Ernesto Valverde, Philippe Coutinho under pressure at Barcelona while Getafe chase top-four miracle in La Liga

Aditya Devavrat 17:53 11/05/2019
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Coutinho and Valverde are both under pressure.

    The La Liga title race may have been wrapped up two weeks ago, but heading into the penultimate weekend of the season there’s still plenty of intrigue around the league, with the relegation and European spots still to be decided.

    Champions-elect Barcelona will be the centre of attention after their embarrassing loss to Liverpool in midweek sent them crashing out of the Champions League, while bitter rivals Real Madrid are never far from the headlines and have plenty of issues to resolve as the season comes to a close.

    A different Madrid side is chasing a dream heading into this weekend – take a look at our talking points ahead of Sunday’s fixtures.

    BARCELONA AT A CROSSROADS AFTER CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXIT

    In the wake of Barcelona’s disastrous Champions League exit, all eyes have turned to Ernesto Valverde. Two straight dominant league titles is impressive, but failure in Europe, and especially the near-identical way in which it has happened in two straight seasons – blowing three-goal first-leg leads in humiliating fashion away from home – has plenty clamouring for his sacking.

    The board is reportedly not as dead set on getting rid of Valverde, largely due to a lack of alternatives. In the meantime, it’s hard to see what Valverde can do to strengthen his position. He’s in a no-win situation – poor performances against Getafe this weekend and Eibar to close the season will hurt him, but wins won’t do much to help.

    And what of the players? Nobody covered themselves in glory on Tuesday but the biggest question mark is Philippe Coutinho. Is there anything the club-record signing can do to save his Barcelona career?

    REAL MADRID LOOK TO THE FUTURE

    If you’re approaching a crossroads, better to do it as potential double-winners for the second year running. Unlike their rivals, Real Madrid don’t have that luxury.

    Instead, Zinedine Zidane is set to oversee a rebuild after Madrid’s first trophy-less season in four years. With the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Eden Hazard, Paul Pogba, and Neymar all potential arrivals, that means plenty of departures as well.

    Gareth Bale is the name at the top of everyone’s minds, and there’s been no further clarity about his future under Zidane. The next two weeks will be Bale in the shop window.

    One player who might be saved from a cull is Isco. The latest reports suggest Zidane does not want the Spaniard to leave, just months after an exit seemed inevitable once he was marginalised by Santiago Solari. If he can repay the returning manager’s faith, starting with Sunday at Real Sociedad, he’ll likely get to stay.

    CAN GETAFE GET THEIR MIRACLE?

    About the rest of the league: Celta Vigo, Villarreal, Levante, Valladolid, and Girona are locked in a battle to stave off relegation, and two of those teams will have a say in the top-four race as well. Valladolid host Valencia next week, when Villarreal host Getafe, who are chasing a miracle.

    The Madrid side have an average attendance of less than 10,000, and a total wage bill of €40million. Yet they’re the front-runners for the final Champions League spot.

    This weekend they face Barcelona. They’re currently three points ahead of Valencia, who have to recover from their Europa League disappointment against Arsenal as they face Alaves, and Sevilla, who have a difficult away game against Atletico Madrid.

    Valencia would win head-to-head tiebreakers against both their rivals, but Getafe would have the advantage over Sevilla. Can they keep the dream alive for one more week?

    Recommended