Three-way Spanish title scrap opens door for Euro rivals
Atletico Madrid, a point clear of Barca and locked on 70 points with Real but ahead on the head-to-head rule that trumps goal difference in Spain, travel to Camp Nou on the final day. Real, meanwhile, play Espanyol in the Bernabeu.
For years Real Madrid and Barcelona have only had to worry about each other in La Liga, and it is three decades since the title race has been so finely balanced. A thrilling climax to the season is in prospect and one which surely has implications for the Champions League as well.
Spain’s Clasico sometimes seems over-hyped and often theatrical. Sunday’s game also had its share of method acting. Cristiano Ronaldo at times seemed to be trying too hard to think himself into his part. Sergio Ramos struggled with his lines but eventually managed to reprise his role as the fall-guy by getting himself sent off for the 19th time in his career, thus presenting Lionel Messi with the penalty for his hat-trick goal that the sorcerer duly dispatched into the roof of the Real net.
Messi was as usual the star of the show. That breathtaking speed and control now seem to have returned and there was no indication that he was holding himself back for the World Cup — as has been alleged.
The other Argentinian on display, Angel Di Maria, also had a brilliant match. When he first joined Real from Benfica he was erratic, one of those wingers with great talent but sometimes short of commitment. This game was perhaps his finest yet and his runs and crosses to Karim Benzema produced two goals and almost a couple more.
Barcelona clearly remain vulnerable down their right flank and still lack confidence when the ball is played in the air towards an aggressive striker.
Mercifully there was less of a diving competition than on some previous occasions and referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco managed to make mistakes with some impartiality, despite Ronaldo’s dark insinuations after the game.
Madrid are appealing against the Ramos red card, which was debatable, but the trip on Ronaldo which gave them their penalty was just outside the box. Undiano Mallenco does have a history of controversial decisions, both at home and abroad, and he’s not on the list for this year’s World Cup, but this time he was reasonably even-handed.
La Liga continues with barely a pause for breath tonight and tomorrow with matches all the top three ought to win. Madrid travel to Sevilla, which could be tricky — they lost there last season — but apart from that 1-0 defeat they have scored 26 goals in their last six meetings.
Atletico remain in the driving seat, to the surprise of many. There was a brief moment last month when it looked as if their momentum might go but their defence has been as mean as ever — just 21 conceded in 29 matches — and they have one significant advantage over their city rivals.
Their 1-0 win in September means they have the head-to-head advantage. Barcelona have also beaten Real twice.
The underdogs definitely have a chance, but romantics should note that Atleti have the toughest run-in. Their nine remaining games include an additional away fixture, and they also have games in Bilbao and Valencia as well as that potential decided in Barcelona.
How will the race for La Liga affect the Champions League? Either Atletico or Barcelona will definitely be in the semi-finals of course, and Real must be favourites to go through, especially as their nemesis Robert Lewandowski is out of the first leg.
Yet the three-way contest for La Liga means that Spanish contenders will probably be unable to rest players. So sides such as PSG, 10 points ahead in France, and Bayern — who should clinch their own Bundesliga title tonight when they play in Berlin — could have a real advantage compared to the Spanish, as well as their English opponents in the quarter-finals.
