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Atletico Madrid will be aiming to bounce back from Thursday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final loss to Real Madrid when they resume their La Liga campaign away to Osasuna on Sunday afternoon.
Diego Simeone’s side are currently fourth in the table, boasting 31 points from their opening 18 matches, while Osasuna sit seventh, only three points behind their opponents this weekend.
While Atletico were left disappointed in the Copa del Rey, Osasuna secured their spot in the semi-finals by recording a 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Wednesday night.
Jagoba Arrasate’s side progressed to the final four courtesy of a 99th-minute effort from Abde Ezzalzouli, and they will be bidding to make it seven matches unbeaten in all competitions in Sunday’s clash with Atletico.
Osasuna have picked up five points from their last three La Liga games against Athletic Bilbao, Mallorca and Elche, with a total of 28 points from 18 matches leaving them in seventh position in the table, only three points behind fourth-placed Atletico heading into this weekend’s contest.
Los Rojillos have finished 10th, 11th and 10th in Spain’s top flight since their promotion in 2018-19, but they could be in the mix for a European spot come the end of the campaign.
Arrasate’s team have the third-best home record in La Liga this season, collecting 18 points from nine matches, but they have lost each of their last eight league games against Atletico, with their last success over the capital giants coming in February 2014.
Atletico, as mentioned, suffered a 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night; Simeone’s side led at the interval through Alvaro Morata’s goal, but Rodrygo levelled the scores in the 79th minute before Los Blancos scored twice in extra-time.
The Copa del Rey had been Atletico’s best chance of securing silverware this season, as they are not involved in the knockout rounds of the Champions League or Europa League.
The Red and Whites will now be focused on securing a top-four spot in La Liga, and they are currently in fourth position, boasting 31 points from their opening 18 matches, but as mentioned, Osasuna are just three points behind, while Real Betis and Villarreal will also have their eyes on a Champions League spot.
There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a tough campaign for Atletico, but they recorded a 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid in the league last weekend and will fancy their chances of picking up points in the upcoming games with Getafe, Celta Vigo and Athletic Bilbao.
Simeone’s future remains the subject of much speculation, with the Argentine said to be considering walking away from his role as head coach this summer, so it could be a period of transition for the club.
