When Real Madrid lost 1-2 at home to Levante, and Barcelona won 2-1 against Athletic Bilbao in late January and early February 2021, the gap between them and the leader Atletico Madrid had reached 10 points, even though coach Diego Simeone's team still played 2 matches less. Experts say that La Liga will fall into a boring situation in the championship race like the Premier League, Serie A or Bundesliga.
However, within just 2 months, Atletico have thrown away almost all the advantages they have, so now, they are at the most disadvantaged position on the remaining journey of the season, despite still in the leading position.
Accordingly, the 1-1 draw at Real Betis entered round 30 (early morning of April 12, Vietnam time), the 7th match Los Rojiblancos have lost points in the last 11 rounds. Specifically, Simeone and his students lost 2 and drew 5 - meaning they have lost 16 points in the past 2 months.
Among the matches that had to be shared, the score was 1-1 against Real Madrid, which means they lost to their opponents in terms of head-to-head coefficient (losing 0-2 in the first leg). It is worth mentioning that Atletico lost points to opponents they easily won in the first leg such as Celta Vigo (2-0 first leg, 2-2 return), Real Betis (2-0 first leg, 1-1 return), Getafe (1-0 first leg, 0-0 return), Sevilla (2-0 first leg, 0-1 return). As for Levante, Atletico have lost points in 2 consecutive matches (1-1 away, 0-2 at home).
If Atletico's defense is the proudest point in the first leg, in the recent period, they have only kept a clean sheet in 3 matches. The remaining 8 matches have conceded 10 goals.
During the same period, overcoming personnel difficulties, Real Madrid did not lose in 10 matches (8 wins, 2 draws). Most recently, the 2-1 victory over Barcelona was packed with impressive counter-attacking art.
In terms of form, Barca is the best team, especially since entering 2021. Lionel Messi and his teammates' most recent loss in Liga was in early December 2020 (1-2 at Cadiz) and since then they have gone 19 matches unbeaten (won 16) to turn from the most disadvantaged position to the team with the greatest chance of being crowned.
However, after the defeat at El Clasico last weekend, the opportunity had to be given to Real Madrid. Atletico are currently leading with 67 points, Real Madrid are next with 66 points and Barca is in 3rd place (65 points), but according to the remaining schedule, the Royal team is said to have the most opportunities, because Barca and Atletico will have to face each other in round 35.
Although both Barca and Atletico do not have to worry about the Champions League anymore to have more time to rest, in addition to the direct match, they also have to face some quite tough opponents. Barca also have to face Real Madrid's neighbor Getafe, 3 trips to Castellon against Valencia, Villarreal, Levante who have not been easily defeated. Even Celta Vigo are the same despite Barca playing at home.
Atletico really only have a match against Barca and the away trip to Athletic Bilbao is considered difficult, but with what they have shown in recent times, it is not easy to know which face they will show off. Therefore, even Eibar, Huesca, Elche, Real Sociedad, Osasuna can get their points.
Real Madrid's toughest opponents are Sevilla, Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao, but the White Vultures have played at home. The number of home and away matches of Zinedine Zidane and his students in the remaining 8 rounds is the same.
