Can Atletico Madrid repeat the triumph of last season?

Atletico have lost the services of Courtois this season

Atletico Madrid had a magical season last time around but the chances of them repeating seem long, Alex Johnson investigates.

To answer the title of the article, probably not. The others (Barcelona and Real Madrid) have strengthened immensely during the summer, buying the World Cup's stars and villains, whilst Atletico to a certain extent have lost theirs.

Real have bought well in James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos, while Barcelona have decided to dance with the devil and sign Luis Suarez, knowing full well that they won't see him until the end of October. But to also purchase Ivan Rakitic, Jeremy Mathieu, Thomas Vermaelen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo, is just downright rude.

It's very hard to sustain back-to-back title wins. Should Atletico defy the odds and win the title again in 2015, then they will become the first club in 31 years other than Barca or Real to record successive title victories. The last club being Athletic Bilbao in 1984.

Atletico will be hoping that their famous team spirit from last season has not flown away as they prepare for life without some of their stars of last season. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, defender Felipe Luis and striker Diego Costa are all Premier League players next season, and all will be turning out for Chelsea. Courtois, of course was already a Chelsea player, and returns having spent the last three seasons on loan at the Vicente Calderon, winning the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, La Liga and the Copa del Ray, as well as picking up a runners-up medal in the Champions League. Adrian Lopez moving to Porto is also a big loss to the club.

Atletico coach, Diego Simeone, won many plaudits for his side's dogged determination and will to win. Whilst losing quality players as they have, Simeone has been quite cute in signing players that can fit into his team structure.

Frenchman Antoine Griezmann was so often last season tipped with a move back to France and Paris Saint-Germain in particular that it is surprising he lasted until the summer before his move from Real Sociedad. Mario Mandzukic has been signed from Bayern Munich to replace Diego Costa, not only did they lose the Brazilian striker, but David Villa announced that he is off to the MLS and New York City. Mandzukic will probably play the lone striker role, it's been rumoured that Simeone will do away with the 4-4-2 that has brought his side success over the past three seasons, and play the vogue formation of 4-2-3-1.

Real last season, won the Champions League and the Copa del Rey and their pursuit of 'La Decima' in particular took its toll on their league title ambitions. Whilst there was the odd chance for Real to storm away with the title, there seemed to be a belief amongst pundits that the squad didn't have that inner-strength to win the league. They went top on several occasions and then seemed to freeze, maybe a sign of over confidence.

Real have invested in Galactico players, as they usually do. Rodriguez was one of the stars of the World Cup, his Colombian side reached the quarter-finals and he won the top goalscorer prize. Kroos was a World Cup winner and made the Team of the Tournament, he made his move from Bayern Munich days following the conclusion of the final. Kroos is likely to slot alongside Luka Modric in a deeper role, with a frightening attacking three of Ronaldo and Bale either side of Rodriguez.

This change in system from Real coach, Carlo Ancelotti, probably means that players such as Angel di Maria and Sami Khedira will be surplus to requirements, and where does Isco fit into the new side with the latest additions?

Barcelona were another side that didn't quite click last season under new manager Gerardo Martino. He struggled to implement new strategies into a side that was still ingrained in the ideology of Pep Guardiola. Martino moved away from their tika taka football slowly, but still had the personnel to adapt it, the confusion was plain to see. Despite many attempts to push themselves out of the league title race, they still went into the final game of the season knowing a win would give them another championship, but they fluffed their lines at the most crucial time.

New coach Luis Enrique, a legend at the Camp Nou, had good grounding in the three years whilst coach at Barcelona B, when Guardiola was manager of the full team. Enrique knows the drill at the Camp Nou, he had coaching experience in La Liga with Celta de Vigo last season, and a disappointing spell at Roma the previous season.

The theory is that Enrique will play the Barcelona way of 4-3-3 and with new players it may take a little while to adapt, but does Enrique have time? With the outlay of cash to sign players, the directors may want instant results, the fans certainly, they can't or don't want another season like last year. Martino won the Spanish Super Cup, but that's not enough for a trophy thirsty support-base.

These are the difficulties facing Atletico this season, the big two did not like a third club coming to join the party, Valencia tried that in 2004, and they haven't followed it up with another title.

Valencia are tipped to make the top four however at the expense of Athletic Bilbao, although I can't think why. The Mestalla club have a new investor in Peter Lim which has made them solvent again, but movement in the transfer market has seen more out than in. New coach Nuno has seen the departures of Juan Bernat, Jeremy Mathieu and Seydou Keita to restrict the squad and no serious investment has been made in the playing staff yet, other than the Benfica duo of Andre Gomes and Rodrigo. It remains to be seen if they can grab onto that fourth spot.

Athletic Bilbao, under Ernesto Valverde again, relied on their home form at the San Mames to work in their favour. The loss of Ander Herrera to Manchester United will have hit them hard, chiefly as they are back in Champions League, but they have a team unity and a very important fan base, especially at home where their ground acts as an extra player.

Atletico will have a job on their hands to secure glory this season in the way of the title. Simeone will be hoping that his new side can come to terms with his methods quicker than Real and Barcelona, and that will be key. His side flew out of the blocks last season and gave themselves momentum and they only lost that when injuries and suspensions started to strike the small squad.

Atletico galvanised themselves enough to clinch La Liga on the final day, but by that time they struggled when they faced their city rivals in the Champions League final. Real had the fitness edge that night as they had the opportunity to rest players prior to the event.

The pundits predict a straight forward battle between Barca and Real, here's hoping that Diego Simeone can spring a surprise on them both again - it's going to be an interesting battle.