The La liga season 2024/25 got underway with the fixtures of Thursday 15th August 2024 between Athletic Bilbao and Getafe, which was the opening fixture at Estadio San Mamés (Bilbao) with Sancet O scoring the first goal of this year’s La liga season. Betis vs. Girona came later on at Estadio Benito Villamarín (Sevilla). Both matches ended in a 1-1 draw. However, the catchy events at Estadio de la Ceramica (Villarreal) on the 19th of August between Villarreal and Atletico Madrid to wrap up the events of the first week, attentions are set on this big clash that the first week of this La liga season hands us.

Villarreal sets the season to sail in style as they host Atletico Madrid on Monday. Villarreal did not have a dream season last term and will be keen to do so this season. Beginning the season with a match against Atletico Madrid sends a different chill down their spin as win over one of the biggest names in the league will send a message to everyone as to what they have set out to achieve this season and give them the momentum to carry it out after last season’s set back. Villarreal finished last season in the 8th position with 53 points after 38 matches with 0goal difference. They won 14matches, drew 11, and lost 13matches last season. This highlights how bad their season was as they lost almost the same amount of games they won, conceding the same amount of goals they were able to score the whole of last season. They will be keen to improve these stats as they do not represent what the club stands for. Their last season woes highlight their activeness in the ongoing summer transfer window. To strengthen their defense, they have secured the signatures of Willy Kambwala (center back), Ayoze Pérez (left winger), Diego Conde (goalkeeper), Nicolas Pépé (right winger), Sergi Cardona (left back) and Pape Gueye (defensive midfielder). Some other players have returned from loans, and some good talents from the clubs academy have been called up into the first team squad. All these are geared towards not having to have a repeat of what happened last season. They are still out in the market for more players to join the attack to bolster their squad to be fit enough to compete at the highest level.

Atletico Madrid had a decent season, though not one they will have to boast about or be ready to replicate. They would like to make a lot of good impressions this season, better than what they did last season as they struggled a lot to have a top finish. They finished 8points off the 5th placed Bilbao. Atletico finished the league with 76points, 19points off their neighbour and league winner, Real Madrid, who finished with 95points. Atletico Madrid has been all out this summer in the transfer window to give their best as it concerns getting in fresh and good talents that will push the club forward towards achieving their set goals and objectives. Finishing 4th with 76points after a total available 114points is something they would like to improve on as they would like to drop fewer than the 38points they missed last season. Atletico will be looking to upgrade their team to be able to compete with the like of Real Madrid, who have had a massive upgrade in their team with the introduction of Mbappe and Endrick to strengthen their attack. They have so far in the ongoing transfer secured the signature of the talented forward Julián Alvarez who can play virtually all the attacking positions as was evident in his performances for his former club Manchester City.

Atletico Madrid has also employed the services of the 27-year-old centre back Robin Le Normand from Real Sociedad to strengthen their defence as they believe to have conceded far more than is characteristic of them 43goals In the season before, they conceded 33goals only, less than the total number of league games they played a whole season (38). They have also signed the Villarreal centre forward Alexander Sørloth, the 28-year-old will be hoping to fixture against his former club in this time. It is a home coming for him. They club are still in the market for more players as they hope to come back better this season. They are looking to complete the deal of a centre midfielder Javi Guerra from Valencia and the Arsenal right back Takehiro Tomiyasu. With some players back from their loan spell last season, they will be looking to make the best out of the transfer window. Atletico Madrid, over the years have been so renowned for their defensive prowess. They seem to add another feather to that as their outing s in the transfer window, and during their pre-season tour They won three and drew one in their four pre-season matches. Beating Juventus in their last per-season match 2-0 shows how they are setting up this season attack and defence wise. They will want to continue and even improve the form with which they ended last season where they of their last 10La liga matches, they won 7 and lost 3. They will be willing to do more this season, and they will be ready to set sail from the start with their opening game against Villarreal.

Both teams have met themselves 44times, 22 times at El Madrigal, and 22 at Wanda Metropolitano. Villarreal has won 14 times while Atletico Madrid has won 16 times, and 14 times it has ended all squared. It has not been a one sided affair in this tie nor has it been an easy tie for either side, Atletico though with a 2win margin will look to widen it the more with this meeting if they do not fall short of the attacking prowess of Villarreal who are just 2wins away. Atletico Madrid have won more match in this tie away from home and will wish to better their results this season both home and away while Villarreal on the other hand would like to better their performances in front of their fans as the new season starts.

A lot will be demanded from both teams at the start of the season as they are all trying to set the tune for the season and build momentum as well. Nothing but the best is expected of them as they both strive for excellence in the 2024/25 La liga season.

Back Atletico Madrid win or draw

Correct Score: 1-1