#7 Atletico travel to newly promoted Leganes
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Atletico Madrid started the season on the backfoot without their star player Antoine Greizmann in the squad as the Frenchman enjoyed a prolonged rest following his exploits at the European Championships in his homeland. This led to the hosts only managing a draw in their first game of the season last weekend against newly promoted Deportivo Alaves.
The Rojiblancos could not enjoy a perfect start to the new La Liga season as a 1-1 draw against a newly promoted side was uncalled for by the club’s supporters. It looked as if the visitors had come better prepared for Atletico’s challenge as they organised themselves well throughout the game. New signing Kevon Gameiro did score a goal on his debut through the penalty he got but he was also seen missing plenty of chances.
If Simeone wants his side to continue challenging the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid then his side will have t pull up their socks in time. The team will be playing another newly promoted side this weekend as they travel to face Leganes. Atletico fans would have expected their side to have six points in the bag from the first two games but they have already dropped two points which could be the difference at the end of the season.
The Red and White outfit will be hoping to see off the challenge that Leganes will pose in front of them. If the La Liga giants fail to conquer such opponents, then Atletico’s title bid may be as good as over already.
Leganes will host Atletico Madrid in a 01:45 AM IST kick-off on Sunday (August 28, 2016).
#8 Two top-4 contenders go head to head – Villarreal vs Sevilla
Sevilla had finished last season at the 7th spot in La Liga but had been crowned the Europa League champions for a third consecutive year. The team saw coach Unai Emery leave for Paris Saint-Germain in the off season but new coach Jorge Sampaoli’s style of play will certainly be liked by many throughout the world. One such example of the manager’s tactics was seen in their opening game at home last weekend.
Sevilla hosted Espanyol in the first game of the season and it turned out to be a 10-goal thriller between the two clubs. The game ended at 6-4 in the home team’s favour but the most important thing was that there was excitement in the home team’s supporters about the new season with a new boss in charge. The club will be travelling to a Villarreal side who had finished last season at the number four spot but the difference between them and 3rd placed Atleti was a staggering 24 points which shows how far ahead the trio of Barca, Real and Atletico are.
The new season should give a chance to the likes of Villarreal to improve on their last season’s performances. The club saw themselves getting involved in a 1-1 draw at Granada on the opening weekend of the season. The team will be delighted that their new signing Alexandre Pato scored his first goal for the club in his debut but the disappointment of dropping two points on the first day will be more.
But as the two teams lock horns this weekend, it will certainly be a battle of the teams who will look to finish within the top-4 in the Spanish League this season. It is going to be a tough match but should be very entertaining given the fact that both teams focus on attack.
Villarreal host Sevilla in a 01:45 AM IST kick-off on Monday (August 29, 2016).
