The penultimate matchday of the 2022/23 LaLiga Santander season is here and it will be an extra special round of action given that there is still so much to play for, particularly in the tight relegation battle where six of the contenders for the drop face off amongst each other. These relegation six-pointers will take place during a unified kick-off time of 19:00 CEST on Sunday evening, when the standings will shift back and forth as the goals fly in across the peninsula.
In Matchday 37, there will also be a strong anti-racism initiative at all of these stadiums. Following the disturbing scenes at Mestalla last weekend, hundreds of thousands of anti-racism flyers will be handed out to fans across all LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank fixtures this weekend, reiterating LaLiga’s zero-tolerance position on the issue and outlining all the ways in which they can report any racist behaviour they may see both inside and outside stadiums.
The very first match of Matchday 37 is Sevilla FC vs Real Madrid on Saturday at 7pm CEST and these two teams played out a thrilling duel earlier in the season, which Real Madrid ultimately won 3-1, but Sevilla FC will look to take the victory this time in order to head off to the Europa League final with extra confidence.
On Sunday, drama is guaranteed during the unified kick-off time, especially in the ever so tight LaLiga Santander relegation battle. Heading into this penultimate round, there are seven teams who still aren’t mathematically safe and they are: Valencia CF on 40 points, RC Celta on 40 points, UD Almería on 39 points, Getafe CF on 38 points, Cádiz CF on 38 points, Real Valladolid on 38 points and RCD Espanyol on 35 points. Incredibly, six of these sides face off amongst each other.
Although 19th-placed RCD Espanyol are a little further adrift, Los Pericos believe a great escape is still possible given that they produced a miracle comeback on Wednesday night. They trailed in-form Atlético de Madrid 3-0, but fought back to draw 3-3 and take a point. Now, they visit Valencia CF on Sunday, which is a huge direct duel for two of the teams involved in this relegation scrap.
Currently, Real Valladolid are in the final relegation spot of 18th, but Paulo Pezzolano’s squad are also full of confidence after defeating champions FC Barcelona 3-1 in midweek. They too take part in a relegation six-pointer on Sunday, as they’ll visit UD Almería, who the Pucela could leapfrog in the standings with a win.
It’s Cádiz CF who are 17th, the final safe spot, but they’re level on points with Real Valladolid and can’t afford any slip-ups. Los Amarillos will be hosting RC Celta and they can also leapfrog their Matchday 37 opponents if they achieve victory, so both these sides will be giving their all.
Getafe CF are the only club in the relegation battle who won’t face a fellow contender for the drop. They’ll instead host Europe-chasing CA Osasuna at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez and José Bordalás’ side will hope home advantage can lead them to another much-needed victory.
As well as the relegation battle, there is also the race for European football to consider and two key games will be taking place in Madrid at the same time. Villarreal CF will travel to Vallecas to face Rayo Vallecano aware that they still have a chance of Champions League qualification. El Submarino Amarillo trail Real Sociedad by five points, but La Real have a tough assignment of their own in the capital as they visit Atlético de Madrid.
A little further down the table, there is a thrilling contest to catch the seventh and final European spot, currently occupied by CA Osasuna. Athletic Club believe they can return to UEFA competition this season and they’ll aim to take a big step towards this objective when they welcome already-relegated Elche CF to Bilbao. Meanwhile, Girona FC, who have never been in Europe before, will take on Real Betis hoping to keep their chances alive.
Another game that will be special, but for a very different reason, is FC Barcelona vs RCD Mallorca. This will be the final game at the Spotify Camp Nou for the departing Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba and they’ll hope to enjoy one more victory in front of the Barça faithful. That will be an emotional moment, taking place at the same time as the spectacle of the European race and relegation battle unfolds.
Spanish law permits LaLiga only to identify and report incidents, but not sanction. LaLiga feels powerless given the lack of sanctions that often result from its reporting.
LaLiga is to request more sanctioning powers, with the aim of being more agile and effective in the fight against violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance in sport, where LaLiga has been leading the identification and reporting of such behaviour in football stadiums for years, but the organization feels powerless when observing how its reporting ends.
Despite its relentless fight against violence and racism to the full extent of its powers (which are currently, according to Spanish law, limited to identifying and reporting events), LaLiga feels tremendous frustration at the lack of sanctions and convictions handed out by the sports disciplinary bodies, public administrations and jurisdictional bodies to which it reports.
Faced with this serious situation, in the coming days LaLiga will formally request the amendment of Law 19/2007 of July 11, against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport and Law 39/2022 of December 30, on sport.
The purpose of the proposal is to request that LaLiga have the ability to exercise disciplinary authority over incidents of this type which occur in LaLiga matches; for LaLiga’s disciplinary bodies to be able to sanction them, among other things, with the total or partial closure of stadiums, banning fans who are identified as instigators of such incidents, and the imposition of financial penalties, without prejudice to the adoption of provisional or precautionary measures that may be appropriate, depending on the nature and seriousness of the incidents.
As LaLiga has repeated in recent days, the organisation has been leading the fight against violence, racism and intolerance on football pitches, both inside and outside the stadium, identifying such behaviour through its Match Directors, security officers and television cameras, and subsequently reporting it to the relevant bodies.
LaLiga’s legal action
Every week, LaLiga submits a letter to the RFEF’s (Royal Spanish Football Federation) Competition Committee, and the State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport highlighting any chants that occur at football matches that incite violence or contain insulting or intolerant content.
In addition, when insults are identified that could be classified as a hate crime, LaLiga also reports them to the Hate Prosecutor’s Office. However, LaLiga has long observed with frustration the way in which these reports are dismissed before they even reach the courts, or how hate prosecutors in each region do not have a uniform criterion when it comes to classifying these acts.
The reasons for the dismissal of these reports made by LaLiga are often surprising and perplexing:
“… from an examination of the defendant’s social media accounts, it appears that the defendant is not a person who intends to incite racism, or that the gestures made were intended to achieve that end…”
“… the perpetrators have not been identified” by the police authorities.
“… the expression and sounds uttered, which are undoubtedly typical of foul and despicable attitudes, as well as being offensive and absolutely reprehensible, do not initially appear, in this case, to involve the public criminal dimension that is being claimed…”
“… are unpleasant, inappropriate and disrespectful, since they were made in context of a football match with a huge rivalry, together with other derogatory or derisive references to that sporting competition, and in addition to their nature, they were not repeated beyond the two acts described above and lasted only a few seconds…”
That is why, some time ago, LaLiga decided to go one step further in its legal strategy and go directly to the courts. However, giving LaLiga greater sanctioning capacity would be an effective tool to boost the fight against racism in sport.
Summary of the cases reported and the judicial status of these cases
Iñaki Williams in Barcelona: January 25, 2020, during RCD Espanyol de Barcelona vs Athletic Club held at the RCDE Stadium. In the 69th minute of the match, while Iñaki Williams was leaving the pitch, several fans shouted racist abuse.
Currently, both LaLiga and the Public Prosecutor’s Office have already filed their indictments against the person responsible, with LaLiga requesting a two-year prison sentence, a 12-month fine, special disqualification from engaging in any profession related to sport for more than 10 years, and a stadium ban for a period of more than five years in addition to the prison sentence imposed, with Court of Instruction No.2 of Cornellá de Llobregat having already issued an order for the opening of the oral trial.
We are now waiting for the trial date to be set.
Vinicius Jr in Barcelona, October 24, 2021: In the case of Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr, LaLiga filed a report with the Hate Prosecutor’s Office in Barcelona for the abuse he received during ElClasico at Camp Nou on October 24, 2021. LaLiga was notified by the Public Prosecutor’s Office that the complaint had been dismissed ” given that the authorities were unable to identify the perpetrators of the acts.”
Vinicius Jr in Mallorca, March 14, 2022: LaLiga filed a complaint with the Balearic Hate Prosecutor’s Office for racist abuse against the player during the RCD Mallorca vs Real Madrid match on March 14, 2022 at the Estadio de Son Moix. In this case, the reason for the Prosecutor’s Office’s dismissal of the case was because “the expression and sounds uttered, undoubtedly typical of foul and despicable attitudes, as well as being offensive and absolutely reprehensible, do not initially appear to have, in this case, the public criminal dimension that is being claimed.”
Nico Williams in Seville, March 13, 2022: Meanwhile, Nico Williams, brother of Iñaki and also an Athletic Club player, received racist abuse on March 13, 2022 at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, during the Real Betis vs Athletic Club match, which was also reported by LaLiga. This case was also closed by the Seville Hate Prosecutor’s Office because “despite not having made a statement, from an examination of the defendant’s social media accounts, it appears that the defendant is not a person who intends to incite racism, or that the gestures made were intended to achieve this end. The consideration of criminal justice as a last resort leads us to consider that, despite their incorrectness, they do not go beyond the line of criminal offence.”
Carlos Akapo in Granada, February 28, 2022: LaLiga acted in the same way in the case of Carlos Akapo, then a Cádiz CF player, who also suffered racist abuse at the Estadio de los Cármenes during the match against Granada CF on February 28, 2022. Granada CF identified the fan, who also voluntarily turned himself in to the police.
As a result of LaLiga’s report, the Hate Crime Prosecutor’s Office filed a complaint with the Granada Court of Instruction. At present, the person responsible for the insults has already testified before the Court of Instruction No.2 of Granada, and in the near future Akapo will also testify.
Vinicius Jr in Madrid, September 18, 2022: Racist abuse was also reported against Vinicius Jr on September 18, 2022 inside and outside the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano, before and during Atlético de Madrid vs Real Madrid. The case was closed by the Hate Prosecutor’s Office because “there is no concrete act to be attributed to a specific person and once the insults of a racist nature have been contextualised, they do not constitute a crime against the dignity of the person concerned under Article 510.2 a) of the Criminal Code. And this on the basis that they are unpleasant, inappropriate, and disrespectful, since they were made on the occasion of an extremely heated football match, with other derogatory or insulting references to the sporting competition, together with the fact that they were not repeated beyond the two acts described above and lasted only a few seconds”.
Vinicius Jr in Valladolid, December 30, 2022: In the case of insults directed at Vinicius Jr. in Real Valladolid’s home stadium, LaLiga filed a complaint with the Anti-Violence Commission, the RFEF’s Competition Committee and before the Court of Instruction No.4 of Valladolid. Criminal proceedings have been opened after a number of perpetrators were identified. Real Valladolid opened proceedings against the 11 people identified in accordance with the application of its internal rules. At a legal level, LaLiga is a party to the proceedings as a prosecutor, and various court orders have currently been issued.
Vinicius Jr in Madrid, January 26, 2023. In this case, a banner and effigy of the player appeared on the Valdebebas bridge in Madrid prior to the Real Madrid vs Atlético de Madrid Copa del Rey match: LaLiga filed a complaint with the Court of Instruction No.28 of Madrid. The judiciary is working to identify those responsible, and the case has been declared confidential by the examining Court of Instruction.
Vinicius Jr in Mallorca, February 5, 2023: Complaint filed following the abuse of Vinicius Jr by a fan in the stands at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. Admitted for processing and opening of proceedings by the Court of Instruction No.3 of Palma de Mallorca.
The proposed sanction of the State Anti-Violence Commission is a fine of 4,000 euros and a 12-month ban on access to sports venues.
After identifying LaLiga and RCD Mallorca the perpetrator of the racist insults against Vinicius Jr in Mallorca (the same person responsible for racist abuse in Mallorca – Villarreal match against Samuel Chukwueze on February 18), a new report has been filed in the Courts of Instruction of Palma de Mallorca. RCD Mallorca has banned the identified supporters.
On April 4, 2023 Vinicius Jr testified in court, following a report by LaLiga.
Vinicius Jr in Pamplona, February 18, 2023: LaLiga reports racist chants against Vinicius in the stands of CA Osasuna’s home stadium to the Courts of Instruction of Pamplona in order to identify the perpetrator. The complaint was brought before the Court of Instruction No.4, which has ordered various investigative measures.
Samuel Chukwueze in Mallorca, February 18, 2023: LaLiga files report after identifying the perpetrator of racist insults against Samuel Chukwueze (Feb 18th, 2023) and Vinicius Jr (Feb 5, 2023). At the request of LaLiga, the Court has deferred to the Court of Instruction No.3 of Mallorca, which is investigating the facts relating to the player Vinicius Jr.
Vinicius Jr in Seville, March 5, 2023: Real Betis vs Real Madrid match. LaLiga files a report with the Courts of Instruction in Seville following the detection of racist abuse against Vinicius Jr in one of the stands of the stadium. The report has been lodged with the Court of Instruction No.15 of Seville.
Vinicius Jr in Barcelona, March 19, 2023: FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid. LaLiga files a report with the Courts of Instruction of Barcelona for racist insults against Vinicius Jr at the Camp Nou. The report was lodged with the Court of Instruction No.13 of Barcelona. At the court’s request, LaLiga has since filed a further report and lodged bail in order to be able to prosecute the case.
On Tuesday, the Spanish National Police Force announced the arrest of four individuals accused of directing a hate crime at Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr.
The four suspects, aged between 19 and 24 and identified as members of Atletico Madrid’s ‘Frente Atletico’ group of ‘ultras’, are alleged to have displayed a banner reading ‘Madrid hates Real’. Accompanying the banner was an effigy wearing Vinicius’ No. 20 shirt, adorned with a noose around its neck, seemingly simulating a hanging. The offensive display was found hanging from a motorway bridge near Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground.
These incidents occurred in January, on the eve of a Copa del Rey match between the two Madrid teams at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
The Spanish Football League, La Liga, denounced the incident in a Madrid court, demanding criminal action against the perpetrators.
News of these arrests emerged just two days after Vinicius was subjected to further racist abuse during Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat at Mestalla Stadium. Video footage revealed a group of Valencia fans chanting ‘Mono mono’ (monkey monkey) at the 22-year-old, who halted the game in the second half to identify the individuals racially abusing him.
These incidents have drawn widespread condemnation from all sectors of Spanish society, leading to Vinicius criticizing La Liga for its lack of action against racism in Spanish football.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva voiced support for the player. Similarly, Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), acknowledged on Monday the presence of a racism issue in Spain.
Valencia, meanwhile, has condemned the incidents which are still under investigation. Real Madrid has called for criminal charges and two supporters have already received lifetime bans.
With the La Liga title already in the bag, this weekend’s matches shift focus to the fierce battles for European spots and the struggle to avoid relegation.
The fight against relegation takes center stage in the first match of the weekend. Cadiz, currently fifth from the bottom, hosts Valladolid, fourth from the bottom, on Friday evening. Valladolid’s recent 3-0 defeat at home to Sevilla has put them just a point above the relegation zone following four consecutive losses. They must seize this opportunity against Cadiz, who face an injury list of five sidelined players and uncertainties over the participation of Joseba Zaldua and Roger Marti.
The quest for European places is the focal point in the subsequent two matches, as seventh-placed Girona takes on Villarreal and Athletic Club Bilbao hosts Celta Vigo. Girona’s recent draw with Real Sociedad leaves them in seventh place, on track for a spot in next season’s Conference League. Villarreal, on the other hand, coming off a 5-1 home victory over Athletic Club, sit fifth in the table, only five points behind fourth-placed Real Sociedad, who are set to visit Barcelona later in the day.
Both sides embrace open, attacking football, with Villarreal’s trio of Alex Baena, Nicolas Jackson and Samuel Chukwueze performing exceptionally well in recent weeks. Athletic Club, despite amassing just two points from their past five games, remain eighth, only a point behind Girona. They could advance into European places if Girona fail to defeat Villarreal.
Dani Vivian is set to return from suspension, while much focus will be on Celta defender Unai Nunez, currently on loan from Athletic Club. Real Sociedad will keenly watch Villarreal’s result as they gear up to play in Camp Nou, where they will form a guard of honor for the newly crowned league champions.
Saturday also features critical matches at the bottom, with Getafe hosting Elche. Getafe must win to move out of the relegation zone. However, already-relegated Elche, after victories over Rayo Vallecano and Atletico Madrid, are playing their best football of the campaign.
Almeria, sitting two points above Getafe, need a win against mid-table Mallorca, who have neither relegation worries nor European aspirations. Espanyol, second from the bottom, must break an unfavorable streak when they visit Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Rayo’s coach, Andoni Iraola, has won all five encounters against Espanyol. A repeat at Vallecas Stadium would push Espanyol perilously close to the second division.
Atletico Madrid need to bounce back from their surprise defeat in Elche when they face Osasuna, who trail Girona by a point and are still in the race for a place in next season’s Conference League.
Real Madrid welcome Valencia in their first match following a bitter Champions League exit midweek. After Madrid’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester City, their season is all but over. Valencia, however, three points above the relegation zone, have work to do to ensure their survival in the top flight.
The weekend concludes with a traditionally tense Seville derby as Sevilla host Real Betis. Much could depend on Sevilla’s Europa League semi-final result against Juventus on Thursday. Given both teams’ aspirations for European qualification, expect a hotly contested match rife with controversy.
Although La Liga doesn’t end until the weekend of June 3, Real Madrid’s season is to all intents and purposes over following their 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in Wednesday night’s UEFA Champions League semifinal.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are 14 points behind Barcelona in La Liga, with Barca crowned champions last weekend with four games left to play. Although Real Madrid are locked in a race with Atletico Madrid to finish second, their place in next season’s Spanish Super Cup is already assured after beating Osasuna in last month’s Copa del Rey final.
At the start of the year, the pro-Madrid press were talking about the club winning six titles this season, but in the end they lifted just the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Super Cup and the World Club Cup, in which they defeated Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia and Egypt’s Al Ahly.
The Champions League will always be the most important title for Real Madrid and club president Florentino Perez, but this season they have fallen painfully short, as Manchester City dominated them from start to finish at the Etihad Stadium, and without the efforts of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who played with an injured arm, it could have been an even more painful defeat.
Asked about his future on Wednesday, Ancelotti insisted that he was confident he would continue, and his future should be secure given that he has the support of the players and has been able to balance the Madrid dressing room.
However, at a club where second place is seen as failure, there will be doubts until Perez officially confirms Ancelotti for another year.
Whether Ancelotti stays or not may be in doubt, but some changes are certain. The way City totally dominated in midfield, while reducing Karim Benzema to a shadow of his former self in attack, means some big signings are likely this summer.
The midfield duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are 37 and 33 years old respectively, and couldn’t keep pace with City’s pressing and movement, while substitute Dani Ceballos failed to make an impact when he came on in the second half.
All three are out of contract at the end of June, and Ceballos’ recent form implies he will be on his way. Meanwhile, although the press insist Kroos and Modric have reached an agreement for a further year at the Santiago Bernabeu, nothing has been made official, and Wednesday night could lead to a change for one or both of the pair.
Real Madrid have signed young players in recent seasons with Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni arriving in the past two summers. It looks as if the club will now spend big to bring in England international Jude Bellingham to add more energy to the middle of the park.
Benzema’s recent form must also be a big cause for concern, as the 35-year-old is finally starting to show his age. The striker is another who is out of contract in June, and although it’s hard to imagine the club allowing him to leave, they clearly need to sign backup
Benzema’s direct replacement Mariano Diaz has never entered into Ancelotti’s plans and will be on his way, and Marco Asensio, who is more of a second striker than a player to lead the line, also has a contract that expires in June and has offers to move to clubs where he would get more game time.
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard is still at the club, taking up a big chunk of wages, while totally failing to get anywhere near the form that earned him a move from Chelsea.
So, as well as needing to spend in midfield, Real Madrid will have to bring in one or perhaps two top-class strikers. B-teamer Alvaro Rodriguez looks very promising, but is still very young.
Can we expect another summer with rumors about Kylian Mbappe? It could be on the cards, but whatever happens, it will be a very busy summer in Madrid, with new contracts, departures and some big money signings.
La Liga strugglers Getafe on Wednesday denounced Real Madrid for an irregular line-up from last Saturday’s game between the two teams at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
The incident happened in the last five minutes of the game in which Real Madrid won 1-0 and Getafe failed to muster a single shot on target. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was about to replace Marco Asensio with full-back Alvaro Odriozola when Eduardo Camavinga signaled that he was struggling with a knock to his left knee.
Although Asensio had not left the pitch, Odriozola had already gone onto the playing area when Camavinga went off, and the referee Martinez Munuera allowed the change to take place. There are doubts over whether Munuera should have done so.
The rules state that “substitutions will be effective when the substitute enters the field of play; from that moment, the player who withdraws becomes a substituted player, and the substitute becomes a player, so he can resume the game.”
The issue is that Odriozola was already on the pitch when Real Madrid decided to take off Camavinga rather than Asensio – who at no point left the field of play.
Getafe are clearly hoping their appeal is upheld, which could mean that rather than facing a 1-0 defeat, the game could be given as a 3-0 win for them.
The side from the south of Madrid are currently third from bottom of La Liga, and if they were awarded the game, the three points would lift them level with Valencia in 14th, while dropping Real Valladolid into the relegation zone and moving Cadiz and Almeria closer to danger.
With Valladolid, Cadiz and Almeria all adversely affected, it would then be likely they would appeal against any decision to award Getafe points, meaning the issue could stretch on to the end of the season and perhaps beyond.
See how the battle to qualify for next season’s UEFA competitions is shaping up.
There are now just four matchdays remaining in LaLiga Santander and there is still so much still to play for. Several clubs are currently taking part in the race to qualify for the 2023/24 UEFA competitions and the battle is ever so tight.
With FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid set in stone to qualify for Europe, here’s a round-up of the other teams fighting it out to join them, from fourth-placed Real Sociedad down to 11th-placed Rayo Vallecano.
Real Sociedad (4th, 62 points)
After the top three of FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, the team currently occupying the final Champions League spot is Real Sociedad. Under the coaching of Imanol Alguacil, La Real have come close to reaching the Champions League on a few occasions over the past few years. Returning to Europe’s top competition, which the Basque side last participated in in 2013/14, has become an objective for the club and they currently hold a comfortable advantage over Villarreal CF, thanks to the recent good performances of the likes of David Silva, Takefusa Kubo and others.
Remaining fixtures: FC Barcelona (A), UD Almería (H), Atlético de Madrid (A), Sevilla FC (H)
Villarreal CF (5th, 57 points)
At Villarreal CF, nobody is giving up hope of making a return to the Champions League. Even though there is a five-point gap, Villarreal CF often finish seasons well and still believe that they could make a return to the Champions League, a competition they reached the semi-finals of in 2021/22. Even if Quique Setién’s men don’t end up catching La Real for fourth, fifth place brings direct passage to the Europa League group stages and that too is a success for this club from a city of 50,000 people.
Remaining fixtures: Girona FC (A), Cádiz CF (H), Rayo Vallecano (A), Atlético de Madrid (H)
Real Betis (6th, 55 points)
Real Betis have never before qualified for European football in three consecutive seasons, but that’s very much on the cards this campaign. Los Verdiblancos currently hold a Europa League group stage ticket as they sit in sixth place. Thanks to their recent wins over Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano, Manuel Pellegrini’s men have opened up a sizable gap. That’s very impressive considering the team lost star midfielder Nabil Fekir to a season-ending injury in February.
Remaining fixtures: Sevilla FC (A), Getafe CF (H), Girona FC (A), Valencia CF (H)
Girona FC (7th, 48 points)
Because this year’s Copa del Rey was won by Real Madrid, who’ll qualify for Europe through their league position, an extra European spot has become available for whoever finishes seventh in LaLiga Santander. Girona FC currently occupy that place, which grants entry to the Conference League, and they’d make history if they hold on to it, as the Catalan club have never before qualified for Europe. After winning promotion through the LaLiga SmartBank playoffs last season, Míchel’s side have been playing some thrilling football this term, and they’re currently the fourth-top scorers in the division with 54 goals scored from 34 matches.
Remaining fixtures: Villarreal CF (H), RC Celta (A), Real Betis (H), CA Osasuna (A)
Athletic Club (8th, 47 points)
Athletic Club are no strangers to European football, however the Basques haven’t had to look out their passports since 2018. With Ernesto Valverde back at the helm this season, Los Leones want to qualify for Europe again and the dynamic football of brothers Iñaki Williams and Nico Williams means that they have a chance. Even if they’re outside the top seven right now, Athletic Club are just one point behind Girona FC and have no shortage of belief.
Remaining fixtures: RC Celta (H), CA Osasuna (A), Elche CF (H), Real Madrid (A)
CA Osasuna (9th, 47 points)
CA Osasuna immediately overcame the disappointment of losing the Copa del Rey final by defeating UD Almería 3-1 in Matchday 34. That has put them firmly in the race to qualify for Europe for the first time in a decade and a half. There is optimism in Pamplona, especially because they still face some of their direct rivals, as Athletic Club and Girona FC will both visit El Sadar.
Remaining fixtures: Atlético de Madrid (A), Athletic Club (H), Getafe CF (A), Girona FC (H)
Sevilla FC (10th, 47 points)
Just a few weeks ago, Sevilla FC were more concerned about the threat of relegation than about the possibility of finishing in the European positions. But, their results have improved significantly under new coach José Luis Mendilibar and Los Rojiblancos could finish inside the top seven.
Remaining fixtures: Real Betis (H), Elche CF (A), Real Madrid (H), Real Sociedad (A)
Rayo Vallecano (11th, 46 points)
Another team that believes European qualification is possible is Rayo Vallecano. The team from the capital city have been in Europe once before, in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup, and they’re aiming for a return this year. The electric home atmosphere at Vallecas has been spurring the team on in recent weeks, such as during their 2-1 victory over FC Barcelona. If Isi Palazón and co. can keep collecting three-point hauls, Vallecas could be hosting clubs from across Europe in a few months’ time.
Remaining fixtures: RCD Espanyol (H), Real Madrid (A), Villarreal CF (H), RCD Mallorca (A)
Real Madrid look to be without any serious injury worries ahead of their Champions League semifinal return leg away to Manchester City on Wednesday night.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side travel to Manchester on the back of a thrilling 1-1 draw in the first leg. Vinicius Jr’s powerful shot put Madrid ahead in the first half, but Kevin de Bruyne hit a screamer to level for City after the break.
Real Madrid have 24 hours more to prepare for Wednesday’s game as they played Getafe on Saturday in La Liga. The Eurovision Song Contest being held in Liverpool on Saturday means that Man City’s game away to Everton has to wait until Sunday.
Madrid did suffer one nervous moment in the closing moments of Saturday’s game when Eduardo Camavinga asked to be substituted and limped off with apparent pain from his left knee.
Although the Frenchman played in midfield against Getafe, he impressed against City at left back last week, helping keep Bernardo Silva under control and surge forward to help set up Vinicius’ goal.
Early indications were that Camavinga would not be able to play on Wednesday, but tests have shown he only has a “very slight strain” to his left knee and has a good chance of being fit for the Ethiad Stadium.
Saturday saw Ferland Mendy also return to play 45 minutes at left back after just over a month out with a muscle injury, but he looked off the pace and was substituted at half time. Ancelotti would surely prefer not to risk him against players such as Silva, De Bruyne or Jack Grealish.
Meanwhile, forwards Karin Benzema and Rodrygo carried out recovery sessions on Monday, along with defender David Alaba, who is expected to partner Antonio Rudiger in central defense on Wednesday night.
The 34th round of matches in La Liga could see FC Barcelona confirmed as this season’s champions, but there is a lot more at stake this weekend. Here are some things to look forward to in La Liga in the coming days.
1. More than just the title in play in Barcelona derby
A win for FC Barcelona away to local rivals Espanyol will assure Barca this season’s La Liga title (if Real Madrid and Atletico’s results don’t gift it to them before kick-off). However, there is much more than the title at stake as Espanyol go into the game desperately needing points for their battle against relegation.
Luis Garcia’s men are currently three points from safety with five games to play, and defeat to their rivals would probably see that gap extend with a game less to play.
There is no love lost between the two clubs, and while Barca fans want to see the league title confirmed as soon as possible, helping send their rivals a step closer to relegation would be the icing on the cake.
2. Europe once again the priority for Real Madrid against Getafe
With Barcelona virtually assured the title, Real Madrid have switched their focus to knockout competitions, winning the Copa del Rey last weekend and playing the first leg of their Champions League semifinal at home to Manchester City on Tuesday.
That game ended 1-1, leaving everything to play for in Manchester next week, and there is no question that Carlo Ancelotti will carry out serious rotations in his side for their league match against Getafe in the Santiago Bernabeu.
The return of Jose Bordalas as Getafe coach has made them harder to beat, but they are still third from bottom, and the need to take something from the Bernabeu could give them a chance against a rival focused on other goals.
3. European places up for grabs in several matches
Who qualifies for Europe, and for which competition in Europe, could also be a bit clearer after the weekend games, which see fourth-placed Real Sociedad play at home to seventh-placed Girona, while fifth-placed Villarreal entertain eighth-placed Athletic Bilbao and Betis are at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Real Madrid’s win in the Copa del Rey final means the side that finishes seventh in La Liga will qualify for the Conference League next season, while those finishing fifth and sixth will go into the Europa League.
A win for Real Sociedad would put them close to assuring they finish fourth, while Athletic need to win in Villarreal to keep their hopes of playing in Europe intact.
Meanwhile, with Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna still in with a chance of finishing seventh, there is no room for slip-ups.
4. Relegation dogfight as close as ever
If the race for Europe is tight, then the battle to stay up is closer than ever, with four sides within two points of each other and Espanyol three points further behind.
Espanyol face a difficult game at home to Barcelona, while third-bottom Getafe visit Real Madrid.
That may give a chance for Valencia, who are level on 34 points with Getafe, to get a breathing space from their visit to play Celta Vigo, although Celta also need a win to ensure their top-flight future.
With 35 points, Cadiz have a difficult visit to Mallorca, while Valladolid need to end a run of three defeats when they entertain Sevilla, in a weekend that could make clearer who stays up and who goes down.