Barcelona and Atletico Madrid return to La Liga action

The international break ended awfully for Barcelona with news that key midfielder Gavi may not play again this season after picking up a serious knee injury while playing for Spain. That may have dampened spirits a little after the Catalans overcame Alavés 2-1 last time out, recovering from a first-minute deficit in the process to sit third in the table after 13 rounds.

A crucial UEFA Champions League top-of-the-table clash against Porto next Tuesday looms large, but Barça starts this round third-four points behind surprise leaders Girona and can’t risk losing further ground domestically. An unbeaten start in 2023/24 on their travels in La Liga is on the line, but Xavi’s side will no doubt be wary of not conceding early, having gone behind inside ten minutes in two of their last three league trips.

Elsewhere, Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone will be hoping his players are refreshed and ready to continue their quest for another La Liga crown after the international break. A 3-1 victory over Villarreal before club football’s hiatus left the 11-time Spanish champions just six points off the summit, but with a game in hand on all of the sides above them, they know that gap can be closed quickly.

Recent achievements at the Estadio Metropolitano have been simply staggering, as Atléti has secured 17 successive wins across all competitions on home soil, a streak that dates back to early February.

They are, therefore, a pretty formidable opponent for Mallorca, although the visitors have surprisingly won three of the last four meetings. That historical omen is about the only source of inspiration they have left to cling to because a period of seven league fixtures without a victory has left them dangling precariously above the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, the weekend’s first game will see Alaves host Granada on Friday night while Real Madrid travels to Cadiz on Sunday.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu