The show must go on, although these are sad days for Spanish football. Tito Vilanova, the former Barcelona coach, died on Friday after a long battle with cancer at the age of 45. Assistant and right-hand of Pep Guardiola, Villanova had followed the step of his colleague and friend, succeeding him at Barcelona. His first season in charge was successful and ended with the league title and a record of 100 points, though Villanova was forced to miss three months due to further treatment of his illness, that was initially diagnosed in 2011. Finally he came back in April 2013 but in July he had to quit the job for concentrating on his battle. Everybody paid tribute to Villanova : from Serie A to Premier League the whole world of football mourned for his premature death.
April 2014 will be a month that all Blaugrana fans would want to forget as soon as possible and not only for Villanova’s death: on the field Barça were eliminated in Champions League’s quarterfinal, then they lost the Copa del Rey’s final and their chances to win the title were weakened by an unexpected loss at Granada.
Eventually this Sunday Barcelona were able to dedicate a success to his former coach. A relief for the pain, though the trip to Villarreal was anything but a stroll. The “Yellow Submarine” took the lead at the end of the first half with Cani and then doubled with Manuel Trigueros. Barcelona showed at El Madrigal Stadium the same problem that they have faced throughout the season: despite plenty of possession they were ineffective in the box. They equalized only through two own-goals from Gabriel Paulista and Mateo Musacchio conceded both after two crosses from Dani Alves. With seven minutes to go, Leo Messi solved the matter and tucked home the winner to make it 3-2 . The Argentinean dedicated the goal to Villanova, raising his arms and pointing his fingers at the sky.
Meanwhile Atletico Madrid moved closer to title, winning 1-0 at Mestalla Stadium. On paper, Valencia should not have created many problems: they play for nothing in La Liga and moreover their focus is on the second leg of Europa League’s semifinal against Sevilla. Instead, Atletico struggled to find the net and even when they scored with Raul Garcia, Valencia looked as they could equalize at whatever time.
Atletico Madrid are not playing the sparkling football they used to do in the first part of the season. They look now more pragmatic. The last victory with more than two goals of difference is dated February – an home’s 3-0 against Real Valladolid – and since then the Colchoneros obtained nine wins, five of which came with just one goal margins.
It is probably an indication of tiredness but it is also a sign of maturity: Diego Simeone’s men know how to suffer. They know this was the most difficult match among the remaining. And their feeling of relief at the final whistle was like if they could smell the trophy. The calendar sees them coming again to Valencia to play against Levante and then receiving Malaga at home, before going to Barcelona in the last fixture of the season.
Mathematically, Atletico could afford to lose one game of these three and win the others. If it happens, nobody would match Atletico’s tally. Neither Real nor Barcelona. And it does mean that in the last day, there could be an historical pasillo, the guard of honour to the champions, at Camp Nou.
At the same time Real Madrid are still in the race as they comfortably beat Osasuna at Santiago Bernabeu 4-0. Carlo Ancelotti gave some players a day-off in order to get fresh legs before flying to Germany for their Champions League semi-final second leg. Against Osasuna, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, then the scoreline was completed by Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal. The Portuguese looks to be in sharp form for the European trip and the injury that tormented him recently seems completely gone.
La decima, the tenth Champions League’s Cup, the most coveted trophy from president Florentino Perez became now the main target for Real Madrid, who have already achieved the Copa del Rey two weeks ago. Real visit Munich boasting a 1-0’s home win but Ancelotti made suggestion that he could probably field the BBC’s attacking trio – Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo – at Allianz Arena with the clear intention to score an early goal that would make Bayern’s effort harder. However, the Blancos could still win the title too but their hopes depend only on an eventual Athletico’s slip.