THE FINAL THIRD

Real Madrid 0 – 0 Mallorca Highlights – Spain La Liga

spotted at FIRST TEAM FOOTBALL

SPANISH FOOTBALL magazine “Don Balon” has written an interesting article were they advise their readers to keep a close eye out for 10 promising young players they believe could make a “jump” this new season 2010 – 2011 in the SPANISH LEAGUE.

Here are their names:

Cale (Sevilla FC) – Central Defender

J Montero (Villareal) Forward from Ecuedor

Thiago (FC Barcelona) Midfielder

Urreta (Deportivo) Forward from Uruguay

Mosquera (Getafe) Midfielder

Marcos Perez (Zaragoza) Forward

Edu Bedia (Racing) Midfielder

Kiko Femenia (Hercules)

Griezmann (Real Sociedad) Winger from France

Ivan Gonzalez (Malaga) Central Defender

Despite notching a record 96 points, Barcelona must defeat Valladolid at home on Sunday to retain their La Liga title and leave rivals Real Madrid empty-handed as an epic title race reaches its conclusion.

Going into the final day of the season, Real are just a point behind and praying Barca slip-up against troubled Valladolid.
Madrid are at Malaga, another team fighting for survival, knowing they need to win and hoping Valladolid take points from the champions.

“It is the most demanding league (campaign) I can remember,” said Barcelona captain Carles Puyol. “The table speaks for itself. Finishing with 99 points is an incredible amount.”

“There are two teams that have been above the rest in recent years and Barcelona have certainly played the better football in recent years.”

Barcelona have the comfort of knowing their destiny is in their own hands but anything but a win could see them lose the title on the final day of the season.

Real must win to stand any chance of becoming champions as Barcelona would win the title due to their superior head-to-head record if the sides finished level on points.

It is a nervy moment for coach Pep Guardiola, who comes up against Javier Clemente, once his national coach with Spain and now Valladolid manager.

Valladolid are one of four teams on 36 points that could go down and are only in with a shout of survival after one defeat from seven matches under Clemente.

Guardiola must do without suspended playmaker Xavi and full back Maxwell but can call on Lionel Messi who is set to land the Pichichi crown for the league’s top-scorer with his 32 goals, five better than Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain.

Malaga are third from bottom but level on points with Racing Santander and Valladolid above them.

“It is difficult to win the league but anything can happen in football,” said Real superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

“We have to win in Malaga and see what happens in Barcelona.”

Guti (33) is poised to play his final game at Malaga, ending his 15-year association with Real before an expected summer move to Galatasary.

Elsewhere there are Champions League and Europa League duels and slip-ups on the final day could cost teams millions of euros.

Sevilla hold fourth place and the final Champions League qualifying spot but can’t afford to drop points against Almeria on Saturday with Real Mallorca just a point behind.

Mallorca are at home to Espanyol, aiming for a 15th home win, knowing a draw would not do even if Sevilla lost.

Getafe are clinging to sixth and the final Europa League spot with Villarreal level on 55 points.

Getafe will travel to city rivals Atletico Madrid, who defeated Fulham on Wednesday to win the Europa League final for their first trophy since 1996.

Villarreal will hope Atletico, who have nothing to play for, put the effort in against Getafe and fulfill their end of the bargain by winning away at Real Zaragoza.

There is everything to play for at the bottom, with no team relegated as five sides battle to stay in the top flight.

Bottom side Xerez are three points from safety and need to win at Osasuna and hope the four other teams in trouble all lose to pull off the great escape.

Racing Santander, Malaga, Valladolid and Tenerife are all on 36 points.

Malaga and Valladolid have the toughest tasks against Real Madrid and Barcelona, giving Racing and Tenerife more hope of staying up as they play against teams with nothing to play for.

Racing are at home to Sporting Gijon, while promoted Tenerife will travel to Valencia, who have already sealed third place, on Sunday.

Fixtures

Saturday
Bilbao v Deportivo La Coruna (5pm GMT)
Atletico Madrid v Getafe (7pm GMT)
Real Zaragoza v Villarreal (17pm GMT)
Real Mallorca v Espanyol (9pm GMT)
Almeria v Sevilla (9pm GMT)

Sunday – all at 6pm GMT
Racing Santander v Sporting Gijon
Barcelona v Valladolid
Valencia v Tenerife
Osasuna v Xerez, Malaga v Real Madrid