Evaluating each club from La Liga at the halfway point

Evaluating each club from La Liga at the halfway point

By Admin

LaLiga Santander has reached the end of its first round and many of its clubs have performed above and below expectations.

That in mind, we have looked at each of the 20 teams' performances.

• FC BARCELONA*
  The leaders, the winter champions and the most reliable team in LaLiga Santander. Without being brilliant, the Catalans are top with 40 points with 13 wins, four draws and two defeats.
• ATLÉTICO*
  Under Diego Simeone, little changes at the Wanda Metropolitano and his Atleti side are their usual selves this season, showing defensive solidity week after week. With just one defeat to their name and another season of them conceding the fewest goals, they will still believe that they can be crowned champions come May.
• SEVILLA*
  Having started the season under construction, Pablo Machin's side will be delighted to sit third at the midway point. They have played arguably the best football in Spain and keep getting results despite some injury problems.
• REAL MADRID*
  It's no exaggeration to describe 2018/19 as the most complicated season in Madrid's recent history, going a record stretch of time without scoring, dismissing Julen Lopetegui, enduring the Isco case and being thrashed at the Sanchez Pizjuan, the Camp Nou and Ipurua.
• ALAVÉS*
  There is no doubt that Alaves are the campaign's surprise package, already accumulating 32 points to mark their best ever first round in LaLiga Santander, surpassing the 30 points reached in 2001/02.
• GETAFE*
  Ending the first half of the season in the European places and nine points above the relegation zone, Getafe can't be anything other than delighted with how the term is going.
• BETIS*
  It has been a season of ups and downs for Quique Setien's side, who celebrated an incredible win at the Camp Nou but fell to defeats at home against Levante and Valladolid, though they have become more reliable in the second half of the opening round.
• REAL SOCIEDAD*
  Asier Garitano paid the price as those in San Sebastian were not happy with La Real's season but there have been improvements since Imanol Alguacil's return and European football is a possibility for next season.
• GIRONA*
  With five wins, five losses and ten draws Girona have shown themselves to be a reliable team and most of their points can be put down to Cristhian Stuani's impressive form, challenging for the Pichichi with his 12 goals.
• ESPANYOL*
  Things are getting worse at Espanyol, who started the season incredibly but, in Round 19, have already shown signs of fatigue which will give their fans cause for concern.
• VALENCIA*
  An astonishing 11 draws show that all is not well at Mestalla and Marcelino faces uncertainty about his future. More was expected of Los Che.
• LEVANTE*
  The club are remaining faithful to Paco Lopez and why shouldn't they? He has them competing with the best and leaving a positive impression on viewers most weeks.
• EIBAR*
  Despite suffering the worst first half of a season of their five campaigns in LaLiga Santander, Eibar remain well away from the relegation zone and they have continued to do much with very little.
• LEGANÉS*
  A coaching change meant that this season would always be difficult but, as things stand, they are in line to achieve their goals and sit outside of the drop zone.
• VALLADOLID*
  It has been a roller coaster season for Valladolid so far but they end the opening round in 15th place and three points above the bottom three.
• CELTA*
  Over-reliant on Iago Aspas' goals, Celta haven't improved despite making a change of coach and they are not enjoying themselves this year.
• ATHLETIC*
  A surprise win against Sevilla last time out was much-needed but the season has been disastrous for the Bilbao side.
• RAYO*
  Their recent string of victories has helped inject life into the team and has reversed what was looking like an increasingly complicated situation at Vallecas but they end the round two points from safety.
• VILLARREAL*
  Probably the biggest shock in LaLiga Santander this season is the Yellow Submarine who, for the first time in their history, end the first round in the relegation places.
• HUESCA*
  The top tier is challenging for the minnows, which was to be expected, and they have often deserved more than they have got from their matches.