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Odds are that you haven’t yet come down from the high that was Sunday’s El Clasico. A constant back and forth battle was settled by the greatest soccer player of all time (I’m Argentinian, what else can I say) with a decisive strike in the final seconds of the match.
While the game itself was a peach to watch, its ramifications are far-reaching in terms of who will come away with the La Liga trophy. Barcelona’s win at the death allowed for “¡Hay Liga!” shouts across the world.
Real Madrid’s loss at home saw Barcelona climb to the top of the table, equal on points but with Barcelona now holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. However, it’s hugely important to note that Los Blancos do have a game in hand — they have six games left to play while Barca have five. Effectively, Real Madrid still control their own destiny if they win out — they can even afford to draw one match.
Let’s see what’s ahead for both teams over the final month.
Real Madrid
Remaining Fixtures
04/26: @ Deportivo de La Coruna (16th in table)
04/29: vs. Valencia (12th)
05/02: vs. Atletico Madrid (Champions League)
05/06: @ Granada (19th)
05/10: @ Atletico Madrid (Champions League)
05/14: vs. Sevilla (4th)
05/21: @ Malaga (15th)
TBD: @ Celta Vigo (10th)
Previous Results Against Remaining La Liga Opponents
12/10: W 3-2 vs. Deportivo de La Coruna
02/22: L 1-2 @ Valencia
01/07: W 5-0 vs. Granada
01/15: L 1-2 @ Sevilla
01/21: W 2-1 vs. Malaga
01/25: L 1-2 vs. Celta Vigo
Barcelona
Remaining Fixtures
04/26: vs. Osasuna (20th)
04/29: @ Espanyol (9th)
05/06: vs. Villareal (5th)
05/14: @ Las Palmas (13th)
05/21: vs. Eibar (8th)
05/27: vs. Alaves (Copa Del Rey final)
Previous Results Against Remaining La Liga Opponents
12/10: W 3-0 @ Osasuna
12/18: W 4-1 vs. Espanyol
01/08: D 1-1 @ Villareal
01/14: W 5-0 vs. Las Palmas
01/22: W 4-0 @ Eibar
Related: Messi Wins El Clasico At The Death
Now, I’m not a betting man, but the odds seem to be in Barca’s favor to come away with the La Liga title. Of Madrid’s six remaining opponents, they’ve lost to half of them earlier in the season and two of the three wins were by just one goal. Of course, history doesn’t alway repeat itself, but two undoubtedly fierce matches against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semifinals will only complicate matters.
Those games will certainly take a toll on players, and the team might have to rest some key players for one or two La Liga matches to avoid muscle injuries.
Meanwhile, Barcelona hasn’t lost to any of its remaining opponents. While their schedule may seem more daunting if we base its strength off the table, those positions haven’t mattered in any of their previous meetings. Not only that, they’ve destroyed these foes, accumulating a 16-1 goal differential in the four wins. They will also be fresh for every game as they’re out of the Champions League.
The game in hand for Madrid is crucial. It allows them more leeway should they suffer a hiccup in the form of a draw in one match. But with their grueling schedule forthcoming and Barcelona riding on the momentum of a massive El Clasico victory, Madrid is surely feeling the pressure after letting what would’ve been a certain title slip away at the last moment.
The Champions League is both more important and glorious than La Liga, but the quality of Atletico, Monaco and Juventus means that Real could very well miss out on both trophies if past domestic results and a debilitating schedule do them harm.
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