FanNation

So La Liga wrapped up and Real Madrid won its 31st title. First, this was the most chaotic season in La Liga history. No one really dominated and everyone was beating up on everybody. Nevertheless, Real Madrid deserved to be champions. They got the results with efficiency and effort. Schuster started where Capello left off with Real Madrid. For the first time in years, Real Madrid played like a team rather than a collection of stars. More importantly, Real Madrid looks like it has some STABILITY! Calderon has shut his mouth and allowed Schuster and the team to perform. The defense was deep and solid and Casillas was amazing. Raul and Ruud provided the goals but with the players hovering 30, Real needs to address the forward position. Robinho had a decent season even though he should be playing up in the forward line. Real Madrid should definitely improve next season. Hopefully Schuster recalls Granero and DeLaRed who had great season on loan in Getafe. Real Madrid was a well-composed team and got the job done. Villareal impressed me with their attack this season. Pellegrini has to be one of the best coaches in Europe at the moment. Nihat was incredible and watching Rossi play so well was just tough to swallow knowing he'll be wearing a Italy jersey rather than a USA jersey. I can't go through all the teams so I'll just highlight a few. And I'm lazy to write so much, and I don't want you guys to read so much. Barcelona--Disappointing considering the roster. Easily falling under the galacticos curse. The biggest problem for Barcelona, lack of finishing and lost chemistry. It's time for Iniesta and Messi to take control of the team. Atletico de Madrid -- Finally, they're back in the Champions League. Atletico really got away with a porous defense. Aguero and Forlan really lifted this team. The revelation in Atletico has to be Raul Garcia. He was the heart of the team maintaining the midfield. With Ulfajusi and Hetinga heading to Atletico to beef up the defense, expect Atletico to improve. Rumors have it that Carlos Salcido of PSV will be heading to Atletico to reunite w/ Coach Aguirre. With a solid defense + great offense = entertainment in Manzanares Racing de Santander -- The surprise team of the season without a doubt. They make it to Europe for the first time. This team have been in the top flight for years but usually sit in the bottom half of the table. Amazingly, this team was able to put up good results despite losing Zigic to Valencia. Good times in the Sardinero. This team had one of the best defenses in the Liga and has an up and coming coach in Marcelinho. Deportivo La Coru??a -- Symbolizes the chaos this season. They were in the relegation zone for most of the season. Then they simply went on a roll in the second half the season and reaches the top half. Canadian Jonathan De Guzman improved as the season went on and loan signing Wilhemsson made an immediate impact. Coach Lotina should be credited for pulling off such a feat! Valencia--Disaster. Loaded with talent. Too much controversy off the field. Koeman made it worse. I don't know what will happen with the Ches. Silva may leave. Villa may leave. Joaquin might leave. Who wants to play for Valencia now? Zaragoza -- The biggest disaster of the season. They were expected to make it to the top four last season after a solid 06-07 season. They didn't make it past the qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. They had loads of offensive talent (Oliviera, D.Milito, Aimar, D'Alessandro, Sergio Garcia). But they couldn't replace the defenders that made them so good. Gaby Milito left to Barcelona and Gerard Pique returned to ManUtd. The team tried to replace these two great defenders with an aging Ayala. Now Zaragoza is relegated. They will surely return soon but a team w/ so much expectations going down the drop is nothing short of a tragedy. Strange La Liga but exciting nevertheless. There would be much more to write about but I don't want to bore you guys. Almeria was another surprising team. Getafe captured the hearts of many La Liga fans with their UEFA Cup run. Sevilla suffered the loss of Antonio Puerta and they fought back in the second half of the season to win a UEFA Cup spot. Just like every year in Spain, there's always a couple teams that challenge the order. Last year it was Sevilla and Zaragoza. This year it was Atletico and Villareal. Will we see the resurgence of Deportivo next year? Will Messi finally have an injury-free season? Will Real Madrid play more aesthetic football? We'll see next season.