THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY

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 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

LA LIGA SUMMER TRANSFERS

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

Cast off by Barcelona, Luis Suarez proved he had plenty still to offer with 21 goals

devastating collapse was written in the stars, especially considering a potential defeat would enable Real Madrid to surpass them once again. Like in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals, when Atlético’s agonizing defeats to their city rivals enhanced the club’s infamous ‘El Pupas’ [The Jinxed Ones] mantra. After leading La Liga so convincingly in January, losing the league title on the final day would be typical for Atlético. One could even consider it the club’s destiny. But not this year. Just like against Osasuna, Simeone’s side responded. This time it was forward Ángel Correa, scoring a stunning goal from outside the box in the 57th minute, built up by his brilliant movement through the Valladolid defence. 10 minutes later, Atlético entered ‘the Suárez Zone’ once again, as the striker latched on to from a terrible pass by Sergi Guardiola, breaking free to go one-onone with the goalkeeper. It was fitting Suárez scored the winner to clinch the league title, as he put together an incredible season for Atlético with 21 league goals. Suárez was a standout and Atleti the team of the year, but others impressed too. Real Betis returned to Europe after a run of two defeats in 25 games to secure sixth, promoted Cádiz claimed 12th and beat both Barca and Madrid and Elche, having had 13 days to prepare for the top flight, secured safety on the final day. But it was Atlético and their eighth trophy under Cholo Simeone that took the headlines and banished the club’s long-standing curse.

Submarine and is attracting attention from Manchester United, having contributed to beating the Red Devils in the Europa League Final at the end of May. A bargain buy could prove in the shape of forward Rafa Mir. The Wolverhampton Wanderers marksman was on loan at Huesca last season and banged in 13 goals. It was an impressive total for a relegated club and he will attract a lot of attention this summer, particular as his parent club go through a change in coach.

BELOW: Barcelona are rebuilding in summer 2021 but financial pressures mean relying on big-name free transfers

RIGHT: The question is not who will come top three, but in what order will Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico finish in at the top of the table.

LEFT: Eric Garcia is another free agent signing for Barcelona.

LEFT (OPPOSITE PAGE): Depay will reunite with former Netherlands coach Koeman at Barcelona

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2021-22

Atleti’s title win was something of a surprise for 2020-21. Will next season see one of the Clasico pair return to the summit?

Expect a fierce retort from Real Madrid and Barcelona to prove a stern test of Atlético Madrid regaining their crown. Real Madrid will look to bounce back in their renovated Santiago Bernabéu stadium, whilst Barcelona will look to inject fresh impetus and money into the club long-term thanks to new president Joan Laporta, who wasted no time in signing Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Emerson Royal. Atleti, Madrid and Barca are almost guaranteed to make the top three – the only question is in what order. The remaining Champions League place should be fought between a well-run Sevilla outfit and a vibrant Villarreal side who have improved greatly as last season went on. An emotional moment could come to pass in the form of Real Betis legendary winger Joaquín Sánchez Rodríguez. The all-time outfield La Liga appearance holder with over 800 games under his belt could be set for his final bow in Spanish football. The evergreen Joaquín will be 40 years old when the new season commences, and supporters of all clubs will be sorry to see him go when he finally does hang up his boots. Valencia will aim to be fighting for European places after a torrid campaign where Los Che finished a lowly 13th position. The Mestalla club are hamstrung by financial and institutional troubles so a return to Europe might be a forlorn challenge. Stability will be their main aim this time round. In terms of the new kids on the block, Real Mallorca and Espanyol will both be aiming to make an impression of the likes of Cádiz and Elche as they bounced back from relegation to return to the elite.