Wednesday 27 / November / 2024
MADRID: La Liga goes into its fourth round of matches this weekend at the end of a hectic start to the season in which there has been little let-up for teams still reaching full fitness after a short summer break. Here are four things to look out for ahead of the first international break of the season.
1. Dani Olmo's home debut
La Liga accepted a medical report that says Andreas Christensen is a long-term injury loss for Barcelona to allow the club to include summer signing Dani Olmo in their squad under their financial fair-play rules.
Although many are skeptical over just how 'long-term' Christensen's tendonitis actually is, the fact is Olmo is an important arrival for Barcelona and he showed that with his second half appearance away to Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday in which he raised Barca's level of play and scored the winning goal.
The Spain international will start against Valladolid on Saturday as Barca looks to maintain their 100 percent start under Hansi Flick and can expect a warm reception in Montjuic - although if Christensen return to action in two, rather than four months, some will say LaLiga have allowed Barca to adulterate the league.
2. Athletic and Atletico face up again in a classic
Athletic Club Bilbao and Atletico Madrid play one of the classic encounters in La Liga in the San Mames Stadium.
The game comes after Athletic came to life with a 1-0 win at home to Valencia, with a display that was closer to the energetic and aggressive performances that saw them finish fifth last season.
The Basque side need to be in top shape to play their pressing game, that allows them to win possession high up the field and then use the pace of the Williams brothers and Oihan Sancet to threaten their rivals' goal.
Atletico disappointed as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Espanyol on Wednesday and coach Diego Simeone won't have forgotten the 2-0 league defeat and 3-0 Copa del Rey thrashing they received in Bilbao last season. The question is. Will he take the game to Athletic, or sit deep and play on the break?
3. Can Real Madrid hit form against Betis?
Real Madrid again underwhelmed with a 1-1 draw away to Las Palmas on Thursday night in a game where their only goal came from the penalty spot.
Kylian Mbappe is still looking for his first goal in LaLiga and Thursday's game raised the first doubts about his compatibility with Vinicius Jr, with the Brazilian at times preferring to shoot rather than pass to his team-mate.
Real Madrid's big issue continues to be playing the ball out from the back, with Aurelien Tchouameni solid in defensive work, but unable to repeat Toni Kross' ability to keep the ball and launch Madrid through the middle.
Kroos' absence means Madrid is looking to play more longer passes and those are easier for rivals to defend.
With the international break to come, Mbappe needs a goal and Carlo Ancelotti needs to see his side start to click.
4. Must win for Valencia in local derby
Valencia's 1-0 defeat to Athletic Club Bilbao leaves them bottom of La Liga with three defeats from three games and they need to win Saturday's home game against Villarreal to avoid a nervy fortnight over the international break.
Last season Valencia was a lot of fun to watch, with wingers, Diego Lopez, Sergi Canos and Fran Perez, along with young midfielder Javi Guerra.
However, Perez and Canos are injured, Guerra's pre-season was affected by a possible move to Atletico Madrid and left back Jose Luis Gaya is another important absentee, robbing Valencia of a lot of pace.
Villarreal won a thriller 4-3 at home to Celta on Tuesday and has pace in abundance, with Alex Baena, Ayoze Perez and Arnaut Danjuma and if they can get ahead, it could be another tough evening in the Mestalla Stadium for the home fans.
