Atletico Madrid's unstoppable march, chasing glory in Barcelona

Since their humbling at the Villamarin on 27 October, where coach Diego Simeone delivered a passionate speech about what it means to wear the Atletico shirt, they've amassed 18 points without a single loss.

Their latest triumph came against Getafe, a match that was far from a walk in the park but resulted in three crucial points. This victory was especially sweet as it allowed Atletico to leapfrog Real Madrid, who stumbled in Vallecas, bringing the eternal rivals to within just one point of each other.

Atletico have now matched Barcelona at the top of the league table with 38 points, despite having played one game fewer.

The upcoming match against Barcelona this Saturday is set to be a showdown for the league lead. Barcelona's recent 1-0 home defeat to Leganes left them vulnerable, and Atletico, with an extra match in hand, are poised to continue their relentless pursuit of the La Liga title.

Winning at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, one of the few remaining challenges for Simeone, could see Atletico extend their winning streak to twelve matches, just one shy of their all-time club record, also set under Simeone's reign. This record could be equalled in their next match against Marbella on 4 January, just days before Simeone celebrates 13 years since his first match at the helm of Atletico.

Looking ahead, post-Christmas, Atletico will also face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey on 8 January, adding another layer to this festive fixture list.

As has been a recurring theme this season, substitutes played a pivotal role against Getafe. Nahuel Molina and Alexander Sorloth turned the game on its head with their contributions to the winning goal.

Molina, returning from injury, shared his feelings post-match: "I feel good; my recovery took a bit longer than expected, but I'm happy. I see the team growing in many aspects, and I'm delighted to keep adding three points at a time. We knew we had to win at home; it's a joy. Every goal is a special moment here, regardless of who scores or assists. I'm pleased with the win."

Speaking of the upcoming Barcelona clash, he added, "It will be a tough game. We need to rest and prepare well this week. This is Atletico, a team, not just individual names."

Atletico Madrid's journey through the end of 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable, with fans and pundits alike watching eagerly to see if this unexpected and historic run can lead them to the top of La Liga and beyond.

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