Insulted audience, diving and Lamine Yamal riptide

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Insulted audience, diving and Lamine Yamal riptide

A compilation of some of the most interesting La Liga stories of the week, we go through the good, the bad and the good.

Positive: How long will Premier League pundits insult our intelligence?

Six weeks ago, this Atletico Madrid did not exist. Their 2026 opened with just three wins in their first eight games, against Deportivo La Coruna (Segunda), Alaves (16) and RCD Mallorca (18). Included in that run was a loss to Bodo/Glimt, which turned out not to be as embarrassing as it looked, and a 0-0 draw with Levante that should have seen Diego Simeone book a second trip to Turkiye, not face Galatasaray.

Since winning the Copa del Rey against Real Betis (5-0), it is true that they have mixed defeats in the same way against Betis and Rayo Vallecano, but Atletico have scored 29 goals in their last 11 games. While some pundits in England insult the intelligence of their audience by telling them that Simeone is a defensive coach, those with the eyes to see it, or the diligence to find out, can confirm Atletico are no longer connoisseurs of clean sheets.

Despite their 5-2 win over a Tottenham Hotspur side that literally fell by their side, there’s a real sense that this Atletico side have plenty of weapons in the final third, and a cohesive unit behind them. Ademola Lookman’s initial impact has declined, but his pace draws opposition defenses five yards deep. It’s been a long wait for Atleti fans, but Johnny Cardoso has finally found his rhythm, and his footwork behind opposition midfielders is allowing the rest of the team to keep attacking. Earlier in the season, Atletico’s pressing efforts were asymmetrical and not by design – as a result, Simeone defended his side.

Even though Koke Resurreccion and Pablo Barrios may be talented players, Cardoso’s development has convinced Simeone that he can send his team to press higher, with impressive results against Barcelona, Spurs and Real Sociedad. It also said a lot about Antoine Griezmann. It’s hard to believe he played his way out of the team at the end of last season. He may not have the classic legs, but that didn’t stop him from being in front of everyone.

Johnny Cardoso was the player who went the longest tonight. pic.twitter.com/SC9yKnEbq9

– Atlético Universe (@atletiuniverse) March 11, 2026

All of this without a dramatic improvement from Julian Alvarez, or another from Alex Baena, who has only played 21 minutes in the last three games. It raises concerns that Baena is against Simeone’s guidebook in being a good soldier, and yet, despite that, Atletico seem to be sending two or three attacking players who can change every game – see Nicolas Gonzalez against Real Sociedad. They are certainly not the best defense in Spain, but they can be a very good attack.

The bad: Eder Sarabia is facing a crisis at Girona

Elche were a revelation in the first half of the season, and at Christmas, they stayed in 9th place with 22 points, beating Rayo Vallecano 4-0 in one of the best performances of the season. From their next 11 games in 2026, Elche have picked up four points, and are now level with 17 points above the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Elche is yet to win. The opening 20 games before 2026 saw Elche concede more than once only five times. In a cold winter, Elche managed to keep their opponents to one goal or less just twice.

Their exciting first half of the season was capped by a forward line that looked like a handful for anyone. Alvaro Rodriguez quickly became an unlikely hipster hero with his play, with Rafa Mir providing pace at the back and Andre Silva nous in the box. Together, they account for 17 of Elche’s 35 goals, but only six have come this calendar year.

The offensive comparison continues for the casual viewer. What stood out about Elche was their complete indifference to their opponent. When they drew against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Elche played the same clean passes in their half and showed the same aggressiveness up front as they did against Levante or Rayo. Somehow Eder Sarabia had instilled in his players a lot of confidence, a confidence in their system that allowed them to play quickly and use their brain power to compose.

Now, relaxed in the situation, Elche’s players are very low, the passing is slow, the reaction is doubtful. In recent seasons, Las Palmas have stuck with Garcia Pimienta. The following season, they switched to Diego Martinez – and went down. Girona held on to Michel Sanchez, but after two successful seasons, he temporarily made pragmatic concessions for the final extension. Sarabia must check if his players can remove the system that brought them success in their mental environment.

Click the button again.

Again, what strikes you most about Elche is how relaxed and confident they are on the ball. Regardless of what team is in front of them, they find a way to stick to a version of what they’re doing.

– Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) September 25, 2025

All this to tell you what Eder Sarabia summed up before their 2-1 defeat to Villarreal this past weekend. “Above all, we must play with freedom and youth, try to find the best version of ourselves, be brave and believe that we can beat anyone.” Elche tested that at the weekend against Real Madrid.

Pros: Lamine Yamal can no longer be ignored

Refusing to pay tribute to his magnificent hat-trick against Villarreal, Lamine Yamal’s winner against Athletic Club deservedly earned it this week. It was a goal that took him to 18 in total last season, and reaffirmed that he is increasingly becoming Barcelona’s most decisive player this year.

If the second time against Villarreal it was all a rattlesnake reaction in the box, Lamine Yamal’s effort to bend at San Mames was surprisingly predictable. The goal was obvious, it was visible from the moment Pedri found him in a wide area. As he goes inside, waves of players slide to the side of the pitch, mostly Athletic defenders running to wash him.

La magia de Lamine. ✨ pic.twitter.com/MSwyJBUMHz

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) March 10, 2026

If you’ve ever watched a professional skate under a big wave crashing down, cutting the wake on the canvas, the subtlety of his first two touches, and the rawness of the third, provide the same viewing pleasure. Athletic, sunk. That he kissed it in the top corner of the post, and hit a wet slide on his knee after that, proves that between the dances, handshakes and haircuts, Lamine Yamal has an appreciation of football that delights every decade of fans.