by The Schmooze

Created on: September 18, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

For an ardent Real Madrid fan, I must admit I didn't think Real stood any chance of winning the league this season (since Barcelona had strengthened their already formidable squad with the likes of Thierry Henry.) But three games into the new season I have enough reason to believe that a 31st Liga title is there for Real's taking.

Their performances so far have been top drawer. A 2-1 win over city rivals Atletico, a 5-0 away win over Villareal & 3-1 win over Almeria have seen Real take pole position in the league. Bernd Schuster, who replaced title winning coach Fabio Capello, has his side playing an attractive brand of football that is quite enjoyable to watch. Gone are the days of a counter-attacking Real.

In Wesley Sneijder, Real have found the playmaker that they've so desperately sought since the departure of the great French wizard, Zinedine Zidane. Sneijder's performances so far have been brilliant. His accurate passing, his vision, positioning & long range shooting have already won over the fans at the Bernabeu.

Arjen Robben is another of Schuster's smart buys. The pacy Dutch winger will give Los Merengues' the depth that they lacked down the left flank for so long. His mazy runs & pin-point crosses will provide the attackers with all the ammunition the need to bag some goals.

Another plus for Real is the fact that their strikers are scoring freely. Finding the net, particularly away from home, has been a problem in the past for Real, but on the evidence of their early season showing, that's a thing of the past. Raul has impressed me this season. He has rediscovered his goal scoring touch & looks to be getting back to something like his best.

Real's achilles heel for many a season, their defense, looks solid enough. Under the leadership of Cannavaro, the FIFA Player of the Year, the defence has been quite composed and surefooted.

Things are certainly looking ominous for Real's title challengers (Barca, Sevilla & maybe Valencia.) I predict a fight to the death (but I'd prefer it not to be as close as last season,) with Real coming out tops. Liga number 31, here we come. Anyone dare stop us? I think not.

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