Besides winning the Spanish league title for the first time in seven years, Atl├йtico Madrid also left rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona with plenty of questions to answer.
Atl├йtico, led by striker Luis Su├бrez and coach Diego Simeone, won its 11th league title and ended another period of domination by Madrid and Barcelona even though both challengers had chances to take the lead in the final weeks of the season. Atl├йtico needed come-from-behind victories in its last two matches to outlast Madrid and win the league trophy for the first time since 2014.
Sevilla also was in the title chase at one point in a season in which it broke the club record for most points ever with 77. Real Sociedad, Real Betis and Villarreal finished the season celebrating European spots. The three relegated teams were Eibar, Huesca and Valladolid.
HereтАЩs how the top teams fared and whatтАЩs ahead for them next season:
ATL├ЙTICO MADRID
Atl├йticoтАЩs season culminated with only its third league title in the last 25 years, and there are signs the club will keep challenging Madrid and Barcelona at the top.
The team led the league for most of the season but endured some tense final matches after blowing a big advantage. Atl├йtico was able to clinch the title thanks to two winning goals by Su├бrez, who was key all season after being let go by Barcelona against his wishes.
Atl├йticoтАЩs setbacks came when it was eliminated by third-division club Cornella in the second round of the Copa del Rey, and when it lost to Chelsea in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Atl├йtico is the team with fewest doubts going forward as it already went through a revamping process a couple of seasons ago. Simeone is set to return for the final year of his contract and his squad will remain mostly the same, led by Su├бrez, Koke Resurrecci├│n, Jan Oblak, Marcos Llorente and Jo├гo F├йlix.
тАЬWe have to stay on this same path,тАЭ Atl├йtico president Enrique Cerezo said. тАЬAtl├йtico wonтАЩt look a lot different next season.тАЭ
BARCELONA
ThereтАЩs plenty of uncertainty regarding BarcelonaтАЩs future, as itтАЩs still unclear if Lionel Messi will return and if coach Ronald Koeman will remain in charge.
Messi had his request to leave the club denied last season and he has yet to say whether he will return after his contract ends in June.
Koeman has been under fire and could lose his job for how Barcelona finished the season, squandering a few good chances to take the league lead and needing a last-match victory just to finish in third place. Its only title this season came in the Copa del Rey. The team was eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
There have been widespread talks about former player Xavi Hern├бndez taking over for Koeman next season.
The club has been struggling financially because of the coronavirus pandemic and may not be able to boost its squad, although there are rumors about the possible arrival of Memphis Depay.
Club president Joan Laporta said a cycle has ended.
тАЬWe are entering a process of renovation,тАЭ he said last week.
REAL MADRID
There are also doubts surrounding Madrid, which finished without a title for the first time in more than a decade. It ended the league two points behind Atl├йtico while trying to repeat as champion for the first time since 2007-08.
Like Barcelona, Madrid also got off to a slow start and then failed to capitalize on its chances to take the lead. The team was plagued by injuries to key players such as Eden Hazard, Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal.
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane hasnтАЩt said if he’s coming back next season, with Spanish media saying he has already made up his mind about leaving. Ramos may be on his way out as well as contract negotiations with the club reportedly have not advanced. ItтАЩs unclear if Gareth Bale will return after his stint on loan with Tottenham.
Fans have been calling for a blockbuster signing to boost the team, but Madrid has also struggled financially because of the pandemic.
