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La Liga News
Barcelona are not Invincible
Levante paid great respect to Barcelona by giving them a guard of honour, like Villarreal last weekend, but unlike the Yellow Submarines, that's where their respect ended. In an absolutely bonkers match, Emmanuel Boateng scored a fantastic hat-trick, Philippe Coutinho did a Coutinho (is he the right-footed Robben?), Enis Bardhi scored an even better curler and then capped off a superb counter to make the score 5-1 to Levante. FIVE-ONE. All of this within the hour mark.
In the last half hour, the game became even more mental, Coutinho scoring two to complete what can only be described as a rather weird hat-trick and Luis Suarez tucking away a penalty, Barca clawing their way back to 5-4... but try as they might, that's where it remained.
The perfect season. Almost.
Shouldn't have rested Leo, eh Ernesto?
Oh, and Thomas Vermaelen got injured. Again. Poor sod.
Real Madrid warm up for the big one in style
Real Madrid haven't really played well in La Liga. That they are finishing third is more a function of them being Madrid rather than them having played better football than 4th placed Valencia. On the penultimate day of the season, though, they turned it on.
Gareth Bale was on fire, Isco was magical and Marcelo was everywhere. When they are on song, Los Blancos make for some viewing.
They now take on Villarreal away on the last day... although 3rd may be secured, they'd want to keep the winning momentum going.
Who's going to Europe next season?
Barcelona, Atletico, Real Madrid and Valencia were long confirmed as La Liga's Champions League entrants, but the two Europa places behind them were up for grabs.
Villarreal sealed theirs with a win at the Riazor, beating relegated Depor in a typical mad encounter that ended 4-2 in favour of the visitors while Real Betis snatched a late equaliser to ensure they will finish above their neighbours Sevilla for the first time in what feels like a lifetime.
Marc Bartra opened the scoring in the frenetic 2-2 draw, and I had had a chance to catch up with the Catalan a few days ago... read all about that right here: Interview: Marc Bartra and the pursuit of happiness
Quique Setien's philosophy has finally found validation... and Arsenal, Chelsea, and co. better look out come Thursday night football.
La Liga Transfer Rumours and News
Barcelona reportedly agree deal with Antoine Griezmann
I'm not too sure why Barca want Griezmann considering their financial outlay on Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho as the 'support cast' for Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez - except to prove that they can get anyone if they really want them - but they do, and are willing to trigger the Frenchman's 'paltry' €115 release clause if it comes to it. They have in fact agreed terms with the man himself as per the good folk over at Sport
Manchester United ready to do a swap + cash deal for Gareth Bale
Ah, Don Balon you beauty.
The Spaniards, with their ears on the ground and eyes across Europe, are reporting that Manchester United are interested in bringing back Gareth Bale from his multiple Champions League winning summer vacation in sunny Spain and to this end will offer out-of-favour Anthony Martial and a hefty €60 million to convince Florentino Perez that he really should let go of his record signing.
It's on the internet so it's my duty to bring it to you... but it's also my duty to warn you that you shouldn't take much coming out of that outlet seriously even though this one has much more logic and sense built into it
Yerry Mina could get loaned out to Real Betis
Another Don Balon one, but another with a semblance of sense to it - Yerry Mina, signed in January by Barcelona, may well be on his way to Real Betis on loan to get some first-team experience. There he will partner a Barca old boy, Marc Bartra in the heart of Quique Setien's three-man defense.
Did I tell you I spoke with good ol' Marc just the other day?... oh wait, I did.
