David Jones from La Liga Online previews the big game coming up this weekend as Atletico Madrid host Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday night. Barcelona seem to be regressing while Atletico Madrid are going from strength to strength. As things stand, Atletico are third in the La Liga table with 17 points from seven matches, while Barcelona have picked up just 11 points from seven games. The Rojiblancos are three points behind leaders Real Sociedad, who have played nine matches. True, Atletico are not having the best of times in the Champions League, but in La Liga, Diego Simeone’s side … [Read more...]
La Liga big guns set for busy September
La Liga fans are in for a treat after the upcoming international break, with all of the top sides involved in some potentially cracking matches during the course of September. The standout game when the teams return to action on September 14 is the clash at the Nou Camp between Barcelona and Valencia. Barca were beaten by Athletic Bilbao on the opening weekend, but bounced back with an emphatic victory over Real Betis. Valencia made an indifferent start to the new campaign, drawing with Real Sociedad before being beaten narrowly at Celta Vigo. The two sides drew both league … [Read more...]
Has Kieran Trippier Impressed on His Opening La Liga Debut?
The sight of an Englishman ripping up his roots to join La Liga is always an intriguing affair. Back in 2003, David Beckham stole the headlines with a dream move to the Spanish capital, and sixteen years on, another England idol with a ball-bending reputation has done likewise. His name; Kieran Trippier. This time, it was Atletico Madrid – and not their celebrated city rivals – taking the initiative, after finishing as runners up in the 2018/19 La Liga campaign. Though miles behind champions Barcelona, they were comfortably ahead of Real Madrid by the close, and with a potential ‘power … [Read more...]
Challenges Ahead for Atletico in Rebuild
One goal. Two assists. Man of the match. Joao Felix is going to be a star! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/YATWfyOQbo— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 30, 2019 Atletico Madrid have been able to punch above their weight in LaLiga and the Champions League compared to the spending power boasted by their Spanish and European rivals. Diego Simeone has always managed to get the best of his squad, producing a strong level of consistency in their performances during his eight-year tenure. However, the coming campaign could be the biggest challenge since his arrival in Madrid. The club have lost Antoine Griezmann to … [Read more...]
The Latest La Liga Transfer News
The summer is a never-ending rumour mill which we must admit we simply cannot get enough of. The speculation as to who is going where is sometimes more intriguing than when the action actually gets underway and with so many stories doing the rounds, we thought it time for a little look at some of the big deals that are rumoured to be occurring this summer. Antoine Griezmann At the end of the season, Frenchman Antoine Griezmann made it quite clear to all that he was leaving Atletico Madrid. Many expected an announcement to be made within days of his next destination, but nothing … [Read more...]
Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla: Crunch time for the visitors
With three games to go in La Liga this season (just two by the time this contest rolls around), one may be forgiven for thinking it is possible Atletico Madrid may take their foot off the gas as they prepare for their summer holidays. Many punters may fancy looking at Sevilla in their football betting because Atletico sit nine-points in front of their great rivals Real Madrid in the table and have secured Champions League football assured for next season. All of this begs the question of what is there left to play for? Err, actually, quite a lot. Atletico may not have a huge … [Read more...]
Big Match Preview: Atletico Aim to Blind the Bats
Pre-season is over and if there is one thing we have learned in football, it is that talk is cheap, but players cost a fortune. As Atletico Madrid found out with a summer spending spree of over £110 million. However, it looks like money well spent with the first trophy of the season in the back pocket after Diego Simeone masterminded a European Super Cup triumph over bitter neighbours Real Madrid. Heading into the new La Liga season, there could an unexpected opportunity for Atletico Madrid to repeat their feat of 2013/14 by winning the league title. Real Madrid has already proven … [Read more...]
La Liga Misery in Russia
Who would have thought that prior to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, La Liga’s elite players would pretty much all be heading home? It all started on Saturday when both Argentina and Portugal were eliminated in their respective games which meant that once again, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi failed to shine on the World’s biggest stage and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks likely to have to make do with just his European Championship to fall back on (its still not bad though). Just as the shock of the elimination of La Liga’s two shining stars was sinking in, Sunday dawned which … [Read more...]
La Liga Final Weekend Breakdown: Whats Left to Play for in the Top 10?
The English Premier League came to an undramatic close last weekend and this weekend it is the turn of Spain’s top flight to close its doors on what has been a season that has seen giants fall, minnows rise, and Barcelona come agonisingly close to an unbeaten season. With just one round of fixtures left, we take a look at what is left to play for between the clubs currently in the top ten. Barcelona – 90 pts Absolutely nothing, especially after suffering that shock 5-4 defeat to Levante last time out, it means the chance to go through the season unbeaten is no more. However, with … [Read more...]
Fireworks Set for 219th Madrid Derby
Forget the Mersyside derby or the Manchester Derby this weekend, the City of Madrid steals the limelight as the showpiece match of Europe as Atletico Madrid make the short trip across Spain’s capital to the Santiago Bernabéu to face the old enemy Real Madrid. Across all competitions, the pair have met a whopping 218 times and unsurprisingly, it is Los Blancos who hold a significant statistical edge over their neighbours. Real have won exactly half of all the encounters with 109 victories between the two whilst Atletico have claimed a poultry 55 by comparison and a total of 54 … [Read more...]