Real Sociedad San Sebastian have become the fourth Spanish team to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
The team from the Basque Country lost in the top game of the penultimate matchday in the Spanish football championship to third-placed Atletico Madrid 1-2 (0-1). However, since Fifth FC Villareal also lost 2-1 (0-0) at Rayo Vallecona at the same time, San Sebastian has secured fourth place with a five-point lead before the final day of the game.
Previously, champions FC Barcelona and Madrid city rivals Real and Atletico had already qualified for the premier class. A day after Real Madrid’s 2-1 win at Europa League finalists FC Sevilla, Barça celebrated a 3-0 (2-0) home win against RCD Mallorca after their last two defeats.
Espanyol relegated – but who else?
The second relegated team after bottom club FC Elche is Espanyol Barcelona, who gave up a win at FC Valencia in injury time and only managed a 2-2 (1-1) draw. Due to the draw, Espanyol is four points behind the saving 17th place.
Before that, a highly exciting fight for relegation is looming on the last day of the game. Six teams ranked 13th to 18th are separated by only two points.
The winners of the day are FC Cadiz and FC Getafe. Cadiz went 1-0 (0-0) over their direct competitor Celta Vigo in 13th place and thus from the pole position of the clubs threatened with relegation into the season finale. Getafe climbed to 14th place after beating CA Osasuna 2-1 (1-1). With 41 points each, the teams are two points ahead of the first relegation zone, which is Real Valladolid. In between, Valencia (41 points), UD Almeria (40) and Vigo (40) are fighting to stay in La Liga.
On the last day of the game there is a direct duel between Valladolid and Getafe, Vigo has the most difficult task with champions Barca. In the event of a tie, the direct comparison counts.