Three-way battle in Primera Liga rages with nine games left

Under manager Diego Simeone, Athletico Madrid have shaken up a league usually dominated by Barcelona and Real Madrid. Andres Kudacki / AP Photo

Spain's Primera Liga is set for one of the most exciting finishes in years after Barcelona blew the title race wide open with a win at Real Madrid in Sunday's clasico that left Atletico Madrid the masters of their own destiny.

Not since Real and Barca finished tied on 76 points in 2006/07, with Real crowned champions by virtue of a superior head-to-head record, and Sevilla stayed in the hunt down to the wire has there been such a close three-way fight for the title.

Barca's 4-3 victory at the Bernabeu means Real and Atletico both have 70 points with nine games left, with champions Barca, chasing a fifth Liga crown in six years, a point behind.

Atletico’s impressive achievements under Argentine coach Diego Simeone have shaken up a league increasingly dominated by Barca and Real, the world’s richest clubs by income.

Atletico have about a fifth of their wealthier rivals’ resources, but the inspirational Simeone has managed to mould his unfancied squad into genuine contenders in Spain and on the European stage.

If they finish level on points with Real, Atletico will win the title, their first since 1995/96, when Simeone was a player there, as they have a better head-to-head record thanks to this month’s 2-2 draw at the Calderon and a 1-0 win at the Bernabeu in September.

Likewise, Barca have a superior head-to-head over Real after beating them 2-1 at Camp Nou in October, the last time the Madrid club lost before Sunday.

Atletico and Barca drew 0-0 at the Calderon in Madrid in January and play each other Camp Nou on the final day in what could turn out to be a nail-biting climax to the campaign.

In the next round of matches, Real face a potentially tricky game at Sevilla tonight, when Barca host Celta Vigo and Atletico are at home to Granada.

“The league is starting again from scratch and we are back in the battle for the title,” Barca coach Gerardo Martino told a news conference after his side’s success at Real, the Madrid club’s first defeat in 32 matches in all competitions.

“I always thought the three teams would be up there until the end and that’s how it has turned out.”

A win for Real on Sunday would have restored their three-point lead over Atletico and all but killed off Barca’s challenge, but instead they are licking their wounds after suffering only their second home defeat this term.

“I have said many times that this league is open until the final day. We are not happy because we missed a good opportunity, but not to worry,” coach Carlo Ancelotti said.

“There are nine games left and it will be very intense for everyone. The league is open for the three teams and each match could be decisive.”

Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE