Real intense last day in Spain
> Madrid aiming to edge out Barca to La Liga title
I FReal Madrid avoid defeat at Malaga on the final matchday Sunday they will win La Liga for the first time since 2012. Rivals Barcelona host Eibar at the same time and are desperately hoping Madrid slip up so that they can snatch a third consecutive Spanish top flight title.
Malaga have nothing to play for and most expect Madrid to earn the victory they crave and complete the first part of what could be a double, ahead of the Champions League final clash with Juventus.
“There’s still one game to go and we have to get something out of it,” said Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane. “We must continue on in the same vein because the title race isn’t over just yet. We’re going to keep doing what we’ve been doing up until now. We can’t take anything for granted and have to go out and play our game.”
Madrid are set to be without Welsh winger Gareth Bale, who is still fighting to recover from a calf problem, as well as Dani Carvajal, Pepe and James Rodriguez.
Malaga, coached by former Madrid player Michel, will be missing Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Bakary Kone, while Juanpi Anor is also a doubt. Regardless of who starts, Madrid will be confident they can secure their 33rd top flight title.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have to beat Eibar and hope for an unlikely upset at La Rosaleda to take the title via winning the head-to-head with Real.
Sergi Roberto and Gerard Pique are set to return from suspension and injury respectively, although Javier Mascherano may miss out with the thigh problem he sustained ahead of the win over Las Palmas last weekend.
Elsewhere Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad are battling to finish in the top six and reach the Europa League next season.
Villarreal travel to Valencia while Real Sociedad play at Celta. Athletic are Atletico Madrid’s guests for the team’s final ever game at the Vicente Calderon before they move to their new home next season. – dpa