Inside Spain is a weekly installment brought to you by Football España, giving you an insight into all the top stories coming out of the rich and intense climates of La Liga and beyond.
It was a moody weekend in the Spanish capital, after the Madrid derby was suspended for 15 minutes after Atletico Madrid fans threw lighters at Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois. Such was the hysteria that surrounded him, Barcelona, beaten by Osasuna, was almost forgotten.
The players came back with the score 1-0 to Real Madrid, but in the 94th minute of stoppage time, Angel Correa beat the offside trap, then Courtois equalized, leaving the Whites three points clear of Barcelona and Atlético five. . Whites were furious, and after Diego Simeone and Koke Resurreccion went to the fans to try to calm them down, they pointed out that the fans who threw things should not be allowed back in.
Courtois celebrated Eder Militao’s goal with a steely smile to the Atlético supporters, who not long ago had chanted ‘Courtois, die’ to their ex-player. Still, Koke and Simeone called the Belgiansaying he might have been smarter than provoking followers.
A busy weekend in the League before another busy week. We spoke with @cnnsport on Monday night. pic.twitter.com/RSmZF1qZpR
— Football Spain (@footballespana_) October 1, 2024
It will likely lead to a partial stadium closure for Atlético and further tension between the two teams. Osasuna demolished a rotating Barcelona 4-2 on Saturday night, but they were pleased with the result in the Madrid derby, despite losing their 100% record. Moreover, it grabbed the headlines while Barcelona announced losses of 91 million euros per year Hilariously, they said the losses were solely due to the non-payment of their Barca Vision sales to shareholders, an operation carried out by the same board.
They have signed Wojciech Szczesny on a one-year free contract, a month after his retirement, which won’t help their finances but will give them a solid, experienced option in goal.
Marc Casado is enjoying life under Hansi Flick. #FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/PI9vcVgv8d
— Football Spain (@footballespana_) October 2, 2024
So it makes sense that Palmeiras have been contacted about 18-year-old defender Vitor Reis. It is set to be the next Brazilian talent race, with O Verdao already aware of Arsenal’s interestand Liverpool and Chelsea also following close behind. However, he has a €100m release clause, meaning he could be a tough bargain, whichever club tries to sign him.
Giovani Lo Celso has become Manuel Pellegrini’s second-choice player at Real Betis, scoring five goals in four and a third game, a pace only bettered by former Newcastle United and Leicester forward Ayoze Perez. The main encounter is the Sevilla derby, with Jesús Navas, 38, who will play his last edition before his retirement in December.
Ayoze is just one behind Robert Lewandowski in the goalscoring charts and his Villarreal side face Real Madrid at the weekend, with Kylian Mbappe close to returning to fitness. Carlo Ancelotti will have to be on his game, with mutterings of dissatisfaction with their decisions from the top trickling down and into the media. Always an ominous sign at the Santiago Bernabéu.
