La Liga title race in the balance but Madrid seize momentum

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid and Barcelona are neck-and-neck in the closest title race in Europe as La Liga’s top two have enjoyed an almost faultless return since Spanish football resumed two weeks ago. 

But Barca’s performances have been less convincing than their results and a draw away at Sevilla has allowed Madrid to clear a two-point deficit and reclaim first place due to a superior head-to-head. 

Beneath them, Atletico Madrid have surged into third, their concerns of missing out on Champions League qualification evaporating almost entirely as their top-four rivals have crumbled around them. 

The three-month suspension has also had varying effects at the bottom, where Celta Vigo and Eibar have managed to pull away, leaving Real Mallorca, Leganes and Espanyol with a mountain to climb. 

Here, AFP Sport draws five conclusions from the first two weeks since La Liga resumed. 

Benzema puts Madrid in charge

When Real Madrid restarted, many wondered whether the recovery of Eden Hazard might propel them ahead of Barcelona down the final straight. 

But Karim Benzema has been the catalyst for four wins out of four, the Frenchman coming back at his sharp, confident and clinical best. 

Benzema’s touch and volley against Valencia may be goal of the season while his link-up with Hazard could finally offer an answer to the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Hazard’s fitness is still a worry. The Belgian came off after an hour against Mallorca on Wednesday as Zinedine Zidane appears keen to manage his minutes.

But the defence has been rock solid again, with Thibaut Courtois making a crucial save against Valencia that might yet prove a pivotal moment. That steel, and Benzema, makes Madrid favourites. 

Ponderous Barca clinging on

Barcelona have taken 10 points out of 12 and even a draw away at Sevilla hardly deserves to be called a slip-up. 

Yet their performances have left the unavoidable sense that they will drop more points during the run-in and perhaps against difficult opponents coming up. 

They play away at a resurgent Celta Vigo on Saturday before hosting in-form Atletico Madrid three days later. They then visit Villarreal, who have shot up into contention for the top four. 

On form, Barca would be confident against all three but Quique Setien’s side have looked ponderous, with even Lionel Messi seeming frustrated in a 1-0 win over Athleic Bilbao on Tuesday. 

Riqui Puig and Ansu Fati have injected some much-needed energy off the bench and it might be that Setien has to trust in youth if Barcelona are to keep pace. For now, they are clinging on.

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2VALhiT