Spanish league: Madrid tries to maintain momentum | Sport

MADRID (AP) — It’s been a fun ride for Real Madrid at the start of the Spanish league season.

Madrid are playing their first three away matches due to construction work at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. But so far so good for the reigning champions after two wins.

Madrid will look to maintain their away momentum when they visit Espanyol on Sunday as they look to stay close to the top of the table.

Madrid asked for away matches in the first three rounds to speed up work at the Bernabeu, which is undergoing major renovations.

It was the same last year, when he also played his first three matches away from home – wins against Alaves and Real Betis and a draw with Levante.

This season, Madrid beat Almeria 2-1 and then Celta 4-1.

The away game has not been a problem for Madrid of late. He is unbeaten in his last six away league games dating back to last season, drawing at Villarreal before winning five in a row.

The renovation schedule at the Bernabeu was postponed after the team played at the smaller Stadio Alfredo Di Stefano – the club’s training center – during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, when fans were not allowed to attend matches.

Madrid returned to the Bernabeu last season while renovations continued. The number of seats on the site has been reduced during construction.

The team will play its first match at this venue this season against Real Betis on September 3.

It will be Espanyol’s second successive home game without a win after a 2-2 draw against Celta and a 2-0 defeat at Rayo Vallecano.

“We are aware of Madrid’s potential, but we will not be afraid,” recently signed Espanyol forward Dani Gomez told Marca. “We will give everything we have. It wouldn’t be the first time Espanyol beat Madrid, so we’ll try again.”

Espanyol have lost five of their last five games against Madrid, but their last win over the powerhouse came in a home league game last season.

BARCELONA MOMENT

Barcelona will be looking for a second straight win when they host Valladolid on Sunday.

It is not yet clear whether the Catalan club will be able to register newly minted defender Jules Kunde before the match at Camp Nou.

Barcelona need to free up more salary cap space to comply with the league’s strict Financial Fair Play rules.

Valladolid started with a 3-0 home defeat against Villarreal but drew 1-1 with Sevilla last weekend. The club, owned by former Brazilian Ronaldo, is back in the first division after a year in the second.

Barcelona’s first home match was a disappointing goalless draw with Rayo.

ATLÉTICO STRUGGLE

Atletico Madrid will look to bounce back from their home defeat to Villarreal when they visit Gennar Gattuso’s Valencia on Monday.

Alvaro Morata and Joao Felix linked well in Atletico’s opening 3-0 win over Getafe, but the forwards struggled on Sunday and Diego Simeone’s attack was largely ineffective.

Some fans were upset and insulted several players after the match this weekend, prompting defender Mario Hermas to confront them in the stands.

OTHER MATCHES

Villarreal will be looking for a third straight win when they visit Getafe on Sunday.

The other two teams with back-to-back wins, Real Betis and Assasuna, meet on Friday in Seville.

On Saturday, winless Sevilla face Almeria, while Real Sociedad face Elche.

Cadiz, the other side yet to pick up a point along with Getafe, host Athletic Bilbao on Monday.

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