Here are the top ten stories of the week, from Real Sociedad’s Champions League qualification to the promotions of Granada CF and UD Las Palmas
(Football news) There were a lot of pivotal games in LaLiga Santander this past week, and there was drama on the final LaLiga SmartBank matchday as well as the promotion of Granada CF and UD Las Palmas to the top level. Here is everything you need to know.
LaLiga Santander has welcomed back Granada CF and UD Las Palmas
Due to automatic promotion on the final day of the LaLiga SmartBank season this year, both Granada CF and UD Las Palmas will compete at the LaLiga Santander level in 2023–24. Granada CF won the competition and received an immediate promotion, while UD Las Palmas finished in second place and began their first season in the top division since 2018.
The team RCD Espanyol has been demoted
On Sunday, it was mathematically established that RCD Espanyol would be one of the groups dropping out of the second division to replace Granada CF and UD Las Palmas. The Catalan team drew 2-2 with Valencia CF on Matchday 37, and as a result, they joined Elche CF in having their fate decided before the semifinals.
Real Valladolid are in danger of being relegated as the game continues
Six teams might still be eliminated as the third and final spot in the relegation zone is still up for grabs. Real Valladolid will enter the final round in 18th place with 39 points, but they still have a good chance of surviving because RC Celta are in 17th place with 40 points, UD Almera are in 16th place with 40 points, Valencia CF are in 15th place with 41 points, Getafe CF are in 14th place with 41 points, and Cádiz CF are in 13th place with 41 points.
Re-entry into the Champions League for Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad has now secured a spot in the Champions League for the upcoming season as a result of the results of Matchday 37, which were also crucial in the race for Europe. For the first time in ten years, the Basque team is back in the premier UEFA competition, which is a feat of which Imanol Alguacil and his players should be quite proud.
To win a berth in the Conference League, five teams will compete
Real Betis and Villarreal CF will finish fifth and sixth, respectively, behind Real Sociedad, securing their spots in the Europa League group stages. The battle for eighth, which earns a spot in the Conference League, is still very open. According to the current rankings, five teams still have a chance and are only separated by one point: CA Osasuna is in seventh place with 50 points, Athletic Club is in eighth place with 50 points, Girona FC is in ninth place with 49 points, Rayo Vallecano is in tenth place with 49 points, and Sevilla FC is in eleventh place with 49 points.
In Vallecas, Andoni Iraola triumphs in his final contest
Andoni Iraola, head coach of Rayo Vallecano, has said that he will leave Vallecas after this summer in search of a new challenge. In both of his LaLiga Santander seasons, the 40-year-old has had a significant impact on the team, guiding them to promotion and ultimately securing their survival. With a 2-1 victory over Villarreal CF in their final home game, they might even still be able to make it to Europe.
As a legend, Jordi Alba departs FC Barcelona
After 11 seasons and 18 titles with the Catalan club, Jordi Alba confirmed last week that he will leave FC Barcelona at the end of this campaign. In the team’s 3-0 victory over RCD Mallorca on Sunday, the left-back played his final home game. He was replaced in the second half to a standing ovation. The audience applauded Sergio Busquets, the departing captain, who was playing in his final match at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Enes Ünal starts a protracted recuperation
Unfortunately, a significant injury occurred in Spanish football this past week when Enes Ünal of Getafe CF suffered an ACL tear in his right knee. The 14-goal LaLiga Santander striker from Turkey will miss the majority of 2023 due to injury. He stated on his social media accounts that “life works in mysterious ways.” I’m keeping a positive attitude and consider this simply another obstacle in my way.
A resident of Bilbao is Scar de Marcos
Even though he recently turned 34, right back Scar de Marcos is still one of Athletic Club’s most crucial players, and he has decided to stay in Bilbao for another season after signing a contract extension this past week that will last until 2024.
The LaLiga SmartBank playoffs are scheduled
The LaLiga SmartBank playoffs will determine who will join Granada CF and UD Las Palmas in the top division even though they have already earned automatic promotion. In one semifinal, Levante UD and Albacete Balompié will compete over two legs, and in the other, Deportivo Alavés and SD Eibar will square off in a Basque derby.
Also read: Real Madrid to be in turmoil for the next 2 weeks
