Real Madrid take to the field for the first time since being dethroned as La Liga champions when they visit struggling Sevilla on Sunday.
Barcelona secured the Spanish top-flight title on Thursday evening after beating local rivals Espanyol, with Madrid‘s last-gasp victory over Mallorca the previous night only briefly delaying the coronation of their Clásico adversaries. It means Los Blancos have only won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup this season having also been beaten in the Supercopa de España and Copa del Rey finals by the Catalans.
Sunday will see Carlo Ancelotti take charge of his penultimate Madrid match before jetting off to become Brazil national team manager at the end of the season. His side are already guaranteed second place as they sit eight points ahead of city foes Atlético Madrid and have noting but pride to play for in Andalusia this weekend.
It‘s been a difficult season for Sevilla, too. Having finished an underwhelming 14th last year, Sunday‘s hosts are stuck in the same position with two matches left to play this term, although they are now certain of their place in La Liga for next season. Joaquín Caparrós has been appointed interim manager until the end of the campaign and helped the club secure a first win since the March international break last time out.
Here is guide to a dead rubber in La Liga.
