FCBARCELONA.CAT

16.04.2010 10:30

Spanish League Round Up Week 32

Roger Bogunyà

Real Madrid just managed to keep in touch with Barca at the top of La Liga with a narrow 1-2 win in Almeria. Third placed Valencia also won ahead of their visit to the Bernabeu on Sunday and at the bottom, pressure is mounting on Malaga.

With just six games left in La Liga, the close battle at the top between the big two is mirrored all over the table, with Jerez, Tenerife and Valladolid all making desperate late runs to avoid the drop and Malaga, Zaragoza and Racing definitely not out of trouble just yet. In the fight for European spots, Valencia look a banker, whilst Mallorca and Seville are fighting it out for the fourth spot and Bilbao, Getafe and Villarreal are in the hunt for the Europa Cup places.

Madrid still in the hunt

Cristiano Ronaldo and Van der Vaart gave Madrid the points to keep them just three points behind Barca, after Crusat had put Almeria ahead early on and although the hosts created plenty of chances, Madrid’s efficiency in front of goal proved enough to take the vital three points. Bad news for Pellegrini was Albiol’s yellow, which rules him out of the Valencia game, and the continuing poor form of Higuain up front. Valencia warmed up for Sunday’s game by seeing off Athletic Bilbao 2-0 with both goals from David Silva. The win confirms Valencia’s third place – they now lead Mallorca by seven points- and severely dented Bilbao’s Champions League aspirations, leaving the Basques in sixth place, four points behind Mallorca.

Mallorca take advantage of Seville defeat

Mallorca took advantage of Seville’s defeat in Valladolid on Tuesday to move back into fourth by taking a point at Zaragoza and with four of their last six games at home, they are in the driving seat to make the Champions League next season. Getafe gave their European hopes a boost by beating rivals Villarreal 3-0 on Tuesday, moving into seventh, just a point behind Bilbao and one ahead of Villarreal. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid seem to have decided to concentrate on their Europa and Spanish Cup chances after putting in a woeful performance to lose 1-2 at home to Jerez. Atletico have won just two of their last six league games and conceded three or more goals on three occasions. Jerez, meanwhile, most definitely are totally focussed on the league and on their amazing attempts to do a Lazarus and come back from the dead to avoid the drop. Jerez have taken 11 points from their last six games and whilst still at the foot of the table, they are now just six points away from salvation.

Malaga on the slide

Malaga are the team Jerez, Valladolid and Tenerife have in their sights and after Tuesday’s draw in Pamplona, they have now won just one game in their last nine and have 32 points to Tenerife’s 29, Valladolid’s 28 and Jerez’s 26. Above Malaga, Zaragoza are on 33 points and Racing, who hammered Espanyol 3-1 on Wednesday, are on 35 with trips to the bottom three to come before the end of the season.