Luis Suarez has turned around Atletico Madrid's fortune, he is the X factor, feels footballer Dalima Chibber

Luis Suarez. Picture/ AFP

The La Liga title race is heating up even more as we move closer to the end stages of the Spanish football league. Atletico Madrid lead the points table with rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona in second and third place respectively

Barcelona face leaders Atletico Madrid in a high profile La Liga clash with friends-turned-opponents Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez going head-to-head in today's epic clash.

Indian women footballers, Dalima Chhibber and Aditi Chauhan discuss this epic match-up on La Liga's Facebook channel.

Excerpts:

Dalima - When we look at the LaLiga table, we see that the top 4 teams are very tightly placed. Isn't it the closest it has gotten until now?

Aditi - Yeah I think LaLiga this time has been very exciting out of all the leagues in Europe. Very close. Barcelona keeps giving us heart attacks but I think we still have a chance. I support Barcelona for everyone who is watching us. LaLiga has been very interesting this season, obviously Sevilla in a brilliant run so far. They have won all the last 5 matches. Atletico have been inconsistent and have been dropping points just when they could have clinched the title. Real Madrid has been doing well but they also have the Champions league and tired legs, which could be seen in the Champions league match. They still have a fair chance as it is an open race. Very interesting last few matches of this league now but I hope Barcelona can turn things around this season.

Dalima - Yeah I am a Barcelona supporter too I am definitely rooting for them. Yesterday they won and it was a close match and my heart was in my mouth.

Aditi - How good was Messi's freekick?

Dalima - Amazing. Right when we needed it.

Aditi - You could see a different kind of Messi on the field. He was running around trying to chase the ball and make more attacks and that confidence showed in his free kick as well. I think just pure brilliance from Messi yesterday. However, yeah we did concede the second goal that is when I got a little anxious but I am glad we got the 3 points that we needed.

Aditi - According to you, has Luis Suarez been the X factor for Atleti this season?

Dalima - I definitely feel that Suarez has been the X factor for the Atletico Madrid's Success because this team for such a long time was lacking a scorer and because of him, they got a converter and a goal scorer. We can also totally see that in the stats, he is one of the top 4 strikers in LaLiga and he is getting those crucial goals. Even with Barcelona when he played, he has been one of the major factors and his combination with Messi, his posture and composure in this tough situation being able to convert has been great. I feel that has turned Atletico's success around and that is why we can see them scoring so many goals and definitely it boosts the contest. Therefore, for me he has been the X factor.

Aditi - This season he also has a point to prove to Barcelona because the way he exited the team and the way he was told that he was old. He said in the press conference that he has chosen Atletico Madrid because he believes he can perform at that level and give goals to the clubs and that has I think been his mentality to prove himself. He is making the most of the opportunity provided to him.

Dalima - I feel he has been proving his point on the field. It would be one of the biggest achievement for Atletico Madrid after all these hard working years they have had in LaLiga. If they come out as winners this season, they totally deserve it.

Dalima - Moving onto Real Madrid how big a factor, do you think Zidane has been for the team?

Aditi - I think Zidane has spent many years at the club he knows what it is like to lead a club like Madrid with its history, baggage that comes with it. He is well equipped to do it; he knows how to win big championships. He has taken this team to Champions league semifinals now and obviously, they have been doing well. I feel they have been a little unlucky this season with injuries but I think Zidane since he has come he has done well and changed the mentality of the players. It is brilliant to watch the players under him. This season has been a little inconsistent in terms of injuries but he is managing the players well even with the tired legs. The win that they got 2 days ago in LaLiga was brilliant. So yes, I think he is playing a very crucial role to get this team where it is.

Dalima - yeah I also feel that he has known the club for very long time he has been a player and now he is the manager so it goes a long way. He has also played with few of the players that are playing on the field so the chemistry between them is able to get it out on the field as well and off the field. So I guess that for him has also come a long way.

Aditi - One interesting point is also that his personality he does not like to talk too much and is not very expressive but the players that he has in the squad right now are mature players who have been there for a long time. I think he is able to communicate with them well and get the best out of them.

Aditi - So now Sevilla. What kind of a role have Monchi and his staff played this season.

Dalima - When you know the club, you have played for the club; you have knowledge about the club. Therefore, for Monchi he has had a beautiful playing career for Sevilla. One of the biggest moments for Sevilla and all football fans was when he said that he does not support Sevilla only because he has played or the business comes in if they qualify but because he is a fan of football. The way he has supported the staff and giving the kind of freedom to the management has Sevilla to be this successful. He definitely understands what a team exactly needs to grow and develop.

Dalima - Would it be right to say that LaLiga is one the best leagues in the world if not the world then Europe?

Aditi - Absolutely I think the kind of race that is going on for the title in LaLiga under the current situation towards the end of the season I think LaLiga definitely is the most interesting in terms of the title race right now.

Aditi - Who do you think in terms of coaches have brought out the best from their players this season?

Dalima - I would definitely say Zidane because I have seen the consistency in his work. Honestly, Madrid has faced many injuries that have come their way but still tactically, he has been able to manage the team and get such great results that is truly commendable. It has been over 4 years for him with the club if you look at the stats you will see he has been consistent. Therefore, I think this has been a commendable job for him as a coach.

Aditi - I agree with your choice of the top coach. The others have also been doing well. Even for Diego Simeone doing this for so many years I think he also deserves this league this time. They still have a chance they have to make the most of the opportunity now.

Dalima- Definitely it has been hard on all the coaches and managers and for them to being doing what they're doing with the players because most of the players came back from Covid and there were so many injuries that we saw. So I think whatever they have been, able to manage in this stressful period has been commendable.

Dalima - So now talking about the players whose penalty would you dream on saving?

Aditi - Obviously Messi

Aditi - Which Indian footballer has the quality to play football in Europe?

Dalima - I think Baladevi, we have already seen her play. She is playing in Scotland now. I think the way she is moving with the ball playing entire 90 mins so I think she is one of them.

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