This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
La Liga title race in the balance but Madrid seize momentum ¶
Published on June 26, 2020
Real Madrid and Barcelona are neck-and-neck in the closest title race in Europe as La Liga's top two have enjoyed an almost faultless return since Spanish football resumed two weeks ago.
Barcelona's performances have been less convincing than their results, and a draw away at Sevilla has allowed Madrid to clear a two-point deficit and reclaim first place due to a superior head-to-head.
Atletico Madrid have surged into third, their concerns of missing out on Champions League qualification evaporating almost entirely as their top-four rivals have crumbled around them.
The three-month suspension has also had varying effects at the bottom, where Celta Vigo and Eibar have managed to pull away, leaving Real Mallorca, Leganes, and Espanyol with a mountain to climb.
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema has been the catalyst for four wins out of four, coming back at his sharp, confident, and clinical best.
Benzema's touch and volley against Valencia may be goal of the season, while his link-up with Eden Hazard could finally offer an answer to the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, Hazard's fitness is still a worry, and the Belgian came off after an hour against Mallorca on Wednesday as Zinedine Zidane appears keen to manage his minutes.
Atletico Madrid's resurgence has been even more effective as their rivals have floundered, with Real Sociedad and Getafe failing to muster a single victory between them since coming back.
Meanwhile, the bottom three have been cast further adrift, with Espanyol failing to consolidate after beating Alaves, while Mallorca and Leganes have slid further from safety.
La Liga's innovations, including fake crowd noise and virtual supporters, have been unable to remove the hollowness of games without fans.
