Atlético’s strike forces Real Madrid to take a bite out of La Liga | Relief

Lost to Atlético Spanish Cup left disgust in the locker room real Madrid. A defeat from a neighbor who needs to be eliminated is a difficult mixture to digest, especially after a match in which there were options for victory. Without the opportunity to compete for the third trophy of the season, Ancelotti and his team are now focused on La Liga and the champions.paying special attention to the main national tournament, in which they have no room for error.

There was no drama. Losing at the Metropolitano could fit into the scenario. The conditions were not ideal, with key players injured and after a long winning streak. Plus, added to this was the fatigue from the trip to Arabia and the Super Cup matches.

This does not reduce the anger at missing a good opportunity.. Joselu’s goal in the last minutes gave wings to the White Guards, who were already dreaming of another comeback. Nothing could be further from reality the team collapsed in extra time. A heavy blow from which you need to recover as quickly as possible. So come next match against Rojiblancos (February 4) as an opportunity to correct the situation.

Relegation puts Madrid in the lead a situation where it is necessary to win one or two titles that remain in dispute. Failure to win a major cup this season will cast doubt on the team’s composition, coaching staff and club planning. Given the challenges the Champions League presents and the distance it has created in La Liga, the local tournament is little less than an obligation for the Whites.

Two key fights for the La Liga title

He The derby on February 4 at the Bernabeu could serve as a death sentence for the red and whites, ten points in the table. One week later, On the 10th of the same month they will host Girona, two points ahead but one game more.. Two title contenders in a row with the advantage that both are still alive in the Cup and Real will have all of next week to recover and prepare for a run of seven games in 28 days.

After Almeria this weekend (Sunday, 16:15) and next week, the white La Liga schedule is as follows: Las Palmas (away), Getafe (away), Atlético (home), Girona (home), Rayo ( away) and Sevilla (at home). To this should be added the first match of the Champions League against Leipzig, the only trip outside of Madrid in the entire month of February.

The Champions League is also a goal, like every year, but no one knows better than Madrid how difficult it is to win it.. With Courtois, Militao and Alaba out of action, the team will have to create the ideal option to win. There is a belief in the squad that they will go far, but in the final rounds the equality is complete and the details – which do not seem to be on their side this season – will determine whether they can lift 15th place or not. .

That’s why they see La Liga as more approachable in the dressing room., starting from Almeria at home. Against the bottom team, he is not only happy with the victory. To clear up any doubts, the team needs to be convinced next Sunday in their second home game of the year after a gut-wrenching win over Mallorca. The first step towards one of the goals for 2024: completing the championship title two years later.