Atletico cling to narrow La Liga lead as Spanish title race heats up

Atletico Madrid hold a slim advantage over La Liga's traditional powerhouses as the season's second half begins, following a stunning run of 15 consecutive victories across all competitions.

Diego Simeone's side, perched atop the table, travel to Leganes on Saturday aiming to maintain their edge over defending champions Real Madrid, who sit in second place, and a resurgent Barcelona in third.

Real Madrid will host Las Palmas on Sunday, while Barcelona face Getafe away on Saturday after notching two dominant five-goal victories in recent outings. Hansi Flick's Barca started 2025 in style, thrashing Madrid to secure the Spanish Super Cup and dismantling Real Betis in the Copa del Rey.

Atletico's gritty 1-0 victory over Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium in December extended their lead to six points over the Catalans. However, they are just one point ahead of Madrid in a tight title race.

Squad depth boosts Atletico

Simeone's squad depth has been a crucial asset. While Norwegian forward Alexander Sørloth has often come off the bench behind Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez, his contributions have been significant. On Thursday, Atletico confirmed Sørloth has suffered a muscle injury, with no timeline provided for his recovery.

Real Madrid have faced defensive vulnerabilities due to injuries, and Barcelona remain reliant on a core group of players. In contrast, Atletico have rotated effectively without compromising quality.

Simeone made several changes during Wednesday's 4-0 Copa del Rey triumph over Elche, but his side delivered a professional performance.

"The players have shown humility, perseverance, and an acceptance of their roles in the team," said Simeone. "They make my job of selection harder, and that's exactly what we need in such a demanding season."

Atletico's sole La Liga loss this season came against Real Betis in October. Despite their strong position, Simeone continues to take a cautious approach.

"Invincibility doesn't exist," said the Argentine coach. "We take it one match at a time."

Madrid and Barcelona back in form

Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid have struggled to find defensive balance but are buoyed by Kylian Mbappé's recent resurgence. The French forward, now fully fit, has become a key player for Los Blancos, with his solo goal against Barcelona in the Super Cup offering a glimpse of his potential.

"Mbappé is in his best form physically, and the team has to capitalise on that," Ancelotti said.

Meanwhile, Barcelona seem to have rediscovered their attacking flair. After their 5-1 demolition of Betis in the Copa del Rey, Flick echoed Simeone's cautious approach, emphasising the importance of focus.

"We're taking it step by step," Flick said. "Getafe is next, and we want to be ready to win that game."