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Prior to the start of the 2018-19 La Liga season, the limelight was hogged by one man, Cristiano Ronaldo, after his shock transfer to Italian giants, Juventus. Real Madrid - and La Liga - will be worse off without the Portuguese superstar, and fans have been robbed of witnessing Ronaldo vs Messi battles.
Real Madrid had a bad league season, by their lofty standards, as they finished third, behind city rivals, Atletico Madrid. Atletico were 14 points behind eventual winners Barcelona, but showed promising displays in spurts.
Here are 5 reasons why Atletico Madrid could win the 2018-19 La Liga season:
#1 Quality, young additions to the squad
Atletico have made seven signings in the transfer window, which includes exciting, young players who could light up La Liga. Chief among them is French attacker Thomas Lemar, who was signed from AS Monaco.
Lemar is a versatile player who can play in the middle or wide, and brings his exquisite dribbling to the Los Rojiblancos. He adds more quality to a midfield that is brimming with talent which includes the likes of Saul, Koke, Thomas Partey and Angel Correa.
Another exciting addition to the Atletico side is that of 23-year-old Portuguese winger Gelson Martins, who arrived on a free transfer from Sporting CP. The winger scored 13 goals and had 13 assists in last season in the Portuguese league.
Manager Diego Simeone has also added Colombian right-back Santiago Arias to the team, who arrives at the club after five successful seasons at Holland with PSV Eindhoven.
The signings of Croatian forward Nikola Kalinic from AC Milan, and midfielder Rodri from Villarreal, further adds depth to an already strong Atletico side.
#2 Antoine Griezmann's contract renewal and form
French forward Antoine Griezmann put an end to rumours of him leaving Atletico Madrid, during the World Cup, when he announced that he will be staying with the Spanish club till 2023.
This was a huge shot in the arm for Atletico as the Frenchman has been a key player for them since signing prior to the 2014-2015 season. Griezmann has scored 25+ goals in each of the four seasons that he has played for the club, and with the confidence of winning the club, he could propel the Los Rojiblancos to the 11th La Liga title, and his first.
Griezmann scored 4 goals and had 2 assists in France's triumphant World Cup campaign, and won the Bronze Ball - the award for the third best player in the 2018 World Cup.
The French striker is just reaching his prime years, and with the quality players behind him in midfield, he will certainly be in the goals once again.
#3 Diego Costa back to his best
In Atletico Madrid's UEFA Super Cup win against arch-rivals Real Madrid, there was one huge positive for Simeone's men - Diego Costa.
The temperamental forward, who was a bit-part player in Atletico's 2017-18 campaign, played a huge role in Atletico's come-from-behind 4-2 victory against Madrid as he scored two goals and played a huge role in another.
The former Chelsea striker scored a goal under a minute from kick-off, bullying Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, and World Cup-winning defender Raphael Varane, as he showed what he is capable of - a bull-dozing, striking-fear-into-defender(s), goal-scoring forward.
Costa featured in only 13 league games last year for Atletico, after signing from Chelsea, but if he's back to his form from the 2013–14 - the season where Atletico won La Liga, his team will have a strong chance of winning the league.
#4 Diego Godin staying after snubbing Manchester United move
Diego Godin has been the bedrock of every success that Los Rojiblancos have had over the last 8 years.
Atletico Madrid's turn in form coincided with the signing of Godin in 2010, and the Uruguayan defender - and captain of the team - has won numerous trophies in his time at Atletico, including two Europa Cups, one La Liga title as well as being runners-up to Real Madrid in the Champions League on two occasions.
Atletico Madrid fans would have heaved a huge sigh of relief when Godin stayed at the club, after being linked with a move to Manchester United. Godin is one of the best - if not the best - defender in the world and it would have taken Atletico a lot of money to replace a player of his quality.
The Uruguayan defender is a great leader at the back, has a never-say-die attitude and a willingness to win at all costs.
Godin staying at the club further strengthens the Atletico side.
#5 Midfielders can dominate most teams
Diego Simeone sets up his Atletico side to be tough to beat, and the hard-working and compact tactics employed by him have reaped rich dividends over the years.
A key ingredient to make his 4-4-2 formation and his tactics work is the midfield, comprising mostly of Thomas Partey, and two of Atletico Madrid's youth products, Saul and Koke.
Partey is an all-action midfielder, who can move from one box to another in no time and can get stuck in a tackle, while Saul and Koke can pick a pass and play in multiple positions.
The trio can dominate most opposition midfields on their day and if they can stay fit and keep their form, Atletico could have a successful season.
The signings of players like Lemar and Martins means that they will have more options to pass to, while manager Simeone has an embarrassment of riches in midfield, which also includes new Atletico signing, Rodri, who can play in the base of the midfield but also has a keen eye for a pass.
