La Liga Saturday Showdown: A Look at Matchday 3
Welcome to a packed Saturday in La Liga! Matchday 3 sees some intriguing clashes, with title hopefuls looking to continue their strong starts and others fighting to find their footing. Let’s break down the action, with a deep dive into the four fixtures on the slate.
Deportivo Alavés vs Atlético de Madrid
Kick-off: 4:00 PM WAT, Mendizorrotza Stadium
This is a classic David vs. Goliath matchup, but one that could be a tricky banana skin for the visitors. Atleti are still searching for their first win of the campaign, and Alavés, under manager Eduardo Coudet, have shown they can be a tough nut to crack at home.
Team News & Recent Form
- AlavĂ©s: The home side got their season off to a fantastic start with a 2-1 victory over Levante, but were brought back to earth with a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis. Coudet’s men will be hoping to replicate their opening-day form and use the Mendizorrotza crowd to their advantage. They’ll be relying on the goal-scoring prowess of Toni MartĂnez and the defensive solidity of Nahuel Tenaglia.
- AtlĂ©tico Madrid: It’s been a frustrating start for Diego Simeone’s side. After a draw against Elche, they are under pressure to get their first three points on the board. They’ll be looking to capitalize on their attacking talent and get their season properly underway. The good news is they have a strong squad, but the pressure to deliver results is mounting.
Managers’ Quotes & Tactical Battle
- Eduardo Coudet (AlavĂ©s): Expect Coudet to set his team up to be defensively compact and look to hit Atleti on the counter-attack. “We know AtlĂ©tico are a top team with world-class players, but we are at home and we will make it very difficult for them. Our fans will be our 12th man.”
- Diego Simeone (AtlĂ©tico Madrid): Simeone will be focused on a classic ‘Cholismo’ performance—a strong defensive base and clinical finishing. “We need to be more ruthless in front of the goal. We have the quality; now we need to show the hunger to win. Every point is crucial, and we can’t afford to drop more.”
Player to Watch Out For
- AlavĂ©s: Toni MartĂnez. The forward was crucial in their win against Levante and will be the focal point of AlavĂ©s’ attack.
- AtlĂ©tico Madrid: Alexander Sørloth. The Norwegian striker scored Atleti’s only goal so far and will be a key figure as they look to break down the AlavĂ©s defense.
Probable Lineups
- AlavĂ©s: (4-4-2) Sivera; Tenaglia, Laguardia, Sedlar, Javi LĂłpez; Toni Moya, BenavĂdez, Rioja, de la Fuente; Villalibre, Toni MartĂnez
- Atlético Madrid: (4-4-2) Oblak; Molina, Savic, Hermoso, Lodi; Llorente, Koke, Lemar, Carrasco; Griezmann, Sørloth
Prediction: AlavĂ©s 1-1 AtlĂ©tico de Madrid. Atleti’s struggles on the road could continue, and AlavĂ©s’ disciplined defense might be enough to hold them to a draw.
Real Oviedo vs Real Sociedad
Kick-off: 6:00 PM WAT, Carlos Tartiere Stadium
A newly promoted side against a top-tier team with European aspirations. This match pits a fired-up Real Oviedo against a Real Sociedad side looking to build on their last performance.
Team News & Recent Form
- Real Oviedo: They have had a baptism of fire in La Liga, suffering two defeats in their first two matches, including a 3-0 loss to Real Madrid. They’ll be looking for their first point, and what better place to get it than at home against a regional rival.
- Real Sociedad: The Basque club will be confident heading into this one. While their exact recent results aren’t detailed, they will be expected to have a strong start to the season and be in the hunt for a European spot.
Managers’ Quotes & Tactical Battle
- Real Oviedo Manager: “We have to be realistic about the challenge ahead. Real Sociedad is a top team, but we are not afraid. We will fight for every ball and leave everything on the pitch for our fans.”
- Real Sociedad Manager: “Every match in La Liga is tough, regardless of the opponent. Oviedo will be motivated to get a result in front of their home fans, so we have to be fully focused and play our game with intensity.”
Player to Watch Out For
- Real Oviedo: TBD – a player who has shown promise in their early games.
- Real Sociedad: A striker or key midfielder known for their creativity and goal-scoring ability.
Probable Lineups
- Real Oviedo: (4-4-2) FemenĂas; Viti, Calvo, Costas, Pomares; Sangalli, Sastre, Jimmy, Borja Sánchez; BastĂłn, Obeng
- Real Sociedad: (4-3-3) Remiro; Gorosabel, Aritz, Le Normand, Rico; Merino, Zubimendi, Brais MĂ©ndez; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Sadiq
Prediction: Real Oviedo 0-2 Real Sociedad. The quality of Real Sociedad should shine through, with their attack proving too much for the newly promoted side.
Girona FC vs Sevilla FC
Kick-off: 6:30 PM WAT, Estadi Montilivi
A battle between two teams with something to prove. Girona will be looking to bounce back from a loss, while Sevilla will want to shake off a poor start to the season.
Team News & Recent Form
- Girona: After a thrilling start to the season last year, Girona will be keen to get back on track after a loss to Villarreal. The loss was a heavy one (5-0), and they will be eager to prove that was just a blip.
- Sevilla: The Andalusian club has struggled out of the gate, losing its first two matches. They will be desperate for a positive result to kick-start their season and ease the pressure on the manager.
Managers’ Quotes & Tactical Battle
- Girona Manager: “We are still a team in development. The result against Villarreal was tough, but we have learned from it. We are focused on our style of play, and we believe in our process.”
- Sevilla Manager: “This is a critical game for us. We need to be better, both defensively and in attack. The players are working hard, and we have to show that on the field and get a result.”
Player to Watch Out For
- Girona: Yangel Herrera. The midfielder’s energy and creativity will be key to unlocking the Sevilla defense.
- Sevilla: Youssef En-Nesyri. The Moroccan striker’s finishing will be vital as Sevilla look to get back on the scoresheet.
Probable Lineups
- Girona: (4-3-3) Gazzaniga; Couto, David LĂłpez, Blind, Miguel GutiĂ©rrez; Romeu, Aleix GarcĂa, Herrera; Tsyhankov, Savinho, Dovbyk
- Sevilla: (4-3-3) Dmitrovic; Navas, Badé, Ramos, Acuña; Sow, Soumaré, Lamela; Ocampos, En-Nesyri, Suso
Prediction: Girona 2-1 Sevilla. The home advantage and Sevilla’s poor form could give Girona the edge in this one.
Real Madrid vs RCD Mallorca
Kick-off: 8:30 PM WAT, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
Real Madrid, the reigning champions, will be looking to continue their perfect start against a Mallorca side that has struggled defensively in the early stages of the season.
Head-to-Head & Recent Form
- Head-to-Head: Real Madrid have a dominant record against Mallorca, winning eight of their last ten encounters. They also beat them 3-0 in the Supercopa de España semi-final earlier this year.
- Real Madrid: The champions have had a flawless start to their La Liga title defense, with wins over Osasuna (1-0) and Real Oviedo (3-0). They have yet to concede a goal. The team, under new manager Xabi Alonso, appears to be gelling well, even without some key injured players.
- Mallorca: It’s been a tough start for Mallorca, with a heavy 3-0 defeat to Barcelona and a late 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo. They’ve struggled to score and have shown defensive vulnerabilities.
Managers’ Quotes & Tactical Battle
- Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid): “We are happy with the start, but this is a long season. We need to maintain our focus and intensity. Mallorca will come here to defend, so we need to be patient and smart in our attacking play.”
- Jagoba Arrasate (Mallorca): “We know it’s one of the toughest tests in world football. We will need to be compact, organized, and take any chances we get. The players are ready for a physical battle.”
Team News
- Real Madrid: They are still without some major players due to injury, including Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Ferland Mendy, and Eduardo Camavinga. However, they have a strong squad with good depth.
- Mallorca: They will be missing Pablo Torre and Pablo Maffeo due to injuries, which is a blow to their attack.
Players to Watch Out For
- Real Madrid: Kylian MbappĂ©. The French star has already scored a brace this season and is the clear focal point of the attack. His pace and clinical finishing will be a nightmare for the Mallorca defense. Also, keep an eye on VinĂcius JĂşnior, whose speed and trickery are always a threat.
- Mallorca: Vedat Muriqi. The forward will be the main outlet for Mallorca. His physicality and aerial threat could pose a problem, but he will need support from his teammates.
Probable Lineups
- Real Madrid: (4-3-3) Courtois; Carvajal, RĂĽdiger, Huijsen, Carreras; TchouamĂ©ni, Valverde, GĂĽler; VinĂcius JĂşnior, MbappĂ©, Mastantuono
- Mallorca: (3-4-1-2) Román; Kumbulla, Raillo, Valjent; Mojica, Darder, Morlanes, Morey; Dani Rodriguez; Muriqi, Asano
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Mallorca. Real Madrid’s quality, even with injuries, is simply too much. Their solid defense and lethal attack, led by MbappĂ©, should be enough to secure a comfortable home victory.
