Real Madrid and Barcelona will play out which is undoubtedly going to be the most intriguing of La Liga title races in recent memory. It looked done and dusted just a week back, when Real Madrid were three points ahead and had a game in hand, only for a certain Lionel Messi to intervene at the El Clasico.
Despite the meltdown which has followed and the one-sided ties against Deportivo and Osasuna, it is still Real Madrid’s title to lose. However, here are five reasons why the Catalans won’t get a sniff and Real Madrid will lift the La Liga for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
#1 The game in hand
“I wish we had the fixture list with more games, ” said Luis Enrique ahead of Barcelona’s game against Osasuna. He was talking about Real Madrid’s fixture congestion and most certainly that one game against Celta Vigo.
Real Madrid might have the more difficult run of fixtures to come, with the likes of Valencia and Sevilla to play, but that one game in hand is a huge psychological advantage.
‘A bird in hand is worth two in the bush’, but as far as Zinedine Zidane is concerned despite Barcelona being in front (due to their superior head to head record), this is their very own wild card.
#2 Barcelona’s troubles against the so-called ‘smaller teams’
Barcelona have scored a staggering 101 goals already this season, which is quite a number given they have four more games to play. But, they are still on par with Real Madrid somehow, and not over the line (or even the horizon).
There can be lot of reasons for that, but the biggest one can be deciphered with one look at their fixtures in the La Liga this season. They have lost four games in the League and the losses were to Malaga, Deportivo La Coruna (the same team Real Madrid scored 6 goals against), Celta Vigo and Alaves. Add to that points dropped against Real Sociedad, Malaga (again), and Real Betis and we start to see a real pattern.
“We've had problems with teams from the middle part and bottom part of the table, they're dangerous for everybody”, they’re not dangerous against everyone Luis, otherwise they’ll be at the top of the table.
#3 The form of Luis Suarez and Neymar
I know, I know, even Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale have been poor. But, the main difference between the two giants of Spanish football is their dependency on the front three. While Real Madrid have seamlessly interchanged BBC with the likes of Alvaro Morata, Lucas Vasquez, and Marco Asensio, Barcelona have Paco Alcacer as the only alternative to MSN.
Luis Suarez and Neymar have already scored bucket loads of goals this season (36 and 15), but the duo have struggled (according to their standards) since the PSG game.
It is a good thing that Lionel Messi is firing all guns blazing, but human as he is (I am not sure), even he might have a bad game here and there. Asking Paco Alcacer to do the business is a touch too far even for the most optimistic.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo
Thierry Henry after the El Clasico said, “Ronaldo helped Messi to be better, and Messi helps Ronaldo to be better”. The Frenchman could not have put his ideas on the legendary rivalry between the two in better words.
Truth be told, Cristiano Ronaldo, at least statistically is having his worst season in the Real Madrid shirt since the year he switched red of Manchester for the white. Despite that, he does love the special occasion as Bayern Munich found out in the Champions League quarterfinal.
Also, so much of Cristiano Ronaldo’s game is built on his drive and determination to be the best. There is no doubt that he would have been seething inside after Lionel Messi’s dramatic winner and is waiting to rest the attention back on him. In the light, where he belongs.
#5 Zinedine Zidane’s squad management
Since Zinedine Zidane had taken over the reins at Real Madrid at the worst point of their season, and he led them to an unlikely Champions League medal. Despite that, his teams have got the plaudits and his Real Madrid future is still (somehow) up in the air.
Also Read: Reports: Manchester United and Real Madrid agree on player plus cash deal for David de Gea
What has been the most intriguing watch is the juggling of his squad, he has given opportunities to youngsters, given his fringe players confidence and has managed to rest his superstars. All that, and Real Madrid have won each of those games in which he rotated.
Also Read: Reports: Cristiano Ronaldo had a dressing room bust-up with two players after El Clasico
If he does win the Champions League or even the La Liga, his underrated management skills will hopefully get the plaudits that it deserves.
