It was the penultimate round of fixtures in LaLiga this weekend and our Basque sides were central to much of this week’s excitement. With relegation and European places yet to be confirmed, there’s still much to play for, though the weekend wasn’t without its nervous energy – bounding amongst the grounds of Spain’s top-flight. The Europa League is still a realistic goal for two of the Basque sides, while others are fighting to complete record high finishes. All LaLiga games started at 18:30 on Sunday – an arrangement that that takes fans back to the simpler days of football, when the media didn’t have the power to change times to bolster audience numbers.

First up this week is Real Sociedad. There was a celebratory atmosphere prior to kick-off – Sociedad’s women’s team had defeated Athlético Madrid in the Queens Cup Final on Saturday evening. Against all odds, the side overpowered the league champions with impressive counter-attacking football – along with a sprinkling of luck courtesy of the post. Back in San Sebastián, the ladies were treated to a town hall reception, while a mass of supporters greeted and escorted the team to the Anoeta for the match against Real Madrid and a presentation of the cup. In the opening minutes of the game, things didn’t exactly go to plan for the men’s side. A spectacular solo run from young Brahim Diaz saw him skip past Llorente, before avoiding the defender’s sliding challenge. Then from the acutest of angles, the Spaniard squeezed the ball past Rulli for the game’s first goal. Despite the early goal, I soon found myself rubbing my eyes in disbelief – Sociedad were significantly outplaying the opposition and looked to have made a breakthrough when Oyarzabal headed home, but it was ruled out for offside. It seemingly wasn’t a wake-up call for Madrid who allowed a similar move to happen once again, this time it was Merino who converted Willian José’s flick past a helpless Courtois. In the 39th minute, Jesús Vallejo blocked a Willian José effort by using his hands – earning him a red card. Willian José stepped up and placed his shot down the centre, but just like his saved attempt against Valencia earlier in the season, this too was stopped.

In the second half, the home-side emerged eager to capitalise on their extra man – it wouldn’t take long. A deep ball from Pardo found an advanced Zaldúa who delivered a floated header past the goalkeeper. But it didn’t end there, Real Sociedad continued to dominate and grabbed another goal from a counter-attack. Oyarzabal received the ball in the box and had time to bring it down before striking the post with his shot, the ball then fell to 17-year-old Barrenetxea who drove his effort into the net. I have to say; the youngster is very special – remember the name. Januzaj could have added a fourth late on, but the player’s effort curled onto the crossbar. The final whistle brought wild celebrations with both the men’s and women’s teams thanking the fans. If Sociedad can beat Espanyol next week, and neighbours Athletic suffer defeat, Sociedad could earn European football.

Speaking of Athletic, they hosted Celta Vigo at home this weekend. Celta look to have pulled off the great escape and could secure safety with a win over Los Leones. Athletic had already achieved their escape from the depths of the table in February, and now find themselves in 7th – a potential Europa League place. The game in Bilbao got off to a lively start when Muniain was hacked down in the box. Raúl García stepped up and struck the ball down the middle before passionately celebrating. Immediately after the restart, Athletic won back possession and galloped forward. A tidy ball through the channel to Williams was flicked onwards to where Muniain could deliver a squared pass to García for a tap-in, and the player’s second of the game. Then before half-time, the home side had a goal delivered to them, courtesy of goalkeeper Blanco’s driven clearance hitting the advanced Williams. The ball trundled back towards goal, and the striker simply slotted the ball between the empty sticks. Celta were understandably stunned as the stadium erupted into a party-like atmosphere. After the break, Athletic Club made sure to control the game and limit Celta Vigo’s chances. It worked too – Celta had just four shots during the game. With the game drawing to a close, an effort at goal rebounded off the arm of García leading to the awarding of a penalty for the visitors. Celta’s talisman Aspas took the spot-kick and scored a delightful Panenka penalty beyond Herrerín. It was a worthy win for the home side who just seem to be getting better with every week, and so it is a shame that the off-season is approaching. A game against Sevilla awaits them in the final game of the season – a game that could deliver a European adventure for the side that were fearing relegation in January.

Deportivo Alavés weren’t as positive entering the weekend. Despite their fantastic start to the season, the side were winless in their last eight games and would have been desperately hoping to prevent it becoming nine. Their opponents – Valencia, had the opportunity to move into the top four with a win, and a Getafe loss against Barcelona. Both teams started well in the game. A Guedes strike drifted wide, while at the other end of the pitch, Rolán found himself through on goal but couldn’t beat goalkeeper Doménech. The resulting corner brought the game’s breakthrough, a near-post run from Navarro enabled him to head home at close range. After the goal, there was urgency from Valencia as they increased their aggression and build-up play. It was a long ball that led to the equaliser though – Gabriel’s deep ball wasn’t dealt with by Duarte, leading Soler to slot the ball home. Almost instantaneously, a Valencia corner found Santi Mina who made it look easy – flicking the ball behind into the corner of the net. Alavés continued to fight on, mostly through their star man Jony who is lethal with his delivery of the ball. Ultimately though, the visitors lacked the precision to put the score on level terms and were punished in the 68th minute by Gameiro. The substitute headed a cross down into the ground, where it bounced over the head of Pacheco for Valencia’s third of the game. Late on, Soler had another opportunity but only found the side netting. It was a game that summed up the last month for Alavés, a hearty display but lacking in quality in the final-third. Their last match of the season is at home to all-but-relegated Girona.

Eibar are still battling hard in mid-table. After last year’s ninth-place finish, the side are still hoping to pick up results to complete a record finish in LaLiga. Villarreal fans are generally positive – their side have seemingly escaped relegation after a worrying start to the season. Ten goals from centre-forward Ekambi, and a further ten assists from Cazorla have propelled the club to safety, whilst victories over Girona, Leganes, and Real Sociedad, proved key to their collection of points. With the game underway, Villarreal were animated. Fornals tested Dmitrović in the early minutes, followed moments later by Ekambi’s shot that looked to be creeping in until the big Serbian outstretched his leg. The home-side continued to control the game and Chukwueze should have scored when he found himself through on goal, but the player shot well-wide of the goal in what might just be the howler of the season. By the break, Villarreal should have been in front, but instead they gave onlookers an insight into what has been failing them this season – finishing. With the second-half underway, Villarreal continued to miss, that was, until Ekambi sneaked in front of Ramis and touched the ball behind into the goal. Behind and running out of time, Eibar began launching long balls into the box. One punt forward by Jordán found Kike who turned and fired a powerful drive at goal. The goalkeeper got a hand on the ball, but its power was too much. With the team celebrating, VAR was called into question and cruelly ruled that the player had been in an offside position. At the final whistle, Villarreal celebrated wildly as safety was confirmed. Meanwhile, Eibar left the field dejected, knowing how and why the game was lost.

Osasuna were awarded three-points this week as they were due to play Reus at home. Reus were expelled from LaLiga in January after the club had failed to pay the salaries of players.

Player of the Week

Joseba Zaldúa

When Odriozola packed his bags for Real Madrid during the summer, there was concern at Real Sociedad that they would struggle in that position without recruitment. In the end, the club decided to give Zaldúa – on loan at Leganés last season – another chance to claim a first team spot. The gamble paid off and the player has been a regular, consistent feature in the squad. His attacking runs are often dangerous, and he can defend – living up to the stereotypical image of a rugged, physical Basque chap. During Sociedad’s encounter with Real Madrid, Zaldúa was a dominant force on the right. His crunching tackles earned him a yellow card, but it kept the opposition at bay. To top off his excellent display, the full-back scored a terrific header past Courtois. I have a suspicion that the player will be a regular sight in the Sociedad ranks for years to come.