After a few frustrating nights in the Champions League, spanish champions Barcelona and current league leaders Real Madrid are looking to rekindle their resolve this weekend in La Liga.
The top two teams aim to defeat Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, who are currently in the lead, on Saturday when Barcelona hosts Alaves, while Madrid travel to Girona on Sunday.
Real Madrid’s defense wobbled alarmingly in also conceding three against Greek side Olympiacos, despite being able to claim a 4-3 victory thanks to four goals from Kylian Mbappe, while Barcelona suffered a morale-crushing 3-0 defeat by Chelsea on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge.
Hansi Flick, a coach for Barca, was perplexed and looking for some hope after the humiliating defeat in London.
“I notice the intensity, quality, and intensity of our training. He told reporters that it is “absolutely different” from what it was six weeks ago.
“Players are returning, enhancing the level of training.” I feel optimistic and have a good feeling about that.
For the first time in 2025, Flick’s Barca didn’t score a goal in the Chelsea defeat.
Raphinha has started a few substitute games since returning from injury, and Alaves may get a bigger role when they travel to the newly reopened Camp Nou.
“You can see I’m happy that Raphinha is back, and Pedri will follow soon from injury, as you can see,” said Flick.
A 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao last Saturday would help Barca’s first Camp Nou game in two and a half years, and a similar performance against Alaves would help patch up some gaps in the near future.
After losing points in both of their previous league games, including last weekend’s clash with promoted Elche, it would provably bring the champions of last season back to the top of La Liga.
After that disappointing 2-2 draw and 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano before the November international break, Alonso’s team now leads Barca at the top by one point.
After a subpar campaign start, Girona are 18th.
Real’s victory in Athens on Wednesday ended a three-game losing streak across all competitions thanks to superstar French striker Mbappe’s heroic run.
Alonso argued that a win was crucial for the team to regain its winning formula at Montilivi, which he hopes they can continue to build on.
Some Spanish reports suggest that the coach’s players, including winger Vinicius Junior, do not support him, which has raised questions about him.
The season will be long and demanding, the group says. “We are all united. There will be many different situations, but Alonso argued that the key is unity: having confidence in one another.
Watch out for Mikel Oyarzabal.
Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad forward, has been in excellent form recently, helping his team to rise to the top of the table after a poor start, and claiming to start as Spain’s starting striker at the World Cup in 2014. Villarreal’s top flight leader will make a Sunday appearance in San Sebastian to increase his La Real’s three goals and two assists in his previous four La Liga games.
Important statistics
Atletico Madrid has 12 league matches that are unbeaten.
Barcelona scored 53 games in a row before losing 3-0 to Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Alvaro Carreras, a Real Madrid defender, has 1125 touches on the ball, more than any other player in the league this season.
Fixtures
Friday (all times GMT)
Getafe v Elche (2000)
Saturday
Mallorca v Osasuna (1300), Barcelona v Alaves (1515), Levante v Athletic Bilbao (1730), Atletico Madrid v Real Oviedo (2000)
Sunday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (1300), Sevilla v Real Betis (1515), Celta Vigo v Espanyol (1730), Girona v Real Madrid (2000)
Monday
Rayo Vallecano v. Valencia (2000)
Source: Channels TV
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