La Liga Week 12 Standings: Real Madrid and Barcelona on Top, Atletico Madrid Struggling
The 2014-15 La Liga season is already 11 weeks complete.
For the second consecutive week, Real Madrid remains in first place in the standings. Real Madrid is 9-0-2 with 27 points. In Real Madrid's last game, they defeated Rayo Vallecano 5-1 at home. In that game, Real Madrid showed incredible balance and teamwork, with all five goals coming from five different players. Naturally, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal in that game.
Ronaldo's team-leading 18 goals leads the entire league. The second-highest goal scorer this season is Brazilian striker Neymar of Barcelona, who has 10 goals. Lionel Messi has seven goals so far this season. French forward Karim Benzema has the second-most goals on Real Madrid with six so far. Toni Kroos has been the most successful passer on Real Madrid this season with a team-leading six assists.
Iker Casillas has been getting the job done in net this year, allowing nine goals in nine games. As a team, Real Madrid has scored 42 goals, while Barcelona has scored just 25 this season.
Right behind Real Madrid is Barcelona with an 8-1-2 record giving them 25 points, just two behind Real Madrid. Although Barcelona has scored just 25 goals this season, they have only allowed five, the fewest in the league.
After starting the year unbeaten, Barcelona lost consecutive games to Real Madrid and Celta Vigo. A late victory against Almeria in their last game put Barcelona back in second place. Barcelona will play Valencia in their next game, who is just one point behind Barcelona in the standings.
Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has been sensational this season, allowing just five goals in his 11 starts. Messi and Neymar have been leading the offense all season with a combined 17 goals and eight assists. Thanks to Jérémy Mathieu and Javier Mascherano, Barcelona has an elite defensive unit. Barcelona has a terrific defense, but many still question whether or not their offense can get the job done.
The defending champions, Atletico Madrid, are currently in fourth place. Atletico Madrid is 7-2-2 with 23 points. In their last game, Atletico Madrid lost to Real Sociedad, 2-1. Mario Mandzukic leads the team with five goals this season. Goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya has allowed 11 goals in 11 games. Atletico Madrid will face Malaga in their next game.
Last season, Atletico Madrid lost just four games, and captured the No. 1 seed with 90 points while allowing the fewest goals in the league. Atletico Madrid certainly isn't out of it this early into the season, but changes will be needed going forward.
Atletico Madrid will face Barcelona in Week 18, and Real Madrid in Week 22. In Week 3, Atletico Madrid defeated Real Madrid, 2-1.
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