Barcelona travelled to Atletico Madrid on Sunday knowing that a win would secure the La Liga title.
The visitors had the better of the opening half, but the score remained goalless at the interval.
Barca made the breakthrough in the 65th minute when Lionel Messi converted from close range and the Argentine's goal secured the La Liga crown for the Catalan outfit.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Thankfully, the strike relating to Spanish football was lifted on Thursday and we do indeed have La Liga fixtures this weekend. Talk of the strike and the reasons behind it are for another day. Here, our focus is on Atletico Madrid against Barcelona in the Spanish capital. It is really simple for Barcelona – win at the Vicente Calderon and they will be crowned 2014-15 La Liga champions.
Atletico have been unable to launch another title challenge this campaign, but they still have something to fight for at this stage of the season. Victory for Diego Simeone's side would ensure that they finish third in the table, ahead of both Valencia and Sevilla. Defeat here, however, and it really opens the door for Valencia to separate the top three in Spanish football. Another fascinating side-story.
Just a reminder that kickoff is not until 6pm UK time (7pm local time) this evening, but be sure to remain with us for all of the best build-up. The team news is expected to land in around 15-20 minutes and neither has many injury concerns. Portuguese midfielder Tiago is suspended for Atletico, but both managers are otherwise expected to have a full pool of players to choose from in Madrid.
Ironically, Atletico actually won the La Liga title last season with a draw at Barcelona and now the Catalan outfit have the chance to gain some revenge. Barcelona are also unbeaten in their last nine league meetings with Atletico – winning seven times in the process. That also includes a run of three wins from their last four games at the Vicente Calderon, which is a very impressive record indeed.
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Atletico dumped Barcelona out of the Champions League last season at the quarter-final stage, in addition to beating them to the title, but Barcelona have had it their own way this campaign. Luis Enrique's side beat the capital outfit over two legs in the Copa del Rey semi-finals and were also 3-1 winners when the two teams met at the Camp Nou in the league back on January 11.
Last season, Atletico finished top of La Liga on 90 points – three clear of Barcelona and Real Madrid, who finished second and third respectively. That secured Atleti their first league title since 1996, but they just have not been able to match the top two this time around. Simeone's side have won 23, drawn eight and lost five of their 36 league games this season, with that record leaving them third on 77 points.
While it has not exactly been a poor season for Atletico, they are currently 13 points behind the league leaders and also nine behind second-place Real Madrid. They are now certain to finish in the top four, but as mentioned, Valencia are just four points behind in fourth position. It must be said that the atmosphere is really building around the ground with little over one hour until kickoff in Madrid.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! No Luis Suarez for Barcelona in Madrid, with the Uruguay international failing to recover from the injury that he picked up against Bayern Munich last time out. As a result, Pedro starts alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar. Claudio Bravo also returns between the sticks.
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Still waiting on the confirmed team from Atletico, but the news is expected to drop in the next couple of minutes. No Suarez is obviously a blow for Barcelona, but Pedro is still a class act in the final third.
TEAMS:
ATLETICO: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Siqueira; Suarez, Gabi, Koke; Turan, Torres, Griezmann
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic; Messi, Neymar, Pedro
So there we have it. As mentioned, Atletico are without the suspended Tiago, meaning that Mario Suarez comes into the midfield alongside Koke and Gabi. Jose Gimenez is preferred to Miranda at centre-back, while Fernando Torres is given the nod up top ahead of Mario Mandzukic. Interesting XI for the hosts.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are without Suarez, but it is otherwise the XI that was expected. Bravo replaces Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the sticks, while Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique both start in defence. There is a place on the bench, meanwhile, for young forward Munir El-Haddadi.
As expected, Atletico's home form has again been very strong this season – winning 14 of their 18 league games and losing just once in the process. They have dropped points in half of their 18 away matches, however, which has been their Achilles heel in terms of challenging for the league. In truth, not many expected them to launch another title assault this time around and that has proved to be the case.
Atletico's numbers in relation to the top two also demonstrate why they have been unable to challenge for the title. The capital outfit have scored just 67 times in their 36 league games, which is 40 fewer than both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Down the other end, Atletico have conceded 28 times, which is nine more than Barcelona, but is now the second best defensive record in the league.
Atletico's away numbers are also quite disappointing – scoring just 25 times and conceding 18. That said, Simeone's side are currently on a 13-game unbeaten run in the league. Each of their last two La Liga matches have ended level, however, with a 0-0 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao followed by a 2-2 draw away to lowly Levante last time out. Little over 45 minutes until kickoff at the Calderon here.
Atletico, who made last season's Champions League final, were also eliminated by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the European Cup this campaign and will therefore finish the season without a major trophy – excluding the Spanish Super Cup at the start of the season. Will there be the desire to potentially help their great rivals Real Madrid in this game? It is a strange situation for Atletico!
As mentioned, victory for Barcelona this evening would ensure that they lift the La Liga title this season. A 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad last weekend moved the Catalan outfit five points clear of second-place Real Madrid and Los Blancos could only draw with Valencia in the later match to leave the gap at four points with just two games of the season remaining. Some prize up for grabs in the capital.
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Real Madrid are away to Espanyol this evening and must win to keep their challenge alive. Barcelona could also lose here and win the title if Real Madrid are beaten at Espanyol. Real Madrid might be able to make up three points this evening, but Barcelona would then need to beat Deportivo La Coruna at home next weekend to win the title. Anything can happen in football, but it is difficult to see past Barcelona.
Barcelona have not been beaten in the league since February 21, when they lost 1-0 at home to Malaga. Their next dropped points did not occur until April 11, when they drew 2-2 at Sevilla. Since that game at the Estadio Ramon, Enrique's side have won each of their last five league games – scoring 20 times and conceding zero. It has been an incredible run of form and they are the favourites here.
In total, Barcelona have won 29 of their 36 league games this season, drawing three and losing four. They have won 16 of their 18 home games, but also lost twice. On the road, meanwhile, they have been strong – winning 13 of their 18 games and losing just twice. More impressively, the league leaders have only conceded 10 league goals on their travels. There has been a real improvement defensively.
Barcelona are strong favourites for the title, but they are also on course for a treble. They were beaten 3-2 at Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, but progressed into the final 5-3 on aggregate. On June 6 in Berlin, Barcelona will meet Italian champions Juventus, who overcame Real Madrid in the semi-finals, in the Champions League final.
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Before that, Barcelona will also have the chance to lift the Copa del Rey. Athletic Bilbao have done very well to reach the final of the competition, but Barca will be the strong favourites to claim the trophy on May 30. We are into the business end of the season and the Catalan outfit are closing on another treble.
Defensively, Barcelona have been very impressive this season, but it is difficult to mention Enrique's side without talking about their front three. Suarez took a bit of time to settle at the Camp Nou, while Neymar and Messi have both had difficult patches this season. Now, however, all three are in incredible form. The best front three in the history of football? Quite probably, but Suarez is injured today.
Suarez has 24 goals and 17 assists in 36 games for Barcelona this season. Neymar has 38 goals and six assists in 42 games, while Messi has 53 goals and 23 assists in 48 appearances. If my maths is correct, that is 115 goals for the season between the front three. Interestingly, however, Messi has not actually scored in any of his last five appearances at the Vicente Calderon. Have i just jinxed Atletico?
Atletico lost a lot of goals in the summer when Diego Costa departed for Chelsea, but it has been a very good season for Antoine Griezmann, who has scored 25 times in 44 games for the capital side this season since arriving from Real Sociedad. Mario Mandzukic also has a decent return of 20 goals in 37 games, but Simeone's team simply cannot match the attacking numbers that Barca have posted.
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All things considered, it has been another strong season for Atletico, but you do get the feeling that huge investment will need to be made this summer. Mandzukic has been linked with a move away after just one season and Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani has been touted as his replacement.
The core of Atletico is still very strong – goalkeeper Jan Oblak has emerged into an excellent stopper, while Diego Godin, Miranda and Jose Gimenez cover the centre-back positions. That said, Koke's future needs to be addressed and Gabi's form this term has been well short of last season. Right, just about time for my pre-match prediction at the Vicente Calderon. It is a sweltering early evening in Madrid.
PREDICTION! Barcelona, on current form, are the favourites entering this game. However, Atletico are currently on a 13-match unbeaten run in Spain's top flight and I think that will continue this evening. It should be a tight game between two excellent sides, and I am backing a 1-1 draw.
Just a reminder that there is a full calendar of La Liga fixtures this evening, all kicking off at 6pm. Be sure to stay with us for all the action. Kickoff is fast approaching at a glowing Vicente Calderon.
Both sets of players are in the tunnel and will soon join us on the pitch in the Spanish capital. Iniesta captains Barcelona, while Gabi will lead out for the Spanish champions. Let's hope for a cracker here.
Just a reminder that victory for Barcelona guarantees the La Liga title. The Catalan outfit can also lose and win it, should Real Madrid suffer defeat at Espanyol, with that game running alongside this one. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side kick us off.
As expected, the away side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Alves and Alba both enjoying early touches. Atletico's game-plan is always the same against Barca.
Busquets takes a late challenge from Gabi as the referee becomes involved for the first time. However, no cards are issued. Both teams have been a little sloppy in possession in the last 60 seconds.
Not too much to report in terms of chances thus far, but Barca are probing in the final third, with Alves very advanced down the right. The possession is with the visitors as the game settles down here.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes following a few scrappy challenges, but there have still not been any cards, which is good to see at this stage. Neither team has really been able to create a clear opportunity in the final third thus far tonight.
Good spell for Atletico here as the home side force two corners in quick succession...
... SAVE! Atletico come close to taking the lead as Gimenez meets a near-post corner, but Bravo is across to make a wonderful save. The hosts have the clearest chance of the game thus far!
Atletico are very much on the front foot at the moment as they continue to threaten from set pieces. It is a long time since Barcelona conceded in the league, but they are under some real pressure here.
Bravo gets down to make another stunning save, but Griezmann was in an offside position.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Barcelona break with Neymar, who dances past a couple of challenges before feeding Messi, but the Argentine can only fire into the arms of the waiting Oblak.
CHANCE! Super chance for Messi this time as the Argentine meets a cross from Alves, but his header is again straight at Oblak. Barcelona are on the front foot at the moment in Madrid.
Atletico are just struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as Barcelona continue to dominate possession in the final third. It has been a cracking opening 15 minutes of football.
Just the one goal in Spain thus far, with Celta leading 1-0 at Valencia, which is great news for Atletico, who are still fighting for third position. This game at the Calderon is going too fast for my liking.
Another sight of goal for Messi, but his effort was always rising high of Oblak's crossbar.
CHANCE! Barcelona continue to look the most likely and again come close when Neymar sets up Messi with another cross, but Juanfran makes a super block, albeit with his arm. No penalty given!
Possession football from the away side in the last couple of minutes as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Atletico are remaining solid at the back. No threat from the hosts though.
Barcelona have the chance to threaten from a deep free kick, but Messi delivers straight into the arms of Oblak, who has had an excellent last couple of months. Still goalless at the Vicente Calderon here.
Half-chance for the home side as Gabi meets a loose clearance outside the Barca box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Barcelona have been the better team in the opening 27 minutes, but clear chances, as expected, have been few and far between. This match has absolutely flown past!
Still no goals in Barcelona, where Real Madrid are playing Espanyol. As it stands, Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champions this evening. However, Atletico have started to press once again here.
BOOKING! Pedro (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Gimenez.
It is still very warm in the Spanish capital and therefore it is not much of a surprise that the pace of the game has dropped a touch after a frantic opening. The goal could be decisive in this fixture.
BOOKING! Alves (Barcelona) is booked for diving inside the Atletico box. It looked as if Godin had caught the Brazilian, but replays confirmed that it was the right decision from the referee.
CROSSBAR! Hold on - Barcelona have now been given the free kick, just outside the box and Godin (Atletico) has been booked. How bizarre. Messi fires it in, and smashes the top of the crossbar!
It is currently unclear whether Alves was actually booked for diving, or whether it was just a yellow for Godin, who was penalised for an initial foul outside the box. That one is a little unexplainable!
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still waiting for the first goal at the Vicente Calderon. That is also the case in Barcelona, where Espanyol are holding Real Madrid.
CORRECTION: Alves (Barcelona) has not been booked. The card was actually given to Godin (Atletico) for a foul on the Brazilian just outside the box. That was more complicated than expected.
Barcelona continue to look the most likely as we approach the break, with Messi coming closest to opening the scoring. In truth, we have not seen too much from Griezmann and Torres in the Atletico attack. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be just vital.
CHANCE! Another chance for the away side as Pedro drives into the Atletico box before drilling a low cross towards Messi, but Juanfran is on hand to make a terrific clearance!
In truth, Atletico are not really threatening in the final third at the moment. It is all Barcelona.
SAVE! Barcelona come close to taking the lead as Alves hammers one towards the top corner, but Oblak is on hand to make a super save. Great effort, but an even better stop from Oblak.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 0-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Real Madrid are also level with Espanyol and as a result, the title is Barcelona's as things stand. In truth, the visitors have been the better team in Madrid and probably deserve to be leading at the interval.
STATS! Barcelona have utterly dominated the possession with 79%, while they have had nine attempts - three of which have been on target. Atletico, meanwhile, have only registered one attempt on target in the first period. The attacking threat from the hosts has disappeared after a bright start.
BENCH WATCH! Atletico have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Raul Garcia, Jimenez, Mandzukic and Saul Niguez all in reserve. Barcelona, meanwhile, are without Suarez, but do have options in the shape of Rafinha, Xavi and Munir El-Haddadi.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Barcelona are champions, but there is a long way to go. The visitors get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains level for the next 15, 20 minutes in the capital.
Half-chance for Pique as the Spanish centre-back meets a loose ball on the edge of the Atletico box, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. Positive start to the second period from Barcelona.
Atletico call for a penalty as Iniesta makes contact with his chest inside the box, but the referee gets the decision right and points for a corner. Iniesta stays down, meanwhile, following Gimenez's challenge.
Half-chance for Atletico as Turan finds space in a wide area before delivering into Griezmann, but Pique is on hand to make the clearance and from the resulting corner, Godin heads over the crossbar.
BOOKING! Koke (Atletico) is booked for pulling Messi.
It has been a strong start to the second period from Atletico, who are causing problems in the final third. Real Madrid are still level at Espanyol, meanwhile, with 55 minutes on the clock in Madrid.
CHANCE! Super opportunity for the home side as Torres drives into the Barcelona box before firing one towards goal, but Bravo is on hand to make a fairly comfortable save.
There are a lot of tasty challenges occurring at the moment as Turan dives into Messi!
UPDATE! Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
Real Madrid have taken the lead at Espanyol, with Ronaldo finishing into the bottom corner for his 43rd league goal of the season. As it stands, Barcelona would need to win here to secure the title tonight.
Possession football from Barcelona at the moment, but not too much in the way of forward thinking. Atletico look short of ideas in the final third and it would not be a surprise to see changes occur.
The referee just needs to get a grip of developments in the middle of the park as Gabi brings Neymar to the ground. It has not been an overly dirty game, but it is just threatening to boil over in Madrid.
GOAL! Atletico 0-1 Barcelona (Messi)
Breakthrough Barcelona! The away side take the lead in the 65th minute as Messi combines with Pedro before firing his effort into the bottom corner. Stunning finish and it could win Barca the title!
SUB! Atletico make their first change as Raul Garcia replaces Suarez.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to score a second as Iniesta sets up Neymar inside the box, but the Brazilian can only clip his effort wide of the post. All Barcelona here.
CHANCE! Another stunning chance for Barcelona as the league leaders break with wonderful speed before Messi sets up Neymar, but the Brazilian fires high and wide of the crossbar!
Half-chance for Turan this time, but the Turk fires over the crossbar for the home side.
SUB! Atletico make their second change as Mandzukic replaces Turan.
UPDATE! Espanyol 1-1 Real Madrid (Stuani)
Stuani has equalised for Espanyol against Real Madrid! The title is pretty much in Barca's hands!
Half-chance for the home side this time as Garcia delivers towards the head of Mandzukic, but the Croatian cannot make contact and the danger is cleared. Little over 15 minutes remaining here.
BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Busquets.
Atletico have been more advanced in the last five minutes or so, but Barcelona remain a threat on the counter attack and come close when Pedro fires a long-range effort just wide of the far post.
UPDATE! Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid (Marcelo)
Real Madrid are back ahead against Espanyol courtesy of Marcelo!
SUBS! Barca make their first change as Mathieu replaces Alba. Meanwhile, Atletico introduce Saul Niguez in place of Torres, who has struggled to make his mark this evening.
Barcelona are little under 10 minutes away from winning the La Liga title, but a goal for Atletico would take the race into the final weekend. Xavi is preparing to enter the field of play here.
SUB! Barca make their second change as Xavi replaces Iniesta.
UPDATE! Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo has his 44th league goal of the season as he sends Real Madrid 3-1 ahead. However, as it stands, Barcelona are winning the title courtesy of that Messi effort in the 65th minute.
Little over five minutes of football remaining at the Vicente Calderon and in truth, it is Barcelona pushing for the game's second goal. Mathieu delivers from the left, but it is far too powerful.
SUB! Barcelona make their third change as Rakitic is replaced by Rafinha.
SAVE! Atletico come close to levelling as Siqueira hammers one towards the top corner, but Bravo is on hand to make an excellent save. Atletico are still very much in this game.
BOOKING! Gimenez (Atletico) is booked for fouling Neymar just outside the box...
... SAVE! Messi bends his free kick towards the bottom corner, but Oblak makes the save!
UPDATE! Espanyol 1-4 Real Madrid (Ronaldo, hat-trick)
We are into the second of three additional minutes and Barcelona have possession.
BOOKING! Neymar (Barcelona) is booked for time-wasting.
Handbags as Godin and Neymar clash! All kicking off here!
Barcelona are almost there as the ball remains deep in Atletico's half.
BOOKING! Siqueira (Atletico) is booked for clashing with Messi.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 0-1 Barcelona
BARCELONA ARE 2014-15 LA LIGA CHAMPIONS!
So there we have it. Real Madrid have won 4-1 at Espanyol, but it is not enough to stop Barcelona from winning the league, with Messi's goal in the second period enough to beat Atletico in Madrid. They have been the best team all season and deserve to be named the champions with a game to spare!
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick around for all of the fall-out from this match. Congratulations to Barcelona, who still have two finals to come this season.
