Matchday seven in La Liga seamlessly merges into the eighth round of games without a break as the frantic start to the season continues in Spain.

The highlight of the weekend is undoubtedly the Madrid derby between Atletico and Real Madrid at Atletico’s Metropolitano Stadium, where Real suffered their last league defeat almost exactly a year ago.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side holds a significant advantage heading into the match, having hosted Alaves on Tuesday night, while Atletico didn’t play their Matchday seven fixture against Celta Vigo until Thursday, with their players returning home in the early hours of Friday morning.

A late goal from Julian Alvarez secured Atletico a win, but coach Diego Simeone will be concerned about the number of chances their opponents created.

Real Madrid faced a scare from two late Alaves goals on Tuesday in a match where both Vinicius Jr. and Endrick were fortunate to avoid red cards. Losing either player would have been a blow to Ancelotti, who is already without Kylian Mbappe
due to a thigh injury. However, the return of Eduardo Camavinga from an ankle injury provides a boost for the squad.

FC Barcelona aims to maintain their perfect start with eight wins from eight games as they visit Osasuna on Saturday following their narrow 1-0 home victory against Getafe on Wednesday.

Inaki Pena faced little challenge in his first game covering for the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but Hansi Flick’s side showed signs of fatigue, with injuries continuing to limit squad rotation options.

The weekend kicks off on Friday night as Valladolid hosts Mallorca. Pressure is mounting on Valladolid after Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Sevilla, leaving them with only one win all season. Meanwhile, Mallorca may miss injured striker Vedat Muriqi but will be in high spirits following their 2-1 win away to Real Betis on Monday.

Getafe continues to search for their first win of the season as they host Alaves, who rested many regular starters for their Tuesday match in Madrid. Getafe has struggled offensively wit
h just three goals all season, though they have conceded only six, suggesting a likely close contest.

Rayo Vallecano, who clung to a draw away against Girona on Wednesday, face another Madrid derby at home against Leganes. Leganes did not have a midweek match, having played Athletic Bilbao the previous week.

In a battle near the bottom of the table, 16th-place Real Sociedad hosts 17th-place Valencia. The home side has yet to win a match at their ground this season and has struggled to score. Meanwhile, Girona visits Celta Vigo, who are eager to bounce back after their narrow home defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Athletic Bilbao will be looking for their fourth consecutive league win on Sunday as they host Sevilla, following a morale-boosting draw in their UEFA Europa League debut in Rome on Thursday.

Sevilla extended the contract of coach Garcia Pimienta after their midweek victory over Valladolid but will be without Saul, who suffered a serious muscle injury, and defender Marcao, who is suspended.

Real Betis
faces Espanyol on Sunday, while Villarreal, looking to build on their momentum, will once again rely on striker Ayoze Perez as they host winless Las Palmas.

Source: The Namibia News Agency