The red and white team enters the break in great shape. FC Barcelona leads with a seven-point lead. Atlético will face Alavés, Valladolid, Sevilla and Getafe before challenging the Blaugrana in the final league match of the year.
The last day of the championship before the break was very positive for Atlético. The red and white team beat Mallorca by a narrow header, while the league leaders suffered a setback against Real Sociedad. Under the leadership of Cholo Simeone, Atlético enters the break re-inflated, having reduced the gap with Barça to three points, who now lead them by seven points. Seven points is a considerable gap, but it is still surmountable. Second-placed Real Madrid are just one length behind, although the Madrid side have played a game less.
After thirteen days of the championship, the situation has changed radically since Atlético’s defeat against Betis. Simeone’s men look to the future with optimism. The team may not play attractive football and may even bore the fans at times, but they are back on the winning path and share a common approach: running and contesting every ball as if it were the last. The quality of Atlético’s players will ultimately be decisive in future matches.
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The upcoming schedule also invites optimism, although Atlético is committed to taking things one game at a time. On paper, the red and white have easier opponents before their clash with FC Barcelona on December 22, during the 18th day of the season. However, they have four theoretically winnable matches prior to this: Alavés, Valladolid, Sevilla and Getafe. With the exception of the match against Valladolid, the other three will be played at the Metropolitano.
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In the thirteen matches played so far, the record stands at seven wins, five draws and one defeat against the Verdiblanco. Atlético scored 19 goals while conceding just seven. Oblak recalled their performances from previous seasons and the team was solid defensively. That strength at the back is what Atlético are counting on as they look towards the near future. The red and white team strengthens its defense, becoming solid at the back, and building its victories from there.
Morocco
