As Barcelona celebrate a second straight La Liga title, the Spanish top flight enters its penultimate weekend with plenty still at stake. While the champions have already secured the crown, the drama is far from over, with a fierce relegation battle, emotional farewells, and a perfect home record on the line.
Griezmann's Emotional Goodbye
All eyes will be on the Metropolitano as Atletico Madrid hosts Girona in their final home match of the season. This marks a poignant send-off for Antoine Griezmann, who is set to join MLS side Orlando City. The French forward, Atletico's all-time leading scorer across two stints totaling a decade, will receive a warm ovation from the fans. "We have had a genius with us for many years, and hopefully, we can give him a great send-off," said manager Diego Simeone. While Griezmann couldn't lift a trophy this time, his legacy in red and white remains unforgettable.
The Relegation Scramble Heats Up
The bottom half of the table is a pressure cooker, with teams from 10th to 19th still fighting for survival. Only Real Oviedo is confirmed to go down, leaving a dozen clubs in a tight race to avoid the drop. Sevilla, record seven-time Europa League winners, have found form with three straight wins but face a tough test against Real Madrid. Espanyol snapped an 18-game winless streak by beating Athletic Bilbao, while Alaves climbed out of the relegation zone after stunning champions Barcelona. Mallorca and Levante currently occupy 18th and 19th spots, but with so many teams swapping places weekly, expect more twists before Sunday night.
Barca's Perfect Home Record on the Line
Hansi Flick's champions suffered a midweek setback at Alaves, dashing hopes of matching the La Liga record of 100 points. However, they can still finish the season on a high note at home against Real Betis. Barcelona have won every single league match at home this season, a remarkable streak they'll aim to extend. Betis, already assured of Champions League qualification, will be no pushovers under Manuel Pellegrini, making this a fitting test for the champions' flawless home form.