The peace of mind that comes with a job well done has allowed FC Barcelona to remain at the top of the league despite not having played their match. The match between FC Barcelona and Osasuna, corresponding to matchday 27 of LaLiga EASports, was canceled shortly before kick-off due to the death of the Barça team doctor at the team hotel hours earlier. Dr. Carles Miñarro died at the age of 40, causing consternation among the Barça squad who, with the support of the Rojillo team, decided not to play a match for which a date is now being sought.
The positive note in Barça’s mourning came on Sunday with the defeat of Atlético Madrid, which allows them to remain at the top of the table as leaders despite the triumph of Real Madrid. And the fact is that, even without having played, the spectacular comeback by Hansi Flick‘s team in 2025 gave them enough of a margin to sleep as leaders for another week.
In barely a month, Barça have managed to put 10 goals between themselves and Real Madrid in an express comeback to become sole leaders. Carlos Ancelotti‘s side went through a bad patch in which they lost at Cornellà (1-0) and against Real Betis, and drew against Osasuna and Atlético de Madrid, while Barça hit top gear with victories against Alavés (1-0), Sevilla (1-4), Rayo (1-0), Las Palmas (0-2) and Real Sociedad (4-0).
With this great balance, Barça did not need to play their match. The team from Barcelona has maintained that first place because Atlético Madrid were not able to beat Getafe. Simeone’s team, after a sleepy first half, took the lead with a more than questionable penalty, but Bordalás’ team turned the score around with two goals in the final moments of the game when the red and white team were a man down due to Correa’s sending off.
For its part, Real Madrid did beat Rayo Vallecano to draw level on points with the Azulgranas, but the goal average is much higher for the Azulgranas and Ancelotti’s team, who did not thrash the Franjirrojos but won by the minimum, 2-1, and suffered until the end, remaining second.
In this way, Barça remain top of the league for another matchday. They are level on points with Madrid and one point ahead of Atlético, the team they face next Sunday at the Metropolitano just before the international break.
The leadership consolidates Barça at a difficult time and just before hosting Benfica on Tuesday in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, which will determine whether or not they continue in the competition. The Catalans arrive with the minimum advantage achieved at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon where they won 1-0 thanks to a goal by Raphinha.