Tag: Atletico Madrid

How the race for Europe stands in LaLiga Santander: Just two points separate seventh from 11th

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There are now just four matchdays remaining in LaLiga Santander and there is still so much still to play for. Several clubs are currently taking part in the race to qualify for the 2023/24 UEFA competitions and the battle is ever so tight.

With FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid set in stone to qualify for Europe, here’s a round-up of the other teams fighting it out to join them, from fourth-placed Real Sociedad down to 11th-placed Rayo Vallecano.

Real Sociedad (4th, 62 points)

After the top three of FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, the team currently occupying the final Champions League spot is Real Sociedad. Under the coaching of Imanol Alguacil, La Real have come close to reaching the Champions League on a few occasions over the past few years. Returning to Europe’s top competition, which the Basque side last participated in in 2013/14, has become an objective for the club and they currently hold a comfortable advantage over Villarreal CF, thanks to the recent good performances of the likes of David Silva, Takefusa Kubo and others.

Remaining fixtures: FC Barcelona (A), UD Almería (H), Atlético de Madrid (A), Sevilla FC (H)

Villarreal CF (5th, 57 points) 

At Villarreal CF, nobody is giving up hope of making a return to the Champions League. Even though there is a five-point gap, Villarreal CF often finish seasons well and still believe that they could make a return to the Champions League, a competition they reached the semi-finals of in 2021/22. Even if Quique Setién’s men don’t end up catching La Real for fourth, fifth place brings direct passage to the Europa League group stages and that too is a success for this club from a city of 50,000 people.

Remaining fixtures: Girona FC (A), Cádiz CF (H), Rayo Vallecano (A), Atlético de Madrid (H)

Real Betis (6th, 55 points) 

Real Betis have never before qualified for European football in three consecutive seasons, but that’s very much on the cards this campaign. Los Verdiblancos currently hold a Europa League group stage ticket as they sit in sixth place. Thanks to their recent wins over Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano, Manuel Pellegrini’s men have opened up a sizable gap. That’s very impressive considering the team lost star midfielder Nabil Fekir to a season-ending injury in February.

Remaining fixtures: Sevilla FC (A), Getafe CF (H), Girona FC (A), Valencia CF (H)

Girona FC (7th, 48 points) 

Because this year’s Copa del Rey was won by Real Madrid, who’ll qualify for Europe through their league position, an extra European spot has become available for whoever finishes seventh in LaLiga Santander. Girona FC currently occupy that place, which grants entry to the Conference League, and they’d make history if they hold on to it, as the Catalan club have never before qualified for Europe. After winning promotion through the LaLiga SmartBank playoffs last season, Míchel’s side have been playing some thrilling football this term, and they’re currently the fourth-top scorers in the division with 54 goals scored from 34 matches.

Remaining fixtures: Villarreal CF (H), RC Celta (A), Real Betis (H), CA Osasuna (A)

Athletic Club (8th, 47 points) 

Athletic Club are no strangers to European football, however the Basques haven’t had to look out their passports since 2018. With Ernesto Valverde back at the helm this season, Los Leones want to qualify for Europe again and the dynamic football of brothers Iñaki Williams and Nico Williams means that they have a chance. Even if they’re outside the top seven right now, Athletic Club are just one point behind Girona FC and have no shortage of belief.

Remaining fixtures: RC Celta (H), CA Osasuna (A), Elche CF (H), Real Madrid (A)

CA Osasuna (9th, 47 points) 

CA Osasuna immediately overcame the disappointment of losing the Copa del Rey final by defeating UD Almería 3-1 in Matchday 34. That has put them firmly in the race to qualify for Europe for the first time in a decade and a half. There is optimism in Pamplona, especially because they still face some of their direct rivals, as Athletic Club and Girona FC will both visit El Sadar.

Remaining fixtures: Atlético de Madrid (A), Athletic Club (H), Getafe CF (A), Girona FC (H)

Sevilla FC (10th, 47 points) 

Just a few weeks ago, Sevilla FC were more concerned about the threat of relegation than about the possibility of finishing in the European positions. But, their results have improved significantly under new coach José Luis Mendilibar and Los Rojiblancos could finish inside the top seven.

Remaining fixtures: Real Betis (H), Elche CF (A), Real Madrid (H), Real Sociedad (A)

Rayo Vallecano (11th, 46 points)

Another team that believes European qualification is possible is Rayo Vallecano. The team from the capital city have been in Europe once before, in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup, and they’re aiming for a return this year. The electric home atmosphere at Vallecas has been spurring the team on in recent weeks, such as during their 2-1 victory over FC Barcelona. If Isi Palazón and co. can keep collecting three-point hauls, Vallecas could be hosting clubs from across Europe in a few months’ time.

Remaining fixtures: RCD Espanyol (H), Real Madrid (A), Villarreal CF (H), RCD Mallorca (A)

Analysis: Four things to look out for in Spain’s Matchday 34

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1. More than just the title in play in Barcelona derby

A win for FC Barcelona away to local rivals Espanyol will assure Barca this season’s La Liga title (if Real Madrid and Atletico’s results don’t gift it to them before kick-off). However, there is much more than the title at stake as Espanyol go into the game desperately needing points for their battle against relegation.

Luis Garcia’s men are currently three points from safety with five games to play, and defeat to their rivals would probably see that gap extend with a game less to play.

There is no love lost between the two clubs, and while Barca fans want to see the league title confirmed as soon as possible, helping send their rivals a step closer to relegation would be the icing on the cake.

2. Europe once again the priority for Real Madrid against Getafe

With Barcelona virtually assured the title, Real Madrid have switched their focus to knockout competitions, winning the Copa del Rey last weekend and playing the first leg of their Champions League semifinal at home to Manchester City on Tuesday.

That game ended 1-1, leaving everything to play for in Manchester next week, and there is no question that Carlo Ancelotti will carry out serious rotations in his side for their league match against Getafe in the Santiago Bernabeu.

The return of Jose Bordalas as Getafe coach has made them harder to beat, but they are still third from bottom, and the need to take something from the Bernabeu could give them a chance against a rival focused on other goals.

3. European places up for grabs in several matches

Who qualifies for Europe, and for which competition in Europe, could also be a bit clearer after the weekend games, which see fourth-placed Real Sociedad play at home to seventh-placed Girona, while fifth-placed Villarreal entertain eighth-placed Athletic Bilbao and Betis are at home to Rayo Vallecano.

Real Madrid’s win in the Copa del Rey final means the side that finishes seventh in La Liga will qualify for the Conference League next season, while those finishing fifth and sixth will go into the Europa League.

A win for Real Sociedad would put them close to assuring they finish fourth, while Athletic need to win in Villarreal to keep their hopes of playing in Europe intact.

Meanwhile, with Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna still in with a chance of finishing seventh, there is no room for slip-ups.

4. Relegation dogfight as close as ever

If the race for Europe is tight, then the battle to stay up is closer than ever, with four sides within two points of each other and Espanyol three points further behind.

Espanyol face a difficult game at home to Barcelona, while third-bottom Getafe visit Real Madrid.

That may give a chance for Valencia, who are level on 34 points with Getafe, to get a breathing space from their visit to play Celta Vigo, although Celta also need a win to ensure their top-flight future.

With 35 points, Cadiz have a difficult visit to Mallorca, while Valladolid need to end a run of three defeats when they entertain Sevilla, in a weekend that could make clearer who stays up and who goes down.

Atletico Madrid move second in La Liga, Getafe win but in relegation zone

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Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring in the second minute after taking a pass from Yannick Carrasco before scoring with a shot to the far post.

Griezmann doubled his tally for the night in the 27th minute with another excellent goal, scoring at the near post from the edge of the penalty area after exchanging passes with Thomas Lemar.

Alvaro Morata netted Atletico’s third of the game at the start of the second half after a pass from Mario Hermoso, and Carrasco scored a penalty in the 56th minute – the first penalty Atletico have been awarded all season.

Lozano pulled a goal back for Cadiz with 19 minutes left to play, but Nahuel Molina quickly re-established Atletico’s four-goal lead.

Jose Bordalas’ return to Getafe saw his side claim a vital 1-0 win at home to Celta Vigo, thanks to Enes Unal’s second-minute penalty after he had been clipped in the Celta penalty area.

Joseph Aidoo was sent off in the 76th minute to leave Celta with 10 men for the closing minutes of the game.

With the win, Getafe level on points with Valencia, who drew 1-1 at home to Villarreal, but stay in the relegation zone due to goal difference.

Nicolas Jackson continued his scoring run by opening the scoring for Villarreal in the 62nd minute, and after Edinson Cavani saw an effort ruled out for offside, Samuel Lino took advantage of some poor defending to equalize with 18 minutes left to play.

The game leaves Valencia out of the relegation zone, but with plenty of work still to do in the last five games of the season.

Villarreal complicated their chances of qualifying for the Champions League after Real Sociedad’s 2-0 win at home to Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

Barcelona, Atletico knocked out of Champions League

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Spanish clubs Barcelona and Atletico Madrid crashed out of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Inter Milan’s 4-0 home win over Viktoria Plzen meant that Barca were knocked out of the Champions League and condemned to a place in the Europa League.

Barca lost 3-0 at home to Bayern Munich after being outplayed by the Germans for most of the game and failing to manage a single shot on target in the game.

Sadio Mane put Bayern ahead in the tenth minute and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark.

Barca huffed and puffed without causing Bayern serious problems, and Benjamin Pavard netted the third goal with the last kick of the game following a corner.

Meanwhile, Porto’s win away to Club Brugge meant that anything other than a win for Atletico at home to Bayer Leverkusen would also see their Champions League adventure come to an end for this season.

There was high drama in Atletico’s match, especially in the final minute.

Atletico failed to score from a corner and the referee blew the final whistle when the score was 2-2. But then the referee received a call from VAR over a possible penalty for the Spanish side.

The penalty was awarded to Atletico, but Yannick Carrasco saw his spot-kick saved by Lucas Hradecky and Saul Niguez headed the rebound off the bar.

The game began with Leverkusen taking the lead through Moussa Diaby, with Carrasco netting for Atletico in the 22nd minute. Callum Hudson-Odoi put Leverkusen back in lead in the 29th minute, and although Rodrigo de Paul drew Atletico level early in the second half, they couldn’t find a winner, even from the penalty spot.

Atletico now have to equal Leverkusen’s result in the last group game in order to ensure their place in the Europa League.

Four things to watch out for in La Liga this weekend

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1. Real Madrid to make Sevilla suffer

The arrival of Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla appears to have produced a minor reaction, with three draws and a narrow win away to Mallorca, but taking a point at home to Athletic Bilbao and Valencia is hardly the bounce the club would have hoped for when they replaced Julen Lopetegui.

Sevilla’s next game is a visit to Real Madrid, who currently look unstoppable, with Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Karim Benzema and Fede Valverde playing some outstanding football.

Sevilla have a vital Champions League match against Copenhagen next week, which they have to win if they want to at least progress to the Europa League.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have done their European homework and can focus on La Liga – and that makes Sevilla’s job much harder.

2. Which Barcelona will we see?

FC Barcelona recovered from their defeat last weekend against Real Madrid with a 3-0 win at home to Villarreal on Thursday night, thanks to two goals from Robert Lewandowski and one from Ansu Fati.

Barca took advantage of rivals that sat way too deep to recover some of the confidence lost the previous week.

Sunday sees Athletic Bilbao visit the Camp Nou and it’s unlikely that the Basque side will sit as deep as Villarreal, and Athletic’s pace up front could also give their defense something to think about.

Barca were flat in their defeat to Madrid and much sharper on Thursday. Which version will we see on Sunday?

3. Contrasting styles in Betis-Atletico

It has been a strange week for Atletico Madrid, who won in Bilbao last Saturday thanks to a solid defensive display after managing just one shot on target all game, but who were then punished for their conservative attitude when Rayo Vallecano took a point with a 92nd-minute penalty on Tuesday night.

Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata have been in excellent form, but with a must-win European game on Wednesday, Diego Simeone could be tempted to rest them.

That would probably be an error against Real Betis, who have won all their league games at home this season and can be expected to look for the game from the starting whistle.

Betis could be without Sergio Canales if their appeal against his harsh sending off on Wednesday is rejected and that could handicap their creative play.

4. Chance for Cadiz in Vallecano?

Cadiz remain second from bottom of La Liga, but the side coached by Sergio Gonzalez seem to have stopped the rot after their dreadful start to the season.

Cadiz kicked off the campaign with five straight defeats in which they conceded 14 goals without scoring any, but are unbeaten in their last five matches.

That is mainly down to improving their defense, with three clean sheets and just three goals conceded. Now they need to improve in attack, and although they have a difficult visit to an aggressive Rayo Vallecano on Saturday lunchtime, it is the sort of match where Gonzalez could hope to see his side get some joy at a set piece to continue their improvement.

Three draws in La Liga Tuesday fixtures

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Former Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao scored a 92nd minute penalty against his former club to give Rayo Vallecano a 1-1 draw in La Liga on Tuesday.

The veteran striker made no mistake from the spot after VAR had ruled against Atletico defender Jose Gimenez for handball.

Atletico had looked to be on track for a 1-0 win after Alvaro Morata swept home Antoine Griezmann’s cross in the 20th minute.

Griezmann had a goal ruled out for offside, but Rayo were good value for their point after another display of attacking football.

There was late drama in Sevilla’s 1-1 draw at home to Valencia after Jose Luis Gaya saw his 95th-minute penalty saved by Sevilla keeper Bono, following a confusing moment which saw Sevilla’s Kike Salas sent off.

Edinson Cavani’s third goal in two games put Valencia ahead in the sixth minute, and Los Che looked as if there were going to hold on for a win before Erik Lamela leveled from close range in the 86th minute after Salas flicked on a corner.

Elsewhere, Getafe twice came back from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Athletic Bilbao.

Four talking points in La Liga matchday 9

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1. Way too easy for Real Madrid

Real Madrid edged past Barcelona to win the Clasico in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday afternoon, and the frustrating thing for Barca fans will be that they appeared to do so without even hitting top gear.

Although Carlo Ancelotti insisted his side had been at maximum effort all afternoon, a combination of a solid midfield and defense, coupled with a handful of moments of inspiration in attack were enough to give them a comfortable win.

The two sides are likely to meet several more times this season, but round one goes to Real Madrid.

2. Back to the drawing board for Xavi

While it was a good afternoon to support Real Madrid, it was a bad one to be a Barca fan, with Sunday’s defeat coming just days after Barca’s exit from the Champions League was all but confirmed.

Barca attempted to play their passing game but looked flat and lacked the spark needed to create spaces against Madrid’s well-organized defense and midfield.

Having 24 hours less to prepare certainly didn’t help, but Xavi will be worried by the lack of intensity in his side (and perhaps he made a big mistake in leaving Gavi out of his starting 11).

Xavi said before the game that Barca’s passing game was unnegotiable, but he needs to get more energy into his side, otherwise, the season could slip away.

3. Old virtues serve Atletico well

One shot on target, one goal and a 1-0 win away to Athletic Club Bilbao saw Atletico Madrid go third in La Liga on Saturday night.

Antoine Griezmann’s goal early in the second half caught the home side off guard and from then on Atletico mounted a rearguard action to stave off Athletic’s wave after wave of attacks.

Reinildo was outstanding at left back and Geoffrey Kondogbia won everything in midfield as Atletico clung on.

On another day Athletic could easily have taken a point, but on this occasion the ball wouldn’t go into the net and Atletico took a vital win thanks to their defensive strength in depth.

4. Real Sociedad upwardly mobile

Real Sociedad’s 2-1 win in Vigo was their seventh consecutive victory and lifted Imanol Alguacil’s side into the European places.

The team from San Sebastian have done well to overcome the loss of players such as Mikel Oyarzabal and Umar Sadiq through injury with the summer signings including Take Kuko and Alexander Sorloth.

However, it is their 14-million-euro purchase, Brais Mendez, who is currently capturing the headlines with five goals and two assists. Mendez has been in excellent form and turned on the style on Sunday against his former club and if he continues like this, he could push for a place in Spain’s World Cup squad.

Atletico Madrid beat Bilbao to move third in La Liga standings

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Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Club Bilbao 1-0 away to move into third place in La Liga on Saturday night.

Antoine Griezmann’s goal two minutes into the second half was enough to decide a game of few chances, although the home side pressed Atletico hard in the last 15 minutes.

Jan Oblak had to leave the pitch with a shoulder injury and his substitute Ivo Grbic made one excellent save to deny Inigo Martinez, while Reinildo Mandava made a vital block to frustrate Raul Garcia with just two minutes left after the referee allowed 10 minutes of injury time.

A combination of a magnificent goal from Nemanja Gudelj and a series of magnificent saves from goalkeeper Bono were enough to give Sevilla a 1-0 win away to Mallorca.

Gudelj’s 53rd-minute shot from around 30 meters was Sevilla’s only shot on target all game and although Mallorca threw everything at Jorge Sampaoli’s side, Bono was able to produce a string of saves to give his side just their second win of the campaign.

Cristhian Stuani held his nerve to net an injury time penalty to save a point for Girona at home to Cadiz.

Alex Fernandez put Cadiz ahead at the start of the second half, and the visitors had keeper Jeremias Ledesma to thank for keeping them ahead until Stuani broke their hearts in the 11th minute of injury time.

Jorge Almiron started his second spell in charge of Elche with a 2-2 away to Valencia.

Edinson Cavani scored twice for Valencia in the 41st and 52nd minutes, while Pere Milla had put Elche ahead in the 29th minute and leveled the score in the 65th.

Real Madrid will entertain FC Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday afternoon in the biggest game of the weekend.

Barca on brink of elimination, Atletico with mountain to climb in Champions League

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The result leaves Barca with four points from four games, three behind Inter in Group C, who have the better head-to head record and who will ensure their place in the next round with a win at home to Viktoria Plzen, who have lost all four group games, conceding 16 goals in the process.

Barca, meanwhile, have to win at home to Bayern Munich and away to Plzen and hope Inter fail to win either of their remaining games.

The match turned into an end-to-end thriller, with the result in doubt until the final whistle.

Inter began brightly and Edin Dzeko had the first chance with a header that rattled the Barca crossbar, before the home side came increasingly into the game.

Barca’s pressure high up the pitch began to force errors from the Italians and the chances started to arrive.

Sergi Roberto, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha all had chances before Roberto combined with Raphinha to serve the ball for Ousmane Dembele to score from close range five minutes before the break.

Inter were level five minutes into the second half when Nicolo Barella took advantage of a big loss of concentration from Gerard Pique to sneak in behind the Barca defense and beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a first-time shot.

Suddenly, Inter were creating chances, with Gavi blocking Dzeko’s volley before ter Stegen denied Hakan Calhanoglu’s left-footed effort and got down well to stop Lautaro Martinez’s goalbound header.

A goal was coming and it was delivered by Martinez, who controlled well and fired home off both posts, with the Barca defense all over the place.

Lewandowski drew Barca level thanks to a deflection with eight minutes left, but with Barca stretched looking for a winning goal, Gosens finished a perfect counter-attack to put Inter 3-2 ahead.

Lewandowski made it 3-3 from Eric Garcia’s cross in the second of six minutes of injury-time to give Barca a lifeline, and ter Stegen then produced a brilliant save to stop Martinez scoring a fourth for Inter in a thrilling finish.

Earlier in the day, a sublime performance from Club Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet helped his side cling on for a 0-0 draw away to Atletico Madrid in Group B.

The result means the Belgian side have qualified for the last 16 of the competition, but leave Atletico in a delicate situation with just four points from four games and with a lot of work to do in the last two games.

The Spanish side have failed to score in five of their last six Champions League matches, although on Tuesday a lot of the responsibility was down to Mignolet, who produced a string of excellent stops, including a first-half save to frustrate Antoine Griezmann and second-half stops from Alvaro Morata and Matheus Cunha.

Brugge ended the game with ten men after Kamal Sowah was shown a second yellow card in the 92nd minute, but there was no time for Atletico to force a much-needed winner.

Critical Champions League matches for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona

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Spanish sides Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona both face must-win Champions League matches on Wednesday night to secure their places in the knockout stages of the competition.

Barca are at home to Inter Milan, who beat them 1-0 in Italy a week ago, and the Catalans are still upset about a late penalty decision that didn’t go their way when VAR failed to see a clear handball in the Inter area.

The defeat leaves Xavi Hernandez’s side with just three points from a possible nine and another loss to Inter would effectively end their chances of reaching the last 16 and deal a significant blow to the club’s delicate economy.

Refereeing controversies aside, Xavi will be worried by a dip in form in the past three matches as a string of injuries have limited his options. Jules Kounde, Hector Bellerin, Franck Kessie, Ronald Araujo and Memphis Depay will all miss out on Wednesday, while other players, such as Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Gavi, Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele, have played in every league match so far this season and their energy levels dipped on Sunday as they clung on to win 1-0 at home to Celta Vigo.

Xavi is likely to continue with Alejandro Balde at right-back, while Gerard Pique and Eric Garcia continue as his only fit options in central defense.

Atletico Madrid are in a similar position to Barca after losing their last two away matches in the tournament, with the last of those defeats a 2-0 loss away to Club Brugge.

The Belgian side travel to the Metropolitano Stadium as surprise leaders of Group B with nine points from a possible nine, and can assure their place in the next phase if they can take a point.

There was good news for Atletico on Monday when Antoine Griezmann re-signed until 2026 after Atletico and Barca reached agreement to make his loan deal permanent, and he will start on Wednesday night.

Sergio Reguilon, Felipe and Marcos Llorente are all out through injury, and Stefan Savic and Jose Gimenez will play in defense, while Alvaro Morata partners Griezmann.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone will be looking for Joao Felix to return to form in this match, and with over 70,000 fans expected in the Metropolitano, now would be a good moment for the talented but erratic Portuguese to take a step forward.

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