Former England star Steve McManaman feels that big clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, which feature top players and have big squads, will do better than others when the La Liga restarts next week behind closed doors amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lionel Messi’s Barcelona and Real Madrid are at first and second position respectively in the 20-team standings after 27 matches each with two points separating them.
“The schedule is tight with just 5-6 weeks and so the teams with quality players and big squads, which have better player back-ups, will do better. Barcelona and Real Madrid have these and it is a very close race between the two at the top,” McManaman said during virtual press conference.
McManaman also said that the three months break due to the Covid-19 pandemic has also given time to some top players in Barcelona and Real Madrid to recover from their injuries.
“Those injured (in Barcelona and Real Madrid) are back. Everybody seemed to be fit and so they will benefit from the three months of break. I hope Real Madrid win the La Liga,” said the former England midfielder, who won 37 international caps between 1994 and 2001.
While former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Luis Garcia, said the players should avoid getting injured in the initial matches.
“The players had three months without playing and so they should not get injured in the first couple of matches. But the most important thing is their safety,” he said.