It was quite a decisive weekend in LaLiga but one where behaviour in the stands proved to be the main talking point and all for the wrong reasons.
By Ben Hayward, LaLiga expert
Valencia’s vital win over Real Madrid marred by racist abuse aimed at Vinícius Júnior
Valencia marked 100 years at Mestalla with a vital victory over Real Madrid on Sunday which all but seals survival for Rubén Baraja’s side with three rounds of LaLiga left to play, but the match was marred by ugly scenes as Vinícius Júnior was subjected to racial abuse outside the stadium before kick-off and again late in the game.
With just over 15 minutes remaining, Vinícius heard a racial slur from behind the goal and pointed at the fan in question. There was a long delay as tensions flared and the Brazilian was later sent off deep in added time for raising his arms at Hugo Duro, despite the fact that he had been grabbed by the neck in a choke hold by another Valencia player for several seconds prior to that. VAR only saw the latter and the Brazilian saw red.
After the match, he was understandably furious. “The prize for the racists is my sending off,” he wrote on Instagram. “This is not football, it’s LaLiga.” And on Twitter, he wrote: “It wasn’t the first time, nor the second or the third. Racism is normal in LaLiga.”
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti refused to talk about the football after the game and defended his player. “We have a problem,” he said. “La Liga has a problem. We need to stop this game. Any game. I would say the same thing if we were winning 3-0. I have never seen a whole stadium being racist and shouting ‘monkey, monkey, monkey.’”
One Valencia-based journalist was angered by Ancelotti’s claim that the whole stadium was making racist slurs, arguing that some were chanting ‘tonto’ (stupid) to Vinícius. But the Italian was not impressed. “Whether it was ‘mono’ or ‘tonto’, the referee stopped the game to open the racism protocol,” he said. “He wouldn’t do that if they just chanted ‘tonto’. Speak to the referee.”
Meanwhile, LaLiga president Javier Tebas has attacked Vinícius on Twitter, saying the Real Madrid forward failed to turn up at meetings he himself had requested to discuss racism, while claiming that neither Spain nor LaLiga is racist. Those tweets resulted in huge criticism for Tebas and Vinícius was also quick to respond. “He’s not my friend to talk to me about racism,” the Brazilian tweeted. “I want action and punishment.”
Valencia have taken action, announcing that the fan who targeted Vinícius has been identified and banned from Mestalla for life.
In the game itself, Valencia won all three points thanks to a first-half goal from youngster Diego López, but the home side had goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to thank for a number of big saves in the closing stages to deny Fede Valverde, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema.
Valencia’s win sees them climb to 13th place and they now have 40 points, five more than Real Valladolid in 18th. They are not quite safe yet, but are very close. “These are three valuable points,” Baraja said. “But we have work still to do and effort still required.”
Next up for Valencia is a trip to Mallorca on Thursday, while Real Madrid are away to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
Atlético move above Real Madrid into second place
Atlético Madrid bounced back from the previous weekend’s disappointing defeat away to bottom club Elche by beating Osasuna 3-0 in a one-sided contest at the Metropolitano on Sunday.
After two early efforts were ruled out for offside, Yannick Carrasco fired the Rojiblancos into the lead late in the first half, with Saúl and Ángel Correa on target in the second period to send Diego Simeone’s side into second place above Real Madrid with three matches left to play.
Atlético also confirmed their place in next season’s Champions League, which had looked in doubt earlier in the season, The Rojiblancos now travel to relegation-threatened Espanyol on Wednesday.
Champions beaten at homecoming
On Saturday, Barcelona celebrated their LaLiga title in front of their own fans in a party atmosphere at Camp Nou, but the champions were beaten 2-1 by Real Sociedad in what was the Basques’ first win at the ground in 32 years.
Mikel Merino gave Real Sociedad the lead inside five minutes following a mistake from Jules Koundé and Alexander Sørloth made it 2-0 after a breakaway attack in the second half. Robert Lewandowski pulled one back with a header to grab what was merely a late consolation but also saw the Pole move five clear of Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema in the hunt for the Pichichi prize (top goalscorer).
Sergio Busquets lifted the league trophy in his penultimate appearance at Camp Nou and will say goodbye to the Barcelona fans in next weekend’s game against Mallorca. Before that, Barça travel to 18th-placed Real Valladolid tonight (Tuesday).
Despite the defeat, Xavi was happy as Barça celebrated their title. “A night of celebration and joy,” he said. “I’m grateful to the president, the staff, the players and the fans.”
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad took a big step towards Champions League qualification as they moved five points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal with three games left to play. “This win moves us closer to the Champions League,” coach Imanol Alguacil said. “These players want to make history.” A win over Almería at home on Tuesday would leave them on the brink of a place at Europe’s top table for the first time since 2013-14.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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