On the weekend of the annual pan-European singing competition, there was an altogether different Eurovision on show in LaLiga on Saturday. Fighting for positions in the Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues, at this stage of the season, the winner takes it all.
Real Sociedad arrived at their game on a soggy Saturday lunchtime knowing they needed just three wins to confirm their place in the top four. Things started brilliantly, as they were 2-0 up on Girona inside 25 minutes, courtesy of Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty and David Silva’s precise finish. But Girona came roaring back, proving their recent hot streak is more than a purple patch. Only one defeat in nine matches proves they are highly competitive and determined to fight until the end.
Yan Couto became the club’s 19th different scorer in the league this season, and old rocker Cristhian Stuani equalised before half time. Hopes of a repeat of the 5-3 from the reverse fixture were ultimately dashed, but neutrals still enjoyed this absorbing encounter.
This has to go down as two points dropped for Imanol’s side, especially seeing the other results from Saturday and the fact that La Real still have to go to Camp Nou and the Metropolitano. Girona are increasingly becoming dark horses themselves in the race, occupying the Conference League spot and with an outside chance of gatecrashing the top six. While their fellow promoted sides battle against the drop, the club who had to come up through the play-offs are sitting pretty and want more.
Osasuna’s valiant defeat in the Copa del Rey final last week means there is a European ticket available to the team who finishes 7th, and Jagoba Arrasate’s side could take that ticket. Their 3-1 win over Almería was as convincing as it was important. Aimar Oroz and Ez Abde were the shining lights once more, two gems in a team punching well above its weight. They head to the Metropolitano next, which looks a tough assignment, but they also have direct duels against Athletic Club and Girona. Both of those will be played at El Sadar, so there is every chance Los Rojillos can qualify in some capacity.
Villarreal are often a frustrating watch. Given numerous opportunities to capitalise on results going their way, they so often falter against weaker opposition. Not this time. After Girona’s draw earlier in the day, Quique Setién’s side had a golden chance to close the gap to the top four. This audition was resoundingly delivered. A 5-1 victory over Athletic will do wonders for the confidence and belief that they can in fact steal the magic carpet from under La Real’s feet.
With Gerard Moreno only on the bench, it was the young stars who stepped up to the plate. Álex Baena and Nico Jackson both scored braces, including Baena’s direct free kick to open the scoring. On a musical weekend, Jackson rocked La Cerámica as his own personal hot streak continued. Six goals in four games for him now, no player has scored more since April 1st. For a man who would have been sold to Bournemouth in January but for a hamstring injury, he has proved his doubters wrong and his relationship with the fans has never felt so good. As Sweden won the main musical event, perhaps yellow will be present in Europe’s premier football competition too.
For Athletic, it was another nil poi. Thumped mercilessly by the Yellow Submarine, they look desolate and defeated in the quest for European nights back in Bilbao. They shipped five goals, their worst since they conceded six at Camp Nou in January 2016. The last time they conceded five in the league to a team other than Barcelona or Real Madrid was the opening game of 2012/13, a 5-3 defeat to Betis.
With just one point from their last four matches, they have lost their form at the worst possible time, now having fewer points than at this stage last season under Marcelino. The problem is a familiar one: they just can’t score goals. Despite generating over three expected goals at Villarreal, they were only able to convert from the penalty spot, just as they did at Son Moix a fortnight ago. For their last open play goal, you have to go back to April 22nd and the goal scored by Óscar De Marcos at the Power Horse Stadium. They have failed to find the net in 14 of their 34 league matches this term, a figure far too high for any team with aspirations of European football. With a lack of goalscorers available and the transfer policy as it is, Valverde will have to go to the well and back to the drawing board once more. Their best hope now is that their conquerors from Saturday can reel in rivals Real Sociedad and prevent Champions League nights at the Reale Arena next season.
Betis and Rayo are yet to play this weekend, and also have plenty to say in the race for Europe. Fans are starting to calculate the permutations and compare fixture lists with rivals to see who has the easier run-in and where the twists might fall. High-octane drama all the way and a tight finish looks inevitable. As for who will ultimately claim the prize, the jury is still out on this particular bonanza.