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5 things to know as Atletico shifts focus to Spanish league race with Madrid, Barca in pursuit
Paul Logothetis / The Associated Press
April 24, 2014 05:13 AM
Real's Cristiano Ronaldo go for a header next to Bayern's Dante, right, during a first leg semifinal Champions League soccer match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, April 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
MADRID - Atletico Madrid's attention will return to domestic affairs, as it looks to defend its lead at the top of La Liga, with the club closing in on its first league title in 18 years.
Atletico has a tough trip to Valencia on Sunday, three days before it plays the return leg of its Champions League semifinal at Chelsea. Before it can focus on securing a place in the May 24 final in Lisbon, the league leader must maintain its slim advantage over Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Madrid, which has a game in hand on the leader, faces Osasuna on Saturday while Barcelona looks to stay focused on winning the only trophy up for grabs when it travels to Villarreal a day later.
With four games to play, Atletico leads with 85 points, Barcelona has 81 points, and Madrid has 79 points. Atletico will secure the title by winning three of its final four matches.
Here are five things to know about La Liga this weekend:
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COURTOIS' CHELSEA EFFECT
Atletico Madrid's scoreless draw against Chelsea opened up further discussion about the future of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgium international is on-loan from Chelsea, which lost regular Petr Cech to injury during Tuesday's match. Cech's absence means 41-year-old backup Mark Schwarzer is Chelsea's No. 1 'keeper for the rest of the season, a situation manager Jose Mourinho likely pondered while watching Courtois on Tuesday.
Courtois has been one of the pillars to Atletico's success and the club is hopeful of extending the loan-deal for a fourth season.
"It's better not to think about it and to focus on just playing," said Courtois, who is on course for winning the league's Zamora trophy for the goalkeeper who concedes the fewest goals in a season.
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GOOD NEWS FOR BARCA
Barcelona finally received some good news this week when FIFA temporarily lifted a transfer ban, so the club can complete a reported deal with goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen.
With the club on the verge of improving Lionel Messi's current deal, talk has already begun over which players will exit this summer.
The Catalan club — on the verge of its first trophyless season since 2007 — needs to bolster its defence, and Dani Alves' future is a big uncertainty with the Brazil international out of contract this summer.
Barcelona laboured to victory over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and can ill-afford a repeat knowing a league trophy will be impossible if it drops any more points before the season finale against Atletico.
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RONALDO'S BACK
Cristiano Ronaldo returned for Real Madrid's 1-0 Champions League win over Bayern Munich but the Portugal forward showed some rust after a four-game layoff to a leg injury.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti said Ronaldo would be available for Saturday's match against Osasuna despite the Champions League semifinal return in Germany three days later, while Gareth Bale should also start after battling the 'flu this week.
Ronaldo leads the league with 28 goals.
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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ON THE LINE
Athletic Bilbao can just about secure its return to the Champions League for the first time since the 1998/99 season with a victory against Sevilla on Sunday.
Fourth-place Athletic, which fields only Basque players in its team, is three points up on Sevilla, which has won nine of its last 10 league matches to suddenly threaten for the final qualifying spot for next season's Champions League.
Athletic will have the benefit of a full week off with Sevilla playing Valencia in the Europa League on Thursday.
"We're a team that won't settle for a draw, we always go out looking for victory," defender Mikel San Jose said. "A draw wouldn't be a terrible result but we're only thinking about the win."
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EUROPE, RELEGATION
While Athletic and Sevilla battle for fourth, Real Sociedad and Villarreal look likely to occupy Spain's final pair of European qualifying spots with the clubs set to take part in the Europa League next season.
Barring a victory against sixth-place Sociedad, last-place Real Betis will become the first team to be relegated this season.
There are six teams within seven points of each other in the relegation race, with Almeria and Getafe currently the other two teams set to drop out of the top flight division.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal in each half as Real Madrid beat Osasuna 4-0 and returned to second place in La Liga on Saturday.
The Ballon d'Or winner curled a right-rooted effort into the top corner after six minutes and Real spurned a host of chances to extend their advantage before the interval.
But two goals in nine second-half minutes put the result beyond doubt, with Ronaldo finding another magnificent finish after 52 minutes and Sergio Ramos converting Angel Di Maria's cross from close range.
Isco teed up Daniel Carvajal to complete the scoring and Real now sit three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid and one above Barcelona ahead of their title rivals' respective matches at Valencia and Villarreal tomorrow.
Osasuna have won just once in their past 10 matches and sit three points above the drop zone, but the picture at the wrong end of the table became clearer as Getafe overcome Malaga 1-0 to confirm Real Betis' relegation.
Betis entered this weekend's round of fixtures knowing three points for Getafe or Valladolid would confirm their inevitable relegation.
The former delivered as Adrian Colunga's eighth-minute strike earned three points for Cosmin Contra's men at Coliseum Alfonso Perez, despite Romanian striker Ciprian Marica seeing red for a second yellow card in the 37th minute.
Getafe's victory lifts them out of the bottom three, although Real Valladolid hold two games in hand and 19th-placed Almeria travel to Espanyol on Sunday.
It meant a Betis team contemplating the end of a three-season stay in the top flight on the back of 22 defeats spread across three managers this term were left playing for pride in the late kick-off against Real Sociedad.
Even that proved elusive as Carlos Vela converted a second-half penalty to secure Sociedad's place in next season's UEFA Europa League with a 1-0 victory.
Elsewhere, Rayo Vallecano claimed a seventh win in 10 games with a 3-0 triumph over 10-man Granada.
The game was goalless when Yacine Brahimi, who earlier struck the crossbar, collected his second booking in the 52nd minute.
Rayo capitalised ruthlessly as Atletico Madrid loanee Saul fired home sensationally from 30 yards and top scorer Joaquin Larrivey netted for the third time in as many matches five minutes later.
Sebastian Fernandez headed his first goal in over two years to complete the scoring and leave Granada five points clear of the relegation places.
La Liga Wrap: Atletico edge closer to glory, Barca come from behind
27 April 2014
Atletico Madrid remain on course to win La Liga after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Valencia on Sunday.
Raul Garcia's 18th goal of the season in all competitions made the difference for Diego Simeone's men, who need a further six points to guarantee the title.
Garcia scored in the 43rd minute with a header from Gabi's cross and the visitors to Mestalla managed to hold on despite Juanfran's late red card.
Barcelona remain four points behind the leaders, who they face on the final day of the season, after staging a fine comeback to beat Villarreal 3-2 on an emotional night at El Madrigal.
Both teams paid homage to former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova, who tragically lost his fight with cancer on Friday.
Barca found themselves behind at the break after Cani's clever finish and Manuel Trigueros doubled Villarreal's lead early in the second half with a firm header.
The champions fought back fiercely, though, and own goals from Gabriel and Mateo Musacchio levelled the score before Lionel Messi completed the turnaround by finishing a flowing team move.
The match was soured by a banana being thrown at Barcelona defender Dani Alves during the second half.
The fight for the final UEFA Champions League spot looks to have been won by Athletic Bilbao after Ernesto Valverde's men defeated challengers Sevilla 3-1 at San Mames, moving six points clear of the Andalusians.
Sevilla rested several key players ahead of their Europa League semi-final second leg at Valencia on Thursday and the absences were noticeable as Athletic rarely looked particularly troubled.
Markel Susaeta scored directly from a corner in the fifth minute and Iker Muniain doubled the lead just after the break, sending the Basques well on their way to victory.
Sevilla full-back Diogo Figueiras received a second yellow card for arguing with officials in the 72nd minute and Ander Herrera scored Athletic's third a few moments later, before Kevin Gameiro struck a late consolation.
Almeria's chances of avoiding the drop received a boost in Sunday's early match as they beat nine-man Espanyol 2-1 in Barcelona.
Fran Velez and Suso grabbed the goals as the visitors came from behind to secure the win, but Christian Stuani's 48th-minute red card gave Almeria a helping hand, while Javi Lopez also received his marching orders in second-half stoppage time.
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino played down the importance of football after his side's 3-2 win at Villarreal on Sunday.
It was an emotional day at El Madrigal as Barcelona and opponents Villarreal paid homage to the champions' former coach Tito Vilanova, who tragically lost his battle with cancer on Friday.
Goals to Cani and Manuel Trigueros put Villarreal 2-0 up but own goals to Gabriel and Mateo Musacchio set up a close finish.
And Lionel Messi bagged the winner with seven minutes to play to keep Barca's La Liga title push intact.
Following the match, which saw Barca remain four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, Martino was reluctant to speak at length about the result, instead focusing on Vilanova's passing.
"It's a weekend (that is) sad for Barcelona and for football," he said.
"Speaking of football, regardless of how the game went, seems inappropriate. I just want to send a big hug and a lot of strength to the family of Tito.
"In this case football seems to mean so little that to transmit it to a player seems out of place.
"Secondly, it's a fact, but my players showed a lot of strength."
Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta admitted that Vilanova's death had profoundly affected the team after working so closely with the coach for several years.
The 29-year-old said: "The death of Tito has affected us very much because he is someone we had known for many years.
"I'll stick with the example that he always gave us as a person."
Dani Alves opted for a light-hearted approach after he was the victim of racial abuse during Barcelona's win over Villarreal on Sunday.
Racism reared its ugly head in Spain after a banana was thrown from the stands as Barca came from behind to beat Villarreal in La Liga at the El Madrigal.
The banana landed at the feet of Alves just as he was about to take a corner kick for the visitors but instead of throwing it away the Brazil international peeled the fruit and consumed it while delivering the set-piece.
After the game, Alves said responding with humour was the best way to combat racism that has plagued football for many years.
"I don't know who it was, but thanks to whoever threw the banana, the potassium gave me the energy for the two crosses which led to a goal," Alves told reporters.
Alves added: "We have suffered this in Spain for some time.
"You have to take it with a dose of humour. We aren't going to change things easily.
"If you don't give it importance, they don't achieve their objective."
The 30-year-old also received support from Barca and Brazil team-mate Neymar, who posted a picture on Instagram with the caption: "We are all monkeys, we are all the same. Say to no racism."
Sunday's incident is not the first time Alves has been subjected to racist taunts.
The former Sevilla fullback complained of monkey chants during Barca's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against rivals Real Madrid last season.
The Brazilian's retaliation to the racist abuse shown by Villarreal fans has received great support by team-mates and fans and the club have pledged their support to him
Barcelona have offered their support to defender Dani Alves after he was subjected to racist abuse during Sunday's 3-2 win at Villarreal.
Gerardo Martino's men came from behind to claim all three points at El Madrigal, but the game was marred by an incident in the 76th minute as a fan threw a banana at the feet of Alves as he prepared to take a corner.
However, the Brazil international offered a light-hearted retort, picking up and eating the banana as he took the set-piece instead of throwing it away.
The 30-year-old insisted afterwards that humour is the best way to deal with racism, jokingly thanking the fan in question for giving him "the energy for the two crosses which led to a goal".
And the Catalan club have now given their backing to the former Sevilla man, while also commending Villarreal for immediately condemning the actions of the supporter.
A statement on the club's official website read: "FC Barcelona would like to underline the civil, cultural, social and sporting importance of two messages which Uefa remind us of before every game: Respect and No to Racism.
"FC Barcelona wishes to express its complete support and solidarity with our first-team player Dani Alves, following the insults he was subject to from a section of the crowd at El Madrigal on Sunday during the game against Villarreal.
"FC Barcelona accepts that the perpetrators of these insults are in no way connected to Villarreal and we value very positively the support the club offered to our player.
"The club's immediate condemnation of the incidents is a step in the right direction to firstly isolate and then eradicate completely from the sporting arena this kind of behaviour.
"FC Barcelona reiterates its support for Uefa's message of Respect and No to Racism and urges all clubs to continue fighting against the blight on the game which any kind of aggression against a sportsperson on the basis of their race represents."
Villarreal fan given permanent ban for throwing banana at Dani Alves
By Joe Wright
Apr 28, 2014 7:58:00 PM
The club have confirmed the offender's season ticket has been revoked and affirmed their commitment to fighting racism and discrimination
Villarreal have issued a permanent ban to the supporter who threw a banana at Dani Alves in Sunday's La Liga clash with Barcelona at El Madrigal.
The Brazilian picked up and ate the fruit thrown at him from the stands as he prepared to take a corner, before later issuing ironic thanks to the offender after Barca came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Villarreal have since confirmed they have revoked the fan in question's season ticket and underlined their commitment to combatting racism and discrimination.
"Villarreal CF wants to communicate that the club deeply regrets and condemns the incident that happened yesterday [Sunday] during the match against FC Barcelona in which a fan threw an object onto the field of El Madrigal," a statement on their official website read.
"Thanks to the security forces and the invaluable assistance of the Yellow crowd, the club has already identified the author and has decided to withdraw his season tickets, permanently banning his access to El Madrigal stadium.
"Once again our club would like to express its firm commitment to promoting respect, equality, sportsmanship and fair play both on and off the field and our absolute rejection of any act that is contrary to these principles, such as violence, discrimination, racism and xenophobia."
Sunday's incident prompted Alves' Barcelona and Brazil team-mate Neymar to begin a 'We're all monkeys' social media campaign to show his support for the 30-year-old, posting a picture of himself eating a banana alongside the caption.
Two own goals and a Lionel Messi strike secured a valuable comeback for Barca on Sunday, with the victory keeping their slim title hopes alive at the end of a difficult week for the club in which former coach Tito Vilanova lost his battle with cancer.
LFP clear Barcelona of misconduct in Neymar signing
By Peter McVitie
Apr 28, 2014 4:50:00 PM
The Economic Control Committee of the Spanish football association have found there has been no misconduct from the Catalan club in the transfer
Barcelona have announced they have been cleared by the Liga de Futbol Profesional (LFP) of any wrongdoing in the signing of Neymar.
The transfer is still being investigated by the Spanish High Court due to contradicting statements from the Catalan club about how much they paid for the Brazil international.
The Catalan giants were charged with tax fraud following the revelation that €40 million of the transfer fee had been paid to his parents. They later made a "complementary tax declaration" of over €13m and were forced to deny reports suggesting they had offered the money to put an end to the case.
The controversy escalated even further when Sandro Rosell stepped down from his role as club president after being accused of the misappropriation of funds involved in the deal.
However, the LFP - the association responsible for governing the top two professional leagues in Spain - has confirmed that they have not found any wrongdoing after their investigation into the matter.
The statement on the club's website read: "FC Barcelona wish to express their satisfaction at the resolution of the Economic Control Committee of the Liga Nacional de Futbol Professional (LFP) that there is no existence of any irregular conduct committed by FC Barcelona in the signing of Neymar Jr.
"The Committee met last Wednesday, April 23rd and its decision was published last Friday. According to the committee: "in view of the appeal made to the LFP by FC Barcelona, there is no evidence of any irregular conduct committed by the Club which would have infringed the rules and regulations of the LFP. As a result of this, no further action in this matter will be taken."
The statement continued: "The Economic Control Committee of the LFP ordered FC Barcelona to provide a series of documents in February and having analysed them in full has reached the decision that there were no irregularities whatsoever by the Club in the signing of Neymar Jr.
"In a spirit of transparency, FC Barcelona would like to place on record its complete willingness to continue to provide the committee with any further information related to the signing."
'He was our hero' - Barcelona bids final farewell to Tito Vilanova
By Ben Hayward in Barcelona
Apr 28, 2014 10:19:00 PM
Around 1,500 people attended a religious ceremony on Monday evening to say goodbye to the Catalan coach, whose two teenage children both made beautiful speeches
Friends, family, former colleagues and key figures from the world of football joined together at Barcelona's cathedral on Monday evening to bid a final farewell to Tito Vilanova.
The ex-Barca boss lost his two-and-a-half year battle with cancer on Friday at the age of 45 and some 53,000 people turned out at Camp Nou over the weekend to pay respects to the Catalan coach, many of them leaving flowers and messages.
Many more well-wishers and fans flocked to the ceremony in the centre of Barcelona on Monday, which was broadcast on two giant screens outside the cathedral.
Inside, Barcelona's board, past presidents (including both Joan Laporta and Sandro Rosell), current coaching staff and the entire first-team squad were present, along with Catalan leader Artur Mas and other prominent personalities from the world of football, such as former Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes, ex-Blaugrana defender Eric Abidal and Espanyol trainer Javier Aguirre.
"Today is a very sad day for FC Barcelona," said club president Josep Maria Bartomeu in his speech. "We promise that he will remain deep in our hearts and that we'll never forget him."
In remembrance | Barca players at the ceremony on Monday
Jordi Roura, one of Vilanova's best friends, also addressed the congregation. "You always said you were a normal guy, but in the end you weren't. A normal person doesn't receive all this [affection and love]," he said, in reference to the huge outpouring of good will towards Tito.
"And don't worry about your children," he added. "We will take good care of them."
At the end of the ceremony, Carlota (19) and Adria (17) then took to the stage and each made a beautiful speech in honour of their father.
"Our father was our hero, he was the example we followed, and he was my first love," Carlota said. "Love that I felt when I didn't even know what love was.
"Nothing fell out of the sky for my father. His passion for football, his hard work and his dedication allowed him to achieve his dream of coaching Barca, the team that has always been in his heart."
Adria, a promising defender in Barca's youth team, added: "I'm so grateful for everything you taught me. The best present you gave me was 17 years by my side. I'll dedicate all my successes to you and your memory will help me to overcome difficulties. You will be my guardian angel."
The pair left stage to huge applause and the ceremony ended with a cry of "Visca Tito Vilanova" from one of the guests, which was repeated by a large number of those present.
The successful coach believes last weekend's incident involving Dani Alves was an isolated event and has paid tribute to former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has refuted the notion that racism is a major problem in football.
The issue of racial discrimination has been under the spotlight after Barcelona's Dani Alves had a banana thrown at him during the Liga game against Villarreal at the weekend, with players and fans alike rallying around the Brazilian by creating an anti-racism campaign involving the fruit on social media.
Nevertheless, Del Bosque has said he does not believe racism is a widespread problem in the world game.
"In football there is no racism, absolutely not," Del Bosque told reporters.
"It's not something that everyone is doing. I want to think that these are isolated incidents. In football, there is no racism."
Del Bosque also paid tribute to the life of former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova, who died on Friday aged 45 after battling with cancer in recent years.
"A good man leaves us, who went through his life doing his job well and never doing anything against anyone. He leaves us with half his life left to live. It's a tremendous loss.
"In addition to the personal experiences I've had with him, the other people I know who have had experiences with him are greatly appreciative of him.
"My relationship with Vilanova was always cordial. A very nice man who was always ready to work together. I deeply lament this loss."
The Argentine's position is reportedly under threat but he insists he is only concentrating on his side's battle to retain their league title
Gerardo Martino is refusing to let speculation about his future affect his Barcelona side in the race for the La Liga title.
Barca saw their chances of securing a treble fall away in the space of seven days last month, with only a league title now a possibility for Martino's men.
The Catalan giants are four points behind leaders Atletico Madrid with three games remaining and the odds are stacked against them retaining their crown.
Martino's position has been called into question, with the likes of Michael Laudrup and Luis Enrique linked with the role, and the Argentine acknowledges that the campaign has been "problematical" at times.
"I now focus on the next two games, which will be decisive to see if we still can win the Liga," he said at Friday's press conference.
"(Rumours about possible successors) don't have any affect at all, what I am concentrating on are the results, of course names are mentioned but that doesn't affect me.
"We (Martino and the club) haven't spoken, there is no need right now to ask if I am going to stay because I have got an active contract."
The Catalans will be expected to get the better of Getafe on Saturday, but Martino is not taking Cosmin Contra's relegation-threatened side lightly.
"It is true Getafe are fighting against relegation, but both teams are fighting for something special," he added. "We've got to play very well, not only tomorrow but in the other two games we've got left this season.
"The fact is while we still have the chance (to win it) but we don't depend on ourselves."
Elche and leaders Atletico are the champions' opponents in their final two games of the season.
Barcelona can keep the heat on La Liga title rivals Atletico and Real Madrid when they host strugglers Getafe in Saturday's early kick-off.
Gerardo Martino's men showed they still mean business in the title race last week when they came from two goals down to edge Villarreal 3-2 in dramatic fashion.
If Barca can make it three league wins in a row at the Camp Nou this on Saturday, they can transfer some of the pressure onto leaders Atletico, and Real, who take on Levante and Valencia respectively on Sunday.
Diego Simeone's men, fresh from securing a UEFA Champions League final meeting with Real in midweek, could win the title on Sunday if results go their way.
A victory for Atletico and defeats for the two sides beneath them would hand them their first league title since 1996.
In all likelihood, Atletico will be made to wait, but for Barca the equation is simple - keep winning and hope for slip-ups elsewhere.
Midfielder Sergio Busquets does not feel Barca's title rivals will be affected by their European exertions in mid-week, but has stressed the importance for a strong end to the season.
"I think they'll be just the same. I don't think it will affect them much in the league," Busquets said.
"In terms of winning silverware, it hasn't been a great season - we've lost two already and the league looks difficult too.
"In the end it comes down to that and not the good runs we had nor the fact that we were leaders at the start of the season."
While Barca are focused on the slim chances of retaining their Spanish title, the 17th-placed Getafe have concerns at the other end of the table and could see themselves drop into the bottom three if they fail to arrest a six-game losing streak against Barcelona in all competitions.
In that run, Getafe have conceded 25 goals and scored just four, but they have picked up seven points from their last five La Liga matches to give them hope of avoiding the drop.
However, with 18th-placed Almeria more than capable of picking up maximum points against already-relegated Real Betis, Getafe coach Cosmin Contra will be all too aware of the need for his team to pick up the points that could prove crucial come the end of the campaign.
Reserves Isaac Cuenca and Sergi Gomez were involved in first-team training this week and could give extra options to Martino, whose injury list currently includes regulars the likes of Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Jordi Alba and Neymar.
Real Madrid will look to keep their faint Liga title hopes alive on Sunday and pile further misery on Valencia at the Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti masterminded Real's progression to the UEFA Champions League final on Tuesday at the expense of defending champions Bayern Munich, who were hammered 4-0 at the Allianz Arena - and lost 5-0 on aggregate.
Real have already won the Copa del Rey and could still snatch the league title, but city rivals Atletico Madrid - their opponents in the Champions League final on May 24 - are strong favourites to be crowned Spanish champions.
Diego Simeone's side are six points better off than Real - and four ahead of Barcelona - with three games remaining and are on the verge of their first La Liga title since the 1990/91 campaign.
Two days after Real had celebrated their stunning victory in Munich, Valencia were left heartbroken following a dramatic defeat in the Europa League on Thursday.
With a minute of stoppage time to play in their semi-final with La Liga rivals Sevilla, Juan Antonio Pizzi's men were on the verge of the final having overturned a 2-0 deficit from the first leg to lead 3-0 in the closing stages of the second leg.
However, they were left stunned when Stephane M'Bia's 94th-minute header at the Mestalla ensured Sevilla progressed on away goals.
Pizzi has called on his players to lift themselves in Madrid as they strive to finish in the top half of the table.
"We can rest assured, though, that this road leads to good things," he told AS after Thursday's defeat. "I told the players I'm proud of them and they deserved to get to the final.
"Unfortunately these things are part of our career and shocks are worth more than the victories, I'd say.
"Everyone has to work for each other. We must learn and value learning, and try to be better every day."
Valencia's trips to the Bernabeu have not proved to be fruitful in recent seasons, though, as they have not taken all three points since 2008.
Real have won their last five games in all competitions - scoring 14 goals and conceding just one - so they will fancy their chances of maintaining their impressive form.
Madrid have Alvaro Arbeloa back in training ahead of the fixture, but it may be too soon for the full-back to return to action, while Luka Modric and Jese Rodriguez should be involved despite sitting out training on Friday,
Germany midfielder Sami Khedira could feature after a lengthy absence with a knee injury.
Valencia duo Oriol Romeu and Philippe Senderos continue their rehabilitation so are unlikely to start, while Juan Bernat, Diego Alves and Victor Ruis are also sidelined due to injury.
UEFA Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid turn their attention back to winning the La Liga title when they visit Levante on Sunday.
Diego Simeone's men qualified for just their second final in Europe's elite club competition with a 3-1 UEFA Champions League semi-final win over Chelsea on Wednesday, setting up a meeting with city rivals Real Madrid in Lisbon on May 24.
But focus switches back to domestic matters this weekend, and an improbable set of results could see Atleti claim a first Liga title in 18 years.
Barca host relegation-threatened Getafe, who have never won at Camp Nou, on Saturday and will be unable to retain their crown if they succumb to a shock defeat and Atleti overcome Levante.
That unlikely prospect coming to fruition would leave the leaders with a nervous wait to see if Valencia can obtain a surprise win at Real later on Sunday that would see Simeone's charges clinch the title.
Regardless of what happens elsewhere this weekend, few would bet against Atleti getting their hands on the trophy in their current form.
The Vicente Calderon outfit are on a 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions and have won their last nine top-flight fixtures.
With that in mind, the prospect of travelling to a Levante side sitting comfortably in mid-table and with just a single victory from their last nine matches will not fill Atleti with dread.
However, the men from the capital have a poor record against their Valencian opponents in recent reasons.
Atleti have only taken a point from their last three visits to Ciutat de Valencia, with the hosts claiming a pair of 2-0 victories before last season's 1-1 draw.
The leaders have been outstanding this season, though, and the chances of Levante of maintaining their impressive recent home record against Atleti appear slim.
In the build-up to Sunday's match, Simeone remarked: "We start preparing for the match against Levante, and nothing must distract us from keeping our focus on Levante."
Athletic Bilbao sealed their place in next season's UEFA Champions League with a comfortable 3-0 win at Rayo Vallecano on Friday.
Ernesto Valverde's men knew a win against their mid-table hosts would seal a place in the competition for the first time since finishing second in the 1997-98 campaign.
Any nerves were settled within half an hour, as goals from Mikel San Jose and Oscar de Marcos put the visitors in control heading into half-time.
Both efforts came from left-wing corners as Vallecano failed to clear their lines, with Bilbao fans particularly exuberant following De Marcos' strike, pouring forward in the stands to greet the players, causing a protective barrier to collapse.
It appeared that nobody was seriously injured, and the visiting supporters' mood was improved in the second half when Ander Herrera squeezed a free-kick between goalkeeper Ruben's left-hand post to add gloss to the scoreline.
The result leaves Bilbao nine points clear of fifth-placed Sevilla, who have three matches remaining but can no longer overhaul the Basque outfit due to their inferior head-to-head record.
After kick-off was delayed by almost 15 minutes when home fans littered one of the goalmouths with toilet roll and ticker tape, San Jose gave Bilbao the lead in the 20th minute.
As Markel Susaeta curled in a corner from the left, Ruben came to collect but got nowhere near the cross, allowing San Jose to flick the ball home into an empty net with his heel.
The visitors doubled their lead 10 minutes later, De Marcos lashing the ball under Ruben after the hosts had failed to deal with another corner.
Herrera provided the icing on the cake 16 minutes from time, bending home a set-piece from 25 yards to spark scenes of jubilant celebration among the players at the final whistle.
5 things to know about the Spanish league as Atletico hopes for Real, Barca to slip up
Paul Logothetis
The Associated Press
May 1, 2014 07:53 AM
Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa, center right, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge Stadium in London, Wednesday, April 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Andrew Matthews, PA Wire)
MADRID - Atletico Madrid can follow up its feat of reaching the Champions League final by winning its first Spanish league title in 18 years if closest rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid slip up this weekend.
Atletico beat Chelsea to reach its first European Cup final in 40 years on Wednesday and, for an encore, it can take another step toward its first league championship since 1996 with a victory at Levante on Sunday.
Madrid, meanwhile, is also riding high after powering past Bayern Munich in its Champions League semifinal to help set up the first ever city derby in a European Cup final.
Madrid plays against Valencia on Sunday, hours after Atletico's match, so it will be aware of what is necessary to remain in the race.
Atletico has 88 points with three rounds to play, Barcelona is second with 84 points ahead of its game against Getafe on Saturday. Madrid has 82 points but still has four games left to play.
Here are five things to know about this weekend's La Liga action:
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MADRID CLUBS ON A HIGH
Both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid must harness the momentum from its impressive Champions League victories as they find themselves fighting each other for the domestic title as well.
The teams will play for the European Cup in Lisbon on May 24, but La Liga is still very much up for grabs before that.
"We've got to focus on the game against Levante and nothing more," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. "We've got to recover and move forward game by game."
Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa is available after being sidelined nearly two months to a knee injury.
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BARCELONA ON BRINK
Barcelona faces a must-win match against Getafe on Saturday as it looks to avoid its first trophyless season since 2006-07. If Barcelona fails to maintain the pressure on Atletico it will have no chance of retaining its league title.
"We know that we're dependent on other results and that certainly complicates things," Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets said on Thursday. "But we have hope. We need to exhaust all of our possibilities."
Barcelona winger Isaac Cuenca was cleared to return from a knee injury.
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ATHLETIC ON VERGE
Athletic Bilbao needs just three points from its final three games to clinch a place in next season's Champions League, and plays at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Athletic is six points ahead of fifth-place Sevilla, including a better head-to-head advantage, as it closes in on returning to Europe's elite competition for the first time since the 1998-99 season.
"Nothing has been achieved yet (for the Champions League)," said coach Ernesto Valverde, whose club is assured of at least Europa League football. "The players have no fear, we know what it has taken to get this far and that we have to win every game."
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XABI'S PAIN
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso looks almost certain to play in all of the team's remaining domestic fixtures after his booking against Bayern Munich in the Champions League left him out of the final.
Alonso certainly showed his disappointment after picking up the booking, but that only means the Spain international will be motivated for matches against Valencia, Real Valladolid, Celta Vigo, and Espanyol.
"We're all very sad about Xabi's booking, because he is a player who would be very important in the final. It was very unfair," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
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TITO REMEMBERED
Barcelona will pay tribute to former coach Tito Vilanova on Saturday when it plays Getafe at Camp Nou.
It will be the first chance the Catalan club gets to remember Vilanova at its home stadium since his passing from throat cancer last week at age 45.
Barcelona will sport a "Tito, Always Eternal" slogan across the front of its jerseys, while the 99,000-capacity stadium will display a message in honour of Vilanova in the stands. Spectators and players will also watch some of the top moments from Vilanova's time with the club during a pre-match video.
"Tito's presence will be with us for our final games," Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets said.
Vilanova guided Barcelona to the Spanish league title last season in his only season in charge after replacing Pep Guardiola.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) tries to score against Getafe's goalkeeper Julio Cesar during their La Liga soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona May 3, 2014. REUTERS/Albert Gea
(Reuters) - Barcelona were left facing their first season without any major silverware in six years after they conceded in the second minute of added time in a tepid 2-2 La Liga draw at home to lowly Getafe on Saturday.
Barca's feeble showing means Atletico Madrid can stretch their advantage at the top to six points with two games left, including a visit to the Nou Camp on the final day of the season, with a win at Levante on Sunday.
Real Madrid are three points behind Barca in third and well placed to overhaul their arch rivals as they have Sunday's match at home to Valencia and Wednesday's trip to struggling Real Valladolid in hand.
Barca captain Xavi conceded that a fifth La Liga title in six years was next to impossible for the Catalan giants and had some harsh criticism for himself and his team mates.
"It will take a miracle to win the league now and we are really down," the Spain playmaker told reporters. "We have not had a good season and we were not competitive in many areas.
"We have to forget about this season and take a good look at ourselves. We have to improve a lot of things."
At the start of April Barca were well placed to repeat their record treble of La Liga, Champions League and King's Cup from 2008-09 but are now likely to end the campaign with nothing more than the season-opening Spanish Super Cup.
They were dumped out of Europe's elite club competition by Atletico last month and a week later Real beat them 2-1 in the final of the King's Cup.
The defeats capped a miserable season that also included the resignation of president Sandro Rosell over alleged irregularities in the signing of Brazil forward Neymar and the death of former coach Tito Vilanova from throat cancer.
Failure to win a major title will increase the pressure on Gerardo Martino in his first season in charge after succeeding Vilanova and there has been widespread speculation he will leave at the end of the campaign halfway through a two-year contract.
SURPRISE EQUALISERS
The Barca players and fans paid a moving tribute to Vilanova before kickoff on Saturday and the match initially appeared to be going according to plan.
Lionel Messi, who played under Vilanova as a teenager in the club's academy, made it 1-0 in the 23rd minute when he stroked a Dani Alves centre high into the net. It was the Argentina forward's 28th goal of an injury-disrupted campaign, two fewer than La Liga top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo of Real and one more than Atletico forward Diego Costa. Getafe snatched the first of two surprise equalisers eight minutes before the break when Angel Lafita chested the ball down in the area and fired low past goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto. Barcelona continued to dominate after halftime without creating many clear chances, although Messi forced a fine save from Julio Cesar and the ball ricocheted off Alexis Sanchez on to the bar. The introduction of Barca's Spain playmaker Cesc Fabregas just after the hour gave them some extra zip and it was his cross that eventually found its way to Alexis in the 67th and the Chile forward fired a first-time effort into the corner.
Barca were again guilty of failing to turn dominance into the goals that would have killed off the game and Jaime Gavilan found space on the left in the 92nd minute and crossed for Lafita to head superbly past Pinto.
BARCA MISTAKES
"We made mistakes that players who play in La Liga should not be making," Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets told Spanish television.
"They are scoring goals against us that we should not be conceding.
"It’s not the fault of the defence but of the whole team as we defend together just as we attack together.
"There are two games left and we will try to play them with as much honour as possible because we are playing in the world’s best club.
"This year we are not going to win any titles and I hope it serves as a lesson for the future."
Despite Saturday's fine effort, Getafe, who have won two of 21 matches since the end of November, remain in serious danger, three points above the relegation places.
(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Justin Palmer and Josh Reich)
Martino future uncertain after latest Barca failure
By Iain Rogers
Sat May 3, 2014 10:49pm BST
(Reuters) - The future of Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino was uncertain on Saturday after a 2-2 home draw with lowly Getafe all but ended the club's bid for a fifth La Liga title in six years.
The result against a team battling relegation means Barca, the 2009 and 2011 European champions, will almost certainly finish the season, Argentine Martino's first in charge, without major silverware for the first time since the 2007-08 campaign.
Atletico Madrid can open a six-point lead over Barcelona at the top with two games left, including a visit to the Nou Camp on the final day of the season, with a win at Levante on Sunday.
Real Madrid are lurking three points behind Barca in third and well placed to overhaul their arch rivals as they have Sunday's match at home to Valencia and Wednesday's trip to struggling Real Valladolid in hand.
Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, who is responsible for first-team planning, said he would sit down with Martino to talk about next season and any changes would be communicated in good time.
However, he stopped short of confirming that Martino, who is known as 'Tata', would definitely remain in the job.
"Tata is our coach and when we meet and talk we will take decisions and we will announce them," Zubizarreta said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus.
"The planning process never stops," added the former Barca and Spain goalkeeper.
"Our season will end with the match at home against Atletico Madrid and after that things will happen that will shape the season to come."
At the start of last month Barca were on track to repeat their 2009 treble of La Liga, Champions League and King's Cup but are now likely to end the campaign with only the season-opening Spanish Super Cup.
They were eliminated from Europe's elite club competition by Atletico last month and Real beat them 2-1 in the final of the King's Cup a week later.
LEAST CONSISTENT
Martino took full responsibility for Barca's failures at his post-match news conference on Saturday and left open the issue of whether he would see out his two-year contract.
"Sometimes you ask for a (second) chance when you believe you are entitled to ask for it," the 53-year-old said.
"And there are times when you think you don't deserve to have it," he added.
"I will see what is in my head. We just played a match and there will be time to say what I am thinking."
At no point during the season had Barca reach the level they touched during four trophy-laden seasons under Pep Guardiola, Martino said.
"We have not been able to win a trophy because at no time did we see the best version of Barcelona.
"In the season when it was my turn to lead we were far from that level.
"Throughout the season we have been deficient in various areas. There were a lot of ups and downs in numerous aspects of our play.
"Of the three teams fighting for the league title, we were the least consistent."
Barca visit Elche next weekend before a home game the following week against Atletico, who will already be champions when they run out at the Nou Camp if they beat Levante and then win at home to Malaga next weekend.
Modric out, Khedira back for Real against Valencia
MADRID Sat May 3, 2014 3:05pm BST
Real Madrid's Sami Khedira plays a ball during a training session in Dortmund April 23, 2013. Dortmund will play the Champions League first leg semi-final soccer match against Real Madrid on Wednesday. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender
(Reuters) - Luka Modric is out of Real Madrid's La Liga game at home to Valencia on Sunday with a calf problem but fellow midfielder Sami Khedira is back in the squad for the first time since knee surgery, coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
"Modric didn’t train because he took a knock to the calf and he’s sidelined," Ancelotti told a news conference on Saturday ahead of the match at the Bernabeu.
"Khedira will be available tomorrow, he’ll start on the bench," added the Italian.
The German international needed surgery after tearing ligaments playing in a friendly against Italy in November and his recovery means he should be fit to represent his country at the World Cup finals in Brazil starting next month.
His return is also good news for Real in the final few weeks of the La Liga season and as they prepare for the Champions League final against city rivals Atletico Madrid on May 24.
Atletico are top of La Liga on 88 points with three games left, four ahead of Barcelona who host Getafe later on Saturday.
Real, who have a game in hand, are two points adrift of Barca in third and still have a chance of winning a rare treble after their triumph in last month's King's Cup.
"We have to be cautious with Khedira," Ancelotti said, adding that the club had arranged a friendly at their training ground in Valdebebas outside Madrid next week to give the German playing time.
"His recovery has been very good, he came back quickly and he’s well.
"He needs to play. He’ll start on the bench tomorrow and next week we’ll have a friendly in Valdebebas to help him get up to speed."
Ancelotti said Real had decided to appeal the yellow card midfielder Xabi Alonso picked up in the Champions League semi-final, second leg at Bayern Munich last week that ruled him out of the final in Lisbon.
If the appeal was unsuccessful, Asier Illarramendi was in line to replace Alonso in the starting lineup, Ancelotti added.
"The most obvious replacement is Illarra because he has that ability and habit of playing in that position," he said.
"The candidate is Illarra, but we’re going to appeal against Xabi Alonso’s card and we hope they (UEFA) will withdraw it."
Real Valladolid took a step towards La Liga safety on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Espanyol, as fellow relegation candidates Osasuna lost.
There was action at both ends of the La Liga table with Barcelona giving up a lead twice to draw 2-2 with Getafe at the Camp Nou to seriously dent the Catalans' title hopes, while at the base of the standings, Valladolid claimed a vital three points.
Antonio Rukavina's long-range half-volley gave Valladolid victory over a hapless Espanyol side, who are winless in six matches, and the three points sent the Castile and Leon-based club level with Osasuna on 35 points on the edge of the relegation zone.
Osasuna succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at home at the hands of Celta de Vigo on Saturday with rampant Spanish striker Nolito scoring a brace for the visitors.
Although Osasuna's head-to-head record with Valladolid keeps them just out of the drop zone ahead of Juan Ignacio Martinez's men, the latter have a game in hand.
In Valladolid, Rukavina scored the only goal of the game in the 20th minute when a long throw into Espanyol's penalty area was cleared towards the Serbian full-back and he unleashed a first-time shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner of the net.
Espanyol's hopes of securing an equaliser suffered a blow with 18 minutes remaining as Portuguese forward Pizzi was sent off for a second bookable offence, and Valladolid held on for their first win in four league fixtures, while the visitors suffered their fifth defeat in six games.
Martinez's side could move out of the relegation zone on Wednesday, above Osasuna, when they play their game in hand, although they will have to take at least a point from Real Madrid, who will visit Valladolid's Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla.
In Pamplona, Nolito and Fabian Orellana combined to destroy Osasuna with the latter setting up the former twice in the first half.
Nolito opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a delightful chip over Osasuna goalkeeper Andres Fernandez after Orellana had pierced the home side's defence.
The Chilean midfielder teed up Nolito again 14 minutes later with a cross from the right wing, which the 27-year-old striker half-volleyed back across Fernandez and into the net.
Nolito moved to 14 goals in La Liga this season and the former Benfica and Granada man registered his third successive brace and his seventh goal in four matches.
The victory took Celta to eighth in the table, one point ahead of Valencia, who will play Real on Sunday.
In Barcelona, Getafe did fellow capital clubs Real and Atletico Madrid a favour with Lafita twice equalising for the visitors at the Camp Nou.
Lionel Messi gave Barcelona the lead in the 23rd minute but Lafita equalised eight minutes before half-time.
Alexis Sanchez's opportunistic shot in a crowded penalty area put the hosts in front again in the 67th minute but in the second minute of stoppage time, Jaime Gavilan picked out Lafita at the back post and the 29-year-old headed past Jose Manuel Pinto.
In the other match, Garry Rodrigues scored early as Elche defeated Malaga 1-0, despite having both Tono and Alberto Botia sent off in the second half.
