I couldn't stop laughing at Cristiano Ronaldo's comments about how Perez's acquisitions now made La Liga the best league in the world! I also am astounded at how many people are expecting this new batch of Galacticos to destroy all before them next season and replace Barcelona as Kings of Spain and Europe.

It truly is amazing how quickly people have forgotten the beautiful style in which Barca romped to the Spanish title and how they passed Man Utd off the pitch in Rome. Guardiola, in the space of one season, has built marvellously on the success of Rijkaard, and built one of the great sides of modern football. Barca are a team- that is the key. They work tirelessly off the ball and play with incredible tactical discipline. In Iniesta and Xaxi they have the best midfield pairing Europe has seen in the lest decade and in Eto'o they have a good a finisher as any in the world. Add to that the speed, creativity, flair and skill Messi and Henry bring to the game and it becomes rather spectacular! Their defence is often criticised for its lack of strength and concentration but as they showed against both Chelsea and United in the UCL last season, they can bring the tough game when it matters.

Comparatively, Real Madrid can match and possibly beat Barca for star quality and skilful players but it is Barcas tactical brilliance and team ethos that will keep them above Real all of this season. No doubt Real will be great to watch going forward but it remains to be seen if the purchase of Albiol will do anything to improve a farcical backline. Pellegrini has shown at Villarreal that he can get team to play together but one must wonder if he has the man management skills to control the BIG egos in the locker room, and if he can handle the pressure that comes with being at the helm of a massive club, with massive expectation. Something he did not face at the Yellow Submarine.

The fact that Real have spent bigger than ever before this summer only increases that pressure.

If the likes of Gago, L Diarra and Guti build a good platform for the stars ahead of them Real will be a decent side again. Whether Ronaldo, Kaka, Robben and Benzema can forge a good attacking unit is a doubt considering Robben’s selfishness and Ronaldo clearly making his main focus individual glory and fame. Real will depend heavily on Kaka this term, more so than many seem to think and if he does not perform at his maximum level consistently, they will really struggle.

All in all, Barca are still the better team despite Perez's efforts and unless some major catastrophe hits the Nou Camp, Barca will once again reign supreme!