Madrid, Dec 11 (LatestNewsX) – In Spanish football there’s a familiar saying: “to eat the turron.” The phrase refers to the traditional Christmas sweet that lines most Spanish dinner tables on December 24 and 25. A coach who “eats the turron” is the one who manages to survive until Christmas, while those who fail to do so are usually let go before the season’s halfway point.
With just two rounds of fixtures left before the holidays, several La Liga managers could face that very fate this year.
Xabi Alonso is under growing pressure after Wednesday’s 2‑1 Champions League loss to Manchester City, which left his side booed off the pitch following two successive home defeats. While the squad showed more focus in that match than they did in the weekend loss to Celta Vigo, they’ll have to replicate that effort again on Sunday when they take on Deportivo Alavés at Vitoria‑Gasteiz, according to Xinhua. Injuries and suspensions leave Alonso without full‑backs, and only Raul Asensio and Antonio Rudiger are available in central defence. What he needs most is the confidence of his players – a win is likely the only way to avert another sack.
At the same time, FC Barcelona will host an Osasuna side that has drawn twice before arriving at the El Sadar Stadium. Osasuna’s coach Alessio Lisci may have saved his job with a 2‑0 win over bottom‑placed Levante on Monday, but the Galácticos are expected to dominate in Camp Nou on Saturday.
Valencia’s skipper Carlos Corberan also feels the heat. Despite a four‑game unbeaten streak, the team sits just three points above the relegation zone before a daunting trip to Atlético Madrid. The Madrid side secured a vital Champions League win away to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday, and with Alexander Sorloth in superb form, Diego Simeone’s squad has been almost unbeatable in front of its home fans at the Metropolitano.
The weekend opens with Real Sociedad hosting Girona. After a recent slump and injury to striker Mikel Oyarzabal, the Basque club’s form has stalled. Girona’s coach Michel Sanchez must decide whether to drop goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga after the horrific performance last week, knowing that a 3‑0 defeat to Elche and another loss to the bottom‑three will threaten his job.
Celta Vigo will play a rejuvenated Athletic Club Bilbao at home. The Basques gained confidence by holding European champions Paris Saint‑Germain to a draw on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Villarreal’s European run ended quietly mid‑week, but a home visit to bottom‑placed Levante gives Marcelino Garcia Toral’s men a chance to maintain their upward trajectory, especially after he rested players for the mid‑week defeat to Copenhagen.
Getafe and Espanyol both sit in the top half of the table, yet expect a low‑key clash on Saturday night. Getafe will be without suspended midfielder Pere Milla, and Espanyol will be missing Ramòn Terrats, a former loan player at Getafe last season, who has been injured.
Oviedo will travel to Sevilla after scoring only one goal and earning four points in seven matches since Luis Carrion returned as first‑team coach. Even though Carrion has made the squad harder to beat, they’re still far from escaping relegation danger.
Mallorca also needs more points in their home tie against Elche, while the round ends with Rayo Vallecano hosting Betis on Monday. bsk/
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