Villarreal and Atlético face Finalissima at La Cerámica with third place at stake | OneFootball

Villarreal host Atlético Madrid at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Sunday 24 May at 21.00, a straight shootout for third in LaLiga with both on 69 points and a +22 goal difference. El Periódico Mediterráneo notes it carries the feel of a Finalissima.

The equation is simple for Marcelino García Toral’s side, win and they finish third. Any victory takes them to 72 points and leaves Atlético on 69, a draw would hand third to the visitors because of head-to-head after the 2-0 in the Metropolitano.

Both clubs have already secured a place in the 2026/27 Champions League, but third brings extra revenue. LaLiga’s audiovisual pot is split between a fixed share and variables for sporting results and social impact, with third counting 13% on the sporting scale and fourth 11%.

On 2024/25 Primera revenues of 1.292 billion euros, the immediate sporting uplift is about 2.3 million. Given LaLiga weights the last five seasons, the total impact could approach or top 6 million if income holds, so 4 million is a prudent midpoint.

Prestige counts. Finishing behind the two giants and ahead of Atlético would cap an outstanding campaign, aid recruitment and reputation, and match Villarreal’s third place of 2004/05, with only 2007/08’s runners-up finish better.

The club will also honour Marcelino. His departure ends a second spell from November 2023 to June 2026, two and a half seasons that brought stability and an unprecedented back-to-back return to the Champions League.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo