Five Things to Look Out for in La Liga This Weekend

Football - La Liga - Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo - Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - May 9, 2026 Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
Football - La Liga - Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo - Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - May 9, 2026 Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
TT

Five Things to Look Out for in La Liga This Weekend

Football - La Liga - Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo - Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - May 9, 2026 Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)
Football - La Liga - Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo - Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - May 9, 2026 Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann looks dejected after the match. (Reuters)

With Barcelona crowned champions for a second consecutive season, attention in La Liga turns to other matters in the penultimate round of fixtures, including a gripping relegation battle.

AFP Sport picks out five things to look out for this weekend in the Spanish top flight.

Griezmann's farewell

French forward Antoine Griezmann could not end his time at Atletico brandishing a trophy as he would have loved, but will still receive a warm goodbye from the club's supporters this weekend.

Diego Simeone's side host Girona in their final match at the Metropolitano stadium before Griezmann heads to the United States to play for MLS side Orlando City.

"We have had a genius with us for many years, and hopefully, we can give him a great send-off," said Simeone this week.

Griezmann is Atletico's all-time top goalscorer over two spells at the club totaling a decade in red and white.

Relegation tightrope

La Liga's bottom half is bunched together extremely tightly, meaning several teams are looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone.

Salvation is not guaranteed for teams between 10th and 19th place, with only Real Oviedo so far guaranteed to go down.

Several sides have been in the bottom three in recent weeks and keep changing places.

Record seven-time Europa League winners Sevilla have recently surged towards safety with three straight wins, but face Real Madrid this weekend.

Espanyol failed to win for 18 straight games before beating Athletic Bilbao this week, while Alaves moved out of the drop zone with a win against champions Barca.

Mallorca and Levante start the weekend placed 18th and 19th respectively, but it's anybody's guess who will be in there by Sunday night.

Barca perfect at home

Hansi Flick's newly crowned champions lost at Alaves in midweek to scupper their target of matching the La Liga record of 100 points, but can still finish at home on a high against Real Betis.

The Catalan giants have won every single home match in the top flight this season and would complete the set by beating Manuel Pellegrini's team, who have already sealed qualification for the Champions League.

After playing the first months of the season at Montjuic's Olympic stadium and even hosting a couple of games at the tiny Johan Cruyff training ground stadium, Barca finally returned to their partially rebuilt Camp Nou home in November last year.

This might also be striker Robert Lewandowski's final home match for Barcelona, with the Polish veteran out of contract in the summer.

Getafe Euro charge

Jose Bordalas's Getafe are a team often derided for their direct style of play and physical approach, but despite the limitations of their squad they are on the brink of reaching European competition.

They last competed in the Europa League in the 2019-20 season.

"I have no words to describe the outrageous thing this team is doing," said the proud coach after beating Mallorca on Wednesday.

Getafe are seventh, which would take them into next season's Conference League, but trail sixth-placed Celta Vigo, in a Europa League spot, by just two points with two games to go.

Golden boot battle

Because of injury issues in the second half of the season and Real Madrid's inconsistent form, Kylian Mbappe's lead in the top scorer standings has been whittled down.

The French forward has 24 goals, leading Mallorca target man Vedat Muriqi by just two, with two games remaining.

The islanders are still fighting for survival and Kosovan striker Muriqi is their main weapon in a key battle against Levante.



Ireland Beat Israel but No Handshakes Due to War in Gaza

 27 September 2026, Hungary, Debrecen: Ireland's Troy Parrott celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A4 soccer match between Israel and Republic of Ireland at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen. (dpa)
27 September 2026, Hungary, Debrecen: Ireland's Troy Parrott celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A4 soccer match between Israel and Republic of Ireland at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen. (dpa)
TT

Ireland Beat Israel but No Handshakes Due to War in Gaza

 27 September 2026, Hungary, Debrecen: Ireland's Troy Parrott celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A4 soccer match between Israel and Republic of Ireland at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen. (dpa)
27 September 2026, Hungary, Debrecen: Ireland's Troy Parrott celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A4 soccer match between Israel and Republic of Ireland at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen. (dpa)

Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in a Nations League clash on Sunday amid an eerie and somber atmosphere that saw the Irish players wear black armbands over the war in Gaza.

Ireland's players also bowed their heads as the Israeli national anthem was played at the near-empty Debrecen stadium in Hungary.

The teams skipped the traditional pre-match handshakes and did not exchange pennants either.

Troy Parrott made a heart sign with his hands after opening the scoring on 14 minutes, while Jack Moylan kissed the Irish badge on his jersey and his black armband after netting the third goal 25 minutes in.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Ireland of being "on the wrong side of history" over the players' actions.

In a lengthy post on X, Saar referenced the Irish team of 1939 giving the Nazi salute ahead of a match against Germany in Bremen.

He also referred to Irish neutrality during the Second World War and the condolences offered by then-prime minister Eaemon de Valera to the German representative in Dublin following Adolf Hitler's death.

"Almost 90 years have passed. Ireland's unique talent for finding itself on the wrong side of history remains intact," he added.

The game, in which Israel were the nominal hosts, had been in doubt earlier in the week until Ireland's players voted overwhelmingly to fulfill the fixture, despite pressure from back home to boycott the match.

Only one player, goalkeeper Gavin Buzunu, pulled out, saying "it would be wrong to participate" in either this match or the return fixture in Serbia on October 4 due to the "killing of innocent people".

The Irish federation did not reserve any tickets for fans to attend the match and public broadcaster RTE was due to show it without commentary.

"Sports, soccer, basketball, everything is for the public, the people, and not for politics," 31-year-old software development teacher Mol Michael, draped in an Israeli scarf, told AFP.

"Once you decide, because of politics, to cancel the Irish audience, this is a really stupid move from Ireland, in my opinion."

Ireland has long been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, with sympathy often linked to the country's own history of British rule.

Dublin formally recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 alongside Spain and Norway, and has repeatedly criticized Israel over the Gaza conflict.

Israel strongly rejects allegations its conduct in Gaza amounts to genocide.


Greece Hand Klopp First Defeat as Germany Manager

Football - Nations League - Group A2 - Germany v Greece - WWK Arena, Augsburg, Germany - September 27, 2026 Germany coach Jurgen Klopp reacts at the end of the match. (Reuters)
Football - Nations League - Group A2 - Germany v Greece - WWK Arena, Augsburg, Germany - September 27, 2026 Germany coach Jurgen Klopp reacts at the end of the match. (Reuters)
TT

Greece Hand Klopp First Defeat as Germany Manager

Football - Nations League - Group A2 - Germany v Greece - WWK Arena, Augsburg, Germany - September 27, 2026 Germany coach Jurgen Klopp reacts at the end of the match. (Reuters)
Football - Nations League - Group A2 - Germany v Greece - WWK Arena, Augsburg, Germany - September 27, 2026 Germany coach Jurgen Klopp reacts at the end of the match. (Reuters)

Jurgen Klopp tasted defeat for the first time as Germany manager as his side lost 1-0 to Greece in Augsburg on Sunday, with Dimitrios Kourbelis scoring the only goal.

In his first game on home soil, Klopp's side offered little in attack and lacked the energy they had displayed on the former Liverpool coach's debut in a 1-1 away draw with the Netherlands on Thursday.

The Germans had struggled to find a way through the Greek defense for the opening hour before the visitors broke through on the counter, with Kourbelis scoring in the 74th minute.

It was Greece's first ever win against Germany.

"Personally, I'm completely unbothered by it. I've lost far more matches in my life than I would have liked," Klopp told ARD.

"But as long as you draw the right conclusions, a loss is ultimately just a piece of information -- no different from a win.

"We absolutely need these kinds of matches -- they are exactly the games we wanted to have."

Germany captain Joshua Kimmich added: "He's been very clear about what he wants -- as players, we need to implement it."

- 'Very hyped' -

Several regulars missed out with Klopp trying to get a better idea of the talent at his disposal, but the defeat illustrated the scale of his task in reviving the flagging giants.

The 59-year-old took over Germany in July after the four-time World Cup winners were eliminated at the last-32 stage of the global showpiece in North America, their third consecutive early exit from the tournament.

"I think the important thing is that we stand together and that won't change," said Germany center-back Jonathan Tah.

"Of course, with the enthusiasm surrounding the new coach, things can get very hyped up from the outside, but ultimately, it comes down to what we do on the pitch and how we perform."

Klopp had included 16 uncapped players in his 44-man squad as he warned that he would be using the competition to have a look at the players at his disposal.

Among the five alterations to his starting XI was Hoffenheim forward Bambase Conte, a shock call-up after playing just four top-flight matches.

Conte looked sharp and shot just wide with two minutes gone.

Barcelona forward Karim Adeyemi had the best chance of the opening half when he stormed past the Greek defense on the counter, but sprayed his shot just over the crossbar.

Conte was again dangerous after the break, forcing a low fingertip save from Greek goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.

With Germany dominating possession but offering little in attack, the visitors grew bolder and more incisive on the counter and should have taken the lead when Fotis Ioannidis blasted wide of the goal with just Alexander Nuebel to beat.

Greece broke through moments later, however, when Kourbelis's low shot took a wicked deflection off Joshua Kimmich and rolled into the bottom left corner.

Greece then held firm for a breakthrough win over Germany, after seven defeats and three draws dating back to 1960.


Russell Fends Off Verstappen to Win in Baku, Antonelli 5th

26 September 2026, Azerbaijan, Baku: British formula One driver George Russell of team Mercedes celebrates on the podium after winning the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit. Photo: James Gasperotti/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
26 September 2026, Azerbaijan, Baku: British formula One driver George Russell of team Mercedes celebrates on the podium after winning the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit. Photo: James Gasperotti/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
TT

Russell Fends Off Verstappen to Win in Baku, Antonelli 5th

26 September 2026, Azerbaijan, Baku: British formula One driver George Russell of team Mercedes celebrates on the podium after winning the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit. Photo: James Gasperotti/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
26 September 2026, Azerbaijan, Baku: British formula One driver George Russell of team Mercedes celebrates on the podium after winning the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit. Photo: James Gasperotti/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

George Russell closed the gap to championship-leading Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli at the top of the Formula One standings after fending off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to complete a lights-to-flag win in Saturday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with the Italian fifth.

Russell took the flag just 0.196 seconds ahead of the flying Dutchman, who had started eighth but crossed the line nearly side-by-side with his Mercedes rival, after two safety car phases turned a Saturday cruise into a fight for survival for the Briton.

Frenchman Isack Hadjar completed a double podium for Red Bull, repaying the team’s decision to give him a contract extension with third on his return to racing action.

“It’s amazing to be back on the top step of the podium,” said Russell, after closing the gap to Antonelli from 81 to 66 points in the overall standings with 15 races completed.

“Every ⁠race since the (summer) ⁠break I have gone from strength to strength and I feel more like myself again.”

Antonelli had started 16th after a rare error saw him crash out of Friday’s qualifying.

His drive on Saturday was less like his Monza charge – where he went from 19th to first – and more a slow-burn recovery.

Saturday’s win was the eighth of Russell’s career, his third of the season and first since the Austrian Grand Prix in June, Reuters reported.

It capped a dominant weekend for the Briton and had seemed a mere formality, with the 28-year-old leading off the line and opening up a ⁠comfortable lead ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Verstappen and Hadjar.

But all that changed on the 31st of the race’s 51 laps when a crash for Williams racer Alex Albon brought out the safety car.

Russell’s 11-second lead evaporated as the safety car bunched up the field.

Verstappen snatched second from Piastri into the first corner as the action resumed, with Russell unchallenged.

But the race was neutralised almost instantly by another safety car when Argentine Franco Colapinto locked up and ploughed into Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly, who in turn collected McLaren’s reigning champion Lando Norris.

Colapinto, who was given a 10-second time penalty, continued but the contact put both Gasly and Norris out of the race.

The fuming Briton called for the 23-year-old Colapinto to be banned.

Russell had Verstappen right on his tail at the second restart.

The Mercedes driver kept the lead but was unable to shake off the chasing Red Bull, with the pair trading fastest laps.

It ⁠looked like the Dutchman, brushing ⁠the barriers as he hunted down his first win of the season, might just snatch victory on the final dash to the line but the Briton doggedly clung on.

“We had a good race, a tricky first stint on the mediums (tires) but we got a good restart,” said Verstappen.

“Then the final lap George lost boost and I got close, but it was not enough.”

Behind them, Hadjar inherited third when Piastri locked up and took to the run-off area.

The Australian, who had started third, dropped to 14th compounding a miserable day for McLaren.

“It has been a very long six weeks since I injured myself,” said Hadjar, who missed the last three races with a wrist injury.

“It was the right time to come back, I felt strong, I took it step by step to gain the confidence,” added the 21-year-old who was also on the podium in Monaco.

Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari. His seven-times world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton was sixth.

Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad was seventh while Esteban Ocon took eighth ahead of teammate Oliver Bearman in a double points finish for Haas.

Carlos Sainz rounded out the top 10 for Williams.