Madrid is ready to party tonight, but it won’t be the Los Blancos celebrating.
A win for Atletico de Madrid couple with a draw or a loss for Barcelona at Elche would see Diego Simeone’s men crowned champions with a game to spare.
Real, who could win the league if Atletico take one point or less from their final two games, and Barcelona four or less, are away at Celta Vigo. And it seems minds are very much on the Champions League final in two weeks time.
Los Blancos are without a host of players due to various injury concerns, notably Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese is not at 100% and will not be risked with the final in Lisbon in mind. Also missing tonight are Pepe, Daniel Carvajal and Angel di Maria. But Sami Khedira will return to the line up 177 days after he last appeared for Real.
Marca runs a story on the club’s inability to combine the La Liga and European Cup in the same season, and says perhaps the poor form in recent La Liga games, against Valencia and Valldolid is a good omen for Lisbon. On the last three occasions Madrid won the trophy, in 1998, 2000 and 2002, their La Liga campaigns collapsed on the final straight before they went on to lift the Champions League.
Anything can happen. I believe in Miracles, an it can happened this evening .