Sevilla, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid all in the sprint…

With the echos of the false start from the Exclusive League (aka European Super League) still reverberating around football, LaLiga is back in action and looking particularly exciting, as if the football we’ve always known and loved was trying to prove a point. Sevilla beat Levante on Wednesday and provisionally went third. In other words: they are in the mix. They don’t score as many as the others but they are solid and in fine fettle. Then there’s Real Madrid, who march on, knackered and struggling with injuries, but still marching; they won in Cádiz thanks to 10 sweet minutes, with Benzema once more on fire up front. Madrid won the match and found a new player, Antonio Blanco, who has a good look about him.

Atleti still in the hunt for LaLiga title

If Sevilla are racing along, thanks to the state of their squad, Madrid are still in the race thanks to their willpower, desperate not to lose the battle with Atlético. Their provisional leadership, earned in Cádiz, lasted until Atlético played, yesterday evening. Without Luis Suárez or João Félix, Correa has stepped up and added a new dimension to his game, that of a sharp, agile, consistent striker, just what Simeone's side were missing. What’s more they can now count on Dembélé, with all the potentially serious reasons behind his terrifying passing out now having being ruled out. Once again he gave a good account of himself, thanks to his movement and pace. Simeone has strength in depth.

Of course Huesca made things easier for Atleti, because they kept players back for next week and the visit of Getafe, who did the same for their match against Barcelona. But what’s clear is that Atlético are going to fight to the death - and they are going to need to, seeing the performance from Barcelona and Leo Messi. A fine team and a megastar, the dream of any fan. That’s how LaLiga is looking as it heads into the final straight, with Sevilla looking strong, Madrid with their hallmark desperate strength of will, Atleti coming out of their long slump and Barça playing great football. On the weekend of 8 and 9 of May they meet: Barça-Atleti and Madrid- Sevilla. We’re hoping for a nail-biting finish to the Championship, the like of which we haven’t seen for years.