Atletico Madrid Hold Slender La Liga Lead As Spain's Big Two Resume Battle

Atletico Madrid lead Spain's two giants by a whisker heading into the second half of the La Liga season, after racking up 15 victories on the spin across all competitions. Diego Simeone's side visit minnows Leganes on Saturday looking to maintain their advantage on champions Real Madrid, second, and resurgent third-place Barcelona. Los Blancos host Las Palmas on Sunday after the Catalans visit Getafe the night before following back-to-back five-goal triumphs, with both teams in league action for the first time in the new year.

After a slump towards the end of 2024, Hansi Flick's Barca thrashed Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup and dealt Real Betis a Copa del Rey beating midweek, showing they remain firmly in the Spanish title race.

Atletico's late win at the Olympic stadium before the winter break helped them go six points clear of Barca, while they have just a point's margin on holders Real Madrid.

The Rojiblancos have a deep squad, with their top goalscorer Alexander Sorloth typically a substitute for Simeone, behind Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez in the pecking order.

However, Atletico announced Thursday the Norwegian striker had picked up a muscle injury but did not say for how long he would be out of action.

While Madrid's injury problems have cost them defensively on multiple occasions, and Flick seems dependent on a small band of players, Atletico have more margin to rotate without losing quality.

Simeone rotated several players for the team's 4-0 triumph at Elche in the Copa del Rey last 16 on Wednesday, but won out comfortably.

"The players showed the work, the humility, the perseverance (they need), and that each one accepts the place that they have in the team," said Simeone.

"They make it more