With the UEFA Champions League spots already sealed via a closed top five, the race to join Real Betis went down to the final weekend, with Rayo, Celta Vigo and Osasuna battling it out.
Barcelona’s Copa del Rey triumph meant whoever finished seventh would join sixth-place Real Betis in the Europa League with eight spot landing in the Conference League.
On a night of huge importance, Rayo got over the line at home to Mallorca to finish eighth, and bring European action back to Vallecas for the first time since 2001.
(The link has a video showing celebrations, a tweet by Sid Lowe, worth watching)
Meanwhile Celta too get into the UEL! Again after very long, all the while playing BRILLIANT football. Appropriately, the game was by Aspas.
Very important for them. The new president has done wonders for them, although she probably could not have seen how well this would go.
The current president is the daughter of the ex president. (Forgot their names)
What was truly important for them was to get rid of Rafa Benitez, who was utterly terrible. (I will confess I was ridiculously the only one who thought he was fine)
The new identity of academy players and high possession attacking football has done wonders.
Both teams would need to add depth now and hope none of their key players leave, with several players being attractive options for bigger teams (Ratiu and Oscar Mingueza for example.)
Goraldez at Celta manages minutes better than anyone and would be fine. But its a tough ask for a team as intense as Rayo. They might suffer with the schedule next year.
Rayos board in comparison in an utter mess, but the team and fans seem lovely.
Osasuna miss out despite having as many points as Rayo. They too are an interesting team, with quite the stadium atmosphere!
Sorry for blabbering on so long.