La Liga: Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid set for final flourish

Atletico Madrid striker Luis Suarez (centre) with his teammates. Pic/ AFP

A lot is at stake for Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid with just one matchday to go on Saturday in what has been the most competitive and exciting Spanish League title race in recent history.

Atlético Madrid lead the table with 83 points while defending champions Real Madrid trail by two points.

Diego Simeone's side can clinch their first league title in seven years with an away win over Valladolid. If they stumble at the final hurdle or manage a draw, it will be an advantage Real Madrid, who host Villarreal in their final game.

Zinedine Zidane's men hold the tie-breaker advantage in terms of head-to-head over Atlético in case they finish level on points. Real have won one (2-0) and drew one (1-1) with Atletico this season.

"Simeone has done a fantastic job at Atletico Madrid. This year we've seen a team with a different mentality, a team that doesn't just defend and counter-attack," said former Atlético Madrid and Barcelona star Luis Garcia during a virtual media interaction on Thursday.

Atletico were leading by 10 points in January and were destined to clinch the title without the impending drama, but since then have lost points in crucial matches to let their Madrid rivals back in the title hunt.

Real Madrid have jostled with injuries to key players like Eden Hazard all through the season, but Zidane has managed to rally his troops as they look to defend their title for the first time since the 2007-08 season.

"Zidane has done an incredible job. He had to deal with a lot of injuries this season and yet they've been contenders until the very end. For me, the best candidate for the managerial job at Real Madrid is always Zidane," said former Real Madrid centre-back Fernando Sanz, 47, who made 35 appearances for Los Blancos.

Meanwhile, Barcelona bowed out of the title race following their 3-3 draw to Levante after fighting their way back into the race. The Catalan giants are placed third with 76 points and play Eibar in their final match.

The last game of the season might turn out to be the final appearance for Lionel Messi in a Barcelona shirt. It might also be the last game for coach Ronald Koeman, despite having won the Spanish Cup.

Former Barcelona and Liverpool defender Javier Mascherano stressed the importance of keeping Messi at Camp Nou while calling for a complete overhaul of the team in the summer.

"Hopefully, Barcelona can sign [Manchester City striker] Sergio Aguero. He'd be a great signing. It would also create very favourable conditions for Messi to stay. Koeman managed to put Barcelona back on track, to put together a competitive side, win the Spanish Cup and keep them in the title race until the very end. He's done a good job," said Mascherano.

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