Atletico Madrid’s Johnny Cardoso and Ademola Lookman during training.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring their first goal with Koke.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Atletico Madrid blew the chance to claim the lead in La Liga with a 1-1 home draw against Celta Vigo on Saturday, but played most of the game with 10 men after Pablo Barrios’ seventh-minute red card. After champions and leaders Real Madrid drew 1-1 at Osasuna earlier on, Diego Simeone’s side were aiming to capitalise at their Metropolitano stadium. However Barrios’ early sending-off set Atletico back and Iago Aspas fired Celta ahead in the second half from the penalty spot. Atletico target man Alexander Sorloth rescued a point for the Rojiblancos with a fine strike in the 81st minute, keeping them a point behind Los Blancos.

“When we were left with 10 men it’s very difficult… the team tried everything,” Atletico midfielder Koke told DAZN.

“We defended well, we suffered when we had to. Obviously we’re still in the fight for the title.

“We have to continue and keep working, there’s still a long way to go.”

Barrios, who was also sent off in the first half of a Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen in January, flew into a reckless high tackle on Pablo Duran.

The Spaniard was dismissed in the seventh minute after a VAR review.

Atletico dug deep and kept Celta at bay in a first half with few chances of note.

The Galician side, with an extra player, had control of the ball but Atletico were happy to stop them from creating danger, with Antoine Griezmann chipping in with plenty of defensive work.

Celta goalkeeper Vicente Guaita made a simple save to deny Marcos Llorente, who could not get much power on a shot from the edge of the box.

The visitors took the lead when Robin Le Normand trod on Borja Iglesias’s foot and pointed to the penalty spot.

Veteran striker Aspas, 37, sent Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak the wrong way to put Celta ahead with his seventh league goal of the campaign.

Simeone turned to his bench for extra spark, bringing on Sorloth, Angel Correa and Conor Gallagher.

Atletico have relied on Sorloth largely as a super-sub this season and the Norwegian striker pulled off his favourite trick once more.

Sorloth overpowered defender Carl Starfelt and walloped home inside the near post to pull Atletico level.

Celta threatened in stoppage time but Atletico held on to claim a valuable point, even if they had hoped for three after Real Madrid’s draw.

“I’m very happy to get playing again (after injury)… we got a point at a very difficult place to go,” said Aspas, who last played in December.

“It’s true we had (many) minutes with an extra man, but we know how strong Atletico are. We’re a bit frustrated because we were close to winning.”

On Monday Barcelona, third, host Rayo Vallecano and can move level on points with Los Blancos if they win.

Copa Del Rey: The quarter-finals will be played between February 4-6.© AFP

La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid suffered a shocking defeat at Leganes.© AFP

Atletico Madrid beat Osasuna in La Liga encounter© AFP

Real Madrid vs Sevilla Live Streaming and Live Telecast, La Liga match© AFP

Barcelona have the chance to increase their lead at the top after Real Madrid’s draw at Rayo Vallecano, when they take on Leganes at home on Monday (IST). Hansi Flick’s men lead champions Real Madrid by a point, but a run of one win in five games have opened the door to their title rivals. Atletico Madrid could be level on points with Barcelona with Diego Simeone’s men hosting Getafe before the kick-off after midnight at Montjuic. If Barcelona beat Leganes, they will go three clear of Atletic and four of Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.

In nine meetings (including one in the cup) against Leganes, results have predictably gone very much in favour of Barcelona, with eight wins. The only Leganes win was an unexpected 2-1 reverse at the Estadio Municipal Butarque in 2018.

When will the Barcelona vs Leganes, La Liga 2024-25 football match take place?

The Barcelona vs Leganes, La Liga 2024-25 football match will take place on Monday, December 16 (IST).

Where will the Barcelona vs Leganes, La Liga 2024-25 football match be held?

The Barcelona vs Leganes, La Liga 2024-25 football match will be held at the Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic, Barcelona.

What time will the Barcelona vs Leganes, La Liga 2024-25 football match start?

The Barcelona vs Leganes, La Liga 2024-25 football match will start at 1:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Barcelona vs Leganes, La Liga 2024-25 football match?

The Barcelona vs Leganes, La Liga 2024-25 football match will not be televised in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Barcelona vs Leganes, La Liga 2024-25 football match?

The Barcelona vs Leganes, La Liga 2024-25 football match will be live streamed on the GXR World app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

Barcelona and Real Madrid are looking over their shoulders in La Liga at in-form Atletico Madrid, wary of a letdown after taxing wins away from home in the Champions League this week. A 3-2 victory at Borussia Dortmund ensured Barcelona will advance to the knockout phase of Europe’s top club competition, while Madrid won by the same scoreline away to a previously unbeaten Atalanta. That win kept the holders in contention for automatic qualification to the last 16, but Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted the match drained a lot of energy from his injury-hit squad.

“It was a tough match because Atalanta demanded a lot from us physically,” said Ancelotti, whose side trail leaders Barcelona by two points but have a game in hand.

Vinicius Junior scored on his return from a hamstring injury in Italy on a night Kylian Mbappe netted his 50th Champions League goal before going off injured. 

“We have to hang in there until Christmas,” added Ancelotti, who also welcomed back Rodrygo and is expecting to have Eduardo Camavinga fit again soon.

“The calendar is very demanding, we have a reduced squad and that doesn’t allow us to rotate players as much. We have to hang in there for the time being.”

Madrid make the short trip to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday knowing they can snatch top spot from Barcelona, for 24 hours at least, before next week’s Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar. 

But they could be without Mbappe due to the hamstring problem he suffered on Tuesday.

“Mbappe has some discomfort in his hamstrings. It doesn’t seem serious but we’ll see,” Ancelotti said after the Atalanta game.

“He couldn’t sprint, it hurt him a bit and we thought it best to replace him.”

Barcelona host a struggling Leganes on Sunday attempting to arrest their domestic dip in form, with a run of one win in five games opening the door to their title rivals.

Atletico are three points adrift of Barcelona having also played a game less, and have won five in a row in La Liga going into Sunday’s home derby with Getafe.

Not far behind are Athletic Bilbao, whose 2-0 win at Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on Wednesday pushed them closer to the Europa League last 16.

Athletic, unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, are going for a fifth straight league win away to Alaves this weekend, while Villarreal and Real Betis meet in a clash of teams whose results have tailed off recently.

Player to watch: Julian Alvarez

The Argentine is Atletico’s top scorer with 12 goals overall since his August arrival from Manchester City.

The 24-year-old left England seeking a new challenge after largely playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland despite his critical role in his country’s 2022 World Cup triumph.

Alvaraz set Atletico on their way to a 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava midweek with a terrific curling effort before Antoine Griezmann‘s double sealed the points.

“He’s a great player,” said Griezmann, who himself is in a rich vein of form with seven goals in his last five outings. “It’s a joy and a source of pride to have him with us and to be able to help him.”

Key stats

5 – after failing to score until November 9, Jude Bellingham has now found the net in each of Madrid’s last five league games

8 – months since Valencia’s last away league win, a 1-0 victory at Osasuna in April 

10 – consecutive wins for Atletico in La Liga, the Champions League and Copa del Rey

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Friday

Valladolid v Valencia (2000)

Saturday

Espanyol v Osasuna (1300), Mallorca v Girona (1515), Sevilla v Celta Vigo (1730), Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid (2000)

Sunday

Atletico Madrid v Getafe (1300), Alaves v Athletic Bilbao (1515), Villarreal v Real Betis, Real Sociedad v Las Palmas (both 1730), Barcelona v Leganes (2000)

Las Palmas claimed a surprise 2-1 victory at La Liga leaders Barcelona on Saturday, spoiling the hosts’ 125th anniversary celebrations. Atletico Madrid climbed provisionally second, within two points of Hansi Flick’s side with a 5-0 rout of Real Valladolid later on. Sandro Ramirez sent Las Palmas ahead early in the second half and although Raphinha hammered home an equaliser, Fabio Silva struck to claim three points and take his team up to 14th. Barcelona still lead champions Real Madrid by four points but third-place Los Blancos, who host Getafe on Sunday, have played two fewer games than the Catalans and Atletico.

Barca have now gone three league games without a victory, after a run of 11 wins in 12 prior in the top flight.

“We had a bad game, we have to look at what we’re doing badly to try and improve and win games,” Raphinha told Movistar.

“I don’t care about my goal, I care about winning, we didn’t win and I’m not satisfied with the game.”

Barcelona wore white shorts as part of their anniversary celebrations, as they used to back at the start of their history.

They held a gala in the city on Friday night to mark the occasion, having been founded on November 29, 1899, but came undone on Saturday afternoon.

“We have to (play) like we did at the beginning of the season… it’s a big disappointment today,” Flick told reporters.

“Today we have more than 70 percent ball possession but we’re not able to score the goals — maybe we have to change one or two things.

“We made some mistakes, but it was not the back four, it starts (with the players) in front, we have to speak about that.”

The Catalans were able to name teenage starlet Lamine Yamal on the bench after recovering from an ankle problem.

Raphinha came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half, scoring from an offside position and hitting the crossbar after being played through by Gavi.

Flick threw on Yamal at the break, hoping the winger would give Barca the advantage after an even first half.

Las Palmas took a surprise lead early in the second half when Kirian Rodriguez played in Ramirez, who drilled home from the edge of the box.

Raphinha hit back quickly for Barcelona with a thumping long-range effort, but Las Palmas were soon ahead again.

Silva ran onto Munoz’s probing long ball and fired past Inaki Pena to restore the Canary Islanders’ advantage with his fifth goal in eight league matches.

Former Barca goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen made several good saves and Las Palmas survived eight minutes of stoppage time.

“It was a very important win, we worked hard for it, Barca put you under a lot of pressure,” midfielder Moleiro told Movistar after Las Palmas sealed their first away win at Barcelona since 1971.

Griezmann glory

Atletico Madrid romped to a five-star victory at bottom side Real Valladolid, with Antoine Griezmann scoring one of the goals of the season.

Diego Simeone’s team have won seven consecutive games across all competitions and moved two points clear of champions Real Madrid.

Clement Lenglet opened the scoring after 25 minutes and Julian Alvarez added the second.

Rodrigo de Paul swept home the third before half-time and Griezmann produced a wonderful turn and finish soon after the break to add the fourth on a memorable night for the Rojiblancos, which even some home fans applauded.

Alexander Sorloth wrapped up Atletico’s thumping victory in stoppage time.

Griezmann’s goal saw the French forward exchange passes with Alvarez before executing a sensational turn and beating goalkeeper Karl Hein with a delicate touch.

“I have to thank (the Valladolid fans), in the end it’s what all players want, we want people to enjoy it with us, whether it’s opposition fans or our own,” Griezmann told DAZN.

“In the end I have to be grateful for this love, I’m doing really well and I hope to give more.”

Atletico beat Sparta Prague 6-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, meaning Simeone’s side scored 11 goals this week without reply.

“There are always things to improve, the team is always looking to do better,” Simeone told DAZN.

“We have to keep our humility, the nobility of keeping on looking for more… in the second half we could have done more… but I’ll stick with what the team’s giving me, with humility you can do anything.”