FC Barcelona is on the verge of securing the La Liga title after a thrilling 4-3 victory over archrival Real Madrid on Sunday.
The crucial win at Camp Nou has placed Barcelona seven points clear at the top of the La Liga standings with just three matches remaining and nine points up for grabs.
The title could be decided as early as Wednesday without Barcelona kicking another ball. Should Real Madrid fail to win their home clash against Mallorca, the La Liga crown will head back to Catalonia. Even a draw would mathematically eliminate Madrid from the title race, as Barcelona holds the head-to-head advantage, having beaten Madrid in both league encounters this season.
The pressure mounts on Real Madrid amid growing uncertainty, as head coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to depart at the end of the season to manage Brazil’s national team. The announcement, coupled with Sunday’s emotional loss, has left fans disheartened. Madrid’s squad is also severely depleted, with Vinicius Jr, Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba all sidelined. Additionally, Aurelien Tchouameni will miss the clash due to suspension.
With few options left, Ancelotti may turn to Madrid’s B-team defenders, including Jesus Vallejo and Fran Garcia, to patch together a makeshift backline. A Mallorca victory, meanwhile, would momentarily push them to seventh place, strengthening their European ambitions.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Valencia eyes a European slot and visits Alaves, who are nervously hovering just one point above relegation-threatened Leganes. Alaves hopes to welcome back striker Kike Garcia after a recent injury, while Leganes faces a tough away test against fifth-placed Villarreal. The Yellow Submarine, chasing a Champions League berth, boasts a potent attack led by Alex Baena, Ayoze Perez, and Nicolas Pepe.
As the season nears its dramatic conclusion, all eyes remain on Barcelona, who travel to Espanyol this weekend. If Madrid stays alive with a win on Wednesday, Barcelona can clinch the La Liga title outright by defeating their city rivals.