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

#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.