The Spanish Primera Division, or La Liga for short, is one of the most popular soccer leagues in the world. It consists of 20 teams, each of which plays 38 rounds of matches in a season. These matches are played in a double round-robin system of home and away matches, which means that each team plays the other 19 teams once on their home field and once on the other team’s home field. Winning or losing each match directly affects the standings: a win earns 3 points, a draw earns 1 point, and a loss earns no points.
Ranking rules: How is it decided who is the champion?
If two or more teams have the same number of points at the end of the season, the ranking is determined by a series of rules. Firstly, the results of the matches in which these teams played directly against each other are compared, in particular the goal difference (number of goals scored minus number of goals conceded). If they are still indistinguishable, the total goal difference throughout the season is looked at. If it is still the same, the teams are sorted according to the total number of goals scored. If it involves multiple teams with the same number of points, the points, goal difference, total goal difference and total goals scored in direct matches are also considered in order.
Player registration and transfer market
In terms of players, La Liga has no restrictions on players from EU countries (e.g. Austria, Belgium, etc.), who are free to register and play. However, for players from non-EU countries, each team can only have a maximum of 3 non-EU players registered at the same time. However, for historical reasons, Argentine players usually hold EU passports, so they do not take up the quota of non-EU players.
The transfer market is divided into two phases: the summer transfer window and the winter transfer window. The summer transfer window begins on July 1 and ends on August 31, which is the main time period for big name transfers. The winter transfer window, on the other hand, lasts from January 1 to January 31 and, although smaller in scale, provides teams with the opportunity to tweak their lineups.
Yellow Card and Suspension Rules
Players receiving a yellow card in a match can also affect their eligibility to play. If a player accumulates five yellow cards, he will be suspended for one match. It is important to note that not only do yellow cards from La Liga count, but also yellow cards from the Copa del Rey (an important domestic cup competition in Spain). Therefore, players need to be especially careful to avoid missing key matches due to suspension.
Promotion and Relegation System
At the end of each season, the last three teams in the table will be relegated to the second division, while the top three teams in the second division will be promoted to La Liga. This promotion and relegation mechanism ensures that the league is competitive and fresh, and gives smaller teams a chance to work their way into the top flight.
Qualification for European competitions
The top four teams in La Liga will directly qualify for the Champions League (UEFA Champions League) the following season. The fifth and sixth place finishers will then qualify for the Europa League (UEFA Cup). In addition, the winner of the Copa del Rey also gets a place in Europe. If a team qualifies for the UEFA Champions League and wins the Copa del Rey at the same time, then this extra European place is extended to the other team at the top of the league.
Legendary teams in history
In the history of La Liga, there are three teams that have never been relegated – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao. These three teams are not only the evergreens of the league, but also the clubs that have won the title the most times. Among them, Real Madrid is a distant second with 32 league titles, making it the most successful team in La Liga history.
Record-breaking performances
La Liga has also produced many amazing records. For example, in the 2011-2012 season, Real Madrid set records for the most points (100) and goals (121) in a single season. In terms of scores, the most lopsided match took place in 1931, when Athletic Bilbao beat Barcelona 12:1.
As for the winning streak, Barcelona had won 16 matches in a row, showing their dominance. The longest losing streak, on the other hand, is held by Las Palmas, who suffered 19 consecutive losses at some point. On the other hand, Real Sociedad holds a record of 38 consecutive unbeaten matches, an achievement that is still unmatched.
Summarizing
La Liga is not only a league full of passion and competition, but also an arena rich in history and culture. Whether it’s the brilliant records of the big teams or the tenacity of the small teams, all of them make this league full of charms. For fans, understanding the rules, history and anecdotes of La Liga will not only enable them to better enjoy the games, but also to feel the unique charm of this sport.
