LA LIGA
Atletico Madrid’s second title win under Diego Simeone was a credit to the Argentine
‘DIEGO SIMEONE DECLARED THAT ATLETICO WERE ENTERING ‘THE LUIS SUAREZ ZONE’’ at home to Sevilla in early May. Therefore, the onus remained with Atlético, who knew if they were to win their final three matches, they would be crowned champions. First, Atlético defeated fifth-placed Real Sociedad, in a hard-fought 2-1 home victory. Next came 11th-placed Osasuna, also at Atlético’s Wanda Metropolitano. Despite dominating the match with over 70% possession, Simeone’s side could not find a breakthrough. Then, out of nowhere, Osasuna scored in the 75th minute from a goal from Ante Budimir. Meanwhile, Madrid were in front 1-0 against Athletic Club, meaning if the results held, Atlético would end the day in second place, with the title race out of their control. Enter Renan Lodi. A 66th-minute substitute, the left-back received a brilliant pass from another substitute in Joao Felix and thundered the ball into the top corner with his left foot. Simeone’s substitutions worked, but Atlético still needed another goal. Enter Suárez. The former Barcelona striker, cast away by the club last summer, made the most of his opportunity to prove his old employers wrong. Pre-match, Simeone declared that Atlético were entering ‘the Suárez Zone,’ due to the striker’s innate ability
LA LIGA SUMMER TRANSFERS The season had barely finished before talk turned to the transfer market. Barcelona have already been busy – which are the other names to watch this summer?
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to score crucial goals throughout his career. And in the 88th minute, Osasuna and the rest of Spain discovered what that zone was. A brilliant cross into the box by Yannick Carrasco was met by Suárez, who calmly struck the ball into the net, causing pandemonium amongst his teammates and coaches. The 34-year-old Uruguayan saved Atlético’s season, but there was still one more match to go. On paper, Atlético’s final match against Valladolid, the second-worst team in La Liga, seemed a formality. In fact, over the last 11 matches between the two sides, Atlético had won 10 of them and drawn the other. But the ‘pupas’ curse has a way of rearing its ugly head in the most unpredictable moments. Like in the 18th minute, when Valladolid rightwinger Oscar Plano put his club ahead through a brilliant counter-attack, expertly placing his shot past the outstretched arms of Jan Oblak. Once again, Atlético faced a deficit, knowing if it stayed that way they would most likely finish in second place and lose out to their city rivals, once again. After falling behind for the second consecutive league match, it could be understood if the Atlético Madrid players, coaches and supporters began to wonder if another
Real Madrid clinched second but – aside from a mid-season wobble – Atletico were always clear
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are braced for substantial changes on the pitch. Madrid have re-appointed Carlo Ancelotti and Barca are sticking with Ronald Koeman, but both squads look set for an overhaul. Lionel Messi’s future was no clearer even as Barca unveiled compatriot Sergio Aguero, one of a number of high-profile free transfer signings with which the Catalans were linked. Memphis Depay has left Lyon, and followed Aguero to Camp Nou. In Madrid, captain Sergio Ramos will look for a fresh experience after 16 years in the capital while Gareth Bale has Euro 2020 to put himself in the shop window as
his Tottenham Hotspur loan concludes. Kylian Mbappe will be a name mentioned frequently, too. Is he heading for Santiago Bernabeu? In Seville, Real Betis will face a fight to retain France international Nabil Fekir, and Sevilla will spend the summer fending off interest in their fantastic defensive duo of Diego Carlos and Jules Koundé. If either do leave, it will be for big money. Gerard Moreno of Villarreal will be another La Liga player on many clubs’ radars. The striker plundered 23 goals last season and will represent Spain this summer at the European Championships. His colleague Pau Torres has been a rock for the Yellow
