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Real Madrid`s loss to Espanyol tightens La Liga race as Atlético Madrid eyes the top spot in the upcoming derby.

Real Madrid faced a surprising setback, losing 1-0 to Espanyol, with Carlos Romero netting the decisive goal late in the match. This unexpected defeat has tightened the race at the top of La Liga, reducing Real Madrid`s lead over Atlético de Madrid to just one point. Currently, Real Madrid holds 49 points from 22 matches, while Atlético de Madrid follows closely with 48 points after a solid 2-0 victory against Mallorca, thanks to goals from Samuel Lino and Antoine Griezmann. FC Barcelona sits in third place with 42 points from 21 matches.

The upcoming derby on February 8 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is set to be a thrilling encounter. A win for Atlético could propel them to the top of the standings, while a victory for Real Madrid would help them maintain their lead. Concerns loom for Real Madrid as they may be without Kylian Mbappé, who is nursing an injury from the previous match. Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid is gaining momentum, showcasing a robust defense and effective attacking play, which could be pivotal in the derby.

In the race for the top scorer, Robert Lewandowski leads with 16 goals, followed closely by Kylian Mbappé with 15 goals. Raphinha of FC Barcelona has 11 goals, while Alexander Budimir and Dodi Lukebakio have 10 and 9 goals, respectively. The standings reflect a fierce competition at the top, with the upcoming match between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid likely to be a decisive factor in the league`s trajectory.

For more insights on the latest standings, visit La Liga standings and for top scorers, check out top scorers.

#LaLiga,#RealMadrid,#AtleticoMadrid,#KylianMbappe,#FootballDerby