With Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund on the cusp of an all-German
Champions League final, can we conclude that the Bundesliga is best?
Nobody in Spain doubts the gravity of their two leading teams' heavy
defeats in the first legs. 'Bundes 8 Liga 1', read one headline in the
Madrid-based sports daily Marca.
But let's not get too carried away just yet in talking about a 'changing of the guard' in European football.
For a start, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have
hardly come from nowhere. Neither can we take two poor performances by
Real Madrid and Barcelona as proof of their demise.
Barca's humbling by Bayern has prompted some
soul-searching that was probably overdue. More than one commentator has
pointed out the expensive transfer mistakes that the leaders of La Liga
have made in recent years - particularly in contrast to Bayern's own
costly, but effective, recruitment.
There is also likely to be profound change afoot at the
Bernabeu this summer. Jose Mourinho looks likely to move on, and
president Florentino Perez will be keen on a more expansive approach.
Any new team is highly likely to be built around
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is expected to sign a new contract regardless of
whether his fellow Portuguese Mourinho remains.
What is clear is that the big two remain probably the
biggest brands in world club football - and that is unlikely to change
soon. "A strong Real Madrid and Barcelona is something that benefits all
of Spanish football," said new Liga de Futbol Profesional (LFP)
president Javier Tebas last week.
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