Charles Darwin described the concept of "survival of the fittest" best in regards to the term natural selection. Many pundits and critics in the past time and time again have argued the ineptitude of La Liga courtesy of the usual two horse race between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Recent results although point to a completely different story and status for La Liga. After the recent results of week 15, which left Barcelona still, reveling in first place in front of Atletico Madrid only on goal differential, a goal differential of just two. The re-emergence of Atletico Madrid to a title contending side under the auspices of Diego Simeone has thrown a monkey wrench into the mix of competition in Spain today.

The resurgence of the red and white side of Madrid has been more than just a godsend to the competitive state of Spain. Diego Simeone who was appointed manager of Los Colchoneros in December of 2011 saw immediate success in a little less than two years. Simeone won the Europa League for a second time in a row for Atletico Madrid. Beating Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in Bucharest proved to be the stepping block Diego Simeone needed to propel the red and whites back to their former glory. The next match up saw the winner of the Champions League face the winner of the Europa League, Chelsea FC squared off against Los Colchoneros in Monaco for the European Super Cup. Atletico Madrid again enjoyed a thrilling win against the European winners, 4-1. Radamel Falcao was easily noticed as being the Prolithic forward he is netted, a hat trick by the end of the first half. At the start of last years campaign many saw Atleti, as a possible team to push for a third place or fourth place spot in La Liga for a European birth.

The start of the 2012-2013 season was test for Simeone and his squad of how far they would go in the La Liga table. As a handful of critics predicted Atletico did achieve that third spot in Spain. The Rojiblancos still lost to Real Madrid in the league match-ups, but Simeone had one real test in front of him and one trick up his sleeve. The Copa del Rey final, the red and whites faced their rival Real Madrid and it was played at the Santiago Bernabeau. Diego 'Cholo' Simeone was a very well renowned player for Atleti having won the domestic double with Atletico Madrid in 1996 under the auspices of Randomir Antic. Anyone can get Atleti to face his or her fears with Real Madrid it would be Diego Simeone. After what was a thrilling game at the Bernabeau Los Colchoneros emerged victorious after a very tense final 2-1 aet. Winning a piece of silverware for Atletico Madrid was a delight, but the means of how they emerged victorious against Real Madrid in their home stadium made the moment even more memorable.

The tides have changed in La Liga; there no longer is a two-team battle between Real Madrid and Barcelona. A new threat has risen from the shadows of Spanish Capital and the threat shines in brilliant red and white colors. The concept of Darwinism has finally come to fruition in the league in Spain with the emergence of Atletico Madrid. The so-called ineptitude of La Liga should be brushed aside now, as it has now become slowly more competitive. There is nothing to be ashamed of when jumping on the Atleti bandwagon; at times Atleti supporters show a beautiful form of fatalism from a harsh decade in the past.