The 2016-17 football season is officially coming to a close in Europe.  The domestic campaigns began finishing up last week as Netherland’s blue-blood Feyenoord Rotterdam hoisted its first Eredivise title since 1999 as they narrowly finished ahead of Europa League finalist Ajax Amsterdam, and last season’s Champions PSV Eindhoven.  In England, Chelsea was crowned Premier League Champions for the second time in three seasons after beating West Bromwich Albion in the dying stages of Friday’s match.  In Portugal, Benfica once again claimed the Liga Nos title for the fourth consecutive season.  This week, I’ll be focusing on two matches that will decide Spain’s LaLiga.  It’s Malaga vs Real Madrid and Barcelona vs Eibar.  Take note that, these two matches will be played simultaneously on Sunday at 2:00PM EST, so be sure to have two electronic devices up and running in order to watch both matches.  With that, let’s provide you with some fun footballing shorts!

LaLiga Matchday 38

Malaga C.F. vs Real Madrid C.F.
La Rosaleda, Malaga, Spain
Sunday, May 21st, 2017    2:00PM EST    beIN SPORTS Spanish | fuboTV

Assuming Real Madrid wins its make up game mid week against Celta Vigo, Los Blancos would need to produce a draw or better versus Malaga to be crowned Champions of LaLiga.  As defending European Champions, and finalists again this campaign, Madrid clearly has the talent to beat Malaga and win the league.  But what’s more, is that the ambition, the drive that this current Galactico squad possesses, is what has been the difference from recent years gone by, domestically.  See, for as much success Real has had historically,  Los Blancos haven’t lifted the La Liga trophy since 2012 and have only done so on two occasions since 2009.  It’s been Barcelona that’s primarily dominated Spain’s top-flight.  

But this year, manager, Zinadine Zidane, engrained the importance of winning this competition into his players from day one of the pre-season.  Therefore it’s been no surprise that Real has continuously won matches “at the death” this year, as the club has simply refused to lose.  Whether, it was Marcelo’s late heroics against Valencia or Sergio Ramos securing the stoppage time equalizer against Barca, there has been a trend that’s led Madrid to within touching distance of winning LaLiga.  

For these reasons, Madrid will most definitely be focused, come Sunday.  Thus mid-table Malaga will have to bring it’s “A” game, if it’ll have any shot of dashing Madrid’s hopes of winning the league.  With that said, the Bolquerones have shown their best quality against other top Spanish clubs, this season.  In two matches against Barcelona this year, the Albicelestes have shut out La Blaugrana on way too a 0-0 draw and 2-0 win.  In addition, Real Madrid won a tight 2-1 game against Malaga at the Bernabeu earlier this season.  This strong precedent makes it tough to consider Madrid losing.

Expect Malaga to try and press high up the pitch, in an attempt to force Madrid’s back four to turn the ball over.  With the likes of Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Varane, and Carvajal on the backline, that will quite the task.  Also, keep an eye on Malaga’s goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.  Kameni is going to have a lot of work to do between the posts, but he has the quality to shut the very best out, as was proven by against Barca’s fabled MSN.  

Conversely, Real will aim to boss the midfield through Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro.  In doing so, Los Blancos will gain the lion share of possession and ultimately control the flow of the game.  Lastly, expect Ronaldo to be bursting forward throughout the game with his eyes not only on goal, but Spain’s ultimate prize of taking the league title.

FC Barcelona vs SD Eibar
Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
Sunday, May 21st 2017    2:00PM EST    beIN SPORTS | fuboTV

Come Sunday, Cules inside the Camp Nou will have one eye on the pitch and one on their smartphones hoping for a Barca victory and a Real Madrid loss.  If that happens, then La Azulgrana will claim its fourth straight LaLiga title and 25th overall.  If not, then it’ll be a rather disappointing end to Luis Enrique’s tenure as Barcelona skipper as the club will only produce two pieces of Silverware this season in the Spanish Supercoppa and the Copa del Rey, assuming they beat Alaves in the final on May 27th.

The biggest reason for the downturn in the squad’s performance this campaign is three-pronged.  First, Barca’s core is getting older.  Andres Iniesta is now into his early thirties, but seems to be moving around the pitch as if he’s closer to his forties.  Don’t get me wrong though, the midfield maestro is still phenomenal with the ball, as proven by his sublime through ball to Luis Suarez this past week against Las Palmas.  However, much like Sergio Busquets, he’s lost a step or two, which has resulted in late challenges, getting beat to the ball, or simply run past while in midfield. All of this, often times, leaves the defense vulnerable.  

Secondly, and perhaps the most glaring difference from this year’s squad in comparison to the first two editions of Enrique’s reign is the absence of right back Dani Alves.  The former Barca, and current Juventus, man was integral to the club’s success.  Alves had the speed and technical ability to push up the right flank to produce deadly accurate crosses into the penalty area, and provide support. Alves also added space for Leo Messi to roam free, take and make long range shots, and still be able to track back defensively to stop the opponent’s counter attacks.  Whether it was strictly a financial decision or believing that midfielder, turned right back, Sergi Roberto would be able to fill the cleats, or simply the club undervaluing his overall importance to the team’s success, FCB was greatly mistaken.  As such, Roberto, who does indeed have talent, has played out of position all year long and it showed.  His speed, offensive imagination, and defensive ability all pale in comparison to Alves. As a result, the club suffered on both ends of the pitch.  

Third, Barcelona brought in five new faces this past offseason, to bolster the club’s squad depth, not including the buy-back of Denis Suarez.  As the MSN played more minutes in the 2015-16 campaign than any other starting front three competing on Europe’s biggest stages, the idea for depth was spot on.  The problem that arose, however, was that Barca splurged on young players with high ceilings, as opposed to proven veterans.  Thus, out of Jaspen Cillessen, Lucas Digne, Samuel Umtiti, Paco Alcacer, and Andre Gomes, only Umtiti has proven worthy of wearing Barca’s badge.  Cillessen was nervy between the sticks in limited duty. Digne didn’t compare in quality to that of his predecessor and teammate Jordi Alba. Paco couldn't find the back of the net, if his life depended on it. And Andre Gomes, whelp, there are no words that could possibly describe how poorly he performed this year.

The positive in all this is, that despite all that, Barca still has a shot of winning the league with a win over Eibar.  So, expect a spirited performance from the world class MSN, as they strive to finish strong.  The three have been in glittering form, as Messi is on set to claim a record tying fourth Golden Boot award for most goals in Europe. He’s netted 35 in LaLiga and 51 in all competitions.  Meanwhile, Suarez is second in LaLiga with 27 goals and Neymar is coming off a Las Palmas performance that saw him bag a hat-trick.

Therefore, a win is likely, but winning the league is not.  ESPN’s SPI give La Blaugrana just a 28% chance of winning LaLiga. Once Real earns a result against Celta, that percentage will only dwindle.  But as the old adage goes “it’s not over until the fat lady sings”, and until then, Barca has shot.  Regardless though, come Sunday afternoon, it’ll surely be edge of your seat entertainment, especially if Real are in a “dogfight”.  So make sure to grab an Estrella Damm, kick back and enjoy LaLiga’s enthralling ending.