Atletico Madrid's remaining fixtures ahead of La Liga restart

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 08 June 2020

Ahead of the return of La Liga this weekend, Sports Mole looks at Atletico Madrid's remaining fixtures for the 2019-20 campaign.

La Liga action returns this weekend after a coronavirus-enforced hiatus of more than three months.

Atletico Madrid were one of the last Spanish teams in action before lockdown came into effect, beating Liverpool at Anfield to knock the European holders out of the Champions League.

While Diego Simeone's side still have plenty to look forward to in that competition, there is serious work to be done domestically if they are to grace the top table of European football against next term.

Los Rojiblancos will resume the campaign sitting sixth in the table despite a run of seven matches without defeat heading into lockdown.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez pictured in March 2020 © Reuters

Draws have been their biggest downfall; Atletico have only lost four matches all season, but they have drawn more than they have won - 12 to 11.

Simeone's side will face mid-table Athletic Bilbao away from home in their first game back, and they are also on the road three days later to take on Osasuna, who sit around the middle of the pack as things stand too.

Indeed, it will not be until the end of June that Atletico face a team currently ranked higher than 10th in the table, with their three matches after Osasuna seeing them take on Real Valladolid (15th), Levante (13th) and Alaves (14th).

The Champions League quarter-finalists must then face arguably the toughest test in La Liga, though - an away trip to defending champions and current leaders Barcelona.

All in all it is a kind run-in, though, with three more bottom-half teams - Mallorca, Celta Vigo and Real Betis - next up after Lionel Messi and co.

Simeone's side will hope to build up a good run of form during that time in order to put themselves in a commanding position to finish in the top four, but their final two matches could prove pivotal in that respect.

Atletico face fifth-placed Getafe away in their penultimate outing before ending the campaign at home to fourth-placed Real Sociedad, both of whom they currently trail by just a single point.