Barcelona have clinched their fifth league title in the past seven years. More silverwares can follow as the Spanish giants are two matches away from completing their second treble.
Luis Enrique’s men won first of their three finals in the penultimate match week of the season. They defeated the former La Liga champions 0 – 1 at Vicente Calderon. Last year, Atletico Madrid won the league at Barcelona’s home ground Camp Nou and it couldn’t have been a more fitting end to the season by Barca’s perspective. Enrique, in his debut season with the Catalan giants, has lifted his first major silverware and more could follow in a span of few weeks.
Lionel Messi’s 65th minute strike separated the two sides on Sunday. Diego Simeone’s men are no longer the champions of Spain. Also, despite the 4 – 1 win at Espanyol, Real Madrid are out of contention. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick but Los Blancos will end this season without any silverware. Marcelo also got on the score sheet as Carlo Ancelotti’s men picked up their 29th victory in the league. Their next game against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu will be of very little significance and Madrid faithful might want to see this campaign end with one last consolation win.
Valencia was held in a 1 – 1 draw at home against Celta Vigo. They can still finish third on the table if Atletico lose and they win their last match. It will ensure them automatic qualification to the Champions League group stage. Although a defeat could allow the fifth place Sevilla to take up the fourth spot. Unai Emery’s men are just one point behind Valencia and have already sealed the Europa league spot. One slip-up by Nuno’s Valencia could take Sevilla to the Champions League play-off round. Hence the last day of the season would be pretty exciting.
The fight at the bottom of the table will also have close end. The four relegation threatened teams are Granada, Deportivo, Eibar and Almeria. Cordoba’s fate is already decided as they are at the foot of the table with 20 points – 12 points far from their nearest rivals. Deportivo and Granada face the top sides Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively. Hence both these teams will have to come up their A-game to remain in the Spanish top division. Almeria also have a tough last fixture at the weekend as they are up against Valencia, who have a very little margin of error. Cordoba can still do some damage despite their position on the table. They will face Eibar and a win or draw will ensure Eibar’s relegation to the second division. Almeria will also need three points for any realistic chance of staying in La Liga.
All the ten matches this week will be played on Saturday and I can assure you that there won’t be a dull moment in La Liga this weekend.