And LaLiga 2023/2024 came to an end this weekend. With nothing at stake, it was a somewhat insipid match day. Even the fight for the ‘pichichi’, which promised its own, ended in the most tragic way for one of its protagonists. A day without suffering, without passion and without the surprise that characterises this special day. Let’s go with LaLiga Overtime of the last match day.
LaLiga Overtime – Match Day #38:
Sorloth’s misfortune and Dovbyk’s joy:
The attraction of the final LaLiga match day was the battle for the ‘pichichi’ between Artem Dovbyk and Alexander Sorloth. Villarreal‘s Norwegian striker had been preparing for a surprise win after scoring a hat-trick against Real Madrid that left the Ukrainian himself in disbelief when he was substituted against Valencia. On this occasion, Dovbyk had to put the Norwegian under pressure. And he did just that.
A hat-trick against Granada put him on 24 goals in his debut campaign in LaLiga and certified a glorious season on an individual and collective level. A goal separated Sorloth from the feat and he faced Osasuna in Arrasate’s farewell match. But, after 15 minutes, everything went down the drain. A shot with his left foot turned into an ailment that forced him to leave the pitch.
Sorloth left El Sadar with a grim expression on his face, with Dovbyk, respecting the injury of a team-mate, celebrating a magical debut. The Ukrainian is the new gunman of the championship.
The scorn of a legend:
«How badly Barça treat their legends». This is what Quique Sánchez Flores said before the match against FC Barcelona after confirming the latest episode in the ‘Xavi soap opera’. A closure that marks the end of the Tarrasa coach in the blaugrana dugout after a series of almost novelistic events. I’m leaving, I’m staying and, after a press conference, I’m back in the eye of the hurricane.
Finally, Xavi won’t continue in charge of Barça and Quique’s words are true. Laporta‘s return has brought with it a problem when it comes to dealing with club legends. It happened with Messi, with Koeman and now with Xavi. A man who has given his life for his club is exiled when he arrived at a dramatic moment institutionally. He gave back the illusion to the Culé tide and the treatment is one of contempt. This should never happen with legends like Xavi.
That’s all, mates:
And, in this way, we put an end to LaLiga Overtime. These lines are more personal, rather than football-oriented, so feel free to skip them if you wish. It has been a pleasure, as well as a difficult task, to watch all the LaLiga matches in order to bring you these articles. One of the objectives I had was, at least once, to talk about all the teams in LaLiga. And that has been achieved.
A long work that, after 38 match days, some more difficult to watch than others, comes to an end. The European Championship and the Copa America are coming up, as well as the transfer market, but it’s not the same without being able to cheer on your club every weekend. That team that you have watched since you were a child and that one joy is worth more than 1,000 misfortunes. It has been a pleasure to accompany you throughout the championship. That’s all, mates.
Translated by Marcos Rodríguez.
Main image: Edit Pablo Benítez.
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