Not even half of the season in La Liga has passed, and a new champion is already in sight. Real is the sovereign ruler of Spain in the new season. Defender of the crown, Atletico, is 14 points behind the city rival. It will be difficult for Diego Simoene’s team to get involved in the title fight. In fact, if it’s up to their current form, they cannot be sure they will end in the Champions League next season. They tied three defeats in the championship, the last one over the weekend in Seville (1:2).⚡️ GOALS GOALS GOALS vs @Athletic_en! ⚡️#AthleticRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/iXMSsT245y— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 21, 2021 Today, Madrid’s great rivals are coming out on the field to play the remaining matches of the Primera. Real, after a shocking goalless draw at the Santiago Bernabeu against Cadiz, travels to San Mames at the feet of the traditionally uncomfortable Athletic Bilbao. The Royal club is devastated by Corona. As many as seven are out due to illness – Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, Rodrigo, Marcelo, David Alaba, Isco and Gareth Bale. The Brazilian dynamo in midfield, Casemiro, was suspended due to yellow cards, while Dani Carvajal was injured.A series of bad transfer choices – Barcelona have wasted 415 million USD on strikersCarlo Ancelotti will have problems selecting the players, especially in midfield. Camavinga and Blanco, who have not played much so far, should get a chance, as well as Valverde, who suffered from injuries at the start of the championship. Karim Benzema and Vinicius are expected to attack. Luka Jović and Eden Hazard will have to look for a chance from the bench. Covid also affected Bilbao, as Vivian, Yury Berchiche, Villalibre and Peru are out of the story, while Simon, Inigo Martinez, Berenguer and Ezkieta are injured. The most is expected from Inaki Williams in the rush hour, as well as from winger Iker Muniain. Carlo Ancelotti would gladly except the same result from last year, when both matches ended with a 1-0 win for Real.Knock, knock, knocking on a Dortmund’s door: We’re aware Real Madrid are coming for HaalandAtletico is in the knockdown. After three consecutive defeats, La Liga champions are going to Andalusia to play Granada, a team who is waiting for victory for the last four rounds. The once powerful defense of the Quilt is no longer as granite as before. Victory is imperative. Again, all eyes will be on Luis Suarez. Antoine Griezmann is injured, so the Uruguayan veteran will be accompanied by the Portuguese Joao Felix. Apart from Griezmann, Diego Simeone cannot count on Marcos Llorente, Jose Mario Jimenez, Stefan Savić and Šime Vrsaljko.Luis Suarez’s furious reaction towards Simeone – ‘A**holes of s***!’The biggest threat for the hosts will be Luis Suarez, and the guests are also threatened by Luis Suarez, but not the Uruguayan, the Colombian. The 39-year-old striker Jorge Molina, the scorer of three goals last week when Granada won against Mallorca 3-1 is also in top form. The host will not be complete either. Montoro, Rohina, Duarte will be missing due to injuries, while Guinness and Gonalons have been suspended due to yellow cards. Last season, Atletico won both times: 6:1 at their Metropolitan, and 2:1 in Granada.LA LIGA ROUND 4TuesdayVillareal – Alaves 5-2 (2-1)/Moreno 18, 88, Dia 27, 76, Pino 79 – Pons 44, Joselu 65/Sevilla – Barcelona 1-1 (1-1)/Gomez 32 – Araujo 45/Wednesday LA LIGA ROUND 921:00 Granada – Atletico Madrid23:30 Athletic Club – Real Madrid
