A compilation of some of the most interesting La Liga stories of the week, we go through the good, the bad and the good.
Pros: The opposite semi-final
This section can be titled ‘How to celebrate a semi-final defeat by Barcelona’ and ‘How to celebrate a 3-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid’. The second leg of the semi-final of the Copa del Rey, where Barcelona failed to come back against Atletico, was completely inside from start to finish. All season, the Blaugrana have been plagued by doubts, bleak spots and a sense of optimism, which is a very good thing even when things are going well.
For the first time on Tuesday night, Barcelona fans were impressed with their performance. At this time, the defense was aggressive, the media actually suffocated Atletico, and Joan Garcia’s clean sheet was not a statistical chance but a product of their performance. ‘Playing like this, we’re going to win things’ was the repeated message – look, we’re proving it it can be play like this. And yet, by the same token, they failed. Ronald Araujo’s introduction up front looked a little silly with 20 minutes to go, but what if it was Hansi Flick? For this system to work in the big games, it needs to be profitable, and with both Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres out of form, the ceiling is lower than last season. Despite Araujo’s size, his presence in the box was lacking.
On the other hand, there was Atletico Madrid, who were happy, happy, in their first Copa del Rey final for 13 years. At a time when it was easy to break down, in the last 20 minutes, Atletico were very strong. Strong and determined, selfless and cruel, willing to suffer. ‘This is Atletico, we will suffer’ said Simeone. In recent years, they have struggled to embrace this side of the game.
🚨 Raphinha: “I’m leaving proud of the team, we wanted the final and we deserved it after today’s game, but respect to Atlético Madrid who did very well. It’s not easy, we could have done better in the first leg, but if we play like we did today we will have an amazing end… pic.twitter.com/VvV2XKF9dt
– barcacentre (@barcacentre) March 3, 2026
At the same time as you have to take the salt-shaker off the Barcelona game, takes away with a 4-0 first-leg loss, how much can we admire a 3-0 defeat? Simeone said his team came out to attack, but couldn’t – which is not a good sign. Marked by injuries, Barcelona ran out of fuel, but Atletico were dangerously far from a major collapse. This is, admittedly, a silly conversation when you’re headed to Seville.
🇦🇷🔴⚪️ Diego Simeone: “We are Atlético de Madrid. We are destined to suffer.” pic.twitter.com/UJ95zRhKXU
– Atlético Universe (@atletiuniverse) March 4, 2026
The good thing is, whenever Simeone seems to need it most, he comes with the goods. Their 2018 Europa League victory came as his first iteration of Atletico was falling apart. Simeone has arguably never been under more pressure than at the start of the 2020-21 title season, with Joao Felix ineligible. In 2023, Atletico went 11 months without losing four times in La Liga. Atletico trailed by 13 points at the half, and just as the story began to turn again…
Thembi: Well, I think it’s good bye
On the face of it, there is nothing particularly unusual about teams in 16th and 18th place in La Liga changing managers with 12 games remaining. Continuing with the unique theme, RCD Mallorca and Deportivo Alaves do not make the usual moves or emotions of management chaos. Los Bermellones sacking Jagoba Arrasate after just 18 months, and on top of their league position, was an expression of the feeling that something wasn’t clicking. In that sense, emotions are external; the sadness that a project that contains many good ingredients and intentions has failed.
Another concern for Mallorca is that Sergi Darder admitted after their 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad on Saturday that the team was ‘left behind’ after Arrasate’s exit. Even when things weren’t going well, if Arrasate still had the respect of the dressing room, it made Martin Demichelis’ job that much harder. “I will only let the wounded hang their heads; I want to see everyone happy,” was his message when he arrived. Setting the style is tricky, setting the mood, it will require willing co-conspirators.
‘This team has a soul, it is not a broken team’ said Quique Sanchez Flores in his speech as manager of Alaves. Put better, you are reminded. Chacho Coudet left on Tuesday night and on Wednesday he was introduced as the new manager of River Plate, who probably has some very angry children. “I have four children, and I can swear to all four of them that no one from River Plate has touched me or touched me,” said Coudet last Thursday.
That was before Alaves lost 2-0 to Levante, but Sanchez Flores was right: there is nothing wrong with Los Babazorros, who fight hard, and enjoy the discomfort of others. Sanchez Flores is about as safe as Alaves could get, but the risk of changing the operating formula is always there, with just three points in Mallorca. Two odd goodbyes, which sit a little too comfortably.
Pros: Just like Jose Bordalas planned
Getafe’s first win at the Bernabeu in 18 years, the second in their history, their 1-0 victory over Real Madrid was as Jose Bordalas had planned. Well, mainly. Part of the problem with Getafe asking their respectable neighbors is a result of how they look. Real Madrid had no answers. Alvaro Arbeloa shouldn’t feel sorry for himself – knocking out Real Madrid means Bordalas has done this to every team in this division. Real Madrid’s best chance of the game came from a possession error, their next chances were crosses to the far post, but every time, a change of play or a shot, there was a Getafe defender in their face.
Martin Satriano y un gol histórico para el @GetafeCF. 😮
LALIGA Highlights | RealMadridGetafe pic.twitter.com/0vQnmcG0XO
— LALIGA (@LaLiga) March 4, 2026
Yes, best of all, it was Martin Satriano’s winner. A volley so sweet it brought its maker to tears afterwards. Most outlets will tell you that Antonio Rudiger should have moved the ball forward, Aurelien Tchouameni should have reacted quickly. Bordalas will tell you that Luis Milla fed the ball to Juan Iglesias, that Luis Vazquez was in the box, holding the defense while Satriano was free, and that Mauro Arambarri was in the perfect position to latch on to a loose ball. Everyone in the right place. And the rest, that was a very good ball.
> Real prête Endrick à l’OL
> l’OL peut donc se passer de Satriano
> Satriano signed to Getafe on loan
> Getafe face Real
> Satriano marque le seul but
> défaite du Real 😭 pic.twitter.com/kAhe4Y65y2– Bennnzz 🎂 (@Bennnzz) March 3, 2026
