There was an almost dystopian feel to Barcelona’s La Liga match against Valencia last Monday.
Defending champions Barca knew from the start that they needed a win to keep their slim hopes of retaining the title alive, or at least delay as long as possible the possibility of Real Madrid snatching the title away.
Valencia’s visit to Montjuïc is also Barca’s first game since it was confirmed Xavi will stay on as head coach next season, having said in January that he would resign in the summer – which would theoretically be a surprise to their fans It’s a positive thing.
Still, attendance at their temporary home reached a season low of 30,167 during extensive renovations at Camp Nou. Heavy rain was a factor but their fans were also hurt after a difficult few weeks, including the twin pains of a Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and a La Liga defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Those in attendance were treated to a rather entertaining 4-2 home win against a young Valencia side who still have hopes of qualifying for Europe – but the quality of the game was not great.
Valencia’s goal was the result of comic errors by goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and centre-back Ronald Araujo. Xavi’s side often struggled to find rhythm and creativity, even playing with 10 men after Georgi Mamardashvili was sent off just before half-time. With the score tied at 2-2, it looked like another frustrating night was in store for a team that had been through a lot lately.
At this point, the home fans began to rise and Mexican waves rippled on the ground.
🌊 This is the score of Montjuïc, the score is 2-2.
📽️ @jordicardero pic.twitter.com/FdUeqI6U0F
— Relief (@relevo) April 29, 2024
Waves are not unheard of at games in Spain, but they do happen when contented fans have something to celebrate and nothing of real importance is happening on the pitch.
Images of waves sweeping over a half-full, rain-swept Olympique Luis Co., with Barca struggling and Xavi looking stressed on the bench, alarmed many observers.
“The waves in Montjuïc are like an episode of Black Mirror,” broadcaster DAZN’s Miguel Quintana posted on X, referring to the sci-fi drama that twists the norm. It resonated. Quintana explained that he wasn’t trying to be the “celebration police”, but the wave did seem to show a lack of respect for Barcelona’s proud history.
It has further fueled debate over the representation of this group in Barca’s traditional base. They sold just 17,500 season tickets at the hilltop venue, which many locals consider inaccessible. Some supporters avoided the hassle of traveling on a rainy night in April, so many of those present were curious tourists in the Catalan capital, families who rarely go to games or international Barca fans for a rare and An expensive pilgrimage to see their team in person rather than on a screen.
Meanwhile, giggles could be heard all over the Bernabeu.
Everything seems to be happening in Madrid at the moment. Carlo Ancelotti’s side edged Real Sociedad 1-0 on Friday night to move one step closer to the title. Despite Ancelotti’s heavy rotation in Munich’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern, La Liga’s sixth straight win was never really in doubt.
Nacho and Joselu celebrate Madrid’s third goal on Saturday (Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Expectations and optimism among Madrid fans are very high. The €1 billion (£860 million; $1.1 billion) renovation of the stadium is nearing completion, with fans flocking to the shiny new building to cheer their teams on.
On Saturday afternoon, just hours before kick-off, the atmosphere around the Bernabeu was already jubilant. Although Cadiz desperately wanted to score points in the relegation fight and Ancelotti rotated again, the ensuing 3-0 home win was inevitable. Substitute creative spark Brahim Diaz performed well with a goal and an assist, and rested Jude Bellingham scored just minutes after coming on just past the hour mark. When club captain Nacho stepped up to set up Joselu for the final goal in stoppage time, the crowd of 72,654 stood and chanted “Campeones”. After the final whistle, the players stayed on the field to celebrate with singing and dancing.
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Hours later, Barcelona suffered another disaster in Catalonian neighbor Girona.
An hour into the game, Barcelona led 2-1 and could have put the game out of reach, but ultimately lost 4-2. Later, Xavi and club president Laporta were once again furious at the unfairness of it all, but the consequences of more than a decade of truly poor decision-making by Barca are being addressed.
It’s a golden era for Madrid fans – with their club looking set to strengthen significantly this summer. Everyone at the Santiago Bernabeu hopes the arrival of Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe is finally confirmed after the end of the season, although his history of changing his mind makes them cautious.
Brazilian prodigy Enderique is certain to arrive – the 18-year-old flashed his potential for greatness when he scored in international friendlies at Wembley and the Santiago Bernabeu in March. Luka Modric and backup defender Nacho look likely to leave, along with perhaps Dani Ceballos and Joselu, but quality replacements are lining up, such as Bayern left-back Alfonso Day Weiss and Lille centre-back Lenny Yoro.
Real Madrid should therefore be stronger in La Liga next season without first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Ancelotti’s first-choice centre-back pairing of Eder Militao and David Alaba They have won the championship handily for most of the season. They have the best defensive record in the division (conceding just 22 goals after 34 games) and have lost just once in the league, away to city rivals Atletico Madrid in September.
Madrid fans celebrate in the city on Saturday night (Diego Radames/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Girona’s surprise title challenge aside (and perhaps Xavi’s performance), it hasn’t been a very dramatic La Liga season.
Almeria, Granada and Cadiz have been almost certain to be relegated for months. With four games remaining, the only real danger remaining is whether an in-form Villarreal or a young Valencia side could push Real Betis into seventh place and secure a Europa League spot.
It was a great game for Girona, who earned their place in the Champions League with great belief and skill against Barcelona on Saturday. The Catalan club is part of the City Football Group, but their annual budget is €60 million, compared to Atletico Madrid’s €600 million, Barcelona’s €500 million and Atletico’s €300 million. Their previous highest finish in La Liga was tenth place.
It’s a remarkable achievement and Girona coach Michel is considered one of the most promising coaches in Europe. But their stunning success can also be seen as another sign of La Liga’s overall declining standard.
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Spanish football still has a huge production line of young players – Barcelona’s Lamine Yamar and Paulo Cubas are all having outstanding seasons, as is Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams. Las Palmas playmaker Alberto Morello, Valencia centre-back Christian Mosquera and Atletico midfielder Pablo Barrios have all made exciting progress. Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena looks ready to make a big impact in the top flight.
But all these players are more likely to move to the Premier League than become part of a new domestic project that could challenge Madrid.
Barcelona’s ongoing financial woes mean key players could be sold this summer. Atletico are cutting costs and Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal are all trying to rebuild on a low cost. La Liga’s strict financial rules do not allow anyone to take over a club and quickly move it forward through heavy investment. Saudi Arabian team Almeria have been relegated.
Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo could be on sale this summer (Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images)
The atmosphere at Atletico Madrid’s stadium was telling when they beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1 on April 27 in what was virtually a knockout match for fourth place and a spot in the Champions League final on April 27.
Atletico fared better against an Atlético side who had won the much-lauded Copa del Rey a few weeks earlier. A first major trophy in four decades means that Athletic’s players and fans are already very happy with the 2023-24 season, with many relishing the idea of playing in the Europa League next year, with the final set to be at their San Mame Held at home.
Atletico’s view on the season is more mixed, with midfielder Rodrigo De Paul saying: “Overall, it’s been a great season for Atletico, which annoyed some fans.”
De Paul said he reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and the quarter-finals of the Champions League while ensuring a 12th consecutive season in Europe’s elite club competition. It doesn’t seem to matter that Atletico are a full 20 points behind neighbors Madrid in the La Liga standings.
Things could be getting better for Madrid fans.
Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Militao, Aureliano Chuameni and Eduardo Camavinga are all still in their twenties. In their late teens and early twenties, Enderrick, and of course Mbappe, should take another huge leap forward in terms of talent.
But supporters of all other La Liga clubs fear the dystopia will continue.
(Top photo: Oscar del Pozo/AFP via Getty Images)
