The relegation battle, fighting to stay in LaLiga
Eight points separate Osasuna and Almeria, the ninth and 19th-place teams in LaLiga. The reality of each team in those places is different. Some are used to this pressure, but this year LaLiga, after 26 games, has two of their most successful clubs this century fighting to stay.
EFE - SERGIO PÉREZ
Sevilla FC, the club that has won four Europa League tournaments in the past nine years, has been so inconsistent this season and is currently in the 14th place, just two points above the relegation zone. After the defeat against Getafe this weekend, the club has sacked Jorge Sampaoli and are still looking for their coach of the season, which started with Julen Lopetegui.
The situation in Sevilla is critical but manageable. They are still above relegation but have only won one of their last five games in LaLiga. Sevilla will have to find their rhythm and finest version during this international break to compete in the Europa League but, most importantly, to avoid falling in the LaLiga standings. The first three weeks of April are very important for this club as they face Cadiz, Celta, and Valencia, teams that are currently in the same struggle as they are. All their games will be played as finals.
JORGE GUERRERO - AFP
The conditions are not too different with most of the other teams currently competing in LaLiga to avoid relegation, except for CA Osasuna, who have the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Athletic. If conditions include recent history, then we have a particular case with Valencia CF.
The Ches have been struggling the whole season. With Ruben Baraja, their third coach of the season, Valencia FC has entered the relegation zone again this weekend after losing against Atletico Madrid. They have only won two of their last five games. In their final 12 games, they still need to play against Villarreal, Real Madrid, and Real Betis, teams in the top six this season. However, it is important to remember that Valencia has not been stable in recent years, struggling in the league but being runner-ups in last year’s Copa del Rey.
The relegation battle in Spain is not as covered as it should be. Historic teams like these two could lose their spot in LaLiga. The distance between safety and the red zone is minimal, and a bad streak could define each club's future. This break will be their last big chance to make adjustments and prepare themselves for what is coming.
