Deportes

At 30 kilometers into the race, the Frenchman hit the wall

There are matches that cannot be scripted. They start seeming one way and end up being something completely different. The one in Pamplona was heading for a goalless draw and looked like that for a long 80 minutes. But no. The hours before the match contributed to the deception. They influenced the crowd

El Barça won the match in Pamplona almost unintentionally, accumulating a 14-point lead and can be crowned League champion this Sunday. It would happen without playing and passively. The calculations are clear. If Madrid does not win against Espanyol in Cornellà, the League will already be decided. For the third time in four seasons, the leader would take the title at the white-and-blue field, although this time not in a derby and on the field but watching it on television.

Putting Real Madrid to the limit. Arriving at the square watching the match of the Whites against Espanyol from the sidelines, avoiding confinements and unpleasant surprises. That is why Barcelona came to Pamplona: to win and seal Flick’s third League as soon as possible on Lewandowski’s great night, who may be living his last dance as a Blaugrana… or not.

It is often said that sports are full of heroes and exemplary stories that represent values. Of the very rare occasions when this phrase is true, few were more fitting than in the story of the life of the Italian Alex Zanardi, who passed away at 59 in his native country this Friday, May 1. Zanardi dreamed in his childhood in Bologna of becoming a Formula 1 driver and a champion. He achieved both, but not at the same time.

Barcelona, thanks to its 28 victories, 80 goals scored, and 11-point lead, has earned five championship chances. The first opportunity is this weekend. Although it does not depend on itself, Barça only has one result that matters if it wants to celebrate the title now: winning at El Sadar tonight. Otherwise, there will be no possible combination because in this first scenario it cannot be champion on the pitch but only later.

That the FC Barcelona defense has gained in tranquility with the signing of Joan Garcia (24) as goalkeeper is a reality. That this summer the club will have to decide who takes over as second goalkeeper, too. The Polish Wojciech Szczesny (36), who signed a renewal for one year plus another optional, has pretty much accepted that he will not continue next season. Who will take the role of second goalkeeper? That is one of the questions being asked at the training ground.

“The largest neighborhood in Europe” experienced an unforgettable night, one of those stories passed down from grandparents to grandchildren. Vallecas had never attended a European competition semifinal (two Copa del Rey semifinals, the last in 2022 against Betis) and dressed up for the occasion. Nerves from early morning, a mosaic in the stands, and a smile from ear to ear on the faces of its people, who supported the team until the last breath while the match became tangled and Rayo stoically held the lead (1-0). In a week, the spot in the final will be decided at the Stade de la Meinau, in the capital of Alsace. That could be a football war, judging by what was seen in the first leg.

The incidence of African swine fever that has been affecting the Collserola park for months puts the route of the second stage of the Tour de France at risk. In fact, sources from the Generalitat of Catalonia explained to this newspaper that they have asked the Tour de France organization for a route change so that the race does not pass through the area currently under restrictions. The Generalitat proposes this change “out of responsibility and rigor in managing the outbreak affecting Catalonia since November.” At the same time, the final report from the technicians of the Government’s Department of Agriculture is awaited.

Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, confirmed this Thursday that Iran will play in the World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer.