Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Six times when La Liga's leader lost the title on the last day

#3. Real Madrid lost out to Athletic Bilbao

Di Stefano oversees a Madrid training session/photo shoot during the 82/83 season

The year?

1982-83

What happened?

In the 52 year of it’s establishment, Real Madrid dominated La Liga under the coaching aegis of the legendary Alfredo di Stefano and led the tournament for the vast majority of the season. Lurking just behind them was Athletic Bilbao, though, who had been doing just enough to be within striking distance as the final day of fixtures came around.

On the final day of the season (1st May, 1983), Real Madrid travelled to Mestalla only to come back empty-handed as they lost 1-0 to Valencia. Meanwhile, Athletic Club travelled to the Canary Islands and decimated Las Palmas 5-1 to march away with the title that had all but been Real Madrid’s!

Madrid, though, only had themselves to blame – they’d beaten the Basques 2-0 at home and 4-2 away but that final slip up against Valencia was to prove too costly – it wasn’t like Valencia were a great team at the time either; Los Murcielagos finished 15th in the league and survived relegation merely on the basis of head-to-head over Las Palmas!

RankClub (18 team league)Points
1. Athletic Club (Bilbao)50
2. Real Madrid49
3.Atletico de Madrid46
4.Barcelona44

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