Madrid (Spain), Dec 20 (IANS) FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will end 2024 with a vital showcase match, while Real Madrid could finish the year top of the table in the top-flight of Spanish football this weekend.
Here are four things to look out for in 2024’s last round of matches in La Liga:
1. Massive game for Flick and Barcelona
Barcelona entertain Atletico Madrid with the two teams level on points at the top of the table, but with Barcelona struggling for form and results in recent weeks. Although they have maintained a high level in Europe, Barca have suffered three league defeats in their last six games in La Liga, with last weekend’s 1-0 loss at home to Leganes arguably the biggest surprise of the season.
The game also saw Flick lose Lamine Yamal with an ankle injury, although Flick will be grateful for a rare midweek without a game to try to allow tired players to recover. Will Barca react and turn in a winning display? Or will a continuation of their bad recent league form make for an unhappy holiday period with lots of questions to be answered in and around the club?
2. Which Simeone will we see?
One of the main reasons for Atletico Madrid’s excellent recent form is that forwards Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann have developed an on-field understanding that has turned Atletico into a potent attacking force.
Their run of seven consecutive league wins has come with Atletico playing some entertaining attacking football, with Rodrigo de Paul taking a step forward and Marcos Llorente given the freedom to make rampaging runs forward. Looking ahead to Saturday’s game against Barcelona, there is one clear question. Atletico’s recent form has come thanks to their courage in attack, but will coach Diego Simeone be tempted to fall back on his old defensive habits when his team faces a powerful rival?
3. Can Real Madrid be the big winner this weekend?
Real Madrid will end 2024 at home to Sevilla after winning the Intercontinental Cup away in Doha on Wednesday night with a 3-0 win against Mexican side Pachuca. Coach Carlo Ancelotti now has to help his players recover for their last game of 2024, which could see them end the year on the top of the table if they win, while Barca and Atletico draw.
Apart from the opening minutes in Doha, Madrid were rarely tested by a side that would struggle to make the mid-table in Spain, but on Sunday, Ancelotti’s men will have to cut out the defensive errors that were so expensive against Rayo Vallecano last weekend. Sevilla are a powerful side and will give Madrid problems from set pieces, while in attack, Isaac Romero and Dodi Lukebakio are both quick and mobile, with Lukebakio excellent at beating his marker.
4. Vital derby in Pamplona
Osasuna entertain Athletic Bilbao in what looks to be an evenly-matched derby at the El Sadar Stadium on Saturday evening. Athletic travel fourth in the table and need a win to keep themselves in with an outside chance in the title race after being held to a 1-1 draw away to Alaves last weekend.
That draw ended a six-game winning run for Athletic and could give them an idea of what to expect in Pamplona, as Alaves adapted their game in the second half to hit long passes to avoid Athletic’s ferocious pressure simply by passing their midfield. With striker Ante Budimir again a potent threat and midfielder Aimar Oroz showing why Athletic wanted to sign him this summer, Osasuna are big, powerful, and have enough creativity to make this a tight game and a real test for Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde.
–IANS
bsk/
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
