La Liga Matchday 12 Preview: Pressure Mounts Ahead Of International Break

‎The 12th matchday of La Liga action arrives just before the third international break of the season, and with it comes a sense of urgency across Spain.

‎For several coaches, this weekend could define their futures. Clubs in the relegation zone are beginning to lose patience, and another round of poor results could trigger managerial changes during the two-week pause.

‎Michel on the Brink as Girona Hits Rock Bottom

‎No manager enters the weekend under more pressure than Michel Sánchez at Girona.

‎Just a year ago, Girona was riding high in the Champions League, the symbol of Spanish football’s new romantic story. Fast forward twelve months, and the Catalan side sits bottom of La Liga with only seven points after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Getafe.

‎Their next challenge doesn’t get any easier. Alavés, boasting the joint-best defensive record in Spain, travels to Montilivi in excellent form.

‎For Michel, this could be the last roll of the dice. Failure to secure a win at home may see the club part ways with the coach who earned them promotion and also took them to Europe.

‎Arrasate’s Mallorca Desperate for Relief

‎Just above Girona, Mallorca is also sliding toward danger. Manager Jagoba Arrasate finds himself in a precarious position as his side hosts an in-form Getafe, who have quietly climbed to seventh place in the standings.

‎A third consecutive victory for Getafe would mark their best league run in five years.

‎Mallorca’s issues have largely stemmed from inconsistency and a lack of goals. The Balearic Islanders will hope to grind out a result in what promises to be a tight encounter perhaps one settled by a set piece.

‎But another home defeat could push the club’s hierarchy to consider a managerial shake-up during the break.

‎Corberán’s Valencia in Crisis

‎At Valencia, patience is wearing thin. Carlos Corberán was hailed as a savior last season after steering the club clear of relegation following Ruben Baraja’s departure.

‎However, the early promise has faded. Four straight defeats and two draws in their last six outings have dragged Los Che into the relegation zone once again.

‎A home clash against Real Betis, who have surged into fifth place, offers little comfort. Corberán may still have some credit in the bank, but a restless Mestalla crowd and a club with a notoriously short fuse could see him out the door if the slide continues.

‎Real Madrid and Barcelona Face Tricky Trips

‎At the opposite end of the table, Real Madrid will look to bounce back from a Champions League defeat to Liverpool. Xabi Alonso’s men make the short trip across the capital to face Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas a notoriously difficult ground.

‎With Trent Alexander-Arnold now fully fit, Alonso could deploy the former Liverpool man from the start. His trademark set-piece delivery may prove crucial, while his presence would also allow Fede Valverde to move back into his preferred midfield role.

‎Meanwhile, FC Barcelona’s defensive frailties continue to haunt them. The 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in midweek was yet another example of their inability to close out matches.

‎Hansi Flick’s side faces a revival of Celta Vigo, who have won two consecutive league games to climb clear of the drop zone.

‎Former Barça striker Ferran Jutglà will lead Celta’s attack and relish the chance to exploit gaps in Barcelona’s high line. At the other end, Robert Lewandowski is expected to start, though Raphinha remains sidelined through injury.

‎Villarreal, Atlético, and Athletic Club

‎Villarreal’s European campaign continues to disappoint, but Marcelino’s men have been solid domestically. They will welcome back Gerard Moreno and Tajon Buchanan to the starting lineup after a frustrating 1-0 loss to Pafos in Europe.

‎Atlético Madrid, meanwhile, will be without Robin Le Normand due to injury but can count on the return of José Giménez.

‎Attackers Alexander Sørloth and Thiago Almada are also back to boost Diego Simeone’s options ahead of their clash with Levante.

‎Athletic Club Bilbao will host Oviedo in what could be one of the weekend’s most dramatic encounters. Athletic are hampered by an alarming injury crisis, with the Williams brothers, Oihan Sancet, Benat Prados, and Maroan Sannadi all sidelined.

‎With just five points from their last eight matches, Ernesto Valverde’s side must find a way to win or risk being dragged into mid-table mediocrity. Oviedo, sitting second from bottom, will view this as a golden opportunity.

‎Early Kickoffs and Relegation Six-Pointers

‎The weekend begins on Saturday, with Elche hosting Real Sociedad a fixture that could determine how much pressure continues to mount on the home side’s coaching staff.

‎Elsewhere, Sevilla must stop the rot. Matías Almeyda’s men have lost three straight games and now face Osasuna, who have been dreadful away from home with five defeats and a draw.

‎A fourth consecutive loss for Sevilla could make Almeyda the next name added to the growing list of managers fearing the worst over the international break.