Normal service has resumed in LaLiga, with bitter rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona vying for supremacy after the. Catalan giants were never in contention last season.
Following Real Madrid’s first point of the season, a 1-1 home draw against. Osasuna last Sunday, Spain’s usual top two were tied at the top of the standings on 19 points.
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona play important games this weekend in order to gain momentum ahead of their El Clasico showdown on October 16.
On Saturday, Real Madrid will travel 30 minutes south of the. Spanish capital to face Getafe, while Barcelona will host a dangerous Celta Vigo side that defeated Real Betis 1-0 the previous weekend.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will look to bounce back from last week’s draw when they travel to. Getafe, where they lost last season, after cruising past Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Italian has been able to rely on in-form attacking duo. Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema to produce the goods and will be hoping for the return of. Luka Modric, who has been out with a hip injury sustained while on international duty with Croatia.
Real Madrid will face Shakhtar Donetsk again next week in a match that could secure them early qualification to the round of 16 and a morale boost ahead of El Clasico.
Barca’s situation in Europe appears to be becoming more complicated. While they are on a six-game winning streak in LaLiga with striker. Robert Lewandowski on fire, they have lost two consecutive Champions League games and will host. Celta knowing that they face Inter Milan three days later at Camp Nou.
A third defeat in four games would see Barcelona eliminated from the. Champions League at the group stage for the second consecutive season.
With several key players injured, Coach Xavi will face another major selection headache.
Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, and Hector Bellerin are all questionable, and Barcelona has a major defensive problem with Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, and Andreas Christensen all out injured.
Attention will also be drawn to the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. Where Sevilla will face Athletic Bilbao in the debut of new manager Jorge Sampaoli, who was appointed on Thursday following the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui.
It will be Sampaoli’s second stint with the record six-time Europa League winners, who have had a difficult start to the season, winning only one game in all competitions.
After their worst start to a league season since being promoted back to the top flight in 2001, they are 17th in LaLiga with five points, a place and a point above the relegation zone.
Athletic, led by former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde, are third in the table with 16 points. Three points behind leaders Barcelona and Real Madrid, having won five of their seven league games.
Athletic last finished in the top three of LaLiga 30 years ago, when former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes was in charge.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real team will be seeking to bounce back from last week’s draw when they go to Getafe, where they lost last season, after easily defeating Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Italian has been able to count on the productive offensive tandem of Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema to deliver the goods, and he is anticipating. Luka Modric’s potential return after suffering a hip injury while serving as a Croatian international.
Real will play Shakhtar once more the following week in a game that might provide them an early round of 16 qualifying and a confidence boost before El Clasico.
For Barcelona, things appear to be getting more difficult in Europe. They have a six-game winning streak in La Liga, and Robert Lewandowski is having a strong season. However, they have dropped two straight Champions League games, and they will host. Celta knowing that they have a key matchup against Inter Milan at Camp Nou three days later.
Barca would be in danger of being eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage for the second consecutive year if they suffered their third loss in their previous four games.
With numerous important players out with injuries, coach Xavi will once again have a difficult selection process.
Barca has a major problem in defense with Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, and Andreas Christensen all out injured. Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, and Hector Bellerin are all questionable.
As Jorge Sampaoli makes his managerial debut for Sevilla against Athletic Bilbao after replacing. Julen Lopetegui on Thursday, attention will also be on the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.
Following their worst league season since being promoted back to the top division in 2001. They are currently 17th in LaLiga with five points, one spot and one point above the relegation zone.
Athletic, managed by former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde. Has won five of its last seven league games and is currently third in the standings with 16 points. Three points behind leaders Barcelona and Real Madrid.
When Jupp Heynckes, a former coach of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, led the squad as manager. Athletic last finished in the top three of LaLiga in 1984.
