A protracted crisis that culminated in Koeman's release. Barcelona, which pays old and new mistakes and will pay 16 million to get rid of the Dutchman, after the double knockout with Real and Rayo seem to have hit rock bottom. Fatal was a goal from the old stainless Falcao, and now he will probably start again with Xavi. Meanwhile, tomorrow's match against Alaves makes the Blaugrana fans tremble. The Champions area is now far away but in the lead it is tussle: after Wednesday's draw, Real plays at Elche di Pastore's home while Sevilla host Osasuna who just stopped Real. Atletico continue to sway and will be busy with the excellent Betis. Real Sociedad remains the leaders, but they have one more match and will be involved in the heartfelt Basque derby with Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta declined to confirm that Xavi Hernandez will replace Ronald Koeman, but said he has "excellent references" on the Spaniard's credentials as a manager and that he knows "very well what he thinks of the team".
Laporta's positive evaluation of the former blaugrana midfielder can be understood as an indication for the choice of Koeman's successor, sacked on Wednesday evening.
"He is in a very interesting phase," Laporta said at a press conference about Xavi, who has been driving Al Sadd in Qatar since 2019. "He is growing very well and I have excellent references on him, from people close to him and from people who know him better than me ".
The picture of the twelfth day (RESULTS AND RANKING)
Atl.
Madrid-Betis 18.30
Barcelona-Alaves
Cadiz-Majorca
Elche-Real Madrid
Getafe-Espanyol
Levante-Granada
Real Sociedad-Athletic Bilbao
Seville-Osasuna
Valencia-Villarreal
Vallecano-Celta Vigo
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