Leader of La Liga with 8 points ahead, Real Madrid can take a big step towards the title if they emerge victorious in the Clasico against FC Barcelona, at Santiago-Bernabeu.
THE real Madrid can end it. He knows it and he will do everything to achieve it. “It’s a great opportunity to bring us closer to the La Liga title”, did not hide Carlo Ancelotti when he presented himself to the press. This is indeed a great opportunity to shorten the suspense and get one hand, if not more, on the champion trophy.
At the time of hosting FC Barcelona, the Merengue club is eight steps ahead with still 9 matches to play, including this Sunday. It’s a lot and very little at the same time when we know that this season, only one team has managed to defeat Real Madrid in La Liga: Atletico Madrid, and that goes back almost 7 months.
A confidence that makes you invincible
Since then, nothing seems capable of derailing the formidable machine assembled by the Italian technician, not even that of Pep Guardiola. In the middle of the week, the Madrilenians achieved the feat of eliminating Manchester City on home soil in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. An evening where Nacho will have put Haaland in his pocket with a certain know-how while Lunin turned into a hero, Courtois style in 2022. In this shock, Real Madrid will have shown its ability to defend, endure the waves without ever giving a hold or leave openings to finally escape on penalties. More than a stroke of luck. We don’t come out of what many consider to be the best team in the world twice in three seasons.
A success which generates additional confidence and makes recovery easier because the efforts have been substantial. “They (the team) are recovering well. Some players need one more day. Mendy did not train today (Friday). We will present the best team possible”, said Carlo Ancelotti. In addition to the Frenchman, we are also waiting to see what form Vinicius will be in, who worked a lot at the Etihad Stadium and came out in extra time exhausted or even muscularly hampered. As an experienced man, the former AC Milan coach knows how to manage his troops and prevent any excesses. “We will be very close to the title if we manage to win, bearing in mind that we are playing against a very competitive opponent. It will be a clasico which will be as always a very competitive and balanced match”he warned.
Barça wants to relaunch La Liga
Balanced on the condition that FC Barcelona gets back on its feet after a chaotic week marked by European disillusionment and friction between its players. Confident when hosting PSG after winning the first leg at the Parc des Princes (3-2), the Blaugranas foundered at home, carried away by the stupidity of Araujo, sent off for a gross foul on Barcola.
A fact of play which annoyed Gündogan, the German making it known sharply after the match before the Uruguayan defender responded coldly via media. A healthy altercation according to Xavi who extinguished any start of fire in his locker room, like Sergi Roberto. The Catalan technician refocused the debate on the match that awaits his team. “The frustration and helplessness of the other day is difficult to digest but the tide will turn in our favor again. We are facing a morally strengthened Real”he said.
All in a hostile context since at the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium where the pressure will be maximum and will carry the Merengue. “Real will push in the first minutes of each half. We will have to be courageous with the ball and not lose it. This is the perfect match to demonstrate our personality. We have prepared well for the match. The first minutes will be decisive “We will have to calm down Real.”, believes Xavi. A challenge that the Catalans are ready to take on. “We have the opportunity to relaunch ourselves in La Liga. This is the most important match of our season”, he concludes. So yes, Real Madrid can put an end to it but FC Barcelona does not see it that way and has not yet given up its national crown.