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Talking points from match-day 30 in LaLiga: Atleti, Barça, Real Madrid

As the 2020/21 LaLiga heads into the final furlong, we look back at El Clasico and Atleti's valuable point away to Real Betis.

Talking points from match-day 30 in LaLiga: Atleti, Barça, Real Madrid

Madrid back to their ruthless best

Saturday's El Clásico certainly lived up to its billing as Real Madrid edged Barcelona 2-1 in torrential rain with a potent mix of quality and good fortune which bodes well for their chances of finishing first in a remarkably tight title race.

Real were missing key players and lost another in Lucas Vazquez during the game but went ahead with a sublime goal by Karim Benzema before doubling their advantage with a scrappy, deflected free kick from Toni Kroos.

They rode their luck too as Barça hit the woodwork twice and had two penalty appeals turned down, but Real were still worthy winners and are only one point behind leaders Atletico Madrid and one ahead of third-placed Barça with eight games left.

Zinedine Zidane's side produced these types of performance frequently during last season's surge to the title and even though this title race is on a knife edge, winning such an epic game gives them the mental edge.

TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (2R) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the "El Clasico" Spanish League football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, on the outskir
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TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (2R) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the "El Clasico" Spanish League football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, on the outskirJAVIER SORIANOAFP

Koeman falls short in big games again

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman was keen to highlight the referee's role in his side's defeat by Real but his complaints could not mask his dismal record in the biggest games.

Defeat in the 'Clasico' meant Koeman became the first Barca to lose twice to Real in the same season since 2008 and added to a long list of crunch games he has failed to win this season.

Koeman's side were beaten 1-0 at leaders Atletico Madrid in December, while his record in the biggest Champions League games also makes for grim reading.

Barça lost 3-0 at home to Juventus to finish second in their group, setting up a last-16 tie with Paris St Germain which they lost 5-1 on aggregate. They were also beaten by Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final.

Koeman has won over many Barça fans and before Saturday his side had won 16 of their previous 19 league games while remaining unbeaten.

Yet it is his record in the games that matter most that will determine whether he stays in the job next season.

Soccer Football - Copa del Rey - Semi Final Second Leg - FC Barcelona v Sevilla - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - March 3, 2021 Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman speaks to his players at half time of extra time REUTERS/Albert Gea
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Soccer Football - Copa del Rey - Semi Final Second Leg - FC Barcelona v Sevilla - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - March 3, 2021 Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman speaks to his players at half time of extra time REUTERS/Albert GeaALBERT GEAREUTERS

Atlético's walking wounded limp towards the finish line

Atlético Madrid clung on to their lead at the top with their 1-1 draw at Real Betis but paid a heavy price with injuries to Kieran Trippier and Joao Felix, leaving their squad looking increasingly thin for the decisive stretch of the season.

Diego Simeone's side are now without four of their key attacking players, including top scorer Luis Suarez, and their injury crisis comes at a time when they have only scored twice in their last four league games.

The Argentine coach is more than used to swimming against the tide, however, and in a typical show of defiance he insisted he was relishing his team's struggles.

"We are in a moment of resistance and I like it. When the going gets tough you have to play with your hearts," he said.