Real coach Zidane wants to show his team the way to the title
In England (Manchester City) and Italy (Inter Milan) the championship question seems to have been resolved, in Germany everything is heading towards a renewed success for Bayern Munich – of the four top leagues in Europe, the title fight is only completely open in Spain. Atletico Madrid (67 points), defending champions Real Madrid (66) and FC Barcelona (65) are fighting a three-way battle in LaLiga, with Sevilla FC (61) lurking behind the “Big Three”.
In the past 16 seasons, only Barcelona (10x), Real (5x) and Atletico (1x / 2014) have won the title, the series will probably continue this year. The form speaks for Real Madrid, which on Sunday at table 15. Getafe is a guest. Zinedine Zidane's team has been unbeaten in 14 games, won the Clasico 2-1 against Barcelona last weekend and made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday. The direct duels and the easier remaining program speak for Real.
In the current successful run, the midfield trio Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos dictate the game – and Karim Benzema hits the front. Only the list of injuries is worrying. Captain Sergio Ramos and Lucas Vazquez are out longer, record transfers Eden Hazard and Dani Carvajal are questionable. “We are reaching our limits,” said Zidane about the personnel situation.
Contrary to the situation with the city rivals. Atletico have gambled away almost their entire ten-point lead over Real and Barca since the beginning of February. The corona virus has slowed Atletico, the ceiling becomes thin in a storm. Luis Suarez is out for three weeks, Joao Felix, Thomas Lemar and Moussa Dembele are all hit.
Coach Diego Simeone still exudes full confidence. “We're still at the top and even if we have some injuries we can't use that as an excuse. It's a mentality thing, the desire we have to win trophies. That's what motivates us. We are strong and have a group of top players, “he emphasized before Sunday's home game against the bottom of Eibar.
Barcelona are only spectators in the league on Sunday. Lionel Messi and Co. can win the first title of the season in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday and follow suit in the home game against Granada on Wednesday. Led by league top scorer Messi (23 goals), Ronald Koeman's team is the league's goal factory and has played a strong streak since the beginning of the year.
Eight rounds are still outstanding in Spain and a similarly exciting final as in 2014 or 2016 is looming. Seven years ago, Atletico ended an 18-year-long lean period with a 1-1 draw in Barcelona on the final day of the match. In 2016, the trio went into the penultimate round, separated by only one point, at the end of which Barcelona celebrated.
