The big matchup at the “Metropolitano” between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona on Sunday night (Nov. 8, 10:00 p.m.) takes center stage in the 12th matchday of La Liga, before the break for international duty.
The "Blaugrana" sit atop the standings with 30 points and are looking for a win that would put them 5 points ahead of Atlético, who are in second place with 28 points. Conversely, the “Rojiblancos” are looking for a big win to climb to the top of the table and send a message that this year they’ll fight until the very end for the title.
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Moreover, Diego Simeone’s team is on a roll in the league, having racked up seven straight wins, though the Argentine coach won’t be able to count on his compatriot, Romero, for the big match. On the other hand, Hansi Flick has more headaches, as Rodri, Koundé, Olmo, and Esparto are all sidelined.
A day earlier, on Saturday (Nov. 7, 10:00 p.m.), Real Madrid faces a test at “Mestalla” against Valencia, with José Mourinho’s team coming off a hard-fought 3-2 victory over AEK in Nea Filadelfia in stoppage time.
The “Queen” is in 3rd place with 27 points, and a win would allow them to capitalize on a loss by either Atlético or Barcelona—or both—depending on the outcome of their head-to-head matchup. Real Madrid will face a Valencia side that has struggled this season and sits in second-to-last place in the league with just nine points.
The schedule for Matchday 12:
Friday (11/6)
Sevilla – Alavés (10:00 p.m.)
Saturday (11/7)
Málaga vs. Racing Santander (3:00 PM)
Espanyol vs. Deportivo La Coruña (5:15 PM)
Osasuna vs. Athletic Bilbao (7:30 p.m.)
Valencia vs. Real Madrid (10:00 p.m.)
Sunday (11/8)
Elche – Real Betis (3:00 p.m.)
Real Sociedad – Rayo Vallecano (5:15 p.m.)
Celta – Levante (7:30 p.m.)
Villarreal – Getafe (7:30 p.m.)
Atlético Madrid – Barcelona (10:00 p.m.)
The schedule for the next (13th) matchday:
Friday (11/20)
Athletic Bilbao vs. Espanyol (10:00 p.m.)
Saturday (11/21)
Alavés vs. Deportivo (3:00 PM)
Rayo Vallecano vs. Valencia (5:15 PM)
Sevilla vs. Betis (7:30 PM)
Real Madrid vs. Celta (10:00 p.m.)
Sunday (11/22)
Barcelona vs. Villarreal (3:00 PM)
Racing Santander vs. Real Sociedad (5:15 PM)
Osasuna vs. Málaga (7:30 p.m.)
Getafe vs. Atlético Madrid (10:00 p.m.)
Monday (11/23)
Levante vs. Elche (10:00 p.m.)
*photo source: AP
