Final weekend modified every little thing in La Liga. A title race by which Barcelona appeared in management was thrown open once more.
Let’s check out how we received right here.
When La Liga restarted in January, Barcelona had been high with 46 factors, 4 away from Actual Madrid.
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The Catalans’ return to kind was spectacular: two wins from two together with a cushty league victory over Espanyol and a spot secured within the Tremendous Cup closing in Saudi Arabia.
Actual Madrid had additionally began the second half of the season strongly, opening with a convincing 5–1 win over Actual Betis and incomes their place within the Tremendous Cup closing towards Barcelona.
It was that match that will show to be a turning level.
Los Blancos had been defeated 3–2 by their arch-rivals. This was to be Xabi Alonso’s final match in command of Actual Madrid, as he stepped down the next day.
Arbeloa is available in at Actual
In response, Actual Madrid turned to Alvaro Arbeloa, the reserve-team coach. An impressive former participant with a deep understanding of the membership, he stepped into the managerial position decided to revive confidence and stability following their Tremendous Cup defeat.
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He could not have had a worse begin. His crew travelled to Albacete, seventeenth in Spain’s second division, within the Copa del Rey final 16. It ought to have been a straightforward victory.
However Actual misplaced 3–2. Captain Dani Carvajal admitted the squad had hit “all-time low”.
The Madridistas questioned Arbeloa’s appointment. Barcelona’s followers celebrated. Their nice rivals had been in disarray.
Barcelona, themselves, got here by way of a difficult tie towards Racing Santander to succeed in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, sustaining their good begin to the second half of the season – 4 wins from 4, scoring 12 objectives.
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Barcelona’s shock defeat
Nonetheless, one more twist was to return in Barcelona’s subsequent league sport towards ninth-placed Actual Sociedad.
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Earlier than the fixture, supervisor Hansi Flick mentioned he needed to “proceed our run and present our followers the identical spirit as final season”.
However Barca’s 11-match successful streak in all competitions got here to an finish, when the hosts beat them 2-1 for the second consecutive season.
“I am disenchanted as a result of we performed an excellent sport,” Flick mentioned. “There are days while you put numerous vitality and in the long run you aren’t fortunate. We deserved to win, however that is soccer.”
The day earlier than, Actual Madrid had overwhelmed bottom-of-the-table Levante 2–0.
Victory got here amid an unpleasant reception on the Bernabeu, with supporters not afraid to voice their disapproval of latest performances, as Actual minimize Barcelona’s lead on the high to only one level.
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What is the feeling in each camps?
Let’s begin with Actual Madrid.
Arbeloa described Tuesday’s 6-1 Champions League victory over Monaco as a “turning level”.
“It is a evening the place the Bernabeu has proven that when it is behind its crew, when the Bernabeu is on our facet, we’re a really nice crew,” he mentioned.
“I am delighted with the gamers’ need to assist the crew. They’ve proven me that from day one.”
The efficiency may have undoubtedly boosted the arrogance of the supervisor, the gamers and the supporters. And as Actual Madrid put together for a Saturday journey to third-placed Villarreal, Arbeloa is aware of how important each sport is.
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“Tomorrow’s match is essential due to what it means, due to the opposition and due to three factors that will give us numerous confidence,” Arbeloa mentioned.
“It is one of many hardest video games we’ve within the league. We all know that we’ll need to be at our greatest and play at a really excessive stage if we wish to get the three factors.”
Barcelona additionally head into the weekend on the again of a Champions League victory, beating Slavia Prague 4–2. They face bottom-of-the-table Oviedo.
It will not be till Could that Actual Madrid and Barcelona meet once more: And that match might but show decisive within the title race.
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Actual received the primary Clasico of the season 2–1 in Madrid in October.
If final season is something to go by, the title race will stay removed from predictable.
At this stage final 12 months, Actual Madrid sat six factors forward of Barcelona, just for the Catalans to overturn the deficit and win the league.
As soon as once more, there’s all to play for.