La Liga Round 4 Preview: Atlético's Fierce Bench, Is Barcelona's Defense Already in Decline?

As La Liga heads into its fourth round of fixtures, two of Spain's biggest clubs, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona, face contrasting challenges. Atlético, fresh off a historic win, must decide whether their new offensive ruthlessness can be sustained, while Barcelona grapples with defensive issues that threaten to undo their hard-earned reputation from last season.

Atlético Madrid vs Sevilla - Efficiency Breeds Records

Under Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid has long been synonymous with tenacious defense and narrow victories. Their 1-0 wins in title-winning seasons are legendary. So, when Atlético demolished Rayo Vallecano 7-0 away from home in their last match, even the most optimistic supporters were left stunned. This win wasn’t just a triumph; it set a new record for the club's largest margin of victory in a La Liga match. But as thrilling as this newfound attacking flair might be, the question remains: is this approach sustainable for a team built on defensive solidity?

Interestingly, Atlético's tactics haven’t undergone any radical changes. They still rely on a counter-attacking strategy, as evidenced by Rayo's 56% possession—a number that aligns with Atlético’s typical style of letting the opposition hold the ball while they defend deep and strike on the break. The key difference in this match was Atlético's staggering efficiency. They managed just 17 shots, not an extraordinary number, but an astonishing 10 of these were on target, and 7 found the back of the net. Such a level of efficiency is rare and likely unrepeatable on a consistent basis.

Moreover, the standout performers weren’t just the starting XI. Four of the seven goals came from substitutes, showcasing an unusual depth in Atlético's squad that we haven’t seen before. It’s almost unheard of in La Liga for a team’s bench to be this effective, which adds another dimension to Simeone’s tactical arsenal.

Sevilla, on the other hand, find themselves in dire straits. The club’s struggles in La Liga last season, where they flirted with relegation before rallying to win the Europa League, seem to have carried over into the new campaign. Sevilla is currently the only team in La Liga without a single point after three rounds. Their poor form in the league is worrying, especially considering their economic difficulties. Despite a net spend in the summer transfer window, the pressure on coach José Luis Mendilibar is mounting.

Last season, Atlético Madrid comfortably dispatched Sevilla in both encounters, scoring a combined eight goals, a tally that mirrors their recent performance against Rayo Vallecano. With Sevilla’s form plummeting, Atlético is likely to secure another straightforward win, possibly by a 2-0 margin.

Osasuna vs Barcelona - Has Barcelona's Defense Already Declined?

Osasuna, buoyed by their impressive campaign last season, earned a spot in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. However, their season has already seen a significant amount of action, with five official matches under their belt—two more than Barcelona. Yet, the results have been underwhelming. Their recent exit from the Conference League qualifiers, after surrendering a 2-0 lead to Club Brugge and ultimately losing 4-3 on aggregate, has left fans questioning the loss of their former goalkeeper Bono, who departed for the Saudi Pro League.

Meanwhile, Barcelona finds themselves under pressure as their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, remain the only team in La Liga with a perfect win record. Xavi’s Barcelona, despite generating a net income of €100 million in the summer transfer window, has been relatively frugal in their spending. Their only significant purchase has been Oriol Romeu from Chelsea, indicating that club president Joan Laporta is cautious about leveraging future finances. However, spending less doesn’t necessarily equate to poor transfer business. The signings of Ilkay Gündogan, João Félix, and João Cancelo on free transfers or loans have already proven to be shrewd moves.

Last season, Barcelona's defensive prowess was the cornerstone of their title-winning campaign. They conceded just 20 goals in the entire La Liga season, a feat that was instrumental in their success. In the first two matches of this season, they managed to keep clean sheets, seemingly continuing where they left off. However, their latest match against Villarreal raised alarms. Barcelona’s defense was uncharacteristically porous, conceding three goals in a chaotic game that saw them narrowly emerge victorious with a 4-3 scoreline. This early-season instability is a concern for Xavi, who will be keenly aware that such defensive lapses could be costly as the season progresses.

Historically, Barcelona has edged out Osasuna with narrow 1-0 victories in both encounters last season. While Barcelona’s squad undoubtedly possesses more quality, their current form and Osasuna’s match fitness due to their extra games could make this a more evenly contested fixture than it appears on paper. A 1-1 draw is not out of the question, given Barcelona's defensive frailties and Osasuna's determination to bounce back after their European disappointment.

As La Liga enters its fourth round, both Atlético Madrid and Barcelona find themselves at critical junctures. For Atlético, the challenge will be to maintain their newfound attacking efficiency without compromising their defensive solidity, while Barcelona must address their defensive concerns quickly if they hope to defend their title against a resurgent Real Madrid.