LaLiga 2018/19: 5 reasons why Atletico Madrid can overhaul Barcelona and Real Madrid this season

For many, La Liga is a two-horse race, with Barcelona and Real Madrid, two of the biggest clubs in world football, fighting it out for the title. However in the past few years, we have seen Atletico Madrid emerge as genuine contenders for the title, and this season could be theirs.

Atletico last won La Liga in the 2013/14, their tenth title in all, and first since 1995/96. Since then, the league has been dominated by Barcelona and Real Madrid. In the last three years, it has been these three who have competed for the league, and it looks likely to be very similar this season.

All three teams have made big changes in the lead up to the new season. Zinedine Zidane resigned as manager of Real just days after the Champions League final, and he was later replaced by Julen Lopetegui. Real have also sold Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the best player in the world, to Italian giants Juventus.

Barcelona have roped in a number of players, including Arturo Vidal and Malcolm. Atletico have also been busy in the transfer market, with Thomas Lemar being the marquee signing at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Five seasons since their last title-winning campaign, there is a real chance that this is Atletico’s year. Here are five reasons that they could finish above Barcelona and Real Madrid in the race for the title this season.

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#1 Diego Costa is fit and firing

Costa scored twice against Real on Wednesday night

Last season, Costa returned to Atletico after three years away at Chelsea, however, he was unavailable until January because of Atletico’s transfer embargo.

This was a big loss for them because they were lacking a top class goalscorer, and it showed in their results in the opening months of the season. By Christmas, they were well off the pace at the top of the table and had been dumped out of the Champions League at the group stage.

This season though, with Costa at the helm, they have got a striker who is more than capable of getting 20 goals in the league. Obviously, there will always be doubts regarding Costa’s temperament; he’s a man who can start an argument with his own shadow.

He is though a man you always want on your team, as he is always able to pop up with a goal. He is fully fit, and given his performance against Real in the Super Cup, he is certainly in the mood for goals.

#2 Antoine Griezmann is still at the club

Griezmann is still the main man at the Wanda Metropolitano

There have been rumours for the last few years that Antoine Griezmann’s stay at the Wanda Metropolitano may be coming to an end. Barcelona were widely linked with the Frenchman earlier in the summer, but after the release of a slightly controversial documentary, Griezmann chose to stay at Atletico. This is a massive boost for the club, as it would have been a much weaker squad without Griezmann in it.

Griezmann is undoubtedly the most talented player in the Atletico squad, and even though they have brought in Thomas Lemar from Monaco, he will be absolutely crucial to their hopes this year. He struggled in the opening few months last season because of the lack of top striker ahead of him, but with Costa back in the fold, he will be hoping to be at his best when the season gets underway.

#3 They have the best defence in Europe

Godin is one of the world's top defenders

In an era where finding a top class defender seems tough, Atletico seem to have mastered the art. They have an incredible record defensively and have conceded just 67 league goals in the past three seasons. To put that into perspective, Real Betis, who finished sixth in La Liga last season, conceded 61 goals in that campaign alone.

Individually, they have some superb players. Diego Godin is arguably the best defender in the world at the moment, and it was obvious why Manchester United were looking to bring him to Old Trafford this summer.

Stefan Savic and Jose Gimenez are the men most likely to partner him in the centre of defence, and both are superb defenders. And then if the three of them are beaten, it is just the small matter of beating Jan Oblak in goal, who is right up there with the best goalkeepers in the world.

#4 Diego Simeone is a master tactician

Simeone has done an excellent job in charge of Atletico

For some, he is a bit like marmite, you either love him, or you hate him. Whatever your thoughts, there is no denying that he is one of the top managers in the world at this time. Following Wednesday’s victory over Real Madrid in the Super Cup in Estonia, Simeone is now the most successful manager in Atletico’s history, and it looks like things will only be getting better for him in the coming years.

His teams may not play the same sort of expansive football that we expect from Real and Barcelona, but he knows how to win, and win at all costs. He is, in essence, a defensive coach, but he knows when his team can play more openly, and he knows when it is right to sit back and defend. It may not always be thrilling and fast-paced, but there are numerous teams out there who would love to have Simeone as their manager.

#5 Real Madrid and Barcelona aren’t as strong as they once were

Julen Lopetegui still has a lot of work to do

They may have won the Champions League consecutvely in the past three seasons, but Real Madrid look so much weaker coming into the new season. Julen Lopetegui hasn’t managed a team of this stature before, and he must learn to handle all the pressure and criticism that comes with the job. They also enter the season without Cristiano Ronaldo, who almost carried them to the Champions League final last year, and they are still yet to replace him in their squad.

As for Barcelona, the big names are still there, but their powers are dwindling slightly. Lionel Messi isn’t as great as he once was, and Luis Suarez, although scoring 25 league goals last season, isn’t as convincing in front of goal as he was when he first moved to the Nou Camp. They have bought reinforcements, but Barcelona have made some really average signings over the past few years, so we will have to wait to see how this new crop performs.