Real Madrid: 4 keys to overtaking Atleti and winning La Liga

Real Madrid are in a great position to win the league for a second straight season. Despite having the game sandwiched between both Champions League quarterfinal fixtures against Liverpool, Los Blancos defeated Barcelona in El Clasico 2-1 last weekend. This coming Sunday, they will face another rival in Getafe, looking to complete a season sweep of them as well.

The league crown is well within reach for Zinedine Zidane’s men. But here’s what they need to do to make sure they overtake Atletico Madrid, who are still in first by a mere point, and secure a 35th La Liga trophy.

Manage fatigue and keep up the intensity

As we saw in the second-leg draw with Liverpool, Real Madrid’s players are really tired. They have given so much over the course of the season, and they did not even have a real offseason. Remember, they were competing for the trophy right up until the end this summer, and then they had a Champions League match in August before restarting the 2020-2021 campaign one month later.

Guys like Luka Modric, Ferland Mendy, and Casemiro have run their socks off for 90 after 90. Add Toni Kroos to that list as well.

This weekend’s match against Getafe will be an important opportunity for players to get rest, and Zidane will have to keep load management in mind for his players. Because he needs 100 percent intensity in order for Real to avoid any letdown performances in a title race that has no margin for error. In order to get that intensity, he needs to make smart rotations.