Real
Madrid were in UAE capturing the Club World Cup so didn’t play this
weekend. However, while celebrating, they might be a little concerned by
the fact Barcelona extended their lead to 11 points over them. It makes
El Clasico next week even more crucial. They need to catch city rivals
Atletico first.
It
wasn’t the best weekend of football in Spain but there were plenty of
talking points. And an unexpected frantic finale made all those who
stuck around to watch it thankful they did.
Everything
is going according to plan for Barcelona this season. I mean, who even
remembers what their fans were angry about in the summer? The loss of
Neymar was a significant blow but one which the team has dodged as if
they’re Nero in the Matrix Trilogy. This weekend was no different.
With
the greatest respect to Deportivo de La Coruña’s fans, it wasn’t a huge
surprise to see them go down 4-0 to Barcelona at the Camp Nou. However
the performance from LaLiga’s top team was noteworthy. The initial start
to the season produced a lot of unconvincing displays but the two
draws, and now consecutive wins, is showing Ernesto Valverde’s side can
be great entertainers too.
The
match itself could’ve easily ended with the hosts hitting double
figures if not for an unforgiving display by the woodwork. Lionel Messi
hit it three times, as well as fluffing a penalty, and that meant he’s
been denied by the post or crossbar an incredible 14 times. All while
leading the scoring charts in LaLiga with – you guessed it – 14 goals.
If
there’s a downside for Barcelona heading into next weekend’s El Clasico
it’ll be the loss of Paco Alcacer to injury. The former Valencia
frontman couldn’t even make the squad a few weeks ago but is proving a
fine option from the bench. Given a start against Depor, his game ended
after 23 minutes. Football can be cruel.
As
if out of nowhere, Diego Simeone’s team swoop into the title picture
and claim second spot from Valencia. Unbeaten and largely uninspiring at
the start of the campaign, Atletico are picking up steam and appear the
most likely contenders to Barcelona’s title charge.
Speculation
continues to surround the future of their best player, Antoine
Griezmann, but you can only admire Atletico’s consistency. Something
which can’t be said for their Champions League campaign.
Similar
to neighbours Real Madrid, a transfer ban seems to have only made
Atletico stronger. They have Diego Costa to add following the Christmas
break as well. If Real Madrid happen to beat Barcelona next week the gap
to the top would be just three points.
t the weekend they needed an old hero, Fernando Torres, to pop up with
the winning goal. Sime Vrsaljko did all the hard work as he provided his
second match-winning assist in a row. Without the distraction of the
Champions League, it might turn into a positive for Simeone’s men going
into 2018.