Luis Suarez aiming to fire Atletico Madrid to title but Real are ready to pounce

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated La Liga for the last decade but another prolific veteran could play a crucial role in the climax of the 2020-21 season.

"The Luis Suarez story is amazing," says broadcaster Guillem Balague, who will be part of LaLigaTV's coverage on Saturday when Suarez's Atletico Madrid bid to seal the Spanish title.

"How did Barcelona let a guy who won them four titles go, especially to the team who are top of the table going into the final game?

"Suarez was stuck on 19 league goals for the season for a long time then last weekend, as he has done all through his career, he appeared at just the right time to score a crucial goal."

That 88th-minute strike gave Atletico a 2-1 win over Osasuna, ensuring that Diego Simeone's men have their fate in their own hands.

If they win at relegation-threatened Valladolid then they are champions but any slip-up opens the door for Real Madrid to retain their title by beating Villarreal at home.

Real went top in-play last weekend as Atleti trailed Osasuna 1-0 going into the last ten minutes and former Swansea and Brighton winger Andrea Orlandi, now a LaLigaTV pundit, expects more drama on Saturday.

"The title race has been so exciting," says Orlandi. "I don't think Atletico will find it easy at Valladolid, who are playing for their lives and need a win.

"It could be a similar story to last weekend with Real at the top, then Atletico. I think Atletico will win the title, and deserve it, but I can see them making their fans suffer!"

All seven 5pm kick-offs on Saturday feature teams fighting for the title, European places or top-flight survival and LaLigaTV will be offering multi-goal coverage of the season finale.

If Atletico do triumph then Balague feels they will be worthy champions.

"The season is very long, there are ups and downs," he says. "You're not always going to win the league like Man City or like Liverpool last season. So let's not focus on Atletico's inconsistency, let's focus on how well they've battled the two giants, Real and Barca."

Villarreal, Real's opponents on Saturday, are also looking forward to next week's Europa League final against Manchester United.

"United should be worried," says Orlandi. "Villarreal have some very good players, Pau Torres in defence, Dani Parejo with his range of passing and his connection with Gerard Moreno, who is probably the best Spanish striker at the moment. It will be a great final."

On the subject of top strikers, could Harry Kane be tempted by a summer move to Spain?

"Having spoken to Harry in the past, I think he would love to play in La Liga," says Balague.

"It's a decision for Harry Kane – he will have a lot more money playing somewhere else but this is the crucial point of his career."

LaLigaTV will be showing all the action from the final weekend of the season including multi-goal coverage of Saturday's crucial 5pm kick-offs.

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