It’s down to a two horse race in La Liga.
That’s the call from SBOTOP after Atletico Madrid, who in fairness were not expected to challenge for top spot this term, dropped more points over the weekend.
A 1-1 draw at relegation strugglers Espanyol has, realistically, left Diego Simeone’s men with too much to do to keep up with the mighty duopoly that is Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The psychological toll the two games Los Rojiblancos faced against those sides immediately before the international break may not have had any impact on Saturday’s encounter, when Cesar Azpilicueta’s opener was cancelled out by a 71st minute penalty from Javi Puado.
After all, a trip to a side fighting for their life always had the potential to be a tricky afternoon.
Yet the feeling persists that the damage caused in their previous two outings, coupled with this result – Espanyol scored with their first shot on target – has effectively ended their title dream.
In Europe, the mental blow of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Real was clear as they suffered in an incident which will be talked about for years to come– when Atletico livewire Julian Alvarez slipped and double-tapped the ball and saw his goal disallowed.
When yet more Atletico anguish followed just four days later, they led Barcelona 2-0 with 20 minutes remaining, only to go down to another energy-sapping defeat, it seemed extra cruel.
Their season now depends on the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final in midweek, once more against Barca, which stands level at 4-4 after the first leg.
On a more upbeat note, the bulletin on Robin Le Normand, who came off with a head injury during the 1-1 draw at Espanyol, is positive.
There was added concern as it is the Spanish international’s second such injury this term. Thankfully, after a series of tests, the club has released a statement which have ruled out any serious issue.
Back on the pitch, if the La Liga 2025 betting odds are against Atletico, then their city rivals Real remain the team to beat.
They may be three points off the top but Madrid have a habit of turning up when it really matters.
Indeed, it is at this stage in the season, when every game and every result matters, that Los Blancos usually come alive.
It would be unfair to say they came alive on Saturday night in the Bernabeu but they got the job done against basement battlers Leganes.
After Kylian Mbappe’s penalty, the spirited visitors hit back to lead at the break through Diego Garcia and the in-form Dani Raba.
At this point the champions needed to put their game face on.
Jude Bellingham equalised within two minutes of the restart and then Mbappe’s 33rd of the season – a well-worked free-kick through a gap in Leganes wall 15 minutes from time – secured all three points.
Few would have begrudged the visitors a deserved point but Real had found a way once more.
Barca are still out in front after a second half of La Liga 2025 highlights against last season’s wonderful surprise package Girona.
When Arnaut Danjuma cancelled out an own goal opener against the run of play early in the second half, the less famous club from the capital had threatened to upstage their illustrious hosts for a second season in succession.
However, Poland forward Robert Lewandowski put Hansi Flick’s side back ahead just after the hour mark with an improvised finish, and he then scored his 25th league goal of the season after some fine midfield play from substitute Frenkie de Jong.
Ferran Torres rounded off the scoring late on with a low effort into the bottom corner.
As for the Pichichi, the Pole has already surpassed his best ever tally at the club.
He won the award two seasons ago with 23 goals, and 38 goals overall so far in 2024/25 also betters his outright total from then.
Now on a total of 97 goals for the Catalans, he is pushing to break the 100-mark next month and continues to defy his 36 years of age.
At the other end of the table, Valencia’s improved run of form continued as they took a big step towards safety with a 1-0 victory over eighth placed Mallorca.
Diego Lopez netted the only goal of the contest five minutes after the restart and his finish from outside the box was the stand-out moment of an evenly matched contest.
The former La Liga champions have now only lost one of their last six.
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