Barcelona host an Atletico Madrid aspect in scorching type on Saturday, with high spot in LaLiga up for grabs in a conflict between two groups which have loved contrasting fortunes currently.
Diego Simeone’s red-hot Atleti are one of the vital in-form groups in Europe, having fun with an 11-game successful streak throughout all competitions with the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo De Paul firing on all cylinders.
Atleti at the moment are simply two victories away from equalling their all-time longest successful run, achieved below their Argentine coach between August and October 2012 (13 video games).
Their present run – which incorporates six league wins on the spin – has seen Los Colchoneros pull degree with Barca on the high of the desk, with each groups amassing 38 factors however Simeone’s males possessing a sport in hand.
2 days. pic.twitter.com/XBslhe2kfq
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) December 19, 2024
Whereas Atletico have gained all their video games since late October, Barca have stumbled in the previous few weeks, seeing what was a nine-point lead utterly eroded by Saturday’s guests.
They suffered a 1-0 defeat by lowly Leganes final week, their third loss of their final six league video games (one win, two attracts), as many as they suffered of their earlier 29 (24 wins, two attracts).
They might argue they’ve been unlucky at occasions, having hit the woodwork 18 occasions this season in all competitions – the joint-most amongst all groups from Europe’s high 5 leagues alongside Manchester Metropolis. In Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, they’re the one such workforce to have a number of gamers strike the body of the purpose 5 occasions already this marketing campaign.
Nevertheless, the onerous luck tales should finish for Hansi Flick’s aspect of their last sport earlier than the mid-season break, as a defeat may see them slip all the way in which to 3rd within the desk by the top of the matchday.
They must discover a well beyond Atleti with out talisman Lamine Yamal, who will probably be out for a minimum of three extra weeks with the ankle harm he sustained towards Leganes.
Barcelona have struggled with out their teenage winger, solely successful certainly one of three video games he missed with a separate harm final month. Atleti would possibly really feel his absence offers them a golden alternative.
Blancos’ watching temporary
Actual Madrid will probably be carefully watching Saturday’s assembly between their two largest rivals, figuring out a draw would open the door for them to go high of the tree for Christmas.
Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect – who beat Pachuca 3-0 to elevate the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in midweek – host Sevilla on Sunday. Ancelotti has solely misplaced certainly one of his 10 video games towards Sevilla in LaLiga (eight wins, one draw), with Los Blancos scoring in every of these video games (25 targets in whole).
Wednesday’s triumph in Qatar made Ancelotti the coach with probably the most titles in Madrid’s historical past with 15 trophies, surpassing the late Miguel Munoz, who he equalled in August by successful the UEFA Tremendous Cup towards Atalanta.
Los Blancos had additional trigger to rejoice on Tuesday, in the meantime, as their Brazilian ahead Vinicius Junior gained FIFA’s Finest Males’s Participant award for 2024, having missed out on the Ballon d’Or in October.
Along with the top-of-the-table intrigue, followers could have an additional purpose to tune in on Sunday as Sevilla full-back Jesus Navas performs his last skilled sport.
The final lively participant from Spain’s golden era that turned world and European champions greater than a decade in the past, the 39-year-old introduced he was retiring this season after serving to his nation win a record-extending fourth Euros earlier this yr.
Sevilla legend Navas loved a 1-0 victory in his last sport on the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan final week, a 1-0 conquer Celta Vigo.
Whereas the Santiago Bernabeu crowd can pay its respects to a Spanish sporting treasure, the house followers will hope he’s denied a successful send-off.
