LaLiga: Eden Hazard has crucial role to play in Real Madrid title hunt; Atletico move on from Diego Costa

LaLigaTV pundit and Evening Standard columnist Andrea Orlandi this weekend’s Spanish football as the title race heats up
Andrea Orlandi8 January 2021

Atlético Madrid continue to show title-winning form this season by finding ways to win tight games, including against a tricky opponent in Alavés when Luis Suarez scored in the 90th minute last weekend.

They’ve only lost once this season – a disappointing defeat to their Madrid rivals and title challengers Real – but other than that blip they’ve been excellent. They have managed to win even when they’ve not played well, and these are the games that make you champions.

Up front they’ve lost Diego Costa, but this may not be a bad thing. Costa is a great guy and a real character in the dressing room, but when someone is unhappy sometimes it’s best to let them go.

I think it was best for both parties that he left; he wanted to play week-in, week-out and Simeone doesn’t need an unhappy player challenging for the title.

Atlético have been linked with Real Sociedad’s Willian Jose – who almost joined Spurs in the January window last year – to replace Diego Costa and rival Luis Suarez up front, and I think he would be a good signing for them.

LaLiga

First, Atleti need to overcome another tricky opponent this weekend. Athletic Club are under new management with ex-Valencia boss Marcelino taking charge. He won the Copa del Rey with Valencia and will look to make Athletic a difficult team to beat and quick in transition.

They parted ways with Gaizka Garitano who had Bilbao playing a more possession-based football, which isn’t their usual style. Spanish teams are usually synonymous with possession-based football but Athletic Club buck that trend; they adopt a traditionally British playing system by being more direct with big men up front like Fernando Llorente or Artiz Aduriz through the years.

It will be an interesting tactical battle between the two sides – it always is with Atlético. They are good defensively, very physical and with three at the back they should have enough cover to cope with the pace of Iñaki Williams. Marcelino has not had much time to work with his side, so I see it being a difficult match for Athletic Club against a team that are very well drilled.

This weekend’s fixtures
LaLiga

Across the Spanish capital, title rivals Real Madrid will be hoping Eden Hazard can keep fit and get back to his best form in the second half of the season.

It hasn’t worked out for him so far, but Real’s fans have been uncharacteristically patient with him because they know what he can bring to this side, and I’m confident he’ll come good.

I expect Eden Hazard to start at Osasuna, with Lucas Vazquez likely to drop back to right back, and Real will need him to provide the inspiration and creativity he showed at Chelsea if they’re to win LaLiga this season.

He has shown he’s got a good relationship with Karim Benzema in the games they’ve played together, and that relationship can give them an extra dimension this season and take them to that next level.

AFP via Getty Images

Zinedine Zidane deserves credit for his man management of his attacking talents; he keeps them all happy and manages the squad well, which later in the season will be crucial to their success.

Real’s opponents Osasuna find themselves towards the bottom of the table, but I think they’ll stay up. They can cause Madrid real problems with balls into the box and their physicality up front with Budimir, Jonathan Calleri and Enric Gallego off the bench.

Sevilla and Real Sociedad both maintain ambitions to qualify for the Champions League next season, so this should be an interesting match in a very tight race for Europe. I think Sevilla are favourites to finish fourth, but they have some questions to answer.

Sevilla were considered title contenders at the start of the season but that challenge never materialised. They struggled to score enough goals but now they’re finding ways to win games when they’re not playing well. But with the players they have they should be performing far better.

Real Sociedad have struggled with injuries in recent weeks and they are really missing David Silva’s creativity. They won the derby with Mikel Oyarzabal back and will hope to welcome Adnan Januzaj back this weekend, someone Europa League opponents Manchester United know well, and he could be the player that changes Sociedad’s fortunes with him in the number ten position.

Both these sides need victories to keep their European ambitions in sight so I’m expecting an exciting match.

The table as it stands
LaLiga

Gerard Moreno is the best Spanish striker in LaLiga right now, and I’m looking forward to watching him again on Friday night as Celta Vigo host Villarreal on FreeSports and LaLigaTV.

Moreno’s tactical intelligence, technical quality and movement are second to none in the league and if he stays fit Lionel Messi will have a serious rival for the Pichichi trophy (Spain’s top goalscorer award) come the end of the season.

Iago Aspas, another rival for the Pichichi trophy won’t be available for Celta Vigo and he’ll be a big miss for them. They’d turned their season around under new manager Eduardo Coudet, but injuries have scuppered their momentum and he’ll be difficult to replace.

Unai Emery has done a fantastic job at Villarreal, who still have Champions League ambitions for this season, and they’ll hope Aspas’ absence helps in their bid to finish in the top four this season.

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