SPORT: Four things we learned from Spain's matchday 32

MADRID, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 32 of the Liga Santander starts an intense week of football with a midweek round of matches and the Cup final between FC Barcelona and Sevilla. Here are some things we learned this weekend in Spain.

1. Barca 'crisis' is exaggerated

Perhaps it says more about Barca's unstoppable form this season that their exit from the Champions League following a 3-0 defeat away to Roma was called a 'crisis' in some parts.

While Barca were well below their best in Rome and looked tired and flatfooted, one defeat can't be called a crisis and Ernesto Valverde's side showed personality to beat an in-form Valencia on Saturday.

It's true that goalkeeper Ter Stegen had a fine performance for the league leaders and Ousmane Dembele has still to adapt to the side, but with a week until they take on Sevilla in the Cup, Phillipe Coutinho stepped up to the plate to show he can become a leader for Barca, while Suarez showed he has not lost his touch in front of goal. Last Tuesday was a disappointment, but it was not a crisis.

2. 'El Nino' prepares for his long goodbye

Fernando Torres confirmed during the week that he will leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the current season and on Children's Day in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday that helped make it an emotional afternoon.

The fact that Torres was on the bench despite the injury to Diego Costa showed that he has made the right decision in announcing his departure as the 34-year old is only going to drop further down the pecking order. However the banners in the stand and the applause which greeted his 58th entry into the game showed he will always be loved by the Atletico supporters.

The goal he scored with 13 minutes remaining sparked even greater celebrations and made it clear he still has football to offer, but its best for everyone if he offers it elsewhere.

3. European spot is Betis' for the taking

Betis' 1-0 win away to Girona on Friday night stretched their winning run to 5 games and the side coached by Quique Setien has hit home at exactly the right moment to claim a place in next season's Europa League.

Friday's win means Betis have an eight point cushion over eighth place Girona, a four-point lead over sixth place Villarreal and seven over local rivals Sevilla and it also means they are the only side battling for Europe who are in good form at the moment.

Out of Betis' rivals for a place in the Europa League, Sevilla have taken 2 points from a possible 15, Villarreal 7 from 18 and Celta Vigo's defeat away to Leganes means they have taken 5 from 15. At the moment Betis are the hare while everyone else in the race is a tortoise.

4. Deportivo add life to the relegation battle

Levante's 2-1 win at home to Las Palmas a week ago looked as if it had decided which three teams would be relegated at the end of the current campaign, however, Deportivo La Coruna's 3-2 win away to Athletic Bilbao coupled with Levante's defeat to Atletico Madrid has reopened a few doubts.

While nobody really expected Levante to take anything from the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, Deportivo's 3 points at a ground where Athletic had only lost to Barca and Atletico were a major shock.

Both sides have a difficult end of the season, but if Deportivo can beat Sevilla, who may have half an eye on the Cup final, in midweek, the relegation battle could have some more surprises in store. Enditem