The final round of matches in la liga will take place this weekend. Malaga find themselves in the dreaded drop zone. One final game to save themselves. The good news is that they are at home and will find inspiration from the hinchas of la rosaleda. The bad news is that they are playing Real Madrid.
That’s that then! You might think so, but the situation is more complicated than that. How can a team that is in the bottom three lose and still be safe? Welcome to the complications of “la Liga”!
The first thing that strikes you when you look at the table is that Malaga’s goal difference is better than the two teams above them, Racing and Valladolid. But La Liga doesn’t use goal difference to separate clubs level on points. They use their own “criterios de desempate”. Basically, a mini-league formed by the clubs level on points. Why Malaga is in the drop zone is too complicated for my head to fathom. However, the final day looks like this for Malaga.
If Malaga beat Real Madrid they are safe regardless of other results.
If Malaga draw against Real Madrid then two outcomes will save them. 1) Two clubs from Tenerife, Racing and Valladolid must lose. 2) Racing and Tenerife draw and Valladolid lose.
If Malaga lose against Real Madrid then Racing, Tenerife and Valladolid must lose. Oh, and Xerez must not win.
So the worst case scenario is that Real Madrid thump Malaga and to cap it off Ronaldo will probably score a hatful. Then all attention will be focused at other games around the country. Barcelona surely must beat Valladolid to win the title. Let’s hope Valencia don’t start their holidays early and beat Tenerife. The tricky game is Racing v Sporting. Valladolid have already made noises that they fear that Sporting will not put up any resistance by fielding a weakened side. Xerez are away at Osasuna.
Unfortunately, it is all pointing to Malaga dropping into la segunda again. A point against Real Madrid is a must to save themselves.
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