MADRID, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 31 was arguably the most decisive of the current season as it left us with our Champions-elect in Spain. Here are some things we learned after this weekend's matches in the Liga Santander.
1. Barca are champions elect
FC Barcelona's 2-0 win over their nearest rivals Atletico Madrid opened an 11 point gap of at the top of the table with just seven games to play and 21 points to play for. It's fair to say that it would need a disaster for Barca not to win the title this season.
Barca found it very hard work against Atletico Madrid, who showed huge spirit all game and even more so after Diego Costa got himself sent off for insulting the referee, but in the end their ever-dependable duo of Luis Suarez and Leo Messi made the difference.
The win has secondary effects as well it means Barca can now focus more attention on the Champions League, which is perhaps their main ambition this season.
2. The second time usually isn't as good as the first
Diego Costa's sending off in the Camp Nou was a key factor in Atletico Madrid's 2-0 defeat to Barcelona and the Brazilian born Spain international has to accept a large share of the responsibility after leaving his team to play with 10 men for around an hour.
There was simply no need for Costa to blow his top with the referee as he did in the middle of the park.
Such an error would maybe be excusable in a youngster, but not in someone with his experience. It's well known that Costa's fire is what made him such an effective player, but the fact is that it also costs him (and his team) dearly, and way too often.
Since returning to action with Atletico in January 2018, Costa has scored two league goals and seen three red cards. With reported interest from China, Atletico may think that his second adventure at the club has come to an end.
3. A long goodbye for Real and Atletico
While Barca can think about lifting the league title, it promises to be a long six weeks until the end of the season for Atletico and Real Madrid. The two teams are virtually assured second and third place, but apart from the pride of seeing which of the two neighbors finishes higher than the other, there is nothing else to play for.
Both sides are out of Europe and while Real Madrid's players may have to focus on how best to impress Zidane to assure their place at the club next season, Atletico's have nothing to think about other than the frustration of once again getting close, but not close enough. And that may tempt some, such as Griezmann and Rodri, to think about leaving.
4. Europe turning into a dogfight
Getafe's 1-0 over Athletic Club Bilbao kept them in the fourth place in what was a good week for the Madrid based club as other rivals for the top-four slipped up, with Alaves dropping further points and Valencia suffering a shock defeat away to Rayo Vallecano.
Sevilla's win in Valladolid moved them back to fifth and they are showing signs of recovery under Joaquin Caparros, while Betis also claimed a much-needed win to just about keep in touch.
With the title all but resolved, the battle for Europe is going to be the main battleground over the next six weeks. Enditem
