It was another interesting week in Spain that saw the title race forced to the season’s final week, two teams pushed to the brink of relegation, while two others secured their place in La Liga for next season.
La Liga, Round 37 review: Title race, relegation battle remain wide open entering the final round
Atlético Madrid and Barcelona will meet in a final day title decider after both teams dropped points, while two relegation spots remain unclaimed.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
Atlético Madrid had virtually everything go their way on Sunday, except the result in their match against Málaga. Barcelona were held to a scoreless draw by Elche, while Real Madrid were beaten 2-0 by Celta Vigo to eliminate Los Blancos from the title race. Unfortunately, from Atléti's perspective at least, the league leaders couldn't take advantage and get a win that would've given them the title.
Instead, we’ll now go to the final day and a title decider between Atléti and Barca at the Camp Nou on Saturday. The scenario is simple: Atléti wins or draws, the title is theirs. If Barca wins, they will lift the trophy.
Both Osasuna and Real Valladolid are not officially relegated, but they are dangerously close to finding themselves in the second division entering the final week of the season. Both teams sit two points from safety in 18th and 19th respectively, knowing full well that anything other than a win on the final day will send them down.
The trouble is, even a win might not be enough. The scenarios are complicated -- and we’ll get into them this week -- but there is a chance we could end up with a four-way tie for the regulation spots, forcing a confusing examination of the tiebreaker rules.
There will be drama.
For now, here are the results from week 37 in Spain.
Atlético Madrid 1-1 Málaga
Celta Vigo 2-0 Real Madrid
Elche 0-0 Barcelona
Espanyol 1-1 Osasuna
Getafe 1-0 Sevllla
Granada 0-2 Almeria
Real Betis 4-3 Real Valladolid
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