The league of extraordinary gentlemen

BARCELONA: The English Premier League may be splashing the cash but as long as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale call La Liga

Published on: Aug 20, 2016, 10:15:54 IST

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BARCELONA: The English Premier League may be splashing the cash but as long as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale call La Liga home, Spain is where the best players will be performing each week.

After Suarez’s league-leading 40 goals from last season, Barcelona begin their campaign for a third straight domestic title on Saturday, when Real Betis visit Camp Nou.

“We head into the league as reigning champions and with the intention of defending our title,” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said.

Champions League winner Real Madrid open their campaign at Real Sociedad on Sunday before Atletico Madrid host the promoted Alaves.

Luis Enrique has had a near perfect two seasons in charge, sweeping the league and Copa del Rey titles, and winning the Champions League in year one. He added the Spanish Super Cup to his trophy haul on Wednesday when Barcelona completed a 5-0 aggregate victory over Sevilla.

MESSI UNDER SCANNER

Besides maintaining the same high standards, Luis Enrique’s biggest task will be to make sure Messi moves past this summer, when he hit the low point of his otherwise stellar career.

The club’s all-time leading scorer was embarrassed both on and off the pitch in June. First came a judge’s verdict that found Messi and his father guilty of defrauding the Spanish tax office of 4.1 million euros. That was followed by Messi losing a third consecutive final with Argentina. Distraught, Messi said immediately after the Copa America final defeat to Chile that he was finished playing for his nation, only to later retract and say he would give it another go.

FOCUS ON RONALDO

Cristiano Ronaldo’s offseason, by contrast, could not have been sweeter. The Real Madrid forward is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or after finally conquering an elusive title for Portugal. Bale was also strengthened by Euro 2016 after an excellent performance to lead Wales to the semifinals.

Fewer coaches have entered a season at the Bernabeu in a securer position than Zinedine Zidane. After a bumpy start to his coaching debut midway through last campaign, Zidane got his team going when it mattered and now has a Champions League title as a manager to solidify his place in club lore.

Barcelona have beefed up its defence and midfield. Newcomers Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez will join Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, Rafina and Arda Turan as playmakers, while Barcelona’s defence has undergone a quiet upheaval. Dani Alves left along with Marc Bartra and Thomas Vermaelen — in came Frenchmen Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne.

TV TIMINGS Barcelona v Real Betis, 9:45pm; Granada v Villarreal 11:45pm; Sevilla v Espanyol 1:30am (Sun) All matches live on Sony Six & HD

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