Real edges Barca

Matchday 34 marks a change of leader in the Spanish Primera Division. After trailing the whole season behind eternal rivals Barcelona and FC Sevillia, Real Madrid managed to claim the top spot with just 4 games left to play. Two 89th minute goals changed the history of this years spanish championship race. In the 88th min Barca was 4 points clear of Real, but as we all know a football game ends only when the referee blows the final whistle. The 89th minute brings Higuains goal and the 4-3 victory for Madrid while “down” at the Nou Camp Barca is equalized by Sobis, losing 2 crucial points in the race. Points that could bring an unexpected title on Santiago Bernabeu.

At the overall review both games in question where dramatic.Starting with the match palyed at the Santiago Bernabeu. “El Rifle” Pandiani produced 2 goals in the first 11 minutes of the game and sent Espanyol in a comfortable lead. Real halved the difference with Van Nisterlooy’s goal. But Pandiani completed his hattirck in the 33rd minute and set the score for halftime. The 2nd half showed a strong comeback from Real which was completed one minute from time with the goal that set the final numbers to 4-3 for the home playing team.

Barca - Betis had only 2 goals but a lot of drama with the guest equalizing at the end of the game. Deco received a penalty kick just at the start of the game, Ronaldinho firing a superb goal out of the 11m mark. It was his 18th goal of the season. The show went on with a magnific scissors kick by Eto’o saved by the keeper. Barca fans waved white handkerchiefs, a habit that symbolizes that the crowd asks for a new coach, as the match ended with a draw. So Frank Rijkards days at Barcelona could be numbered if he loses the championship title.

The current league table looks like this:

In my opinion at this moment Real Madrid are favourits to win the Primera Division. There are 3 teams left in the battle for the Primera Division title. Real, Barca and Sevilla. Madrid is showing a good form and a strong finish and the championship is their only battlefield left.
Sevilla has a crowded finish, with the Uefa Cup final, Spanish Cup final and last 4 Matchdays in the championship to play. They have booked a place for the next years Uefa Championship Season and the Primera Division won’t be as important for them as winning the Uefa Cup for the 2nd time in a row. Sevilla will get probably this season the Uefa Cup, the Spanih Cup and 3rd place in the spanish league.
Barcelona is a strong team, a spectacular one but it’s in a continous slow down trend. Last year was Barca’s highest moment. This season they couldn’t repeat the UCL performance and it seems that they won’t be able to win the 3rd consecutive League title in Spain. The last week was a proof for this theory as Barca lost 4-0 with Getafe failing to qualify for the Spanish Cup final and lost the lead in the championship.I think that Barca will finish second just because Messi is not consistent enough, Ronaldinho is not the Ronaldinho from last few years and Eto’o was injured for a long period of time this season.