LaLiga’s racism protocols remain ineffective, Getafe coach Pepe Bordalas embodies Brian Clough as Martín Zubimendi passes his Sergio Busquets audition at Barcelona – 10 THINGS WE LEARNED from LaLiga
- LaLiga’s racism protocols have come under fire as Vinicius Jr was racially abused
- Getafe coach Pepe Bordalas embodies Brian Clough while Valencia will stay up
- Mail Sport recaps on ten things we learned from LaLiga this weekend
Real Madrid dominated the weekend’s action despite their season being over.
The treatment of Vinicius is pushing him to consider leaving LaLiga, which is the last thing the competition needs as it struggles to maintain its standing in Europe.
Barcelona couldn’t celebrate the title with a win but that was largely down to Real Sociedad, who will probably be in the Champions League next season.
Elsewhere Jose Bordalas goes all Brian Clough and it doesn’t pay off, Quique Setien clings to his job and Miranda reminds us nice boys do bad things in heated derbies.
Here, Mail Sport‘s Pete Jenson looks at 10 things we learned from LaLiga.
Things have not improved since earlier in the season
They sang ‘Vinicius is a monkey’ before the Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid game in September and the same chant could be heard from Valencia supporters ‘welcoming’ the team buses on Sunday.
And the perpetrators will once again escape without punishment.
Vinicius Jr (second left) was racially abused during Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat by Valencia
Questions have been raised over LaLiga’s protocols when it comes to racism after the incident
Samuel Eto’o suffered racist abuse in 2006 and it seems a similar incident happened to him during an away trip to Zaragoza
Things have not improved since 2006!
Samuel Eto’o was racially abused away at Zaragoza in 2006.
He wanted to walk off the pitch but referee Victor Esquinas Torres urged him to stay on and an announcement was made in the stadium.
That was the protocol then, that is the protocol now, and it remains just as ineffective.
Valencia will stay up
The result was largely forgotten but it keeps Valencia up. Up to 13th and on the magic ’40 points’ total, they will not suffer their first relegation since 1986.
Clough tactic failed for Getafe
Brian Clough once stopped the Forest team coach some way from the stadium so his players could walk to the ground ahead of a game against Millwall. The idea was to show they were not intimidated.
Getafe coach Pepe Bordalas did something similar at the weekend ahead of his team’s game with Elche – more so the players could feed of the buzz of their own supporters than confront the opposition ones.
It didn’t work. Getafe drew 1-1 and are still in trouble at the bottom.
Zubimendi passes his Busquets audition
The Real Sociedad midfielder set up two and was impeccable defensively in his team’s win over Barcelona.
He’s the man Xavi wants to bring in to replace the retiring icon Sergio Busquets, but he is too expensive and will stay where he is to play Champions League football next season.
Iraola’s future is not decided
There is a pre-agreement for him to go to Villarreal but Quique Setien has the Yellow Submarine comfortable in fifth.
If Rayo make Andoni Iraola a decent offer and Villarreal are happy to stick with Setien, get-out clauses could kick-in.
Getafe coach Pepe Bordalas’ plan to emulate iconic former boss Brian Clough did not come to fruition at the weekend as his side drew 1-1 with Elche after he made them walk to the stadium
Martin Zubimendi is a target for Xavi as a replacement for outgoing midfielder Sergio Busquets
Derbies do things to players
There are few cleaner defenders than Betis full-back Juan Miranda but his X-rated tackle on Jesus Navas could have ended the youthful veteran’s career.
He was sent off and Navas had to be held back from confronting him. Miranda sought out Navas in the dressing room after the game to apologize.
Malaga’s loss is Spanish football’s too
With gates averaging around 19,000, Spain’s top flight needs Malaga.
But after their relegation to the third tier on Saturday it will be some while before the club horribly mismanaged by overseas owners will be back in the big time.
Messi has felt part of Barcelona’s title win
His name was chanted on 10 minutes once more at the weekend.
The club are still doing everything they can to sign him.
Robert Lewandowski has also welcomed the prospect of playing alongside him.
He scored his 22nd goal of the season on Saturday and is convinced he will score even more next year if Messi arrives.
Jesus Navas (bottom) rolls on the floor following a dangerous tackle from Juan Miranda
Xavi (top) was crowned LaLiga coach of the season after his side claimed the LaLiga title
Xavi is coach of the season
Jose Luis Mendilibar has worked a minor miracle at Sevilla and if Ruben Baraja finishes the job of keeping Valencia up he will also deserve huge praise.
Imanol Alguacil has also excelled getting Real Sociedad on the verge of the Champions League.
But Xavi has been the manager of the year and his speech to a near-full Camp Nou on Saturday thanking the supporters and recalling how he had asked for their help back before the season began was class.
He will not have the same backing next year in a 49,000 arena, with only 22,000 of those Barca season ticket holders.
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