What a week for Spanish sides in Europe, with both Madrid sides dominating top class opposition to set up an inter-city Champions League final, and Sevilla overcoming a brave Valencia in the last minute to make it in to Europa League final! Real Madrid produced what was no doubt their best performance of the year, thrashing reigning champions Bayern Munich 0-4 in their own Allianz Arena, with two headed goals by Sergio Ramos, and two more strikes by Cristiano Ronaldo. That took Ronaldo on to a best ever 16 goals for the tournament this season, two more than Messi’s previous record. That was on Tuesday, and the following day Atlético Madrid beat José Mourinho’s Chelsea 1-3 in Stamford Bridge, Fernando Torres’ first half goal against his old side cancelled out by strikes from Adrián and Turan, with a Diego Costa penalty in-between. In the Europa League Spain’s two representatives were drawn together in the semi-finals, Valencia on the point of overturning a 2-0 first leg deficit with strikes by Feghouli, Jonas (actually a Beto own goal) and Mathieu before an injury time away goal by M’Bia broke their hearts. Sevilla will meet last season’s beaten finalists Benfica in the final.

The excitement carried on to the weekend though, with the top three all failing to win. Barcelona were first up on Saturday, and although Messi and Alexis gave them the lead against Getafe, two goals by Lafita, the second with the game in time added on, saved a vital point for the visitors. Even a dejected Tata Martino said that Barça were out of the title race after that, but the following day the gruelling midweek games took their toll, Atlético beaten 2-0 at Levante, and Real Madrid held to a 2-2 draw by Valencia. Ronaldo at least saved the draw in the Bernabeu stadium however with an acrobatic last minute equalizer, his 50th of the season for his club. With two games to go (three in the case of Madrid) any one of the big three can now win the league, although Atlético are the only ones whose fate is in their own hands (or more correctly, feet!), a win and a draw enough to give them a first title in eighteen years.

On Friday evening Athletic Bilbao had already made sure of the fourth Champions League spot, and Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Villarreal will be the three teams participating in the Europa League after the weekend results. That leaves the two remaining relegation spots to be decided over the last two weekends, with eight clubs still in the running. Osasuna are currently down in the bottom three though after losing 0-2 at home to Celta, Nolito helping himself to a brace for the third week in a row, but Granada inched away from the danger zone after a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad on Monday night, Ighalo cancelling out Vela’s earlier strike in the very last minute. (06.05.14)

Pichichi League Cup Europe Total (Penalties)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 31 3 16 50 (9)
Messi (Barcelona) 28 5 8 41 (8)
Diego Costa (Atlético) 27 1 8 36 (6)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 16 2 5 23 (0)
Gameiro (Sevilla) 15 0 6 21 (2)
Bacca (Sevilla) 14 0 7 21 (1)
Alexis (Barcelona) 18 2 0 20 (0)
Griezmann (Real Sociedad) 16 3 1 20 (0)
Vela (Real Sociedad) 15 2 3 20 (2)
Bale (Real Madrid) 14 1 5 20 (0)
Pedro (Barcelona) 15 3 1 19 (0)
Aduríz Athletic) 16 2 0 18 (2)
Raúl García (Atlético) 9 4 4 17 (0)
Villa (Atlético Madrid) 13 2 0 15 (1)
Rakitic (Sevilla) 12 0 3 15 (5)
Neymar (Barcelona) 9 2 4 15 (1)
Nolito (Celta) 14 0 0 14 (2)
Javi Guerra (Valladolid) 13 1 0 14 (0)
Paco Alcácer (Valencia) 6 1 7 14 (0)
Sergio García (Espanyol) 12 1 0 13 (5)
Fàbregas (Barcelona) 8 4 1 13 (3)
El-Arabi (Granada) 12 0 0 12 (1)
Oriol Riera (Osasuna) 12 0 0 12 (0)
Larrivey (Rayo Vallecano) 12 0 0 12 (3)
Uche (Villarreal) 12 0 0 12 (0)
Bueno (Rayo Vallecano) 11 1 0 12 (0)
Rubén Castro (Betis) 9 1 2 12 (0)