1. Atlético Madrid are beginning to look the part in the top four race
Atleti have had an underwhelming time of it this season: out of Europe before Christmas, out of the Copa not long after, and struggling for consistency in LaLiga. However, recent results suggest they may be on the path to some sort of resurrection.
In an historic clash against Athletic Club, there were many traits resembling the old Atleti, when they used to be happy to suffer and win games by the minimum. Before this game, Atleti had only won four of their first ten games at the Metropolitano in the league, so perhaps it helped that they were wearing their orange away strip in homage to Athletic’s 125th anniversary. Atleti have now won three of their least four matches 1-0.
Reinildo was magnificent defensively and Antoine Griezmann proved once again why he is fundamental to any hopes Los Rojiblancos have of cementing a Champions League berth.
He took responsibility to find the goal that had eluded Diego Simeone’s side and struck an unerring drive beyond Julen Agirrezabala. The former Real Sociedad player loves scoring against Los Leones, bagging his 14th in 30 appearances against the side from Bilbao.
Griezmann also equalled a LaLiga record which will surely bring a smile to Simeone’s face. He has now scored the only goal in 20 separate 1-0 victories for his team, matching Hugo Sánchez’s feat. Two of these have been against Athletic this season, the Frenchman also scoring the decisive goal in Bilbao in October.
As Robbie Dunne illustrated, Griezmann is influential in almost everything Atleti do, and with him playing like this, the top four appears easier to reach. Simeone equalled a record of his own too, taking charge of Atleti for the 424th time in LaLiga, the joint-most of any coach at one club. He is level with the legendary Miguel Muñoz at Real Madrid. El Cholo will break this record next week at the Santiago Bernabéu in the Madrid Derby no less.
2. Headaches for Xavi ahead of Old Trafford
Barcelona beat Cádiz at Camp Nou to re-establish their 8-point lead at the top of the table and the side featured many changes, some of which were enforced by injury and suspension.
Eric García, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati all started in a return to the 4-3-3 formation. Sergio Busquets was back from injury but not risked with the second leg of their Europa League tie with Manchester United in mind. García had a solid game in the centre of defence alongside the impressive Andreas Christensen, but it was Ferran who stood out in the match. He was a constant threat down the right-hand side and created the opening goal for Sergi Roberto with some exquisitely fine footwork in a tight space near the by-line. The quality of the assist was shown when his team-mates rushed to congratulate him before the scorer Sergi Roberto. After the game, Ferran admitted that the first half was his best 45 minutes in a Barça shirt, and who can disagree?
At the back, the Catalans were not flawless but nor did they need to be. Cádiz deserved a goal for their endeavour, hitting the woodwork twice and having two goals disallowed, but Marc-André ter Stegen kept another clean sheet to set a new record. He is the first goalkeeper in LaLiga history to keep 17 clean sheets in the first 22 matches of a campaign, and with seven goals conceded, Xavi’s side have the best defensive record of any side in league history at this stage (three teams had previously conceded nine in 22 matches).
Thursday night at Old Trafford will be a different proposition however. In the second half of the first leg, Manchester United scored double the number of goals (2) that all LaLiga sides combined (1) have managed at Camp Nou this season.
With Ronald Araújo back and containing Marcus Rashford of paramount importance, it will be fascinating to see how Xavi lines up his defence, and who will start. It would seem logical to stick with the trusted trio of Jules Koundé, Araújo and Christensen, especially given the absence of Pedri and Gavi in midfield. Whichever combination Xavi chooses, La Liga Lowdown will be there to witness it.
At the other end, has Ferran done enough to start in Manchester? With the absentees, a four-man midfield seems less attractive, so will Ferran grab the third attacking slot alongside Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha? His performance on Sunday night undoubtedly enhanced his chances. One man who almost certainly won’t be in the lineup is Ansu Fati, who failed to take his opportunity as he would have hoped. He created a chance and had two shots, but neither of those found the target, and he was visibly disappointed with himself when he came off.
3. Elche are down
This is hardly a shocking conclusion to draw, but their 1-0 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Espanyol added another nail to their Primera coffin. Following their surprise victory over Villarreal a fortnight ago, Pablo Machín’s side were looking to make it back-to-back wins at home. It was a game in which they were the better side and created the clearer chances and yet they still came away with nothing. The timing of Sergi Darder’s winning goal added to the dejection. They are now 13 points away from safety, a chasm given they only have nine on the board.