BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona could also be fortunate Real Madrid has loftier objectives than making an attempt to mount a determined comeback within the Spanish league.
If not, then Barcelona would face Sunday’s recreation in opposition to Atletico Madrid with the added strain of ending its scoring drought to make sure it doesn’t get mired in a late-season stoop.
Barcelona nonetheless has a wholesome lead of 11 factors over Madrid with 9 video games remaining. But the workforce hasn’t scored in three straight video games after being crushed by Madrid 4-0 within the Copa del Rey and being held to scoreless attracts in opposition to modest league opponents in Girona and Getafe.
So a loss to Atletico mixed with a win the earlier night time by Madrid when it hosts Celta Vigo might fire up fears of a meltdown as Barcelona tries to win its first league title for the reason that departure of Lionel Messi two seasons in the past.
Madrid, nevertheless, has two different titles nearly in its grasp. The workforce will play Osasuna within the Copa del Rey remaining in Seville on May 6, and three days later it’ll host Manchester City within the Champions League semifinals. After brushing apart Chelsea this week, Madrid is now solely three video games away from defending its title and including to its document 14 European Cups.
That alone ought to imply Barcelona received’t face a critical problem from its prime rival as Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti rests his prime gamers – however simply to make sure it higher beat Atletico.
The different Madrid workforce struggled early within the season, shortly falling out of competition for the league title and ending its Champions League group in final place. But Atletico has been the most well liked workforce in Spain in 2023. It is unbeaten in 13 matches and takes a six-game successful streak to Barcelona.
Barcelona dealt Atletico its final loss again on Jan. 8 when it received 1-0 within the capital. That was João Félix’s final recreation for Atletico earlier than he joined Chelsea on mortgage.
Since the Portugal ahead left, Antoine Griezmann has been enjoying like he did in his best possible seasons throughout his first stint at Atletico earlier than he spent 2019-21 at Barcelona, the place he by no means slot in.
The France ahead is now main his workforce in scoring with 11 league objectives and main the league with eight assists. Griezmann scored twice within the final match to safe at 2-1 win over Almeria.
Atletico is in third place, two factors behind Madrid. And whereas overtaking its crosstown rival received’t add any titles to its assortment, it could be an incredible end to the season.
“We are on a good run and we want to keep it up,” Atletico midfielder Axel Witsel mentioned Thursday. “We are going to be strong defensively just like in recent games, and if we do that, we will surely have a chance to score.”
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