That was the top story pretty much everywhere yesterday; a dramatic 3-2 home win over Sevilla, coupled with Barcelona’s equally dramatic 2-2 draw with Almeria, meant that the two teams – separated by only two points – were now level. Both have played 25 matches, and both have earned 62 points from those matches; their nearest competitor – Valencia – has 46 points. One of these two teams will win the title.
And yet, in spite of what the Telegraph and ESPN’s La Liga table tell us, Real Madrid is not really in first place.
Why’s that? Because La Liga doesn’t use goal differential as their first tiebreaker, like most leagues (including England’s) do. In Spain, the tiebreakers go like this (stolen from The Offside, although Sid Lowe also makes mention of it towards the end of his blog post in today’s Guardian)
- Head to head points
- Head to head goal difference
- Head to head goals scored
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
What that means is that the fact that Barcelona are five goals behind Real Madrid on goal difference doesn’t matter; Barcelona – by virtue of beating Real Madrid earlier this season – are still top by La Liga’s tiebreaking criteria.
What that also means is that, come April 11th, there’s the potential for a genuine title game in La Liga. That’s the date of the next El Clásico, and if these two are level on points going into that match than you’re looking at an epic match. Should Barcelona win or draw, they’ll hold the main tiebreaker over Real Madrid; if Madrid wins by more than one, they’ll hold the edge over Barcelona. With everything potentially down to the wire – and with Barcelona clearly struggling to find form lately – we’re looking at a really exciting run-in for Spain.
Right now La Liga’s own page is listing Real Madrid as first:
http://www.lfp.es/Default.aspx?tabid=113&Controltype=clas&idDivision=1
I believe this is because they don’t apply the head-to-head tie breaker until both games are played. Anyway, the Telegraph and ESPN are not off base with their table.
You ultimate conclusion is spot on: we are on the path to having El Classico be a title game. And I for one am feeling good about Barcelona returning to form and sweeping El Classico this year. It’s going to be fun!
Forza Barcalona!
ur analysis is spot on. Even a draw would suit Barca. But on the other hand R.Madrid will come attacking as la liga is all they’re left with to play for!
So who is on first now?