Five Biggest Stories From La Liga This Week

Let’s look back on another big weekend in La Liga, with huge ramifications at both ends of the table. Gameweek 27 featured red card galore and some outstanding individual performances.

Atletico's Monumental Collapse Puts Title Chances In Doubt

Atletico Madrid had the chance to move two points clear at the top of the La Liga table with a win away at Madrid neighbours Getafe.

All was going to plan after a 75th-minute penalty from Alexander Sorloth gave Simeone’s side the lead.

However, an 87th-minute red card to Argentine Angel Correa for a high challenge sparked an almighty collapse.

Mauro Arrambari was the Getafe hero. Moments after Correa’s dismissal, the midfielder scrambled home in the 88th minute to equalise, before deflecting Diego Rico’s long-range strike beyond Oblak into the back of the net to complete a wonderful comeback.

A huge blow for Atleti, who could’ve made a serious statement with a victory. On top of this, Angel Correa could be facing a lengthy ban for a foul mouthed rant towards referee.

Five minutes of madness has left them with huge ground to make up, potentially trailing Barcelona by a point with the Catalans having a game extra to play. However, hope is not lost yet with the sides playing each other next weekend, in what Simeone would consider a must-win game.

How Good is Aston Villa Loanee Enzo Barrenechea?

There is no doubt that Valencia’s Enzo Barrenechea will go right to the very top and is one to watch in the Premier League next season.

The Argentinian holding midfielder is currently on loan at Los Ché from Aston Villa, having signed from Juventus for just €8m, and has be one of very few positives for Carlos Corboran’s side this season.

Quality-wise, Barrenechea was a cut above on the pitch during Valencia’s must-win game against Real Valladolid at the weekend, grabbing an outstanding assist in an all-round commanding display.

The 2-1 victory meant Valencia moved a point clear of the drop zone after the weekend’s results. Diego Lopez opened the scoring before a howler from goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardschvili gave the ball to Juanmi Latasa to equalise for Valladolid before half-time.

Umar Sadiq scored the winner for Valencia, making it three goals in his last two appearances, after taking down and slotting home Barrenechea’s precise long ball over the Valladolid defence.

The assist encapsulated everything about Barrenechea’s game, as a midfield destroyer before progressing the ball and finding Sadiq with a beautiful long pass. The Argentine completed 12 of his 15 long passes and won 9 ground duels.

Vinicius Jr. On Fire

Vinicius Jr. scored a sensational solo goal as Real Madrid went on to beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Just in time for the business stage of the Champions League, Vinicius Jr. looks to be hitting top form. The Brazilian twisted and turned, mesmerising the Vallecano defence, produced a couple of stepovers for good measure, before driving it low into the middle of the net.

He tormented the Rayo Vallecano defence throughout the contest and should have had a lot more to show for his afternoon’s display.

Real Madrid leapfrogged Atletico in the leg, now leading Simeone’s side by one point, and go level with Barcelona who have a game extra to play.

Nine-man Alaves hold on for vital three points vs Villarreal

Alaves gave their survival hopes a huge boost, defeating 5th place Villarreal at the Mendizorroza, despite being reduced to nine men.

An 11th minute Manu Sanchez goal, bundling the ball over the line after his original header was saved, reflected a bright Alaves start.

Despite controlling the majority of the ball, Villarreal struggled to break Alaves down throughout the first half.

In the 58th minute, Alaves goalkeeper, Antonio Sivera, was sent off for handling outside the area. In doing so, Sivera suffered a concussion injury, which along with a lengthy VAR check meant a long, nervy fifteen minutes of injury time.

Things got even tougher for Alaves when Antonio Blanco also got sent off in the fourth minute of injury time, with thirteen more minutes of football to be played.

Despite this, Villarreal still lacked the final touch, with just 2 shots on target during the 107 minutes. Bitterly disappointing for manager Marcelino, with his side able to move within a point of Athletic Club in 4th with a win.

Alaves now sit just a point from safety.

Four on the Bounce for Real Betis

Real Betis made it four wins in a row in La Liga, defeating Las Palmas 1-0 at the Benito Villamarín.

On the other hand, it’s now nine without a win for Las Palmas, who have dropped to 19th.

The Gran Canarian side held Betis for the first hour, but weren’t helped by the sending off of Dario Essugo for a second bookable offence in the 61st minute.

Betis pounced, breaking the deadlock through Diego Llorente just four minutes later. Isco missed a penalty late on, but comfortably strolled to three points.

The victory leaves them in 7th just three points behind Villarreal after a great run of form.