MADRID, Sept. 1 (silubaba) -- The final round of games in La Liga before the first international break should provide a point of reflection for several clubs and that could mean bad news for one man in particular. Here are four things to look out for this weekend:
1. DANGER FOR SEVILLA AND MENDILIBAR
Sevilla was slightly unlucky to lose at home to Girona last weekend, but the 2-1 defeat leaves Jose Luis Mendilibar's side bottom of La Liga after their worst ever start to a season, ahead of a difficult trip to play Atletico Madrid.
It has been a bad summer for the Europa League champion, whose squad looks weaker now than three months ago, and the uncertainty over possible departures will continue until the transfer market closes late on Friday.
Apart from questions over Joao Felix, Atletico has enjoyed a calm summer, and that stability is reflected in it sitting second in the table after beating Rayo Vallecano 7-0 on Monday.
It is not a good time for Sevilla to visit the Metropolitano Stadium, and another defeat could leave Mendilibar facing the sack, even though the backroom chaos isn't his fault.
2. CHANCE FOR JOSELU AT REAL MADRID
Vinicius Jr's hamstring injury will keep him out of action for six weeks, and has exposed the fact that Carlo Ancelotti's side looks to be short of specialist forwards after the summer departure of Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio. So far, four goals from midfielder Jude Bellingham have covered over that problem, but Ancelotti now needs Joselu to take a step forward.
The Spain international should go into the starting 11 as Real Madrid returns to the Bernabeu at home to Getafe, and although he doesn't have Vinicius' mobility, he is more of a penalty area predator.
With the fixture list getting very busy after the international break, Ancelotti needs Joselu to score goals.
3. OSASUNA TO TEST BARCA'S DEFENSE
Osasuna's first European adventure since 2007 came to a premature end on Thursday when they were knocked out of the preliminary round of the UEFA Conference League by Club Brugge. Seeing the efforts of a long season in just 180 minutes must be very hard to take for the Pamplona side, and coach Jagoba Arrasate has to lift their morale for Sunday's game at home to Barcelona.
Barcelona, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal leading from the front, impressed in attack in their 4-3 win away to Villarreal last weekend, but coach Xavi Hernandez's frustration at their defending was plain to see.
Andreas Christensen could be back on Sunday, and Xavi may keep Frenkie de Jong in a deeper role to defend against a rival that will look to take advantage of Barca's possible weakness down the flanks.
4. GIRONA TO KEEP UP WITH ELITES
Girona's win in Sevilla last week left them third in La Liga and showed that last season's results were no fluke. Coach Michel has developed a side that mixes the experience of striker Cristhian Stauni and defender Daley Blind with the exciting talents of winger Salvio, and midfield ball players such as Aleix Garcia and Yangel Herrera.
Girona takes on newly-promoted Las Palmas this weekend, and another win for the northeastern side would take them into the international break with 10 points from 12, making them serious contenders to battle for Europe this season. ■
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