Real Sociedad star backs Barcelona over Real Madrid in La Liga title race: ‘They are stronger’

Barcelona under Hansi Flick have gone back-to-back in La Liga and are looking to three-peat in the domestic competition this season.

The German manager has reinforced the squad adequately to set it up for success yet again, and lifting La Liga again remains the bare minimum expectation from Barça.

However, Barça’s two league titles have come at the expense of Real Madrid, who have gone trophyless since Hansi Flick’s arrival.

This has prompted Florentino Perez to bring back Jose Mourinho, pump in the cash to reinforce the squad and try to break Barça’s dominance.

Now, in an interview with AS, the Catalans have received an interesting vote of confidence from Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea.

The 24-year-old discussed the battle between Barcelona and Real Madrid and gave the edge to the former, at least in principle.

“I see Barcelona as stronger, but now Madrid with Mourinho can change everything, so I don’t know, but in principle, Barcelona,” he said.

Ander Barrenetxea feels Barcelona are better than Real Madrid. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

It is an interesting assessment coming from a player preparing to face Madrid and who will get an immediate opportunity to judge Mourinho’s new-look team at close quarters.

Barrenetxea was complimentary about both Spanish giants and welcomed the fact that elite players are once again arriving in La Liga.

However, Barcelona clearly made an impression on him, with the winger describing Flick’s squad as a “great team” and highlighting Rodri’s arrival as particularly significant.

There is a quote in English that reads: “The known devil is always better than the unknown angel.”

For Spanish football, Flick’s Barça are the known devil. They know exactly what the project is, how the team play and the fact that they are favourites to lift La Liga yet again.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, are an unknown commodity who have gone through significant squad changes.

Ander Barrenetxea is excited about Rodri’s arrival in La Liga. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho is still trying to implement a tactical system and identify his best combination, whereas Barça are in the third year of their project.

Rodri’s arrival should only raise that ceiling further. Adding a midfielder of his control and experience to an already powerful squad gives Flick another major weapon.

Speaking of Rodri, the Real Sociedad star picked him as the most exciting arrival in La Liga this summer.

“I’d say Rodri. I also played with him on the national team. Barcelona has a fantastic team.”

Barrenetxea is therefore right to include the Mourinho caveat. Madrid may develop considerably as the season progresses, but it is Barça who have set the standard.

Everything suggests that Flick’s team are primed to challenge for La Liga yet again this season, and it remains to be seen how things play out on the pitch.