From Glory to Grit: As Barcelona Party, La Liga’s Penultimate Round Turns Up the Heat

With FC Barcelona officially confirmed La Liga champions after thrashing Espanyol 2-0, the spotlight now is on the other battles across the league as the penultimate round of fixtures looms large on the horizon. Athletic Bilbao has secured Champions League qualification and Las Palmas has been demoted, but significant sums remain at stake for teams fighting for European qualification and survival.

 

All the penultimate-round fixtures on Sunday will feature the hangover from Barcelona's nights out. Villarreal, visiting champions Barcelona, would require at least a draw to qualify for the Champions League and also hope to overhaul Athletic Bilbao to qualify for a Spanish Super Cup spot. Real Betis, at sixth position, with a Conference League final to look forward to, can field players in rotation against Atletico Madrid, who need to win to guarantee third position.

 

Athletic Bilbao can overhaul Atletico if they defeat Valencia, a team who have improved dramatically and who still have slender hopes of European football. Real Madrid, with nothing to win, welcome Sevilla, with coach Carlo Ancelotti leaving later in the month and an increasing list of injuries to deal with.

 

The fight against relegation is close. Leganes, one point above the bottom three, need to beat already-relegated Las Palmas if they are to stay in the running, and Alaves need to beat Valladolid. Desperate-for-points duo Espanyol and Getafe face difficult away trips against Osasuna and Mallorca, both of whom are themselves fighting for European places.

 

In the meantime, Real Sociedad host Girona in what will be coach Imanol Alguacil's farewell home game, to be a bittersweet farewell despite the disappointing season. With the title race finished but so much more at stake, Sunday's games guarantee great drama as clubs fight for places in Europe and for survival in Spain's top division.

 

Source: UNI