Atlético and Barcelona battle for the Liga femenina
As a prelude to the determination of the men's LaLiga season, at noon today, on Spanish TV and in the locations of El Cerro del Espino (Majadahonda) and Paiporta (Valencia), we have the finale of the women's Liga. Atlético play Real Sociedad and Levante host Barcelona. After their draw in the Miniestadi last week, the ball is very much in Atleti's court as they only need to match the result of Barça, whether they win, draw or even lose. The matches take place simultaneously, of course, and their opponents are good. Both la Real and Levante are in the upper regions of the league, in that important 'top eight' that qualify for the Copa de la Reina, the female version of the Copa del Rey. Atleti will have the advantage of playing at home.
Atlético and Barcelona title contenders
For a moment I had thought that Atlético's game, which was originally planned for noon on Sunday, was being played in the Calderón, which in the afternoon will host Athletic Bilbao, Atlético's elder brother, in a final farewell to this stadium, as was the case, in one of life's coincidences, when they left the Estadio Metropolitano. But this will not happen. Several circumstances have made it advisable that the women play in their usual home, el Cerro del Espino, which this time will feel rather small. In any case, it is great for women's football, which still awaits Real Madrid's involvement, that this final day is headlined by the battle between the power brands of Atlético and Barça.
Atlético parallels: Metropolitano to Calderón
I spoke about the Manzanares stadium because Atlético bid farewell to the Metropolitano as LaLiga champions, and this would have been an occasion to say goodbye to their current home with another title, that of the women. And what is going to be parallelism, a historical coincidence, is with their opponent. Athletic Club went to the Metropolitano on its final day. I was there, a memory that has lasted the years. But back then we did not know it was going to be the end, as it was the first leg of the Copa del Rey and Atlético, fresh from being crowned league champions, won 1-0, thanks to a goal from Cardona, so they went expectantly to San Mamés. But there they were eliminated, and the Metropolitano was no more. Tomorrow's end will live on longer.