Villarreal 0, Deportivo 2: One More Until the Champions League Playoff

I didn't expect much from Villarreal in this one, and the home side sadly did not disappoint. Deportivo de la Coruna needed a victory to seal salvation (a visit from Real Madrid in the final jornada would not have been comforting), and they got it without too much difficulty. Faycal Fajr and Lucas Perez with the goals in a 0-2 victory -- only Celta Vigo (in mid-October) and Las Palmas (in early March) had previously won a league match this season at Estadio El Madrigal.

Villarreal lined up with: Barbosa; Mario, Bonera, Ruiz, Rukavina; Manu, Bruno; Samuel, Samu; Adrián and Leo. A rare opportunity for the third-string goalkeeper and starts for reserves at center back, left back, and the four players up front. As expected following a string of high-intensity matches.

Barbosa looked rusty -- no surprise. As did Baptistao. Bonera was skinned (on a yellow) for the second goal. Bakambu and Denis came on late and provided a spark, but it was not enough on this day.

Now for the final competitive match of the season: away to Marcelino's Sporting Gijon. A Getafe win away to Betis sends the Asturians down (thanks for nothing, Marca calculator!), but I wouldn't say that's a certainty. So the hosts will come out firing -- if only blanks, even Rayo Vallecano could still stay up.

Today was playing out the string. After next weekend, the following competitive match will be the first leg of the Champions League playoff. Get ready!