Pro Sports

AtlÃ©tico looking good; doubts surround Barcelona and Madrid

Posted May 24, 2021 7:00 am

By TALES AZZONI

Atletico Madrid players celebrate at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 23, 2021. Atletico Madrid survived a dramatic final round to clinch its first Spanish league title since 2014 with a 2-1 come-from-behind win at Valladolid on Saturday. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) The Associated Press

MADRID (AP) - Besides winning the Spanish league title for the first time in seven years, AtlÃ©tico Madrid also left rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona with plenty of questions to answer.

AtlÃ©tico, led by striker Luis SuÃ¡rez and coach Diego Simeone, won its 11th league title and ended another period of domination by Madrid and Barcelona even though both challengers had chances to take the lead in the final weeks of the season. AtlÃ©tico needed come-from-behind victories in its last two matches to outlast Madrid and win the league trophy for the first time since 2014.

Sevilla also was in the title chase at one point in a season in which it broke the club record for most points ever with 77. Real Sociedad, Real Betis and Villarreal finished the season celebrating European spots. The three relegated teams were Eibar, Huesca and Valladolid.

Here's how the top teams fared and what's ahead for them next season:

ATLÃ‰TICO MADRID

AtlÃ©tico's season culminated with only its third league title in the last 25 years, and there are signs the club will keep challenging Madrid and Barcelona at the top.

The team led the league for most of the season but endured some tense final matches after blowing a big advantage. AtlÃ©tico was able to clinch the title thanks to two winning goals by SuÃ¡rez, who was key all season after being let go by Barcelona against his wishes.

AtlÃ©tico's setbacks came when it was eliminated by third-division club Cornella in the second round of the Copa del Rey, and when it lost to Chelsea in the round of 16 of the Champions League.

AtlÃ©tico is the team with fewest doubts going forward as it already went through a revamping process a couple of seasons ago. Simeone is set to return for the final year of his contract and his squad will remain mostly the same, led by SuÃ¡rez, Koke ResurrecciÃ³n, Jan Oblak, Marcos Llorente and JoÃ£o FÃ©lix.

'œWe have to stay on this same path,'ť AtlÃ©tico president Enrique Cerezo said. 'œAtlÃ©tico won't look a lot different next season.'ť

BARCELONA

There's plenty of uncertainty regarding Barcelona's future, as it's still unclear if Lionel Messi will return and if coach Ronald Koeman will remain in charge.

Messi had his request to leave the club denied last season and he has yet to say whether he will return after his contract ends in June.

Koeman has been under fire and could lose his job for how Barcelona finished the season, squandering a few good chances to take the league lead and needing a last-match victory just to finish in third place. Its only title this season came in the Copa del Rey. The team was eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 of the Champions League.

There have been widespread talks about former player Xavi HernÃ¡ndez taking over for Koeman next season.

The club has been struggling financially because of the coronavirus pandemic and may not be able to boost its squad, although there are rumors about the possible arrival of Memphis Depay.

Club president Joan Laporta said a cycle has ended.

'œWe are entering a process of renovation,'ť he said last week.

REAL MADRID

There are also doubts surrounding Madrid, which finished without a title for the first time in more than a decade. It ended the league two points behind AtlÃ©tico while trying to repeat as champion for the first time since 2007-08.

Like Barcelona, Madrid also got off to a slow start and then failed to capitalize on its chances to take the lead. The team was plagued by injuries to key players such as Eden Hazard, Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal.

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane hasn't said if he's coming back next season, with Spanish media saying he has already made up his mind about leaving. Ramos may be on his way out as well as contract negotiations with the club reportedly have not advanced. It's unclear if Gareth Bale will return after his stint on loan with Tottenham.

Fans have been calling for a blockbuster signing to boost the team, but Madrid has also struggled financially because of the pandemic.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

___

Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni

Atletico Madrid's Luis Suarez, centre, celebrates with the team at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 23, 2021. Atletico Madrid survived a dramatic final round to clinch its first Spanish league title since 2014 with a 2-1 come-from-behind win at Valladolid on Saturday. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) The Associated Press

Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane walks by the touchline during the Spanish La Liga last round soccer match between Real Madrid and Villarreal at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Saturday, May 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Pablo Morano) The Associated Press

Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane tries to catch the ball during Spanish La Liga soccer match between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid at San Mames stadium, in Bilbao, northern Spain, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) The Associated Press

Barcelona's head coach Ronald Koeman walks during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Celta at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

Barcelona's Lionel Messi walks during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Celta at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers MLS Pro Sports Soccer Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.