Can FC Barcelona afford to drop any more points with a Real Madrid side that might have found their groove? Not if they want to defend their Liga title.
A 100% record in La Liga was probably not FC Barcelona’s aim at the start of the season; but in view of Real Madrid’s solidification, they are advised to go for perfection.
Yes, Barcelona have been trying to give their fans the very best. Surely, never did they allow themselves to get carried away by complaisance; but in contrast, their results in La Liga have not always been positive.
Failing to accomplish missions or dropping points are things that can happen from time to time. Yet, mistakes seem to get massive exposure when they come at an unexpected moment.
On several occasions this season, Barcelona were anticipated to easily add three points to their tally in La Liga race, but there were times when the public’s predictions were shockingly busted by upsets. Their disappointing 2-2 draw away to Real Sociedad on September 10 last year is a perfect example for this fact.
Besides, they were held by Valencia eleven days after. A goalless draw to Sevilla the following month preceding draws with Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol, and a defeat in between away to Getafe seems to explain why Barcelona trail by five points at the top of La Liga ahead of Day 20.
Real Madrid, on the contrary, have not wasted as many opportunities. Their bitter but empowering exit from the Copa del Rey quarter-finals is rather very likely to add energy to their team for the remainder of the league season.
Having gained maximum momentum and fierceness to maintain the pressure on Barcelona, there is just no way the defending champions can afford to lose any more points in La Liga for any reason. Having to think about the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Champions League and La Liga, things definitely need to be handled with extra care by Pep Guardiola, if the Blaugrana are to succeed in the end.
Their main objective is what matters at this stage though: Is it the treble? The double or just any cup?
The more they seek, the more they need to sacrifice. And if it is so, then it is partly because they have noticed how willing the recent pair of Clasicos has made their arch-rivals focused on what they have left.
Now, what are the possibilities? 18 straight Liga victories for Real Madrid from their next game onward is a doable achievement.
The concern however - if there is any - from Barcelona’s prospect would lie on the fact that there is a 5-point gap. Thus, El Clasico in April will not be a decider, if ever the situation remains static by then.
This eventually adds emphasis to the mental battle that is currently going on. In reality, if ever Los Cules are to have control over La Liga standings, then they’d have to concentrate on their own race and excel over and over again, till they trigger worry in the enemy camp.
“We know what we must do,” guaranteed Coach Guardiola during his press conference ahead of the game against Villarreal. “We will try to focus on whatever match we have next and go as far as we can.”
Yes, Barcelona have been trying to give their fans the very best. Surely, never did they allow themselves to get carried away by complaisance; but in contrast, their results in La Liga have not always been positive.
Failing to accomplish missions or dropping points are things that can happen from time to time. Yet, mistakes seem to get massive exposure when they come at an unexpected moment.
On several occasions this season, Barcelona were anticipated to easily add three points to their tally in La Liga race, but there were times when the public’s predictions were shockingly busted by upsets. Their disappointing 2-2 draw away to Real Sociedad on September 10 last year is a perfect example for this fact.
Besides, they were held by Valencia eleven days after. A goalless draw to Sevilla the following month preceding draws with Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol, and a defeat in between away to Getafe seems to explain why Barcelona trail by five points at the top of La Liga ahead of Day 20.
Real Madrid, on the contrary, have not wasted as many opportunities. Their bitter but empowering exit from the Copa del Rey quarter-finals is rather very likely to add energy to their team for the remainder of the league season.
Having gained maximum momentum and fierceness to maintain the pressure on Barcelona, there is just no way the defending champions can afford to lose any more points in La Liga for any reason. Having to think about the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Champions League and La Liga, things definitely need to be handled with extra care by Pep Guardiola, if the Blaugrana are to succeed in the end.
Their main objective is what matters at this stage though: Is it the treble? The double or just any cup?
The more they seek, the more they need to sacrifice. And if it is so, then it is partly because they have noticed how willing the recent pair of Clasicos has made their arch-rivals focused on what they have left.
Now, what are the possibilities? 18 straight Liga victories for Real Madrid from their next game onward is a doable achievement.
The concern however - if there is any - from Barcelona’s prospect would lie on the fact that there is a 5-point gap. Thus, El Clasico in April will not be a decider, if ever the situation remains static by then.
This eventually adds emphasis to the mental battle that is currently going on. In reality, if ever Los Cules are to have control over La Liga standings, then they’d have to concentrate on their own race and excel over and over again, till they trigger worry in the enemy camp.
“We know what we must do,” guaranteed Coach Guardiola during his press conference ahead of the game against Villarreal. “We will try to focus on whatever match we have next and go as far as we can.”
