La Liga Preview Week 35

It’s been a humbling week for La Liga with Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid crashing out of the Champions League. The semi-finals sent shockwaves round the world of football with the two richest clubs in the world capitulating against all odds. Back home in Spain the title is all but over now after Real’s 2-1 victory in El Clasico. Barca are down and out 7, points behind with 4 games to play and now to make things much worse for them comes the news about Pep Guardiola leaving his beloved Barca.The Real players were keen to stress following the loss to Bayern that the Liga title still needs to be won. A draining week for both sides will surely take it’s toll in a busy domestic run-in. Fantasy Football managers will need to be on their toes with more twists and suprises in store in the final weeks of the run-in.

Real Madrid welcome Sevilla and their manager Michel, one of the great Real players of the 80s era, to the Bernabeau. There will be a special welcome for Michel, a true Real legend who scored 97 goals in 404 games and won 6 titles. But there will be no room for sentiment when the whistle blows and he faces a tough task. Los Merengues have won their last two meetings with Sevilla 6-2 and have won their last 6 meetings with the Andalucians. Sevilla have been in good shape since Michel took over in the winter break and are still in with a shout of earning a European place. Jose Mourinho will surely look to bring in some fresh legs after the intensity of extra-time and penalties against Bayern Munich. The likes of Higuain, Callejon, Albiol and Coentrao are likely to be drafted in. Real just need two more wins to be sure of the title.

Barcelona visit Rayo Vallecano with the Catalunians now winless in three matches. However, a trip to the Madrid side may be just the tonic with Rayo in a rotten run of form. Vallecano have dropped off after pushing for a top half finish a couple of months back. They have lost 4 of their last 5 and are now three places above the relegation zone. Pep Guardiola came in for some criticism as the inflexible tiki-taka style has failed in recent weeks and gambling on starting the inexperienced Thiago against Real and Tello against Chelsea has backfired. The Blaugranas have heavily relied on Messi to inspire the side in the second half of the season while summer signings Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas have been disappointing after bright starts. Barca are now under no pressure and Guadiola can experiment with these final 4 games of his Barca career. He is sure to draft in fresh faces and we may see some new names on the team sheet. The likes of Adriano and Pedro should be recalled for the Rayo game. Xavi joins Gerard Pique on the injury list. The face of Spanish, European and World Football has been changed by Guardiola and the exceptional side that he managed with such brilliance. It will not be the same without Pep. Vilanova will probably make it an easy transition for Barcelona and the philosophy will not alter greatly but a man of Guardiola’s calibre is bound to be dearly missed by all lovers of football.

With the title now apparently over, the drama and excitement will be in the chase for the final European places. One of the most intriguing games of the weekend will be fourth placed Malaga against third placed Valencia. Malaga have been closing in on 3rd placed while Los Che have slumped in recent weeks. The Anchovies are just three points behind Valencia and have an excellent home record this season. Valencia were dumped out of Europe after an insipid display against Atletico Madrid and have struggled in recent weeks.

Levante, fifth, are three points off Malaga and still in with a chance of upsetting the top four. Levante have only won once in their last six but are heavy favourites to take all three against 16 th placed Granada. Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao are tied in 6th place on 48 points with both sides having a strong finish to the season. Bilbao, unbeaten in 5 have a tricky visit to Zaragoza who are still desperately fighting for survival. Luis Aragones’ side are 6 points off safety but have given themselves a chance with some impressive wins in recent weeks.

Atletico Madrid have been in great shape and visit Real Betis. Tied with Zaragoza on 31 points, Sporting Gijon are also dreaming of pulling off the great escape after their crucial 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano last week. They visit Espanyol who have only won once in their last 7. Racing Santander will be relegated if they don’t take at least a point at Real Sociedad. Villarreal are the team they are all hoping to catch and the Yellow Submarines can break a lot of hearts if they beat Osasuna at El Madrigal.

April 27, 2012 at 9:47 pm | La Liga