The Spanish league title race is now down to Atletico Madrid and Barcelona who will head for a championship showdown in the last round if they both win this weekend.
Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw at Real Valladolid on Wednesday improved Atletico’s chances of winning a first league title since 1996, although they will probably have to hold off Barcelona at Camp Nou in the last round.
However, Atletico could be crowned with a victory against Malaga on Sunday should Barcelona fail to win at Elche.
Madrid’s untimely draw gifted Barcelona the chance to win a fifth title in six seasons despite the defending champions’ recent stumbles through the closing stages of a turbulent season.
With two matches remaining, Atletico sit on 88 points, Barcelona 85, and Real Madrid 84.
Barcelona, having been written off two weeks ago, have renewed hope of avoiding a first season without a major trophy since 2007.
“I never thought these results would happen,” Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez said of the slip-ups by Atletico and Real Madrid.
“The league has given us a second chance. We’ve got to go for it.”
Madrid must decide whether to continue fighting for the league title despite slim chances of winning, or focus on getting the squad healthy for the Champions League final on May 24.
Forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria and defender Pepe all came away with injury problems from the draw at Valladolid, while Gareth Bale missed the match completely along with defenders Dani Carvajal and Raphaele Varane.
“We’ll know soon. I don’t think Cristiano Ronaldo has a major problem,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said ahead of Sunday’s game at Celta Vigo.
“Pepe finished the game and we’ll see. I don’t think Di Maria is a big worry.”
Atletico coach Diego Simeone is not losing any sleep over his team’s title challenge.
They return to their Vicente Calderon Stadium for the final time this season, hopeful of clinching the championship on home turf against Malaga.
They must recover from a demoralising 2-0 loss at Levante, which came days after the rousing victory over Chelsea to reach the Champions League final.
Unlike Madrid, Atletico don’t have the option of resting players with the Lisbon final in mind, knowing every point can be decisive.
The Argentine coach is enjoying the unexpected position Atletico finds itself in.
“I sleep well because this is my passion and I’m in the place where I want to be, coaching the team I want to,” Simeone said.
With last-place Real Betis already relegated, two more teams are facing the drop.
Six teams are within five points of each other, with Osasuna and Getafe currently in those final two drop spots.
Valladolid look to follow up the Madrid result at Betis, while Almeria and Granada’s game could leave one of the clubs in trouble.
Games with title or relegation implications will all kick off on Sunday at 7pm local time.
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