Real Madrid and Barca reloading has Simeone pouring water on Atletico title defence chances

Painting the unlikelihood of Atletico retaining the La Liga title in stark colours, Diego Simeone says, 'With EU€95 million we have signed nine players, Real Madrid have signed two players for €95m. That is the difference.'

Real Madrid signed Colombia World Cup star James Rodriguez, left, in the summer transfer window, while Barcelona made Luis Suarez, right, their signature addition. Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP and Toni Albir / EPAShow less

Just three months after remarkably breaking Barcelona and Real Madrid’s grip on the La Liga title, Atletico Madrid managaer Diego Simeone has denied any repeat of their miracle championship triumph is possible.

“We have to try to compete with Sevilla, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao for the Champions League places,” he claimed on Monday ahead of his side’s Supercopa de Espana (Spanish Super Cup) first-leg against Real on Tuesday.

“With EU€95 million (Dh465.7m) we have signed nine players, Real Madrid have signed two players for €95m. That is the difference.”

The other major difference is that success has also brought Atletico the struggle of holding onto their best players. Top scorer Diego Costa and Filipe Luis have joined Thibaut Courtois in returning to his parent club Chelsea after a three-year loan spell in the Spanish capital.

That money has been reinvested in a promising attacking trio of Antoine Griezmann, Mario Mandzukic and Raul Jimenez, but the major coup of the close season for Atletico has been holding onto the likes of Koke, Diego Godin and Miranda despite interest from Barca and Bayern Munich.

By contrast, Real have splashed over €100m on the squad that won both the Champions League and Copa del Rey last season without having to sanction any significant sales, although Angel di Maria could exit before the end of the transfer window.

An already oversubscribed midfield has been bolstered by World Cup winner Toni Kroos and the competition’s top goalscorer James Rodriguez, whilst Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas will rival Iker Casillas to be No 1.

“I think we have a better team than last season because we have signed three players that add quality to the team,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday.

Of the three title contenders, though, it is Barcelona who have undergone the most significant change as they look to bounce back from a first trophyless season in six years.

The first change at the Camp Nou over the summer was the coach as they turned to former captain Luis Enrique to replace Gerardo Martino in the hope he can have the same impact as his former teammate Pep Guardiola did in charge.

With a two transfer window ban only temporarily suspended, Barca have also been very active in the market with the capture of controversial Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez leading their €150m outlay.

Suarez won’t even be able to play until late October after his appeal against a four-month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last week.

However, he could return for a mouth-watering first El Clasico clash between Real and Barca at the Santiago Bernabeu should the game be scheduled for Sunday, October 26.

Enrique’s main task will be finding a blend for all of Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar to function together as all three look to shake off a disappointing end to their respective World Cups.

For all their attacking talent, questions also remain over Barca’s defence despite the expensive recruitment of Jeremy Mathieu from Valencia and Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen. Goalkeepers Claudio Bravo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen will also battle to succeed the departed Victor Valdes as No 1 after being signed for €12m apiece.

Outside of the big three, Europa League winners Sevilla have made the most significant moves in a bid to get back into the Champions League as they have brought in Barca loanee Gerard Deulofeu, Argentine international Ever Banega and Liverpool reject Iago Aspas.

Valencia should also be back in contention for the top four after Singaporean businessman Peter Lim finally completed his takeover of the club with Spanish Under-21 international striker Rodrigo their big name signing of the summer.

Meanwhile, Basque duo Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad retain ambitions of Champions League football despite losing Ander Herrera and Griezmann to Manchester United and Atletico respectively.

Six La Liga signings that will make a difference

Despite Spain’s failure to shine at the World Cup in Brazil, La Liga has again lured a host of world stars to Spanish shores in recent months with Real Madrid and Barcelona predictably leading the way.

With the new La Liga season due to get underway on Saturday, AFP sports looks at six of the best signings of the close season:

Luis Suarez (Liverpool to Barcelona)

Suarez’s latest indiscretion at the World Cup earned him a four-month playing ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini, but that didn’t dissuade Barca from spending a reported €95m on the Premier League Player of the Year last season.

The Uruguayan won’t be able to make his competitive debut until October, but could prove a decisive figure in the title race alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar in a sensational looking front three.

James Rodriguez (AS Monaco to Real Madrid)

If Barca opted for the World Cup’s bad boy, Real splashed out on the golden boy from Brazil by sealing the signature of the tournament’s top scorer in Colombian James Rodriguez.

Given Real’s abundance of creative talent, Rodriguez may struggle to hold down a place in the playmaking role where he excelled in Brazil. However, coach Carlo Ancelotti has already hailed his willingness to adapt to a role on the left side of midfield to help feed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich to Real Madrid)

Another star from the World Cup, Kroos patrolled the midfield as Germany were crowned world champions for a fourth time.

Supreme in possession, Kroos also offers a goal threat as he showed in scoring twice in the 7-1 World Cup semi-final thrashing of Brazil and is seen as the long-term successor to Xabi Alonso in the Real midfield.

Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad to Atletico Madrid)

Despite breaking the Barca and Real hegemony to win La Liga for the first time in 18 years last season, keeping up with the Jameses is a bit tricky for Atletico given the financial gulf between them and Spain’s traditional top two.

Indeed they have lost many of their title-winning side to Chelsea as Thibaut Courtois, Filipe Luis and Diego Costa moved to London. However, they will be hopeful that Frenchman Griezmann can better the 16 La Liga goals he struck for Real Sociedad last season after sealing a €30m move to the Spanish capital.

Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla to Barcelona)

Rakitic was arguably the outstanding midfielder in La Liga last season and Barcelona beat off reported interest from Real and Atletico to seal his signature as a replacement for Cesc Fabregas.

The demands on the Croatian will be high as he is expected to oust Barca’s most decorated player of all time in Xavi Hernandez for a place in Luis Enrique’s starting line-up and he should add some athleticism to a midfield that has been worn down by their success over the past six seasons.

Rodrigo (Benfica to Valencia)

The pick of the business done by those outside the top three has been Valencia’s signing of prolific Spanish Under-21 striker Rodrigo on loan from Benfica.

‘Los Che’ have endured a couple of years in the doldrums due to financial troubles, but backed by new owner Peter Lim could be back in the race for Champions League football come the end of the season.

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