in the Champions League.
The Catalans sacked coach Xavi and replaced him with Hansi Flick in May, and their hopes are perhaps most pinned on 17-year-old Lamine Yamal and, despite his heroics for Spain in their Euro 2024 triumph, helping his team maintain momentum with Real it’s a lot to ask.
Are Atlético de Madrid still a serious rival to the El Clásico duo?
After finishing fourth in a poor season last year, Atletico Madrid spent money on several reinforcements this summer in a bid to rebuild.
Atlético coach Diego Simeone signed fellow Argentine Julian Alvarez from Manchester City for a considerable fee that could reach $94 million, having already signed striker Alexander Sorloth from Villarreal.
Atletico also signed Euro 2024 winner Robin Le Normand from Real Sociedad to bolster a defense that has not been able to live up to the club’s stingy defensive reputation.
Alvaro Morata, Saul Niguez, Memphis Depay and Stefan Savic are those who have left with the Rojiblancos with a new look for next season, but how long will it take Simeone to make his latest revamp?
Was the Girona dream a fleeting vision or a glimpse of the future?
Last season’s surprise package, Girona, kept Real Madrid at the top of the table for months before finishing in third place.
Michel Sanchez’s side have lost brilliant winger Savinho, who has now signed for Manchester City, and key striker Artem Dovbyk, but hope to continue to build on their notable achievements in what will be their fifth season in LaLiga.
Participating in the Champions League represents an opportunity and a challenge for the Catalans, who will have to balance resources in a way that they were not forced to do last season.
Bryan Gil arrived on loan from Tottenham, Oriol Romeu is back after an unhappy spell at Barcelona and Donny van de Beek has returned from the cold at Manchester United.
Will there be a Basque reaction?
Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad were at risk of losing star players this summer, but for now it looks like they will be able to keep two of their prizes.
Spanish star Nico Williams has been given the number 10 shirt by Athletic and, despite links with Barcelona and other teams, appears content to remain with the Copa del Rey winners for at least another season.
Likewise, La Real are expected to keep midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who rejected a move to Liverpool, according to reports.
The Basque rivals are hoping to break into the top four after Athletic finished fifth and Real Sociedad sixth last season.
Will the Bellingham and Mbappe axis make or break Galactios?
England international Jude Bellingham took Spain by storm in his first year at Real Madrid, helping Los Blancos win the title and Champions League. The midfielder scored 19 top-flight goals playing as a striker, but the arrival of French star Kylian Mbappe could change the situation for Bellingham.
With Vinicius Junior and Mbappe ready to form a deadly attacking tandem, Bellingham could be tasked with more defensive duties than he was at times last season, more similar to how he operated at Borussia Dortmund.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti must work quickly to find the best system for his galaxy of attacking stars to work. Even if Mbappe hadn’t completed his long-awaited move to Real Madrid this summer, they would still be widely tipped to retain LaLiga.
The 25-year-old made his debut for Real on Wednesday and was in fine form, scoring and winning the UEFA Super Cup in a 2-0 victory over Atalanta.
The big question for coach Carlo Ancelotti is how to fit Mbappe into his plans, although if any coach can keep his stars happy it is the Italian, seen as the best coach in the game.
“This problem has ruined my holiday,” joked Ancelotti on Tuesday about his selection dilemma. “The problem doesn’t exist, because we have a lot of games – last year those who played less still brought a lot to the team.”
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
