La Liga is taking a break this weekend (with the exception of Sunday evening’s Barcelona-Rayo Vallecano match) but there is no doubt that, when it returns, some big issues are going to be decided.
Let’s start with Levante who, despite a spirited attempt against Sevilla on Thursday night, have probably left themselves too much to do after getting into a spot of bother.
Jesus Corona scored twice and Jules Kounde added a late third as the Andalusians boosted their Champions League hopes with victory.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Lucas Ocampos’ cross was headed home by Corona.
Levante levelled five minutes later from the penalty spot after VAR spotted that Diego Carlos had handled in the area and Jose Luis Morales fired his spot-kick into bottom right corner.
Corona scored his second goal to restore Sevilla’s lead in the 27th minute – Ocampos was again the provider with a cross which was poked home by Corona from close range.
Levante were awarded a second penalty after Nemanja Radoja was brought down by Marcos Acuna in the box. But Morales missed and Sevilla – who insist Anthony Martial could yet sign for them permanently – scored a third a few minutes later with a header by Kounde.
Roberto Soldado’s strike set up a nervy finale, but Sevilla held on for a vital victory.
The La Liga 2022 betting odds continue to be stacked against Levante staying up and, while it’s not too late, they will need a near-perfect finish to overturn the six-point deficit from safety with five games remaining.
That means it seems to be a straight battle between Cadiz, Granada and Mallorca to beat the drop (although Getafe will be looking anxiously over their shoulder).
Despite a disastrous start which saw them ship three goals in the opening 33 minutes, Cadiz almost earned a point against Athletic Bilbao last time out and are out of the drop zone after taking seven points from a possible 15.
That has seen Granada, Europa League quarter-finalists 12 months ago, slip into the bottom three, although they will take heart from a spirited showing at reigning champions Atletico Madrid in midweek where they gained what was largely considered a deserved point.
While at the bottom, things are as close as they can be, there is somewhat of a procession at the top end of the standings.
Yes, it wasn’t exactly going out on a limb when this SBOTOP writer tipped the guile of Carlo Ancelotti to help Real Madrid recapture the title from their capital rivals at the beginning of the campaign.
However, the La Liga 2022 highlights they have duly delivered make them worthy champions-elect to the point that no one can deny Real Madrid’s destiny. It is simply a matter of time before Los Blancos hoist the trophy aloft.
Indeed, with five games to go, Real Madrid are the most dominant La Liga leaders since the three-points-per-win rule came into force.
The final word this weekend should go to a La Liga legend in the Spanish Cup.
The Copa del Rey final between Real Betis and Valencia ensured one of the biggest feel-good stories of this or any other season as Betis captain Joaquin, now 40 and one of Spain’s most popular personalities, led his beloved team to their first trophy in 17 years.
Joaquin, the oldest player in La Liga, has provided more than two decades of entertainment on the pitch since making his debut for Betis, aged 19, in September 2000.
He stayed with his boyhood club for six seasons, winning the Copa del Rey in 2005 and becoming a regular in the Spain team.
The winger’s consistent brilliance led to a move to Valencia for £20 million in 2006. Another Copa del Rey triumph followed two years later, but he gradually became less important for Los Che and joined Malaga in 2011.
And on Saturday evening, in his home city of Seville, Joaquin came on and scored in the penalty shootout as his team triumphed on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw.
In only the second Copa del Rey final not involving Barcelona or Real Madrid since 2010, and in securing Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini his first trophy since the 2016 League Cup final with Manchester City, this was a fairytale finish for a true Spanish star.
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