In the current La Liga campaign, Simeone’s Atlético Madrid sits just one point behind Barcelona, the clear leaders, as the league enters the second half of the season.
By Juanma Sanchez — When the talk turns to domination in Spanish football, Barcelona’s name almost always tops the list. Yet the resurgence of Atlético Madrid in the second half of the year has grabbed attention from fans and pundits alike. The stark contrast between their early-season form and what we’re seeing lately is striking, with Atleti echoing some of Barcelona’s best traits in recent weeks and closing the gap to the leaders much faster than anyone anticipated.
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At the midpoint of the season, Atlético’s record stood at 10 wins, four draws, and five losses, with 28 goals scored and 16 conceded. They accumulated 34 points from the 57 available. Since matchday 20, however, the form has undergone a dramatic shift: six wins, two draws, no defeats, with 15 goals for and only three against. The math is clear: 20 points from the last 24, lifting them to third place under the current momentum.
Barcelona have mirrored a similar level of success, delivering seven victories and a single loss, with 13 goals for and two against, amounting to 21 points from the last 24. The distance to Atlético has narrowed to a 17-point gap in the table, and while Atlético have closed the race to the front, Barcelona remain formidable and consistent, tying down results with a calm, efficient approach that defines their season.
Looking ahead, Atlético’s best realistic aim appears to be securing second place in La Liga. Real Madrid’s performance in the second half of the campaign has also shown improvements: four wins, two draws, two losses, with 17 goals for and five against. Their tally stands at 14 points from the last 24, keeping them in striking distance of Atlético, just five points behind the current pack leaders.
From one vantage point, the narrative suggests Simeone’s side took longer than expected to wake up, risking a title challenge. From another, the late surge offers a glimmer of optimism: finishing in second place would mark a significant achievement given the season’s early unpredictability, and it could set the stage for a more ambitious run in the next campaign.
Overall, the league race remains open, with Atlético Madrid showing enough resilience, tactical flexibility, and attacking punch to stay in contention while Barcelona and Real Madrid contend for the throne. The coming fixtures will be decisive in determining whether the rojiblancos can sustain this momentum and whether Barcelona can maintain their edge from the front while keeping pressure on their rivals across the table.