The La Liga still has two matchdays left before its completion, but recent results have made the finish very interesting. Atletico Madrid still control their own destiny and don’t even have to win both remaining matches. Barcelona can claim the championship despite all that’s happen this season if they win twice, while Real Madrid are in a bad situation, needing a lot of help from too many other teams.
Atletico currently lead the table with 88 points, having matches against Malaga (at home) and Barcelona away. Diego Costa won’t be playing in the match against Malaga, and playing against Barcelona at the Camp Nou in a deciding match? Atletico Madrid have been there before this season. A draw, if they do beat Malaga, is all they need. But suddenly, as the biggest moment of the club for the last 18 years is approaching, things aren’t that simple anymore.
Barcelona don’t have it easy, but it’s simple enough. A win against Elche away from home, a win at home against Atletico Madrid. A lot of things, mostly negative, have been said about Lionel Messi, Neymar, Gerardo Martino and everyone involved with the club. But it won’t matter if they win a second consecutive league title, a fifth in six years. It’s in their hands, or feet, or minds. This season might not have had too many pleasant moments for a club used to perfection, but it might still have a happy ending.
Real Madrid? It’s desperate at this point. The matches aren’t difficult. Celta Vigo away, Espanyol at home. But Real Madrid have drawn their last two matches. Cristiano Ronaldo is slightly injured. The Champions League final just might be more important to Ancelotti and to Real Madrid as a club considering they haven’t won the competition since 2002. No one is saying they’re giving up on the league, but if push comes to shove and it’s about resting players…
Their chances might be over anyway by the end of Sunday, May 11. Four points behind Atletico Madrid, one behind Barcelona. Even if they do win, an Atletico win against Malaga will mean Real Madrid can’t finish above second. Any other result will end their chances for good.