LA LIGA
Barcelona continue along their unsteady path of readjustment and Atletico put their metaphorical eggs into the Champions League basket. Lopetegui wants a straight shootout with Ancelotti in the coming weeks to ensure the challenge remains one dimensional for his players, and also that Real Madrid underestimate Los Nervionenses. Keeping hold of Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde in the winter transfer window was a crucial step in the right direction for Sevilla, as their 13 goals conceded by the start of 2022 was the lowest in the division, with the defensive pair crucial to that solidity. Their miserly back line has provided a base for Sevilla to build from, but loan signing Anthony Martial needs to hit the ground running at the other end of the pitch to ensure Lopetegui’s challengers are not outgunned by their all-star rivals. Old habits do die hard in La Liga, and Ancelotti’s calm experience means Madrid will be tough to hunt down. However, Sevilla sense this as a nowor-never chance for glory, as they aim to land their second Spanish title, with their only other
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SOCCER360 MARCH • APRIL 2022
ABOVE: Diego Simeone admitted his Atletico Madrid side may have peaked last season TOP RIGHT: Atletico Madrid's defender Mario Hermoso (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring RIGHT: Suarez aims to bounce back after a great season last year BELOW: Carlo Ancelotti is looking to land his first La Liga title in his second spell at Madrid
triumph coming all the way back in 1946. On the flip side, Ancelotti knows this road well, having won league titles in Germany, Italy and England during his glittering coaching career. The lack of a La Liga title was a noticeable asterisk against his name during his first spell in the Spanish capital, but he has a great opportunity to put that right this time round. That extra strain of motivation will be a genuine factor for the Italian coach as his battle-hardened squad look to click into title mode in the latter stages of the season. While Sevilla do look poised to offer a more streetwise challenge to Madrid, Ancelotti has a squad packed with seasoned winners. The presence of Thibaut Courtois, Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema and others puts Real on a different level of title nous, despite the summer exits of defensive lynchpins Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. Ancelotti has a significant card to play with his team’s experience and enduring worldclass talent, particularly with Modric and
