Race for Europe takes centre stage in La Liga
Reuters - Thursday 03 May 2012, 11:22
The battles to qualify for Europe
and to avoid relegation take centre stage in La Liga this
weekend after Real Madrid ended Barcelona's reign in Spain to
win the league title on Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho's champions Real, with 94 points and two games left
to play, head to Granada on Saturday with their sights now set on beating the league points
record of 99 set by Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in 2010.
Barca, seven points back in second, play their final home
game against city rivals Espanyol, when the Nou Camp will seek
to give Guardiola a fitting send off after four trophy-ladened
seasons at the helm.
Guardiola will step down at the end of the campaign when his
assistant Tito Vilanvoa is to replace him.
The two Spanish giants, the world's richest clubs by
revenue, have once again left the rest of the league trailing in
the distance this season.
Valencia, in pole position to secure the third automatic
Champions League qualification slot, are 29 points adrift in
third on 58 from 36 games.
They are three points ahead of Malaga in fourth, who, if
they can hang on to their place, will have the chance to reach
the Champions League for the first time via the final qualifying
round in August.
FAVOURITES FOR THIRD
Unai Emery's Valencia can assure their return to the group
stages of the competition and a third consecutive 'champion of
the rest of the league' tag with a victory at home to regional
rivals Villarreal.
"We are assured of a top four finish, but the satisfaction
will come from being third," Emery, who is expected to leave at
the end of the campaign, said after their 4-0 victory over
Osasuna on Wednesday.
"We are favourites to secure this place, but Malaga are
strong and can still reach us."
Qatar-owned Malaga, one of the league's biggest spenders in
the closed season, have a difficult trip to play direct rivals
for Europe, Atletico Madrid.
The Europa League finalists are sixth with 50 points, two
behind Levante in fifth, and the two are on course to qualify
for Europe's second-tier club competition next season.
"The lads are making a great effort and we are going to
fight while there are still possibilities," Atletico coach Diego
Simeone said when questioned about the tiredness of his players
after their 1-1 draw at home to Real Sociedad.
At the foot of the table, basement side Racing Santander are
relegated but 19th-placed Sporting Gijon and 18th-placed Real
Zaragoza still have chances to survive.
Sporting host Real Betis and Zaragoza are at home to Racing,
while Rayo Vallecano, Villarreal and Granada in 15th could all
still get dragged down to the second division.