Real Madrid rested key players before their Champions League semi-final against Manchester City on Wednesday, earning a 1-0 victory over lowly Getafe in La Liga. The win lifted Real to 71 points, two ahead of Atlético who play at bottom side Elche on Sunday but 11 behind leaders Barcelona. Meanwhile, Real lost a €400m court battle with the Abu Dhabi sovereign investor Mubadala over the proposed sponsorship of the Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid had claimed the money because it said Mubadala had failed to honour a sponsorship deal under which it would acquire rights to name the stadium for 20 years.
Barcelona, who have dominated the league this season despite their Champions League and financial/admin issues, have a chance to win the Liga title tonight. A first title since Lionel Messi can be celebrated tonight, and seems a fait accompli even if they lose their local derby. The changing of the guard that a club being asked to wash its face financially continues, with Sergio Busquets announcing this week he will be walking away from the club he helped define – Saudi Arabia is the expected destination. Another prize on offer tonight is the possibility to send Espanyol down to the Segunda; they’re currently four points shy of safety.
Real Madrid’s win over Getafe puts them two points ahead of Atlético, but 11 points behind Barcelona. Meanwhile, Barcelona has a chance to win the Liga title tonight, despite their financial and administrative issues. Sergio Busquets announced this week that he will be leaving the club, with Saudi Arabia as his expected destination. Another prize on offer tonight is the possibility to send Espanyol down to the Segunda.