Atletico finished the last season in the traditional third place, losing the lead to its main competitors. The management made the right decision, which determined the team’s strategy. The traditionally powerful defensive play was complemented by a powerful attacking line, which had not previously delighted fans with an extravaganza of goals. The capital club did not go without misfires in the group stage of the main club tournament in Europe, while conceding eight goals in six matches, which is not typical for Diego Simeone and his squad. However, two victories and three draws brought the coveted pass to the playoffs, but Bayern’s seven-point lead says a lot. On December 16-th, the mattress started in the Spanish Cup, where they defeated Kardassar (3:0), but the 1/32 final stage was unsuccessful for the team. Madrid could not do anything with the team from the third league. The defeat at the modest Cornelia (0:1) threw the team out of this tournament. The red-whites survived such a loss without tears and Diego Simeone threw all his strength into La Liga, where they had not won for seven years. In 23 rounds the “Indians” won 23 wins and drew four times, which brought 55 points and the first position. The gap from the second Real is three points, while the leader still has one game in reserve. It is impossible not to note the best performance of the team in the defense line with the second best result in goals scored after Barcelona. The best sniper of the team is Suarez, who knowingly joined the team from the Catalan club and became the leader of the Madrid attack. In February the mattress lost concentration and in four rounds won only one victory over Granada (2:1) and ended two duels in peace with Celta (2:2) and Levante (1:1). Last Saturday the Spanish team unexpectedly lost to the modest Levante (0:2) at home, which is unlikely to have a positive effect on the morale of nominal owners. In the infirmary are Carrasco and Jimenez, who has a muscle strain. Isolated with coronavirus is Herrera.
Portland failed to win their last match, losing at home to Washington (111-118). Damian Lillard tried to bring his team to victory again, but this time he failed to do it. After the game, the Trail Blazers leader complained that opponents foul on him too much and the referees did not notice it. Despite this, Lillard scored 35 points in 39 minutes on the floor. The last defeat interrupted the six-match winning streak. Thanks to this, “Portland” has strengthened on the fifth line of the Western Conference.
