La Preview: How Madrid could still win title, Eibar's last shot
FFT.com's Spanish guru Tim Stannard looks ahead to the penultimate matchday of La Liga action...
LLL was quite wrong on that one. The blog was thinking that the Spanish game would go all Riggs and do something a little bit crazy at the end of the season. But instead, a judge intervened to say that a players’ strike was illegal, the union backed down and the head of the Spanish league continued throwing public insults towards the Spanish FA though the media. A battle might have been won, but the struggle for power in Westeros is far from over.
Anyhoo... the season will be completed as it should, with Real Madrid probably being the least enthusiastic participants. Here’s what to look out for, if you're able to watch 10 games simultaneously...
How Barca might lose the league title…
Barcelona are in a bit of a weird place at the moment. The club has prevailed in the Champions League and will be favourites against Juventus, avoiding a mentally draining Clásico build-up for the final in Berlin. The Copa del Rey against Athletic is being seen – especially in Catalan media circles – as a bit of a shoo-in. As is the league title, even though LLL can see a scenario where not everything may be as clear cut.
Barca are going to have to get their collective heads back in the game at the Vicente Calderón against an Atlético Madrid team very much needing a win to secure third, with no last-day pressure. It's a Rojiblancos team not quite firing on all cylinders, but still one more than capable of overturning the Barca apple cart and starting an arrow fight with the Sheriff of Nottingham’s troops.
How Real won’t let Barca lose the league title…
Now, one of the main reasons why this probably won’t happen is that LLL has a feeling Real Madrid might well have mentally downed tools after their debilitating and depressing – for them, anyway – Champions League knockout against Juventus. The press have given up on a fight for the title, so it’s no wonder that the players and coach might well have done the same and be on course for a defeat at Espanyol.
Will clubs take an English approach to Europe?
Depor try new phase to stave off Segunda
Over the years Deportivo’s campaigns have been based on themes, depending on the managers in charge. Almost like a brush-chewing grande artiste going through different experimental phases throughout his career. True, there have been ups and downs, with the club ranging from Super Depor, to Dull Depor, to Destitute Depor. The latest incarnation under Víctor Sánchez – a third coach in one year – is Video Depor.
Watching TV has been a big part of the new boss’s strategy for keeping Depor up, one that included setting up a projection screen in a San Mamés dressing room shortly before last week’s draw against Athletic. “If a team is tactically intelligent then it will improve its performance,” claims Víctor.
Eibar with last, last, last (seriously, the last) proper chance to stay up. Apart from next week...
If Eibar were going to choose an away day for a match of this magnitude, then the wide-open spaces of the Coliseum would be perfect. The Basque side are facing a team that are five points clear of the relegation zone, can be floppier than a very floppy fish and will be able to pack thousands of away fans into the stands to make it look like their own ground. But with stands.
Eibar are currently second from bottom, tied on points with Granada and Deportivo and one behind Almería. Realistically, two of this sorry bunch will be joining Córdoba in the second tier next season.
