Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond.
It’s been a busy week in Spanish football, and it’s only set to get busier, as an extra Clasico and an extra Madrid derby were added to the calendar. And then there’s Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid drew Atletico Madrid away in the Copa del Rey, meaning it will be three derbies in three weeks, including the one next week, and the one at the start of February in La Liga. If it’s anything like the 5-3 thriller in the Spanish Supercup on Wednesday, the locals are in for a treat.
Which they didn’t see up close, because the Supercup is in Saudi Arabia – the Gulf state pay the Spanish Football Federation €40m to host a four-team tournament in Riyadh. Much to the chagrin of Spanish fans, who were befuddled by the booing of Toni Kroos, and the booing of Franz Beckenbauer during a minute’s silence for the recently departed great.
Real Madrid’s reward is Barcelona on Sunday night, after the ailing Catalans struggled to a 2-0 win over Osasuna. If there was one silver lining for Atletico Madrid, it is that Antoine Griezmann became their record goalscorer, surpassing Luis Aragones and moving onto 174 goals.
Antoine Griezmann – All-time top scorer for #AtleticoMadrid pic.twitter.com/1yUZBhrdcg
— Football España (@footballespana_) January 11, 2024
Real Madrid are on the hunt for a striker themselves. The lines coming out of Madrid is that they want Mbappe, but not too much. We’re not sure if they’re trying to play it cool, but there have been multiple rumours about Victor Osimhen of Napoli too, and Erling Haaland, who Jude Bellingham is reportedly trying to recruit. The upshot is that nothing has changed, but Madridistas may have to strap themselves in for another round of the game.
Barcelona may as well bring Jorge Mendes on board as part of their staff, as they have…
..