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La Liga Talking Points – Can Atleti Bounce Back?

By Kevin Kelly

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Welcome to La Liga Talking Points, a weekly column running throughout the season in which we take a look at the key stories and talking points from Spanish football’s top flight. With an inevitable focus on the biggest teams, such as Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona, there will also be a worthwhile nod toward the rest, we take a look at how the league is shaping up each week and what to look out for going forward.

Big Test for Simeone’s Men

Atletico Madrid travel to Eibar on Saturday night as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s hard-fought loss to Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon.

Diego Simeone will need to dust his team down quickly, following a disheartening loss to Barcelona last weekend, which could play a key part in the La Liga title race.

However, Los Colchoneros began the season with two wins – the latter a 3-0 victory away at Sevila, proving they remain a team to be taken very seriously.

Both Diego Godin and Filipe Luis are harbouring minor injury problems ahead of the weekend, with Stefan Savic possibly required to step in for the former.

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Fernando Torres should retain his starting spot after netting the opening goal against Barcelona. Oliver Torres was poor against Barcelona, but is expected to be given another start by Simeone.

Meanwhile Eibar, were held to a 0-0 draw on the weekend as they travelled to Malaga, which proved to be their first dropped points of the season.

Armeros now sit in 5th in the La Liga table, a place manager José Luis Mendilibar would certainly welcome. Presumably, Mendilibar would also welcome his upcoming fixtures; Eibar will take on the likes of Las Palmas, Celta Vigo and Levante in the coming weeks.

Asier Riesgo will continue in goal, with both Jaime and Irureta still struggling with injury problems, while Lillo and Ander Gayoso are continued absentees.

While Eibar have begun the season in commendable form, and are unbeaten in their last five league games, a loss on Saturday seems likely.

Consider this; Atletico have won their last four matches against Eibar in all competitions, and they’re also undefeated in their last nine away matches in La Liga.

Benitez Seeking Momentum

Following last weekend’s trouncing 6-0 trouncing of Espanyol the weekend poses an interesting opportunity for Rafa Benitez’s Real Madrid, who have scored 11 goals in the past two La Liga games.

Despite their improved fortunes, they are already behind Barcelona in the table who maintain a perfect record so far, despite having to play both Athletic Club and Atletico Madrid away.

Coincidentally, two of Madrid’s next four La Liga games will see them face those sides – Athletic Club and Atletico Madrid away from home. Dropping points on Saturday is out of the question for Benitez’s side.

Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos are new addition’s to Rafa Benitez’s injury list, joining both Danilo and James Rodriguez on the sidelines.

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Isco should feature in the hole behind Karim Benzema as a result, with Jese and Mateo Kovacic also having a chance of coming into the side.

Benitez will likely be confident of getting a resounding result against Granada, who sit in 11th place in La Liga at this early juncture in the season. Nazaríes have lost both home games – against Eibar and Villareal respectively, though were victors when they travelled to Getafe on August 30.

The next two weeks don’t get much easier for Jose Ramon Sandoval’s side either, with a trip to Valencia to follow next weekend’s game at home to Real Sociedad.

Ruben Perez is the only injury absentee, with Fran Rico expected to start in midfield after netting a goal versus Villarreal.

Isaac Success and Ruben Rochina have been fairly bright and should hold their places, while Andres should retain his place in goal, despite being whistled by his own fans last time out.

Other Points and Issues of Note

  • The pressure is mounting on David Moyes at Real Sociedad, who are yet to win this season. La Real lost 1-0 away to Real Betis on Saturday – despite a Betis player being sent off. Sociedad are yet to even score after three games, with the pressure on Moyes increasing by the game.
  • It looks like Barcelona could rack up their first big score of the season as they host Levante on Sunday night. La Blaugrana are yet to score more than goals in a game this season, with the visitors the perfect opponents to truly open up their season in style.
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