La Liga final day showdown: Real Madrid out to dethrone Barcelona

The Spanish La Liga is heading for a thrilling climax today (Sunday), and all pointers suggest Real Madrid would end their long wait for a domestic League crown since their 2012 triumph.

Having done the needful to win their outstanding game against Celta Vigo in their last outing, all Real Madrid need is at least a point against Malaga.

Many analysts believe Real Madrid’s work has been made easier as Malaga stand to collect €1 million from Los Blancos if they win the title. That was part of the clauses inserted in Isco’s contract.

Jose Mourinho was in charge of Real Madrid the last time they were crowned domestic champions in 2012.

Since then Barcelona have dominated La Liga, winning it three times in the last four attempts, while Atletico Madrid were crowned champions in 2014.

Zinedine Zidane’s side are three points ahead of nearest rivals Barcelona, who are at home to eighth-placed Eibar at the same time, after winning their game in hand 4-1 away to Celta Vigo in midweek.

It is Real’s title to lose but Zidane, in his first full season in charge at the Bernabeu, is not celebrating just yet.

“The most difficult part is still to come even though we’re getting closer [to the title] every day,” he said.

“I don’t feel like we’re the champions yet, we still need to pick up more points and keep on with what we’re doing.”

Sunday should be Luis Enrique’s last La Liga game in charge of Barca after three seasons, two domestic titles and one Champions League triumph.

Tributes to the 47-year-old are planned before Sunday’s game and Enrique admitted that it would be a special night for him.

“I was very fortunate to come here and become the manager,” he said.

“You live things with such passion. For me it’s been like a short journey but Barca’s history is full of these stories of players and managers that come and go and I’m very proud of forming part of this history.

“It’s going to be a very special night – that’s normal.”

With conspiracy theories, emotional farewells and a league title on the card, Sunday’s finale looks set to end with a bang.

PREMIUM TIMES will run a live blog for the Barcelona and the Real Madrid games which kicks off 7.p.m. Nigerian time.

Full fixtures

Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad

Valencia vs Villarreal

Barcelona vs Eibar

Malaga vs Real Madrid

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Tunde Eludini

Tunde Eludini is a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria where he studied International Relations. He is a Senior Correspondent coordinating the sports section for PREMIUM TIMES. Twitter: @tundeyeludini

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