All eyes were on one place this weekend in La Liga; the Santiago Bernabeu. Atletico Madrid were visiting their biggest rivals, Real Madrid, with a chance to take an early lead in La Liga. That’s because earlier in the day, Barcelona were unable to beat Athletic Bilbao, having to come behind to secure the draw. But we’ll get to them. First, the Bernabeu.
La Liga Week 6: Draws for Everyone!
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
The atmosphere was loud and buzzing and they wanted blood. Real Madrid, despite all the European glory, have not fared well against their biggest domestic rivals. Coming into this game, they had only won three of their last 20 games against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. It was time for Julian Lopetegui and this squad to right such a vociferous wrong.
From the start of the game, it was clear what the pattern of play would be. And as if we could be surprised about it, Real Madrid possessed the ball while Atletico defended. The counter attack is an Atletico staple, and Lopetegui’s Real emphasis is on possession, something they lead La Liga in this season.
Despite that possession, Atletico had the better of the early chances, with Thibaut Courtois coming to Real’s rescue multiple times. His move to Madrid was questioned by many Keylor Navas supporters, but his first half was why they bought him. In particular, a save with his face in a one-on-one with Antoine Griezmann was critical to Real’s first half.
He didn’t have much to do in the second half, though. As the second half wore on, Atletico became more and more committed to walking out of the Bernabeu with a point. The substitution of Diego Costa, bringing on Thomas Partey, saw them surely reach their end. Costa has been awful this season, by the way, with three goals in his last 22 La Liga games. Diego Simeone is going to have to work to get the best out of him this season.
It turned out to be a game where the goalkeepers shone the brightest. On top of Courtois’ saves, Atletico keeper Jan Oblak made six of his own in order for both sides to preserve the draw. In the end, Real will see it as an opportunity squandered, a chance to go to top wasted. But Atletico will see it as a building block to their ultimate goal. After a rocky start, they are certainly back on track.
Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao
A team however that has fallen off the tracks, this Barcelona side is a mess. Coming into this weekend’s game against Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona were winless in their last two. They needed to get a result this weekend with a crowded list of tough games upcoming. So many games, in fact, that both Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were rested at the start of this game.
Athletic came out and put Barcelona on the back foot, pressing high and forcing some concern from Barca playing out of the back. But still, Barca were able to play around it for the most part. However, getting the ball into the final third was more of a struggle. They couldn’t seem to put together enough intricate movements to cut Athletic open. And it turned out to cost them.
A 50/50 challenge in the middle of the field by Raul Garcia and Ousmane Dembele sprayed the ball out on the left to a wide-open Mikael Susaeta. He then floated in a beautiful cross to the back post where only Oscar De Marcos was running onto it. He smashed it into the back of Ter Stegen’s net and just like that the Basque’s had the lead.
From that point on it was clear that Barcelona were going to need their best to catch this Athletic side. And their best was on the bench. By the 54th minute, both Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi had made their introduction and the difference was staggering. A Barcelona that looked toothless for the first 54 minutes suddenly were all over Athletic’s defence.
Messi always makes the difference for Barcelona against the best sides in Europe. It’s telling that Messi made such a difference for this side against Athletic, currently 15th in La Liga, at home. In the end, after hitting the post himself, he made the decisive difference. His shot in the 84th minute was saved back into his path where the second time he put a lovely ball across the face of goal. Substitute Munir El Haddadi was there to redirect it home.
The dependence on Messi is always a topic of debate. Any team with the best player in the world would look worse without him on the field. But they shouldn’t look this bad, especially with all the talent out there. The lack of cohesive creativity on the field is extremely concerning and something that will cost Ernesto Valverde his job if it is not fixed.
Elsewhere in La Liga
Both Valencia and Real Valladolid picked up big wins this weekend against Sociedad and Villareal respectively and Sevilla continued to their winning ways by going to the mighty Eibar and getting a 3-1 victory. They now sit third in the table, scoring in bunches thanks to Andre Silva and Wissam Ben Yedder. The pair have combined for 11 goals already this season.
Still to Come in La Liga
The Monday night game is Celta Vigo against Getafe but that’s not what to look forward too. The big game next Friday night, the Basque Derby, is the one to look forward to. Athletico Bilbao need to get points and what better way to do it than against their bitter rival Real Sociedad. It’s also a tasty Sunday with Atletico hosting Real Betis and Barcelona needing a win, travelling to Mestalla to take on Valencia. That game should be a cracker!
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