Barcelona host an Atletico Madrid side in sizzling form on Saturday, with top spot in LaLiga up for grabs in a clash between two teams that have enjoyed contrasting fortunes lately.
Diego Simeone’s red-hot Atleti are one of the most in-form teams in Europe, enjoying an 11-game winning streak across all competitions with the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo De Paul firing on all cylinders.
Atleti are now just two victories away from equalling their all-time longest winning run, achieved under their Argentine coach between August and October 2012 (13 games).
Their current run – which includes six league wins on the spin – has seen Los Colchoneros pull level with Barca at the top of the table, with both teams amassing 38 points but Simeone’s men possessing a game in hand.
2 days. pic.twitter.com/XBslhe2kfq
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) December 19, 2024
While Atletico have won all their games since late October, Barca have stumbled in the last few weeks, seeing what was a nine-point lead completely eroded by Saturday’s visitors.
They suffered a 1-0 defeat by lowly Leganes last week, their third loss in their last six league games (one win, two draws), as many as they suffered in their previous 29 (24 wins, two draws).
They may argue they have been unfortunate at times, having hit the woodwork 18 times this season in all competitions – the joint-most among all teams from Europe’s top five leagues alongside Manchester City. In Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, they are the only such team to have multiple players strike the frame of the goal five times already this campaign.
However, the hard luck stories must end for Hansi Flick’s side in their final game before the mid-season break, as a defeat could see them slip all the way to third in the table by the end of the matchday.
They will have to find a way past Atleti without talisman Lamine Yamal, who will be out for at least three more weeks with the ankle injury he sustained against Leganes.
Barcelona have struggled without their teenage winger, only winning one of three games he missed with a separate injury last month. Atleti might feel his absence gives them a golden opportunity.
Blancos’ watching brief
Real Madrid will be closely watching Saturday’s meeting between their two biggest rivals, knowing a draw would open the door for them to go top of the tree for Christmas.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side – who beat Pachuca 3-0 to lift the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in midweek – host Sevilla on Sunday. Ancelotti has only lost one of his 10 games against Sevilla in LaLiga (eight wins, one draw), with Los Blancos scoring in each of those games (25 goals in total).
Wednesday’s triumph in Qatar made Ancelotti the coach with the most titles in Madrid’s history with 15 trophies, surpassing the late Miguel Munoz, who he equalled in August by winning the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta.
Los Blancos had further cause to celebrate on Tuesday, meanwhile, as their Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior won FIFA’s Best Men’s Player award for 2024, having missed out on the Ballon d’Or in October.
In addition to the top-of-the-table intrigue, fans will have a further reason to tune in on Sunday as Sevilla full-back Jesus Navas plays his final professional game.
The last active player from Spain’s golden generation that became world and European champions more than a decade ago, the 39-year-old announced he was retiring this season after helping his country win a record-extending fourth Euros earlier this year.
Sevilla legend Navas enjoyed a 1-0 victory in his final game at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last week, a 1-0 triumph over Celta Vigo.
While the Santiago Bernabeu crowd will pay its respects to a Spanish sporting treasure, the home fans will hope he is denied a winning send-off.
