At the start of the season, there was talk of Atletico Madrid being realistic contenders to win La Liga this season. The underwhelming transfer windows of both champions Real Madrid and Barcelona had a lot to do with that verdict.
Atletico ended last season in decent form and have started the current campaign in fine fettle. Diego Simeone’s team currently sit top of the Spanish top-flight table, two points clear of city rivals Real Madrid, who are second.
That gap doesn’t look like a major one. However, Atletico also have two games in hand on Los Blancos. If they win both games then Los Colchoneros will have a big lead at the top of the table.
One of the key factors for Atletico this season has been the presence of veteran Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez.
Deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelona, the former Liverpool star has found a new lease of life in the Spanish capital.
Suarez once again proved an influential figure on Sunday afternoon, as he scored a late winner in a 2-1 victory over Alaves. The 33-year-old has scored nine times in his 12 appearances in La Liga this season for Atleti.
With former club Barcelona struggling for form, the Catalan giants may well regret the sale of Suarez to one of their main rivals at the top of the table.
The forward may be in the twilight of his career, but his form so far this season shows that he still has it when it comes to finding the back of the net.
Atletico have shown that they are highly consistent at both ends of the pitch. This season Los Rojiblancos look to be the real deal in the race for the Spanish title and the campaign could end in glory for Simeone and his team.