La Liga: Atletico Madrid lose ground

To cut a medium story short, Real Sociedad played them off the park. The first half was fairly even, and the hosts got lucky when Kevin Gamiero subtly chipped Gero Rulli but saw his shot bounce off the post and trickle along the line – but in the second half Sociedad destroyed Atlético in a display of aggression-possession that had the visitors reeling. Having seen all the previous Atlético victories here, it was surprising to behold. The two goals came via penalties, but they were so obvious that neither of them brought protests from the Atlético players – a rare sight indeed. 

It doesn’t take much to improve a half-decent team like Real Sociedad, condemned to exist in the minds of La Liga watchers as a middling sort of team – worthy of respect but rarely considered to be serious challengers for anything. Despite this, Sociedad turned up recently in the European league tables of home-grown players, in fifth position, behind Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Lyon. Sociedad can’t compete with their bigger rivals with regard to the number of players now playing at other clubs, but currently have 16 on their books as opposed to 7 at Real Madrid and Barcelona, for example.  Atlético Madrid are nowhere to be seen on this list, and on Saturday, three of the home-grown talents in midfield, Xabi Prieto, Asier Illarramendi and David Zurutuza, completely overwhelmed Koke, Gabi and Saúl, with Yannick Carrasco annulled by another home-grown player, Yuri Berchiche. Yet another of Sociedad’s home-grown pearls, centre-back Iñigo Martinez, has just been re-called to the Spanish squad, but his absence in Anoeta (he was suspended) went unnoticed, with the experienced Mikel Gonzalez (another from the local quarry) stepping in unperturbed. Illarramendi is playing the best football of his career, and should be in the Spanish squad, but playing for Real Sociedad never counts as much as playing for the big three. He has more strings to his bow than Koke, and having failed at Real Madrid is hardly a life sentence.  David Zurutuza, however, deserves a special mention. 

29 year-old Zurutuza is rarely mentioned by Spanish journalists and barely known by the general public, and yet he is one of La Liga’s best midfielders. The only reason he has never come to prominence is down to his physical fragility, plus his historic tendency to play ten games wonderfully, and then be injured for the next twenty. Dropped last summer by David Moyes for the sin of addressing the boss as ‘David’, by the time he was recalled for the 8^th game of the season it was too late. Moyes realised his mistake but was gone soon after. Zurutuza is like Andres Iniesta, only not as consistent. He is impossible to knock off the ball, and can turn in an instant, changing the direction of play at will. When he picks up form and fitness, as he is doing now, there are fewer cleverer players in Europe. It would be interesting if he were to be considered for the national team, at the age of 29. University educated, like Illarramendi he is a quiet soul, not given to media appearances and uninterested in self-promotion. The two have gelled wonderfully, however, and with the wise Xabi Prieto for company on Saturday, they out-thought Atlético to an almost embarrassing extent. Diego Simeone, understanding the problem, pulled Griezmann back into the middle to try to re-gain possession, but it didn’t work. With Carlos Vela returning to form, and the excellent Willian José doing everything right up front, the previously half-decent side are now looking like they can challenge for a European place. Atlético meanwhile, must try to get back their defensive solidity and bounce back against their neighbours. 

Antoine Griezmann controls the ball against Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid had little problem in defeating neighbours Leganés 3-0 Sunday lunchtime, but that was more or less expected. Their main ambition was to keep a clean sheet, after the trauma of conceding three in Warsaw in midweek and not managing this feat since the Espanyol game on September 17^th.  Of rather more interest was Barcelona’s visit to the Pizjuán in Seville, where the home team had won every single game there this season. Barcelona suffered defeat in Manchester in midweek in a truly wonderful game, and everything seemed to suggest that they would struggle in Seville, lending further proof to this year’s more competitive panorama. 

The first half went almost as planned, with Sevilla playing at their high-tempo best and taking the lead through Vitolo, after another mistake by Sergi Roberto, not enjoying the best of weeks.  The television coverage seemed almost as interested in the VIP glass lounge where the Game of Thrones actors were ensconced, invited by the club for the game.  Apparently Daenerys only drank bottled water, and no dragons turned up to disturb the action whilst Sevilla let the visitors off the hook, missing a series of chances and paying the fatal price when Leo Messi equalised on the stroke of half-time. Barcelona, to their great credit, went on to win the game with a goal by Luis Suárez, but it could easily have ended otherwise. As such, the theory was disproved by this game’s result, but backed up in Anoeta. Sevilla, however, looked fluent and intense, and if they can solve their tendency to miss chances, they might be considered title contenders. 

They lie 5^th, level on points with Atlético and a point shy of Villarreal , who moved up to third with a win over Betis. Villarreal look less convincing this year, but can never be counted out.  The international break thus comes at a good time for the top five sides, all immersed in European competition. When action resumes, leaders Real Madrid face an interesting three weeks, with Atlético and Barcelona to visit. If they’re really going to get that league trophy back, the next games should provide some indication of whether they’re really up to the job.