Real Madrid and Barcelona have been the dominant force in the Spanish la Liga ever since the decline of Valencia. They have been able to win all the league titles for the last eight seasons, which is a source of major concern.
There has even been talk of the la Liga being not very competitive when compared with the likes of the English Premier league and the Italian Serie A. Only this season, there has been a change in the fortunes of the Spanish clubs because Atletico Madrid have been able to get past their arch rivals Real Madrid into the second position.
They are also having a healthy seven-point advantage between them and their arch rivals and are firm favourites to finish in the second position due to the presence of quality players like Radamel Falcao. The club president Enrique Cerezo has said that it is about time other clubs stepped up to the challenge from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Even though Atletico Madrid may still not be able to win the title this season, Cerezo is confident that the club can only build on the success achieved so far. Atletico Madrid are a massive nine points behind Barcelona on the table, which has led to many believing that Tito Vilanova’s men have already secured 1 hand on the title.
“It is not only important for Atletico, but for football fans in general. La Liga was a two-horse race, but Atletico started well and has now fully cemented its place in the pack challenging for the league title. [I cannot] ask anything else from the team. Maybe the progress made by the team in such a short period of time has been the most notable change at the club. Simeone has given them confidence, self-belief and above all optimism and joy,” said Cerezo.