The Real Madrid squad still has hopes of winning the league title against Barcelona. Despite trailing by four points in the standings (seven now after Barcelona’s victory over Mallorca), they believe that Barcelona’s tough schedule between now and the end of the season, especially with the tie against Inter Milan in the Champions League, could cause them to drop points in the league championship.
Real Madrid, aiming to win everything
If there is one thing that the Real Madrid squad and the coaching staff led by Carlo Ancelotti have, it is that Real Madrid cannot drop any points between now and the end of the championship. That means getting the three points tonight away to Getafe and beating the Blaugranas in two and a half weeks’ time at the Lluis Companys Stadium.
But the squad believes that one of the key games to start the comeback in the league championship is this Saturday’s Copa del Rey final. If Real Madrid wins, they understand that it would put extra pressure on Hansi Flick’s team: it would take away their first title of the season, put pressure on them in LaLiga and the Champions League, and the Whites want to play with the psychological aspect for the rest of the season.
Real Madrid’s calculations
Real Madrid’s calculations are clear if they want to win the championship. Apart from having to face the Whites, Barcelona still have to visit Valladolid, visit Espanyol, host Villarreal, and finish LaLiga in Bilbao against Athletic. Ancelotti’s men, provided they win everything, would only need Barcelona not to win any of these games.
Valladolid seems the most winnable game for Barcelona, as they could be mathematically relegated this weekend. Next up would be Madrid, followed by a visit to the RCDE Stadium to host Espanyol. The Periquitos could be fighting for European places, as this year up to nine Spanish teams could qualify for international competitions. The last two games are at home to Villarreal and away to San Mamés, two teams who could be playing for a place in next season’s Champions League.
What’s left for Real Madrid
On the other hand, Real Madrid, if Barcelona drop any points between now and the end of the season, would have to win everything, but this year they have not been able to win more than four games in a row. Real Madrid still have to visit Getafe, host Celta, visit Barcelona, host Mallorca, travel to Sevilla (a ground where they do not usually do very well), and finish at home against Real Sociedad.
Although many fans already take it for granted that Barcelona will win, the truth is that there are still important and difficult matches ahead for both teams and, in soccer, anything can happen. Barcelona remains the clear favorite, but the head-to-head matchup between the two teams, the wear and tear of the Champions League semifinals for the Blaugranas, and the pressure that Real Madrid can put on them could turn things around in this final stretch of the season. The truth is that we could be in for an exciting finish to the league, which could even be decided on the last day of the season.
Real Madrid have not given up hope of winning their second consecutive league title and putting an end to a tough season for Ancelotti’s side.