Take me right into the danger zone
Saturday in La Liga was full of battles, crucial results and some that might very well have closed the deal for a few sides - read here Real Sociedad, you will receive your flowers in due course. Yet none more so than the relegation double-header that kicked off at 18:30 CEST, which saw Almería take on Real Mallorca at home, and Getafe welcome Elche to Madrid.
Neither of the visiting teams had too much on the line. Mallorca were in with an outside chance of making a Conference League spot, but four points removed from Girona at the start of the weekend, were not talking about doing so with any real purpose. Already relegated Elche were in with an outside chance of salvaging some dignity too.
The Andalusian side, still to win just once away from home, picked up another victory at the Powerhorse Stadium, comfortably dispatching Los Bermellones 3-0. It was a match without fuss, where Almería attacked with purpose, intensity and self-belief. Despite not really having a trademark style of goal, nor a regular goalscorer, Almería have found ways to impose themselves on their opposition (at least at home) one way or another.
In particular, Vinícius Lázaro announced himself to those who weren’t aware of his talents with two statistics and three goals. His hat-trick, each goal finished first-time, proved that he has a future at the top level all things being well. Those three goals make him the youngest Brazilian (21 years and 69 days) since Ronaldo Nazário to score so many, younger than Vinícius Júnior, and the first ever Almería player to score one in La Liga. One a poacher’s effort from the six-yard box, the other a half-volley full of nutrition, and the third an emphatic touch into the roof of the net on the run - it could be the beginning of his blossoming.
If that was a high-pressure game that Almería resolved without difficulty, moving them likely within one result of safety, Getafe could not have been more different. Everything was set up for them to win comfortably. More so after Munir El Haddadi gave them the lead after five minutes. Yet Los Azulones could not stretch the gap, and conceded from a set-piece to Lucas Boyé on the stroke of half-time.
With 45 minutes to find the winner against the worst defence in the division with nothing on the line, Getafe created just one clear chance, but in contrast to Lázaro, Borja Mayoral could not finish first-time from 12 yards out. Just as concerning as the dropped points will be the manner for José Bordalás - if he is to act the saviour, it will take its toll on him.
The pattern of the game showed a number of bad habits, and when they needed to push for the winner most in the dwindling minutes, it was Djené Dakonam swinging balls in from 45-yards out with his wrong foot from the left side - picture it, and yes, you’re right, it didn’t beat the first man.
That point takes Getafe out of the relegation zone on goal difference from Real Valladolid, who were beaten by Cádiz 2-0 on Friday night, but it slides them into the danger zone with La Pucela. The two face off on the final day of the season at the Estadio Nuevo José Zorrilla. Valencia are the closest side, just two points away, but increasingly it looks as if it will come down to the meeting between 17th and 18th as it stands.
If the two were to draw and finish level on points, Valladolid would move above of Getafe on head-to-head having beaten Los Azulones 3-2 in October in Madrid. Thus the target for Bordalás will be to arrive at that game ahead on points, meaning a draw would keep them safe, if indeed it is the two of them with their La Liga lives on the line.
La Pucela host Barcelona and then go to Almería, neither of which would see them pick up points on form. Getafe are away to Real Betis, and then host Osasuna, before they get ready for their showdown.
With so much on the line, the situation is more than capable of changing dramatically between now and the first weekend of June. Yet neither Paulo Pezzolano nor Bordalás will be under any illusions - they are the favourites to be the last two left in the dogfight.