MADRID, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- The last round of matches before the international break sees Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid face difficult rivals after midweek defeats, while Barcelona are likely to field their strongest side away to Alaves. Here are some things to look out for this weekend in La Liga.

1. Flick to stick with strongest 11

FC Barcelona showed two sides this week, as coach Hansi Flick tried to rest regular starters, such as Lamine Yamal and Raphinha away to Osasuna and saw how an XI packed with youngsters was outplayed in a 4-2 defeat to end their 100 percent start to the season.

Flick returned to his strongest team at home to Young Boys in midweek and Barca enjoyed an easy 5-0 win in the Champions League.

With five days between Tuesday's match and Saturday's visit to play Alaves, Flick is unlikely to make too many changes to Tuesday's side to take on a rival that is very strong in the tight Mendizorroza Stadium, while the return of Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati gives him more options off the bench.

2. Villarreal need to be brave in the Bernabeu

Marcelino Garcia Toral has once again been doing an excellent job in the dugout in his second spell at Villarreal, who are currently fourth in LaLiga ahead of their visit to take on Real Madrid.

Not playing European football this season is a definite help for the coach, who has a well-organized midfield and defense, while using the pace of Alex Baena, Ayoze Perez, Nicolas Pepe and Yeremi Pino to good effect in attack.

Villarreal visit a Real Madrid side smarting from a poor performance and a 1-0 Champions League defeat in Lille on Wednesday, where once again a lack of midfield control cost them dearly.

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. will of course be a threat, but Villarreal should feel they have the attacking talent to trouble Madrid and a surprise isn't out of the question.

3. Pressure building on Simeone

Although Atletico Madrid sit third in the classification, the pressure seems to be building on coach Diego Simeone after recent displays.

Atletico were well beaten 4-0 away to Benfica on Wednesday night, while only a late goal from Angel Correa saved a point at home to Real Madrid in Sunday's derby, where Simeone's willingness to look for excuses for the lamentable behavior of the club's Frente Atletico ultras, also earned him criticism.

Atletico spent more money than anyone in Spain over the summer, but despite late goals that gave fortunate wins in Bilbao and Vigo, it's hard to see any improvement in their play and a defeat away to an improving Real Sociedad would see more questions raised about the coach.

4. Dangerous weekend for coaches

The last round of match before the second international break can be a dangerous time for coaches struggling at the wrong end of the table, as clubs often feel they have had long enough to get results, while next weekend without games gives a replacement coach time to bed in.

That will increase the pressure on Ruben Baraja at Valencia, Paulo Pezzolano at Valladolid and Las Palmas coach Luis Carrion, whose sides have a difficult match at home to Celta on Saturday evening. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)