Now for Atlético Madrid, all their eggs are the Champions League title basket. Their loss to lowly Levante saw them fall three points behind leaders Barcelona and two points behind city rivals and Champions League final opponents Real Madrid.
Traveling on the road, Atleti seemingly fell victim to overconfidence, something very uncharacteristic of a Diego Simeone coached team. Levante are sure to be relegated after the season, as they sit at the bottom of the table, even after their 3-2 win over los rojiblancos.
The American-born Italian international Guiseppe Rossi scored the game winner for Levante, effectively ending Atlético's dream for a second domestic league title in three seasons. Rossi waited until the last possible moment, almost literally. Levante's on-loan striker netted the decisive goal in the 89th minute to put the home side on top. Fernando Torres scored his 10th league goal to open up the scoring for the game.
Leading up to the Barcelona derby between Barça and Espanyol, many around Spain were whispering that this could be the match that Barcelona falter again, relinquishing control of the top spot. However the Catalan giants never gave doubt a chance to creep in as they hung five goals on their city rivals, winning 5-0. Neymar finally got his name back on the score sheet, and all three forwards in Barcelona's three pronged attack. Neymar, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Rafinha all scored, with Suarez notching two under his name. Suarez leads La Liga with 37 goals in the domestic campaign.
At the Estadio de Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Real Madrid received a tough test from Gary Neville's Valencia but came away with all three points in a 3-2 victory. Rodrigo and Andre Gomes scored for the visitors, who were forced to finish the match with 10 men after Rodrigo was sent off for saying something to the referee that apparently the ref did not care for.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice while Karim Benzema was back on the pitch, scoring after missing the second leg of the Champions League semifinal earlier in the week. However Benzema's goal came with much controversy as it appears he was offsides while positioned at the doorstep of the goal.
After his two goals, Ronaldo has 33 goals scored in La Liga, leaving him four short of catching Luis Suarez. Surely Ronaldo craves individual titles as much as he does hoisting trophies with his teammates.
With one match day left for all teams, the La Liga title will be determined next weekend. Barcelona travel to face 16th place Grenada, who will be fighting to not potentially fall into relegation. Deportivo la Coruña sit in the middle of the table, and will be hosting Real Madrid.
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