Quote from: skarais on October 17, 2023, 07:41:46 PM

Quote from: shogun47 on October 17, 2023, 07:30:54 PM

Quote from: skarais on October 17, 2023, 07:10:48 PM

~~~

This is quite an early call you are making here

Real Madrid has lots of potential and I wouldn't get too distracted by some weaker performances. They have everything it needs to raise their performance level. Because simultaneously Manchester City isn't doing that great either. If we consider both Real Madrid and Manchester City, I don't think one team can be considered much better than the other. Maybe Arsenal will be among the biggest favorites and maybe Barcelona can as well increase their game quality over the coming months. Last season I was quite sure that Manchester City would win it as they have been so dominant most of the time, but it's different this season. It is much harder to give it a guess, but saying that Real Madrid is probably not one of the favorites doesn't quite right to me.

I guess doubting Real Madrid's chances of winning the title this season isn't an insult to them. I have watched almost every match in all competitions, maybe even more than the fans themselves, so I know where this team's weaknesses are so I doubt it.

Real Madrid's strength this season comes from Bellingham's good performance. I can imagine that if a team was able to stop Bellingham and Vinicius' movements, then Real Madrid would really have a hard time winning the match. Their midfielders could help find goals, but Ancelotti's strategic approach this season has tended to be easier for his opponents to know. If you doubt what I said, please review the derby match between Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid and find out where Bellingham is.

But I was rather trying to say that the other teams are also not as convincing as they have been before. I am not saying you are wrong about Real Madrid not being as strong as they have been in some of the last few seasons. But who is stronger than Real Madrid at the moment? Last season I would have instantly responded myself with Manchester City, but they are trying to find their best form as well. It maybe an entirely different team like Arsenal that may turn into the major favorites for the title. I don't see Barcelona as the strongest team and Manchdster City has had some changes in their team, some for better and some for worse. I don't see this one team yet that sticks out from all others.