LaLiga heats up

Atlético de Madrid have added a new point, which continues to give them more advantage to conquer LaLiga Santander. Despite the fact that the squad and coach insist on the “game by game” discourse, the truth is that the rojiblancos already have a considerable advantage enough to think that they are the great favorites to win the competition. Simeone's men now have 51 points, eight more than their two main pursuers, with one game less than both. In the absence of 16 rounds, it is a considerable advantage, although the return of the Champions League, which requires the championship giants not to rotate during the week, can play a differential role. Before the arrival of continental competitions, it is time to remember key dates to elucidate the next champion.

First, the big three must recover their pending matches. The Madrid will be updated this Tuesday before the Getafe. The Barcelona will do the same on February 24 in front of the Elche. In between, the Athletic He will face Levante on the 17th. The postponements will be definitively resolved on March 10, when the Wanda Metropolitano will be played on Atlético de Madrid-Athletic. The Seville, who also has a postponed duel, will face it a week later, on March 17, against the Elche at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

Some of the aforementioned matches will coincide chronologically with Champions League matches. The wear and tear of seeing each other against the best in Europe can take its toll on the domestic championship. Further, Atlético already accuses fatigue and kilometers in the legs, as a result of the calendar and the constant casualties due to coronavirus that have whipped them since the beginning of the season. In the marathon that will begin in the coming weeks, Simeone's men will host Chelsea next February 23 and will travel to Stamford Bridge on March 17. Before the first leg, Levante will travel to Wanda. A few days later, the visit to the Estadio de la Cerámica can be momentous. A priori, the reception to Alavés in the capital will be somewhat more relaxed.

Barcelona, ​​for its part, carries the Copa del Rey on its legs. Although it has a negative impact on the physical, Koeman's men are three games away from winning a title. Between the first leg and the second leg of the semi-finals, Paris Saint Germain appears on the map. Neymar and his team travel to Camp Nou on February 16, between league duels at home against Alavés and Cádiz. The Parque de los Príncipes will decide on March 10, days after Barça visits El Sadar and before Huesca lands in Barcelona.

The Madrid, in full injury crisis, he hopes to recover the maximum possible troops before the round of 16 tie against Atalanta. On February 24, those from Zidane will catch a flight to Italy. Valladolid will be the last rival prior to the continental event. Later, the Real Sociedad will arrive in Valdebebas. Elche will be the opening act before the return, while Celta will seek to take advantage of Madrid's fatigue in Balaídos.

Although Seville is not considered as highly in search of the league championship, the truth is that it is one point behind Barcelona and Real Madrid in the pursuit of Atlético. Lopetegui, yes, just lost Lucas Ocampos for more than a month due to ankle problems and his men drag the fatigue derived from the Copa del Rey. It remains to be seen if they are able to find enough consistency to score high and, why not, be part of the battle for the lead.

Key dates

There is still a long way to go, but the distances make us think of some games as real finals for the pursuers. These are the direct duels between the candidates:

-Seville-Barcelona: February 28.
-Atlético de Madrid-Real Madrid: March 7.
-Sevilla-Atlético de Madrid: April 4.
-Real Madrid-Barcelona: April 11.
-Barcelona-Atlético de Madrid: May 9.
-Real Madrid-Seville: May 9.