When the final whistle went at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Wednesday night it marked the end of an era. Not only is the future of new Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso, in doubt, it also underlined the supremacy of the English Premier League.
Yet again an English team had won at the “Cathedral” of Spanish football. Arsenal’s home and away victories against Real Madrid last season were not a flash in the pan, Manchester City also won away in Madrid. Two week ago, Chelsea, destroyed Barcelona. No longer are English teams underdogs when they face Spanish opposition.
Now, Real Madrid are the comeback kids and could still go on and win the Champions League but their home invincibility appears to be in doubt. “Fortress Bernabeu” has been conquered. For Real Madrid fans it was a terrible night; not only were they defeated, it was their old enemy, Pep Guardiola, who led the charge.
Big cash injections from TV rights have made the Premier League the undisputed leader in world football. English clubs are now the teams to watch. What has happened to the Spanish league is sad. A lack of investment has pushed La Liga into a distant second place. End of an era?