Jose Mourinho is, up to this date, the last coach to guide Real Madrid to win a league title. It's been hard for Los Blancos to watch Barcelona dominate the league they practically owned in the 20th Century, and losing almost every title this decade isn't easy for the arrogant Madrid president, Florentino Pérez. But is it time to analyze how Mourinho won La Liga by being practical instead of being bold?
Sunday's El Clásico clash left a few talking points for fans and experts, including Zidane's lack of experience to handle the game once James Rodriguez scored the equalizer. Added to that, Zizou's loyalty to the BBC attack when Bale wasn't fully fit cause fans to complain about his choices while handling the squad. We all know that Luis Enrique is leaving Barcelona by the end of the summer, but it's safe to assume that Zidane's decisions could have him following the same path as his Blaugrana colleague.
El Clásico aftermath: How Real Madrid can cope without Ramos
One of the turning points in Sunday's game was Sergio Ramos' red card. With the ref's decision still being talked about, Real Madrid could have their leader out for quite some time. Being a straight red card, Ramos is up for at least a couple of games on the sidelines, and with his clapping gesture against Pique (or the ref?), the center back could be banned for up to four games. Nacho's shaky displays will have Real Madrid relying on Raphael Varane's comeback, at least until the player born in Camas is allowed back on the pitch.
La Liga's schedule: Who could be the projected title winner
This is how La Liga's table looks like after Sunday's game
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 32 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 70 | 22 | +48 | 81 | WWWWW | |
| 2 | Barcelona | 32 | 21 | 7 | 4 | 64 | 37 | +27 | 70 | LWWWW | |
| 3 | Girona | 32 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 67 | 40 | +27 | 68 | WLWLW | |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 32 | 19 | 4 | 9 | 59 | 38 | +21 | 61 | LWWLL | |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 32 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 52 | 30 | +22 | 58 | DDLWW | |
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 32 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 46 | 34 | +12 | 51 | DDWWW | |
| 7 | Real Betis | 32 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 40 | 38 | +2 | 48 | WWLLL | |
| 8 | Valencia | 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 35 | 34 | +1 | 47 | LWWDL | |
| 9 | Villarreal | 32 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 51 | 55 | -4 | 42 | WDLWW | |
| 10 | Getafe | 32 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 38 | 44 | -6 | 40 | DDLWL | |
| 11 | Osasuna | 32 | 11 | 6 | 15 | 37 | 46 | -9 | 39 | LLWLL | |
| 12 | Sevilla | 32 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 37 | WWWLD | |
| 13 | Las Palmas | 32 | 10 | 7 | 15 | 30 | 39 | -9 | 37 | LLLLL | |
| 14 | Deportivo Alavés | 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 28 | 38 | -10 | 35 | WLLLW | |
| 15 | Rayo Vallecano | 32 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 27 | 39 | -12 | 34 | WDDWL | |
| 16 | Mallorca | 32 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 38 | -12 | 31 | LLDWL | |
| 17 | Celta de Vigo | 32 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 37 | 47 | -10 | 31 | WLDWL | |
| 18 | Cádiz | 32 | 4 | 13 | 15 | 22 | 45 | -23 | 25 | LLWLW | |
| 19 | Granada | 32 | 3 | 9 | 20 | 33 | 61 | -28 | 18 | DWLLL | |
| 20 | Almería | 32 | 1 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 64 | -33 | 14 | LDLWD |
With five games to go, Barcelona seems to have an easier path to the title, especially considering they will not play the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Our of their upcoming matchups, Barcelona's biggest threats include Espanyol and Villarreal.
Barcelona's remaining opponents: vs Osasuna (MD 34), at Espanyol (MD 35), vs Villarreal, at Las Palmas, vs Eibar.
On the other hand, Real Madrid's pending match against Celta is crucial for them to win the title. The team from Vigo has played with their stellar cast in the UEFA Europa League, but their semi-final clash against Manchester United will be played before their matchup against Los Blancos. Playing against Sevilla will be one of the toughest games ahead for Zidane's crew.
Real Madrid's remaining opponents: at Deportivo (MD 34), vs Valencia (MD 35), at Granada (MD 36), vs Sevilla (MD 37), at Celta (MD 21), at Málaga.
Celta vs Real Madrid: A game in hand to win the title
Los Blancos rely heavily on their game against Celta to lift the trophy that's evaded them for almost five seasons. Celta's boss Eduardo Berizzo has made it abundantly clear that the team's main goal is to win the Europa League title, and their recent performances in La Liga have shown two things: Celta's squad is deep enough to field a decent Starting XI, and despite absences of key players, Los Celestes were able to eliminate Real Madrid from the Copa del Rey. Will they deny them the league title as well?
Los Blancos lost their second game of the season against Celta at the Bernabeu. What will fate have in store for Zidane's men when they battle Berizzo's men in May?
