MADRID, Jan 8, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Real Madrid have hit their stride and
Barcelona are gaining momentum but Atletico Madrid have stayed strong at the
top of La Liga, ahead of what could prove a crucial month in the title race.
A surprise loss to third division side Cornella in the Copa del Rey on
Wednesday came in stark contrast to Atletico’s form in the league, where only
defeat to their capital city rivals last month blots an otherwise perfect run
of results that stretches back to mid-October.
Two narrow victories over Getafe and Alaves last week made it four league
victories on the bounce since Atletico’s setback at the Alfredo di Stefano
stadium, where a hesitant, passive performance offered Madrid reassurance.
Atletico had caved when it mattered most and many thought that spelled
danger for their prospects longer-term.
But while Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid have used the derby victory to string
together an unbeaten run of eight games, seven of them wins and five with
clean sheets, Atletico have also responded.
Luis Suarez scored consecutive winners against Getafe and Alaves, his tap-
in at Mendizorroza on Sunday prompting the kind of celebrations to suggest
his team genuinely believes they can go the distance.
“We have to keep going down this path,” said coach Diego Simeone. “The
league is complex, there are lots of traps and you have to be constantly
prepared, you can’t let yourselves relax.”
When Madrid last put together a run like this, it was to secure last
season’s title, as Barcelona wilted with the trophy in sight.
Yet Atletico have marched on, even if the last-gasp nature of their win
against Alaves, coupled with Wednesday’s defeat by Cornella, means there can
be no room for complacency this weekend.
“Everyone wants to win and in the second half of the season there is no
longer the same calmness,” Simeone said. “It will be tougher, with teams
fighting to save themselves, to qualify for Europe. You have to stay alert.”
– ‘Always a chance’ –
Atletico face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday and then Sevilla on Tuesday, two
tough games that will again test their mettle, especially as Bilbao will be
eager to secure a first win under new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral.
Madrid, in contrast, have what appears to be a kind period in front of
them. Their next six matches are all against teams currently in the bottom
seven of the table, starting at Osasuna on Saturday.
When they lost away at Shakhtar Donestsk at the start of December, Zidane
was back in the firing line but the Frenchman has reverted to his most
trusted players and his side have quickly recovered.
Barcelona look rejuvenated too, their 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao on
Wednesday coming after a scintillating performance from Lionel Messi.
He scored twice and could have had a hat-trick while the likes of Ousmane
Dembele, Pedri, Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong all contributed to a
slick attacking display.
It was also enough to rekindle their hope, even if a seven-point deficit
behind Atletico, who have two games in hand on both the Catalans and Madrid,
still looks a large gap to close.
“There is always a chance,” said Koeman. “The season is very long. You can
have ups and downs in a season and it may be that a team that is doing very
well will suddenly find it difficult.”
If Barca can win away at Granada on Saturday, belief will grow. Madrid
travel to Osasuna later on Saturday night. Earlier in the day, Sevilla, in
sixth, face Real Sociedad in fourth.
Fixtures (times GMT)
Friday
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (2000)
Saturday
Sevilla v Real Sociedad (1300), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (1515),
Granada v Barcelona (1730), Osasuna v Real Madrid (2000)
Sunday
Levante v Eibar (1300), Cadiz v Alaves (1515), Elche v Getafe (1730), Real
Valladolid v Valencia (2000)
Monday
Huesca v Real Betis (2000)