Barça could be enjoying a historic season after several years in the shadows. With two titles already under their belt, the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, the Azulgrana are now fighting for the Champions League and the league title. It is a league title in which the team from Barcelona is showing resilience, effectiveness, and the ability to react, putting all the pressure on Real Madrid. Last night, at Zorrilla, against Real Valladolid, Barça took another key step towards the title, suffering but once again demonstrating its ability to react and staging another comeback.
Hansi Flick played with fire by making massive rotations for the league match against a relegated Real Valladolid. With his mind set on the Champions League semi-final second leg, where the Catalans are playing for everything, the German coach fielded a very unfamiliar starting eleven, with Pedri practically the only undisputed regular.
He took a risk and it paid off. Barça had a difficult first half, with Real Valladolid going into the break 1-0 up at the José Zorrilla. The Barça coach had to make changes in the second half, and the reaction came. The changes brought more rhythm and effectiveness, achieving the comeback with goals from Raphinha and Fermín. In addition, Ter Stegen, on his return to the starting line-up, made several impressive saves that saved his team and could be worth the title.
The win extends their lead over Real Madrid to seven points ahead of the Whites’ match against Celta on Sunday. With the season entering its final stretch, every point is worth its weight in gold, and these last few could be worth even more just before next week’s Clásico at Montjuic.
What does Barça need to win the title in El Clásico?
Barça does not depend on itself, but the Clásico against Real Madrid on matchday 35, which will be played next Sunday at 4:15 p.m., could be decisive and give the title to the Azulgranas. Once that match is played, there would only be nine games left per player, and Barça would have practically won the goal difference against the Whites thanks to the 4-0 win in the first leg.
Barça could be crowned champions after El Clásico at Montjuic if, first of all, Real Madrid lose or draw this Sunday against Celta, leaving them 6 or 7 points behind the Catalans. If this situation arises, Hansi Flick’s side would depend on themselves and would have to win the derby to be crowned champions, as they would then be 9-10 points ahead with a better goal difference and only three games left to play.