Athletic Club: Fighting for a trophy and a Champions League ticket
Athletic Club are fifth in the league standings, just one spot away from the Champions League qualification positions. The Bilbao-based outfit are locked in an interesting battle with Atltico de Madrid for fourth place and, over the last few rounds, they have been successively overtaking each other in a very tight race. The direct duel between the two teams during Matchday 33 will be key to deciding that battle.
With the Williams brothers leading the way, Los Rojiblancos have taken a big step forward this term. Iaki Williams is the player with the most shots in LALIGA EA SPORTS, with 37, while Nico Williams is the second-top player in terms of having the most dribbles, with 62, and the second-top also for assists, with eight.
Furthermore, Gorka Guruzeta is fighting for the Pichichi Trophy for the top scorer, as he currently has 13 goals, while Unai Simn leads the Zamora Trophy rankings with 26 goals conceded in 29 games played, averaging less than one per game. It has been a team effort, getting the San Mams crowd on their feet. This is a club that hasn't participated in the Champions League since the 2014/15 season and, 10 years later, they're hoping to return.
RCD Mallorca: A defensive wall that frustrates opponents
It's a similar story at RCD Mallorca. The charismatic Javier Aguirre has made the island his home, has installed his characteristic of play and has led RCD Mallorca to one of the biggest occasions of the domestic season. With a solid squad, in which each player makes his teammates better, the Mexican coach's team have been one of the most difficult to beat in LALIGA EA SPORTS. Of the 15 visitors who have already passed through the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, only three have managed to take three points away with them.
Vedat Muriqi and Abdn Prats, with five goals apiece, are the main references in attack and complement each other perfectly. The Kosovo international is usually the starter and makes the most of his minutes, wearing down defences, a job that Abdn is grateful for as he often finds gaps in the final minutes of games. With Sam Costa fundamental in breaking up the opponent's play and building his own side's possession, RCD Mallorca have a solid spine. The defence, where Antonio Rallo, Jos Copete, Matija Nastasi, Gio Gonzlez and co. form a solid wall, regularly leaves opposition forwards frustrated.
Both teams still have eight games left this league season, when they'll have a lot to fight for regardless of what happens in the Copa del Rey final. Valverde's side would claim a historic prize if they can knock Atltico de Madrid out of the Champions League spots for the first time in more than a decade and return to Europe's top competition.
Meanwhile, Aguirre's club still have to confirm their place in the top flight for next season, as they look to keep writing history in all competitions. It should be a fun final and end to the season, following these two teams that make LALIGA EA SPORTS more interesting matchday after matchday.