MADRID – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will all be hoping to build on their first wins of the season as La Liga heads into its fourth round of games this week.
Here, AFP looks at five talking points ahead of the midweek fixtures.
- Fati could be essential for Koeman -
For the first time in a long time, Barcelona can enjoy some calm after a 4-0 win over Villarreal in their first match of the season on Sunday.
Lionel Messi scored on his first competitive appearance since attempting to leave in the summer but most exciting was the performance of the 17-year-old Ansu Fati, who scored twice and won a penalty.
Ronald Koeman must decide how to make the most of the teenager, whose maturity on the pitch belies his age and whose body might not be ready to start every week.
But Fati’s pace, movement and decision-making are all so impressive it will be difficult to leave him out, as Barca looks to build on that win at Celta Vigo on Thursday.
- Time running out for Jovic? -
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane switched to a 4-4-2 formation during his team’s 3-2 win at Real Betis on Saturday as Luka Jovic was deployed up front alongside Karim Benzema.
But the Serbian striker failed to take his chance before going off with 18 minutes to go.
It remains to be seen whether Zidane persists with Jovic at home to Real Valladolid on Wednesday, or at all.
When Eden Hazard regains fitness that spot next to Benzema will belong to the Belgian so Jovic’s window of opportunity may be small. Time would appear to be running out.
- Optimism for free-scoring Atletico -
Atletico scored 19 fewer goals than champions Real Madrid last season and 35 fewer than Barcelona.
Hitting six against Granada on Sunday offered some early encouragement that this season’s Atletico, boosted by the arrival of Luis Suarez in the attack, can put those scoring problems behind them.
Suarez stole the show after scoring twice on his debut but Joao Felix was arguably the biggest plus for Diego Simeone.
Atletico goes up against newly-promoted Huesca on Wednesday.
- Pellegrini’s Betis lead the way -
Even the defeat by Real Madrid could not knock Real Betis off the top of the table, as Manuel Pellegrini’s team enjoy the benefits of a strong start and more games played than the traditional powerhouses three weeks into the season.
But there is cause for optimism longer-term as Betis began with wins against Alaves and Real Valladolid, before matching Madrid for prolonged spells until their opponents pulled away in the second half.
With the likes of Nabil Fekir, Sergio Canales and Joaquin, this Betis squad has not lacked for attacking talent but solidity at the back has too often been an afterthought.
On Tuesday they travel to Getafe, looking to prove they can be harder to break down.
- New coaches under early pressure -
Villarreal faces Alaves on Wednesday, with pressure already on both coaches. Villarreal have four points from their opening three games but a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Barcelona on Sunday, as well as a draw at home to newly-promoted Huesca means Unai Emery could do with a victory.
Alaves, meanwhile, are second bottom after managing just a point from their first three games, with Pablo Machin seeking a first win at la Ceramica.
Valencia has also made a stuttering start, a draw at home to Huesca on Saturday coming on the back of a surprise loss away at Celta Vigo.
New coach Javi Gracia has already expressed disappointment with the club’s summer transfer dealings, meaning credit with the board may be lacking if results do not improve. They play away at Real Sociedad on Tuesday. – AFP, September 29, 2020
