Online Reporter
WITH the sting of Champions League disappointment fading, but not forgotten, Barcelona are aiming to clinch back-to-back Spanish LaLiga football titles tomorrow when they host bitter rivals Real Madrid.
Leading by 11 points, Hansi Flick’s side only need a draw in the Clasico to be crowned champions again, although a victory against a Los Blancos team in crisis would keep them on course to make history and celebrate in style.
If Barcelona win their last four league games this season, starting with the battle against Alvaro Arbeloa’s fracturing Madrid, they will match the all-time league record of 100 points.
That was first achieved by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in 2011-12 and followed the season after by Tito Vilanova’s Barca.
Barca’s 29 wins so far this season are the most of any side at this point, and if they win their last four games, they will break the record of 32 victories in a season, shared by the Mourinho and Vilanova sides.
Should Barca beat Madrid and also Real Betis the following weekend, they will become the first team to win all their home matches in a 38-game LaLiga season.
However, they are without teenage star Lamine Yamal, who is out for the next few weeks with a hamstring injury.
Brazilian winger Raphinha returned to the bench last weekend after injury but did not appear in the win at Osasuna, which moved Barca to the brink of the title.
“I see the team in great shape, very focused – we’re all really looking forward to playing the Clasico,” said Barca defender Jules Kounde this week. “We can win LaLiga with a draw but a win would be the best.”
This is the first Clasico at the partially rebuilt Camp Nou in over three years.
In March 2023, Xavi Hernandez’s Barca snatched a late victory with Franck Kessie’s goal, which helped them open up a 12-point lead on Madrid and made them virtually assured of the title.
Fixtures:
Today: Elche v Alaves (2pm), Sevilla v Espanyol (4:15pm), Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo (6:30pm), Real Sociedad v Real Betis (9pm)
Tomorrow: Mallorca v Villarreal (2pm), Athletic Bilbao v Valencia (4:15pm), Real Oviedo v Getafe (6:30pm), Barcelona v Real Madrid (9pm). – AFP Sport.
