La Liga
Slippery September: Four Tough Tests For Madrid
September appears to be the month of tests for Real Madrid. Last season, then coach Zinedine Zidane saw his side draw with Valencia and Levante before losing to Real Betis at home. In effect, falling behind rivals FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the title race during the month.
Fast forward to September 2018. Los Blancos currently boast a perfect 3-0 record. However, tough matches await in La Liga and the UCL Group Stage. Continuing their good form after the international break could be absolutely crucial to the season’s success.
Current manager Julen Lopetegui is aware of the damage nightmare months like these can inflict. In fact, the five points dropped by Madrid last September arguably cost them La Liga. Surviving this month could be a deciding factor in the Spanish coach’s first season in charge.
Here are the four giant tests facing Lopetegui’s men in September.
1. Athletic Bilbao
The Basque club welcomes Madrid to San Mames for this exciting La Liga encounter. Bilbao is a special club, and one of the most successful in Spain. Not only does the club have the fourth most La Liga titles, it is the only club besides Madrid and Barcelona to have never been relegated. Impressive, considering their policy since 1912 has been to only sign players from the Basque region.
Currently the club sits 6th in the table with one less game. Historically, Real boasts a winning record in this tie winning 21 out of 28 encounters. Of their team’s four tests this month, Athletic are likely the easiest. However, last season both ties ended in a draw and Lopetegui’s men know a tough test likely awaits them in Bilbao.
2. AS Roma
The current European champions begin their third consecutive title defense against Roma at home on the 19th. The Italian club are expected to be welcomed with applause after famously eliminating Madrid’s fiercest rivals Barcelona last season. Nevertheless, the cordial greeting will be followed by what promises to be a tough group G match.
In the last 8 meetings between the Spanish and Italian club, each have won four. Both should progress to the knockout rounds over CSKA Moskow and FC Vikrotia Pizen and for the most part, Los Blancos will feel confident of winning in the Santiago Bernabeu. Although, they are known to struggle in the group stage.
The “BBA’ trio of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio are on fire and the team looks more secure defensively under their new coach’s possession style. Nonetheless, every precaution will be taken against a dangerous Roma side with the likes of Edin Dzeko in attack, to say nothing of new additions like Justin Kluivert.
3. Sevilla FC
Another mid-week encounter will see team captain Sergio Ramos return home to Sevilla on the 26th. The Andalusian club are always a difficult opponent and enjoy upsetting the big two of Madrid and Barcelona. Likewise, the fans at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium will provide an intimidating atmosphere for Ramos and his teammates.
In fact Madrid experienced defeat when they visited back in May, despite pounding Sevilla 5-0 in last season’s first encounter. Such is the difference that playing at home can make for the club, who currently sit 5th in La Liga. Relying on the talent of some great summer signings, they will be confident of victory against their visitors.
Head to head, Real have won 17 of the 29 matches between the two Spanish cities. Sevilla have emerged victorious 11 times with the two sides drawing once.
4. Atletico Madrid
Again? Yes, the first Madrid Derby in La Liga 18/19 sees a repeat of the recent UEFA Super Cup. Whereas Real Madrid will be hungry for revenge after losing that encounter, their neighbors are badly in need of league points after a disappointing start. The match promises to be a showdown that the whites will be happy to be playing at home. Stats mean very little in a derby of this magnitude where passion and pride often determines results.
Although historically Atletico are the smaller and less successful Madrid club, anyone following soccer for the past few years knows of the monster coach Diego Simeone has created. ‘The Mattress Makers’ as they are called, have always represented the blue-collar side of the Spanish capital. The implication of course being that their bigger neighbors represent the establishment.
However, with the club’s recent success,, this history has less impact on the derby. Atletico currently play in the brand new Wanda Metropolitano as opposed to the original and more humble Vicente Calderon. Moreover, a few big signings over the summer suggest the current Europa champions are arguably the most dangerous side in Spain. The ‘BBA’ and co will have to dig deep in order to add to their visitor’s poor start in La Liga.
Photo credit to Real Madrid via Flickr
